Finding hidden value in sleepers and late-round picks is the lifeblood of sharp fantasy strategy. In DFS, the edge often lies not in chasing stars but in predicting who’ll rise from the shadows before anyone else notices.
These are the players buried on depth charts, overshadowed by flashier names, or recovering from injury, but capable of swinging entire contests when the timing is right. From low-ownership breakout options to high-upside role players, this cheat sheet arms you with the under-the-radar weapons to dominate both cash games and GPPs in 2025.
Jalen Coker (WR, Carolina Panthers)
Jalen Coker’s 2024 rookie campaign was the kind of season that DFS grinders dream about. An undrafted free agent, he stepped onto the scene and put up a quietly productive stat line: 478 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
His impact went beyond the box score: Coker ranked among the Panthers’ team leaders in both yards per route run and EPA (expected points added) per target, metrics that highlight his efficiency in limited opportunities. Heading into 2025, analysts project him sliding into a WR2/3 role with real PPR appeal, and some forecasts even place him within the top‑35 wide receivers. Overlook him, and you might watch your opponent bank while you play catch-up.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Carolina Panthers)
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina’s 2025 first-round pick, is the definition of an undervalued redraft gem. Despite his premium draft status, he remains overlooked in many early mocks and ADP boards. Don’t make that mistake. McMillan enters the season with an ideal blend of size, athleticism, and wide-open opportunity in a WR room lacking a true alpha.
Analysts at RotoBaller and Draft Sharks are touting him as a breakout waiting to happen. If he earns a starting role early, and all signs point that way, he’ll offer fantasy managers immediate value and big-play upside at a discount price. This is the kind of player who wins GPPs in Week 2 while others are still scouring the waiver wire.
Chuba Hubbard (RB, Carolina Panthers)
It’s baffling how little buzz Chuba Hubbard is getting considering he finished 2024 as RB13 in PPR formats. With over 1,000 total yards and double-digit touchdowns, Hubbard was a consistent producer, and yet his current ADP suggests the market still hasn’t caught up. He’s not a flashy name, but he’s dependable, efficient, and game-script proof.
Whether you’re looking for a stabilizing force in cash lineups or a low-cost flex in GPPs with scoring upside, Hubbard checks every box. His suppressed ownership and modest salary cap hit make him one of the most bankable values on the board heading into the 2025 season.
If you still need more excitement, FanDuel Sportsbook NC is sure to have plenty of offers heading into the NFL season, which fans can take advantage of if they are looking to get in on the action.
Adam Thielen (WR, Carolina Panthers)
Adam Thielen continues to defy age and expectations. While he won’t light up social media with one-handed grabs or 60-yard scores, his route-running precision and chemistry with whoever’s under center make him a quietly effective option, especially in PPR-heavy scoring systems. In a wide receiver corps full of unproven youth and moving parts, Thielen stands out as the reliable veteran who can still move the chains and find the end zone.
DFS players looking for cheap volume targets in low-scoring affairs should keep Thielen in their back pocket.
The Art of Exploiting Depth Charts
One of the sharpest DFS plays is identifying players who are second or third on a depth chart—until they’re not. Injuries, training camp reports, and evolving game scripts frequently shake up rotations in the first few weeks.
Targeting players like Jalen Coker or Tetairoa McMillan before their snap counts surge is how savvy managers build leverage. When others chase points, you’ll already be holding shares. Depth chart chaos is a friend, not a foe, if you’re reading it correctly.
Low Ownership, High Reward
Ownership percentages are everything in GPP tournaments. It’s not enough to pick good players, you need good players that few others roster. That’s where underhyped names like Chuba Hubbard and Adam Thielen become DFS gold.
These aren’t “safe” names, but they’re players who outperform expectations regularly while flying under the radar. If they hit, your lineup vaults over the chalk-heavy builds. Stack that contrarian edge over multiple positions, and you’re suddenly staring at a five-figure payout on Sunday night.
Breaking the Mold at Tight End
Though this article focuses on Carolina, the same strategy applies to tight ends across the league. Look for players stepping into red zone roles due to injury or team overhaul. These are the tight ends that may only get 4-5 targets a game but are live to score every week.
They’re often overlooked, underpriced, and just as capable of a two-touchdown performance as their elite counterparts. While Carolina may not offer a TE sleeper this year, the approach of hunting high-leverage opportunities at low cost holds true across the board.
Game Script-Proof RBs
Chuba Hubbard’s 2024 production wasn’t a fluke, it reflected his ability to stay on the field in all situations. Whether the Panthers were leading, trailing, or grinding through neutral scripts, Hubbard got touches.
That’s a rare quality in an era where backs are often pigeonholed into roles. His usage in passing downs and goal-line sets cements his status as a low-risk, high-reward DFS option. When you’re targeting running backs late in drafts or low in pricing tiers, prioritize this kind of usage profile above all else.
Rookie Impact Players
Rookies usually start slow, but not always. First-rounders with an open runway to playing time, like Tetairoa McMillan, are the exception to the rule. He has the physical tools, collegiate production, and now the team investment to warrant immediate opportunity.
If you’re constructing tournament lineups early in the season, he’s an explosive swing with real ceiling outcomes. At his current cost, McMillan is a draft-day heist waiting to happen. When he breaks out, don’t be the one spending $40 of FAAB to get him. Be the one who already rostered him.
Veteran Stability With Hidden Upside
The DFS world often chases youth, but experience still matters, especially in volatile offenses. Adam Thielen provides the kind of reliable target share and route consistency that can act as a foundation for your lineup.
While others stack unproven rookies, you can roster Thielen at a discount and bank on a 6-catch, 70-yard game with TD upside. There’s nothing sexy about it, but championships are rarely built on sex appeal. They’re built on consistency, efficiency, and exploiting market inefficiencies. Thielen checks all those boxes in 2025.
Stacking Panthers for Leverage
Stacking Panthers players may seem counterintuitive at first, but that’s exactly what makes it a sharp GPP play. Pairing Bryce Young (or whichever QB wins the starting job) with Coker and McMillan creates a low-cost stack with explosive upside.
Toss in Hubbard for correlation and red zone coverage, and you’ve got a full Panthers core at a fraction of what a Bengals or Eagles stack would cost. This frees up salary for elite one-offs while keeping your build contrarian. If the Panthers offense hits early, you’ll be sprinting to the top of leaderboards.
Acting Before the Field Catches Up
DFS and redraft success often hinges on timing. Sleepers don’t stay sleepers forever. By Week 4, Coker’s ownership could triple. McMillan might cost twice as much in DFS pricing. Hubbard’s ADP will climb with each double-digit performance.
The window to buy low is narrow, and now’s the time to strike. Draft smart, build contrarian, and trust the data. The hidden value is there. You must grab it before everyone else wakes up.
