NFC North Roundtable: Fantasy football sleepers to help you win your league this season, including one surprising rookie
The majority of the focus we've had on the NFC North over the last few weeks with these roundtables has been about how things will go from a realism standpoint, so why not talk about fantasy? This won't be a discussion about elves and wizards, but rather fantasy football. It's a huge part of National […]
The majority of the focus we've had on the NFC North over the last few weeks with these roundtables has been about how things will go from a realism standpoint, so why not talk about fantasy?
This won't be a discussion about elves and wizards, but rather fantasy football. It's a huge part of National Football League fandom nowadays, and there is a rush by many to find who could be a sleeper to take in your fantasy football drafts.
Our latest roundtable will give you some sleepers to consider during your fantasy football drafts this year.
Minnesota Vikings beat writer Tyler Forness: RB Jordan Mason
When you look at the Vikings' skill position players, the top guys are going to be heavily focused on. Justin Jefferson is still the best receiver in the National Football League and they have excellent players in Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones.
The real wild card is going to be Mason, whom the Vikings acquired via trade during the first wave of free agency. The idea was to fix the short-yardage run game, and he will bring a power profile that they need at that spot. Mason averaged over 5.0 yards per carry last season and can power through arm tackles with ease. Having that element on the roster for J.J. McCarthy is going to be a huge factor. I fully expect the running back room to be a 50/50 timeshare by about week six, and Mason can be a huge impact if Jones gets hurt, as he's shown he can handle a full workload.
Green Bay Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira: TE Tucker Kraft
He was the ninth tight end in PPR points last season, and he's well ahead of players with more hype like David Njoku, Hunter Henry, Kyle Pitts, Isaiah Likely, and Cole Kmet. Kraft is still super young at 24, and there's obvious room for improvement.
In his second NFL season, Kraft had 50 catches, 707 yards, and seven touchdowns. He led the NFL among tight ends in yards after the catch per reception (9.3) and was also top 5 in passer rating when targeted last year. His passer rating when targeted was 121.7 in 2023 and 134.6 in 2024—and this includes basically three full games with Malik Willis at quarterback. Kraft is the Packers' tight end with the most yards through his first two seasons in franchise history, ahead of Jermichael Finley, Richard Rodgers, Paul Coffman, and Bubba Franks.
Tucker Kraft is special. His complete playing style makes him be on the field all the time, and his ability to generate yards after contact makes him create a lot of points even when the volume isn't there.
Chicago Bears beat writer Kole Noble: TE Colston Loveland
Tight ends are a cheat code in many fantasy football formats because there are not that many consistent options at the position. Managers who can snag Travis Kelce or George Kittle are at a massive advantage. I believe Colston Loveland’s impact in Ben Johnson’s system is going to make him a major fantasy sleeper, even with Cole Kmet in the fold for the Bears, in 2025. And for dynasty players, Loveland is a no-brainer given Kmet’s contract structure after the 2025 season.
I see Loveland forcing his way onto the field a ton in 2025 and earning tons of passing down opportunities where his downfield ability can lead to some big plays other tight ends simply aren’t going to make around the league. It won’t be a rookie season like we saw from Brock Bowers or Sam LaPorta, but for the value in terms of where he’s being drafted right now, I’m buying some Loveland stock in fantasy football this year.
Detroit Lions beat writer Mike Payton: WR Isaac TeSlaa
This is hard since the weapons who get a lot of action with the Lions are pretty well known, so I’m going to go with the rookie Isaac TeSlaa. He should jump Tim Patrick for the third receiver spot and get some good red zone targets with his ability to high point and bring down contested catches.
I wouldn’t draft him very high, though. He’d be a guy I’d have deep on the roster in case someone gets hurt and I need him in a pinch.
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