Rookie Sleepers by Round – 1 Through 4
While first-round rookies often carry lofty expectations, hidden gems exist in every round. Below, we break down one sleeper from each round (1–4) who combines draft pedigree, underrated opportunity, and elite traits to deliver fantasy upside at a discount.
Round 1 Sleeper: RB RJ Harvey (DEN)
NFL Draft: 2nd round, 50th overall
Key Factors: Sean Payton’s RB-friendly system, 4.40 speed, league-best offensive line
Sean Payton doesn’t waste second-round picks on running backs unless he plans to feature them. Harvey—a 5’8”, 205-pound dynamo with 4.40 speed—joins a Broncos offense that ranked 1st in run-block win rate last season. With Javonte Williams gone, Denver’s backfield features only Jaleel McLaughlin (5’7”, 187 lbs) and Audric Estime (a Day 3 pick in 2024 who averaged 3.8 YPC as a rookie).
Harvey’s college tape at UCF reveals rare explosiveness:
- 13.9% of his carries gained 15+ yards (best among 2025 RB prospects)
- 93.4 PFF rushing grade vs. Power 5 opponents (higher than Blake Corum, TreVeyon Henderson)
- Zero fumbles on 214 touches in 2024
Payton’s history of elevating mid-round backs is unmatched. Alvin Kamara (3rd round) and Pierre Thomas (undrafted) both thrived as dual-threat weapons in his offenses. With Denver’s RBs catching 214 passes over the past two years (most in NFL), Harvey could mirror Kamara’s 120-carry, 81-catch rookie season. At his current ADP (RB28), he’s a steal with top-12 upside.
Round 1 Sleeper: RB Kaleb Johnson (PIT)
NFL Draft: 3rd round, 83rd overall
Key Factors: Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme, 5.8 YPC at Iowa, Najee Harris’ departure
Johnson steps into a dream scenario: Pittsburgh’s RB room features only Jaylen Warren (career 4.1 YPC) and journeyman Cordarrelle Patterson. The Steelers’ 2024 offense under Arthur Smith ranked 1st in rush rate (53%), and Johnson’s 6’0”, 212-pound frame fits Smith’s downhill system.
The Iowa product’s efficiency jumps off the tape:
- 5th in breakaway run rate (15+ yards) among 2025 RBs
- 3.11 yards after contact/attempt (higher than Braelon Allen)
- 88.4 PFF rushing grade on zone runs (ideal for Smith’s scheme)
Warren will handle passing downs, but Johnson’s tackle-breaking ability (29 forced misses on 198 carries) should earn him 12-15 carries weekly. At RB37 ADP, he’s a zero-risk RB3 with RB2 upside if Warren falters.
Round 1 Sleeper: RB Quinshon Judkins (CLE)
NFL Draft: 2nd round, 36th overall
Key Factors: TD dominance (50 scrimmage TDs since 2022), Nick Chubb’s decline, run-heavy scheme
Cleveland spent premium capital on Judkins for a reason: Nick Chubb turns 30 in 2025 and hasn’t played a full season since 2022. Judkins—a 220-pound bruiser with underrated receiving chops—joins a Browns team that ranked 4th in rush attempts last year despite Chubb’s absence. Jerome Ford (3.9 YPC in 2024) and fourth-rounder Dylan Sampson won’t deter Judkins from claiming early-down work.
The Ohio State product’s resume is staggering:
- 22 TDs in 14 games during 2024 national title run
- 90.7 PFF rushing grade (4th among Power 5 RBs)
- 2.44 yards after contact/attempt (outperformed TreVeyon Henderson)
Kevin Stefanski’s offense has supported two top-24 RBs twice in the past five years (Chubb/Hunt in 2021-22). While Cleveland’s aging O-line is a concern, Judkins’ tackle-breaking efficiency (37 forced missed tackles in 2024) fits their gap-heavy scheme. Draft him as a high-end RB3 with weekly RB2 touchdown equity.
Round 2 Sleeper: WR Emeka Egbuka (TB)
NFL Draft: 1st round, 20th overall
Key Factors: Elite slot potential, Baker Mayfield’s efficiency, long-term WR1 upside
Emeka Egbuka landed in Tampa Bay as the heir apparent to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Despite joining a crowded WR room, the Ohio State product brings rare polish to a team transitioning from a Hall of Fame duo. Egbuka’s college resume speaks volumes:
- 87.4 PFF receiving grade (3rd among Power 5 WRs in 2024)
- 2.81 yards/route run from the slot (higher than Chris Godwin’s 2024 mark)
- Zero drops on 94 targets in his final college season
While Tampa’s depth chart seems daunting, Egbuka’s path to relevance is clearer than it appears:
- Chris Godwin’s contract expires in 2026, and the 29-year-old’s slot role is ripe for takeover.
- Jalen McMillan (2024 3rd-rounder) averaged just 1.34 yards/route run as a rookie.
