5 Deep Sleepers in the Aftermath of the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is three weeks in the rearview, and before too long, teams will begin organized team activities (OTAs).

5 Deep Sleepers in the Aftermath of the 2025 NFL Draft

Many are undertaking dynasty fantasy football drafts with rookies or completing them at the moment.

And regarding dynasty fantasy football or just the real-life sport on the whole, consider these five players deep sleepers for 2025 and beyond.

All men listed below are offensive playmakers and from Round 5 or later. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top deep sleeper)

5. Devin Neal (RB)

New Orleans Saints
Round 6
Pick 184

Alvin Kamara will turn 30 this summer. His fabulous career is on the back nine — and maybe the final few holes.

Recently, when the Saints tab a running back to fill in for Kamara, Kendre Miller’s name gets called, and nothing happens. He’s simply not very dynamic.

That leaves Neal, a rookie, on the depth chart. He’s a sleeper because Miller has never really broken out, and Kamara’s days are numbered. When Kamara goes down — he always does, at least for a few games — expect Miller and Neal to split the workload, with Neal standing off the page more than Miller, who’s had his chances.

4. Oronde Gadsden II (TE)

Los Angeles Chargers
Round 5
Pick 165

Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin live on the Chargers’ depth chart, two decent tight ends. Forecasting Gadsden II for a sleeper assignment may be more about 2026 than 2025.

Gadsden II is a bloodline tight end and has the playmaking acumen to develop and succeed in the pros. He could eventually become a notable threat for Justin Herbert in the redzone.

The new Charger logged 934 receiving yards in 13 games last year at Syracuse.

3. Brashard Smith (RB)

Kansas City Chiefs
Round 7
Pick 228

Isiah Pacheco’s shine has faded just a bit, and Kareem Hunt is not a long-term solution of any kind.

Smith played wide receiver in college before switching to running back, meaning he’ll add a dual-threat capability to the Chiefs’ already creative offense.

Before too long, Hunt won’t be a part of the equation, and Smith can perhaps feast as the RB2 next to Pacheco.

2. Shedeur Sanders (QB)

Cleveland Browns
Round 5
Pick 144

We fully understand Shedeur Sanders’ faceplanted during the NFL Draft and faces an uphill climb to stardom.

But he’s also intermixed in a quarterback room with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and injured Deshaun Watson. If Sanders is worth his mettle — like at all — toppling Flacco, Pickett, and Gabriel should occur rather seamlessly.

Of course, Sanders could be “just a 5th-Rounder,” but the Browns’ stinky quarterback room is begging for an ascender.

Why not Sanders?

1. Jaydon Blue (RB)

Dallas Cowboys
Round 5
Pick 149

Javonte Williams is Dallas’ RB1, and that might actually work. Folks learned in Denver that he’s not an unbelievably electric runner, but maybe the Cowboys’ geographical cure can work.

After Williams, it’s Miles Sanders in the mix, and he’s straight mediocre. Blue is 6’0″ and 200 pounds. He’s not a teensy scatback like Deuce Vaughn.

Blue could really bust out as the Cowboys’ RB1. Their RB room almost requires it.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.