There are breakout players every year in fantasy football. Star players that lead teams to championships. The Lamar Jackson’s, Saquon Barkley’s, and Justin Jefferson’s of the world. Every team that makes the playoffs will have had at least one of these star players. The real difference in the playoffs is having the second-tier players with great schedules and high upside. These are some underrated fantasy league winners in each position.
Underrated Fantasy League Winners In Each Position
Quarterback
Bo Nix
There are plenty of good options at quarterback in fantasy this season. Lamar Jackson is having a historic fantasy season, averaging over 25 fantasy points per game. Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield all average over 20, and Jayden Daniels isn’t far behind. But recently, Bo Nix has stepped up his game.
Nix did not throw for a single touchdown in his first three weeks but has nine passing touchdowns in his last four games and only one turnover since Week 6. Nix has settled into Sean Payton’s offense and is leading the playoff push for the Denver Broncos. He also has the most manageable remaining schedule for any reasonable fantasy starting quarterback.
Rookies tend to improve as the season progresses, and Nix has done so. Playing the Chargers during the fantasy semi-finals isn’t ideal, but it’s a divisional game that could have playoff implications, which may show the best side of Nix. Aside from that game, he doesn’t face any top-half defense for the rest of the fantasy season. Nix isn’t the most popular pick, which still makes him undervalued in many leagues, but he’s a fantastic option down the stretch.
Running Back
James Conner
There are many fantasy league winners at the running back position, but one standout is James Conner. Conner has been rock solid this season. He’s stayed completely injury-free for the first time in his career and has rushed for over 100 yards in four separate games. He’s also a pass catcher out of the backfield and a touchdown scorer. In fantasy, he’s as good as it gets as an RB2. However, in the playoffs, he might be more than that.
The Arizona Cardinals face the Patriots, Panthers, and Rams during the fantasy playoffs. Conner rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown when he faced the Rams in Week 2. Meanwhile, the Patriots and Panthers are in the bottom 12 for fantasy points allowed to running backs, with the Panthers being dead last.
Now is the time to get in a last-minute trade for Conner. He has a difficult matchup against Minnesota in Week 13, but the rest of his schedule is a dream for his owners. Don’t be surprised if he finishes the season as a top-12 fantasy running back.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings
The San Francisco 49ers are in grave danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Christian McCaffrey only just returned from injury, the defense has been inconsistent, and they have a difficult rest-of-season schedule. Despite all of that, one man who has thrived is Jauan Jennings.
Jennings has thrived when Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk have been out this season. With Aiyuk out for the season, Jennings is slowly taking over the WR1 role in San Francisco. Jennings has had back-to-back games of 11 targets and over 90 yards in the past two weeks. He’s also been Brock Purdy’s first read on over 40% of his targets.
It is unclear if this is due to Samuel playing through illness and injuries, but Jennings has outplayed him since Aiyuk’s injury. The 49ers play against the Rams during the fantasy playoffs, whom Jennings destroyed in Week 3. Jennings had 175 yards and three touchdowns, totaling 46.5 fantasy points. He also plays against Detroit during championship week, and they give up the fourth most points to wide receivers.
Tight End
Cade Otton
Cade Otton has been a revelation this season. Since Mike Evans and Chris Godwin’s injuries in Week 7, he is the TE1 in points per game. Evans looks set to return in Week 12, but Godwin is done for the season. Evans’ return may hamper Otton a bit, but he’ll still be a consistent target for Baker Mayfield to have.
He has at least eight targets in the last four games and has scored three touchdowns. He has the easiest remaining schedule for tight ends. Before the playoffs, Otton plays against Carolina and Las Vegas, two teams who give up the most fantasy points to tight ends. During the playoffs, he faces Carolina again, a broken Dallas team, and the Chargers.
It has been a challenging year for tight ends, but Otton has been a bright spot in the second half of the season. He’s a clear fantasy league winner at the tight end position.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy – USA Today Sports
