DraftKings Best Ball: 10 Deep Sleepers to Target

Hitting on a late-round player can be a difference maker in best ball formats, as their spike weeks can propel a team up leaderboards. We look for players with impactful upside here, low-rostered guys with a chance to score at various points in DraftKings PPR format.

Since DK drafts 20 players, while some other best ball sites go to only 18 rounds, it’s dig-deep time for the players with an ADP from 205-240.

GET TWO SHOTS AT $1.5 MILLION FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! Score an NFL Best Ball ticket to play free when you draft a team with a $20 entry fee today! Play now!

Darius Slayton, (WR) Giants (DK ADP: WR87, 212.3)

The Giants' offense will revolve around Malik Nabors, but Darius Slayton can play X receiver where Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt do not. Slayton should still see some downfield, big-play opportunity in 2024 which he’s showcased in the past as he saw 17 targets of 20 yards or more last season and was second in yards after catch per reception on those deep routes (13.9).

Slayton was the WR8 in PPR scoring from Weeks 15-18 last year which would be huge for team totals down the stretch. Production like that from the 18th round even spread throughout the NFL season is what we’re after with these picks.

Jalen Tolbert, (WR) Cowboys (DK ADP: WR88, 215.4)

The departure of Michael Gallup opens the door for Jalen Tolbert as the WR3 for Dallas, in what we can perceive to be a very pass-centric offense based on their lack of significant RB acquisitions this offseason. HC Mike McCarthy praised Tolbert’s growth and confidence earlier this summer, saying “He's taken leaps and bounds in that area”. Fellow WR Brandin Cooks also noticed a change, stating "The way that he's able to talk about a route or the way he's able to tell the quarterback the way he sees things, he's not shy anymore”. That newly found confidence in the third-year WR could lead to more looks from Dak Prescott, translating to some bigger fantasy weeks.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, (TE) Panthers (DK ADP: TE30, 217.0)

The Panthers’ TE has been a dead position since the Greg Olsen days, but there’s a chance for revival from rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders. He’s massive (6’4, 243 lbs) and set the record for receptions by a TE at Texas (54) in his sophomore season. Oh, and he also didn't drop a pass in 13 games in 2023. Carolina’s offense is still a work in progress, but for his price tag, Sanders is worth a flier in a three-TE build.

Devontez Walker, (WR) Ravens (DK ADP: WR93, 221.0)

Lamar Jackson wanted and got another weapon this offseason, and Devontez Walker fits the bill as a big outside body. Field stretchers are the upside types we look for in these final rounds, and he’ll live there while Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews work the short areas.

Will Shipley, (RB) Eagles (DK ADP: RB69, 221.4)

Saquon Barkley is the clear RB1 for Philly, but behind him is only Kenneth Gainwell, who struggled in efficiency last season (-0.14 total rushing EPA/carry, .06 broken tackle %). Will Shipley has a shot to take on some passing game work, particularly later in the season, and projects as an Austin Ekeler type. He’s an ideal end-of-draft RB for best ball purposes, as these protyped rookie pass-catchers tend to come on late.

Josh Reynolds, (WR) Broncos (DK ADP: WR107, 226.2)

Josh Reynolds is coming off a career second-best in receptions (40) and yards (608) with his most touchdowns (5) scored as an NFL WR. The Broncos are short on firepower in their WR room, with their depth chart open after Courtland Sutton. Reynolds presents as an outside body who can threaten defenders deep and has the ability to beat out Tim Patrick and rookie Troy Franklin for that role opposite Sutton.

It’s rare to find a team’s potential WR2 this late in a fantasy draft, however, there’s also a legitimate chance the Broncos don’t score a lot of points this season.

Dylan Laube, (RB) Raiders (DK ADP: RB70, 227.7)

The RB1 job is Zamir White’s, with Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah also on the roster, but rookie Dylan Laube has a chance to earn third-down duties. His pass game is strong as a route runner and receiver, and in this PPR format, Laube could be a contributor at any point throughout the season.

Malik Washington, (WR) Dolphins (DK ADP: WR121, 228.1)

Rookie WRs are nice dart throws in best ball formats, particularly in DK drafts where there are two extra rounds. Malik Washington is a player HC Mike McDaniel really wanted, and this yards-after-catch specialist has a shot at the WR3 spot behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in this exciting Miami offense.

The Dolphins did sign Odell Beckham after the NFL Draft, but his struggle with injuries and production in recent years doesn’t scare me from taking a stab at Washington in some drafts.

Kalif Raymond, (WR) Lions (DK ADP: WR129, 228.7)

After Amon-Ra St. Brown, drafters are expecting Jameson Williams to be the Lions WR2, but what if he isn’t that guy? We’ve seen very limited production from him when on the field, and in those 19 games, he has eclipsed six targets just one time, and it was seven balls. Raymond has shown flashes of production as a speedy underneath option, and when asked about the 29-year-old his QB Jared Goff responded with "It's been invaluable (to have him). I can trust him any time he's in there at receiver at any spot and I know he's an electric returner, but he's done a great job at everything”.

Daniel Bellinger, (TE) Giants (ADP: TE53, 229.8)

After the retirement of Darren Waller earlier this summer, Daniel Bellinger sits atop the New York TE depth chart, with rookie Theo Johnson likely fighting for work behind him. I get that this Giants team isn’t the sexiest to draft, but a team’s TE1 coming off the board as the 53rd option seems very late. Even Waller himself is being selected as the TE39 despite his YouTube video message stating very clearly that his time in the NFL is done.

Johnson is currently on the PUP list due to a hip injury with an undisclosed severity, but if you think he’ll take over the job, the rookie is also very inexpensive with a similar ADP, just 16 positional spots earlier.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT).

18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. 1 offer per customer. Must enter a lineup into the NFL Best Ball $15M Millionaire Contest by 9/5/24. $20 entry fee. Bonus issued as 1 ticket to NFL Best Ball $15M Millionaire Contest. Ticket rewards are site credits and expire at contest lock on 9/5/24 at 8:15 PM ET. See terms at draftkings.com/nfl-best-ball.