7 Sleepers Who Will Supercharge Your Dynasty Roster in 2024

With the NFL Draft now weeks gone by, we are into the thick of dynasty startup draft season. Whether you are in the middle of a draft or simply grinding to improve your current dynasty rosters, managers are always looking for sleepers who can make an impact.

Years ago, the fantasy football industry used the term “sleeper” to refer to a player the average fan might not even be aware of, but with all of the information available today, that simply isn’t possible. Instead, I now think of sleepers as players with low value and expectations but a relatively high ceiling.

If you read last year’s version of this same article, you probably have some dynasty shares of Puka Nacua and hopefully enjoyed the surprising WR2 season from Adam Thielen. You also might have been holding onto veterans Leonard Fournette and Corey Davis for way too long, but the great thing about sleepers is they are always cheap.

Here are seven sleepers, including one rookie and three tight ends, that could supercharge your dynasty roster. To help identify these sleepers, I’ve focused on players currently being drafted outside of the first fifteen rounds of dynasty startup drafts, based on current 1QB ADP data from Dynasty League Football.

Isaiah Likely, TE BAL

One of the surest methods of identifying dynasty sleepers is to find talented players stuck behind an even more talented player. That’s exactly the situation with the Ravens tight end room. Of course, Mark Andrews is locked in as the team’s starter but Isaiah Likely has performed very well when given the chance. After Andrews went on the injured reserve list last season, Likely stepped up for the Ravens (and dynasty managers.) From Weeks 14-18, Likely was the TE3 overall, averaging 15 fantasy points per game and posting four top-ten fantasy performances along the way. When Likely was on the field and producing in the back half of the season, his dynasty value predictably spiked, reaching a peak of TE16 and 125 overall, per monthly DLF ADP.

As the months have passed, Likely’s value has dipped to his current TE20/182 overall mark. The obvious argument against Likely is being stuck behind the All-Pro Andrews. Per the DLF Player Splits App, Likely produces just over four fantasy points per game when Andrews is in the lineup. This means dynasty managers must be patient, waiting either for the Andrews’ injury no one wants to see or for Likely to move one. Likely’s rookie deal ends following the 2025 season.

Tucker Kraft, TE GB

A similar situation is playing out in Green Bay, only the backup Tucker Kraft has already outproduced the starter and player being drafted earlier in Luke Musgrave. Devoid of any real option at the tight end position, Green Bay drafted both Kraft and Musgrave a year ago. Musgrave was viewed as the favorite to start while small-school product Kraft was tabbed as more of a long-term project. Musgrave did draw the start early in the year, posting a pair of TE1 games. Musgrave missed the final six games of the fantasy football season though and Kraft impressed when given the chance. The latter posted four TE1 games and finished TE27 to Musgrave’s TE30.

Despite the production gap, Musgrave continues to be valued ahead of Kraft, ever so slightly. Musgrave is the TE18, drafted at 151 overall this month, while Kraft’s 187 overall ADP places him as the TE21. With multiple, viable young wide receivers, along with the two tight ends, the Packers' offense will be crowded and difficult to project this season, but Kraft is currently the most inexpensive way to access the Packers’ passing game.

Bryce Young, QB CAR

We all know last season was a massive disappointment for then-rookie quarterback Bryce Young and the Panthers' offense. We’ve seen this type of rookie season from high draft picks in the past and they often are unable to turn it around. Recent examples of that include Kenny Pickett and Zach Wilson, both of whom were recently traded from their original teams for pennies on the dollar. With just a pair of QB1 performances and an overall finish of QB23, it is hard to envision Young turning the corner. He does have several factors going for him though.

The Panthers made a coaching change following the season, hiring former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales to run the show. Canales is responsible for Baker Mayfield’s career year last season, along with the resurgence of Geno Smith’s career. Along with Canales, the Panthers have also upgraded Young’s offensive weapons, trading for veteran receiver Diontae Johnson and drafting receiver Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Young’s current cost is what is most exciting for dynasty managers. After being valued just outside the QB1 range last summer, Young’s current ADP is 190 overall and QB22. He’s an interesting target in 1QB leagues and a must-buy in the superflex format.

Darnell Mooney, WR ATL

Just two years ago, Darnell Mooney was the default WR1 for the Chicago Bears. While most doubted his ability to serve as a team’s true top option, Mooney was young and producing relatively well, given the Bears’ offensive struggles. Last season, the Bears added D.J. Moore and things kind of fell apart for Mooney in the Windy City. Now, he gets a fresh start with the Falcons revamped offense. While Drake London is the presumed WR1 for Atlanta, the WR2 job is up for grabs and Mooney is the early favorite to earn the starting nod.

While dynasty managers gave up on Mooney during his time with the Bears, he had a surprisingly hot free-agent market. The Chiefs were reportedly interested before Atlanta gave him a three-year, $39 million deal. Free agency is one of the few times of the year when NFL teams show how they really value players and this contract makes it clear that Mooney is a significant part of the Falcons’ plans. While Mooney’s value has slightly bounced back following his arrival in Atlanta, he remains outside of the top 200 overall as the WR89.

Elijah Mitchell, RB SF

Maybe I’m just holding onto the past but I still see some value and upside from 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell. As a rookie in 2021, Mitchell impressed, earning the starting job and posting four RB1 games. He also struggled with multiple injuries that season, which left San Francisco in a tough spot. That led to the Niners trading for superstar Christian McCaffrey. Mitchell has played sparingly since CMC arrived, posting just one RB1 game in the past two seasons, as he continued to deal with nagging injuries.

All of that has caused Mitchell’s ADP to tumble to his current 214 overall, which is the lowest he’s been since being drafted. The case for Mitchell includes that potential we saw in 2021, McCaffrey’s injury history and age, and being part of the ideal NFL backfield. Mitchell is a must-roster for McCaffrey managers and a player worth buying very low on, given his potential in the Kyle Shanahan offense.

Rasheen Ali, RB BAL

The lone rookie on this list is the Ravens' Day 3 pick, running back Rasheen Ali. The Ravens’ backfield was a revolving door this offseason. They let free agents J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards walk via free agency, both signing with the Chargers while signing superstar veteran Derrick Henry and drafting Ali in the fifth round. The Ravens are expected to start the season without backup Keaton Mitchell, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 15 last year. That injury should offer Ali an opportunity at early playing time and his agility and speed offers a nice complement to Henry’s bullying running style.

In startup drafts, Ali is just the RB70 and is being drafted at 224 overall. Even in rookie drafts, Ali is a late fourth-rounder, making him a value in all formats.

Greg Dulcich, TE DEN

Broncos third-year tight end Greg Dulcich has become a forgotten man in dynasty circles. After Denver spent their 2022 third-round pick on Dulcich, he became a trendy dynasty target late in rookie and startup drafts. After dealing with injuries to start his rookie season, Dulcich got on the field and impressed, posting five TE1 games in a ten-game span. Last season, Dulcich missed essentially the entire year with a hamstring injury. In fact, he’s still not quite healthy, though head coach Sean Payton recently suggested his tight end should be back on the field before the start of training camp.

The Broncos’ pass-catcher corps is wide open following the trade of Jerry Jeudy and reported trade talks involving Courtland Sutton. If Dulcich can stay on the field, he will have the opportunity to see TE1-level targets. Dulcich is currently the TE33 in DLF dynasty ADP, his lowest mark since being drafted.