In the late rounds (#11-#15) we generally have our starting rosters filled out and are filling bench depth, backup QBs, defenses and kickers, and sometimes taking your starting tight end here as well. Rather than dive into strategy, which becomes fairly fluid this late, here is a quick list of late round targets. They may not have starting value out of the gate but are players you want on your bench instead of having to fight for them on the waiver wire once the injury bug hits the NFL.
Late-Round QB Targets:
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
The first overall draft pick is set to play the full season in Jacksonville, and in Urban Meyer’s college scheme the young QB has top-12 potential but it’s kind of a “let’s see if it translates to fantasy points” mentality with him.
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
After winning the starting job, Winston solidified himself as probably the best fantasy backup QB in the league. It may look ugly at times but especially once Michael Thomas returns Winston has QB1 upside and that could win you a fantasy season down the stretch if your starter misses time.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
A lot of people like Trey Lance over Fields but I see Fields getting a start sooner than Lance does, and his gut instinct to run the ball reminds me of Lamar Jackson. Though that isn't the best plan in real football sometimes, it lights up a fantasy stat sheet and offers insane upside from your bench.
Late Round RB Targets:
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
Hines is a target hog when healthy, and Carson Wentz likes to throw the ball to running backs. Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack will take up a lot of the rushing duties but Hines will be used much like Austin Ekeler in an offense we aren't sure how to project. Worth a flyer.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles: The rookie running back has insane skills and already is eating up snaps in the Philly backfield. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Gainwell outscore Sanders in fantasy by mid-season, especially if Hurts is playing at a high level.
Malcolm Brown, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins had problems keeping their RBs healthy in 2020, and by bringing in Brown in free agency they have more depth in the backfield. Brown is going to see his share of the snaps, which gives me pause on taking Gaskin as high as he is going, and should Gaskin or Ahmed miss time Brown becomes a viable fantasy RB2/flex option.
Late Round WR Targets:
Terrance Marshall Jr, Carolina Panthers: The rookie wideout drafted in the second round out of LSU is why I'm not comfortable taking DJ Moore at his ADP. Marshall is a super-talented receiver who is going to command a healthy target share and could even usurp Robby Anderson/Moore as the most productive fantasy player on the Panthers outside of Christian McCaffrey.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots: Meyers has quietly emerged as the WR1 in New England, and while that might not mean much for fantasy points it does mean he will have the highest target share opportunities out of any wideout going currently undrafted. L:et that sink in. A WR1 on an NFL football team is going undrafted. Put him on your team.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: Much like Meyers, St. Brown is the expected WR1 on his team but is going practically undrafted. Jared Goff completed 90+ balls each to Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp last season, so even if he isn't the best QB in the league, someone still has to catch the ball in Detroit and St. Brown has a lot of talent.
Late Round TE Targets:
Blake Jarwin, Dallas Cowboys: Jarwin was a sleeper favorite in 2020 until he suffered a season-ending injury. Now back at 100%, the tight end could easily be competing with Hockenson/Andrews as the best non-Big-3 option at the position in the high-scoring Dallas offense.
Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots: Smith has been lining up all over the field in New England, meaning they intend to feed this guy the ball in ways you don't expect from a tight end (Jonnu rushed in a TD last season for Tennessee). Smith his the most likely candidate to see the lion's share of the red zone targets as well, even over the receivers.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams: Higbee is one of the first late-round tight ends off the board but he has a lot of upside in an offense that lost its power back to injury and will need to substitute that production with their short pass game. Stafford likes to throw to tight ends, and with Gerald Everett out of the picture Higbee is set for a solid year.
Happy Drafting!
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