Any dynasty fantasy football manager worth their salt makes mastering the NFL Draft a key part of their fantasy football draft strategy. That mastery isn't just with the big names on Day 1. In fact, in many ways, the prospects picked on Day 2 or Day 3 of the NFL Draft often make for the best fantasy sleepers. That value may not be instantly evident, but you can identify these huge upside prospects if you know what to look for.
We will help you identify why later round picks can become powerhouse sleepers in dynasty. We'll also show you the traits to look for in these prospects, how to figure out which Day 2 and Day 3 players ended up in favorable landing spots, how to navigate NFL depth charts and when you should draft these players.
Why Day 2 and Day 3 Picks Become Dynasty Draft Sleepers
Perception is reality when it comes to dynasty fantasy football rankings. Because these players were taken later in the NFL Draft (in some cases much later), their perceived value can often drop well below where it should be.
All dynasty managers should be wary of this change in perception, but the reality is that even in league environments that require year-round attention, group think can take hold and have an oversized impact on fantasy football ADP. The plus side for those who avoid this group think is that it affords dynasty rookie draft sleeper status for many of
Any dynasty fantasy football manager worth their salt makes mastering the NFL Draft a key part of their fantasy football draft strategy. That mastery isn't just with the big names on Day 1. In fact, in many ways, the prospects picked on Day 2 or Day 3 of the NFL Draft often make for the best fantasy sleepers. That value may not be instantly evident, but you can identify these huge upside prospects if you know what to look for.
We will help you identify why later round picks can become powerhouse sleepers in dynasty. We'll also show you the traits to look for in these prospects, how to figure out which Day 2 and Day 3 players ended up in favorable landing spots, how to navigate NFL depth charts and when you should draft these players.
Why Day 2 and Day 3 Picks Become Dynasty Draft Sleepers
Perception is reality when it comes to dynasty fantasy football rankings. Because these players were taken later in the NFL Draft (in some cases much later), their perceived value can often drop well below where it should be.
All dynasty managers should be wary of this change in perception, but the reality is that even in league environments that require year-round attention, group think can take hold and have an oversized impact on fantasy football ADP. The plus side for those who avoid this group think is that it affords dynasty rookie draft sleeper status for many of these Day 2 and Day 3 picks.
Traits to Target in Late-Round Dynasty Rookie Draft Prospects
Not all traits are created equal when it comes to identifying late-round dynasty rookie draft prospects on a fantasy football cheat sheet.
"The primary considerations for evaluating prospect talent are: (A) production, which is probably our best way to measure skill set, and (B) athletic testing, which helps us identify which players have the tools to best amplify their skill set," RotoWire fantasy football expert Mario Puig said.
It isn't necessary for a Day 2 or Day 3 NFL Draft pick to have both superb production and above average athletic testing, but having at least one is paramount for these players to take full advantage of any opportunities provided them. Keep in mind that when you subscribe to RotoWire, you will have access to top-of-the-line NFL Draft coverage that will help you identify which dynasty rookie draft prospects possess these traits.
Landing Spots That Create Breakout Fantasy Value
Landing spots can make all of the difference when it comes to creating breakout fantasy value in dynasty rookie draft picks.
"If a player doesn't have an obvious starting opportunity due to their draft stock, then the next best thing might be weak competition for playing time," Puig said. "For example, if a seventh-round pick running back gets drafted on a team with running backs who end up on the NFL injury report far too often, then that player might be closer to the field than a prospect who gets stuck behind capable and healthy workhorses."
Spotting Opportunity on Depth Charts and in Coaching Schemes
There are a few key metrics that you can look for to spot opportunity potential in dynasty rookie draft picks. For wide receivers and tight ends, it is the number of targets that were vacated from the previous year's squad (this is something you can find in the RotoWire fantasy football draft kit). The more targets that are available, the clearer the work path is for those pass catchers. For running backs, you'll want to determine if the team operates a platoon or committee approach. It's tough for RBs to get much work in a bell cow backfield, but platoons and committees typically offer plenty of carries.
NFL teams try their best to assure that the rookies they draft are good coaching scheme fits. Fantasy managers can do the same in the sense that you want pass catchers to go to teams that throw the ball a lot and runners to land on squads that lean on the ground game. Players that go to a good coaching scheme fit will produce higher point totals in the RotoWire fantasy football projections.
When to Draft Day 2 and 3 Sleepers in Dynasty Rookie Drafts
Even with all of the information available on the Draft Day 2 and 3 potential sleepers in dynasty rookie drafts, it can still be a challenge to properly value these prospects on draft day.
"Some rookie draft classes are stronger than others, but generally you'd probably like to stick to rock-solid rookie bets in the first two rounds, players who project as very likely starters in upcoming seasons if not the immediate one," Puig said.
"By the third rounds of rookie drafts, though, the times often get lean enough where there are no remaining players with solid playing time projections. At that point it makes sense to switch your focus from floor (the most likely projected outcomes) to ceiling (the absolute best-possible potential outcome)."
The RotoWire fantasy football mock draft is a great tool for practicing when you should pick these Day 2 and Day 3 NFL Draft prospects in your dynasty rookie drafts.
