Many fantasy players switch off during the final rounds of their fantasy drafts, but if you want to maximise your chances of winning your league, there’s plenty of value to be found! Last year, Jerry Jeudy, Darnell Mooney, Chuba Hubbard and Bucky Irving were among the names you could find in the double digit rounds. So let’s discuss some high-upside targets for the late rounds of your drafts.Â
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Keon Coleman – ADP: Round 12, My Rank: WR41
The Bills offense has been screaming out for an alpha receiver ever since Stefon Diggs left. We thought Amari Cooper might be the guy last year, or maybe rookie Keon Coleman. But neither panned out. This year though, there’s literally no other options. Khalil Shakir signed a big contract, but he’s just a small slot guy. Joshua Palmer signed on, but it’s well established he’s just a deep threat. Elijah Moore or Curtis Samuel? Backup bit-part players. There’s only one man who can emerge as the alpha in this powerful Buffalo attack. It’s Coleman. And you can enter this valuable raffle in the double digit rounds! I will have a loooot of Coleman shares this year and if he hits, he will win me a lot of leagues.
Brenton Strange – ADP: Round 16, My Rank: TE12
The Jaguars have been very clear, Brenton Strange is their Evan Engram replacement. Last year, with Engram out for seven weeks, Strange was a top ten tight end on four occasions. Note that Engram did this just once in nine weeks, and even Travis Kelce was in the top ten just five times all season. So Strange has proven he can play. And his starting role is beyond doubt, with Jacksonville bringing in just blocker Johnny Mundt and depth option Hunter Long. Strange is a top twelve tight end for me, and someone you can pick up in the final rounds of your draft.
Cedric Tillman – ADP: Round 17, My Rank: WR49
The Browns have hit the rebuild button, and Cedric Tillman will clearly be a bit part of the new building. The former Day 2 pick broke out in Weeks 7-9 last season, with 32 targets, 255 yards and 3 touchdowns. He then had a bye week, one poor game and an injury and his season was over. But this looks like being one of the most focused offenses in the league, with Tillman, Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku the only viable receiving weapons and plenty of passing necessary to make up for a mediocre defense. Tillman will have some very big weeks, and, depending on who is playing quarterback, could be a surprise stud this season.
Darren Waller – ADP: Round 17, My Rank: TE13
Let’s be clear, I don’t expect Darren Waller to be a top five fantasy tight end this season, but there are a lot of indications that this is his ceiling. Last season, Jonnu Smith was the fantasy TE4. This was due to an unfortunate combination of mediocre offensive line play and strangely wide receiver-phobic play calling. And I’m not convinced that will change much this year. The offensive line still looks awful and Mike McDaniel is still calling plays. While there are rumblings of more Jaylen Waddle this season, we’ve been hearing that for years and it’s rarely happened. And the role is also clearly Waller’s. The Dolphins brought in literally no one else and likely plan to make the veteran the every-down guy. Remember, this is a player we were drafting as a top five tight end just two years ago, and he’s done nothing to change that since then. Admittedly, he’s done literally nothing since then. But we’re talking the final rounds of your draft so what have you got to lose?! Take a pot shot on Waller and if it doesn’t pan out, that’s totally OK.
High-Upside Running Backs:
Every draft, I will always select 2-3 high-upside running backs in the late rounds of my drafts. You don’t need Jaylen Warren when you already have three solid runners, so stock up on upside players who can start for you if things fall right. Here are some of my favorites this year:
–Isaac Guerendo (ADP: Round 12): With a Christian McCaffrey injury, Guerendo will become a weekly top ten fantasy option. And CMC isn’t exactly known for his good health.
–Ray Davis (ADP: Round 12): When James Cook missed a game in Week 6 last year, Davis put up 152 yards on 23 touches. He is the definitive handcuff and will be a clear top fifteen guy with the possibility for more if Cook goes down.
–Tyler Allgeier (ADP: Round 14): The Falcons have a very clear role in mind for their running back, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s Bijan Robinson or Allgeier, they’re committed to making it work. And you needn’t worry about somebody else getting involved if Bijan goes down, as there’s nobody else on the roster of even the slightest note.
–DJ Giddens (ADP: Round 20): The Colts running back role is very valuable, and Tyler Goodson has proven he’s only a change of pace guy at best, while Khalil Herbert is already well behind Goodson and his rookie teammate. Giddens is the guy to own if you want to gamble on a Taylor injury.
–Keaton Mitchell (ADP: Round 21): What will happen if Derrick Henry goes down? The first week of the pre-season had the answers. Keaton Mitchell will be the rushing back and Justice Hill will be the receiving back. In Baltimore, you always want the rusher.
If you have questions on your drafts and leagues, make sure you hit me up on Instagram @TheFantasyFirstDown or on Twitter @FantasyFirstDwn. Also make sure you check out my dynasty, rookie and redraft rankings and my video analysis of all positional hit rates.
