My 2025 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Tory Horton, and More
It is time! Cooterdoodle reveals her 2025 sleepers, including Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Tory Horton, and more
Sleepers.
I don't care if you got a full 8 hours of shut eye last night. The search for sleep(ers) never stops.
Want guys with the potential to outperform their ADP this season? Whether they've been on the brink of a breakout, built rapport with their quarterback, performed beyond expectations during the offseason, or just have a great shot at moving up the depth chart… They're all worth a bench stash.
So take your time and take your pick.
Note: If you want 20% off a year-long FantasyLife+ subscription, use the code COOTER and bring some sunshine into both of our lives!
(PSA: Always be aware of the variation in different drafting sites' ADP. Some differences are greater than others. For today, we're using Sleeper's ADP.)
Cooterdoodle's 2025 Fantasy Football Sleepers
Sleeper Level: 100 mg of Caffeine
This stage is not for deep sleepers. We're just targeting players who we think could outperform their current ADP.
RB Jordan Mason (103.8)
Aaron Jones isn't washed, but he isn't getting any younger. And if the Vikings are going to give Mason some shots at the goal line, he could do some dirty work on your fantasy squad. Think "handcuffing" without the need for any cuffs breaking first.
RB JK Dobbins (110.4)
I'm just as excited about RJ Harvey as the next guy. But when push comes to shove, we've seen Sean Payton feed RBs (read: Alvin Kamara, Reggie Bush) anddddd we've seen Sean Payton split carries between RBs in the most atrocious ways (read: Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Javonte Williams). While I want to believe in Harvey (and have drafted him accordingly), If I miss out on the rookie in drafts, I'm targeting Dobbins who will likely lead the team in carries (at least for the time being).
RB Jaydon Blue (131.7)
Ughhhh. Do I HAVE to draft a Dallas RB? Actually, no. I don't. But if I was going to draft someone from Dallas' backfield, Blue is the only one I'm eyeing. He's being drafted three rounds later than Javonte Williams and has more upside than the… veteran? NOTE: Be aware that Blue is taking it easy on the sideline for now with a bruised heel/ankle injury. Dallas may just want to play it safe with the rookie who was starting to make a name for himself in training camp this offseason.
Sleeper Level: Smelling Salts
We're getting a little deeper into the sleepers here with a range of 150-200 overall. Time to wake up and draft them before your leaguemates do!
TE Hunter Henry (175.5)
If you love late round tight ends, Henry might be your guy. Not only did he have a career high in receptions and receiving yards with Drake Maye last season, he finished 5th in targets (97), 6th in receptions (66), and 8th in yards (674) at the position.
RB Jacory ("Bill") Croskey-Merritt (188.1 and climbing)
You're either in or you're out. Yes, Brian Robinson Jr is still on the team, despite trade rumors. And Austin Ekeler isn't gone either. But if your league has be living in a cave and missed the wave of tweets that hit the internet after Bill's preseason performance on Monday… You might still have a chance to draft him 'late'.
Sleeper Level: REM
ADP Range: Outside the top 200
This is the stage when dreaming occurs. Could any of these picks bust? Yea. But they're basically free. No risk. And contrary to popular belief, you don't always have to risk it to get the biscuit.
RB Blake Corum (201.1)
If you're into handcuffing, this is a premium target in an offense that may need to lean on the run more than usual (Sorry, Jimmy G). He's still only the backup to Kyren Williams, who just rushed for 1,299 yards and 14 TDs in 2024. But that's just it… HE'S THE BACKUP. This is what late round draft picks are for.
QB Bryce Young (202)
Outside of "The Big 4," your choices are limited if you want to try to draft a QB with a little rushing upside. As you scroll further down the list, you're left with Bo Nix (pick 80) who rushed for 92-430-4 last season and Justin Fields (pick 127) who eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs with the Bears in 2022. Surprisingly, Young added some highly fantasy efficient rushing attempts to his resume in 2024. In his last 5 games, Young rushed for 158 yards and 6 TDs. If you want to take your final swing at a guy who might be able to snag a few extra points via his legs in 2025, Young's late-round ADP makes it an easy gamble.
WR Tory Horton (233.6)
A "non serious" ankle injury is not what we wanted to see happen to the rookie who was beginning to make waves this offseason. Notable beat reporters and analysts were buzzing about Horton right before peak draft season began and he only fueled the fire during his preseason game against the Raiders (4-43-1). And while the injury isn't comforting, a late round dart throw on Horton could pan out to be a suave and ballsy move come regular season if he can make his way into the lineup behind Cooper Kupp and JSN.
RB Ollie Gordon (229.3)
I've already laid out my reasoning for targeting Gordon here. But if you want a quick summary: Miami's RB1 has injury problems, Miami's RB2 has efficiency problems, and RB3 Ollie could find himself moving up the depth chart sooner rather than later.
Honorable Mentions:
- WR Isaac TeSlaa (223)
- RB Tahj Brooks (235.6)
- WR Jalen Coker (251.1)
- WR Troy Franklin (268.2)