Dynasty rookie drafts are already underway and managers who weren’t plugged into the pre-draft process are realizing this class isn’t filled with as many quality late-round sleepers as past years.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some hidden gems in the late rounds or even available on the waiver wire once your rookie draft is complete.
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In an effort to help you make the most of those late picks, let’s highlight some of the deep rookie dart throws you should be stashing on your dynasty bench right now.
Hopefully, you’ve already checked out my top-90 rookie rankings and values. If you haven’t, I highly recommend using them as a guide to manage your dynasty teams.
Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values (PPR)
QB | RB | WR | TE | Rookies | Draft Picks | Mock Draft 3.0
Round 3 targets
Demond Claiborne, RB, Vikings — Despite his smaller stature (5-foot-10, 188-pounds), Claiborne is an intriguing big-play threat with lightning quick burst. More importantly, the sixth-round pick landed in a Vikings’ backfield with a declining and often injured Aaron Jones, who turns 32 in December, and backup Jordan Mason, who has yet to show he can be anything more than a temporary starting option. Claiborne might be a long-term replacement for Jones, but if the veteran hits the trainer’s table again (11 missed games in the last three years), expect the rookie to emerge as a meaningful contributor in Minnesota.
Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs — Johnson ended up in a clear No. 2 role behind new Chiefs’ starter Kenneth Walker III. While it might be disappointing to some fantasy managers that he won’t have a real opportunity to compete for lead-back duties, there are worse ways to spend your third-round rookie pick than on a high-upside, one-injury-away backup in a quality offense. As long as he can beat out Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith, Johnson will be in a favorable position behind Walker, who has dealt with injuries in the past. We could even see the rookie provide some flex value as a change-of-pace guy in Year 1.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders — Washington is an outstanding athlete who also found himself on a depth chart where the top spot is already secured by last year’s first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. Don’t let yourself be tempted by the quotes from the Raiders’ coaching staff suggesting they might deploy multiple backs like Klint Kubiak did in past stops. Jeanty will remain a workhorse, but Washington still has a lot of value as the next-man-up if an injury occurs. Unless the Raiders add someone in free agency, Washington’s only competition for the No. 2 job will come in the form of Dylan Laube, Chris Collier or undrafted rookie Roman Hemby.
Skyler Bell, WR, Bills — Bell is a strong route runner who can play all over the formation and is dangerous after the catch. Whether he can carve out a significant role in Buffalo’s passing attack remains to be seen, but the fifth-rounder should go off the board as third-round pick given the opportunity available in the Bills’ WR room. While D.J. Moore is a welcome addition and Khalil Shakir is a friendly target, Keon Coleman and Josh Palmer are vulnerable on the depth chart. Though, Bell might not earn a sizable target share right away, he has one of the highest fantasy ceilings among Day 3 receivers this year.
Justin Joly, TE, Broncos — The Broncos haven’t gotten much out of their tight-end spot for fantasy in recent years and Evan Engram is entering the final year of his contract. Joly might lack ideal size at 6-foot-4, 241-pounds, but so did Harold Fannin Jr. last year. The 21-year-old Joly was a productive player across multiple seasons and multiple schools in college. The fifth-rounder has the kind of untapped potential you look for in a sleeper tight end and joins a fairly wide-open depth chart on a good offense.
Eli Raridon, TE, Patriots — Raridon is a bigger-bodied, all-around tight end with good hands and strong blocking. He also got more coveted draft capital, going in the third round. That positions him to be the potential heir apparent to Hunter Henry, who has one year left on his deal. So, Raridon is a solid prospect backed by a Day 2 investment, in an offense attached to one of the best young quarterbacks in the league Drake Maye, with a starting job possibly opening up in 2027. That’s the beginning of a recipe for fantasy success.
Round 4 targets
Adam Randall, RB, Ravens — In a year with a less enticing group of running back prospects, Randall is the last one who feels like more than a dart throw. That’s because Derrick Henry is 32 years old and at some point soon will start to break down. Baltimore was playing a risky game with Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali as his main backups, prior to Randall’s arrival. Fortunately, the rookie fits well into this offense as a bigger back at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, who offers pass-catching upside after converting from receiver to running back in college. This might be a developmental pick that takes time to get acclimated to the pros, but Randall is one Henry injury away from fantasy relevance.
Brenen Thompson, WR, Chargers — Thompson normally wouldn’t be someone I’d target due to the rough fantasy history for receivers around his size (5-foot-9, 164 pounds). However, his 4.26 second 40-yard dash time showcased his incredible vertical speed and caught the eye of new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who pounded the table for him in the fourth round. If Thompson can handle the physicality of the pro game, McDaniel will surely put him in position to succeed. It’s likely still a long shot that Thompson becomes a fantasy starter, but there’s enough smoke here to take a chance on him in the fourth round.
Taylen Green, QB, Browns — Green is a true dual-threat quarterback who has the size (6’6”, 229 pounds) and tools to develop into something more. He was a big-play waiting to happen at Arkansas. While it sounds like Deshaun Watson is the leader in the clubhouse to be the Week 1 starter for Cleveland, don’t be surprised if we see Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Green all see the field this season. The odds of late-round quarterbacks becoming fantasy options are slim, so if Green does get a chance to start, you should look to take advantage of that value spike by trading him right away.
Eli Heidenreich, RB, Steelers — Heidenreich might be more of an offensive weapon than a long-term starter in the NFL, but stranger things have happened. His running back/receiver hybrid profile makes him a versatile prospect and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is already talking about how the rookie’s presence can help them open up their playbook. While you should keep your expectations in check, Heindenreich is the kind of unique player that could outperform his seventh-round draft capital over time.
Seth McGowan, RB, Colts — McGowan is an older (26 in October) physical, downhill runner, who isn’t going to challenge for a starting job in the NFL but could battle for backup duties. The primary competition for the No. 2 role behind Jonathan Taylor will come in the form of last year’s Day 3 back DJ Giddens. If Taylor were to miss time, a committee would likely emerge with Giddens and McGowan sharing touches. It’s not impossible McGowan would get more work in that scenario, especially around the goal line.
Cyrus Allen, WR, Chiefs — Allen is someone who does his best work in the short-to-intermediate range of the field, using good hands and quality route-running to get the best of his opponents. Though the fifth-rounder has an uphill battle to crack the Chiefs’ starting lineup, there is opportunity behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Taking a chance on an underrated wideout attached to a Patrick Mahomes offense isn’t a bad way to use your late-round rookie picks.
