Who are the top fantasy football sleepers for 2024?

This is the first question people ask as they head into their drafts – and for good reason! Drafting sleepers is one of the biggest keys to winning your fantasy football league. Discovering these sleepers can be a lot of fun, too.

But if there’s one thing that fantasy football sleepers are not, it’s easy-to-find.  

 

 

 

Gone are the days where leaguemates might not be able to access a fantasy football cheat sheet on the fly, or defer to online NFL depth charts to power their draft. There’s so much information available today that few player names take anyone by surprise. That means we need to take a sharper approach to fantasy football sleepers – which is exactly what this list of the Top 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers is going to do.

What Is A Fantasy Football Sleeper?

A fantasy football sleeper is a player who significantly outperforms his draft position and delivers great value for the team that picked him. For example, if you draft a player in the eighth round and he performs like a third-round player, you’ve got yourself a sleeper.

Fantasy football busts sit at the other end of the spectrum. Busts are players who under-perform and hurt your team over the course of the season. When it’s all said and done, busts produce bad value compared to where you drafted them.

Draft positions vary league-to-league, but we recommend using our fantasy football ADP (Average Draft Position) tool to get a feel for where a player might be picked. We’ll refer to ADP a lot as we share our 2024 fantasy football sleepers below.

Without further ado, here are the players we expect will exceed expectations and become surprise difference-makers for your fantasy team.

2024 Fantasy Football Sleepers

Sleeper QBs For 2024 Fantasy Football Leagues

Will Levis, QB Tennessee Titans

No, you are not drafting Levis to be your starting quarterback this season. Well, not yet. He’s your backup in a single-QB league and your second, maybe even third, in a superflex. But you need to have him on your radar. Everything we have seen from the Titans – from hiring Brian Callahan away from the Bengals to drafting JC Latham with the seventh overall pick to adding Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to the receiving corps – points towards a big season for Levis. Or, at the least, the intent to have a big season. 

Not everything is going to click immediately, but you see the path the team has taken and once they find their offensive groove, you’re going to want a piece of it in fantasy. So, why not the main character? Levis has a cannon for an arm and flashed some legit talent as a rookie coming off the bench in Week 8. He also made a lot of mistakes. And his accuracy issues should be a focal point in training camp this summer. 

But Callahan’s offensive scheme and tutelage will help Levis become a better, more efficient quarterback while also affording him the opportunities to chuck it downfield and maintain that league-leading aDOT from last season. The price tag is practically free. He’s coming off the board as QB23 with an average ADP of 155.99. When you look at the board and are tempted to take Baker Mayfield or Derek Carr, take Levis instead. 

Justin Herbert, QB Los Angeles Chargers

Boy, that escalated quickly. And by that, I mean Herbert’s ADP. Have you ever seen a community abandon a guy as quickly as we’ve seen with Herbert this season? From a potential top-five fantasy quarterback to QB17 with an average ADP of 112.61 (10th round), Herbert’s stock has plummeted thanks to the Chargers offseason arrivals and departures. 

In: Run-loving head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Out: High-end pass-catchers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The Chargers have a new look, but it’s not going to decimate Herbert’s value as some have predicted. Will the Chargers be a run-first club? Absolutely. That’s the offense both Harbaugh and Roman prefer. But there are a number of things that point towards Herbert having a rock-solid season for himself in the process. 

First and foremost, look at this backfield. Gus Edwards is as generic as you can get. J.K. Dobbins is, once again, working his way back from a major injury. And then there’s rookie Kimani Vidal, who could end up being the RB1 in this offense, but until he proves himself, Roman is going to stick with the guys he brought over from Baltimore. 

The last time he dealt with a backfield this ugly was 2021 and that offense ranked seventh in pass attempts and 13th in passing yards. And they lost Lamar Jackson for five games that year, too. Roman knows how to throw the ball and while Herbert isn’t going to light it up for 5,000 yards, he is still going to be a solid fantasy option. Let’s also not forget that Herbert is no stranger to running himself. He hasn’t been asked to in past seasons, but he still outrushed guys like Jordan Love, C.J. Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa, and he only played in 12 games.

