That "sleeper" might be the sexiest word in fantasy football, but it doesn't speak well to how energetic a bunch we as a community are. It's also the most overused, but I've spent so much time on that soapbox that my calves are cramping.
But there's no denying it, friends—every fantasy manager loves the idea of drafting a player late who goes on to shatter expectations and deliver the kind of value that wins championships. And the later that pick is made, the better.
Now, it can be argued that once you hit the 10th Round or so, just about every guy is a "sleeper." No one's season was ever done in by a "wasted" pick in the double-digit rounds.
But some players are much more than just asleep—they are in a fantasy coma.
That was entertainment for some of us. You young folks should be thankful for what you have.
OK, maybe not all of it. Or all of YouTube
However, every fantasy manager is thankful when a deep sleeper hits. When a guy like wide receiver Wan'Wan'Dale Robinson goes from a Round 16 pick on average last year to a top-15 fantasy option at his position, it wins leagues.
Now, are any of the guys on this list of players with an Average Draft Position of at least the 13th Round here at Footballguys guaranteed to have the kind of season in 2026 that Robinson did a year ago? Hardly—there's a reason why they are deep sleepers. Dart throws. Lottery tickets. All the metaphors.
But if one of these deep sleepers awakens from his coma this year?
Sweet Michael Douglas, that's good.
Deep Sleeper Quarterbacks
Cam Ward, Tennessee (ADP: 149)
Speaking of the aforementioned Wan'Dale Robinson, he parlayed his big 2025 with the New York Giants into $70 million over four seasons with the Titans, where he will serve as the No. 2 wide receiver for a Tennessee team that also drafted Ohio State's Carnell Tate fourth overall.
That is excellent news for second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
Ward's rookie year was about like you'd expect from the rookie quarterback for a three-win team whose best wide receiver was whatever's left of Calvin Ridley. Now, Ward has significantly better passing-game targets and an experienced offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll.
If you believe in Ward's talent, he's a bargain at cost.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona (ADP: 192)
Fun fact. Last year, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 276.9 passing yards per game—best in the NFL. But as the starter for the Arizona Cardinals, Jacoby Brissett averaged 280.5.
Seriously.
This isn't to say that Brissett is the next Sam Darnold—an overlooked talent who comes into his own only after being cast onto the proverbial scrapheap. Brissett is the definition of a journeyman—a career backup on his sixth team embroiled in the most farcical contract impasse ever.
He'll get a raise, though—watch.
Brissett was a top-five fantasy quarterback from Week 9 on last year. There's a legit trio of pass-catchers in Arizona. The team will be trailing approximately always. And Carson Beck is a more chiseled Dillon Gabriel—Brissett will start. All season long. Again, watch.
Deep Sleeper Running Backs
Keaton Mitchell, LA Chargers (ADP: 161)
Full disclosure time—by the time fantasy managers are over 12 rounds into a draft, the running back talent left is—yeah. It's either role players or clear-cut backups. Folks can talk of "Zero RB" all day every day, but no bone gets picked clean faster by fantasy drafters than at running back.
Note the burgeoning hype around Keaton Mitchell of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mitchell isn't even guaranteed to be the No. 2 back for the Bolts this year over Kimani Vidal. He has less than 800 rushing yards over three seasons in the league. But Mitchell is healthy, has averaged over six yards a carry over his admittedly small sample size, and is a far more explosive back than Vidal.
It's not that hard to imagine Mike McDaniel finding a role for him.
Jordan James, San Francisco (ADP: 229)
The running back situation in San Francisco is muddy behind Christian McCaffrey—Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo and rookie Kaelon Black are all vying for No. 2 duties. It's a long way until the 49ers take on the Rams in Australia, but in the early going, James apparently has the early edge.
That's important. Because as has already been discussed, Christian McCaffrey is toast in 2026.
To say James is unproven is an understatement—his next regular-season carry will be his first. But he's a more instinctive runner than Guerendo and knows Kyle Shanahan's offense.
James is going to be the lead back for San Francisco at some point this season. Book it.
George Holani, Seattle (ADP: 262)
It is admittedly somewhat unlikely that the Seattle Seahawks used their first draft pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price only to have him be a bit player in the offense as a rookie. But the Seahawks are also reportedly going to make the youngster earn his touches. And in OTAs at least, Price was splitting the first-team reps with third-year pro George "Who"lani.
Get it? Come on, that's a little funny.
This could all just be a ploy to motivate Tatum Bell (bonus points if that makes sense)—Holani carried the ball 25 times over his first two seasons combined. But at the very least, if you're a believer in Price as a value in drafts this year, grab Holani as a free insurance policy.
This writer isn't buying that Zach Charbonnet will make a significant contribution this season. So, if Price struggles or gets hurt, Holani could suddenly be the No. 1 back for the defending champs.