Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com.
Identifying and drafting sleeper candidates is one of the most fun and rewarding pursuits of a fantasy football player. Last season, breakout performers such as Puka Nacua, Tank Dell, and Jordan Love were notable fantasy difference-makers, as they significantly outperformed preseason expectations.
Seahawks history is also well-stocked with fantasy football sleepers who elevated many fantasy teams into contention. Past stars such as Russell Wilson, Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, Chris Warren, and Doug Baldwin all were much better fantasy producers than they were originally projected to be. Our rundown of 2024 fantasy football sleepers focuses on players who will be drafted outside the range of fantasy starter targets. The analysis leans to Points Per Reception (PPR) formats.
Fantasy Football Sleeper Picks: Running Backs
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans: The Titans did sign former Cowboy Tony Pollard, but Spears should be in the rushing mix, too. The second-year RB can be efficient, and he is an upside option for fantasy drafters. Last year, Spears gave us some preview snippets of what he could deliver with more touches, with long receptions of 28-plus yards in three games and long runs of 19-plus yards in five games.
According to PlayerProfiler.com, the 23-year-old also ranked sixth in Yards Per Touch (5.5), fifth in Breakaway Run Rate, and fourth in Juke Rate among all RBs. Expect Spears to at least take on a timeshare role, which will mark him as a promising fantasy draft pick for your flex position. The ceiling could be higher.
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: This is another situation where an RB should share work, yet also might make the most of his touches to potentially surpass what his preseason outlook will forecast. Brown won't be drafted among the top 30 RBs in many leagues, because the Bengals also brought in Zack Moss during the offseason. This second-year Bengal, however, is a threat to score or rip off a big play from anywhere on the field, as evidenced by a 54-yard catch-and-run for a TD last season.
In 2023, Brown ranked 12th among all RBs in Fantasy Points Per Opportunity, a PlayerProfiler stat that measures an RB's fantasy production in the context of his usage and playmaking skills. Fantasy points are divided by total touches. The 5-foot-10, 209-pounder is a very tempting fantasy football draft target as an RB3.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys: Dallas elected to reunite with Ezekiel Elliott, but Dowdle may be ticketed for a healthy amount of work, too. Elliott might be a primary choice for goal-line area work, while Dowdle should have opportunities to demonstrate some versatility when he gets touches. Like Spears and Brown, this Cowboys RB could make the most of shared snaps, and may also push for a pure lead back role. In 2023, despite only logging 106 touches, Dowdle ranked ninth at RB in Yards Created Per Touch, a metric that was created by Graham Barfield of Fantasy Points, reflecting yards generated above and beyond what was paved by blocking.
The undrafted free agent, who hooked on with Dallas in 2020, is being drafted as a back-half fantasy RB4 and might prove to be a nifty value pick.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins: An exciting rookie, the 2023 All-SEC selection fits in well with the explosive Miami offense. Wright has big-play ability and should be on the radar of those who draft De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, as a fantasy insurance pick in the later rounds. If the Dolphins need him to take on a larger workload at any time, the former Tennessee Volunteer can supply some statistical spike weeks to benefit fantasy leaguers.
Fantasy Football: Top Wide Receiver Sleepers To Consider
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen is now in Chicago, and Mike Williams is with the New York Jets. The Chargers drafted McConkey in the second round, and he will have the opportunity to quickly become a top target for Justin Herbert. Los Angeles may run the ball frequently, but when Herbert does go to the air, the rookie should be a key pass-catcher.
McConkey will show off good route-running skills for a first-year WR and can operate as a regular option for his QB on important passing downs. He should be drafted as a fantasy WR4 for possible quality output in PPR leagues.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions: Missed time in his first two NFL seasons appeared to delay the pro progress of the potentially electrifying Detroit WR. Now after a more normal offseason and preseason regimen heading into the 2024 regular season, Williams might spring forward in terms of fantasy production. He has true promise as downfield threat for the Lions and models as an intriguing fantasy football upside play.
Williams will attempt to nail down the No. 2 WR job in Detroit, and he might help boost your fantasy team to at least a few wins this season.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders: Rookie QB Jayden Daniels should instantly spark the Washington offense. Terry McLaurin will certainly be a top target but will also command a lot of defensive attention. Dotson can benefit as a No. 2 pass-catcher for Daniels and start to rediscover the form of his rookie year in 2022 when he caught seven TD passes. Dotson was a first round pick for the Commanders that year and this season, the Washington WR might be ready to confirm why he was taken 16th overall.
Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants: I had the 2022 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner on my fantasy football watch list last year, and now he is recommended here as a deep sleeper for the 2024 season. Hyatt has the separation gears to challenge defenses as a deep threat. Top rookie Malik Nabers will be a primary focus for opposing pass defenses, and Hyatt will have opportunities to take advantage of playing across from the new Giants star WR.
The second-year man averaged 16.2 yards per reception as a rookie with three 40-plus yard catches, showing a few flashes of promise. Hyatt is a worthy final round pick to see if he starts to make some fantasy noise this season.
NFL Fantasy Football: Quarterback Sleeper Candidates
Geno Smith, Seahawks: Let's not forget that Smith finished as fantasy QB5 in his first year as a full-time starter for the Seahawks. He will be drafted outside of the top 20 players at his position and may be set for a good fantasy football showing during the 2024 season. He obviously has one of the best trios of WRs in the league, plus Noah Fant is a quality TE target. The addition of Connor Williams and a healthy Abe Lucas can bolster his pass protection, and the support of a strong running game will also ease some pressure on the QB.
We have already cited that the arrival of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is stirring much enthusiasm about the Seahawks' passing attack, which seems poised to challenge defenses downfield quite often. Smith has looked good in camp. Last year, he ranked sixth among QBs in Play Action Completion Percentage (65.6) and seventh in Pressured Completion Percentage (60.8). He was also fourth in Deep Ball Accuracy Rating, a strength that should be magnified in the Grubb-directed offense.
Smith should be drafted as a value type of fantasy QB2, especially if you take a QB1 outside of the top 12. He will be a good fantasy football draft target as a QB2 in superflex leagues, where you can start a second QB.
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans: The Titans have cleared the way for Levis to be their unrivaled No. 1 QB. As a rookie, peeks at the QB's potential included a four-TD outing in his NFL debut in October and a 327-yard passing game in December. Levis will not hesitate to be aggressive as a passer. Adding Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to his receiving group to combine with DeAndre Hopkins when healthy increases the appeal of the Titans passer as a late-round fantasy pick.
In 2023, Levis ranked second among QBs in Deep Ball Catchable Pass Rate. He is another QB who will be drafted outside the top 20 at the position and may pay off well for fantasy purposes.
Best Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins: The former Falcon, Patriot, and Titan may settle in nicely as a complement to the Dolphins' wide receivers. Smith can slide as a top TE for Miami and increase the production from the position. Last season, he displayed what was possible with a bigger role in a passing game, with two games in which Smith had long receptions of 55-plus yards, and according to Fantasy Points Data, he ranked fifth in Missed Tackles Forced Per Reception, as noted by FantasyPros.
Those who wait until later to draft a TE may find Smith to be a pleasant fantasy football surprise this season.
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams: The former Seahawk is now atop the Rams' depth chart at TE, and most fantasy leaguers have completely overlooked him in drafts so far. Parkinson demonstrated yardage after the catch ability and a knack for finding soft spots in coverages when he was utilized as a pass-catcher for the Seahawks. Now he is a terrific deep fantasy sleeper as a starting TE role for a new team. The 6-foot-7, 265-pounder will also be a viable TD target for Matthew Stafford.
Check out the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2024 season.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1).
This is a 2024 photo of Rayshawn Jenkins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2).
This is a 2023 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2023 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2024 photo of Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6)
This is a 2023 photo of Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7)
This is a 2024 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2023 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10).
This is a 2024 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13).
This is a 2024 photo of DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16)
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18).
This is a 2024 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks rookie receiver Jake Bobo makes his first touchdown catch on a pass from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
This is a 2024 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2023 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2024 photo of Tre Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenny McIntosh of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25)
This is a 2024 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2024 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2024 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2024 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30).
This is a 2024 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2024 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2024 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2024 photo of Trevis Gipson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50).
This is a 2024 photo of Olu Oluwatini of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51)
This is a 2023 photo of Patrick O'Connell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52).
This is a 2024 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2023 photo of Dre'Mont Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55)
This is a 2024 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2024 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2024 photo of Sataoa Laumea of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63)
This is a 2024 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2024 photo of Michael Jerrell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65)
This is a 2024 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2024 photo of Laken Tomlinson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70)
This is a 2023 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72).
This is a 2024 photo of Stone Forsythe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78).
This is a 2024 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82).
This is a 2024 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2024 photo of Pharaoh Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86)
This is a 2022 photo of Noah Fant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 6, 2022 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87)
This is a 2024 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2024 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2024 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Johnathan Hankins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97)
Seahawks defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (98).
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
