The Best 2023 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Rookies, Tight Ends, and Deep Sleepers

What is a Fantasy Football Sleeper?

Before we dive into the list of sleepers, it’s first important to define exactly what a ‘sleeper’ is. A sleeper can generally be defined as something or someone who succeeds when not many people thought they would.

In fantasy football, this term is very subjective. The more experience and fantasy football knowledge someone has, the less likely they are to ‘sleep’ on someone because they should be more aware of a player’s skillset, draft pedigree, depth chart status, and path to success.

Someone who is new to fantasy football might not know the new starting running back for the Minnesota Vikings now that Dalvin Cook is on the New York Jets. To a new player, Alexander Mattison could be a sleeper, but to an experienced player, Mattison is someone they’ve been well aware of for numerous years already.

A new player might now know the rookie WRs drafted in the late 1st round of the NFL draft or the running backs drafted in the 3rd round. Players like Jordan Addison or Kendre Miller might be sleepers for new players, but for dynasty players who know every 6th and 7th round pick plus all the UDFA RBs, the high profile rookies are certainly not sleepers. This is why it’s important to define exactly what a sleeper is.

How Are We Defining ‘Sleeper’?

For this exercise, we are going to label a fantasy football sleeper as a player who has the potential to greatly out perform their average draft position (ADP). We are going to break the 2023 sleepers into categories to identify potential players for managers of all experience levels.

These categories will be shallow sleepers (for new fantasy football players), rookie sleepers (QBs/WR/RBs), tight end sleepers, and deep sleepers (for deep leagues).

Who Are the Most Popular Fantasy Football Sleepers for 2023?

Before we discuss the list of sleepers for each category, I wanted to highlight the most popular fantasy football sleepers from the some of the industry’s top publications. I Googled ‘Fantasy Football Sleepers 2023’ and noted all the players mentioned in articles from ESPN, Yahoo, Fantasy Pros, NFL.com, and Draft Sharks. All of these publications are major players in the fantasy football space (unlike this website). You can see the list below:

The only players to be mentioned in more than one publication are Kenny Pickett, Romeo Doubs, Elijah Moore, Nico Collins, and Jordan Addison. While I do love some of these players, I am going to exclude them from this article as they’ve already been discussed in detail.

For the ESPN Staff article, they had nine staff members list their sleepers, which is why you’ll see an ‘x’. For example, Kenny Pickett x5 means 5/9 ESPN staff choose him as a sleeper. The ESPN article also lists many other sleepers, creating an extremely long list, so I only noted down the players who were listed more than once.

Now onto Fantasy Football Helper’s list of sleepers. Remember our definition; finding a player who has the potential to greatly outperform ADP. To outperform ADP, a player needs to score lots of points, and points are scored by getting touches. The common theme for many of these sleepers is identifying a realistic path to touches (carries and targets/receptions).

Shallow League Sleepers for 2023

The players in this list are aimed at helping new fantasy football players who don’t have extensive knowledge of the player base. These players are most likely drafted in the mid-rounds and would not be considered a sleeper by experienced players.

Drake London (WR – ATL): Underdog ADP 45.4

The case for Drake London:

A top 10 NFL draft pick pick who suffered from abysmal QB play in 2022, London should benefit from improved QB play in 2023.
Although Ridder has question marks, London averaged 9 targets/game with a 42.4% target share with Ridder at QB last year (weeks 15-18).
The Falcons offense looks to have a narrow usage tree where most of the touches should be funnelled to London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts (once fully healthy).
London has alpha size, draft pedigree, and showed signs of a breakout in 2022 (PPR WR 18 from weeks 15-18.
Being ‘slept on’ by ESPN users in particular as his Current ADP on ESPN is 84.4 (this is egregious).

Jahan Dotson (WR – WAS): Underdog ADP: 65.4

The case for Jahan Dotson:

Dotson is having a fantastic pre-season with 7 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD, on 9 targets.
Terry McLaurin is banged up (turf toe) and may not be ready for week 1, potentially thrusting Dotson into the definitive WR1 role to start the season.
Dotson is coming off an outstanding rookie year with 7 TDs in 12 games, while performing strong to end the season with back-to-back top 12 PPR finishes in weeks 15-16, plus a WR 19 finish in the game prior.
Out-targeted McLaurin 31-27 from weeks 13-17, creating a 1A/1B situation.
Excellent Reception Perception score and now has Eric Bieniemy (from KC) to run the offense.

D’Andre Swift (RB – PHI): Underdog ADP 85.4

The case for D’Andre Swift:

One of the biggest disappointments last season, Swift finds himself on a team who gave up a future 4th round pick to acquire him.
The RB room in Phi is crowded, but Swift seems to have the first crack as the RB1 to begin the season.
Started preseason week 1 and rested week 2, while Gainwell, Scott, and Penny all played.
Swift is an extremely talented player whose ADP is too low considering his upside.

Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN): Underdog ADP 87.5

The case for Courtland Sutton:

Last year was a disaster for the entire organization and offensive minded Sean Payton was brought in to fix it. This should benefit Sutton and the entire offense.
Payton has plans to utilize Sutton like he did with Michael Thomas in New Orleans.
Should benefit from an early season boost and will be the WR1 to start the season with Jeudy injured.
With Jeudy off the field last year, Sutton commanded nearly 30% of team targets and 40% of total air yards.
Broncos only have four WRs currently on the roster, one being a banged up Jeudy who may deal with a lingering hamstring injury throughout the season.

Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI): Underdog ADP 93.2

The case for Khalil Herbert:

The new RB1 for Chicago, where David Montgomery’s 235 opportunities (carries + targets) are up for grabs.
Herbert has handled 67% of the rushing attempts with the first team offense in pre-season.
In his five career starts, he averages 21 touches/game, scoring 13 PPG.
The Bears offense should be much more improved with the addition of DJ Moore, and potential 3rd year leap from Justin Fields.

Rookie Sleepers for 2023

For the sake of this exercise, we are going to exclude all WRs drafted in the top 40 picks and any RBs drafted in the first two rounds. All of these players should be drafted in your league as they have a strong chance to contribute this season. Additionally, no TEs are included in this list, as they will be covered in a separate section.

Tank Bigsby (RB – JAX): Underdog ADP 118.1

The case for Tank Bigsby:

Led all RBs in pre-season with 5 rushes of 10+ yards, totalling 159 yards on 28 carries.
Had 35% of team rush attempts with 1st team offense in pre-season and received a carry within the 5 yard line (sadly, he fumbled).
If this usage continues to begin the season, Tank will have some standalone value with the bonus of being an elite handcuff on a powerful offense.
Could see his role expand as season progress, as mentioned by head coach Doug Pederson.

Marvin Mims (WR – DEN): Underdog ADP 129.7

The case for Marvin Mims:

Just like Sutton, Mims gets an early season boost due to Jeudy being hurt (and Patrick + Hamler).
The Broncos traded up to get Mims in the 2nd round of the NFL draft, the first ever pick of the Sean Payton era.
Even with a healthy Jeudy in pre-season, Mims was the clear WR3, logging 69% route participation in week 2. He will start in 3 WR sets even if the WR room gets fully healthy.
Has elite speed and burst with excellent ball tracking skills, which will allow him to be a big play threat immediately from week 1, potentially carving out a larger role as the season progresses.

Jayden Reed (WR – GB): Underdog ADP 162.5

The case for Jayden Reed:

Drafted in the 2nd round of the NFL draft, Reed looks to be the starting slot WR to being the season.
Romeo Doubs is currently dealing with a hamstring injury and his week 1 status (and beyond) is unknown, providing more potential opportunities for Reed.
Showing early chemistry with Jordan Love in pre-season. Here is a TD catch against the 1st team NE defense.
Reed is more than just a slot WR too, dominating targets in college. If Doubs is hurt to start the season, Reed has a chance to win the WR2 job outright.
Oh and Randy Moss said this, “I really see a lot of potential in this kid (Reed). His game will translate really well to the NFL, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins Rookie of the Year.”

Michael Wilson (WR – ARI): Underdog ADP 194.7

The case for Michael Wilson:

Looks to be locked in as the starting X WR to start the season due to his size (6’2).
Hollywood Brown, Rondale Moore, and Greg Dortch are all 5’9 or smaller. The only other WR comparable to Wilson in size is Zach Pascal whose best PPR finish is WR50 in five seasons.
Played in 2 WR sets during preseason, accumulating a 89% route participation with the starters.
While not a high-end prospect and on a projected poor offense, the Cardinals should have a ton of garbage time and will need to throw the ball often in 2023.

Sean Tucker (RB – TB): Underdog ADP 212.3

The case for Sean Tucker:

Went undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft due to medical concerns but was signed by TB immediately after the draft’s conclusion.
With a strong preseason, Tucker has risen the ranks and is now a legitimate threat to win the RB2 job before week 1, and there is a scenario where he wins the starting role outright by season’s end, either due to injury or if White can’t improve his efficiency.
Tucker was arguably a top 3 RB in his draft class heading into 2022 and has great size, track star speed, and is a legitimate receiving weapon.

TE Sleepers for 2023

This section will include both rookie and vet tight ends, however I am excluding Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE – TEN: Underdog ADP 153.8) because plenty has already been written about him, including three of the ESPN staff choosing Chig as their top tight end sleeper for 2023. I recommend a trying to draft a top seven TE this year, but if you miss out, here are some options who are basically free on draft day.

Sam Laporta (TE – DET): Underdog ADP 136.5

The case for Sam Laporta:

Rookie TEs rarely produce in fantasy football but some scouts believe this could be the best TE class ever, and Laporta is a big reason why.
Laporta dominated at Iowa (aka TE University), leading the team in receptions three straight seasons and was drafted in the early 2nd round to be T.J. Hockenson’s replacement.
With Jameson WIlliams suspended the first six games in 2023, there’s a clear path to targets.
LaPorta has been playing with the 1st team offense since day 1 and has weak competition behind him. He is the clear TE1 for the Lions.
Behind Amon-Ra St.Brown, Laporta looks like Goff’s 2nd favourite target to begin the season.

Tyler Higbee (TE – LAR): Underdog ADP 137.4

The case for Tyler Higbee:

Last year’s TE 9 in PPR PPG, Higbee was a target machine early in the season, with 48 targets in his first five games (9.6/game). He also had five additional weeks of 6+ targets.
A similar start could happen this year with Cooper Kupp suffering a recent setback, putting his week 1 availability in doubt.
In games without Kupp in 2022, Higbee had a 20.8% target share. If Kupp were to miss extended time with a lingering injury, Higbee has an easy path to another top 10 finish.
Even with Kupp healthy, Higbee is the projected #2 option in the passing game and is a favourite target for Stafford.

Juwan Johnson (TE – NO): Underdog ADP 152.2

The case for Juwan Johnson:

Last year’s TE 10 in Half PPR leagues, Johnson now has Derek Carr as his QB, which is an upgrade from Andy Dalton.
Carr isn’t a top 12 fantasy QB, but he’s good enough to support multiple fantasy positions and is showing early chemistry with Johnson.
Johnson is a red zone threat, drawing a 20% red zone target share in 2022. Unless you have an elite TE, sometimes you need a TD from the position to save your week, and Johnson scored seven in 2022.
Derek Carr traditionally likes to utilize his TEs, helping Jared Cook become a top 5 TE in 2017, and more recently turning Waller into a top three option at the position.
Oh and Derek Carr told his brother David to draft him in fantasy football this season, so that’s obviously a clear sign Johnson will have a big year, right?

Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL): Underdog ADP 160.5

The case for Jake Ferguson:

Dalton Schultz is gone, leaving 6 targets/game available. In fact, Dak targeted the TE position as a whole on 25% of his throws in 2022.
Dak Prescott runs a TE friendly system, one where Schultz posted three straight top 12 finishes at the position.
Undrafted Peyton Hendershot and 2nd round pick Luke Schoonmaker (banged up this summer, missed lots of camp), don’t project to be early season threats to Ferguson’s workload.
Ferguson started the first preseason game, catching all three of his targets for 38 yards, then sat out the second game, cementing his status as the starting TE to begin the season.

Luke Musgrave (TE – GB): Underdog ADP 162.8

The case for Luke Musgrave:

Like LaPorta, Musgrave is another rookie TE who has a similar path to fantasy relevance but gets drafted 2.5 – 3 rounds later.
LaPorta has elite participation metrics so far this preseason with the first team offense, including an impressive 22% target share.
As mentioned earlier with Jayden Reed, an injury to Romeo Doubs could lead to an increased role for Musgrave to start the season.
There is a scenario where Musgrave is the #2 option behind Christian Watson, as the pecking order of Doubs, Reed, and Musgrave is undetermined. If Musgrave becomes the #2 option, this would be essentially a lock for a top 12 finish at the position.

Deep Sleepers for 2023

The odds of these players having any fantasy relevance in shallow leagues or even traditional 12-team leagues is slim. However, for those in 14+ team leagues, or leagues with large benches, the players below have a path to playing time plus some upside with a little bit of luck, which sometimes is all you’re looking in the later rounds. All of these players have an ADP of 200+.

Joshua Palmer (WR – LAC): Underdog ADP 204.9

The case for Joshua Palmer:

Palmer is likely to begin the season as the Chargers’ WR3, despite the team drafting WR Quentin Johnston in the first round.
In preseason, Palmer sat out with the starters, while Johnston played 49 snaps.
Palmer had five top WR 30 finishes in 2022, including a WR 3 finish in week 11 and a WR 10 finish in week 9, showing he’s capable of filling in for Keenan Allen or Mike Williams.
If Allen or Williams miss time again, Palmer has enough experience with Justin Herbert where he can excel and be an every week WR3 with upside, plus the benefit of providing some standalone value in deep leagues, even when all WRs are healthy.

Rico Dowdle (RB – DAL): Underdog ADP 214.7

The case for Rico Dowdle:

I absolutely love Tony Pollard this year, but he’s never handled a full workload and we don’t know for sure how many touches Pollard will handle weekly, so why not take a chance on Dowdle?
Dowdle has officially won the RB2 job for the Cowboys after Malik Davis was sent to the practice squad.
Even with Pollard as the clear workhorse in this offense, Rico may have a short yardage and 3rd down role, which could provide a few spike weeks in PPR leagues along with the added bonus of being a strong handcuff.
This is the first time Dowdle has been healthy since 2020, and they kept him on the roster this whole time for a reason. Coach McCarthy has praised his run style and blocking, which may earn him some meaningful snaps.

Tutu Atwell (WR – LAR): Underdog ADP 215.4

The case for Tutu Atwell:

Like Higbee, this depends on Kupp’s availability. Last year without Kupp on the field, Atwell was playing 90%+ snaps towards the end of the season.
Atwell was a 2nd round pick in 2021 but didn’t record a single catch or carry his rookie season but made some progress in 2022 scoring two TDs, had a nine target game, and was utilized as a field stretcher and even had nine carries.
The WR room behind Kupp is so thin and the Rams project to be a bad team. Stafford might be forced to throw frequently in the 2nd half of games while trailing, and someone has to get the targets, why not Tutu?
Tutu probably makes for a better best ball pick than in redraft.

Justice Hill (RB – BAL): Underdog ADP 215.7

The case for Justice Hill:

Justice Hill played head of Gus Edwards in the first preseason game and ahead of Melvin Gordon in week 2 (who has since been cut). There is a real chance he’s the RB2 in this offense.
He was explosive in his limited preseason action, averaging 14.6 yards per carry.
The Ravens have said they want to throw more to RBs this season, bringing in OC Todd Monken to transform the offense.
Hill is the best RB suited for 3rd-down work and can also be a downfield weapon for a scrambling QB like Lamar Jackson.

Salvon Ahmed (RB – MIA): Underdog ADP 215.9

The case for Salvon Ahmed:

Ahmed has had an impressive preseason and could have an expanded role this season.
His competition is 31 year old, often injured Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson who is on IR, Achane, who is exciting but severely undersized, and UDFA Chris Brooks. If Mostert were to unfortunately get injured, the lead back role is wide open for one of the most fantasy friendly offensive schemes in the NFL.
Ahmed has been the lead back before, personally helping me win fantasy playoff matchup in 2020, where he had 23 carries for 122 yards and a TD in week 15. He also had 21 carries for 84 yards and a TD eight weeks earlier, the only two times he’s had a full workload in his career.

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