News Summary
As fantasy football fans prepare for the 2025 season, several key players such as Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, and Travis Etienne are emerging as potential sleepers. These players faced injury struggles in 2024, resulting in lower rankings but presenting opportunities for savvy drafters. The importance of understanding injury history and player performance indicators is crucial in identifying valuable picks, especially for running backs and wide receivers, as managers gear up for drafts.
Dallas, TX – As fantasy football enthusiasts gear up for the 2025 season, several high-profile players who endured injury-filled campaigns in 2024 are starting to emerge as sleepers for the upcoming draft. Notably, Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, Travis Etienne, and Tyreek Hill ranked among the top three in their respective fantasy positions for 2023. However, due to a combination of injuries and ineffective play, they fell outside the top 20 last season, raising concerns but also potential opportunities for savvy drafters.
Christian McCaffrey, who appears to alternate between dominating the running back ranks and battling injuries, is being viewed as a candidate to outperform his average draft position (ADP), which currently places him outside of the top 12 running backs. The unpredictability of his past performances underscores the importance of assessing players’ injury history and their potential for bounce-back seasons when drafting fantasy sleepers.
SportsLine’s proven predictive model, having accurately forecasted significant performances in prior seasons, including Bills running back James Cook, has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times to provide updated fantasy rankings for 2025. Cook, who was projected to exceed his ADP (RB14), delivered a remarkable season with 1,009 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 32 receptions, finishing as RB8 in CBS Sports PPR leagues.
The model has been successful in previously identifying players like A.J. Brown as valuable picks in 2020 and predicting performance fluctuations, such as C.J. Stroud’s drop in 2024. This track record adds credibility to the analysis of emerging players poised for breakout seasons.
Among the notable sleeper picks is Javonte Williams, the Dallas Cowboys running back, who is projected to have an ADP within the top 100. The Cowboys have moved on from 1,000-yard backs Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle, paving the way for Williams to claim the starting spot. Williams has consistently shown his capability, having recorded at least 40 receptions in each of his three healthy seasons, along with a minimum of 191 touches annually. SportsLine’s model favors him as the early starter, placing him ahead of Najee Harris and Zach Charbonnet, who have higher average ADPs.
In the receiver category, Jakobi Meyers of the Las Vegas Raiders stands out as a sleeper with an ADP of 79, having recently improved his ranking by five slots. Last season, Meyers notched career highs with 87 catches and 1,027 receiving yards, despite only registering four touchdowns. His situation improves significantly post the trade of Davante Adams, as he is likely to step into the role of the clear No. 1 wideout. Coupled with Geno Smith’s arrival as quarterback—a player known to elevate the performance of multiple receivers—Meyers could be poised for a breakout campaign. His performance after Adams’ departure averaged 75.4 receiving yards per game, translating to about 1,300 yards over a full season.
The potential for rediscovered value continues with Isiah Pacheco, who missed considerable time due to injury last season but demonstrated promise in 2023. Other players such as Jayden Wright may emerge for the Dolphins due to their evolving backfield dynamics, while Jayden Reed’s efficiency metrics indicate a likelihood for increased volume this season. Meanwhile, wide receiver Quentin Johnston is also mentioned as a sleeper candidate aiming to rebound from previous inconsistencies.
Furthermore, teams across the league, including the Cowboys, have strategically minimized their investments in the running back position, despite identifying gaps that need to be filled. Factors influencing player valuations include their competition, consistency in performances, and team dynamics, making it more likely for players to emerge as post-hype sleepers following less fortunate seasons.
As drafts approach, remaining aware of these potential sleeper candidates will be critical for fantasy managers looking to capitalize on player fluctuations and injury histories to build competitive teams for the upcoming season.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Sports: Fantasy Football Rankings 2025 Sleepers
- Wikipedia: Fantasy Football
- FantasyPros: 5 Fantasy Football Sleepers
- Google Search: Fantasy Football Sleepers
- RotoBaller: 8 Fantasy Football Sleepers
- Google Scholar: Fantasy Football Sleepers
- ESPN: Fantasy Football 2025 Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fantasy Football
