Fantasy football can be a casual, fun-for-all game, easy to pick up for even the most novice player. With all the draft rankings, tools and strategies we provide, anyone can become an overnight success story.
But if you want to become a top championship contender -- or better yet, a perennial league title winner -- a deep, thorough knowledge of the game is paramount. Knowing the top 160 players for your standard league draft is a great start, but educating yourself on players deeper in the ranks is the best route to league dominance.
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That's where this column comes in. What follows are my annual "deep sleepers," players who by all accounts will not -- and in most cases should not -- be drafted in ESPN standard 10-team leagues, but who have reasonably good odds of becoming fantasy-relevant. This list serves two purposes: To give you a watch list as a starting point for in-season pickups and to provide managers in deeper leagues -- the 12- or 14-teamers (or even larger), the deep-bench formats and dynasties -- with draft targets for the challenging later rounds.
Carson Beck, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Among this year's rookie quarterback class, Beck has the second-best chance at seeing significant 2026 snaps under center (Fernando Mendoza), making him a relevant target in dynasty drafts. But considering the Cardinals' offensive weaponry, including otherworldly tight end Trey McBride, 2024 No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and fantasy's No. 2 wide receiver over last year's second half Michael Wilson, Beck could be a factor in superflex formats and perhaps as a streaming option in ESPN standard leagues once he's elevated to starter status. Beck dazzled during the Hall of Fame Game, completing 79% of his passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, including a pair of 30-plus-yard completions that heightened confidence in his deep-throw ability.
Greg Dulcich, TE, Miami Dolphins
After three injury-plagued years in Denver, Dulcich brought his sizable frame and sure-handed skill set to Miami last season, where over the final 10 weeks he averaged 3.7 targets and 7.0 fantasy points. The Dolphins since jettisoned Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and pretty much anyone a fantasy manager could trust from their passing game, leaving Dulcich as one of the more proven targets within an anything-goes offense. Considering Dulcich's 2025 metrics -- he was first in yards after catch per reception (7.6), second in yards per route run (2.66) and third in targets per route (26.2%), among tight ends with at least as many as his 33 targets -- he's likely to have fantasy relevance, even if in a risk/reward context.