X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Rookie Draft Values - Later-Round Dynasty Discounts Include Theo Johnson, Brenden Rice, Javon Baker, more

Javon Baker - Fantasy Football Rankings, College FB, WR, NFL Draft Sleepers

Hayden's top NFL rookie fantasy football draft sleepers for 2024 dynasty rookie drafts. These rookies have similar fantasy values to rookies drafted earlier.

The beautiful thing about dynasty leagues is that their rookie drafts mimic the real-world NFL Draft. Each year, many young prospects enter the league full of hope that they can win Super Bowls and earn gold jackets. Likewise, dynasty managers are hopeful that these rookies can lead their squads to some fantasy football titles.

There are many standouts this season atop rookie draft boards. Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and more are all expected to be hugely impactful in both the NFL and fantasy leagues. The late-round value picks, though, are less obvious. Hitting on third- and fourth-round picks in rookie drafts can be a huge boost.

Although Puka Nacua set the bar a bit too highly last season, some late-rounders will still exceed expectations. Who exactly will these diamonds in the rough be, though? There are many candidates, but this article will break down the top four late-round sleepers to target in rookie drafts. Let's kick things off with a new member of the Patriots.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Javon Baker, New England Patriots

New England's offense was a mess last season, and a lack of quality quarterback play was a big reason for that. The Patriots addressed the position by taking Drake Maye third overall in this year's draft, but they also needed to vastly improve their receiving corps to set Maye up for success. Fourth-rounder Javon Baker is a part of that plan.

Baker began his college career with two very quiet seasons at Alabama, but he became a big part of the passing attack at UCF after transferring. Baker made 56 receptions for 796 yards and five TDs in 2022, and last year he caught 52 balls for 1,139 yards (21.9 yards per reception) and seven scores.

Baker is not a standout athlete. He ran a fine 4.54-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, and he ranked 19th of 31 receivers at the combine in the vertical jump. Baker has NFL size at 6'1" and 202 pounds with 32-inch arms, and his catch radius is at the 86th percentile per PlayerProfiler.

The key traits that got Baker drafted were his ball skills and separation ability. He was able to beat corners with solid route-running and high playing speed to make chunk plays on intermediate and deep routes. Baker is also proficient and adjusting to the ball to make big grabs; he showed this both at UCF and in training camp this offseason.

While Baker did have issues with consistency and drops, the 22-year-old is still a solid prospect joining a new-look team. The other notable receivers in Foxborough are sophomore Demario Douglas, fellow rookie Ja'Lynn Polk, free agent acquisition K.J. Osborn, and the currently injured veteran Kendrick Bourne.

Although New England's QB1 at the moment is Jacoby Brissett, Maye is the crucial passer here. If Baker can use his chances both in practice and in games to build a rapport with Maye down the field, there would not be much resistance between Baker and a quickly growing role. He will need to fight for targets, but he is capable of winning the fight.

Baker's current ADP in rookie drafts on Sleeper is 31 in SuperFlex leagues. Nabbing a receiver like Baker in the third round is a solid move; the receiving room is far from settled, and Baker has the traits to take advantage of the opportunities he gets. He is a stronger option than other WRs in his range like Malachi Corley and Luke McCaffrey.

 

Theo Johnson, New York Giants

After spending a season as the starting TE for the Giants, Darren Waller spent the early offseason considering retirement. He announced his decision to step away from the game in June. With this possibility in mind, the Giants picked up former Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round of April's draft.

Johnson did not put up massive numbers in his four years as a Nittany Lion. His best season came last year when he caught 34 passes for 341 yards, though his 10.0 yards per reception marked a dip in efficiency. His seven receiving touchdowns did tie for the team lead, however, and he was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference selection.

At 6'6" and 259 pounds, Johnson ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the combine. His 1.55-second 10-yard split tied for the best mark among TEs, and his 4.19-second 20-yard shuttle led his position. He was also a top-two TE in the vertical and broad jumps. Of 479 TE prospects in the PlayerProfiler database, his athleticism ranked seventh.

The 23-year-old Johnson may not have wowed in college, but he did run fine routes and make contested catches. One main knock on him in his scouting report was his failure to consistently make big plays after the catch. Fortunately, this is an area where he has the athletic traits to improve.

With Waller out of the picture, Johnson's competition for the TE1 gig in New York is Daniel Bellinger. Bellinger was serviceable for the Giants when Waller missed time. However, if Johnson can develop more as a blocker, beating Bellinger out for snaps should not be too much of a hurdle to clear.

As the Giants have little in the way of receiving weapons beyond first-round rookie WR Malik Nabers, there is a path for Johnson to become a key option for quarterback Daniel Jones in the middle of the field and in the red zone. He should provide value at his ADP of 40 in Sleeper SuperFlex rookie drafts.

 

Brenden Rice, Los Angeles Chargers

Marvin Harrison Jr. was not the only son of a legendary wideout to enter the league in 2024. Brenden Rice, son of the GOAT receiver Jerry Rice, was taken by the Chargers in the seventh round of this year's draft. Despite his low draft spot, Rice successfully fought to make his team's 53-man roster.

