RELATED: See High-Priced Players to Trade For here
RELATED: See Lower-Priced Players to Trade For here
RELATED: See Players to Sell Now here
RELATED: See Roster Cloggers to Remove here
Earlier this week, our team over at Footballguys shared insights on high-priced and low-priced players to target in your dynasty leagues as well. It's time to dig deep and find those diamonds in the rough.
Today's Question: Name a player who is likely a free agent in most dynasty leagues. What makes this player a sleeper?
Quarterback Sleepers
QB Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles
Jason Wood: This is a particularly problematic question because the very nature of dynasty leagues is to create incredibly deep rosters with very little viable on the waiver wire outside of the annual rookie draft. Your best chance to find real value in the free agent pile is with backup quarterbacks who have an injury situation thrust them into the lineup. To that end, Tanner McKee is one of a handful of young backups that fit the bill. McKee has to compete with Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the Eagles backup role this year, but he's the better quarterback and has already displayed the ability to execute the Eagles offense. Most won't take him seriously because his playing style differs greatly from Jalen Hurts, but the Eagles would much rather augment their gameplan to let McKee throw to the likes of DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown than to risk Thompson-Robinson's turnover-prone ineptitude.
QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Sigmund Bloom: Jones might not be on a roster in 1QB leagues after he was released during the season. He has long speed as a runner and can connect in the deep passing game. The Shane Steichen offense should provide him with ample opportunities to show off those fantasy-friendly assets, and Jones should have an advantage in the camp battle because of experience. Jones will have matchup QB1 value in 1QB leagues if he wins the job.
QB Zach Wilson, Miami Dolphins
Zareh Kantzabedian: After flopping hard as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, Zach Wilson is now the expected QB2 for the Miami Dolphins behind the frequently injured Tua Tagovailoa.
In New York, Wilson was utterly ineffective and often overwhelmed. He was traded to Denver in 2024, where he served as the backup quarterback to rookie Bo Nix and served under the tutelage of legendary head coach Sean Payton for one season.
After the 2024 season, Wilson signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent on a one-year deal to act as a viable QB2 option behind Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa's recent past is mired by severe concussions that have prompted many discussions of his early retirement. He missed four games last year due to a concussion and another two due to a hip injury. Without Tagovailoa, Miami's offense struggled mightily, becoming predictable and inept at creating explosive plays. If Tagovailoa misses time this year, Wilson should provide QB2 value in super-flex leagues. Our eyes, however, should be further on the horizon.
Wilson now finds himself in the Geno Smith and Sam Darnold stage of his hero arch. All three started and failed as rookies for the Jets; two have redeemed themselves while we wait to see if Wilson can rise from the ashes. Like Smith and Darnold before him, Wilson may also prove himself worthy of QB1 starter status, providing dynasty managers with a steady QB2 as early as 2026.
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