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Only Six Rookie Sleepers Who Check Out

Is This Year’s Rookie Class Really THAT Deep?

You can't build your dynasty roster on early-round picks alone.

If you want to win a championship (or several), then you need to hit on some late-round targets -- the undervalued prospects who rise from the bottom of your draft board to become long-term assets.

But finding the right ones? That's tough.

Fortunately for you, we've dug into the tape and the data ... to pick out the six late-round rookies that truly matter. Not dart throws, but legit difference-makers with breakout potential.

Let’s meet your next favorite dynasty stash with these rookie sleepers.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Dual-threat QBs remain a fantasy cheat code. Just ask Justin Fields, who finished as a top-12 QB in points per game with 231 rushing yards and 5 TDs in just seven starts for Pittsburgh, despite inconsistent passing.

Enter Milroe: 6’2, 217 pounds, with an unofficial 4.37-second 40 time and a rushing profile that’s nearly unmatched.

He ran for 806 yards and 12 TDs in 2023, then followed up with 879 yards and 20 TDs last season. According to Dane Brugler, Milroe's 12 rushing TDs of 10+ yards were the most by a QB in 25 years.

That kind of upside makes Milroe a fantasy starter the moment he steps under center.

The issue? He’s not guaranteed that shot.

Seahawks Didn't Commit to Starting Future

Seattle spent a third-round pick on him. That’s a solid investment, but it doesn’t guarantee starts. Sam Darnold is the placeholder, but Milroe is the upside play.

OC Klint Kubiak offered this endorsement: “The number one thing that stands out, the guy’s a worker. You see him out there at 4:30 a.m., going through his plays. Nobody’s asking him to do that.”

Still, the concerns are real. Milroe ranked just 53rd in adjusted completion rate (72.6%) among 128 QBs last season. His accuracy, processing, and touch need work if he wants to secure the job long term.

How Long Until Milroe Forces the Issue?

Darnold is under contract through 2026, but the team has an out after this season. If Milroe flashes in the preseason, and Darnold stumbles, things could accelerate. But this is more likely a 2026-or-later play.

In superflex leagues, Milroe’s rushing ceiling makes him worth the taxi squad stash. He doesn’t need to be Jalen Hurts to matter in fantasy. As soon as he starts, he’s viable.

Milroe's falling to the late second or early third round in rookie drafts. He could smash that ADP the moment he gets on the field.

Jarquez Hunter, RB, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams took Blake Corum in the third round last year, then came back for more, grabbing Hunter in Round 4 this year. The Auburn product popped as a true freshman, immediately splitting carries with Tank Bigsby and eventually earning the lead role.

In 2024, Hunter posted 1,201 rushing yards and eight TDs on 187 carries, a strong showing for a struggling Auburn offense. His 6.4 yards per carry ranked fifth among 82 RBs with 150+ attempts.

Hunter also ranked top 15 in yards after contact per attempt (4.10) and PFF Elusive Rating (142.5)

He’s compact (5'9", 204 lbs), powerful, and fast. He joins a crowded backfield with Kyren Williams and Corum, but don’t count him out.

Could Hunter Be the Injury Away RB You Need?

The Rams seem to be pivoting to a committee. GM Les Snead hinted as much in a post-draft press conference stating “With the wear and tear at RB, having a committee with different skill sets only helps us run the football the way we want.”

Sean McVay’s offense has quietly been shifting toward the run:

• 2021: 58.0% (fifth in neutral pass rate)
• 2022: 51.7% (14th)
• 2023: 54.5% (12th)
• 2024: 51.0% (20th)

They certainly could swing back to passing in 2025 more after adding WR Davante Adams and Round 2 TE Terrance Ferguson. But as Matthew Stafford heads into his age-37 season, the Rams could certainly continue prioritizing rushing despite their receiving weapons.

If Corum flames out again, or if Williams gets hurt, Hunter’s well-positioned to step in.

Is Hunter the Real Successor in L.A.?

Williams is in a contract year. Even though McVay says extension talks are going well, using back-to-back top-120 picks on RBs screams contingency planning.

Hunter’s burst and pass-catching ability give him more upside than Corum, who averaged just 3.6 YPC as a rookie.

Draft him late, stash him, and wait. This backfield could be his in 2026.

Jo’Quavious Marks, RB, Houston Texans

The Texans clearly valued Marks, enough to give up a 2026 third-round pick to grab him in Round 4.

A product of Mike Leach’s Air Raid system, Marks enters the NFL with 261 receptions and nearly 1,400 receiving yards. He’s one of the most experienced pass-catching backs in this class.

