Fantasy Football 2023: More Sleepers to Draft in the Later Rounds

Buccaneers running back Rachaad White among 10 players we expect to outplay their current draft position.

The fantasy football draft season is here!

Drafting a winning fantasy team takes a lot of skill and a little bit of luck, including the ability to draw out which players could post career-best seasons and outplay their average draft positions (ADP). These players are called “sleepers” in the fantasy world. Finding the right sleeper or two could be the difference between building a good team and building a squad that becomes a serious title contender.

To help you in your quest to find the best sleepers for 2023, here’s an updated look at 10 of my favorite players to target in the middle to late rounds.

• 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit

Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers

Pickett didn’t have a great rookie season in the stat sheets, but that’s been the norm historically speaking for a quarterback. Heck, even Peyton Manning wasn’t good as a rookie. Not that Pickett will be Manning, but the Steelers improved the offensive line and added Allen Robinson to the passing game in the offseason. In addition, I could see Pickett rushing for around 350-400 yards.

Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers

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White is in prime position to outperform his draft position, as the Buccaneers cut ties with Leonard Fournette in the offseason and didn’t replace him in the draft or free agency. Head coach Todd Bowles believes White can “become a complete, three-down back,” and it appears Tampa Bay will give him a chance to achieve that goal. He could emerge into a nice No. 2 fantasy back in 2023.

James Cook, Bills

Cook didn’t put up huge fantasy totals as a rookie, but he averaged better than five yards per carry and caught 21 passes out of the backfield. With Devin Singletary no longer on the roster, Cook should see his opportunities increase, especially as a pass catcher, in Year 2. Veteran Damien Harris could cap his ceiling a bit, but Cook still has more flex appeal in PPR formats this season.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles

The Eagles added D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny in the offseason, but there's a chance it's Gainwell who leads this backfield committee. He knows the offense well, and the preseason seems to indicate he'll play a bigger role than some of us in the fantasy industry are projecting. Swift might still be the first Eagles running back picked in fantasy drafts, but Gainwell should be moving up.

Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings

Addison landed in the best spot of any rookie receiver, as he’ll be projected as the No. 2 wideout in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson. Even playing alongside the best wide receiver in fantasy, there will be plenty of targets for Addison to absorb after the team parted with Adam Thielen during the offseason. The Vikings were also third among all offenses in pass percentage last season.

Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders

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Dotson showed flashes of fantasy potential as a rookie, scoring seven touchdowns while also putting up 14-plus points five times. While Sam Howell brings some questions at quarterback, Dotson will open the season as the Commanders’ No. 2 wideout behind Terry McLaurin. In a best-case scenario, Dotson could bring back No. 3 wideout or flex value in his second season.

George Pickens, WR, Steelers

Pickens showed flashes of potential as a rookie, scoring 14-plus PPR fantasy points seven times. While his overall average of 9.8 points per game wasn’t eye popping, some of his highlight-reel catches certainly were. With a year of experience under his belt and an obvious rapport with Pickett, Pickens is a candidate to be far better than his draft position would suggest in 2023 drafts.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers

Doubs had a nice start to his rookie season, scoring 13-plus fantasy points in two of his first four games. Things went downhill from there though, as he missed time due to injuries and was overshadowed by Christian Watson. Still, Doubs will be the No. 2 target in the passing game for Jordan Love this season and could end up being their most targeted player. He’s well worth a late choice.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Titans

Okonkwo had a mini-breakout in the second half of his rookie season, posting 10 or more points in four of his last six games. That includes a six-catch, one-touchdown, 18.5-point effort against the Jaguars in Week 14. With few experienced weapons in the pass attack, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Okonkwo rank among the three most targeted players on the team. He’s a solid late rounder.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions

LaPorta is the latest in a very long line of solid, pass-catching tight ends to come out of Iowa. In fact, he’ll replace another Hawkeye, T.J. Hockenson, who was traded last season, as Detroit’s projected starter. He might not be consistent, but the Lions like to use their tight ends in the offense and LaPorta certainly has the most upside on the team. He's getting a lot of positive camp buzz, too.