by Kacey Kasem
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This week feels like one of those never-ending fourth quarters — you keep checking the clock, but somehow the minutes refuse to drain. My calendar insists it’s only Thursday; my brain swears this is the longest Monday of my life.
That feeling hits every spring when we try to spot rookie gems beyond Round 1. The draft hype fades, there’s no actual football, and we’re left sorting Day 2 and Day 3 flyers, trying to figure out who will instantly make an impact. It feels like it takes FOREVER to get into the actual season.
Let’s speed things up. I’ve zeroed in on four late-round rookies —Woody Marks, Oronde Gadsden II, Jaydon Blue and Will Howard — who can crack fantasy lineups sooner than most expect. These are players worth taking a flyer on in redraft leagues, but they might not hold high value in dynasty leagues. So even though this week is long, try to sit back, relax, and get ahead of your leaguemates before the week (and the season) begins moving again.
Want more? Here is my Landing Spot Analysis: Top 10 WR Situations for Fantasy for when you’re finished up here. Thanks!
Check out Richard Sickels’ Complete Guide to Fantasy Football Terms
Rookie Sleepers: Late-Round Picks with Early Fantasy Impact
Oronde Gadsden II — TE (Los Angeles Chargers)
If you’re looking for a rookie sleeper tight end, might I interest you in Oronde Gadsden II, drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft? The Chargers needed to take a chance on a tight end in the draft, as they have aging vets in Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin on their roster.
Last season, Dissly had 50 receptions for 481 yards and two scores. He finished the season as TE23 (points per reception (PPR) leagues), posting 7.3 points per game. The tight end had five double-digit scores in 2024 and six games under five points.
Conklin posted 51 receptions for 449 yards and four touchdowns. He finished the season as TE18 (PPR leagues), gaining 7.6 points per game. Three of the TE’s contests went for double-digit totals, while he failed to hit five points in seven games.
You can get the occasional spike week from these tight ends, as displayed by Conklin’s 21.7 points in Week 17. More often than not, you’re crossing your fingers and hoping for a rare touchdown.
SIS Preseason All-ACC Tight End: Oronde Gadsden II (@Orondegii)
The Syracuse (@CuseFootball) TE was 2nd in the ACC in Receiving Total Points last season and almost double the next highest TE 🤯
Whether you think of him as a WR or TE, he is still dominant.#GoOrange pic.twitter.com/3H6biFaWdi
— SIS Football (@football_sis) June 22, 2023
Now with Gadsden on the team, the Chargers have a hybrid athlete who can be a red zone weapon for Justin Herbert. He’s 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, and was a wide receiver before changing to tight end. Drafting the Syracuse product means the team is focused on its young talent, adding him to the mixture of Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris and Omarion Hampton.
Gadsden’s final season at Syracuse witnessed the 21-year-old bounce back from the Lisfranc injury suffered in 2023. In his final year of college, the late-round TE scored seven touchdowns through the air and snagged 73 receptions for 934 yards.
Although Gadsden’s blocking abilities are not up to par with Dissly’s and Conklin’s, he is the tight end prototype they’ve been looking for. If you’re going to take a risk on a rookie in redraft leagues, you might as well do it at the tight end position where most of it’s a crap shoot.
Jaydon Blue — RB (Dallas Cowboys)
The Dallas Cowboys selected Jaydon Blue in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, getting a speedy back with big-play capabilities. The Cowboys now have Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in their running back room, but there are questions about how much either player has left in the tank. They also drafted Phil Mafah in the seventh round, and he should play a small role in the offense this season.
Blue might not have upside to start the season, as Williams or Sanders will slot into the RB1 role. Jon Machota of The Athletic states that he believes Williams is the guy to start the season, but that by the end of the season, Blue will be the No. 1.
The 21-year-old is an optimistic flyer who can immediately earn a role in this offense. In his last college season, Blue demonstrated pass-catching prowess, pulling in 42 receptions for 268 yards and six TDs.
JAYDON BLUE IS A DALLAS COWBOY!!! pic.twitter.com/r4bQQpKSzL
— OnTexasFootball (@ontexasfootball) April 26, 2025
Additionally, he did work on the ground, running for 730 yards on 134 carries, posting eight touchdowns. A knock on Blue is that he shared touches with Quintrevion Wisner at Texas, so he’s not been that workhorse RB. Still, he managed to post adequate numbers despite sharing time.
