Fantasy football can be a casual, fun-for-all game, but becoming a perennial league title winner requires deep knowledge beyond the top 160 players. This annual deep sleepers column targets players unlikely to be drafted in ESPN standard 10-team leagues but with reasonable odds of fantasy relevance, serving as a watch list for in-season pickups and draft targets for 12- or 14-team formats.

Carson Beck, QB for the Arizona Cardinals, has the second-best chance among rookies at significant 2026 snaps and could factor in superflex formats given the Cardinals' offensive weaponry. Greg Dulcich, TE for the Miami Dolphins, averaged 3.7 targets and 7.0 fantasy points over the final 10 weeks of 2025 and leads tight ends in yards after catch per reception. Tre' Harris, WR for the Los Angeles Chargers, has a 3.9% roster rate but could step up with Keenan Allen departed.

Ja'Kobi Lane, WR for the Baltimore Ravens, has seen his roster rate quadruple after positive preseason reports and projects as a red-zone mismatch. Mar Shawn Lloyd, RB for the Green Bay Packers, is healthy after injury-plagued seasons and could see increased work behind Josh Jacobs. Seth Mc Gowan, RB for the Indianapolis Colts, offers insurance behind Jonathan Taylor with strong combine metrics.