If you are drafting in the next week, here are a few of the players I am targeting towards the latter part of my drafts:
Baker Mayfield, Bucs–I think Tampa is the offense that everyone is sleeping on. Think of it this way: if we all like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rachaad White, how can we not like Baker Mayfield?
Will Levis, Titans—I was high on Levis prior to Hopkins’ injury, but I’m expecting Hopkins to be back for Week 1. With Brian Callahan there, the Titans are going to throw the ball way more than they have over the past few seasons.
Daniel Jones, Giants—Jones gets a horrible rap, but he is the obvious starter, and it looks like they’re throwing the ball in practice more than they have in previous seasons. Jones also has excellent mobility, and he throws the deep ball well, which is a good thing, considering Malik Nabers Roto is there to catch it.
Sam Darnold, Vikings—Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell did wonders with Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullins last year, so why wouldn’t he be able to do something with a competent quarterback like Darnold? With JJ McCarthy out for the season, this is Darnold’s show, and I think it’s feasible for him to have 3,500 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.
Justin Fields, Steelers—I’ve never been much of a Fields fan, but if Wilson can’t stay healthy, then Fields is certainly worth a stash late in drafts.
Taysom Hill, Saints–The Saints are dealing with a ton of injuries in their backfield to Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. They’ve always used Hill by the goal line, and I think he’s got a good chance to score about seven or eight rushing touchdowns. He might even be able to throw seven or eight passing touchdowns, too! I really prefer him as a tight end, but if he’s available in your league as a QB, I don’t mind him as a last-round flyer.
Blake Corum, Rams–Corum is one Kyren Williams injury away from being a potential star. He’s going in Round 10, and to be quite honest, if he ever becomes a starter, his value would be that of a high RB1 since the Rams love to feature their backs.
Jaylen Wright, Dolphins–Wright has a gear that most other running backs in this draft class just don’t have. He’s also playing on a team whose offensive firepower is second-best to only the Chiefs in the AFC.
Braelon Allen, Jets–If you remember, just a couple of seasons ago, Breece Hall was having a sensational game against Denver before he tore his ACL, and they had no one to replace him. Allen was an absolute beast at the University of Wisconsin. He could easily score about seven or eight touchdowns if given the opportunity.
Dameon Pierce, Texans–Joe Mixon is the obvious starter in Houston, but on more than one occasion, the Texans have talked about how much they want to use Pierce, and I think they will. If your league gives extra points for kickoff return yardage, Pierce may be used in that capacity as well, which gives him some sneaky value.
Audric Estime, Broncos–I expect the Broncos to be struggling in the second half of this season, and if that happens, look for Javonte Williams to possibly be traded. Once that door is opened, Estime will become the starter and could have surprising fantasy value.
Jordan Mason, 49ers–There’s a very good chance that it’s Jordan Mason and not Elijah Mitchell who will be the backup to McCaffrey this season. He’s a very good one-cut runner in a zone scheme, and I know that the team really likes him.
Darnell Mooney, Falcons–Two or three years ago Mooney was a darling of the fantasy community as people thought that he was ready to ascend into one of the top receivers. What we didn’t count on was Justin Fields being a train wreck as a passer and Mooney suffering through injuries and bad offensive schemes. Now he’s playing in Atlanta inside a dome with a quarterback of really good quality like Kirk Cousins. Don’t be shocked to see him have a surprisingly good comeback season.
Ricky Pearsall, 49ers–Take Pearsall with the expectation that Brandon Aiyuk is going to get traded. If Aiyuk signs with the 49ers, then drop Pearsall off your draft lists.
Jermaine Burton, Bengals–I’m taking Burton mainly because I think that there’s an issue with not only Ja’Marr Chase’s contract but also with Tee Higgins’ impending contract. If either of these players is out for any length of time, it’s going to be Burton who’s going to be playing on the outside. Let’s not forget that he was a stud at Alabama.
Demarcus Robinson, Rams–We all know of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua’s injury history; therefore, it’s incredibly important to be open to drafting Robinson somewhere around Round 13 or 14. He’s played in Baltimore and Kansas City so he has receiving chops. He should be the WR3 in Los Angeles, and I expect him to have a surprisingly underrated season.
Jalen Tolbert, Cowboys–I’m hedging my bet on Tolbert being the WR3 in Dallas. Tolbert was one of the fantasy darlings about two years ago at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, so I expect that he will be given every opportunity to succeed with the Cowboys.
Greg Dortsch, Cardinals–Last season, Dortsch was Kyler Murray’s number-one target at the end of the season. He’s a sure-handed player who runs terrific routes and has a hunger for the game. He’s looked sensational in training camp thus far and I know the Cardinals are committed to trying to get him on the field.
Malachi Corley, Jets–I see Corley as a Swiss army knife talent. He can get a few reverses, a couple of jet sweeps, some quick slants, and maybe one or two catches downfield. However, Corley’s value drops immensely as soon as Mike Williams is 100% healthy. There is a glimmer of upside here in the deepest of leagues.
Luke Musgrave, Packers–Prior to his injury last year, the Packers were convinced that Musgrave was going to be their tight end for the next decade. He’s back and healthy in 2024 and he’s got a pretty good connection with Jordan Love. He has sneaky upside in Round 12 or 13.
Hunter Henry, Patriots– Jacoby Brissett is a very conservative quarterback and conservative quarterbacks tend to use their tight ends as security blankets. Henry’s probably not going to have more than 650 receiving yards, but he could have five to six touchdown receptions which makes him fantasy relevant.
Tyler Conklin, Jets–Aaron Rodgers has always loved to throw to his tight ends, and Conklin is a surprisingly good one. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him finish right around TE 11 or 12 overall for the season.
Isaiah Likely, Ravens–I expect the Ravens to play a ton of 12 personnel mainly to take advantage of the mismatch that Likely forces other teams into on defense. He’s extremely fast and has terrific size and range. If something were to happen to Andrews, he would immediately become one of the top ten tight ends overall.
Cade Otton, Bucs– Otton is a humongous target who’s got sure hands. He has a sneaky chance to have an even better season this year with around 650 receiving yards and six or seven touchdowns.
Theo Johnson, Giants–With Darren Waller retiring, I think that it’s Theo Johnson and not Daniel Bellinger who should end up being the Giants starter. He’s a freakishly good athlete who’s got a lot of speed and size andthe Giants will use him effectively in the middle of the field. He’s somebody out that I’m taking with the last my pick of most best ball drafts.
