HEY! It’s finally time for … FANTASY FOOTBALL SZN! The best words you could hear in the middle of the summer.
If you’re prepping for your 2024 fantasy football season, now’s the time you’re starting to think about sleepers, some of whom we may see in action as the NFL preseason gets underway.
And that’s what this annual list is for: A collection of sleepers from around the NFL, 32 of them to mark on your cheat sheet as you start preparing for your upcoming draft.
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Of course, some of them may not end up being sleepers by the time you’re drafting. Still, you’ve got to start somewhere. And here we go:
1
Arizona Cardinals: RB Trey Benson
May 10, 2024; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during rookie minicamp at the teams Tempe Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
How much do you believe in James Conner, who is 29 and who played in 13 games for three of his past four seasons? Exactly.
2
Atlanta Falcons: QB Kirk Cousins
Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) is interviewed after Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
I know. He’s coming off a torn Achilles. He’s getting up there in age. But he’s got weapons in Atlanta. That counts for a lot.
3
Baltimore Ravens: WR Rashod Bateman
Oct 2, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) catches a pass as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) defends during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers are there, and they run the ball a ton. But maybe Bateman gets in there as a No. 3 option.
4
Buffalo Bills: WR Khalil Shakir
Nov 19, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) runs with the ball for a touchdown after making a catch against New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
We saw flashes of him being a solid contributor last year, and with Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs gone, he could end up in a much bigger role.
5
Carolina Panthers: RB Jonathon Brooks
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Jonathon Brooks #RB05 of the Texas Longhorns speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Sure, Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders are in Carolina. But trust me when I say: draft the rookie and sit him on your bench. He’ll be useful at some point.
6
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams
May 10, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during a press conference before Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Rookie QBs are risky. But this rookie quarterback has got a lot of offensive weapons at his disposal. I’m intrigued.
7
Cincinnati Bengals: RB Chase Brown
Jul 26, 2024; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) returns a kick off during training camp practice at Kettering Health Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Moss is good. But Brown is explosive and could find his way into a bigger role.
8
Cleveland Browns: RB Jerome Ford
Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) carries the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 26-22. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Chubb may not be fully healthy and Ford looked pretty good last year.
9
Dallas Cowboys: RB Rico Dowdle
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) rushes with the ball during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Hmmm. Ezekiel Elliott is back in Dallas, but he’s long in the tooth.
10
Denver Broncos: RB Jaleel McLaughlin
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 01: Russell Wilson #3 hands the ball off to Jaleel McLaughlin #38 of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 01, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Dude looked explosive last season. Javonte Williams didn’t. I’m willing to throw a late bet down on McLaughlin.
11
Detroit Lions: WR Jameson Williams
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) leaps in for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Yep, I’m on this train again. Come join me. The potential is all there.
12
Green Bay Packers: WR Christian Watson
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, December 4, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
I know there are other WRs getting headlines this year for Green Bay, but Watson could put together a monster year if he’s fully healthy.
13
Houston Texans: WR Tank Dell
Nov 12, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Tank Dell (3) in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
I bet on talent when it comes to sleepers, and he’s too talented to be ignored even with Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs on the roster.
14
Indianapolis Colts: WR Adonai Mitchell
Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (WO19) talks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The WR position for Indy is a little muddled beyond Michael Pittman Jr. Maybe the rookie breaks through.
15
Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence
Dec 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Post hype sleeper who actually wasn’t as bad as you thought last year? Count me in!
16
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xavier Worthy
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Xavier Worthy #WO40 of Texas participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
A speedy receiver who matches with the best QB in the game? HECK YEAH!
17
Las Vegas Raiders: TE Brock Bowers
Apr 26, 2024; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, NV. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Draft buzz was LOUD, and now he lands in a great place to grab passes.
18
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Joshua Palmer
Nov 20, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) celebrates scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs with quarterback Justin Herbert (10) at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
I see your Ladd McConkey hype and I raise you with Palmer, who has Justin Herbert’s trust.
19
Los Angeles Rams: RB Blake Corum
Jul 31, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) participates in drills during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Let me ask you this: If the Rams love Kyren Williams so much, why did they draft Corum in the third round? Hmmmmm.
20
Miami Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
Jul 24, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Sure, there are questions about his stats, but with his supporting cast, we’ve gotten to the point where he’s actually undervalued.
21
Minnesota Vikings: TE T.J. Hockenson
Nov 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
If he’s healthy, he’s going to be a big part of the offense. If he does return at the beginning of the season, it may take him time to get back to his normal, awesome self, but you can get a discount for that.
22
New England Patriots: WR DeMario Douglas
Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker David Long Jr. (51) dives for New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (81) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Someone needs to make plays in this group of WRs. Why not him after we saw him play well last year?
23
New Orleans Saints: RB Kendre Miller
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
What’s the deal with Alvin Kamara? Is Jamaal Williams going to get all the RB2 work? Miller is talented enough that I’d take a flier.
24
New York Giants: RB Devin Singletary
Jul 25, 2024; East Rutherford, NY, USA; New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) participates in a drill during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports
I think he’s going to be better than you think, plain and simple.
25
New York Jets: WR Mike Williams
Nov 22, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) hauls in a pass in front of New York Jets cornerback Arthur Maulet (23) during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
I’ll fully admit I’ve never been a Mike Williams fantasy guy, but at this point, you could get him cheap and see Aaron Rodgers look his way in the red zone. Worth something!
26
Philadelphia Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores on a passing touchdown past the defense of Bradley Chubb #2 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
He’s probably getting drafted outside the top 10 of tight ends, but he’s reliable when healthy. That makes him sleeper-y.
27
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Justin Fields
Jul 28, 2024; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) is pressured by safety DeShon Elliott (25) during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports
There’s some training camp buzz and I don’t trust Russell Wilson anymore.
28
San Francisco 49ers: WR Ricky Pearsall
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 29: Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp at SAP Performance Facility on July 29, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
I know, lots of buzz around him, but with uncertainty at WR for the Niners — is a disgruntled Brandon Aiyuk staying or going — he could be a valuable pick.
29
Seattle Seahawks: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) after throwing a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
A Year 2 explosion could be happening even with a crowded receiver room.
30
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Chris Godwin
Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) makes a catch during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Last year wasn’t great, but if he’s a slot guy mostly this year, that’s huge for a bounceback.
31
Tennessee Titans: RB Tyjae Spears
Syndication: The Tennessean
Just because Tony Pollard signed doesn’t mean all is lost year. Spears is the kind of player who could prove in the first three weeks that he needs more playing time, easily.
32
Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels
Jun 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) gestures during OTA workouts at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Hard to call him a sleeper when there’s this much buzz, but if he drops in your draft, grab him. He’s got the tools to be a fantasy star.
