By the time you’re drafting past 150, most managers are running on fumes and outdated cheat sheets. That’s where the edge lives. This is where you snag the diamonds in the rough — the guys who’ll outperform ADP and make you look smarter than everyone else at the table. A few are “next man up” handcuffs who can swing matchups overnight, others are vets everyone forgot about, and a couple are rookies just waiting to detonate expectations. Here’s who you should be loading up on while the rest of your league drafts kickers and defenses.
QUARTERBACKS
Bryce Young (ADP 163)
Everyone bailed after a rocky rookie year—but Year 3 is when the training wheels come off. If Young levels up with better weapons, he’s the kind of cheap QB2 who makes people wonder why they spent a 6th-rounder on Jared Goff.
Michael Penix Jr. (ADP 157)
Rocket arm. Indoor track meet of an offense. Don’t be shocked if Penix sneaks into the QB1 mix and makes your league brethren regret ignoring him.
Cam Ward (ADP 165)
Ward’s already flashed leadership this preseason, demonstrating he’s the kind of player who can elevate the talent around him. Add in his rushing upside, and you’ve got a late-round QB who could be a fantasy cheat code.
Matthew Stafford (ADP 168)
Is he old? Sure. Is he boring? Sometimes. But if you want 300-yard weeks and the ability to keep your WRs relevant, Stafford is the “dad bod” of fantasy QBs — unflashy, but he gets the job done.
Tyler Shough (ADP 234)
Spencer Rattler has already proven he’s nothing special, and Shough’s draft capital suggests he’ll get his shot early. He’s not flashy, but he’s serviceable — and that’s all you need from a late-round stash.
RUNNING BACKS
Jaylen Wright (ADP 160)
He’s not just a handcuff — Wright will absolutely carve out a standalone role, even if De’Von Achane stays healthy. At 160, he’s an outright steal who’ll return weekly flex value with league-winning upside.
Kyle Monangai (ADP 195) / Roschon Johnson (ADP 173)
Both backs profile as the “David Montgomery role” in Ben Johnson’s offense—tough, reliable, and built for volume. If they get the nod, they’re instant RB2s with touchdown upside baked in.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (ADP 185)
With Brian Robinson Jr. on the trade block, Croskey-Merritt looks like the emerging starter in a high-octane Commanders offense. At 185, he’s not just a stash — he’s a potential every-week RB2 hiding in plain sight.
Elijah Mitchell (ADP 225)
He’s not a guaranteed handcuff in Kansas City’s crowded backfield, but his versatility makes him dangerous if opportunity knocks. That’s exactly the kind of late-round dart you want—uncertain path, but real upside if he gets the shot.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Christian Kirk (ADP 146)
Yes, I cheated a bit here to get another WR in the mix. Kirk is exactly the reliable chain-mover C.J. Stroud and this Texans offense needs. His steady target volume is going to make him a weekly WR3, with WR2 upside that’s being criminally undervalued at 146.
Keenan Allen (ADP 158)
After Ladd, who else is Herbert going to feed? That’s right – old reliable. Yes, he’s old. Yes, he’s lost a step. And yes, he’ll still eat PPR points for breakfast while everyone else gets too cute fading him.
Rashod Bateman (ADP 166)
Bateman has legit home run ability and sneaky potential to hit 7–8 touchdowns if things break right. The health risk is real, but if he finally stays on the field, he could be one of the best values in this ADP range.
Jalen Coker (230)
While Tet is getting all the hype in Carolina, Coker already flashed last season and looks poised to add sneaky value. At 230, he’s the kind of late-round pick who can quietly carve out a role and pay off fast.
TIGHT ENDS
Isaiah Likely (ADP 159)
My gut says Likely takes over as Baltimore’s TE1 by Week 6. He’s too talented to stay in Mark Andrews’ shadow and could turn into one of the biggest steals of draft season.
Cade Otton (ADP 176)
Otton is an opportunity play — he’s already shown he can deliver when circumstances line up. At a minimum, he’s there if you waited on TE, good for 3–4 catches a week with a tuddy sprinkled in here and there.
Mason Taylor (ADP 175)
Taylor has the athletic upside to pop, but you’ll have to stomach the Justin Fields factor. If the QB play cooperates, he’s the kind of late-round tight end who can make you look like a genius.
Chig Okonkwo (ADP 178)
While Gunnar Helm is getting a little post-draft hype, Chig is the clear TE1 in Tennessee. His early connection with Cam Ward has been one of the buzz stories out of Titans camp, giving him weekly starter appeal and season-long top-10 upside.
Final Word
Drafting is about finding edges where others are blind. While your league is busy scooping up defenses and kickers, you’ll be loading your bench with lottery tickets, opportunity plays, and post-hype steals who can flip your season. Snag these guys after 150 and you won’t just look smart — you’ll look prophetic.