Fantasy football managers often say, "There's no one good left to take" late in their season-long league drafts.
Well that's just plain wrong: Prepared drafters will always have an interesting player to take in every round -- they just need to know where to look.
Once you get into around the 14th round, you're into the final four or so picks in most leagues, depending on whether a kicker is still used or required to be selected.
From RB handcuffs to lottery tickets to surprise performers, every draft features a lot of deep sleepers.
The best thing about a late flyer is that it comes with low risk when going for a high reward. Let's look at a dozen late fantasy football picks to consider who are ranked outside of the FantasyPros' Consensus Top 150 average draft position (ADP).
Fantasy football deep sleepers 2025
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders (Rank: 153 | ADP: 164)
The concern for Ertz is two-fold: His age (34) and potential much lesser usage because of Deebo Samuel.
But all the Commanders' key vacated targets are from wide receiver, and Ertz's quickly established chemistry with Jayden Daniels cannot be ignored in Kliff Kingsbury's offense.
The TE6 from last season also had a strong playoff run upon which to build.
Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans (Rank: 170 | ADP: 149)
Ward is getting little attention in fantasy despite being the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Miami grad boasts some intriguing skills to even impact 1QB, non-dynasty leagues, from his running to downfield passing to red-zone pop.
He is a clear Week 1 starter and should be seen as a cheap, cheat-code QB to stash late.
MORE: 1 Fantasy sleeper from every NFL Team
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (Rank: 174 | ADP: 188)
The Jaguars have 82 vacated targets at tight end with Evan Engram and Luke Farrell leaving.
Strange had 53 last season, catching 40 balls for 411 yards and 2 TDs. The team needs a key third target in Liam Coen's passing offense behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter.
Strange's familiarity with Trevor Lawrence could support a potentially busy target situation.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers (Rank: 178 | ADP: 161)
He's back after one productive season with the Bears (70 catches for 744 yards and 7 TDs on 121 targets).
At 33, he will adjust to an outside role (Z) in Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman's offense with Ladd McConkey now the primary slot. But his late signing signals the coaching staff doesn't overtly trust LA's younger receivers.
Allen also has an advantage of already being locked into Justin Herbert's radar, just one year removed from a ridiculous 108-catch, 1,243-yard, 7-TD receiving season with him.
Mason Taylor, TE, Jets (Rank: 189 | ADP: 211)
The son of Jason Taylor and the nephew of Zach Thomas might get to do some damage vs. the Dolphins this season.
Mason was ripping up training camp before being slowed by an ankle injury.
Back healthy, he should get every chance to have a key pass-catching role behind Garrett Wilson with Justin Fields being thin on targets.
2025 DRAFT SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST
Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs (Rank: 216 | ADP: 182)
Isiah Pacheco is becoming harder to trust with questionable durability and versatility.
Hunt was productive with his 223 touches in 13 games last season (904 yards, 7 TDs).
Pacheco might hold up much better this season, but if not, Hunt would get another big chance with his original team. At worst, Hunt is a top experienced handcuff.
Calvin Austin III, WR, Steelers (Rank: 228 | ADP: 268)
The Steelers have 155 vacated wide receiver targets. About 110 of them will be a wash swapping out George Pickens for DK Metcalf.
Austin can be busy playing off Metcalf as a potential Tyler Lockett type, and he often will be the only other Steelers wideout on the field with Arthur Smith using more two-tight end sets.
Austin's big-play ability and versatility for Aaron Rodgers can help him build on his 36-548-4 line.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Ravens (Rank: 232 | ADP: 254)
Derrick Henry's top backup remains Justice Hill.
Still, betting on an elite talent doesn't hurt if you can bet if Henry needs to go the shelf at any point at age 31. Mitchell's dynamic change-of-pace and home-run skills will get him on the field with good production potential in a run-heavy offense.
WARNING: Avoid these fantasy draft busts
Tory Horton, WR, Seahawks (Rank: 289 | ADP: 297)
The rookie fifth-rounder is getting every chance to win the third wide receiver job behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.
The Seahawks are cloudy at tight end with rookie Elijah Arroyo trying to climb from No. 2.
Horton (6-foot-2, 196 pounds) has shown speed to stretch the field and size to be a red-zone asset. He's connected well early with new QB Sam Darnold, too, in Klint Kubiak's underrated offense.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants (Rank: 295 | ADP: 243)
Dart's dazzling debut in the Giants' preseason opener vs. the Bills has created some buzz that this strong passing and fast running dual threat will be on the field starting sooner rather than later over Russell Wilson.
He's a terrific ... dart ... throw in superflex/2QB or deeper 1QB leagues with the appealing fantasy rookie profile.
Dont'e Thornton, WR, Raiders (Rank: 300 | ADP: 228)
Jack Bech was supposed to be the buzzy rookie wide receiver in camp.
However, Thornton has stolen the thunder a bit in trying to become a third key target behind Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers.
The 6-foot-5 potential mismatch machine could provide a downfield jolt for new QB Geno Smith.
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Packers (Rank: 309 | ADP: 324)
For a good runner with burst and having a prominent No. 2 role in a run-centric offense, the second-year back from Fort Valley State shouldn't be lasting so long on draft boards as the top backup to Josh Jacobs, who can face more attrition coming off a busy workhorse season.
Wilson was the RB50 in limited playing time last season, so he should at least be taken much higher than the Top 300 for at least handcuff purposes.