Fantasy football draft boards are filling up, and let me tell you, some serious value is getting missed. Just like real GMs find diamonds, we, the fantasy managers, have a shot to snag some steals. If you wanna boost your odds, you absolutely gotta target these next three players. They’re going way later than they should be, and that’s just criminal.
QB18? More Like QB1 After Week 11
First up, Baker Mayfield, QB for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Seriously, what are people thinking? His average draft position is 142nd overall, making him the 18th quarterback off the board. That’s a joke! Last season, through the first 11 weeks, he was absolutely solid, averaging 18.3 fantasy points, putting him at QB11. After a Week 12 shoulder injury, he slid to QB15. But even with that setback, Mayfield was more productive than his draft price suggests. You’re getting his floor at a bargain, paying literally nothing for his massive ceiling.
His average over three years in Tampa? We’re talking 4,079 yards and 31.7 touchdowns. That’s elite, folks! Mike Evans is gone, but he was often out last season anyway. Now, Mayfield gets new playmakers like running back Kenny Gainwell and tight end Cade Otton. Sophomore receiver Emeka Egbuka looks like a breakout candidate, and they’re hoping for better offensive line injury luck. Plus, the man is effectively playing for his next contract after extension talks went sideways. Talk about motivation! He’s gonna be slinging it.
The Chargers’ Running Back Is About To EXPLODE
Next on the list, Omarion Hampton, the running back for the Los Angeles Chargers. His average draft position is 11th overall, which makes him the 9th running back drafted. And honestly, for what he’s about to do, that’s still too low! His rookie year was a mess, no doubt. Injuries hit him, decimated the offensive line, and even impacted Justin Herbert. Despite the chaos, Hampton still lived up to the hype. He got at least 15 touches in eight of nine games, racking up 712 scrimmage yards and five scores in those outings.
The stage is set for a true takeoff. The Chargers beefed up their interior offensive line, got star tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back, and brought in running-game whiz Mike McDaniel to call plays. Hampton is getting rave reviews for his work at training camp. If that isn’t a sign he’s making the jump into elite ranks, I don’t know what is. This dude is gonna feast.
Colts’ Receiver Is Getting A Target Boost You Can’t Ignore
Finally, let’s talk about Josh Downs, the wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He’s currently going 131st overall, as the 46th wideout. That is absurd value right there. Downs has been drawing targets like crazy, 293 over his first three seasons. He maximized those chances, turning them into 198 receptions for 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns. Previous issues: not much downfield work, crowded receiving room, and inconsistent quarterback play.
But guess what? His downfield chances and overall usage are about to skyrocket with Michael Pittman Jr. gone, clearing up congestion. Plus, promising reports about Daniel Jones’ recovery from a torn Achilles mean the quarterback position could be in fantastic shape. Seriously, everything is looking up for Downs, except for his draft cost. You’ve gotta pounce on this clearance-priced opportunity while you still can. Grab a WR2 at a WR4 price.
Look, these guys aren’t just fliers; they’re foundation pieces being criminally overlooked. You want to win your league? You want to be the sharpest drafter in your buddy group? Then you gotta make these moves now before everyone else catches on. The season’s about to kick off, and you do not want to be the one watching these guys blow up on someone else’s roster. Grab ’em. Thank me later.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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