Late-Round Targets
Wed Aug 22 11:00pm ET
By JEFF PAUR @jeffpaur
Sr Fantasy Writer
Fantasy drafts usually aren't won early but in the middle and late rounds. You need to hit on some mid- and late-round targets if you hope to leapfrog your opponents to a league title. This year will be no different, so we are here to give you some late-round players to consider for drafts. This are guys you can get later in your draft that could pay off big in the end.
Kenny Stills, WR, Dolphins. Stills is a real bargain right now with an ADP of 144. He has a good chance to lead the Dolphins in targets, especially with DeVante Parker struggling to emerge as the No. 1 for the Dolphins. Still is the most consistent receiver in this offense and can reach the 1,000-yard mark. He also has been a top red-zone threat for the team, having 15 touchdowns the last two seasons. He is a great get for fantasy teams late in drafts. The upside is there for him to do big things.
Nyhem Hines, RB, Colts. Hines is one rookie back that isn't getting as much love as he probably should. The Colts are going to find ways to use him all over the field - as a returner, receiver and runner. Hines has a good chance to be the Tarik Cohen of this season. He'll get his weekly touches and could end up the most valuable fantasy back on the Colts' roster as long as he gets his preseason fumbling issues under control..
Vance McDonald, TE, Steelers. McDonald is a big injury risk (already banged up in camp), but the upside is there for him to do big things in this offense. He is going to start as long as he is healthy, playing for a top passing game in an offense that has produced some top scoring fantasy tight ends. McDonald had nearly 400 yards in 11 games with the 49ers in the '16 season. He is an athletic tight end that can make plenty of big plays with the ball in his hands. He is a great get as a No. 2 tight end late in drafts.
Javorius Allen, RB, Ravens. Alex Collins is the starter for the Ravens, but Allen is the top pass-catching back on the team. He had 46 receptions last year and has 45 or more catches two of three seasons. He is a consistent producer in PPR formats, getting his chances to catch the ball on a weekly basis. Allen isn't an exciting fantasy back but a good spot play for teams throughout the year, making him a good depth pick for fantasy teams.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. Mahomes gets his chance to start from day one this year, taking over as the starter in one of the better offenses in all of football. Mahomes has all the tools to produce big fantasy teams. He has a rocket for an arm and the athleticism to make plays with his legs. He can have some big fantasy games in this offense. The sky is the limit for Mahomes. And you can get him pretty late in drafts as a No. 2 quarterback because the position is so deep. It wouldn't surprise to see Mahomes finish as a top-10 fantasy quarterback.
Cameron Meredith, WR, Saints. Meredith is returning from a knee injury, missing all of last year. He had 888 yards and four scores in 14 games during his last full season in the league with the Bears. He moves to a much better passing attack and has a chance to start from day one. Meredith can set career highs across the board in this offense. He can hit the 1,000-yard mark and get a lot of weekly targets for the pass-heavy Saints.
Quincy Enunwa, WR, Jets. Enunwa is another player that is returning from injury, missing all of last year. He is back healthy from his back injury, though, and expected to play a big role in the offense. Remember, he had 105 targets and nearly 900 yards in 2016. He has a realistic chance to lead the Jets' offense in targets this year. And if you can believe this, Enunwa has an ADP of 186, making him a guy that might even go undrafted in leagues.
Matt Breida, RB, 49ers. You can always take camp reports with a grain of salt, but early indications are that Breida has been the best back in camp for the 49ers. The team has big plans for newly acquired Jerrick McKinnon but he might not be suited for every-down work, meaning Breida could be getting plenty of playing time. Breida had 645 total yards his rookie year, playing behind Carlos Hyde. He is great insurance for anyone that picks McKinnon early in drafts, but also a good get for teams that don't own McKinnon. He could build on his playing time from his rookie year, playing more of a timeshare role with McKinnon.
Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins. Doctson has failed to live up to expectations to date. He had just over 500 yards last year in a full season, failing to emerge as the No. 1 target for the Redskins. His price tag will be much cheaper this year than the last two seasons, meaning he is a good guy to take a chance. The talent is there for Doctson to lead the Redskins in receiving. Maybe he can get on the same page with new quarterback Alex Smith and finally have that big season. He is worth the risk at his current ADP of 165.