Maximizing your return on investment is the whole draft strategy behind taking high-upside players in the later rounds. No matter what kind of league you play in, it’s important to go into each draft with multiple sleeper targets at each position so you can make sure you end up with a few of your guys when it’s all said and done. Hitting a few of them can dramatically increase your title chances, but who should fantasy managers target? Our featured experts have hand-picked several athletes who boast league-winning potential. Read on below to see which sleeper contenders are worth watching out for in the final rounds!
Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Late-Round Steals
Which RB outside the top 55 in half-PPR RB ADP do you plan to target in all drafts as a late-round steal and why?
Kareem Hunt (RB – FA)
“Kareem Hunt is currently being drafted at RB57 and 168 overall. Hunt’s pass-catching ability offers value in all formats as it will help him get touches. He will sign somewhere soon and quickly vault into the top 50 RBs. Unfortunate injuries could open up an opportunity for him, as could he sign quickly after Dalvin Cook does. Hunt is not just a pass-catcher. At 5’11 and 216 lbs, he offers a three-down skill set and experience as a starter. Giants behind Barkley, Broncos if Javonte isn’t ready, or Dallas behind Tony Pollard. Miami if they don’t sign Cook. A lot of good options. Get Hunt before it’s too late.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
DeWayne McBride (RB – MIN)
“If another NFL Draft pick in the 7th round was going to be this year’s Isiah Pacheco, that guy is DeWayne McBride. With Dalvin Cook gone, the rookie finds himself in a backroom behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler (who had no touches until a pointless Week 17 game last season).McBride had a nose for the end zone at UAB (13 & 19 over his last two seasons), so he could at least fill that role as the number two running back for Vikings. Don’t forget how everyone just knew Clyde Edwards-Helaire was going to be the leader for the Chiefs last year. Remind me how that worked out for CEH and Pacheco!”
– Bart Wheeler (Greetings Fantasy Football)
Deuce Vaughn (RB – DAL)
“RB rookie Deuce Vaughn of the Dallas Cowboys is currently ranked RB69 in half-PPR RB ADP. He has a chance to make a fantasy impact if three key events happen this season. 1. Dallas does not resign Ezekiel Elliott or another veteran RB in the offseason. 2. He beats out Ronald Jones and Malik Davis for the RB2 role in the Dallas Cowboys offense, which should happen. 3. Starting RB Tony Pollard gets hurt. Pollard was injured last season so they can bring in Vaughn as a change of pace back. He’s a late-round steal if all 3 of those scenarios happen this season, which is possible.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy football empire)
Samaje Perineum (RB – DEN)
“Samaje Perine was great last year filling in and even a free back to Joe Mixon. Now in Denver, Perine wants a role! Javonte Williams appears to be on the right side of his recovery, but there’s no way he can step back as a bell cow back to start the year. Perine should see at least 15 touches early in the season and will remain involved in what should be a much improved Broncos Offense.”
– Ken Zalis (FantasyPros)
Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)
“Jerome Ford is the clear backup to Nick Chubb and a valuable late-round handcuff. The Browns running game has proven to be very effective regardless of who carries the ball, so I expect Ford with a Chubb injury to be a starter every week. That’s the kind of upside I look for late in the draft.”
– Ben Wasley (Fantasy First Down)
“Jerome Ford is a player I’ve been trying to get a lot of shares in my drafts lately. The Browns let go of Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson, who have produced as backups throughout their time in Cleveland. Ford could find himself taking over Hunt’s role in the offense and having standalone value in fantasy at times with his ability in the passing game and his 4.46 speed. If something happens to Nick Chubb, Ford showed in college the ability to handle a heavy workload in both rushing and receiving. Ford is an exciting late-round grab back.”
