Daniel Jones, Cooper Kupp, And 3 More Deep Sleepers In Fantasy Football Drafts

The 2025 NFL season is about to begin, with fantasy football managers preparing for the start of the regular season. While star players aim to start strong, role players across the league are looking to establish consistent roles and develop into key contributors, potentially becoming "sleepers"—players drafted late who outperform their average draft position.

One notable sleeper is veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who joins the Seattle Seahawks after three injury-plagened seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Signed to a three-year, $45 million deal, Kupp is expected to fill the void left by DK Metcalf. Despite playing only 12 games in 2024, he recorded 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns. In Seattle’s talented offense, featuring Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sam Darnold, and Kenneth Walker III, Kupp projects as a high-end WR2 in PPR leagues if he stays healthy.

Another sleeper is rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden, selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft—their first WR taken in the first round since 2002. Known for his speed, with a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the combine, Golden is poised to be a deep threat in Green Bay’s passing attack. With Jordan Love’s strong arm and the team’s creative scheme, he is projected as a weekly FLEX starter due to his big-play potential and immediate role.

Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick by the Washington Commanders, has emerged as a sleeper after impressing during offseason programs and the preseason. His performance led to the trade of Brian Robinson Jr., and he is now expected to handle the majority of touches alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels. With upside in both rushing and passing, and behind a retooled offensive line, Croskey-Merritt has league-winning potential for fantasy managers.

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft, is another sleeper after a promising rookie season where he gained 631 yards from scrimmage and scored six touchdowns on 130 touches. Entering his second season, Davis is anticipated to have a larger workload. While James Cook remains the primary red-zone option, Davis offers greater upside as a pass-catcher with big-play ability, making him a potential breakout FLEX option in a Bills offense lacking depth at receiver.