Finding late-round gems is how you can turn your fantasy team into a league winner. We already covered 10 breakout players who should outperform their draft position, so it's time to move further down the draft board.
Here are 10 sleepers currently going outside the top 100 picks who could end up being difference-makers this year.
More from this series:
- 10 breakout players to target
- 5 potential busts to fade
- Players we love - July 16
Although it's been a while since we've seen it, Kyler Murray has proven numerous times throughout his career that he has the potential to be a top-five fantasy quarterback. He has his flaws, but - when healthy - his mobility gives him a floor that many at the position can't provide.
Murray received a much-needed change of scenery this offseason, and there may not have been a better landing spot for the No. 1 overall pick of 2019. His top pass-catcher is Justin Jefferson, and head coach Kevin O'Connell has turned water into wine with past Vikings quarterbacks; the only one O'Connell hasn't found success with is J.J. McCarthy.
Murray is currently being drafted as the 17th quarterback, according to FantasyPros' average draft position (ADP). It doesn't cost any significant draft capital to take a chance on Murray, who, ideally, you'd pair with another late-round quarterback and try to strike gold.
Despite having only six starts under his belt, Malik Willis signed a three-year, $67.5-million contract to be the Dolphins' starter in 2026. As a Packer, Willis flashed his ceiling last year in Week 17 against the Ravens, throwing for 288 yards and a touchdown while adding 60 yards and two scores on the ground. That outing clearly sold Miami on the 2022 third-round pick's potential.
Willis' mobility could make him a viable fantasy starter this year, similar to what Justin Fields provided in 2022 as a member of the Bears. There aren't many quarterbacks who are a threat to rush for 50 yards and a touchdown every game, which makes Willis an intriguing value pick at the end of your draft.
He's the 21st quarterback off the board, which means he's going undrafted in most standard leagues. Willis is a zero-risk pick with a decent amount of upside as the second quarterback on your roster, and if he doesn't pan out, you can simply drop him without losing much investment.
Jonathon Brooks has taken nine carries since being picked in the second round of the 2024 draft. ACL injuries have plagued the 22-year-old, but he appears ready to log a full training camp and suit up in Week 1.
Although Chuba Hubbard is slated to be Carolina's starter entering training camp, he has limited upside. Brooks' injury history makes him a riskier selection than Hubbard, but he's also being taken 30 picks later (102 overall) while offering a much higher ceiling.
The Panthers may not have the most appealing offense for fantasy production, but let's not forget that Rico Dowdle finished as the RB1 twice and the RB2 once in a five-week stretch last season with Hubbard sidelined. Brooks is two years removed from being the first running back selected in the NFL draft, and he could be the Panthers' lead back before October.
We're fading Bucky Irving, so naturally there should be an undervalued running back on the Buccaneers' roster. They signed Kenneth Gainwell in the offseason, but he's a passing-down back who offers very little between the tackles. Tampa Bay also re-signed Sean Tucker, who's capitalized on limited opportunities throughout his career.
Despite never having a clear starting role, Tucker has recorded two weeks as the top-scoring running back since 2024. There aren't many players drafted outside the top 180 picks who can make that claim.
Tucker's path to the starting job isn't straightforward. Irving will have to remain inefficient while Tucker shows effectiveness in the limited work he'll get early in the season, but that's not entirely unlikely. If that's the case, you could find yourself a top-20 running back in someone who's currently the 55th back coming off the board.
Omarion Hampton was highlighted as a potential breakout, but that shouldn't change the possibility of the Chargers having two startable running backs.
New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel loves speed, so he went out and got arguably the fastest running back available in free agency. Keaton Mitchell showcased big-play ability when healthy in Baltimore, ranking third in explosive rate last year among running backs with at least 50 carries, per SumerSports. He now gets to be a part of McDaniel's scheme, which turned De'Von Achane into a fantasy star.
Mitchell is being drafted as the RB44, but the other backs being selected in his range aren't members of what could be the league's highest-scoring offense.
The Commanders didn't address their running back room with a splash in free agency. Instead, they signed fifth-year veteran Richaad White and drafted Penn State product Kaytron Allen to work alongside sophomore Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Simply put, the starting job is up for grabs.
Allen is a north-south runner who profiles similarly to Chris Rodriguez, who, coincidentally, left Washington during free agency. Allen won't blow anyone away with his speed, but if he can protect the ball and be a reliable chain-mover for Jayden Daniels' offense, then that may be enough for him to earn the bulk of the carries.
All three Washington running backs are being taken outside of the top 100 in drafts. White is going first at pick 109, followed by Croskey-Merritt at No. 122. Perhaps training camp will help paint a clearer picture of this backfield, but for now, the best value is at pick 200 with Allen, who could ultimately lead the group in touchdowns.
Stefon Diggs remains a free agent, but he's expected to have a team before Week 1. Diggs is coming off a solid season with the Patriots. He caught 85 balls for 1,013 yards and ranked eighth in yards per route run (YPRR), slightly ahead of George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb and right behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. Diggs is far from the washed receiver many believed him to be after tearing his ACL in 2024.
Diggs will likely land in a favorable situation, and Washington may be his No. 1 suitor. Daniels needs another pass-catching option besides Terry McLaurin, and Diggs would fit seamlessly into the Commanders' offense.
He's being undervalued at pick 136, the 57th wide receiver off the board. The 32-year-old may not be the elite fantasy producer he was in Buffalo, but Diggs should easily outperform his draft slot regardless of where he ends up.
Jalen McMillan was hurt most of last season, though he was effective in limited playing time. He ranked 18th in YPRR among receivers with at least 50 routes and caught 80% of his targets. Mike Evans is no longer in Tampa Bay, meaning 23% of Baker Mayfield's targets are up for grabs.
Emeka Egbuka will be Mayfield's top option, but with Chris Godwin aging and primarily playing out of the slot, the door is open for McMillan to play a key role in an offense that should throw the ball a lot.
McMillan is being picked as the 60th receiver in drafts, yet he could easily finish the season as a weekly starter if he can stay on the field.
Wide receiver handcuffs aren't typically a thing, but drafting Ryan Flournoy with a late-round pick provides upside that most receivers in his range can't. Flournoy is the clear WR3 in Dallas, which has one of the league's most potent offenses and two clear stars at the position. If Lamb or Pickens miss time, Flournoy immediately becomes a fantasy starter.
The third-year receiver is going as the WR65 in drafts, while both Lamb and Pickens are inside the top 10. Last season, Flournoy recorded a respectable 1.73 YPRR, good for 27th in the league among receivers with at least 250 routes run. He also ranked 13th in catch rate.
Despite Jalen Coker missing six games in each of his first two years, the Panthers rewarded him with a three-year contract extension. Carolina knows it has something in Coker as a solid WR2 alongside Tetairoa McMillan.
Last season, Coker had four top-25 weeks in his final seven games, showing he's more than capable of being a fantasy starter when healthy. His upside may be capped as the second option on the Panthers' offense, but you could do a lot worse with the 130th pick.
More from this series:
- 10 breakout players to target
- 5 potential busts to fade
- Players we love - July 16
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