If you’re looking to gain an edge in your 2025 Underdog Fantasy Best Ball drafts, it’s time to dig deeper than the usual names. This year’s sleeper pool is stacked with breakout candidates like Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue, who brings explosive upside to a backfield that’s suddenly wide open. Meanwhile, second-year QB JJ McCarthy is primed to shine in Kevin O’Connell’s fantasy-friendly offense. These are the types of late-round picks who can swing your best ball fate with spike weeks and low ADPs.
Best ball is all about capturing upside and variance, and this sleeper list is loaded with exactly that. Whether you’re aiming for Week 17 heroics or just consistent value, these overlooked talents deserve a spot on your radar in every 2025 Underdog Best Ball draft.
Let’s dive in!
Note: These sleepers all have an ADP of 125 or higher on Underdog Fantasy; ADP updated through 6/27
Read: The Wolf’s 2025 Best Ball Rankings & Big Board
2025 UNDERDOG FANTASY BEST BALL SLEEPERS
JJ MCCARTHY, QB, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
ADP: 127.9
You don’t have to squint too hard to see JJ McCarthy emerging as one of the best sleeper values in 2025 best ball. Sure, we haven’t seen him take meaningful snaps in the regular season, but the setup in Minnesota is ideal for fantasy upside.
This was one of the most aggressive passing offenses in the league last year and that was with Sam Darnold under center. Yes, that Sam Darnold, who somehow became fantasy-relevant to finish as the QB9 in fantasy points per game. That’s not just luck — it’s a testament to Kevin O’Connell’s system consistently delivering QB1 production with the likes of Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, and Darnold.
Now enter McCarthy: a highly efficient collegiate passer who ranked top 12 in passing grade, adjusted completion rate, YPA, and performance under pressure, per PFF. He’s stepping into a stacked offense that boasts elite pass-catching talent and an improved offensive line. If Darnold could thrive here, imagine what a first-round talent with McCarthy’s accuracy and poise can do. Draft him late, and enjoy the ride.
JAYDON BLUE, RB, DALLAS COWBOYS
ADP: 145.7
Jaydon Blue enters the 2025 Best Ball scene as one of the more intriguing late-round rookie dart throws, thanks to a murky but potentially high-upside situation in Dallas. The Cowboys’ backfield is far from settled, featuring underwhelming and inefficient veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither profiles as a long-term solution, and their presence opens the door for Blue to carve out a role in what should be a relatively productive offense.
Dallas also spent late draft capital on Clemson’s Phil Mafah, a power back whose skill set complements Blue’s speed and receiving ability. If this duo evolves into a true thunder-and-lightning tandem, Blue could see consistent work on passing downs and explosive opportunities in space, a role that he flourished in at Texas.
While Blue isn’t likely to be the starter out of the gate, his profile is tailor-made for Best Ball formats. He’s the type of player who could post unpredictable spike weeks, especially if he starts hot in a satellite role and earns more touches as the season unfolds.
The Cowboys lack true receiving threats beyond CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, which may force them to scheme touches for a dynamic athlete like Blue out of the backfield. With Dallas likely to be in plenty of competitive, high-scoring games, Blue is the kind of low-risk, high-reward player who could pop for a few long scores or catch five balls in any given week, which is ideal for Best Ball formats.
GENO SMITH, QB, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
ADP: 162.9
Geno Smith might not be the sexiest name in your draft queue, but don’t sleep on him again. The Raiders clearly believe in him, trading a third-round pick and handing him a two-year extension. Now he steps into a fresh situation with offensive guru Chip Kelly calling the shots in Vegas, and things are suddenly looking spicy.
Kelly’s up-tempo system is designed to simplify reads and push the pace, which fits Geno’s game perfectly. He was quietly productive last season, finishing as QB13 in fantasy points per game (16.5), while completing 70.4% of his passes for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns. Solid, steady, and with room to grow in this new setup.
And the supporting cast? Sneaky good. Phenom Brock Bowers is already a matchup nightmare. Jakobi Meyers brings reliability. Add in electric rookies like Ashton Jeanty, Jack Bech, and Dont’e Thornton, and you’ve got a fun, versatile offense built to move.
Geno’s upside screams top-12 QB production, with several spike weeks leading an ascending Raiders’ offense. If you punt quarterback or want a cheap stack partner late, Geno is your guy.
