Seven second-year fantasy sleepers and breakout targets headline 2025 draft prep: Benson, Allen, Odunze, Pearsall, Theo Johnson, Williams, and Penix Jr. Each profile leans into opportunity, youth, and offensive surroundings to identify late-round paths to upside. Benson could emerge as a starter in Arizona behind a stable line; Allen may seize meaningful Jets workload; Odunze and Pearsall stand to benefit from offense boosts in Chicago and San Francisco respectively. Williams, paired with a new coaching staff, looks poised to improve, and Penix Jr. is positioned for a late-round QB uplift with Bijan Robinson and new passing-game weapons. ADPs reflect upside generally trailing more established loads, making these names intriguing value picks with missing-piece potential for fantasy rosters.

The piece recommends targeting these sophomores as value picks with upside entering 2025, spotlighting roles and surrounding cast to justify why they could outperform their draft cost. The ADP anchors illustrate the gap between ceiling and current price, encouraging managers to lean into developmental leaps rather than chasing only proven veterans.

Overall, the focus is on overlooked, developmental futures who could deliver weekly fantasy points as the season unfolds, making them attractive late-round targets or watch-list stashes for leagues of all sizes.

Jaxson Dart directed the Giants through a sharp first-team performance in the second preseason game, finishing 14 of 16 for 137 yards, capping the second-half drive with a TD pass to Greg Dulcich, and scoring on a goal-line plunge. The display positioned him as a compelling candidate in the Giants’ QB future, with 13 straight completions across a stretch of the game helping to build hype for a potential early-season window if he remains in the mix.

Russell Wilson answered for the Jets with an electric 80-yard moon ball to Beaux Collins, but also gifted Beaux a late interception on a miscommunication. Wilson’s night showcased big-play flair but left questions about rhythm and turnover risk. Justin Fields opened with two run-heavy series for the Jets, going 1-of-5 for 4 yards before Folk’s 38-yard field goal, reinforcing a rougher path for the Jets’ passing attack in these early exhibitions.

Injury and absences colored the night: Xavier Gipson left the game with a shoulder issue for the Jets, Sauce Gardner did not play due to a sore calf, and Malik Nabers remained out for the Giants. Up next, the Jets host Philadelphia and the Giants welcome New England, setting the stage for further clarity on offensive roles, QB competition dynamics, and which players emerge as fantasy-viable targets behind the top pass-catchers.

Wilson flashed deep-ball juice for the Giants on the opening script, hitting Beaux Collins for an 80-yard burst before Devin Singletary capped the series with a 1-yard TD. Fields struggled to throw for the Jets, while Jaxson Dart again looked like the hot topic in New York, delivering in a no-huddle groove and finding Greg Dulcich for a 20-yard score. Dart finished 14 of 16 for 137 yards with a late QB sneak to pad the ledger, while Wilson’s lone interception stemmed from a misread with Collins.

The buzz around Dart persists—Giants fans are itching for a Week 1 spark—yet Wilson remains the safer, steadier option to open the season as Dart’s arrow points upward. Fields’ passing issues loom large, even as his rushing ceiling keeps fantasy interest alive. The Jets’ offense feels distinctly different without Rodgers, and the Giants’ up-tempo attack makes this QB competition a genuine fantasy narrative to monitor into September.

Beaux Collins’ 80-yard catch and the Giants’ 2nd-half efficiency with no-huddle tempo underscored why Dart has fans buzzing. The Jets’ game plan looked to steady the ship with Wilson, but the Giants’ alternative signal-caller is turning preseason chatter into real intrigue. In short, this game illuminated the quarterback tug-of-war in New York and how it translates to fantasy upside as rosters tighten before Week 1.

Deep sleepers can unlock upside in deeper fantasy formats by finding players who aren’t staple picks in standard leagues but show enough playmaking and path to opportunity to become weekly differentiators. This season’s list centers on players who could pop in 12- or 14-team formats, dynasty leagues, or IDP setups, offering potential late-round targets and an early-season watchlist for prospective pickups. The piece emphasizes depth-chart knowledge and scouting nuance, not merely late-round hype.

Among the names: Dyami Brown arrives with field-stretching speed and a playoff résumé that hinted at long-play big-play upside, now likely to compete for targets in Jacksonville. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a speed-and-quick-cutting rookie to monitor in Washington’s backfield rotation, while Jaxson Dart (Giants) carries a ceiling that could materialize if he wins the job. Tory Horton, Theo Johnson, Adonai Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, Kyle Monangai, and Tre Tucker all profile as multi-tool athletes with the chance tofactor in if injuries or inefficiencies hit the top of the depth chart. These players aren’t drafted in standard leagues, but in deeper formats they could become fantasy-relevant as the season unfolds.

Giants and Jets kicked off joint practices with a flurry of early-season takeaways. Brian Burns unleashed pressure off the edge, repeatedly beating Armand Membou and signaling his breakout potential on the Giants’ defense. Dexter Lawrence anchored the front, chasing Justin Fields from the line and showing the defensive line’s ceiling when healthy. Theo Johnson and Abdul Carter drew praise as young impact players; Johnson demonstrated big-play ability while Carter flashed disruptive flashes, especially in team periods. Devin Singletary handled interior runs with decisive, physical bursts, while Jaxson Dart impressed with arm talent and downfield aggressiveness for the Jets. Zach Pascal connected on a back-shoulder moment for the offense, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. saw interesting involvement behind the main backs. The day set clear fantasy signals: Giants’ backfield depth, a blossoming rookie trio on defense, and the Jets’ young QB-receiver chemistry together with a new backfield dynamic.