14 NFL Rookie Sleepers to STASH in Dynasty Fantasy Football

by Seth Diewold · Dynasty Leagues
NFL Rookie Sleepers

PlayerProfiler is home to award winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out. Below, Seth Diewold identifies late-round rookies to stash in dynasty. 

Will Shipley

Will Shipley was drafted in round four, pick No. 27, by the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s probably cheating to start with Shipley because he is likely going to be drafted in the later rounds of Superflex rookie drafts, but there is immense upside in rostering Shipley. First of all, he is a pass catching running back. In his time at Clemson, Shipley caught over 30 passes in back-to-back seasons, and rushed for 1,182 yards in his sophomore season. Additionally, Shipley possesses good speed, running a 4.42 40-yard dash. 

He will need to develop in pass protection to become a more well-rounded running back, but overall there is a lot to like, especially from a fantasy perspective. Shipley slots in right behind Kenneth Gainwell on the Eagles depth chart. At this stage of his career, Shipley has more upside than Gainwell for an Eagles team that is too good not to score a ton of points in 2024. Drafting Shipley with a later round pick and stashing him on your roster is a smart play. 

Audric Estime

Fantasy gamers can certainly tell themselves a story about Audric Estime. Sure, the 40 yard dash time at the NFL Combine was less than ideal, which is probably why he slipped in the NFL Draft. Sean Payton decided to take a chance on the Notre Dame running back in Round 5 Pick No. 12. Estime enters a running back depth chart with Javonte Williams at the top followed by Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin. It isn’t impossible for Estime to find his way on the field in this backfield.

Additionally, we are talking about a prospect with pedigree. As mentioned earlier, Estime played at the University of Notre Dame where he produced as a sophomore, rushing for 920 yards and even caught nine passes out of the backfield for 135 yards and a touchdown. In his final season at Notre Dame, Estime rushed for 1,341 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes out of the backfield for 142 yards. Estime is a big back, measuring in at 5-11 and 221-pounds, who should be able to handle himself in pass protection. This could be another way Estime can find his way on the field.

Kimani Vidal 

We know that Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers want to run the football. Therefore, stashing Kimani Vidal on a taxi squad or in deep dynasty leagues makes all the sense in the world. In college, Vidal was very productive at Troy. Vidal put up back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons including a 1,661 yard rushing season in his final season that included 15 total touchdowns. 

Vidal also tested well. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and possesses above average Burst and Agility Scores according to PlayerProfiler. Right now, Gus Edwards figures to be the starting running back with J.K. Dobbins backing him up, but Dobbins is coming off of a major injury and Edwards has never been a true bell cow. There is a world where Vidal is productive in Year 1.

Malik Washington

The signing of Odell Beckham Jr. makes this less realistic, but there is no denying the talent of Malik Washington. Washington was a mega-producer in his only season with Virginia. In 2023, Washington caught 110 passes for 1,426 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Before Washington transferred from Northwestern, he put up back-to-back seasons of over 500 receiving yards. 

Additionally, Washington ran an impressive 4.47 40-yard Dash at the NFL Combine. On tape he looks the part of an NFL wide receiver. Virginia looked to get Washington involved early and often, especially in the screen game. With Miami, Washington has an outside chance at playing time in 2024. He will have to compete with Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, and Erik Ezukanma for WR4 reps, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Washington wins that job. 

Isaac Guerendo

Isaac Guerendo is a size/speed specimen. He stands 6-0 tall and weighs 221-pounds. Guerendo is from the University of Louisville and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in round 4 pick No. 29 in the 2024 NFL Draft. With the 49ers, Guerendo is going to have to get over the Elijah Mitchell hump in order to see the field, but Mitchell has dealt with injury issues in the past. It’s also not outside the realm of possibility that Guerendo wins the RB2 job outright.

The reason for this is Guerendo’s outrageous athletic profile. Guerendo ran a 4.33 40 yard dash at 221-pounds. His Burst Score ranks him in the 98th percentile amongst running backs according to PlayerProfiler, and his Agility Score ranks him in the 84th-percentile. The only question concerning Guerendo is his college production. Guerendo put up one productive season in college at Louisville, rushing for 810 yards and catching 22 passes for 234 yards while scoring 11 total touchdowns, but he didn’t do much at Wisconsin before he transferred. However, Guerendo is the kind of high upside player dynasty managers will want to stash.

Rasheen Ali

Rasheen Ali was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in Round 5, Pick No. 30 in the NFL Draft. He produced early at Marshall. During his true freshman season, Ali rushed for 1,401 yards and caught 45 passes for 334 yards, and scored a total of 24 touchdowns! That’s unreal production. Ali was absent during his sophomore season, but he came back with a vengeance during his final season with Marshall. In 2023, Ali rushed for 1,135 yards, caught 28 passes for 213 yards, and scored 16 total touchdowns.

The Baltimore Ravens backfield is crowded – not good news for Ali. He will have to go through Keaton Mitchell (once he has recovered from injury) and Justice Hill, an established veteran, in order to earn playing time behind lead running back Derrick Henry. However, the Ravens love to run the ball more than any other team, and injuries happen every year in the NFL. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that Ali sees time in Year 1. 

Tyrone Tracy

Tyrone Tracy is a converted wide receiver turned running back who was drafted by the New York Giants in Round 5, Pick 31 in the NFL Draft. Tracy started his career at Iowa where he was primarily used as a wide receiver before he transferred to Purdue. In his final season at Purdue, he really started to shine. In 2023, Tracy rushed for 716 yards, caught 19 passes for 132 yards, and scored eight total touchdowns. However, what’s most impressive about Tracy is his skill set as a pass catcher out of the backfield. His experience as a receiver is going to be useful to the New York Giants and to fantasy gamers alike. 

Out of all the running backs taken on Day 3, Tracy might have the clearest path to playing time. Currently, outside of the lead running back Devin Singletary, the Giants have Eric Gray, who was a Round 5 pick himself, Gary Brightwell, and Deon Jackson listed on their depth chart currently. It’s very possible Tracy wins the backup job in New York. Therefore, he needs to be on every Dynasty manager’s radar in Rounds 4 and 5 of rookie drafts. 

Dylan Laube

Dylan Laube was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in Round 6 with Pick No. 32 in that round. In college, Laube demonstrated the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield at the University of New Hampshire. During his final college season, Laube caught 68 passes out of the backfield for 699 yards and scored a total of 17 touchdowns, including a kick return touchdown. This receiving ability combined with his proficiency returning kicks – and the changes to the kickoff rules – may expedite Laube’s ascendance on the Raiders roster.

Laube will have to fight for touches in this offense. Established veterans Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah stand in his way of RB2 touches, with Zamir White listed at the top of the running back depth chart. But, it’s not crazy to think that Laube creates a role for himself, especially in pass catching situations. His role on special teams will help him find a roster spot, which is a plus when rostering Laube in Dynasty. 

Jordan Whittington

Jordan Whittington was drafted in Round 6, Pick No. 37 in that round by the Los Angeles Rams. To be perfectly honest, Jordan Whittington is just a plain old good football player. Will he make it in the NFL? Likely not, but he was able to produce while surrounded by some monsters – Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, etc. And sure, Whittington was never ultra-productive in his time at the University of Texas, but he was able to put up back-to-back seasons of 652 receiving yards and 505 receiving yards, respectively. Nothing about Whittington is flashy, but he’s one of those players who can get the job done especially in the middle of the field. 

The Rams currently have Cooper Kupp (who is on the other side of 30 and has dealt with injuries), Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson at the top of their receiving depth chart. Whittington is going to have to compete with the likes of Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek for playing time, and while it isn’t likely, it also isn’t crazy to think that Whittington gets some opportunity in the offense.

Ryan Flournoy

Ryan Flournoy was drafted in Round 6 with Pick No. 40 in that round by the Dallas Cowboys. Flournoy played college football at Southeast Missouri State. In 2022, he caught 61 passes for 984 yards and scored eight touchdowns (one rushing). In 2023, his production was very similar as Flournoy caught 57 passes for 839 yards and scored seven touchdowns (one rushing). Athletically, Flournoy is a monster. He stands at 6-1, weighs 202-pounds, and ran a 4.44 40-yard dash. His Burst Score places him in the 93rd-percentile amongst qualified receivers.

Needless to say, Flournoy possesses the athleticism to succeed at the NFL level, but will he get the opportunity? There is a pathway to playing time in Dallas. Currently, the Cowboys have Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert ahead of Flournoy on the roster. Tolbert figures to get the first opportunities to play the WR3 role, but Tolbert hasn’t done anything yet in the NFL since he was drafted in Round 3 in the 2022 NFL Draft. There is an outside chance Flournoy could win the WR3 job if Tolbert doesn’t deliver. 

Joe Milton III

This is a Superflex league-only kind of stash, but there is a ton of upside with Joe Milton. Joe Milton III is 6-5, weighs 235-pounds, and has a rocket for an arm. Milton has his best season in his final year with the University of Tennessee when he threw for 2,813 yards and completed 64.7-percent of his passes while throwing 20 touchdowns to just five interceptions. However, there is no question that Milton is a huge project. Milton is the perfect player to throw on a taxi squad. Drake Maye is no sure thing, and we all know crazier things have happened in the NFL. Why not bet on someone with elite upside? 

Jaheim Bell

This is a tight end premium-only stash. Jaheim Bell was selected in Round 7 with pick No. 11 in that round by the New England Patriots. In his time at Florida State, Bell proved to be an effective pass catcher. In his final season at Florida State, Bell hauled in 39 passes for 503 yards and caught two touchdowns and rushed for another. While he isn’t a true in-line tight end, Bell can be used effectively as a pass catching tight end in a newly revamped New England offense. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper will stand in his way of playing time, but Bell is athletic, he ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at 241-pounds and possesses an above average Burst Score (79th percentile), and could find a role on this team. 

Brenden Rice

Why the hell not? That’s my question. Fans of Brenden Rice were likely disappointed as the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice slipped all the way to Round 7 of the NFL Draft where the Chargers selected him with pick No. 5 in that round. First of all, Rice has the size. He is 6-2, 208–pounds and he is more than fast enough (4.50 40-yard dash). Rice was also fairly productive in college with Caleb Williams, hauling in 45 passes for 791 yards and 12 total touchdowns. 

The Chargers have re-tooled their wide receiver room. As a result, Rice will have to compete with the likes of Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, D.J. Chark, and Ladd McConkey for targets in the offense, but it’s not crazy to think that Rice could earn some playing time. This was one of the better late round situations where Rice could have landed.   

Blake Watson

The University of Memphis does it again with Blake Watson. In 2023 at Memphis, Watson rushed for 1,152 yards, caught 53 passes for 480 receiving yards, and scored a total of 17 touchdowns. Watson profiles as a pass catching running back with speed. This is exactly the kind of long shot Dynasty managers need to be storing on their taxi squads.

Watson finds himself in Denver with Sean Payton as an undrafted free agent. At the top of the depth chart resides Javonte Williams, then Samaje Perine, Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, and even Tyler Badie stand in the way of Watson seeing the field. However, Payton hasn’t been shy about booting players out of town (see Exhibit Russell Wilson), so there is an outside chance a player like Watson catches the old ball coaches eye during training camp. You can thank me later when that happens.  

See Seth’s potential busts in the 2024 Draft class here: Bust Candidates | Six Overrated Rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft