Everybody Loves a Fantasy Football ADP Sleeper
Fantasy owners love, love, love to find that player that everybody is sleeping on. Getting a player you really believe will show out this year, rounds later than expected, is a game-changer. This allows you to spend your draft capital on acquiring more talent to fill out your star-studded roster. When looking for a player who you think might outperform their ADP (Average Draft Position), there are two things you should look for. Who’s drafted around them, and what their share of the offense will look like.
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There are three players who have the potential to play their way into top rankings in their respective positions. And the best news? You can get them rounds later than what would be expected. These three players, some a bit older, one looking to breakout, possess the talent and the workload to win their owners’ a fantasy championship. We’ll start off with Johnathan Stewart.
Fantasy Football ADP: Johnathan Stewart Still Has It
After the Carolina Panthers spent a first round draft pick on running back Christian McCaffrey, many owners thought that J-Stew’s time in Carolina was drawing to an end. While McCaffrey is shaping up to be their future running back, Stewart still holds value for this upcoming season. He’s currently being drafted at the back end of the 9th round, according to Fantasy Football Calculator. This is compared to McCaffrey’s 3rd round cost, which is astonishing.
Panthers beat writer Max Henson reported that “everyone from head coach Ron Rivera to running backs coach Jim Skipper has insisted that Stewart’s role will not change.” Stewart is a bruising back, and has shown his capability to score on the goal-line, totaling nine touchdowns on 218 total carries last year. After the Week 7 bye, Stewart never saw less than 11 carries in game, proving that the Panthers like to utilize this back.
McCaffrey still holds value, but he hasn’t proven to be a solid between-the-tackles runner, like J-Stew has. Look for Stewart to handle the bulk of the work and provide RB2 upside at his 9th round value.
Fantasy Football ADP: Pierre Garcon
The 30 year old receiver is coming his second highest yard total in his career with 1,041 receiving yards on 79 receptions (also the second-highest in his career). While he posted near career high numbers, his touchdown total was only three, as Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed stole most of the red zone work.
Coming from a gunslinger in Washington with Kirk Cousins to another in San Francisco with Brian Hoyer, Garcon looks to put up WR1 numbers. Garcon is by far the best receiver on the 49ers (shocker) and they look to be playing from behind a lot this season (shocker). Couple that with the fact that Brian Hoyer loves to target one receiver exclusively (i.e. Cameron Meredith last year with the Bears), and you’ve got the making of a high-volume asset.
He’s currently being taken in the middle of the seventh round, behind players like Willie Snead, Donte Moncrief, and Emmanuel Sanders. Garcon’s floor is safe, as he’s totaled at least 68 receptions and 750 yards the last three seasons. He’s also played in all sixteen games the past four seasons, so injury concern should be nonexistent. Why not grab a consistent receiver with WR1 upside in the seventh round?
Fantasy Football ADP: Mike Gillislee
This player might end up being taken alot sooner come draft time, but as of now, he’s a value. Mike Gillislee is the sole reason that LeSean McCoy didn’t have over 20 touchdowns last season. He vultured eight touchdowns on the ground and one through the air on 101 carries, making McCoy owners (me) very unhappy.
Now he’s in New England with Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl Champions. After losing LeGarrette Blount to the Philadelphia Eagles, Bill Belicheck was searching for a running back to command the redzone. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that Gillislee is the “‘most likely runningback’ to fill the LeGarrette Blount role.” This is exciting news if you’re looking to draft Mike Gilly, as Blount tallied up 18 total touchdowns last year.
ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss wrote Mike Gillislee is "the most likely running back" to fill the LeGarrette Blount role.
— Patriots on PFS (@spot_patriots) July 4, 2017
It’s not expected that Gillislee repeats that incredible touchdown total, it is good news to hear for a running back currently going near the middle of the sixth round.
Fantasy Football ADP Value, Value, Value
All of the players previously mentioned have the opportunity to produce top ten finishes at their position. These value players will consistently show up on championship rosters due to the round you got them in your drafts.
Can September hurry up already?
Next: 2017 Fantasy Football AFC North QB Rankings
We’ll continue to break down top fantasy football value as we approach your August fantasy football drafts. In the meantime, follow us on twitter, @fantasycpr, for updates.