Fantasy Football: Must-Have Players Outside the Starting Rounds

Who is that player you just saw? to pass to be in fantasy Football In this weather?

If you’re a fantasy manager and you’ve participated in enough mock drafts this summer, you’ll have a pretty easy answer to this question. You might even have a hard time picking just one player. But that’s exactly what we’re asking our ESPN fantasy analysts to do.

Since draft position often prevents you from getting the player you want in the first few rounds, we asked our analysts to list the players they are targeting outside of those early rounds.

Players are listed in order of average draft position (ADP) as of August 18.

Stephania Bell

Aaron JonesRB, minnesota vikings, Recency bias is alive and well when it comes to Jones … sort of. People remember the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 1 of last season that forced him to miss several weeks of play. Or they remember the MCL injury that forced him to miss three additional weeks of play. But no one talks about the fact that he ended the season with five consecutive 100-yard games. And that’s just on the ground! Yes, the Vikings love the passing game, but Jones has proven his abilities there as well. The value of this talented player is in where you can draft him (ADP of 63.3, which is RB18) … and I would happily add him to my roster.

Matt Bowen

Ze FlowerWR, Baltimore Ravens, Flowers has breakout potential in his second pro season after averaging 12.9 fantasy points per game as a rookie in 2023, while scoring 19 or more points in four of his last five games played. Remember, Flowers has the dynamic traits to be deployed as a three-level target in Baltimore. Plus, his ball-carrier vision and sudden acceleration create opportunities to win in space, as 45.1% of Flowers’ total receiving yards came after the catch. And with a current ADP of WR25, I see both value and upside here. I view Flowers as a flex in 10-team leagues with the potential to produce lower-tier WR2 numbers.

Mike Clay

Evan EngramTe, Jacksonville Jaguars, Engram has been a top-five fantasy TE the past two seasons and is coming off a year in which he ranked fourth in the NFL in receptions (his 114 were 19 more than any other tight end). He outpaced all tight ends in routes, targets and receptions last season after finishing in the top five in both categories in 2022. Engram is a top-five fantasy tight end who could be drafted in multiple rounds after unproven commodities at the position. That makes him an easy selection on draft day.

Tyler Fulghum

Kyle PittsTe, Atlanta Falcons, I can’t and won’t give up on Pitts. Many of the fantasy managers who picked him the past two seasons won’t be willing to pick this team again this time around, but I absolutely love it. Arthur Smith and his inadequate QB are gone. Kirk Cousins and its derivative Los Angeles Rams‘ in the offense. Pitts is now two full seasons removed from his debilitating knee injury. The fourth-year pro provides a rare 1,000-plus yard gain at tight end. I’m all back.

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What are the pros and cons of hiring George Pickens?

Daniel Dopp and Liz Loza break down the pros and cons of adding George Pickens to your fantasy roster.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

George PickensWR, Pittsburgh Steelers, Among players currently going outside the top 60 (on average), Pickens offers as high a ceiling as any other player. He finished 2023 as a top-30 fantasy wide receiver and had four games of 20-plus points despite poor quarterback play — as well as Diontae Johnson as the team’s No. 1 receiver. Now that Johnson is in Carolina, the opportunities for Pickens will increase, and there’s a very real possibility he’ll provide top-15 positional numbers at a discounted cost.

Liz Loza

Terry McLaurinWR, Washington Commanders, Despite being underperforming as a quarterback throughout his five-year career, McLaurin has produced 1,000 receiving yards in four consecutive campaigns. The offense is expected to improve significantly with the addition of Kliff Kingsbury’s speed and mobility. Jayden Daniels Leading the charge. McLaurin remains the team’s undisputed No. 1 WR and is projected to receive more than 120 targets. He recorded 130 looks in 2023 and is among the top-30 fantasy producers at the position (WR29, 12.3 PPG). Given similar volume and an expected increase in efficiency, McLaurin is a high-floor deal as the 34th receiver to come off the draft board in the opening 10th round of 10-team workouts.

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Should Jaden Reed be ranked ahead of Christian Watson in fantasy?

Daniel Dopp explains why he’s completely banking on Jaden Reed in his second fantasy season for the Green Bay Packers.

Daniel Diop

Jaden ReedWR, green Bay Packers, Reed put on a great show for fantasy managers late last season, scoring at least 15 fantasy points in seven of his final eight games and finishing as the No. 10 wide receiver in that span. I’m optimistic about the Packers’ offense, but I think Reed and Christian Watson This scheme can thrive. My biggest reason for being on the Reid train is Watson’s hamstring issues. He’s missed 10 games in his first two seasons, so give me a guy who’s capable of the same production without the risk of missing games due to a hamstring flare-up.

Eric Moody

Diontae JohnsonWR, Carolina Panthers, Johnson is being drafted outside of the top 30 receivers in ESPN leagues, and I don’t understand it. He’s one of the few players at his ADP (104.6) who is projected to lead his team in targets. The Panthers brought Johnson in to help Bryce Young and boosted their struggling offense. New head coach Dave Canales revived the career of Geno Smith And Baker MayfieldAnd I have full confidence he can do the same for Young and the Panthers. Johnson has had at least 85 targets and 50 receptions in every season of his career. He’s a solid WR3 with WR2 upside.

Field Yates

Javonte WilliamsRB, Denver Broncos, Williams is being drafted in the late 11th round in a 10-team ESPN league. While questions remain about the exact spread of touches in the Denver backfield, I think it has been overlooked that Williams ranked 15th in the NFL in total touches last season and clear Top option for the Broncos. I’m also convinced that his inefficiency last season was primarily tied to the major knee injury he suffered in 2022, which gives me hope that Williams is ready to take a step forward this season. Relative to other backs with clear roles in the NFL, Williams is one of the best values ​​on the market.

Eric Karabel

Nick ChubbRB, Cleveland Browns, It seems a little absurd to rush a 28-year-old running back from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee to miss September games, but hear me out. Chubb will be fine. He’s done it before with this same knee. Chubb has averaged over 1,300 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in his last four full seasons and, while the Browns should be cautious, missing a few weeks early — when we fantasy managers don’t have to deal with bye weeks — isn’t a big deal based on the value of his disappointing ADP (115.8). Drafting Rookies Jonathan Brooks Players who play several rounds earlier are making a mistake. Chubb can play earlier. He can be better. If his ADP was in the first five rounds, it would be foolish to invest, but Chubb is a great bargain after the top 100 overall, and I would continue to invest at that modest price.