Many fantasy football managers focus heavily on their first two or three picks in drafts. That makes sense, those players are the foundation of your roster and should carry you through the season. Usually, you’re taking a wide receiver or running back early, and missing on those picks can sink your team before the season even begins.

But here’s the truth: your early-round selections do not win you championships. Being able to find those late-round gems or even off the waiver wire can turn a good roster into a great one.

For this exercise, deep sleepers are defined as players going at ADP 200 or later who have the potential to be difference-makers. They aren’t likely to become top five options at their positions, but they’re underrated and if things break their way, they’ll be valuable additions to your team.

2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | Overall

Here are a few examples from last season with ADPs of 200 or later:

Tyrone Tracy, RB16 from Week 5 on
Jauan Jennings, WR24
Sam Darnold, QB9
Jonnu Smith, TE4
Zach Ertz, TE7

Now, if this article had come out a couple weeks ago, Jacory Croskey-Merritt would have been at the top of the list. But after the Commanders traded away Brian Robinson, his ADP jumped to 121, making him ineligible. Let’s get to the players who still qualify.

2025 fantasy football deep sleepers

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins

Ollie Gordon has put together an impressive camp and even impressed coach Mike McDaniel in preseason action. Reports suggest he has leapfrogged Jaylen Wright on the depth chart, thanks to Gordon’s strong play and Wright’s struggles.

Injuries to both De’Von Achane and Wright could also open the door for Gordon to begin the season as Miami’s lead back. Even if he doesn’t, the Dolphins reportedly want a different back handling goal-line duties, which gives Gordon immediate touchdown potential.

Achane will eventually retake control once healthy, but given his injury history, Gordon could carve out a more meaningful role than expected. That upside makes him a potential draft-day steal.

Dont’e Thornton, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Jack Bech is drawing more attention in fantasy drafts because of his second-round draft capital, but Thornton is projected to be a starter in Las Vegas. He has consistently run with the starters in camp and preseason, and at 6-foot-5 with 4.3 speed, his upside is enormous.

His preseason performance has been a bit underwhelming, catching just three of seven targets, but he did come down with a nice back-shoulder grab for a touchdown in the last preseason game.

His athletic tools are impossible to ignore, making Thornton worth a late-round flyer, especially with the hopes that coach Pete Carroll uses him similar to the way he did with DK Metcalf.

Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Horton would have been drafted earlier if not for a 2024 knee injury, but he slipped and the Seahawks grabbed him in the fifth round. Before that injury, he posted back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons in college.

He has drawn plenty of preseason buzz and is projected to open the year as Seattle’s WR3, likely replacing Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Consistency could be an issue for Horton with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp ahead of him, but Kupp is declining and always a health risk. That means Horton could see a larger role sooner than expected.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers

The second-year tight end showed up to camp 15 pounds lighter at 238 and noticeably quicker than he looked in 2024. Reports out of Panthers practices say he has been heavily involved, especially in the red zone.

While he is technically listed as the No. 2 TE behind Tommy Tremble, that distinction does not matter. Sanders is the receiving option, while Tremble is the blocker. Plus, Tremble spent most of camp on the PUP list following May back surgery. His slow recovery could give Sanders the early-season opportunity to establish himself as a reliable weapon for Bryce Young, who badly needs one behind Tetairoa McMillan.

Honorable Mention

DJ Giddens, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets

Newly named Fox Sports ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ analyst Dave Portnoy will not be allowed inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30 in the lead-up to No. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 Ohio State.

But the barring isn’t coming from Ohio State itself.

According to a statement obtained by The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, Ohio State mentioned that Portnoy not joining the likes of former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and Co. inside the stadium is a decision made by Fox Sports and not the university.

‘Ohio State routinely holds planning meetings with media partners and provides input regarding broadcast set-up, kickoff times and other matters,’ Ohio State said in the statement. ‘During planning meetings with FOX regarding Big Noon Kickoff’s visit to campus this week, FOX representatives informed the department that the only talent who would be inside Ohio Stadium for the last hour of the show would be their main set/desk talent team. This group comprises their halftime and post-game shows, as well. They informed us that David Portnoy is not part of their ‘main desk’ crew.’

Ohio State’s statement comes after Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said the university did not ban Portnoy from entering the stadium. In addition, a Big Ten spokesperson told Dellenger and Yahoo Sports that it ‘is the league’s understanding from Fox’ that Portnoy will not appear on the main desk inside any Big Ten stadium that the show travels to this year.

The statement also comes than 24 hours after Front Office Sports reported that Ohio State was barring Barstool Sports from campus and the Michigan alum from entering The Shoe alongside the ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ crew for the end of the pregame show.

Portnoy, known to be rather active on social media, went to X (formerly Twitter) late Monday night and quote-tweeted Front Office Sports’ report with a photo of him in disguise with a mustache and sunglasses. The tweet was then responded to by Connor Stalions, the former Michigan off-the-field analyst who was the catalyst behind the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal, with ‘You need tickets?’

Ohio State opened as an early -1.5 point favorite against Texas on BetMGM, but has since gone up to a -2.5 point favorite on the sportsbook website.

Dave Portnoy comments on Ohio Stadium ban

Portnoy issued a near six-minute video on X following Ohio State’s statement, where he said the Buckeyes were lying in their statement that they didn’t ban him from being inside Ohio Stadium for Saturday’s show. He also mentioned that Ohio State banned Barstool’s college football show from being in Columbus on Saturday, and that led to Barstool paying late cancellation fees.

Here’s Portnoy’s full statement:

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba returned to Inter Miami practice on Tuesday, Aug. 26, but it’s unclear whether they will in the Leagues Cup semifinal match against Orlando City on Wednesday.

Messi has been dealing with a nagging right hamstring injury for the past month. The Argentine World Cup champion has missed four games due to the injury, which he appeared to reaggravate during a premature return in an Aug. 16 match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Alba suffered a knock on right knee during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win against Liga MX side Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Aug. 20, and did not play in the second half.

Their returns to action are imperative for Inter Miami with head coach Javier Mascherano is suspended for the semifinal match due to a red card he received in the quarterfinal.

Watch Leagues Cup matches on MLS Season Pass

Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Morales, speaking in place of Mascherano on Tuesday, said Messi and Alba practiced for two straight days with the club. They will be evaluated later Tuesday, with decisions about their availability to be made closer to kickoff.

“We’ll see how they feel as the day goes on, and [Wednesday] we’ll make a decision about the final lineup for the match,” Morales said of Messi and Alba.  “But luckily they trained and were able to complete the session, which is a positive thing.”

Messi’s health is a particular focal point: After the Leagues Cup semifinal Wednesday and the final or third-place match Sunday, Messi will rejoin the Argentine national team for a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela in Buenos Aires on Sept. 4.

The match will be Messi’s last match in his home country for the foreseeable future, with no other matches scheduled before World Cup 2026. Messi has yet to declare he will play with the defending champions in the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

What’s at stake in the Leagues Cup? A spot to play in either the final or the third-place match on Sunday, Aug. 31. Both finalists and the third-place winner will earn berths to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup tournament – which determines entries into the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. The Galaxy will host the Seattle Sounders in the other semifinal match on Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. ET.

The Leagues Cup has plenty of significance for Inter Miami – which won the tournament in 2023 shortly after Messi, Alba and Sergio Busquets arrived to the club. It was the first title in the MLS franchise’s history.

However, the opponent has had Inter Miami’s number this season. Inter Miami already has two losses to Orlando City – a 3-0 loss on May 18 (which Messi played in), and a 4-1 loss in Orlando on Aug. 10 (which Messi did not play).

Both clubs enter the match after disappointing results on Saturday, Aug. 23: Inter Miami settled for a 1-1 draw at D.C. United, while Orlando City lost 5-1 to Nashville SC.

“We’ve struggled this year, losing both games by a significant margin. And we know we have to do better,” Busquets said Tuesday, before the next Florida Derby matchup. “If we want to be in the final, we’re going to have to be better than we were in the last two classics. We can’t make it so easy for them.”

Is Messi playing tomorrow?

Messi could return to action, but his game status will be known when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before the match.

When is the Inter Miami vs. Orlando City Leagues Cup match?

The match is Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 8:30 p.m. inside Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Orlando City Leagues Cup match?

The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, and Apple TV+ channel on Amazon Prime, Xfinity and DirecTV.

Messi upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina

Aug. 27: Inter Miami vs. Orlando City, 8:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup semifinal)
Aug. 31: Leagues Cup final OR third-place match
Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)

It’s the most optimistic time of the year.

The NFL is back and has that new season smell wafting through the air. Spirits are high across the league and everyone has high hopes entering a new campaign – regardless of how bleak the outlook may be.

All 32 teams enter on the ground floor, each of them with a list of things to accomplish if they want to be Super Bowl champions. Some teams have a longer list than others, but everyone is a contender before the games officially kick off.

That new smell will vanish eventually, however.

For now, all the players are in the best shape of their lives on their way to posting a career-year. Soon enough, the games will be taken from the paper to the field – where anything can happen.

Here’s what to know about when the NFL season starts in 2025, as well as the rest of the Week 1 schedule.

When does the NFL season start?

The 2025 NFL regular season begins on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Watch 2025 NFL action with Fubo (free trial)

NFL opening game

The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys to kick off the 2025 campaign.

Dak Prescott returns from injury, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will debut as a receiving duo and Brian Schottenheimer will make his first appearance on the sidelines as an NFL head coach.

On the Philadelphia sideline, it’s all about the high-flying Eagles, many of which have returned from last season.

The NFC East figures to be a competitive division, with the Cowboys serving as somewhat of a wild card. One of these teams will land the first punch in a season-long battle.

Can the Eagles soar to new heights on a night of celebration or will the Cowboys ground the birds? The 2025 NFL season will give us an answer to that question soon enough.

NFL Week 1 schedule 2025

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys | 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

Friday, Sept. 5, 2025

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sao Paulo, Brazil – Corinthians Arena) | 8:15 p.m. ET on YouTube

Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025

Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
New York Giants at Washington Commanders | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos | 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers | 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams | 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills | 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

Monday, Sept. 8, 2025

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears | 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC

NFL teams must reduce their roster to 53 players by the deadline.
Several notable players were released, including some quarterbacks.
Waived players may join practice squads in the coming days, should they clear waivers.

The NFL’s 32 teams are dealing with one of the most difficult days on the calendar Tuesday. By 4 p.m. ET, each squad must whittle its active roster to just 53 men.

NFL clubs are permitted to carry 90 players during the offseason, and sometimes more thanks to various roster exemptions. That makes the task of parting with dozens of players to form the initial roster excruciating.

The good news for NFL teams? Just because players are released or waived does not mean they will leave the organization. Many will end up re-signing to the team’s practice squad, which can be formed beginning at noon ET on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Still, there is no guarantee a released player will return to the team. Veterans released are free to sign anywhere while younger players placed on waivers are free to be claimed by any NFL team.

Here’s a look at some of the most interesting players released ahead of the NFL’s roster cut deadline, from the league’s heaviest player to a plethora of well-known young quarterbacks.

Desmond Watson, DT, Buccaneers

When Watson signed with the Buccaneers, he became the heaviest player in NFL history at 449 pounds. However, he never practiced or saw the field during the preseason, as Tampa Bay wanted him to lose weight before getting the undrafted free agent any action.

Will another team give Watson the chance the Buccaneers didn’t? The NFL’s other 31 clubs will have a chance to claim the 22-year-old behemoth off waivers.

Dan Skipper, OT, Lions

Most NFL fans know Skipper from a disputed 2023 play against the Dallas Cowboys. Officials ruled the 6-9, 334-pound blocker had reported eligible on a 2-point conversion attempt, which wiped out a go-ahead score by left tackle Taylor Decker.

But Skipper spent part of seven seasons with the Lions and developed into a high-quality swing tackle for the team. He was a fan favorite in Detroit and drew cheers every time he reported as an eligible receiver in 2024.

Now, Skipper will be looking for a new NFL team. He could find a fit with the Chicago Bears, where Skipper’s former offensive coordinator turned Bears coach Ben Johnson could look to upgrade his team’s left tackle position on eve of the season.

Tommy DeVito, QB, Giants

The Giants opted not to keep four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster. That made DeVito the odd man out after New York added Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart to the quarterback room during the offseason.

DeVito, 27, completed 30 of 38 passes for 323 yards, four touchdowns and one interception during the preseason. He could find a new home on waivers or remain with the Giants as part of their practice squad.

Kenyon Green, G, Eagles

The Eagles acquired Green as part of the CJ Gardner-Johnson trade. The first-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft was unable to make the team despite an injury to left guard Landon Dickerson.

Now, all Philadelphia has to show for the Gardner-Johnson trade is a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Hendon Hooker, QB, Lions

The Lions entered the 2025 NFL offseason hoping Hooker would have a chance to win the backup job behind Jared Goff. Instead, the 2023 third-round pick lost the job to journeyman Kyle Allen.

Hooker completed 22 of 40 passes for 187 yards and three interceptions during the 2025 preseason. The 27-year-old will now get the ‘change of scenery’ Dan Campbell implied he could use after Detroit’s preseason finale.

Kyle Trask, QB, Buccaneers

Trask has been with the Buccaneers since the team selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. They decided to move on from the 27-year-old less than three weeks after inking 32-year-old veteran Teddy Bridgewater to join their quarterback room.

Trask will revert to IR because of a shoulder injury, but the Buccaneers plan to release him with an injury settlement, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That opens the door for Bridgewater to be Tampa Bay’s primary backup behind Baker Mayfield.

Meanwhile, Trask will finish his Buccaneers career having completed just 4 of 11 passes for 28 yards in limited regular-season action.

Mike Hilton, CB, Dolphins

The Dolphins have one of the NFL’s shakiest cornerback rooms, so it might surprise some to see they parted with Hilton. The nine-year veteran has been a solid slot man and a particularly good blitzer during his career.

That said, Hilton didn’t work much with the first-team defense during the preseason. Instead, rookie fifth-round pick Jason Marshall Jr. got the top slot reps. Miami’s confidence in his development could have led them to be comfortable releasing Hilton.

Hilton could also have been pushed off the roster by Miami’s signing of Rasul Douglas to a one-year deal on eve of the roster cut deadline. The former Buffalo Bills cornerback plays more outside than Hilton and will add needed size (6-2, 209 pounds) to Miami’s secondary.

Michael Gallup, WR, Commanders

Gallup retired before the 2024 NFL season but attempted a comeback with the Commanders during the offseason. The 29-year-old caught four passes for 40 yards during the preseason but was unable to do enough to move up Washington’s depth chart.

It isn’t clear whether Gallup’s release will end his comeback bid or if the 2018 third-round pick will look to latch onto one of the NFL’s practice squads.

NFL franchises must cut their rosters down to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 26.
Browns GM Andrew Berry hinted at the possibility of keeping four quarterbacks on the roster, which would increase Sanders’ chances.
Fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders is likely to make the roster following recent QB moves by Cleveland.

Shedeur Sanders has spent the summer battling to make the Cleveland Browns 53-man roster. Soon, the fifth-round rookie will learn whether he has done enough to earn a spot with the team.

Cleveland’s preseason came to an end Saturday with its 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Sanders saw action in the contest – his second dose of live-game reps during the 2025 preseason – but struggled playing behind the team’s backup offensive line.

That will leave many wondering whether the Colorado product has done enough to earn a roster spot in a once-crowded Cleveland quarterback room that at one time featured Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Tyler Huntley.

Will Sanders make the Browns final roster? Cleveland may have tipped its hand. Here are the latest updates and rumors about the quarterback’s status as the Browns look to soon finalize their 53-man roster for the 2025 season.

Will Shedeur Sanders make Browns roster? Latest updates, rumors

Kenny Pickett traded to Raiders

Another hurdle that Sanders had to leap in order to secure a roster spot was in the form of Kenny Pickett. That is now cleared, with the Browns reportedly trading pick to the Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round pick.

Pickett is expected to fill in for backup QB Aidan O’Connell, who will miss 6-to-8 weeks while he deals with a fractured wrist.

Browns opt to release Tyler Huntley

It didn’t take long for Cleveland to decide its first QB move, releasing veteran Tyler Huntley on Sunday. That leaves Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders left in the QB room.

Browns GM Andrew Berry hints at Cleveland keeping four QBs on 53-man roster

Berry was asked in an appearance on the Cleveland broadcast of Sunday’s preseason game about the possibility of the Browns keeping four quarterbacks to begin the 2025 NFL season. His response?

‘Honestly, it’s not much of a decision for us,’ Berry told announcers Chris Rose and Joe Thomas, per the Akron Beacon Journal.

Berry has been adamant throughout the offseason keeping four quarterbacks would be an option for the Browns. He demonstrated a willingness to do this in 2024 as well, when Cleveland briefly rostered four quarterbacks before releasing Tyler Huntley just days after the 53-man roster deadline.

Repeating that strategy would allow Sanders a chance to make Cleveland’s roster despite being entrenched as its fourth-string quarterback.

Kevin Stefanski says Browns undecided about backup for Joe Flacco

The Browns already named Flacco their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. The pecking order for their depth chart beyond him remains undetermined.

Stefanski was asked after Saturday’s preseason game if he knew who would be backing up Flacco to start the season.

‘I’m just not there yet,’ Stefanski told reporters. ‘I think we got to get through the next couple days.’

Sanders isn’t likely to earn the backup role after he fell flat in the preseason finale. That said, it’s worth wondering whether third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel showed enough to overtake veteran Kenny Pickett in the race for the No. 2 job. If so, that could make Pickett’s roster spot more precarious, or at least prompt Cleveland to consider putting the veteran on IR while he deals with hamstring injury.

That could potentially create a path for Sanders to make the roster even if the Browns only keep three quarterbacks.

Shedeur Sanders ‘obviously’ feels like he should make Browns roster

Sanders was asked after the Browns’ preseason finale against the Rams whether he believed he should make the Browns’ final roster. His response?

‘Obviously,’ Sanders said with a smile when asked by NFL Network’s Bridget Condon. ‘I think overall as a player, I feel like I’ve put in the work. I feel like everything I do, I try to do it to my best and that’s all you can ask for. I feel like everybody feels like they should be on the team. If you ask anybody on the team would they feel like they belong, they belong in they own eyes.

‘I feel like I do, but I’m my own player. I think about myself in a high regard.’

Shedeur Sanders finishes preseason with tough outing vs. Rams

Sanders played most of the second half of the Browns’ preseason Week 3 matchup with the Rams but struggled during it. He completed just 3 of 6 passes for 14 yards while being sacked a whopping five times.

Sanders showed a tendency to drift back in the pocket when under pressure, which caused him to absorb larger losses on some of his sacks. Overall, he lost 41 yards across the five sacks, which caused Cleveland to consistently play from behind the chains.

Sanders’ performance was a far cry from his strong debut in preseason Week 1. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers. He added 19 yards on two scrambles and was sacked just twice despite playing a majority of the contest.