“Shore Thing Sleepers” isn’t your ordinary fantasy football article. Instead, our staff highlights lower-valued players who can provide starting-caliber production for a specific week during the season. These are usually players near the end of your bench or even on the waiver wire/free agency. With managers still in the thick of the NFL offseason, we created a list of our favorite 2024 fantasy football sleepers who can be grabbed in the final round of drafts.
So whether you’re best-balling your way through the dog days of summer or just preparing for your upcoming redrafts, here are four last-round dart throws to consider.
Last-Round 2024 Fantasy Football Sleepers
(Average Draft Position [ADP] courtesy of Underdog Fantasy)
Bo Nix (QB, Denver Broncos) | 207.8 ADP (QB31)
I’m not a huge fan of Bo Nix’s talent, especially in dynasty fantasy football formats, given he’s already 24. Still, in best ball or superflex redraft leagues? He’s intriguing.
Nix struggled early in his college career at Auburn but evolved into a dynamic player with 51 combined touchdowns in his final season at Oregon. His fit in a Sean Payton offense could be particularly beneficial. Payton’s system improved Russell Wilson’s accuracy by six percentage points, and he saw a jump from 16 to 26 TDs while reducing interceptions by three. Wilson was the QB16 on a points-per-game basis (17.7), outperforming players like Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa and Matthew Stafford.
Nix also has notable rushing upside, totaling over 700 rushing yards and 20 TDs in his two years at Oregon. With weapons like Courtland Sutton and rookie Troy Franklin, who had nearly 1,400 receiving yards working with Nix at Oregon, the 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist is a high-upside pick. He’s a solid late-round target in superflex or best ball, especially if you’re looking to pair him with an elite QB like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes.
Khalil Herbert (RB, Chicago Bears) | 183.1 ADP (RB58)
I’ve been skeptical of Khalil Herbert in the past, but his current ADP presents value. Standing at 5-foot-9, 212 pounds, Herbert has averaged 4.9 Yards Per Carry (YPC) throughout his career and showed his receiving skills with a notable preseason screen pass that he took 56 yards to the house.
Despite facing stacked fronts on 31.1% of his carries (the sixth-most among RBs), Herbert was 12th in breakaway run rate at 5.3%. While he’s likely behind D’Andre Swift, who has never completed a full season, Herbert has shown potential to handle goal-line duties. Swift had 10 attempts inside the five-yard line but only converted two for touchdowns.
Herbert didn’t get many scoring opportunities last season due to the Bears’ struggling offense and his mid-season injuries. With Swift’s uncertain longevity and the Bears’ potential offensive improvement, Herbert is a worthwhile late-round pick. Other RBs in his range include J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin and Roschon Johnson, all of whom lack Herbert’s upside.
Malachi Corley (WR, New York Jets) | 169.2 ADP (WR75)
Malachi Corley is a player I’ve been high on from the start. Known as the “YAC King,” he has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel for his Yards After the Catch (YAC) ability. Watching Corley’s tape is a treat, showcasing his dynamic playmaking skills.
The Jets have high expectations for Corley, who could thrive alongside Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall-of-Fame quarterback has a history of supporting multiple wide receivers. Corley might find himself in the slot initially and potentially take over Allen Lazard’s role in two-WR sets.
Last season, fantasy managers were excited about drafting Elijah Moore before being traded to Cleveland. Corley offers similar excitement but with a clearer path to significant playing time. He’s a great late-round target, especially in leagues where WR depth is crucial.
Dawson Knox (TE, Buffalo Bills) | 213.1 ADP (TE30)
With limited receiving options for Allen, Dawson Knox remains a valuable sleeper. While Dalton Kincaid will likely lead the team in targets, Knox’s role shouldn’t be underestimated. Last season, Kincaid ran 348 slot snaps, accounting for 49.1% of his routes. This will leave the traditional in-line tight end role open for Knox to work out of. Plus, new offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who took over midseason, favored mixing in heavy two-TE formations and creative empty sets. This strategy could see Knox and Kincaid both finding fantasy relevance, similar to the Zach Ertz–Dallas Goedert dynamic in Philadelphia years ago.
Knox was the Points Per Reception (PPR) TE8 in 2021, catching nine touchdowns on just 71 targets. His upside as a red zone threat remains high, making him a viable late-round pick, especially given his TE30 ADP. He’s in a similar range to Darren Waller, Michael Mayer and Ja’Tavion Sanders, all of whom have a much lower floor.
Thanks for reading our last-round 2024 fantasy football sleepers. Check out more of our fantasy football and other written content here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.
*Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing – USA TODAY Sports*