I’m not saying there is some massive transformation going on, but if you wait on the QB position and utilize our dynamic tier ranking system, Herbert should be that stable force you can utilize all season long while you wait for one of those rookies to develop.

UPDATE 8/7: I've been backing off Herbert in most drafts right now with the news of him having plantar fasciitis and sitting in a walking boot here in the early part of training camp. It's a nagging injury that genuinely does not get better unless you stay off your feet for a couple of weeks. Even with the walking boot, there's enough pressure and movement to lengthen the recovery time. We'll continue to monitor his recovery throughout the preseason and provide updates as they come.

UPDATE 8/23: Herbert returned to practices in training camp and while that's great and encouraging for the start of the season, the injury still gives me pause. His fantasy football ADP is still low, so the risk is being minimized. If you wanted to take a shot because he is still a very strong passer, then go for it. But just make sure you are also drafting a legitimate high-floor QB along with him to keep yourself protected.

Sleeper RBs For 2024 Fantasy Football Leagues

David Montgomery, RB Detroit Lions 

With apologies to all the “Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round” truthers out there, Montgomery isn’t going away, and he will continue to be a thorn in your side. To those of us who listened intently to Lions head coach Dan Campbell last year, we’re getting a fantastic discount here. For those who don’t recall, Campbell, when asked about expanding Gibbs’ role, said he prefers to have one guy (Montgomery) who gets 15-20 carries per game and then use the other guy (Gibbs) as a complement and added pass catcher. Those aren’t my words. Those are his. 

People ignored him last year and for whatever reason, they’re still ignoring him. Montgomery was a bulldozer for the Lions last year and was dominant to start the season. Then he got hurt and missed a couple of games. While Gibbs was solid in his absence, upon his return, Montgomery still averaged 14 carries per game over the Lions final 12 games (including the playoffs) and scored a touchdown in nine of them. 

Sure, Gibbs was also very productive over that same stretch, but does it warrant a five-round disparity in their ADP? I don’t think so. Campbell hasn’t given us any indication that he is changing the game plan and all this continued talk of snaps out of the slot for Gibbs is still nothing but lip service. Enjoy the discount again this year.

Javonte Williams, RB Denver Broncos

This one might take a small leap of faith if you’ve been listening to all the noise coming out of Broncos beat writer Cecil Lammey’s social media account, but not for me as I’m not buying it from a guy who routinely serves up more hype pieces than actual reports. Yes, the Broncos drafted Audric Estime who profiles like a Mark Ingram-type player in a Joe Lombardi offense, but a 5-foot-7 scat back like Jaleel McLaughlin is not pushing Williams out of the picture. 

Williams did not have a great season last year, but not only was he working his way back from a brutal ACL injury, but he was also learning a new offense. He was eased in early on but averaged just over 17 carries and four targets from Week 7 through Week 14. His workload lessened over the last four games, but that was about sparing him from unnecessary wear-and-tear as the Broncos weren’t going anywhere near the playoffs. 

Now, with a full year in this system and a full year of practicing and playing on that knee, he should be a full go this season right from the start. We all know what Lombardi’s offense did for Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler. For me, Williams is next in line, and his criminally-low ADP is going to present us with a fantastic bargain.

Sleeper WRs For 2024 Fantasy Football Leagues

Joshua Palmer, WR Los Angeles Chargers

Well, if I’m going to include Justin Herbert in this article, why not include the forgotten Chargers wide receiver too? Gone are Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but rather than default to the guy who has filled in admirably for both over the past two seasons, the fantasy football community is bypassing Palmer for rookie Ladd McConkey and even disappointing second-year wideout Quentin Johnston, depending on what site you’re currently drafting on. 

Palmer’s composite ADP is at 140.43 with a high of 108.40 on Underdog Fantasy. Even just outside the top-100 is a great bargain. Maybe the injury last year is turning people off because they don’t see strong statistics, but if you look at his 2022 game log, he was averaging roughly seven targets per game with double-digit targets in games either Allen or Williams missed. I get that everyone is down on this Chargers offense because Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman love to run the ball, but if you’re not drafting Palmer at his ADP, you’re missing out on a tremendous bargain. 