New head coach Brian Schottenheimer keeps preaching balance after years of backfield changes in Dallas. A dual‑threat weapon that can bust off big plays fits that blueprint perfectly. Blue’s 4.38 40-yard dash adds to the excitement that comes with a rookie runner. He can take it to the house multiple times once he gets the chance.
Don’t think you’re getting an RB1 right off the bat, as it will take time for Blue to ease into the NFL. Still, he should be a feasible bye week replacement when that time comes. The opportunities should open up, like an aging veteran getting hurt or gassed. Once this happens, Pick 149 will be a game changer in the fantasy playoffs.
Will Howard — QB (Pittsburgh Steelers)
If you’re looking for a dart throw at QB, maybe your QB3 in a Superflex league, Will Howard is an intriguing option. Look, the Pittsburgh quarterback situation is still murky. Howard, Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson make up the QB room. I know, it’s not the greatest. Aaron Rodgers is currently NOT a Steeler, so that’s a positive for Howard.
The Steelers took a shot on Howard in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. It’s not the most significant draft capital for a quarterback, but Howard does have a skill set that the Steelers like. Although the Ohio State alum has issues making decisions while pressured and accuracy concerns (10 interceptions in three different seasons), there is plenty to be excited about.
Howard has the athleticism needed to progress in the NFL. Despite the accuracy issues, the 23-year-old does have a strong arm. In his final season of college ball, transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State, the quarterback completed 309 of 423 attempts for 4,010 yards and 35 TDs.
Will Howard delivers another perfect red zone pass, this time hitting Emeka Egbuka for the TD 🔥
The Buckeyes extend their lead to 21-15 with 3:53 remaining in the first half.
🎥 @CFBONFOXpic.twitter.com/mZX8M4zFgc
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 13, 2024
He is a dual-threat QB, meaning he can make plays with his legs and arms. In that same final season, Howard carried the pigskin 105 times for 226 yards and seven scores on the ground. In his last two collegiate seasons, the QB posted at least seven rushing touchdowns.
Howard will need to prove he can make it in the NFL, and that time to shine should come at some point this season. As long as Pittsburgh doesn’t get them a veteran quarterback like Rodgers, Howard should be worth a late-round pick.
I wouldn’t suggest grabbing him as your QB1 or even your QB2, but if you want high upside and someone who can slot in for bye week blunders and injury issues, Howard is your guy.
Woody Marks — RB (Houston Texans)
Houston jumped into the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, trading a 2026 third-rounder to the Miami Dolphins. With their selection, the Texans took running back Woody Marks out of USC.
The 24-year-old back tallied solid numbers in college and was a dependable pass catcher. In his 2024 season, Marks carried the ball 198 times for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns. Additionally, he registered 47 receptions for 321 yards.
Houston already has an RB1 in Joe Mixon, but 2025 is his age-29 season. Mixon put up back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards (in 2023 and 2024). The veteran has hit that mark in five seasons of his eight-year NFL career.
Just *look* at the flexibility and angle freedom on these cuts from Woody Marks!
Already one of the best pass-catching backs in the class, and he’s got great skills as an open-field runner, too.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) September 21, 2024
On top of all the mileage Mixon has added through the years, he’s also dealt with injuries. He was absent from three games last season due to a right ankle injury. Over time, he has dealt with foot and ankle injuries, but usually misses a handful of games when this happens. In 2020, he was out 10 games due to a right ankle injury, ending his season on injured reserve. Marks would get a bump if Mixon were ever to miss time.
Another situation that could move Marks up even more is the uncertainty of the RB2 position with the Texans. Houston rosters Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale as running backs. Marks could quickly take over Ogunbowale’s role as the primary third-down back in this system, and looks to be an improvement there. New offensive coordinator Nick Caley will want to use Marks as an additional pass-catching weapon for C.J. Stroud.
Yes, Dameon Pierce is still in the offense and looks to be the RB2. But Marks will see opportunities as the season progresses, especially since they traded up to take him. It wouldn’t be surprising if he overtakes Ogunbowale, and if he can do that, there’s a chance he can overtake Pierce, too. The rookie back is a player worth taking a shot on, especially in PPR leagues.
Kacey Kasem is a contributing badass for Optimus Fantasy. For more from Kacey, follow her on X @TheKaceyKasem.
by Kacey Kasem
Share
This week feels like one of those never-ending fourth quarters — you keep checking the clock, but somehow the minutes refuse to drain. My calendar insists it’s only Thursday; my brain swears this is the longest Monday of my life.
That feeling hits every spring when we try to spot rookie gems beyond Round 1. The draft hype fades, there’s no actual football, and we’re left sorting Day 2 and Day 3 flyers, trying to figure out who will instantly make an impact. It feels like it takes FOREVER to get into the actual season.
Let’s speed things up. I’ve zeroed in on four late-round rookies —Woody Marks, Oronde Gadsden II, Jaydon Blue and Will Howard — who can crack fantasy lineups sooner than most expect. These are players worth taking a flyer on in redraft leagues, but they might not hold high value in dynasty leagues. So even though this week is long, try to sit back, relax, and get ahead of your leaguemates before the week (and the season) begins moving again.
Want more? Here is my Landing Spot Analysis: Top 10 WR Situations for Fantasy for when you’re finished up here. Thanks!
Check out Richard Sickels’ Complete Guide to Fantasy Football Terms
Rookie Sleepers: Late-Round Picks with Early Fantasy Impact
Oronde Gadsden II — TE (Los Angeles Chargers)
If you’re looking for a rookie sleeper tight end, might I interest you in Oronde Gadsden II, drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft? The Chargers needed to take a chance on a tight end in the draft, as they have aging vets in Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin on their roster.
Last season, Dissly had 50 receptions for 481 yards and two scores. He finished the season as TE23 (points per reception (PPR) leagues), posting 7.3 points per game. The tight end had five double-digit scores in 2024 and six games under five points.
Conklin posted 51 receptions for 449 yards and four touchdowns. He finished the season as TE18 (PPR leagues), gaining 7.6 points per game. Three of the TE’s contests went for double-digit totals, while he failed to hit five points in seven games.
You can get the occasional spike week from these tight ends, as displayed by Conklin’s 21.7 points in Week 17. More often than not, you’re crossing your fingers and hoping for a rare touchdown.
SIS Preseason All-ACC Tight End: Oronde Gadsden II (@Orondegii)
The Syracuse (@CuseFootball) TE was 2nd in the ACC in Receiving Total Points last season and almost double the next highest TE 🤯
Whether you think of him as a WR or TE, he is still dominant.#GoOrange pic.twitter.com/3H6biFaWdi
— SIS Football (@football_sis) June 22, 2023
Now with Gadsden on the team, the Chargers have a hybrid athlete who can be a red zone weapon for Justin Herbert. He’s 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, and was a wide receiver before changing to tight end. Drafting the Syracuse product means the team is focused on its young talent, adding him to the mixture of Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris and Omarion Hampton.
Gadsden’s final season at Syracuse witnessed the 21-year-old bounce back from the Lisfranc injury suffered in 2023. In his final year of college, the late-round TE scored seven touchdowns through the air and snagged 73 receptions for 934 yards.
Although Gadsden’s blocking abilities are not up to par with Dissly’s and Conklin’s, he is the tight end prototype they’ve been looking for. If you’re going to take a risk on a rookie in redraft leagues, you might as well do it at the tight end position where most of it’s a crap shoot.
Jaydon Blue — RB (Dallas Cowboys)
The Dallas Cowboys selected Jaydon Blue in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, getting a speedy back with big-play capabilities. The Cowboys now have Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in their running back room, but there are questions about how much either player has left in the tank. They also drafted Phil Mafah in the seventh round, and he should play a small role in the offense this season.
Blue might not have upside to start the season, as Williams or Sanders will slot into the RB1 role. Jon Machota of The Athletic states that he believes Williams is the guy to start the season, but that by the end of the season, Blue will be the No. 1.
The 21-year-old is an optimistic flyer who can immediately earn a role in this offense. In his last college season, Blue demonstrated pass-catching prowess, pulling in 42 receptions for 268 yards and six TDs.
JAYDON BLUE IS A DALLAS COWBOY!!! pic.twitter.com/r4bQQpKSzL
— OnTexasFootball (@ontexasfootball) April 26, 2025
Additionally, he did work on the ground, running for 730 yards on 134 carries, posting eight touchdowns. A knock on Blue is that he shared touches with Quintrevion Wisner at Texas, so he’s not been that workhorse RB. Still, he managed to post adequate numbers despite sharing time.
New head coach Brian Schottenheimer keeps preaching balance after years of backfield changes in Dallas. A dual‑threat weapon that can bust off big plays fits that blueprint perfectly. Blue’s 4.38 40-yard dash adds to the excitement that comes with a rookie runner. He can take it to the house multiple times once he gets the chance.
Don’t think you’re getting an RB1 right off the bat, as it will take time for Blue to ease into the NFL. Still, he should be a feasible bye week replacement when that time comes. The opportunities should open up, like an aging veteran getting hurt or gassed. Once this happens, Pick 149 will be a game changer in the fantasy playoffs.
Will Howard — QB (Pittsburgh Steelers)
If you’re looking for a dart throw at QB, maybe your QB3 in a Superflex league, Will Howard is an intriguing option. Look, the Pittsburgh quarterback situation is still murky. Howard, Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson make up the QB room. I know, it’s not the greatest. Aaron Rodgers is currently NOT a Steeler, so that’s a positive for Howard.
The Steelers took a shot on Howard in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. It’s not the most significant draft capital for a quarterback, but Howard does have a skill set that the Steelers like. Although the Ohio State alum has issues making decisions while pressured and accuracy concerns (10 interceptions in three different seasons), there is plenty to be excited about.
Howard has the athleticism needed to progress in the NFL. Despite the accuracy issues, the 23-year-old does have a strong arm. In his final season of college ball, transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State, the quarterback completed 309 of 423 attempts for 4,010 yards and 35 TDs.
Will Howard delivers another perfect red zone pass, this time hitting Emeka Egbuka for the TD 🔥
The Buckeyes extend their lead to 21-15 with 3:53 remaining in the first half.
🎥 @CFBONFOXpic.twitter.com/mZX8M4zFgc
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 13, 2024
He is a dual-threat QB, meaning he can make plays with his legs and arms. In that same final season, Howard carried the pigskin 105 times for 226 yards and seven scores on the ground. In his last two collegiate seasons, the QB posted at least seven rushing touchdowns.
Howard will need to prove he can make it in the NFL, and that time to shine should come at some point this season. As long as Pittsburgh doesn’t get them a veteran quarterback like Rodgers, Howard should be worth a late-round pick.
I wouldn’t suggest grabbing him as your QB1 or even your QB2, but if you want high upside and someone who can slot in for bye week blunders and injury issues, Howard is your guy.
Woody Marks — RB (Houston Texans)
Houston jumped into the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, trading a 2026 third-rounder to the Miami Dolphins. With their selection, the Texans took running back Woody Marks out of USC.
The 24-year-old back tallied solid numbers in college and was a dependable pass catcher. In his 2024 season, Marks carried the ball 198 times for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns. Additionally, he registered 47 receptions for 321 yards.
Houston already has an RB1 in Joe Mixon, but 2025 is his age-29 season. Mixon put up back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards (in 2023 and 2024). The veteran has hit that mark in five seasons of his eight-year NFL career.
Just *look* at the flexibility and angle freedom on these cuts from Woody Marks!
Already one of the best pass-catching backs in the class, and he’s got great skills as an open-field runner, too.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) September 21, 2024
On top of all the mileage Mixon has added through the years, he’s also dealt with injuries. He was absent from three games last season due to a right ankle injury. Over time, he has dealt with foot and ankle injuries, but usually misses a handful of games when this happens. In 2020, he was out 10 games due to a right ankle injury, ending his season on injured reserve. Marks would get a bump if Mixon were ever to miss time.
Another situation that could move Marks up even more is the uncertainty of the RB2 position with the Texans. Houston rosters Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale as running backs. Marks could quickly take over Ogunbowale’s role as the primary third-down back in this system, and looks to be an improvement there. New offensive coordinator Nick Caley will want to use Marks as an additional pass-catching weapon for C.J. Stroud.
Yes, Dameon Pierce is still in the offense and looks to be the RB2. But Marks will see opportunities as the season progresses, especially since they traded up to take him. It wouldn’t be surprising if he overtakes Ogunbowale, and if he can do that, there’s a chance he can overtake Pierce, too. The rookie back is a player worth taking a shot on, especially in PPR leagues.
Kacey Kasem is a contributing badass for Optimus Fantasy. For more from Kacey, follow her on X @TheKaceyKasem.
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