- New OC Josh Grizzard—part of the regime that drafted Egbuka—could prioritize his development.
Baker Mayfield’s accuracy on short throws (78.3% completion rate inside 10 yards) perfectly suits Egbuka’s skill set. While he may start as the WR4, his separation skills (87th percentile per PFF) and YAC ability (6.8 YAC/reception in 2024) make him a prime candidate for schemed touches. Draft him at WR35 ADP as a high-floor stash with 2026 WR1 upside
Round 3 Sleeper: WR Isaac TeSlaa (DET)
NFL Draft: 3rd round, 70th overall
Key Factors: 6’4”/214 lb frame, 4.43 speed, zero career drops, Amon-Ra St. Brown mentorship
The Lions traded up to secure TeSlaa, a traits-based project with WR1 upside. Detroit’s WR corps lacks size behind St. Brown, and veterans Kalif Raymond (5’9”) and Tim Patrick (31 years old) are stopgaps. TeSlaa’s rare blend of athleticism and ball skills—9.93 RAS score, 40.5” vertical—gives him a clear path to red-zone snaps.
At Arkansas, TeSlaa quietly dominated:
- 145.5 passer rating when targeted (4th in FBS)
- 100% catch rate on 20+ yard throws (8/8)
- 2.81 yards/route run vs. SEC opponents (higher than AD Mitchell)
Detroit’s offense ranked 3rd in pass attempts last year, and OC Ben Johnson loves scheming mismatches for big receivers (see: Jameson Williams’ 18.1 YPR). TeSlaa’s ability to win contested catches (68% success rate in 2024) makes him a prime breakout candidate. Snag him in the 10th round as a high-ceiling WR4.
Round 3 Sleeper: RB Bhayshul Tuten (JAX)
NFL Draft: 4th round, 102nd overall
Key Factors: 4.32 speed, OC Liam Coen’s RB-friendly system, Travis Etienne’s inefficiency
Tuten—a former FCS standout—joins a Jaguars backfield ripe for disruption. Travis Etienne ranked 47th in missed tackles forced (28) last year, and Tank Bigsby (3.3 YPC) offers no threat. New OC Liam Coen turned Ray Davis into a top-20 RB in Tampa Bay, and Tuten’s athletic profile (9.45 RAS) mirrors Rachaad White’s.
The Virginia Tech star’s dual-threat ability stands out:
- 1,223 scrimmage yards in 2024 (5th among ACC RBs)
- 4.0 yards after contact/attempt (same as Jonathon Brooks)
- 88th percentile bench press (22 reps)
Coen’s offense in Tampa targeted RBs on 24% of passes (3rd most). With Etienne struggling in the passing game (7 drops in 2024), Tuten could seize third-down work immediately. He’s a priority target in PPR leagues at RB40 ADP.
Round 4 Sleeper: WR Jaylin Lane (WAS)
NFL Draft: 4th round, 128th overall
Key Factors: 4.34 speed, Jayden Daniels’ deep-ball accuracy, Terry McLaurin’s contract year
Lane—a 5’10” blur with return specialist chops—joins a Commanders offense that added no proven WRs behind McLaurin and 33-year-old Deebo Samuel. Jayden Daniels’ 2024 Heisman season featured a 126.5 passer rating on deep throws, and Lane’s vertical skills (15.3 YPR at Virginia Tech) make him an ideal fit.
The Tennessee transfer’s 2024 tape reveals untapped upside:
- 8.5 YAC/reception (4th in 2025 WR class)
- 144.3 passer rating on slot targets
- 98th percentile burst score (11’ broad jump)
With Luke McCaffrey (1.34 yards/route run) failing to impress, Lane could secure the WR3 role by Week 1. Stash him in the 14th round as a DeSean Jackson-esive home-run hitter.
✅ FAQ – Rookie Sleepers by Round
Q1: What makes a player a “sleeper” in fantasy football?
A sleeper is a player drafted in the middle to late rounds who has the upside to drastically outperform their average draft position (ADP), often due to a favorable landing spot, elite traits, or an underappreciated role.
Q2: Why should I target sleepers from Round 3 or 4 of the NFL Draft?
Because these players often carry lower ADPs but still offer strong upside, especially when paired with ideal team fits or paths to early playing time. They’re low-risk, high-reward assets in both dynasty and redraft.
Q3: Are these sleepers only valuable in dynasty leagues?
No—many of these players (like RJ Harvey and Bhayshul Tuten) have immediate roles in 2025 and could be strong late-round targets in redraft leagues too.
Q4: What traits should I look for in a rookie sleeper?
Key traits include draft capital (Day 1 or 2), athletic metrics (burst, speed, agility), scheme fit, and a clear opportunity for touches or targets in Year 1.
Q5: How do I decide between multiple sleepers in the same round?
Focus on role clarity, offensive scheme, and the supporting cast. For example, Kaleb Johnson is in a run-heavy system with minimal RB competition, making him more valuable than similarly drafted RBs in committee backfields.