The definition of “fantasy football sleepers” has evolved with time. Years ago, they were players who the general public had never heard of, let alone considered as a legitimate fantasy asset.
The NFC East is sure to be a contentious division once again this season, and there will be some key contributors on each team to look out for late in your fantasy football drafts.
Fantasy Football Sleepers | NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Tolbert, WR
The Cowboys’ offense is geared to offer value to three pass catchers. Last season, they ranked fourth in pass rate over expectation, and that was with them wanting to explore what Tony Pollard could be as a featured back.
They know what Ezekiel Elliott is/isn’t capable of, which has me thinking Dallas is a threat to lead the league in PROE this year. Brandin Cooks occupied the valuable WR2 role in this offense last season, and while he put up viable numbers, he posted the worst yards per route run season of his career.
MORE: 7 Fantasy Football Sleepers to Target in 2024
When I hit a sleeper, I want to be rewarded in a significant way, and Jalen Tolbert offers that potential. If a receiver like DeMario Douglas overachieves, how many weeks did it really matter for you? Cooks was a top-30 receiver on seven occasions last season — hitting in that fashion would matter in a big way.
Philadelphia Eagles: Defense/Special Teams
This side of the ball is clearly a weakness for the Eagles when it comes to their ability to win at a high level, but that doesn’t mean they can’t produce reasonable fantasy numbers in September.
The Jets are the only team over the past two years that generates pressure at a higher rate while blitzing at a lower rate than the Birds. That is a valuable skill and one that Vic Fangio’s Dolphins did as well as anyone in 2023 (fourth in pressure rate and 27th in blitz percentage).
With Fangio taking over the coordinator duties in Philly, it’s reasonable to expect more of the same, and I’ll take that profile against pocket passers every day of the week. Through the first four weeks of the season, the quarterbacks in line to face the Eagles scored 93.5% of their fantasy points last season with their arms.
Under no circumstances am I paying up for a defense, which means I’m taking one with my final pick on a regular basis. Give me the Eagles as one that will be available and has a path to return top-12 value prior to their Week 5 bye.
Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, WR
Ready for a scolding hot take? I’m not sure Jahan Dotson’s sophomore season was that much different than his rookie campaign that put him on our redraft radars.
Yes, the counting numbers tanked (49-518-4 last season in 17 games after 35-523-7 in 2022 in just 12 contests), but the profile kind of looks the same.
- 2022: 13.1% of targets came in the end zone
- 2023: 14.5% of targets came in the end zone
- 2022: 38.1% deep catch rate
- 2023: 43.8% deep catch rate
- 2022: 15.2% red-zone target share
- 2023: 15.5% red-zone target share
In some respects, Dotson was better last year despite the lack of production. I’m not saying that makes him bulletproof in 2024, but if Jayden Daniels is worth the hype, is Dotson not at least worthy of a speculative pick after the first 12 rounds?
For what it’s worth, seven different Tigers had a 45+ yard catch last season in a Daniels-led LSU aerial attack.
New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB
What if Devin Singletary is nothing more than ordinary? He’s spent all five of his seasons in offenses with a franchise QB under center (four with Allen and last year with Stroud) and considerable amounts of upside.
It’s safe to say that the Giants don’t check those boxes.
Despite the positive surrounding environment, Singletary averaged a career-low 0.19 PPR fantasy points per opportunity (targets + rush attempts), ranking him 31st of 35 qualifiers at the position.
The G-men spent a fifth-round pick on Tyrone Tracy Jr., a Boilermaker who showed some efficiency and versatility while in college. The rookie’s ADP is low because of the three-year contract that Singletary signed this offseason, and that, theoretically, gives him the leg-up role-wise early in the season.
That said, you’re not drafting Tracy for the beginning of the season before injuries and byes take a bite out of your lineup. You’re hoping for a role that carries volume down the stretch.
This is a low-risk, high-reward investment, which is exactly how I like to spend my picks in the double-digit rounds.