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Fantasy Football Deep Sleepers: 12 breakout players to target late in 2024 drafts
By Vinnie Iyer,
14 hours ago
Fantasy football managers often say, "There's no one good left to take," late in their season-long league drafts. The response should be that there is always some player interesting to pick in every round — you just need to know where to look.
Once you get into the 14th round, you're into the final four or so picks in most league, depending on whether a kicker is still used. From handcuffs to lottery tickets to surprise performers, every draft features a lot of deep sleepers.
The best thing about a late flyer is that it comes with low risk when going for a high reward. Let's look at a dozen late picks to consider who are ranked outside of the consensus top 150.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans (Rank: 151 | ADP: 66)
With offensive-minded coach Brian Callahan, the Titans should increase their pass rate from 55 percent to near 65 percent. They have revamped their receiving corps with Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and also have good receivers at running back and tight end. The system and support, along with Levis' own arm and athletic talent, sets up a path to top-15 scoring vs. a favorable schedule.
Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills (Rank: 156 | ADP: 203)
Davis was drafted to be a big power complement to James Cook. At 5-8, 220, he has shown that he can also be factor spelling Cook at times in the passing game. The rookie from Kentucky is a premium handcuff who will stay sharp with a handful of key touches in every game.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints (Rank: 157 | ADP: 197)
Tight end looks much better near the top, but there are questions in the second half of the top-12 and beyond. With new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Hill could see some Deebo Samuel-like rushing wrinkles to supplement Derek Carr's low-ceiling passing. Hill also remains their best option to sub in for Alvin Kamara at the goal line over their actual backup backs.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons (Rank: 164 | ADP: 206)
There's been a lot of new hype over Drake London and a lot of new hope for Kyle Pitts. But as the Falcons flip to a pass-happier offense from around 52 percent to 62 percent, they will be employing 11 personnel under Zac Robinson. Mooney is easily their second-best wideout and has a good combo big-play skill set that can be unleashed more with Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix at QB.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Rank: 167 | ADP: 192)
The Buccaneers' offense will still be plenty about Baker Mayfield throwing to Mike Evans downfield and then a big unproven dropoff at wide receiver after Chris Godwin. Keep in mind when Liam Coen was the Rams' offensive coordinator, when Cooper Kupp missed more than half the season, Tyler Higbee led that team with 108 targets and finished as TE15 in average half-PPR scoring. Opportunity could knock more for Otton through the end zone to be much better than his TE23 finish.
As De'Von Achane was the high-upside rookie to target in Mike McDaniel's rushing attack last season behind Raheem Mostert and the veterans, Wright is becoming the swing for the fences rookie reserve behind Achane, given Mostert is 32.
Bateman has had a good camp and preseason. It has been easy to forget he was a real-life first-round draft pick. Injuries robbed him of past upside, but he looks like he can be a bigger part of the Ravens' passing game behind Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers this season.
Who will be the No. 2 WR in Denver? That question may have been fantasy irrelevant until rookie Bo Nix impressed with the starters in the preseason and ran away with the starting QB job. Nix has unlocked Courltand Sutton well and is also liking Tim Patrick, but Mims did catch a TD pass. He's too big of a playmaker with the ball in his hands not to vie for more key touches ahead of Josh Reynolds. Patrick also has a rough injury history.
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets (Rank: 180 | ADP: 202)
The big strong rookie runner from Wisconsin has delivered as a preferred backup to Breece Hall in the preseason. Allen won't have much standalone value despite spelling Hall on early downs and maybe finding the end zone a few times, but he is another must-have rookie handcuff for Hall drafters.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (Rank: 231 | ADP: 242)
The Bengals don't have Boyd in the slot anymore with Andrei Iosivas looking like the best option to stay on the field in that role when they have a third receiver with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But Gesicki might be that classic cheapie frequent scorer for Joe Burrow in the red zone. Burrow should be motivated by wanting to see Gesicki do his awful version of the Griddy often.
This is an obligatory reference after Russell Wilson has been hurting and not lighting it up as the default newcomer veteran starter. Fields was tied for QB14 (with Patrick Mahomes) last season and could be given a chance in Pittsburgh at any point. He can be productive with his cheat code rushing in Arthur Smith's run-heavy offense.
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Commanders (ranking: 267 | ADP: 269)
The Commanders need more reliable receivers after Terry McLaurin after saying goodbye to Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson. Dyami Brown can take over for Dotson as the flashy deep threat for Jayden Daniels, but there's a void for the slot-oriented Samuel role, which would now be the Christian Kirk-y role to Terry McLaurin's DeAndre Hopkins-eseque role based on Kliff Kingsbury's last NFL offense in Arizona.
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