Dynasty Sleepers: 25 AFC Players To Watch

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Training camps are in session, and deep dynasty sleepers are emerging. Focusing on reps with the first team is crucial in identifying players who have the potential to emerge, especially with expanded rosters. Most dynasty leagues feature deep benches and young players who earn consistent playing time hold value. Here are 25 AFC deep dynasty sleepers who have earned their way onto 2024 fantasy football radars.

RELATED: See NFC Sleepers here >>>

This window should be the most active on waiver wires in these deep formats, and Footballguys has you covered with our “What You Need To Know From Every Team This Week” feature. This high-level summary pairs well with in-depth team reports on all 32 teams. 

To supplement this coverage, the Footballguys Dynasty Show hosted @32BeatWriters, a site dedicated to accumulating relevant information from beat writers across the league. 

These players cover a broad spectrum, from players who will be rostered in almost any dynasty league to players who simply merit consideration on watch lists. 

WR Tyrell Shavers, Buffalo

Shavers was a high-level athlete coming out of high school before committing to Alabama. Multiple first-round NFL receivers above him on the depth chart limited him to special teams before transferring to Mississippi St., then San Diego St. The Bills liked the 2023 UDFA enough to keep him on their practice squad his rookie year. The top three receivers look set in Buffalo, with Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, and Khalil Shakir all having solid camps. Mack Hollins is in a strong position for the WR4 spot. The Bills brought Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Chase Claypool in late in free agency to add size to their receiver corps, but the 6’4” Shavers has had the best camp out of that group. 

WR Malachi Corley, NY Jets

Corley was a dynasty darling at rookie draft time in the spring. Deep leagues will see him rostered. His first glance at OTAs gave reason for pause; however, Mike Williams and Xavier Gipson's absences may have bailed him from a rocky rookie season. The Jets have been scheming up plays for Corley in an offense without some essential pieces. Corley is risky as he still needs to develop, but the more time he gets to work in the first offense, the better his chance of gaining a meaningful role. 

QB Joe Milton III, New England 

Milton is the latest in a long line of toolsy quarterbacks who allow football fans' imaginations to run wild. Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye buried him on the depth chart, but initial camp reports have been positive. Milton only merits consideration in the deepest superflex leagues but can spike value if the cards break right in these formats. 

RB Jaylen Wright, Miami

Sleepers on the Dolphins offense are few and far between. Wright is well known in deep league circles and even in shallower leagues. It is still encouraging to see his explosiveness show up in camp. Wright’s role still carries uncertainty, with Jeff Wilson Jr. and Chris Brooks competing for backup reps. Reports have Wright seeking to take advantage of his chance, with stories of a “first in, last out” approach. Wright has league-shifting potential. 

RB Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami

For all the earned buzz on De’Von Achane and Wright and the expectation Raheem Mostert will still lead the backfield, short-yardage situations have been a concern in camp. Mostert handled those situations well in 2023, posting a 55% success rate. Wilson’s 2023 was derailed after he went on IR shortly before the season started. He has a strong camp, and coach Mike McDaniel is an outside-the-box thinker. 

WR Van Jefferson, Pittsburgh

All reports out of Pittsburgh indicate Jefferson has the WR2 job, assuming the team does not complete a trade for Brandon Aiyuk. Jefferson has a strong relationship with Arthur Smith, who worked with his father, Shawn. Jefferson has worked to improve his consistency and has been a standout in camp, capitalizing on his familiarity with Smith.

WR Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh

Austin and Jefferson have formed a bond as both stay after practice to catch 300 passes off the jugs machine. Austin is explosive with the ball in his hands and has underrated route-running skills. This offense will be run first, and the top of the pecking order will be established, but Austin’s diverse skillset can see him receive creative opportunities. 

RB Justice Hill, Baltimore

Hill has established himself as Derrick Henry's primary backup, with coach John Harbaugh saying, “He has become a starting back in the National Football League.” Hill has developed as a reliable option in the passing game. The Baltimore passing game keeps running back pass volume limited, and he would need Henry to miss time, but as the primary backup, he is worth rostering in deep leagues.

WR Tylan Wallace, Baltimore 

Wallace has carved out a niche as a special teams contributor, but the light has come on in this camp. Wallace is running as a primary backup to starters Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. His strengths are jump balls and vertical plays. The Baltimore passing offense has not supported multiple options in the past, and Wallace is behind multiple players, but he has earned a spot on deep league radars.

WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati

With Tyler Boyd’s departure, the WR3 position has been a question. So far in camp, Iosivas has earned the opportunity to have the first look. Joe Burrow on his young receiver: “Andrei Iosivas is going to have a big year. He’s able to do it all.” Iosivas should be on the radars of all league depths, as Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins's missing time would force him into a prominent role. 

TE Erick All Jr., Cincinnati

The Bengals have depth at the tight end position, with Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample, and All.  Gesicki is the best natural receiver of the group, but injuries have already popped up in camp. No player blends the athleticism, blocking ability, and receiving ability of All. All could find himself in an every-down type role, while Gesicki may end up in the WR3 rotation. 

WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland

Tillman was pacing to be a potential first-round pick before injuries derailed the end of his career at the University of Tennessee. His setback allowed Jalin Hyatt to shine and win the Biletnikoff award as the nation’s best wide receiver. Tillman has been a star in the Browns’ camp. His size makes it natural for him to start outside, opposite Amari Cooper, with Jerry Jeudy occupying the slot. 

RB Trey Sermon, Indianapolis

Sermon has emerged as Jonathan Taylor's clear backup. His NFL career has started to mirror his college career. He appeared immediately as a freshman before losing time to Kennedy Brooks and Rhamondre Stevenson. He ultimately transferred to Ohio St. At Ohio St.; he started the year behind Master Teague before claiming the job full-time. His patience will be rewarded after a problematic first three seasons of his career. 

RB Jawhar Jordan, Houston

Jordan was a forgotten member of the 2024 fantasy draft class, going in the sixth round and often undrafted in rookie drafts. He has experienced a steady drumbeat in camp and had “probably his best week so far,” according to coach DeMeco Ryans. Jordan is a slasher who can complement Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce in the Texans backfield while seeing work on the return unit. Even if Mixon misses time, he is likely in a timeshare with Pierce, but in deep leagues, he is worth the speculative roster spot.

RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville

Bigsby looks to be over some of the fumbling and concentration issues that plagued his rookie year. Coach Doug Pederson has praised him: “Tank has a bigger role this year, going into Year 2. It’s something that we’ve been looking at. We know we gotta take a little bit off of Travis Etienne and keep him healthy for the entire season.” Bigsby lost the job to D’Ernest Johnson in 2023, but he has come in focused and run well. 

WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville

Washington has had a steady camp drumbeat and looks entrenched as the WR4 behind Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas, and Gabe Davis. Like Bigsby, Washington’s rookie year looked like a wash, with just 16 receptions. He has a rapport with Trevor Lawrence and would serve as the primary slot if Kirk missed time. He is still just a monitor in deep leagues; his effectiveness in the short areas and creativity with the ball in his hands will get him on the field. 

WR Treylon Burks, Tennessee

Burks entered the summer with some aggressive headlines, with coach Brian Callahan suggesting Burks would need to make an impact on special teams to make the roster. DeAndre Hopkins's injury has opened a window for more. Burks entered the camp in the proverbial best shape of his career, which was important as conditioning seemed to be an issue in previous camps. He still has the physical ability that put him into the first round and is a post-hype sleeper candidate.

TE Josh Whyle, Tennessee

On their first official depth chart, the Titans listed Whyle as the co-starter with Chig Okonkwo. Coach Callahan has said Whyle is viewed as a traditional inline Y tight end, while Okonkwo is the move F player. In Cincinnati, Callahan rotated his tight end room. As a result, there was little fantasy relevance despite playing in a high-volume Joe Burrow passing offense. Whyle’s presence may be less about him as a sleeper prospect and more about Okonkwo having an obstacle preventing him from hitting the ceiling many have hoped. 

WR Devaughn Vele, Wide Receiver, Denver

Sean Payton’s super ability is finding big receivers late in the draft who can contribute. Payton on Vele: “I like his size and hands in traffic. I thought he’s had a couple of snaps now this week where, man, we gotta keep giving him opportunities because I think he has strong hands in traffic.” Denver has a lot of wide receivers in camp right now, with Courtland Sutton as the clear leader of a group that includes Josh Reynolds, Tim Patrick, Marvin Mims, and Troy Franklin. That is to say, they are short on starters. Vele is buried on the first cut of the depth chart. But he keeps showing up in practice, forcing his opportunity to grow. 

WR DJ Chark, LA Chargers

Chark has immediately established himself among the Chargers' starters, joining Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer. His 1,008-yard season in 2019 is far in the rearview, but he still possesses the big-play ability and will be asked to stretch the field. As a deep bench stash, he can hit some spike weeks in best ball formats. 

RB Deneric Prince, Kansas City

Despite the return of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the backfield behind Isaiah Pacheco is wide open. Prince has consistently gotten the first opportunity. Like Pacheco, he is a Speed Score phenom who generated preseason buzz before a quiet rookie season. The lead back in a Patrick Mahomes offense will always hold value, and this situation is worth grabbing a dart for, even in shallower formats.

RB Carson Steele, Kansas City

Steele is a wild card as an undrafted free agent. The team has taken to calling him an FB / RB / TE, and Andy Reid called him “a heck of a running back” who has the wheels turning on adding a fullback role to the offense. The team lists him as the only fullback on their initial depth chart release. A fullback will not traditionally hold any value, but Steele is an excellent receiver who has shown well in short-yardage situations. The Chiefs have an opening for the “Jerrick McKinnon” role as a passing down back, and Steele could be a wildcard entrant. 

TE Jared Wiley, Kansas City

Noah Gray has picked up some steam as a potential heir to Travis Kelce’s role. Still, we have already reached the final year of his rookie contract, and he has shown himself to be a decent but unspectacular player when given the opportunity. The team added Wiley in April’s draft, who brings more explosion and natural receiving ability to the position. So far in camp, Wiley has acclimated well. There are no signs a Kelce retirement is imminent, but if that news does happen, whoever stands as the incumbent will instantly gain value. Wiley is the current best bet. 

WR Justyn Ross, Kansas City

Ross forced his way onto the Chiefs roster with a strong camp in 2023. He has continued that ascension. The Chiefs receiver room is loaded with more talent than ever in the Mahomes era, with Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, and Xavier Worthy the top options, along with holdovers Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, and Mecole Hardman, while Nikko Remigio has earned praise. The long-term picture is much more uncertain, with Worthy, Rice, and Moore being the only players under contract for 2025. Moore has been a disappointment, and Rice has a potential suspension looming for off-the-field conduct. Ross states that he has a meaningful role, and the Chiefs can make him a significant part of their future. 

RB Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders

Laube has seized, at minimum, a passing-back role, drawing comparisons to Danny Woodhead and attacking at all levels in the passing game. Zamir White has been adequate in an early-down role, but his usage should be more limited than many hoped leading up to the summer. The Raiders will often play from behind, and the short passing game will be key with Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell at quarterback. Laube can be a cheat code in points per reception leagues and has a legitimate chance to emerge as a top 25 back in those settings.

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