Six late-round lottery tickets headline Thunder Dan Paylo's 2025 fantasy football sleepers, with clear paths to breakout if things break right in the offense. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Woody Marks, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Elijah Arroyo, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaac TeSlaa are highlighted as high-upside targets you can realistically snag in the final rounds for upside rather than roster fill.

Strategy centers on exploiting depth-chart openings: Croskey-Merritt could gain touches if Washington moves on from Brian Robinson Jr.; Marks steps in as a potential early-down/backup weapon for Houston; Thornton Jr. profiles as a big-field WR who could emerge as Raiders’ WR2; Arroyo offers big-play upside at tight end with Noah Fant gone; Mitchell and TeSlaa carry upside as late-round bets in Indy and Detroit, respectively, if their quarterbacks improve or injuries create opportunities.

The piece stresses the draft’s middle rounds as the frontier, where knowing top handcuffs and rookie depth charts matters. Autodraft aside, these sleepers form a cohesive late-round group that could anchor fantasy rosters in weeks to come, especially in best-ball and superflex formats, where volatility can translate to weekly rewards.

The buzz around the rookie running back class for the 2025 NFL season is reaching a fever pitch, with several lesser-known names poised to make significant impacts in fantasy leagues. Among the intriguing prospects is Brashard Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs, a former wide receiver turned running back, who could thrive in a shifting backfield. Meanwhile, Woody Marks from the Houston Texans brings versatility as a receiving back, likely to capitalize on the team's need for a solid RB2 given Dameon Pierce's struggles. Jordan James of the San Francisco 49ers shows promise as a power runner and could benefit from Christian McCaffrey's injury history.

Additionally, Jacory Croskey-Merritt of the Washington Commanders, despite being a seventh-round pick, has the potential to seize opportunities in a competitive backfield. Phil Mafah of the Dallas Cowboys rounds out the list with his powerful running style, presenting a potential gem in deeper fantasy leagues. Overall, the 2025 NFL rookie running back class is rich with sleeper picks that could reshape fantasy rosters.

The Houston Texans made significant moves during the recent NFL draft, concluding the weekend with a record-setting seven trades, resulting in the acquisition of nine new players. This proactive approach positions the Texans well for the upcoming 2026 NFL draft, where they currently hold seven picks. After trading away their third-round pick to secure running back Woody Marks from USC, they maintain three of their original selections, along with a second-rounder obtained in the Laremy Tunsil trade.

The team’s draft order for 2026 includes their own first-round pick and additional selections from Washington and the New York Giants, showcasing their strategic foresight. Texans General Manager Nick Caserio's trend of trading Day 3 picks for players or future draft assets indicates an aggressive rebuilding plan aimed at competing for a division title.

The Houston Texans made a strategic move in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting USC running back Woody Marks with the 116th overall pick. By trading away their 2026 third-round pick and the 179th pick, they secured a promising addition to their backfield. With impressive collegiate stats, including 261 catches for 1,544 yards and five touchdowns, Marks is expected to complement Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, potentially taking on the No. 2 role. Marks is recognized for his pass-catching ability and has shown significant rushing talent with 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns in his last season at USC.

Analysis from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein highlights Marks' patient yet decisive running style, adept vision, and ability to create separation from defenders, although he may lack elite breakaway speed. His experience as a reliable pass catcher makes him a valuable asset for the Texans as they continue to build around quarterback C.J. Stroud, enhancing their offensive arsenal.

As anticipation builds for the 2025 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons are actively engaged in evaluating potential talent. They've recently met with several prospects, including Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who is projected as a first-round pick. Campbell, known for his versatility and strong performance statistics, adds depth to the Falcons' existing linebacker core. Additionally, the Falcons are exploring UCF wide receiver Kobe Hudson and USC running back Woody Marks as potential Day 3 selections.

Hudson impresses with solid route running and size, while Marks showcased his capabilities with over 1,100 rushing yards and significant receiving contributions last season. With two seventh-round picks, the Falcons are well-positioned to enhance their roster with these intriguing talents ahead of the draft.