Identifying late-round sleepers can be a crucial strategy for fantasy football success in 2025, and JK Dobbins stands out as an undervalued option at running back. While he may not be a top-36 pick at his position, Dobbins’s potential makes him a valuable asset in mid-to-late rounds, offering excellent upside without the hefty price tag.
Many players with similar draft profiles have increased their value over time, and targeting such players like Dobbins allows fantasy managers to gain depth and upside through later selections rather than spending early picks on established stars. This approach leverages the opportunity to find breakout talent as a third, fourth, or even fifth option.
Emeka Egbuka: Emerging Receiver with High Upside in Tampa Bay
Emeka Egbuka, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is currently being overlooked despite his promising potential. His average draft position (ADP) sits near WR49, which contrasts with the earlier selections of comparable prospects like Jordan Addison and Jaxon Smith-Njigba during their rookie years. Egbuka, entering a more favorable offensive situation, warrants attention for fantasy drafts.
Concerns about a crowded wide receiver group exist, with established veterans like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin maintaining strong production. Evans remains a reliable target, though his physical wear is a factor, while Godwin, despite his high status as the fourth-best receiver in fantasy points per game among players with over 50 targets, has struggled with injuries and has yet to return to training camp.
Egbuka’s role could expand significantly if Godwin misses substantial time, potentially stepping into the slot receiver role with substantial target volume. Even upon Godwin’s return, Egbuka could retain a meaningful position in the offense, benefiting from Evans’s age and injury history. This flexibility makes Egbuka a compelling late-round selection with upside if Godwin’s recovery extends into the season.
JK Dobbins: A Running Back Primed for Opportunity in Denver
JK Dobbins is positioned as a prime sleeper at running back for the Denver Broncos, with an ADP around RB41. Although RJ Harvey initially attracted attention for his role in Denver’s offense, Dobbins offers better value considering his later draft position and proven contributions from last season.
Under Sean Payton’s leadership, Denver’s offense is expected to heavily involve running backs in both rushing and passing situations. Payton’s system is known for generating a reliable floor for backs with a diverse workload, and backing this with one of the league’s strongest offensive lines makes Dobbins an enticing option.
Last year, Dobbins had a productive stretch in a run-focused Chargers offense, scoring nine touchdowns on 195 touches before injury curtailed his output. Despite flaws like limited long-speed, Dobbins excelled in efficiency metrics, especially against stacked defenses. According to Fantasy Points Data, Dobbins led all running backs in yards per carry against eight or more defenders in the box during 2024.
Stacked boxes don’t matter to these RBs!
Best YPC vs. 8+ Men In The Box (2024)
1. JK Dobbins (5.80)
2. Derrick Henry (5.69)
3. Bucky Irving (5.53)
4. Jahmyr Gibbs (4.95)
5. Tank Bigsby (4.39)
6. Chuba Hubbard (4.31)
7. De’Von Achane (4.18)
Does Dobbins still have it? pic.twitter.com/YVS4EL4hZe
— Fantasy Points Data (@FantasyPtsData) June 30, 2025
Dobbins’s combination of efficiency and multi-dimensional usage improves his fantasy floor, with regular receptions and opportunities near the goal line expected in Denver’s offense. The Broncos scored only 12 rushing touchdowns last season, ranking 24th, providing room for Dobbins to become the primary scoring back if he stays healthy.
While rookies like Harvey may develop into contenders for the lead role, Dobbins’s current draft cost and skill set make him a safer early-season asset. Timing his acquisition and, if necessary, trading him midseason for higher value could be a viable strategy for fantasy managers.
Jayden Higgins: Houston’s Promising Rookie Receiver with Target Potential
Houston Texans’ wide receiver Jayden Higgins comes with high organizational confidence following his second-round draft selection at 34th overall and an unusually guaranteed rookie contract. His ADP reflects his upside around WR52, which suggests he is an overlooked option in fantasy drafts.
Houston’s receiving corps has been reshaped following departures like Stefon Diggs and injuries to Tank Dell. Acquisitions such as Christian Kirk, Higgins, and Jaylin Noel form the new core, with Higgins expected to secure a starting role alongside Nico Collins.
The team’s offensive line issues and uncertainties in the running game, particularly with Joe Mixon’s injury and a limited backfield outside of Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce, likely push the Texans toward a pass-heavy offense, increasing Higgins’s target share. Letting Kirk and Noel’s roles overlap may provide Higgins with a clearer path to consistent snaps, especially in two-receiver sets.
Although Higgins might require time to fully settle into the NFL, his skill set and passing volume projections make him a prime candidate for a late-season breakout. Fantasy managers should consider monitoring his progress closely for potential midseason buy-in opportunities.
Brenton Strange: An Affordable Tight End Option for Roster Depth
Tight end remains a challenging position to fill in fantasy drafts, where top-tier players command high prices, and mid-tier contributors fall inconsistently. For those looking to punt on tight end early, selecting someone like Brenton Strange from the Jacksonville Jaguars at TE21 with an ADP near 168 could provide useful depth.
Strange, a 2023 second-round pick, has yet to establish a strong statistical profile with just 40 catches and 411 yards last year, primarily backing up Evan Engram. With Engram’s departure and changes in the Jaguars’ offensive staff, Strange’s opportunity to assume the TE1 role has increased.
Players like Cade Otton demonstrated how patience can pay dividends at tight end, evolving into valuable fantasy contributors over time despite modest rookie seasons. Strange’s position as a likely starter, combined with the Jaguars’ lack of depth beyond him and Travis Hunter’s role shifting to wide receiver, positions him as a viable late-round or waiver pickup who can bolster team depth and fill bye-week gaps.
The Significance of Targeting Mid-to-Late Round Sleeper Picks
Securing players like JK Dobbins, Emeka Egbuka, Jayden Higgins, and Brenton Strange is a proactive approach to fantasy football drafts, focusing on rookies and young players who offer high upside at a discount. This strategy balances risk with the potential to reap significant rewards, particularly in 2025 where offensive roles are often unsettled, and injury concerns abound.
For fantasy managers, recognizing these values early can differentiate championship contenders from average teams. Dobbins’s involvement in a run-friendly offense, Egbuka’s potential opportunity amidst injury uncertainties, Higgins’s projected target volume, and Strange’s depth role combine to create a roster foundation with both safety and upside across multiple positions.
As training camps progress and preseason games provide more clarity, keeping tabs on the statuses of players like Chris Godwin and evaluating role distributions will be critical. These insights will help finalize roster decisions, optimize draft strategies, and identify the right moments to buy or sell these sleepers.