Draft season is upon us. As are the smoke screens from our league mates and the reminders that you do not win your fantasy league in the draft. You might not win your league, but it certainly helps to start things off by finding fantasy football value picks in the mid to late rounds.<\/p>\n
Here is a list of players that can be found after starting lineups in twelve man league have theoretically filled out.<\/p>\n
(All ADP information can be found at FantasyPros<\/a>)<\/p>\n Ben Roethlisberger<\/a> <\/b><\/p>\n ADP: <\/span>Quarterback 13<\/span>, pick 94<\/p>\n Yes, the home\/road splits have been an issue. And yes, durability is a question mark going into the season. However, it’s hard to see the bad outweighing the good here. First, Roethlisberger gets to throw to Le’Veon Bell,\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>one of the premier pass catching backs in league. Then you add the incredibly gifted\u00a0Antonio Brown<\/a><\/strong> and the\u00a0reinstated<\/a>\u00a0Martavis Bryant<\/a><\/strong> into the mix, and the possibilities look promising. Or as Mitchell Renz<\/a> noted, Roethlisberger has averaged 336 yards and 2.2 touchdowns in games that Bryant has played. It also does not hurt that Warren Sharp<\/a>\u00a0has the team pegged as having the fifth easiest passing efficiency schedule.<\/p>\n Philip Rivers<\/b><\/a> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ADP: <\/span>Quarterback 15<\/span>, pick 115<\/p>\n This is hardly a selling point, but the first thing that stands out about Rivers this season is his tough early <\/span>schedule<\/span><\/a>. In the first eight weeks, he will have to face the following secondary ranks (according to <\/span>Pro Football Focus<\/span><\/a>): fourth ranked twice Denver Broncos<\/strong><\/a>, tenth ranked Kansas City Chiefs<\/strong><\/a>, first ranked New York Giants<\/strong><\/a>, and second ranked New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a>. There’s likely a lot of angry, yelling Rivers faces in our near future. The good news is that Rivers has good receiving options this year. Keenan Allen<\/a><\/strong> is healthy and\u00a0Tyrell Williams<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is an\u00a0<\/strong>impressive athlete<\/a>.\u00a0Antonio Gates<\/a> <\/strong>is still around, and Hunter Henry<\/a><\/strong> adds another problem for defenses. Additionally the Chargers have Melvin Gordon<\/a> <\/strong>as a threat coming out of the backfield.\u00a0Even if\u00a0Mike Williams<\/a><\/strong> doesn’t play at all this year, we are still talking about a quarterback that finished in the top ten<\/a>\u00a0last year despite not having Allen around. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Eli Manning<\/a><\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ADP: <\/span>Quarterback 16<\/span>, pick 136<\/p>\n This is fantasy football and not the prom. Sometimes you can win by bringing the mouth breather to the party. \u00a0And besides, Eli only looks like <\/span>that<\/span><\/a> when he\u2019s thinking; he needs to keep his mouth open to let all the good ideas in. The good news is that he should have more open options to throw to this season. After <\/span>signing<\/span><\/a> Brandon Marshall<\/a><\/b>, the Giants decided to draft <\/span>Evan Engram<\/b><\/a>. While <\/span>historic trends<\/span><\/a> suggest that Engram won\u2019t be a huge factor, Manning still has <\/span>Odell Beckham<\/a> Jr.<\/b>, <\/span>Sterling Shepard<\/a><\/b>, and the aforementioned Marshall. In short, Manning has finished in the top ten in two of the last three years, and has the supporting cast to make that a reality again. Not bad for the sixteenth quarterback off the board. <\/span><\/p>\n Andy Dalton<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n ADP: <\/span>Quarterback 19<\/span>, pick 145<\/p>\n Dalton\u2019s picture at <\/span>PlayerProfiler.com<\/span><\/a> looks like an older <\/span>Proto-Joker<\/span><\/a>. This has nothing to do with him as a fantasy asset, but there you have it. Currently, Dalton is a value pick. He finished as the <\/span>fifth<\/span><\/a> best quarterback in 2013, and has finished in the top 12 three times in the last five years. One of the reasons people may be waiting to take him is the low amount of touchdowns (18) and his low touchdown rate (3.2%). When you compare that to his career rate (4.6%), it suggests that Dalton is a prime candidate to improve. Add that improvement with a healthy <\/span>A.J. Green<\/a><\/b>, <\/span>Tyler Eifert<\/a><\/b>, and the recently drafted <\/span>John Ross<\/b><\/a> and there is more reason to like Dalton in 2017. <\/span><\/p>\n Carson Palmer<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n ADP: <\/span>Quarterback 20<\/span>, pick 156<\/p>\n Carson Palmer is the Saturn vehicle of quarterbacks; some people like him for nostalgic reasons, but they are hesitant to believe he still runs. Despite the hesitation, Palmer still has a big arm and he\u2019s getting <\/span>John Brown<\/a> <\/b>back\u00a0this season (assuming Brown can stay healthy). The last time Palmer had the whole gang–<\/span>Larry Fitzgerald<\/a>, David Johnson<\/a>, <\/b>and Brown–together for a full season was in 2015. Palmer also finished in the top five at the position, which is, you know, good. Palmer should not be your first option, but his early <\/span>schedule<\/span><\/a> does present an opportunity to support quarterbacks who have rough early matchups (e.g. Rivers<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n Jonathan Stewart<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP:\u00a0Running back 38, pick 98<\/p>\n There is no doubt about it;\u00a0Christian McCaffrey<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has looked pretty impressive so far this preseason. And while his draft pedigree suggests the Panthers intend to use him, that doesn’t mean Stewart is subsequently worthless. In fact, to suggest he is would mean that you would have to ignore all the coach speak this off-season. And it’s not like coaches have ever lied to us–he says while crying into his keyboard. On the other hand, the Panthers website even states that Stewart will continue to see the bulk of the carries<\/a>. While he lacks running back one upside, he certainly could fall in the running back two or three range if he maintains his role. If Stewart does see the bulk of the carries, and if the Panthers are serious about cutting back on Cam Newton’s<\/strong> rushing, Stewart will turn out to be quite the value pick.<\/p>\n Darren McFadden<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP: Running back 39, 117<\/p>\n Unless you have been living under a rock you have heard the news about\u00a0Ezekiel Elliot<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and his suspension<\/a>. You have also likely heard that the Cowboys line is pretty good (number nine<\/a> according to PFF). While McFadden, who is the primary backup, is currently a value at this current moment (his ADP is rising), his status as a value pick is more tenuous than the others. The main reason for his value’s instability is the state of Elliot’s appeal. Elliot could win, get his suspension reduced, or lose outright. And if Elliot doesn’t like the ruling, he could end up going to court. In short, McFadden could go from starting six games to no games and anything in between.<\/p>\n Duke Johnson<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP: Running back 47, 131<\/p>\n One year ago drafters were taking Duke Johnson in the seventh round. While you shouldn’t be drafting him in the seventh (Isaiah Crowell<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0should start), Johnson still carries value, especially in PPR leagues. He has averaged 57 receptions in his first two years in the league, and that total could likely grow this year with all the positive coach speak<\/a> and the opportunity to run routes from the slot. You should not be banking on huge touchdown totals with Johnson (three touchdowns in two years), but he can still score points by spelling Crowell (with an upgraded offensive line) and through the air.<\/p>\n Jamaal Williams<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n ADP: Running back 49, 142<\/p>\n Handcuffing strategies don’t pave the path to fantasy glory; however, Williams isn’t your typical handcuff. Currently,\u00a0Ty Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> is the Green Bay Packers<\/strong><\/a> starter; however, he has dealt with leg issues recently, which has led to less practice with pass protection. Pass protection was the key reason Montgomery lost snaps last year, and Williams has impressed<\/a> already in this area. If Williams does manage to earn more snaps as the season goes along, he projects to be an early down thumper, who could theoretically do well near the goal line. Just don’t expect him to be a big factor in the passing game; in other words, if he does become the starter, temper your expectations.<\/p>\n Rex Burkhead<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP: Running back56, 175<\/p>\n No one, outside of the New England Patriot coaches, knows how things will play out with the team’s backfield; however, it’s hard to argue about the cost of the Burkhead lottery ticket. If you look at SPARQ-x scores, he has a\u00a0better<\/a> athletic profile than\u00a0Mike Gillislee<\/a><\/strong>, and Burkhead can also help in the passing game. While there are plenty of reasons to like Gillislee, the Patriots have the ability to use their depth to fit any game plan.<\/p>\n C.J. Prosise<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0definitely has enough talent to be a great value pick, but he hasn’t proven he can stay healthy. Thomas Rawls<\/a><\/strong> is in the same boat as Prosise.\u00a0James White<\/a><\/strong> is a value pick in PPR leagues. I hate to put this evil out there in the world, but Jeremy Hill<\/a><\/strong> has been an effective goal line back in his career.\u00a0Jacquizz Rodgers<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0will get three starts this year, facing the Miami Dolphins<\/strong><\/a>, Chicago Bears<\/strong><\/a>, and Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Pierre Garcon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP: Wide receiver 38, 96<\/p>\n The last time Kyle Shanahan<\/strong> and Pierre Garcon connected, Garcon put up 113 receptions and 1,346 yards. That’s what the kids call good. Garcon likely won’t repeat those numbers, but they do represent his familiarity with the offense. The other quiver in Garcon’s bow is the fact that the San Francisco 49ers<\/strong><\/a> lack depth at the wide receiver position. Combine those two together and you have a player with past success in the offense with limited competition. It also doesn’t hurt that the team should be playing from behind in a number of games.<\/p>\n Jeremy Maclin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP:\u00a0Wide receiver 40, 98<\/p>\n Maclin was written about extensively here<\/a> already. The only thing that gives pause right now is Joe Flacco’s<\/strong> health. If Flacco plays a full season, Maclin will outplay his ADP.<\/p>\n Cameron Meredith<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP:\u00a0Wide receiver 41, 102<\/p>\n When\u00a0Kevin White<\/a><\/strong> was drafted, everyone was focused on his athletic profile<\/a>. And for good reason; the guy is an athletic freak. Meredith is a decent<\/a> athlete himself, but the difference is that Meredith has put together a decent season. White, on the other hand, is still trying to live up to his draft status. It’s conceivable that the Chicago Bears could try to force feed White the ball in an attempt to justify the pick, so Meredith isn’t without risk. He will also have Mike Glennon<\/a><\/strong> throwing him the ball, which is a step down from\u00a0Brian Hoyer<\/a><\/strong>. On the plus side, Meredith averaged 93 receiving yards in the last four weeks and he no longer has to compete with\u00a0Alshon Jeffery<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Adam Thielen<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP:\u00a0Wide receiver 49, 134<\/p>\n If you had Thielen in your week sixteen roster last season, congratulations. Not only did the guy tear things up during championship week, he was able to put up nearly 70 receptions and 1,000 yards in only ten games. Yes, you read that right. Only ten games. Diggs is the number one for the Minnesota Vikings, but Thielen had the fifth best<\/a> catch rate and the seventh best contested catch rate last year. Thielen’s efficiency as a wide receiver is the reason he is one of my favorite value picks this year.<\/p>\n Ted Ginn<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP:\u00a0Wide receiver 53, 148<\/p>\n This isn’t exactly breaking news but the New Orleans Saints<\/strong><\/a> offense is good. With\u00a0Drew Brees<\/a><\/strong> at the helm, drafters have always had to be aware of his passing options. It’s also well known that\u00a0Brandin Cooks<\/a><\/strong> is no longer<\/a> a Saint. With Cooks gone, Sean Payton<\/a><\/strong> talked about using Ginn in the flanker role, where he will be asked to take the top off of the defense. The other thing to take note of here is that Ginn is currently listed as a starter over Willie Snead<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in an unofficial depth chart. While the depth chart is unofficial, it still points to a chance that Ginn could see more snaps than Snead this season.<\/p>\n John Brown<\/strong><\/a> is a risky pick but if health is on his side, he’ll be one of the biggest value picks by the end of the year. After the\u00a0Sammy Watkins<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0trade and\u00a0the\u00a0Anquan Boldin<\/a> <\/strong>retirement,\u00a0Zay Jones<\/strong><\/a> has walked into a role where he could be seeing a decent amount of targets.\u00a0Randall Cobb<\/a><\/strong> represents decent value due to\u00a0Davante<\/strong>\u00a0Adams<\/strong><\/a> having a touchdown rate that is hard to duplicate.<\/p>\n Coby Fleener<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP: Tight end 16, 160<\/p>\n It’s pretty safe to say that Fleener didn’t live up the hype last year. If you’re looking for reasons to believe, the argument is pretty much the same as last season. Brees has supported tight end production before, and the Saints, who had the second most pass plays last year, find themselves in the the red zone quite often. The upside here is that Fleener has spent a year in the offense, so in theory, he should understand the offense better. The downside is that he could fall to the fourth or the fifth passing option on the offense.<\/p>\n Austin Hooper<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ADP:\u00a0Tight end 17, 167<\/p>\n Hooper is only in his second year, and this position usually takes more time for a breakout. However, if you’re a believer in his talent, there are reasons to hope for a breakout. First, Jacob Tamme<\/a><\/strong> is no longer with the Atlanta Falcons,<\/strong><\/a> which will likely lead to more targets for Hooper. Second, Hooper averaged about ten yards per target, which was fifth<\/a> best in the league last year. Third, Atlanta has one of the better offenses in the league. Regression will hit their offense in some way, but they have too many weapons to fall flat. If you waited tight end, Hooper is definitely worth the dart throw.<\/p>\nFantasy Football Value Picks in the Mid to Late Rounds<\/h2>\n
Quarterbacks<\/span><\/h3>\n
Running Backs<\/span><\/h3>\n
Other<\/h4>\n
Wide Receivers<\/span><\/h3>\n
Other<\/h4>\n
Tight Ends<\/span><\/h3>\n