We’re getting closer to the start of the 2025 NFL season, so it’s a good time to dive into some of my early fantasy football sleepers. Getting value on some of your late-round picks is a great way to put yourself on the right path toward contending for a fantasy football championship.
The criteria used to determine what makes a sleeper are: 1) the player must be available outside of the top 150 picks, and 2) there needs to be a high upside in their profile. This means this player can produce fantasy points per game that can put your team over the top. We’ll look at Underdog Fantasy ADP because these Best Ball drafts are the most active right now, giving us more relevant data.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into why Bryce Young, Tank Bigsby, Cedric Tillman, and Cade Otton are four of my favorite sleepers for 2025 fantasy football leagues.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Young made major strides as a passer after being reinserted as the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback in Week 8.
We also saw the second-year starter and 2023 first overall pick improve in fantasy production. From Weeks 8-18, Young averaged 18.6 fantasy points per game, which ranked as QB18 during that stretch.
Might not be anything #Panthers related that makes me happier than praising Bryce Young’s performance 😤@PFF_Dalton helped us out a bit with that 🙌
Last 10 weeks of the season:
• Tied with Justin Herbert for best @PFF passing grade on 10+ yard passes.
• Highest-graded QB… pic.twitter.com/C9S1OrBBuh
— Keep Purring Podcast (Ben) (@KeepPurringBen) May 22, 2025
However, if we narrow that sample down following his Week 11 bye, it looks even better for Young. From Weeks 12 to 18, Young put up 21.2 fantasy points per game (QB9), featuring a spike week of 36.4 points in the final game of the season — an overtime thriller against the Atlanta Falcons.
Young showed that he can make an impact on the ground, including one game with two rushing touchdowns and another with 60+ yards and a score.
Two key factors work in Young’s favor this year. For one, there is continuity in the offense with another year in Dave Canales’ scheme. Secondly, the Panthers selected a potential alpha WR1 in Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. McMillan has drawn comparisons to Mike Evans and Drake London, and bringing him in should be huge for Young.
Despite the strong second half and improved supporting cast within the same scheme, Young is available outside the top 150 picks. There’s a good chance that he can provide major returns at this price.
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Calling Bigsby a sleeper might go against the grain, but there’s value in zigging while others zag. Most fantasy buzz for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ backfield currently centers on the team’s fourth-round rookie selection, Bhayshul Tuten, which makes sense. He was hand-picked by the new coaching staff.
New Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has a track record of elevating backfields — just look at what he did with Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay last year. So it wouldn’t be surprising if he works similar magic with Tuten. Still, those not entirely sold on the rookie are leaning on the proven production of former first-rounder Travis Etienne Jr.
That said, everyone seems to be forgetting about Bigsby.
Tank Bigsby pic.twitter.com/a5bCdvpGWD
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 25, 2025
Bigsby was a productive runner in a difficult situation last year. One thing for certain, though, is that Bigsby definitely outplayed Etienne, especially on the ground.
Even if Tuten becomes the lead back, Bigsby could still earn a role as the primary ball carrier in the red zone. Playing in an improved offense with Coen as play-caller could produce several scoring opportunities. There’s also the outside chance that Bigsby leads this committee.
With that in mind, Bigsby has a path to volume barring an injury, making him a viable sleeper at his current cost.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
Most are gravitating towards Jerry Jeudy as the preferred target in this questionable Cleveland Browns offense with uncertainty at quarterback.
Don’t forget about Tillman, though. He had a productive five-game stretch in Weeks 7-11, including three consecutive games of 75+ yards, before he spent the remainder of the 2024 season out with a concussion.
Cedric Tillman weeks 7-11 (post-Cooper trade/pre-injury):
🔸24 rec./302 yards/3 TD
🔸 75.5 receiving grade
🔸20.1% target share
🔸23.8% first-read shareReady to watch this guy put it all together in year 3 📈📈📈
🎥 via @Ihartitz
📊 vis @PFF pic.twitter.com/07ZNi115jS— SleeperBrowns (@SleeperBrowns) April 2, 2025
When you look at the Browns’ WR room, you see Jeudy, Tillman, Diontae Johnson (who could be washed), and fifth-round rookie Jamari Thrash. There’s an easy path to volume for Tillman.
As much as the Browns want to be run-heavy, there will be games where they’re forced to air it out as they play from behind. That gives Tillman a situation where he can rack up spike weeks.
Remember that he is currently going as WR67 in Underdog formats. That’s a low bar to clear for potential profit on this pick. The appeal here is on a player who showed a lot of upside when given a larger role (following the Amari Cooper trade), so Tillman is worth a look here.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The final pick is a forgotten tight end. Otton has previously demonstrated that he could function as Baker Mayfield’s top target whenever Evans and Chris Godwin get hurt.
In 2024, there was a three-game stretch where Otton caught 25-of-31 targets for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Of course, this was because Tampa Bay’s offense was depleted. Still, the fact that he could function as the top target and produce at this level is notable.
Evans and Godwin are healthy, while the Bucs used a first-rounder on a potential stud wideout in Emeka Egbuka. Jalen McMillan is also still there. With that said, Otton is virtually free at TE24 in Underdog drafts.
Yes, it’s unlikely Otton ever comes close to that small sample production again. However, the fact that he’s done it before is a positive, especially at this cheap price. If nothing else, you’re getting another piece of a pass-heavy Bucs offense that should again be in several shootouts this year.