Christian Kirk, WR Jacksonville Jaguars

Here’s another No. 1 receiver who is being treated like a third-rate role player by the fantasy community and I just don’t understand why. No, he’s not a Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase, but he’s still the top receiving option in Jacksonville and there haven’t been any additions to say otherwise. Gone are Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones, but do you really think the addition of Gabe Davis, or the drafting of Brian Thomas is really going to keep targets away from Kirk? C’mon.

Before missing the final five games of the 2023 season due to a groin injury, Kirk was averaging between seven and eight targets per game and was playing 80-85% of the snaps as the team’s No. 2 receiver and third on the target pecking order. This year, with an established relationship with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, he is going to lead this receiving corps and will be leaned on heavily. He’s coming off the board as WR30 (67.26 ADP) and, with the exception of maybe one or two guys, he’ll likely out-target everyone around him on the ADP charts.

Michael Wilson, WR Arizona Cardinals

He’s not the No. 1 receiver on his team, but he is being tragically forgotten by many and presents as an absolutely spectacular bargain play this season. With so much attention put on Marvin Harrison and all the love we’ve doled out for Trey McBride, no one is even talking about the No. 2 receiver on this team. And yes, that’s Wilson. You can serve me up all the nonsense about him competing with Zay Jones and Greg Dortch, but neither of them, nor anyone from this hodge-podge group of wideouts assembled, will be utilized or targeted more than Wilson.

Does Wilson need to prove himself in training camp? Of course. He’s a second-year player. But he was a third-round pick out of Stanford in the 2023 draft which is the first draft with Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing at the helm and he was their guy. He’s got the size and the speed they need in a complementary wideout, and he is going to find himself in a ton of single-man coverage as most defenses pay attention to Harrison and McBride. The 173.22 ADP is a massive head scratcher but rather than vocalize that to the world, I'll sneak my mentions in here so that the Fantasy Alarm #FAmily is the one who benefits.  

Sleeper TEs For 2024 Fantasy Football Leagues

Dallas Goedert, TE Philadelphia Eagles

Remember, years ago, when Goedert was destined to be one of the top tight ends in football? Injuries have certainly derailed a promising career, but the changes we’ve witnessed in Philadelphia this offseason have put him back on my radar this year. The top five tight ends are all coming off the board within the first 50 picks, followed up by at least six more inside the top 100 overall. 

Then there’s Goedert coming off the board in the 10th round. I’ll take that discount all day, every day considering what we know about this offense. The Eagles made a big move this offseason by bringing in Kellen Moore as their new offensive coordinator. If you tailed the Fantasy Alarm team last year, you know what his offense is all about and you know how he likes to feature the tight end. 

Moore likes to use a power run (hello, Saquon Barkley) to set up the pass and utilizes the tight end for all of those intermediate routes across the middle. Gerald Everett rang up the second-most targets in the Chargers offense last year and he did the same with Dalton Schultz in Dallas the years prior. A.J. Brown will lead the charge but don’t be surprised to see Goedert challenge DeVonta Smith for the second-most targets this season, and that includes inside the red zone.

Hunter Henry, TE New England Patriots

Here’s another bargain tight end not sitting on anyone’s radar because few people outside of Fantasy Alarm understand just how important it is to track the coaching movement. The Patriots brought in former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and new head coach Jerod Mayo is giving him carte blanche with regard to running this offense. For those who don’t track the coaching movement, just think back to what Van Pelt did for David Njoku over the past two seasons.

For a quick breakdown, here you go: Van Pelt used 11 personnel (three receivers and one tight end) close to 70% of the time. Even with such a heavy lean towards three-receiver sets, Njoku ran routes on 54.8% of the plays he was on the field for and saw the second-most targets on the team. You can say it’s because their receiving corps was bad, but was it worse than the current group of receivers in New England? No. 

Henry is already a well-established route runner and has been a strong end zone target throughout his career. And if you read Andrew Cooper’s article on him, you’ll learn even more great things about his game, like how he can dominate in man coverage. With his ADP all the way down at 159.91, I am more than happy to wait until then to grab my tight end if I miss out on the top five or Goedert.  