DONT’E THORNTON, WR, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
ADP: 192.7
Dont’e Thornton is one of our favorite best ball dart throws. The Raiders’ wide receiver room needed more juice, and Thornton brings just that as a vertical threat who perfectly complements Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. He’s already seeing first-team reps in OTAs and has a clear path to starting in three-wide sets.
Though he saw limited volume at Tennessee in 2024, Thornton made the most of it, averaging an eye-popping 3.72 yards per route run, per PFF. At 6’5″, 205 pounds with legit 4.30 speed, he profiles as a long-strider who can take the top off any defense. While he’s unlikely to command a consistent target share, his big-play ability gives him spike-week potential—precisely what you want in a best ball flier.
Target him with your last pick because he’s the kind of boom-or-bust prospect who could deliver some week-winning performances when you least expect it.
JARQUEZ HUNTER, RB, LA RAMS
ADP: 198.1
Jarquez Hunter’s 2025 Best Ball outlook is highly appealing for drafters seeking explosive, low-cost upside. The Rams’ decision to trade up for him, and Sean McVay’s vocal endorsement, signals that Hunter isn’t just depth; he’s part of the plan.
While Kyren Williams remains entrenched as the starter, L.A.’s recent investment in both Blake Corum and Hunter points to a committee brewing, or at the very least, insurance against Williams’ injury history.
Hunter’s elite burst (4.44 forty) and elite missed tackle rate make him a perfect fit for Best Ball, where spike weeks are king. Even if he starts the year behind Williams and Corum, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hunter break off a long touchdown or take over change-of-pace duties in high-scoring scripts. He’s the exact type of high-variance rookie RB that can win you weeks without ever needing to guess when to start him.
BRASHARD SMITH, RB, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
ADP: 205.8
Brashard Smith enters 2025 Best Ball drafts as an actual wild card with sneaky high-upside potential in the Chiefs’ high-scoring offense. A former wideout turned running back in the mold of Antonio Gibson and Ty Montgomery, Smith’s hybrid skill set and 4.3 speed make him a perfect candidate for a Jerick McKinnon-type role for check-down maestro Patrick Mahomes.
While he was only a seventh-round pick, Kansas City’s current backfield depth chart, featuring a declining Isaiah Pacheco, aging Kareem Hunt, and oft-injured Elijah Mitchell, is far from settled. Smith may not offer consistent volume early on, but he’s the kind of player who could suddenly rack up 5+ catches and a score per game, especially on third downs or in two-minute drills. In Best Ball, where you’re chasing unpredictable boom weeks, Smith is an ideal last-round dart throw with legitimate upside.
THEO JOHNSON, TE, NEW YORK GIANTS
ADP: 211.6
Theo Johnson offers sneaky value in 2025 Best Ball formats as a potential breakout tight end with legitimate weekly upside. Despite being a midseason injury casualty (foot) in his rookie year, Johnson flashed promise with 29 catches for 331 yards over 12 starts and has the athletic profile to take a major leap.
His perfect 9.99 RAS makes him one of the most physically gifted TEs to ever enter the league, and the Giants appear committed to unlocking that upside, especially with ESPN’s Jordan Raanan noting the team is “extremely high” on him.
With no major additions to the pass-catching corps and improved quarterback play expected from either Russell Wilson or rookie Jaxson Dart, Johnson could emerge as a top-two option in the Giants’ passing game. He may not offer weekly consistency, but his size, speed, and red-zone potential make him an ideal late-round Best Ball target with a few big weeks likely baked into his range of outcomes.
JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT, RB, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
ADP: 215.1
Jacory Croskey-Merritt might not be a household name (yet), but he has all the makings of a best ball sleeper who could pop in 2025. He took the long road to the league, Alabama State to New Mexico to Arizona, and only managed 13 college carries last year due to eligibility issues. But he turned those touches into 106 yards and a touchdown, then stood out at the East-West Shrine Bowl with a jaw-dropping 97 yards and two scores on just 11 carries en route to MVP honors.
At 24, he’s older than most rookies, but don’t let that fool you. His legs are fresh, and his burst is real. A 4.41 forty and a 41.5″ vertical hint at his explosiveness, and his -7.29 yds/sec² deceleration (a Shrine Bowl record) shows his rare ability to stop on a dime and explode again like Shady McCoy. He’s a natural fit for zone concepts with his vision and cutback instincts, and in a Washington backfield that features only Brian Robinson Jr. and a 30-year-old Austin Ekeler, there’s a path to meaningful touches. He may not catch many passes, but in best ball formats, all it takes is a couple of long house calls to pay off big.
