Blaine Blontz | Wed, Aug 21st 2024, 3:36am EDT

Fantasy Football Sleepers: Dylan Laube, Jordan Mason, Jalen McMillan (2024)

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

Dylan Laube (RB – LV)

One player getting plenty of buzz in training camp fantasy managers should take notice of is Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube. Laube was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of New Hampshire, where he was their offense. Last season, Laube rushed for 745 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2022, he produced 1,205 rushing yards and 15 scores. Laube also produced over 100 receptions for over 1,000 receiving yards in both seasons combined.

Laube is trying to carve out a role as an all-purpose back as he tries to climb the Raiders’ running back depth chart. The Raiders have Zamir White firmly sitting on the top of the depth chart after his late-season surge last season. However, neither White nor Alexander Mattison is a threat in the passing game. Mattison was brought in this offseason to serve as White’s backup but is no threat to White or opposing defenses. Laube is currently battling Ameer Abdullah for the RB3 role, which should be an easy win for Laube.

Laube is also a special teams demon, returning two kicks for touchdowns last season. He earned a First Team All-Conference award as a returner. His play-making ability has been very evident and caught the eye of Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, who said that the New Hampshire product is “special:”

“That dude is special. I like him,” Pierce said of Laube. “And he’s gritty. He’s a gritty (running back). One thing – he surprises you with his speed… He’s going to be a difficult matchup, and it’s already showing up in practice.”

His role in the Raiders’ offense will develop initially as their pass-down back. Laube will elevate into the RB2 role, surpassing Abdullah and Mattison into a fantasy commodity you should select as a deep sleeper option to fill one of your final roster spots.

Jordan Mason (RB – SF)

Jordan Mason is a player fantasy managers realize could pay huge dividends if the unthinkable happens to Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell. The RB3 behind the best running back in the league holds tremendous value if you have room on a deep roster.

Last season, Mason finished with 206 rushing yards and three scores while adding three receptions for 31 yards in primarily mop-up duty. However, Mason worked tirelessly on improving his skills, specifically pass-blocking. His improvement has stood out in training camp and his strong start has afforded Mason the ability to take advantage of opportunities in camp with McCaffrey (calf), Mitchell (hamstring) and rookie Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) dinged up and sitting out.

Mason has been running with the first team lately and impressing coaches. The former Georgia Tech star started in the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. On six carries, he led the team with 34 rushing yards and a score.

The 25-year-old running back is on a path to seize the primary backup role behind McCaffrey. Being the handcuff to McCaffrey holds massive value. Mason should be drafted and rostered in all leagues. If the unthinkable does happen, Mason could provide league-winning upside.

Jalen McMillan (WR – TB)

Another rookie getting rave reviews in training camp is Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has labeled the third-round pick “legit” and a “young stud” with “tons of potential.”

His work in camp has placed McMillan in a battle for the WR3 role with Trey Palmer. On Saturday, the former Washington Huskie carried that momentum into his NFL debut in the Buccaneers’ win over the Cincinnati Bengals. McMillan recorded two grabs for 23 yards, just one play apart.

McMillan is listed as the No.3 wide receiver on the Bucs depth chart. He will benefit from having two Pro Bowlers lining up with him in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin with Godwin returning to his slot role where he flourishes. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen, formerly of the Los Angeles Rams, loved utilizing three-receiver sets and led the league in three-receiver sets, which should allow McMillan to produce fantasy numbers immediately.

McMillan flashed at Washington, exhibiting great hands and excellent speed with a 4.4 40, and he is a gifted route runner. Unfortunately, a knee injury limited McMillan last season, but he produced 1,000 receiving yards for the Huskies in 2022 and recorded nine touchdown passes.

Fantasy managers will see a different style of offense in Tampa Bay this season. The Bucs offense should be one fantasy managers turn to for fantasy gold. Look for McMillan to shine in this offense and be a wide receiver whose stock rises throughout the season. Get ahead of the spike, draft McMillan as one of your depth pieces, and reap the rewards.

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

MLB

NBA

NHL