Rice started his college career at Colorado. He made some splashy plays in Boulder, including an 81-yard punt return TD as a freshman. In 2022, he transferred into USC's high-powered offense. Rice caught 39 passes for 611 yards and four scores as a junior, and last year he made 45 grabs for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns.

With a 4.50-second 40-yard dash, Rice has enough speed to beat some defenders deep. He is better known for leveraging his size and physicality to make plays, though. The 22-year-old Rice has earned a reputation as a player who can win contested catches and swing the odds of 50/50 balls in the offense's favor.

Rice also has great awareness. He is adept at finding the right areas to head to while his quarterback is scrambling, a trait that made him well-suited for his QB with the Trojans, Caleb Williams. Rice demonstrated this in the Cotton Bowl in January 2023; he had 174 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Tulane.

The Chargers saw a lot of upheaval with their receiving options this offseason. Keenan Allen was dealt to the Bears, and Mike Williams signed with the Jets. This leaves Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston, and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey atop the depth chart. Running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett also departed.

Although Rice is currently buried as a depth option, the team does not have an established pecking order at WR. Rice could carve out a respectable role by the end of this season and build from there. With Justin Herbert as his quarterback, that gives Rice appeal at his current Sleeper ADP of 41 in SuperFlex rookie drafts.

 

Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders elected to let star running back Josh Jacobs leave for the Packers in free agency this offseason, resulting in a change at the RB position in Las Vegas for 2024. Although Zamir White was already there to step up, the franchise also added former Viking Alexander Mattison and sixth-round rookie Dylan Laube.

Laube put up some excellent numbers at New Hampshire. He rushed for 1,205 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2022 to go with 49 catches for 464 yards and two more scores. Last season, Laube had 749 rushing yards and nine rushing TDs in 10 games, plus 68 catches for 699 yards and seven scores through the air.

Laube is a real weapon as a receiver. He caught passes out of the backfield and out of the slot, where he ran quality routes. Laube's receiving prowess is what will get him his foot in the door of a real role in the NFL, although he was a threat no matter how he got the ball during his time in college.

As an athlete, Laube is solid but unremarkable. His Speed Score checks in at the 54th percentile, and he has a 68th-percentile Burst Score. Laube's 4.96 yards per carry a year ago against mostly FCS competition was not wondrous, but again, his primary value in the NFL should be as a receiving option on passing downs.

Laube managed to secure a spot on Las Vegas's 53-man roster entering the 2024 season. He has been competing with Ameer Abdullah for the RB3 role and some work on third downs. While White and Mattison are capable receivers as well, do not underestimate Laube's chances of carving out a niche of his own.

With a Sleeper ADP in SuperFlex rookie drafts of 47, Laube is available with almost no risk attached. The "late-round RB who establishes a major pass-catching role" archetype is tried and true. Stashing Laube in the fourth round of rookie drafts and hoping for a gradual increase in usage is a wise move.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Dynasty League Strategy




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ranger Suárez2 hours ago

Ranger Suarez Cruises Through Third Rehab Start
Jaren Jackson Jr.2 hours ago

Posts Team-High 26 Points In Tuesday's Loss
Triston Casas2 hours ago

Connects On Second Round-Tripper
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander2 hours ago

Notches 27 Points Despite Poor Shooting
Max Greyserman2 hours ago

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Pascal Siakam2 hours ago

Scores Team-High 24 Points In Game 2 Win
Giannis Antetokounmpo2 hours ago

Posts Big Double-Double In Game 2 Loss
Josh Smith2 hours ago

Stays Hot With Second Home Run
Lee Hodges2 hours ago

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA2 hours ago

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Julius Randle2 hours ago

Leads Timberwolves In Scoring In Game 2
Gary Woodland2 hours ago

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Brent Rooker3 hours ago

Pops Seventh Homer
Luka Dončić3 hours ago

Luka Doncic Nets 31 Points In Lakers Win
Max McGreevy3 hours ago

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard3 hours ago

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Jock Landale3 hours ago

Unavailable For Game 2
Sam Stevens3 hours ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
MLB3 hours ago

Luis Urías Continues To Produce In A’s Loss
Jae'Sean Tate3 hours ago

Remains Out Wednesday
Nicolai Hojgaard3 hours ago

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
John Tavares3 hours ago

Collects Two Points In Overtime Win
Christiaan Bezuidenhout3 hours ago

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Frederik Andersen3 hours ago

