The Preseason and Fantasy Football Drafts

The 2025 NFL preseason is wrapping up, which means fantasy football draft season is in full swing. It feels like we’re finally stepping into our roles as participants in this exciting time.

Building a roster that can carry you to the championship come January hinges on nailing those sleeper picks, especially when it comes to tight ends. In the average fantasy league, made up of about 10 to 12 teams, you should be able to spot a suitable starter and a solid backup within the top 20 tight ends. But, in deeper leagues, you might find yourself in a bit of a scramble as your draft progresses.

Here, we’ll explore three deep sleeper quarterbacks worth considering before each draft. We define a deep sleeper as someone with an average draft position (ADP) below 21. For added clarity, we’ll refer to PPR rankings. So, let’s jump in.

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last season was a total mess for Jacksonville, but one bright spot was Brenton Strange stepping up as a viable pass-catcher. With starter Evan Engram sidelined due to injuries, Strange, a second-round pick in 2023, stepped in and made an impact, recording 41 catches for 411 yards and two touchdowns.

Engram’s release this offseason opens the door for Strange in his third season as the first tight end in Duval County, and he’ll benefit from significant changes in coaching. Liam Cohen, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had previously emphasized the importance of young tight ends in his offensive schemes. Last season, under Cohen, Bucs tight end Cade Otton was the second-most targeted player on the team and ended up as a top 10 fantasy tight end. It seems plausible to expect a similar breakout from Strange this year.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Now, about Cade Otton—he remains a viable option for fantasy players as he progresses in his career with the Bucs. He was targeted 87 times last season, racking up 600 yards and four touchdowns. Notably, he received seven red zone targets and all four of his touchdowns as a result.

Even if Cohen has moved on from Jacksonville, Tampa Bay has continuity in its scheme, with Josh Grizzard moving up to offensive coordinator. With big-play receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin around, Otton is still likely to get enough action to be a sleeper pick in your fantasy league. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on in later rounds.

Ja’tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

There’s some buzz about the Panthers potentially improving this season, and Ja’tavion Sanders is a dark horse who could play a significant role in their offense. As a rookie last year, filling in for the injured Tommy Tremble, Sanders made 33 catches for 342 yards and one touchdown. The stats might have been even better had he not dealt with a neck injury against the Kansas City Chiefs last November.

Interestingly, he led the team with an average of 5.6 yards after the catch, which indicates his ability to maximize his opportunities and help advance the ball downfield, especially with Tremble recovering from back surgery during the offseason. Whether you pick him up in the draft or grab him off waivers, adding Sanders to your roster could prove to be a savvy move.