Greg Dulcich, TE Denver Broncos

This one is not for the faint of heart but considering that he’s not even being drafted in most best ball drafts, it means he is free. We’re talking last-pick-in-your-draft free. And that is when you are looking for upside anyways, right? Well, Dulcich has just that. 

Obviously, the hamstring and foot injuries have detracted from his appeal, but a healthy season this year could mean you’re getting the ultimate bargain pick here. We go back to what kind of offense Joe Lombardi likes to run and immediately think about that “joker” role he likes to slap onto his tight end. Remember Jimmy Graham back in the day? Lombardi turned him into one of the elites at the position and the opportunity is very similar here in Denver. 

Courtland Sutton stays as the X receiver, but then where are the rest of the targets going? Josh Reynolds? Meh. Marvin Mims? C’mon. Tim Patrick? How’s the knee? You could argue that a healthy Dulcich has the opportunity to be the second-most targeted pass catcher in this offense. If he does, oh baby! If he doesn’t, he’s an easy cut. Just remember, if he doesn’t pop in Week 1, give the offense a few games in season to develop before you cut him. Nothing but possibility here. 

Top 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers For 2024

To recap, here are our top 2024 Fantasy Football Sleepers:

  1. Will Levis, QB Tennessee Titans
  2. Justin Herbert, QB Los Angeles Chargers
  3. David Montgomery, RB Detroit Lions 
  4. Javonte Williams, RB Denver Broncos
  5. Joshua Palmer, WR Los Angeles Chargers
  6. Christian Kirk, WR Jacksonville Jaguars
  7. Michael Wilson, WR Arizona Cardinals
  8. Dallas Goedert, TE Philadelphia Eagles
  9. Hunter Henry, TE New England Patriots
  10. Greg Dulcich, TE Denver Broncos

These Top 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers are obviously ordered by position, and not any type of rankings.

Go forth, dominate your draft and win your league this season!

Fantasy Football Sleeper FAQs

Fantasy Football Sleepers & Late-Round Targets: What’s The Difference?

The primary difference between a fantasy football sleeper and late-round target is when they’re drafted. A late-round target is drafted in – you guessed it – the later rounds. On the other hand, a player can be drafted in the middle rounds and still be considered a sleeper.

Remember: a sleeper is all about value. Repeating the example above, if you draft a player in the eighth round and he performs like a third-round player, you scored yourself a sleeper. 

Conversely, late-round targets don’t necessarily need to radically out-perform their ADP in order to be valuable for your team. For example, they might plug an especially problematic bye week that you’re planning ahead for, or simply be a known commodity and in an extremely deep league. 

Yes, many fantasy football sleepers are late-round targets and vice versa. But the opposite applies, too. A player can be one, but not the other.

Where Can I Find Dynasty Sleepers?

You’ve found them! This is our only list of 2024 fantasy sleepers. We do not have a separate, dedicated writeup for 2024 Dynasty Sleepers.

That said, it’s no coincidence that the majority of our fantasy football sleepers are in the early-to-mid stages of their careers. The same factors that could carry these players to fantasy value in 2024 would carry them in future seasons, too.

We do have dedicated fantasy football dynasty player rankings, plus our fantasy football draft cheat sheet can be tailored for dynasty leagues. So, from the standpoint of finding value in your drafts, we still have dynasty fantasy football sleepers covered!

I Have My List Of 2024 Sleepers. Now Where Should I Draft Them?

This is where our cheat sheet’s “Draft Grid” really shines. The Draft Grid combines 2024 fantasy football player rankings with the latest ADP, sleepers, busts, rookies and reports out of training camp.

The end result? You’ll get an easy-to-use, round-by-round breakdown of where players should actually be taken in your 2024 fantasy football drafts.

Download the latest version of the Cheat Sheet in PDF format now.

I Need More Help With My Fantasy Football Draft!

Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Check out our full 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Guide, or give us a shout in Discord and we’ll be happy to help you 1-on-1.

2024 Fantasy Football: Related Draft Guide Articles

For additional 2024 fantasy football advice and help, check out some of our other draft guide articles: