All things must come to an end as is the case with this series. We went through the first round, rounds two and three, rounds four and five, and the middle rounds. Now, it is time to close out with with late round values. We will define late rounds as anything in the 9th round or later. Depending on roster size, this will be for your flex spot or later. There are many different kinds of scoring and preferences so I’m just going to go by the names that I like and have already been targeting.
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Peyton Barber
Peyton Barber has been named the starting running back in Tampa Bay and has looked like a starting running back during camp and the preseason games. Ronald Jones II hasn’t shown the skill set to take the job that he was supposed to win by the horns. Few have said that Jones has looked clueless or bad other than in pass protection. Barber has just been better.
Peyton Barber is simply excelling and has put himself in a good position to take on the majority of touches in the backfield for Tampa. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise to Tampa fans such as myself. When Barber received the start in week 13 of last season against Green Bay, he ran for over 100 yards. In four of the final five games Barber averaged 4.0 yards per carry or more while receiving double digit carries in each of those games while splitting the backfield work with Doug Martin. To the surprise of nobody, Barber looked much better than Martin did at any point in the season. Peyton Barber is currently going off of the board in the ninth round.
Chris Godwin
I have two from the same team, so I might as well put them together. When FantasyPros asked who my favorite sleeper was for the 2018 season, this was the answer that I gave. I’ll reiterate for those who don’t click the link and to take up a little page space. Chris Godwin combined for 10 catches and 209 yards over the final two games of the season in 2017. He played his way into a big role in his rookie season and has only improved during the off season programs. He has taken a starting spot away from DeSean Jackson in the process. I expect him to be heavily targeted in an offense that has a good chance to score a lot of points. A top 20 finish is not out of the realm of possibilities.
Kenny Stills
Kenny Stills is an obvious choice here and it seems pretty safe that he will beat his 11th round ADP. In each of the last two seasons, Stills has seen a big uptick in his yards by the end of the season. In 2016 he finished with 440. In 2017 he added up 726 yards and 847 in 2018. In the last two seasons, he has combined for 15 touchdowns. He is an unsung season to season producer who should be hopping into a bigger role in the passing offense this season.
It seems as if Devante Parker is still not up to the task of fulfilling WR1 duties is Miami. Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola could be useful pieces in this offense, but Stills has more experience in this system and with Ryan Tannehill. Speaking of Ryan Tannehill, the return of a quarterback not named Jay Cutler will be very beneficial to Stills as well. I know that I am not the only analyst who is buying into the Kenny Stills Kool-Aid, but it is for good reason.
Dede Westbrook
Dede Westbrook was a darling of mine going into the winter months of the 2017 season. After an injury put him out for the first few months of his rookie season, Westbrook almost immediately became a focal part of the Jaguars’ offense upon his return. He was among the team leaders in targets, and that continued into the playoffs as well. Westbrook led the team in targets in week 1 of the preseason, although he was held in check against the Vikings in the second game. With Allen Hurns gone, and no real threat in this offense to overthrow Westbrook as a starter, he should see plenty of opportunities. With some growth and luck, the sky is the limit and he could end up being a special player and a huge fantasy football value.
Christian Kirk
Christian Kirk has the inside track to win the starting job alongside Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona. I like him more than, say, a James Washington, because there should be more opportunity. Kirk had a good career at Texas A&M now he his turning heads during his first NFL preseason. In the Cardinal’s second preseason game, he caught 4 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. I especially like him in keeper and dynasty leagues due to the fact that Larry Fitzgerald is contemplating retirement from season to season. I think that this offense has the chance to surprise a lot of people, especially if Sam Bradford can stay healthy. Christian Kirk can be a big part of that. Kirk is currently averaging a 14th round ADP in 12 team standard leagues.
Jordan WilkinsÂ
Jordan Wilkins has been working with the first team as training camp comes to an end and the regular season is just around the corner. A lot of people expected Nyheim Hines to push Marlon Mack for snaps, but so far, Hines has had fumbling issues. Jordan Wilkins hasn’t necessarily stood out during preseason games, but I think that he is outperforming Christine Michael. Overall, Marlon Mack under-performed when he got opportunities in Indianapolis last season. Now, you can throw in the hamstring injury and a 2nd year player missing an entire preseason with a new head coach to boot. This job is absolutely Jordan Wilkins’ for the taking and all eyes will be on him in the 3rd preseason game to make something of it. If you’re looking for value in the 13th round, Wilkins has a good chance to vastly outperform his ADP, even if he ends up in a time share with a healthy and performing Marlon Mack.
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