“Undervalued” is an often deployed term in fantasy that most often applies to players a prognosticator ranks well above the consensus average. In other words, what unheralded rookie or veteran is going to obliterate the widely perceived norm and profit massively for investors? Brad Evans lists his top-five fantasy flames.
Position rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheat Sheet
1. James Conner, Cardinals, RB (ADP: 73.08, RB22)
The Terminator is entirely self-aware, and he’s about to blow away his perceived fantasy worth. Head coach Jonathan Gannon is a buyer. When asked about his starting running back, Gannon heaped praise on Conner, calling him “very explosive, fresh, big and strong” and predicting “a good year.”
Sure, it’s all puppy dogs and ice cream in August, and the Cardinals will be fortunate to win six games this season. However, at Conner’s RB22 price tag, Gannon isn’t spewing nonsensical coachspeak.
Last year in 13 games, Conner finished RB2 in YAC per attempt (3.93), RB2 in total missed tackles forced (60) and RB6 in runs of 15+ yards (13). When healthy, the dude simply skewers defenses, even behind a suspect offensive line.
With a full-strength Kyler Murray, the seventh-easiest projected strength of schedule for fantasy RBs and a likely 70% to 75% opportunity share, drafting Conner is akin to scoring a one-of-one autographed Patrick Mahomes card for nothing at a random garage sale. Invest with supreme confidence.
2. Chase Brown, Bengals, RB (ADP: 106.89, RB34)
I-L-L! You’re damn right this Illinois grad is chugging maple syrup on the fast-rising Canadian import.
What can Brown do for you? Bring considerable misery and woe to your fantasy rivals if you choose to invest in his services.
The buzz of Bengals camp, Brown has been the most “consistent” player, according to head coach Zac Taylor. Most promising is Taylor’s praise for Brown’s pass protection.
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Last season on only 19.5% of the team’s opportunity share, the then-rookie flashed when deployed. Brown totaled 5.8 yards per touch, averaged 11.1 yards per catch and ranked RB12 in fantasy points per opportunity (0.91). He also netted a very appreciable 3.27 yards after contact per attempt and forced eight missed tackles on just 44 rushing attempts. Again, the dude who ran a 4.43 40 at the 2023 combine has JUICE.
In the end, with 11-13 touches per game, Brown should finish around 1,000 combined yards with a handful of touchdowns and 45-plus receptions. He’s a must grab from Round 9 on.
3. Justin Fields, Steelers, QB (ADP: 182.82, QB27)
Physically and figuratively, Fields has steadily landed punches on Mr. Ciara’s pretty face. Yes, Fields’ rawness as a passer was evident in Chicago. He was solid under pressure and on deep-ball opportunities, but he ranked QB17 or lower in several completion percentage categories.
His dynamism extending plays and chewing up real estate with his legs (50.5 rushing yards per game in 2023) are critical differentiators, and his rushing ability meshes well with the 1-2 RB punch of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
To be fair, Wilson is a more accurate short-to-intermediate passer. Last year in an unsavory situation with the Broncos, he finished QB9 in red-zone completion percentage. Still, Fields simply brings more scoring jolt.
Pittsburgh’s No. 2 hardest QB fantasy strength of schedule is a deterrent, but there isn’t a better fantasy value among passers than the flashy Fields.
4. Marquise Brown, Chiefs, WR (ADP: 73.08, WR38)
Let’s see, you’re tied to the world’s greatest passer in Mahomes in a creative and established offense and the team’s No. 1 wide receiver could face a suspension at some point this season.
Yes, please.
Wasting away in the desert the past two seasons, Brown should return to his strong WR2 ways once achieved with the Ravens. Last year in Arizona, his surface numbers suffered, but he’s only two years removed from notching one of the best route win rates — especially against man coverage — in the league.
At 27, Brown is hardly washed. Earning rave reviews on his route running ability from Mahomes in training camp and facing the sixth-easiest projected strength of schedule for fantasy WRs, the veteran is being criminally discounted in drafts. Over 60 receptions with 1000-1050 yards and 5-7 TDs are attainable. Get down with another Brown.
5. Brian Robinson, Commanders, RB (ADP: 101.71, RB33)
Matched with a run-first RPO-comfortable quarterback in a Kliff Kingsbury system likely to feature a balanced attack, Robinson will be a profit turner at his very affordable ADP. The Commanders are a work in progress, have the 13th-hardest projected strength of schedule for fantasy RBs and trot out a bottom-half offensive line, but Robinson is far more attractive than backfield cohort Austin Ekeler no matter the format.
Last season among RBs with at least 100 attempts, he was a laudable RB21 in YAC per attempt (2.93), RB7 in yards created per touch (4.11) and RB20 in total missed tackles forced (37). Presumably, Robinson will log roughly 60% of the timeshare touches, but 1100-1200 combined yards, 35-45 receptions and 6-8 total TDs are achievable.
Acquirable outside the RB top 30, he’s a steal of a deal.
BONUS TIME — Jaylen Warren, Steelers, RB (ADP: 88.11, RB27)
I’m all about #MandatoryMontgomery, but a floozy when it comes to fantasy because my love is shared with many others.
#RequisiteWarren is most certainly one of them.
Pittsburgh’s lightning back will again work in tandem with Najee Harris in what could be a 55-45 split. He simply possesses more electricity whether as an off-tackle runner or versatile receiver. Last year among qualifying rushers, Warren ranked No. 3 in YAC per attempt (3.64), No. 7 in total missed tackles forced (53) and No. 3 in yards created per touch (4.65).
The Steelers enter the season with a widely perceived, below-average offensive line, but if Fields plays the majority of snaps under center — a distinct possibility — wide running lanes are bound to develop. Pittsburgh does own the 10th-hardest fantasy RB strength of schedule, but the script-agnostic back is a viable RB2 in 12-team leagues available at a RB3 price.