– Steven painted (The fantasy coaches)
Gus Edwards (RB – BAL)
“It’s not every day you get to draft a RB as good as Gus Edwards with a clear No. 2 role in his team’s offense. He has been super efficient ever since entering the NFL with a career 5.1 yards per carry. He owns the second-highest yards per game. carry since 2018 (5.1). Last season alone, Gus Bus posted the league’s 7th highest rushing yards per contact. experiment (3,5). He is a completely forgotten handcuff for JK Dobbins, who has been plagued by injuries over the last two seasons.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Which WR outside the top 60 in half-PPR WR ADP do you plan to target in all drafts as a late-round steal and why?
Isaiah Hodgins (WR – NYG)
“Isaiah Hodgins was Daniel Jones’ top target last season. Hodgins had 8 receptions, 85 yards and a touchdown in the Giants’ playoff win. He could end up being the top target outside of Waller this season, going for pick 195 in 1QB, later in Superflex formats. At 6’3″, Hodgins offers a red zone target that the other wide receivers do not. Put him on the bench; if that doesn’t work out, you can move on at a small cost. But sign him now so you don’t have to use FAAB after week 1 on him.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
Jonathan Mingo (WR – BIL)
“After trading DJ Moore and the pick to get the number one overall pick this offseason, the Panthers began working in free agency. But I don’t think an almost 33-year-old Adam Thielen and oft-injured DJ Chark will to keep Jonathan Mingo off the field for extended periods of time. The rookie out of Ole Miss is probably the best red zone target this team has, and the new coaching staff drafted him to pair with Bryce Young. If you’re looking for upside in the late rounds of your draft, he’s one of my favorite rookie wide receivers who could play significant snaps before October.”
– Bart Wheeler (Greetings Fantasy Football)
John Metchie III (WR – NY)
“Wide receiver John Metchie III is currently a WR outside the top 60 and ranked as the 80th WR. He spent his rookie season in Houston battling cancer and now he’s all but forgotten in the fantasy rankings. He’s a great talent and I will always root for someone who has beaten cancer (leukemia).There is not much competition in Houston for targets and if he can develop good chemistry with QB CJ Stroud I think John Metchie III could steal the draft.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy football empire)
Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
“Diontae Johnson’s ADP is criminally low. After a season with 147 targets and 86 catches, Johnson is almost ignored in drafts. The Steelers’ offense should improve, and Johnson won’t fail to score a TD in 2023. A 100-catch season isn’t out of the question. Yes, they are run first, but they were also last year. Year 2 QB Pickett showed some flashes and had eyes for Johnson. A perfect WR3.”
– Ken Zalis (FantasyPros)
DJ Chark (WR – CAR)
“DJ Chark is the clear WR1 in Carolina. With Adam Thielen looking almost washed out and Jonathan Mingo even struggling to earn the WR3 role, Chark is getting all the volume he can handle. While the offense will likely lean on its running backs at times, the Panthers will likely lose more often than not and have to air it out to chase games. Chark is the guy they will go to again and again. If you don’t trust me, trust the $5 million guaranteed contract for 2023.”
– Ben Wasley (Fantasy First Down)
Nico Collins (WR–HOU)
“Nico Collins owns an ADP right around the WR60 threshold. But that price is ridiculously cheap considering his main competitors for targets include Dalton Schultz, John Metchie, Robert Woods, Tank Dell and Noah Brown. Collins led the 2022 Texans in yardage share and target rate per. scheduled service (23%). He also finished 20th in projected yards per game. route running (1.94). With a quarterback upgrade coming in the form of CJ Stroud, you have to be all over the Texans’ No. 1 discounted wide-body receiver.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO)
“Rashid Shaheed is a player who could make some noise in 2023 and you have to be able to draft late. In four of the last six games of the season, Shaheed produced more than 50 yards and was WR 38 over that span. He will likely come in as the third receiver, but Shaheed could be heavily involved. The availability of Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara could see Shaheed see more goals. The upgrade to Derek Carr should help open up the passing offense that was missing last season. Shaheed could be a great last round pick to grab and see what happens.”
– Steven painted (The fantasy coaches)
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