Dynasty Sleepers: Rookies Who Can Outperform Their Draft Spot

Dynasty sleepers are hard to find. Our Footballguys staff looks for rookies to target.

Jeff Bell's Dynasty Sleepers: Rookies Who Can Outperform Their Draft Spot Jeff Bell Published 05/22/2024

Everyone loves a rookie draft, but just like NFL teams signing undrafted rookie free agents after the NFL draft, there are potentially difference-making rookies available in your league.

Of course, chances are that these players will need a string of good fortune to produce for you, but that's what diving for sleepers is all about: taking shots at stardom.

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What dynasty sleepers are you often targeting in your post-rookie draft waiver runs?

Jason Wood

Jared Wiley. There probably is no replacement for Travis Kelce, but we still get excited about Jody Fortson or Noah Gray. Wiley is the latest but also the most enticing dynasty sleeper because Kelce is entering the last year(s) of his career.

Ryan Weisse

I look for four at the end of every draft: Jordan Travis, Theo Johnson, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Ryan Flournoy. Travis is easily my most added dynasty sleeper. I play mainly in Superflex, and I won't let a rookie quarterback playing behind a 40-year-old coming off an Achilles injury sit on waivers. If I have a pick in the last round, I draft him. But if I don't have that late pick, Travis will be an immediate addition.

Leo Paciga

Rasheen Ali may be available as a waiver add, depending on how deep your rookie drafts are. The ex-Marshall running back was drafted in the fifth round by the Ravens despite suffering a torn bicep while practicing at this year's Senior Bowl. Ali, at 5-foot-11, 206 lbs., is a physical runner with good vision, solid balance, and impressive straight-line explosiveness. Baltimore's running back room has depth, but Ali is an excellent roster stash coming off that bicep injury.

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Corey Spala

Looking at a standard 12-team Superflex league for dynasty sleepers, I have prioritized any athletic tight ends who got drafted. This does not answer the question but provides an edge I look for. Jared Wiley has been my favorite, given the recent re-working of Travis Kelce’s contract. He was drafted in the fourth round and has the athleticism desired (9.30 RAS) to be a dynasty sleeper. I will let him sit on my taxi squad, and I hope he will be the successor to Kelce in the Kansas City offense.

If Wiley got drafted, I would pivot to AJ Barner, another fourth-round selection with desired athleticism (8.70 RAS) who is looking to develop for a year or two.

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports dynasty sleeper

Gary Davenport

I’m cosmically required to talk IDP at some point, and that point is now. Cedric Gray in Tennessee, Tyrice Knight in Seattle, and Edefuan Ulofoshio in Buffalo are all potential dynasty sleepers. There are a number of young linebackers this year who could be great taxi squad stashes because they are one injury or a few bad games from middling talents away from seeing real playing time.

Zareh Kantzabedian

San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Jacob Cowing has surprisingly gone undrafted in many rookie drafts. On paper, Cowing was the most efficient PAC 12 wide receiver in this year's draft, including Rome Odunze. Cowing is small in stature but a gifted route runner who plays with strong hands. Cowing checks all the boxes as a dynasty sleeper and could pay off big by next year. 

 

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