What we learned about fantasy football sleepers in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game
The first preseason game is a wrap. Chet Gresham breaks down what we learned for fantasy football purposes.
The first game of the burgeoning 2025 season is in the books, as the Los Angeles Chargers thumped the Detroit Lions 34-7 in the Hall of Fame Game. A Harbaugh-led team in the preseason, be it Jim or John, enjoys winning meaningless games. But unless you bet on this one, you’re more interested in how individuals played, especially those possible fantasy football sleepers.
Omarion Hampton – LAC, running back
The rookie rusher didn’t have much opportunity to show his skills Thursday night, but he did get the start and two carries on the first drive, showing he is currently in the lead for the regular season starting job. That news isn’t surprising, as he is their first round pick and free agency acquisition Najee Harris still hasn’t been able to practice due to an eye injury suffered during a fireworks accident in the offseason.
Hampton is shooting up draft boards as Harris continues to miss time. If he can win the bulk of the work, he’ll be in a good situation to be a strong fantasy back in a run-oriented offense with a strong offensive line. And even if Harris does get back soon, Hampton still has a reasonable chance to hold onto that job. Go with the younger back in this situation until further notice.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith – LAC, wide receiver
Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris are two rookie receivers brought in to help shore up a wide receiver group that has weak depth. On Thursday, both players got starts as Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Jalen Reagor rested. Harris didn’t do much, but Lambert-Smith made an outstanding 24-yard reception to set himself apart for the night.
He has some sleeper appeal, as Reagor is the main receiver he needs to beat out to be poised for playing time at the X position. But in redraft, he’s still very much a wait to see option. If he can build off this game, he could start getting some real buzz as we close in on fantasy draft season.
Tyler Conklin, Will Dissly, Oronde Gadsden – LAC, tight ends
Dissly was the primary tight end last season, finishing 26th in PPR points per game for the position. The Chargers kept Dissly around, but did add veteran Conklin from the Jets and rookie Gadsden in the fifth round of the draft..
In this first preseason game, Conklin got the day off, while Dissly and Gadsden were the primary offensive tight ends to start. And per Pro Football Focus, Gadsden was in the game during their one non-goal line, 11-man personnel group. That shows that Gadsden might be ahead of Dissly or at least competing with him for snaps.
We know what Conklin can do. He’s reliable and as the primary tight end, he can have some fantasy appeal depending on matchup. But Gadsden has more potential to be a true weapon on offense. He’s the lottery pick at this point, especially if you’re in two-tight end leagues.
Lions offensive players
The Lions starters all sat and even some backups did not play. We also know that their starters, for the most part, are all reliable fantasy players. Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta are all strong draft picks this year. Unless the Lions get stung hard by the injury bug, there aren’t many players you can call sleepers on this team.
Overall, this is just the beginning of preseason and we still have plenty to learn over this next month. But, we can feel good about Hampton right now, while keeping a closer eye on on Gadsden and Lambert-Smith as we move forward