Posts 40th Postseason Win
Lawrence Butler3 hours ago

Homers In A’s Loss To Rangers
Akshay Bhatia3 hours ago

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young3 hours ago

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Kirill Kaprizov3 hours ago

Leads Wild To Valuable Road Win
Matthew Tkachuk3 hours ago

Returns With Three-Point Performance
Tommy Edman3 hours ago

Homers In Tuesday’s Extra-Inning Loss To Cubs
Erik Van Rooyen3 hours ago

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Jett Williams3 hours ago

Tallies Three Hits, Swipes Two Bags
Anthony Cirelli3 hours ago

Suffers Undisclosed Injury Tuesday
Gabriel Vilardi4 hours ago

May Return To Jets Lineup Thursday
Deyvison De Los Santos4 hours ago

Posts Four-Hit Game
Christian Yelich4 hours ago

Grand Slam Fuels Brewers' Blowout Victory
John Klingberg4 hours ago

Ready To Return To Action
Ian Seymour4 hours ago

Strikes Out Nine Across Five Innings
Evander Kane4 hours ago

Could Be An Option For Game 2
Jacob Misiorowski4 hours ago

Strikes Out Eight In Latest Triple-A Start
Jack Leiter4 hours ago

Sharp In Rehab Outing On Tuesday
Agustín Ramírez4 hours ago

Agustin Ramirez Hits Two Doubles On Tuesday
Marcus Semien4 hours ago

Snaps Power Skid
Bryan Reynolds5 hours ago

Busy In Tuesday's Victory
Brandon Pfaadt5 hours ago

Sharp In Tuesday's Victory
Kyle Tucker5 hours ago

Tallies Three Hits, Launches Home Run No. 7
Kris Bubic5 hours ago

Tosses Seven Shutout Innings In No-Decision
Aaron Judge5 hours ago

Tallies Four Hits On Tuesday
Corey Seager11 hours ago

Leaves Early On Tuesday With Hamstring Tightness
Michael Pittman Jr.11 hours ago

Back Injury Is In The Past
George Pickens12 hours ago

Steelers Appear Unlikely To Trade George Pickens
Jaylen Warren12 hours ago

Steelers Believe Jaylen Warren Can Be Their RB1
Andrew Novak13 hours ago

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin13 hours ago

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore14 hours ago

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark15 hours ago

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama15 hours ago

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa15 hours ago

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Jaylen Warren15 hours ago

Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers
Will Levis17 hours ago

Unlikely To Be Traded
Houston Texans17 hours ago

Texans Considering Trading Up
Cleveland Browns17 hours ago

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Appears At Offseason Program
Thomas Detry17 hours ago

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
Christian McCaffrey17 hours ago

Has No Restrictions
Terry Rozier17 hours ago

Ruled Out For Wednesday
Damian Lillard18 hours ago

Will Have His Minutes Monitored Tuesday
Jayson Tatum18 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful For Game 2
Robert MacIntyre18 hours ago

Returns To Zurich Classic With High Hopes
Derek Forbort18 hours ago

Recovering From Surgery
Martin Fehérváry18 hours ago

Martin Fehervary To Miss Postseason Following Knee Surgery
Shane Lowry18 hours ago

Returning To Zurich Classic With Red-Hot Teammate
Luke Glendening18 hours ago

Available For Start Of Playoffs
Mitchell Chaffee18 hours ago

Available Tuesday
Cody Glass18 hours ago

Good To Go Tuesday
Brenden Dillon18 hours ago

Won't Play In Game 2
Luke Hughes19 hours ago

Out On Tuesday
Matthew Tkachuk19 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Damian Lillard20 hours ago

Cleared To Play Tuesday
Brock Purdy20 hours ago

Reports For OTA's Amid Contract Discussions
George Kittle20 hours ago

Skips Start Of 49ers Offseason Program
Dallas Cowboys21 hours ago

Stephon Gilmore Spotted At Cowboys Facility On Tuesday
James Cook21 hours ago

Not At Start Of Voluntary OTAs
Kirk Cousins21 hours ago

Reports To Voluntary OTA's
Cam Ward21 hours ago

Titans Officially Staying Put At No. 1 Overall Pick, Expected To Select Cam Ward
22 hours ago

Ashton Jeanty's Tackle-Breaking Ability Sets Him Apart
22 hours ago

Jalen Milroe Not A Lock To Go In First Round
Denver Broncos22 hours ago

Broncos Willing To Trade Up In This Week's Draft
Indianapolis Colts22 hours ago

Colts Searching For A Tight End That Can Do It All
Daniel Jones23 hours ago

Colts Expect Both Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones To Help Them In 2025
23 hours ago

Giants High On Jaxson Dart
23 hours ago

Saints Not Expected To Take Shedeur Sanders
Nikola Jokić1 day ago

Nikola Jokic Posts 19th Postseason Triple-Double
Kawhi Leonard1 day ago

Leads Clippers To Game 2 Victory
Jalen Brunson1 day ago

Leads All Scorers With 37 Points In Monday's Loss
Tobias Harris1 day ago

Notches Double-Double In Game 2 Win
Cade Cunningham1 day ago

Leads Pistons To Victory With 33 Points
Rob Dillingham1 day ago

Out On Tuesday
Maxi Kleber1 day ago

Remains Out For Game 2
GG Jackson II1 day ago

Available For Tuesday
Evan Bouchard1 day ago

Dishes Out Three Assists In Postseason Opener
Connor McDavid1 day ago

Racks Up Four Points In Losing Effort
Phillip Danault1 day ago

Nets Two Goals In Game 1 Victory
Mark Scheifele1 day ago

Bags Two Points In Monday's Win
Lane Hutson1 day ago

Posts Two Assists In Playoff Debut
Aaron Gordon2 days ago

Cleared For Action
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF