Before fantasy football became mainstream (shoutout Matthew Berry), sources of advice, analysis, and “taeks” were mainly limited to magazines that had outdated information the second they hit shelves. If you kept up with training camp news and preseason risers, you could legitimately find fantasy gold in players your league mates had never heard of. But with the wealth of information available on the interwebz, Sleepers in a traditional sense no longer exist.
Post-Hype Sleepers are a different story. The definition varies based on who you ask. But for me, a post-hype sleeper is a player who was once highly touted and fell out of favor for whatever reason, who now presents an opportunity to be drafted at a value.
Just as in the “Flag Plants Series” (Which, if you haven’t checked out, do so here, here, here, and here), I’ll go through each position and give you my Post-Hype Sleepers for 2025.
Up first, Quarterbacks. Three names with at least one, possibly two, that may give you the sudden urge to throw your phone. But hear me out and read my reasoning before you do that. And double-check you have phone insurance.
Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers
(The “once sexy name that isn’t sexy anymore, but still holds the same upside” Sleeper)
Honestly, this one shocks me more than any other name on the list. I understand fantasy football managers can be quick to pull the plug on players who underperform. But Jordan Love didn’t play all that badly last season. His completion percentage remained virtually the same from 2023, and he improved on multiple efficiency stats, including yards per attempt, average depth of target, and deep throw completion percentage, among them. His depressed counting stats can partially be attributed to an MCL injury in Week 1 that hobbled Love all season, and eventually led to a groin injury in Week 8 that hobbled him even further. With Love’s mobility limited, his ability to move in the pocket was capped, and rushing production was nearly non-existent. He totaled 83 rushing yards and 3.32 yards per carry after chipping in 247 yards on 4.94 yards per carry in 2023.
Among qualifying quarterbacks, Love ranked top 10 in yards per attempt (8), touchdowns (25), average depth of target (8.8), and just about everything imaginable for deep throws (20+ yards). Despite playing in just 15 games, Love had 68 deep throw attempts, 25 completions (25), and tied for the 6th most touchdowns of 20+ yards (4). He attempted deep throws at a 16% clip, the highest rate in the league.
Although the Packers will be without receiver Christian Watson for most of the season, they still boast one of the most talented wide receiver corps in the league with Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontavion Wicks. The group only got stronger with the addition of Texas WR Matthew Golden, the first receiver drafted in the first round by the Packers since Javon Walker in 2002. His ability to stretch the field with elite speed and play both outside and in the slot is a perfect fit for what the Packers want to do on offense.
Green Bay’s offensive line was already a strength, yet the team looked to improve the unit in the offseason, signing G Aaron Banks and drafting T Anthony Belton and G John Williams. I saw nothing that concerns me from an efficiency standpoint with Love that would lead me to put a pause on the excitement for a potential tier jump most had for him a year ago. The difference is that you’re not buying all the risk by drafting him inside the top 10 at the position, unlike last season. Love’s current ADP of QB17 is criminal with the potential explosiveness of the Packers’ offense.
Justin Fields – New York Jets
(The “snip-snap, snip-snap” Sleeper)
Full disclosure, I’ve never been into Justin Fields as a starting quarterback in the NFL or from a fantasy perspective. The combination of sub-par passing numbers and elevated ADP due to his rushing prowess made Fields a hard pass in my eyes. But the price is finally right to have Fields come on down and be the next contestant addition to my fantasy rosters this season.
Finally free from Chicago and Pittsburgh, he heads to …the Jets. Yes, I know, I know, it’s the Jets, but hear me out. I love the hiring of Aaron Glenn and believe he can follow in the footsteps of Dan Campbell by bringing stability to a circus of a franchise. And along with Glenn comes Tanner Engstrand, the first-time offensive coordinator who served under Ben Johnson as the Lions’ passing game coordinator for the past two seasons. You know, the once laughable Lions who became a fantasy goldmine and tied the NFL record for most 20+ point games (16) and 40+ point games (6) in a season?
Fields does have a better arm than he’s shown in the pros. He threw for 5,701 yards and 62 touchdowns in his college career. Notably, his completion percentage and QB rating have improved in every one of his first four seasons in the NFL. Granted, going from a 58% to 65% completion percentage doesn’t make me think he’ll all of a sudden become one of the top passers in the league. But if Fields can become just decent enough of a passer, a top-five fantasy finish is within reach. With an ADP of QB14, I’m targeting him in both 1QB and Superflex leagues. In 1QB, I’d pair him with a Justin Herbert, Brock Purdy type of high-floor QB to offset the risk of Fields. In Superflex, Fields is my prototypical QB2 target—an ADP value with upside.
Daniel Jones – Indianapolis Colts
(The “throw up in your mouth a little bit when you draft” Sleeper)
Yes, you read that right, Daniel Jones. Post-Hype Sleeper. Don’t throw your phone. Please.
As a Giants fan and a Duke fan, my touting of Danny Dimes may give you pause. But I pride myself on my ability to separate fandom from analysis. I’ve watched a lot of his games, seen the good and the (more often) bad, and I honestly believe Jones is set up for success in Indianapolis. Trust me, I’m no Daniel Jones truther.
If Daniel Jones starts another game for the Giants fire them all.
— Jay Felicio (@GMenJay) November 10, 2024
Despite my allegiance to Jones’ alma mater, I was angry when the Giants drafted him. He was a solid quarterback, but not worthy of his draft capital and infatuation from former Giants GM Dave Gettleman (shudders). If given the time, Jones can be an above-average passer. Pair that with his rushing capability, and Jones can (and has) produce a top 10 fantasy season—despite this play:
😆 Daniel Jones 80 yard run and fall over himself sums up the NFC East @6abc #DanielJones #Giants #Eagles pic.twitter.com/rgvGbp8L6O
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) October 23, 2020
Most, if not all, quarterbacks’ production drops when facing pressure. But Jones’ splits are pretty drastic.
Daniel Jones Completion Percentage (2022-2024)
Under Pressure: 45.7%, 52.5%, 53.9%
No Pressure: 69.9%, 76.2%, 71.4%
Thankfully for Jones, he’s trading one of the worst offensive line units for one of the best. Over the past two years, the Giants ranked 2nd and 3rd in Pressure Rate faced by quarterbacks; the Colts have ranked 17th and 15th.
This very well could be the best set of weapons Daniel Jones has played with in his career as well: running back Jonathan Taylor, wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, and Josh Downs, plus dynamic rookie tight end Tyler Warren.
A lot has to go right for Jones. He has to beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job (if Richardson can stay healthy, already battling a shoulder injury), and so does Jones. But there is ZERO risk and pure, delicious, 100% grass-fed upside with an ADP of QB31.
(Data sourced from FTN Fantasy. Qualifying QBs include a minimum of 300 passing attempts in 2024.)
Photo by: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Parker McDonald (@TheCarbonFox on Twitter/X)