Fantasy Football Sleepers: Bryce Young, Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, Johnny Wilson

You are on the clock very late in your draft. Panic rears its ugly head.

You are looking for that sleeper or a breakout player that can pay huge dividends. A player that helps bring you to fantasy football championship glory.

Which player has the opportunity to break out or step up when the opportunity presents itself and shine like your fantasy football championship belt?

Here are the top 10 deep sleepers with an average draft position (ADP) past pick 200 you should highlight or queue up in your fantasy drafts.

Deep Fantasy Football Sleepers

Jalen Tolbert (WR – DAL)

A pair of Dak Prescott touchdowns to Jalen Brooks and Jalen Tolbert #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/UmcRLlABnF

– Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) August 6, 2024

Third-year receiver Jalen Tolbert has been impressive while being utilized in the available first-team reps with CeeDee Lamb holding out for a contract extension. Dak Prescott has some high praise for the rising wide receiver. Prescott discussed the trust he has built with Tolbert, saying, “There’s no telling how great he can be.”

The release of Michael Gallup, who was third among Cowboys wideouts in receiving yards last season, created a void in the WR3 role. The Cowboys did not pursue adding anyone, which positions Tolbert in the driver’s seat to take the next step and be the team’s WR3.

Tolbert appeared in all 17 games last season. He recorded 22 receptions for 268 yards and two scores. The South Alabama product should easily surpass his career-best numbers from last season. Although he will likely be the fourth option for Prescott after the starting WR duo of Lamb and Brandin Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson. However, the Cowboys are expected to throw the ball a ton this season with an unproven running game behind a possible shaky offensive line.

Tolbert should provide splash weeks for fantasy managers, which is an intriguing option to fill your last wide receiver roster spot as a deep sleeper target.

Malik Washington (WR – MIA)

malik washington ???? pic.twitter.com/zKFsZ5cFI8

– josh houtz (@houtz) August 11, 2024

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is like a mad scientist as an offensive play-caller. He tries to create plays that place his weapons in space, which allows him to showcase their elite speed. The Dolphins added to their offensive arsenal with the selections of running back Jaylen Wright in the fourth round and Malik Washington in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Washington stood out during joint practices and continued his momentum into training camp and his NFL debut in their first preseason matchup. The former Virginia receiver showcased his versatility and his speed on a 21-yard gain on an end around. He also recorded one catch for five yards, returned two kickoffs for 46 yards and returned four punts for 21 yards.

Admittedly, Washington has an uphill climb on the Dolphins’ depth chart. After Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins’ wide receiver room does not look too imposing. Odell Beckham Jr. was signed this offseason, but is he healthy? Beckham is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and there is zero certainty he can be a productive wide receiver. The remaining wideouts, Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma and Willie Snead, do not scare defenses.

Washington displayed he could be another legitimate threat for the Dolphins. McDaniel loves to get creative with different looks, and Washington is already used to moving around the formation.

While Wright is climbing draft boards, grab another piece of the Dolphins’ offense deep in your drafts with Washington.

Johnny Wilson (WR – PHI)

Jalen Hurts complimented rookie WR Johnny Wilson several times today when talking about the offense.

Wilson’s made several notable catches throughout camp. Someone fans get to see themselves this evening. pic.twitter.com/rxTAy73sXb

– Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) August 1, 2024

Johnny Wilson has created plenty of buzz in the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason practices. The towering 6-foot-6 receiver was the tallest wideout measured at the NFL Scouting Combine since 2003. His height advantage and wingspan provide an enormous target with an elite catch radius.

Wilson is already receiving first-team reps with quarterback Jalen Hurts as the Eagles search to fill the WR3 role. Last season, the Eagles suffered with Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus and the ghost of Julio Jones failing to produce from the No. 3 WR role last season. The Eagles signed veteran Parris Campbell this offseason, drafted Ainias Smith in the fifth round and grabbed Wilson, who slid down to the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Eagles have one of the best wideout tandems in the league in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith and a weapon at tight end with Dallas Goedert, but they long for another offensive outlet. Campbell has displayed flashes but has a lengthy injury history and can’t stay on the field. The door is open for Wilson to carve out a role in the Eagles offense. Wilson is a dart-throw deep sleeper pick that could pay valuable fantasy dividends for fantasy managers.

Bryce Young (QB – CAR)

Bryce Young giving the people what they want to finish practice.

Finds Diontae Johnson deep downfield.

PHENOMENAL BALL PLACEMENT AND CONCENTRATION #Panthers pic.twitter.com/8hfV1gJ7eZ

– Unnecessary Bluntness Owner/Coach/QB (@DuncOnDemand) August 3, 2024

Dynasty managers know how rookie quarterback Bryce Young struggled in his rookie season. Young was surrounded by lackluster weapons, an offensive line that could not protect him and dysfunction exhibited by veteran head coach Frank Recih. To say his development was hindered is a gross understatement. He threw 11 touchdowns, tying for the fewest in NFL history for a quarterback with at least 500 pass attempts.

Not as expected from the player picked first in last year’s draft. Just remeber the Panthers passed on C.J. Stroud in favor of Young.

Young enters his sophomore season with optimism from significant offseason organizational changes, including new head coach Dave Canales, whose recent track record with revitalizing quarterbacks provides hope and encouragement. Canales worked his magic with Geno Smith in his 2022 resurgent season. We also saw Baker Mayfield post career highs in passing yards and touchdowns in Tampa Bay last season.

A bounceback season from Young is on the horizon with the addition of a new offensive system and more offensive weapons. Additionally, the Panthers invested in the interior of their offensive line by adding guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. The Panthers traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson to give Young a legit threat and drafted Xavier Legette in the first round and dynamic running back Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. These additions, combined with veteran Adam Thielen and last year’s second-round pick Jonathan Mingo, provide Young with valuable weapons to upgrade the Panthers’ offense.

We trust Canales to elevate Young and provide upside for fantasy managers to consider a sneaky deep sleeper as a QB2 target in Superflex leagues.

More Late Sleepers

Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.

NFL Jalen Tolbert Dak Prescott Jalen Brooks Nick Harris CeeDee Lamb Brandin Cooks Jake Ferguson Malik Washington Jaylen Wright Tyreek Hill Jaylen Waddle Odell Beckham Jr. Braxton Berrios Erik Ezukanma Willie Snead Johnny Wilson Jalen Hurts Quez Watkins Olamide Zaccheaus Julio Jones Parris Campbell Ainias Smith AJ Brown DeVonta Smith Dallas Goedert Bryce Young Diontae Johnson C.J. Stroud Geno Smith Robert Hunt Damien Lewis Xavier Legette Jonathon Brooks Adam Thielen Jonathan Mingo Audric Estime Gerald Everett Colby Parkinson Will Shipley Roman Wilson