News Summary
As fantasy football enthusiasts gear up for the new season, players like Christian McCaffrey, Javonte Williams, and Jakobi Meyers are emerging as potential sleeper picks. Despite injuries and inconsistent performances affecting their past seasons, they hold significant upside for fantasy teams. Analyzing factors such as team dynamics and player efficiency could lead to valuable choices in drafts. The insights shared by experts emphasize the importance of identifying post-hype sleepers who may exceed expectations based on prior performances.
Dallas, TX – Fantasy football enthusiasts are eyeing several players as potential sleepers for the 2025 season, particularly those who faced injury challenges or inconsistent performances in 2024. High-profile athletes like Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, Travis Etienne, and Tyreek Hill were notable for their top three positional rankings in 2023 yet fell outside the top 20 the previous year due to injuries and ineffectiveness.
Among these, Christian McCaffrey remains a multifaceted player, known for fluctuating between leading the running back fantasy rankings and facing significant injuries. His average draft position (ADP) for 2025 reflects this volatility, placing him outside the top 12 running backs. Analysts stress the importance of assessing players with high upside for possible breakout seasons, especially those like McCaffrey who have histories of both success and injury.
The proven computer model at SportsLine has previously demonstrated its reliability. It accurately predicted that Bills running back James Cook would exceed expectations last season, outperforming his ADP of RB14. Cook achieved impressive statistics with 1,009 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 32 receptions for 258 receiving yards, solidifying his position as RB8 in CBS Sports PPR leagues. This model has also successfully identified sleeper candidates in past seasons, such as A.J. Brown and has consistently shown predictive power for player performance.
This year, Javonte Williams, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys, is emerging as a sleeper pick with an ADP within the top 100. The Cowboys’ roster changes, which include the departure of 1,000-yard backs Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle, set up Williams for potential success. Additionally, the team drafted running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah but also signed Williams and Miles Sanders, indicating a shift in their offensive strategy. In his healthy seasons, Williams recorded at least 40 receptions and had a minimum of 191 touches each year. Analysts predict he may have an edge over fellow running backs Najee Harris and Zach Charbonnet, who hold higher ADP positions.
Another notable sleeper is Jakobi Meyers, a receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, who has seen his ADP rise to No. 79 due to his impressive career highs of 87 catches and 1,027 yards last season, despite only four touchdowns. The trade of Davante Adams has elevated Meyers to the top receiver position in Las Vegas. With Geno Smith serving as an enhanced quarterback option, there is a strong belief that Meyers can significantly boost his production. Historical data reflects that Smith has benefitted multiple receivers, and Meyers averaged 75.4 receiving yards per game following Adams’ trade, translating to a projection of approximately 1,300 yards over a full season.
With minimal investment by teams like the Cowboys in the running back position, gaps remain in the roster that can be filled with emerging talent. Players often become “post-hype sleepers,” as their perceived value decreases after disappointing seasons. For example, Isiah Pacheco could see renewed prospects after injuries hindered his previous season, while Jayden Wright is viewed as a valuable addition given his athleticism amid the Dolphins’ backfield changes.
On the perimeter, Jayden Reed stands out due to his efficiency metrics and potential for increased volume, while players like Quentin Johnston are viewed as rebound candidates following earlier inconsistencies. Team dynamics, offensive system changes, and new quarterback situations are all factors driving the potential success of these fantasy sleepers as the new season approaches.
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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
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