Here are Marks’ PFF receiving grades among RBs (30+ targets):

• 2020: 19th of 24
• 2021: 12th of 45
• 2022: 31st of 48
• 2023: 4th of 48
• 2024: 17th of 55

The rushing metrics aren’t as kind. Among 31 Combine RBs, he ranked:

• 27th in Yards after contact per attempt
• 29th in missed tackles forced per attempt

But that’s not why he’s here. Marks can step in as a pass-game weapon, especially in PPR formats.

Will He Carve Out a Role Behind Mixon and Chubb?

Joe Mixon’s still the lead back, and now Nick Chubb’s in town, signed to a one-year deal with incentives. Chubb’s likely to spell Mixon in short-yardage work, while Marks could backfill Mixon’s receiving duties.

Chubb’s arrival dropped Marks’ rookie ADP from rookie RB15 to RB18. But, Chubb signed a very minimal one-year deal with less than $1 million guaranteed on a $2.5 million contract. 

Chubb isn’t guaranteed to win the back-up job if Marks shows enough in training camp (or Chubb’s injury history slows him down).

Either way, Marks is the best receiving back on the roster.

If Mixon misses time, Marks becomes an intriguing Flex option in PPR.

Could Houston’s Future Pass Catching RB Be a Fourth-Round Steal?

Mixon turns 29 this offseason and has a contract out after this year. Chubb turns 30 in December.

Houston could overhaul its backfield in 2026, and that appears to start with Marks after giving up that 2026 third-round pick for him. 

If Marks proves his worth on passing downs, he could stick around as the receiving option. Scoop him up in the fourth round of rookie drafts and enjoy the upside.

Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos

Bryant came out of nowhere as a Day 2 pick, but the Broncos clearly saw something. At 6'2", 208 pounds, he plays big and wins at the catch point.

Here are Bryant’s ranks in 2024 among the 49 Combine WRs:

• Fourth in Dominator Rating
• Sixth in yards per team pass attempt
• Eighth in yards per route
• Seventh in PFF receiving grade

His 4.61 forty isn’t blazing, but HC Sean Payton was reminded of an old friend when asked about Bryant. “There were so many things about his game that reminded me of Mike Thomas.”

That’s high praise from the guy who helped make the former ”Slant King” a WR1.

Will Bryant Ascend The Depth Chart?

Courtland Sutton’s been the subject of trade rumors and hits free agency after this season. Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin are deep threats, not alphas. Devaughn Vele is a 27-year-old project.

Bryant could be starting by 2026 if not sooner. Target him in the late third of rookie drafts while others chase flashier names.

Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Horton drew Day 2 buzz before the draft, but medical concerns clouded his stock. A knee injury in his final season at Colorado State likely contributed to his fall to the fifth round, where the Seahawks snatched him up.

But make no mistake: Horton can ball.

He posted back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, then ran a 4.41 at 6’3", 196 lbs. Our Rookie Model ranked him 14th among 32 drafted WRs (6.40 score), with a top-five film grade.

Even against high-end competition, his traits popped — size, speed, and physicality.

Why Horton’s Path to Playing Time Is Wide Open

Despite being WR23 off the board, Horton graded:

• 14th in Analytics
• 17th in Athleticism 
• 17th in Production

His WR3 competition in Seattle? Jake Bobo, Marquez-Valdes Scantling, and Steven Sims. If Horton’s knee cooperates, he could contribute right away.

If he slips to Round 4 in rookie drafts, thanke your league mates for the gift.

Elijah Arroyo, TE, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle spent the 50th pick on Arroyo, and for good reason.

Averaging 16.9 yards per catch and an FBS-best 8.9 YAC per reception, Arroyo brings big-play ability to the TE spot. Injuries derailed his 2022 and 2023 seasons, but he finally broke through last year.

GM John Schneider wasn’t subtle when talking about Arroyo after the draft, saying, “If he didn’t miss time, his talent is like a top-15 pick. This guy is special.”

HC Mike Macdonald backed that up after the draft, calling Arroyo capable of playing "X" receiver and calling him “super explosive.”

He ran over half his routes from the slot or out wide last season. The Seahawks clearly see him as a weapon, not just a TE.

Could Arroyo Break Out as a Rookie Starter?

Noah Fant is on a short leash with a deal that ends after this season. Last year’s rookie AJ Barner, is more of a blocker.

Seattle also needs pass-catchers after moving on from DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Outside of JSN and a 31-year-old Cooper Kupp, targets are up for grabs.

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Next Up

2026 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: The Wild Card Class That Has Scouts Guessing

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Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.