Players Who Will Outperform Their Average Draft Position

Fantasy football drafts are won and lost in the later rounds.  Last season the likes of Devonta Freeman and Blake Bortles were selected late for fantasy teams and helped many teams win championships.  Below are five players that will outperform their average draft position (ADP) and help your team ascend to fantasy glory.

Five Players Who Will Outperform their Average Draft Position

Spencer Ware – running back – Kansas City Chiefs

Spencer Ware is a very intriguing option out of Kansas City. For years, Jamal Charles has been the back to own for the Chiefs, but recent reports coming out of the Chiefs’ camp clearly state Charles’ week one status is up in the air. If you recall, Charles is coming off of his second torn ACL and figures to not be fully recovered come the start of the regular season.

Enter Spencer Ware, a powerful 24-year-old running back that used to play fullback for the Seattle Seahawks. Andy Reid loves to pound the rock, and whether he’s giving the ball to Jamal Charles, Spencer Ware, or Duce Staley (what a blast from the past) every back in an Andy Reid offense typically thrives. In limited action last season, we saw Ware look impressive averaging 5.6 yards per carry in just 72 attempts.

In many drafts this summer, Ware has gone undrafted and when taken he has been selected as a handcuff late to Charles. However, in the tenth and 11^th rounds would be time to take the former LSU product who will get a high volume of work come Week one. With Charles on the wrong side of 30, a good offensive line in front of Ware, and a golden opportunity, Ware could easily find himself in the RB1 category if all goes well. What do you have to lose? Pull the trigger!

Michael Thomas – wide receiver – New Orleans Saints

There has been nothing but rave reviews coming out of New Orleans all preseason regarding rookie receiver Michael Thomas out of Ohio State. Standing at 6’3”, Thomas has the height to go up and get the ball and we have seen this numerous times as he has reeled in passes one handed. DeAndre Hopkins compared Thomas to himself and coming off of a year where he made defensive backs look mediocre it is time to buy the hype. If you still aren’t convinced, let Sean Payton change your mind.

The New Orleans coach doesn’t play fantasy football, but he said, “Listen, I think he’s going to contribute early. And I don’t follow fantasy football, but, shoot, I’d try to have him. I think he’s going to do well.” We also know from the past that the Saints love to throw the ball, especially down field. Currently, Thomas is going in Rounds 10-13, I would take him as early as the eighth round when guys like Michael Crabtree and DeSean Jackson are coming off of the board.

Dak Prescott – quarterback – Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott is coming off of one of the best preseasons we have seen to date, and it won’t go down in vein. Prescott not only was and is a Cowboys fan; he now gets to play quarterback for America’s team to open up the regular season. With starter Tony Romo nursing a back injury we will get to see more of Prescott’s impressive athleticism and talent.

Throughout the preseason thus far, Prescott has completed 39 out of 50 passes and has racked up 458 yards through the air with five passing touchdowns. Tack on two rushing touchdowns and no interceptions, and there is plenty to be excited about in Dallas. Prescott has been taken late in drafts this summer. Typically you see the rookie quarterback going in the 13^th and 14^th rounds. However, given the talent and opportunity around him, I’m prepared to reach for Prescott in rounds ten and 11.

Chris Hogan – WR – New England Patriots

Chris Hogan has virtually been a nobody in his NFL career thus far with the Buffalo Bills. However, he enters a situation this year that can bring him to fantasy relevance. Hogan crossed the division and joined the Patriots on a three-year deal that is worth $12 million. You better believe the Patriots will get every last cent out of Hogan as well.

So far this preseason, Hogan has to lead the Patriots in receiving and he will share the number two receiving duties with Danny Amendola behind Julian Edelman. The good news for Hogan is Amendola and Edelman both have a tough time staying on the field for all 16 games. This will open up a golden opportunity for Hogan who is barely being taken in fantasy drafts. I would use a 14^th to 15^th round pick on Hogan, who could be a really nice spot starter for fantasy teams.

Eli Rogers – WR – Pittsburgh Steelers

Eli Rogers is a name a lot of people around football do not know about. However, in fantasy football circles his name will soon be climbing the charts. Recently Rogers was named the starter at the slot position for the Steelers heading into the regular season. This news was shocking to a lot of people, as Sammie Coates was the favorite all preseason to take the Steelers third wide receiver duties. Rogers has shown flashes all preseason and camp as being natural to the slot position. He is a quick and versatile player who can make defenders miss in the open field, and that is exactly why he beat out #84 for the starting punt returner duties for the Steelers.

Rogers won’t set the fantasy world on fire this season if Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton stay healthy, but he will get some work over the middle for Pittsburgh, and his ability to take punts to the house will also enhance his value. Currently, Rogers, on average, is the 84^th receiver taken in standard fantasy league drafts, which also translates to; he’s not being drafted like Hogan a lot of the time. Given his upside, in a pass-happy attack, I would definitely use a 15^th to 16^th round pick on him.