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For as much time as fantasy football players spend analyzing the top players available in drafts, it’s equally important to examine the names going toward the end of drafts. It’s an area many gamers neglect as they feel players selected toward the back half of drafts are more “dart throw” type picks.
While this is true to an extent, there are players that hit every year in the latter half of drafts. If you find one and can pair them with your early stud picks, then it makes for a deadly combination. Bench players have their role on any fantasy roster, too. It’s imperative to target bench players with immense upside as they can provide your roster with an enormous edge.
Here are five bench stashes you should consider during your 2024 drafts as potential late-round fantasy football sleepers. Make sure you follow RotoBaller on X and download the free fantasy football mobile app with 24x7 news and alerts for all your fantasy football needs.
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Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots
Fantasy Football ADP: 181
New England had been looking to make a significant investment in the wide receiver position all offseason. After losing out on Calvin Ridley in free agency, it turned around and spent the 37th overall pick on Polk in the NFL Draft.
Michael Penix Jr ➡️ Ja’Lynn Polk 🎯
35 yard catch to get Washington inside the redzone pic.twitter.com/DCXWs9BEL3
— RanDynasty (@ran_dynasty) October 14, 2023
Polk enjoyed a nice senior year at the University of Washington. He totaled over 1,100 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns in the air. His underlying data was also strong as he touted a solid 2.42 YPRR in 2023, per PFF. He's likely to have a large role right away.
This is a team in desperate need of pass-catchers. There’s a clear opening for someone to emerge as the Patriots’ WR1. Polk has talent and draft capital in his corner. He can be a solid WR3 or flex option in PPR leagues.
Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Fantasy Football ADP: 173
In his final season with the Troy Trojans, Vidal totaled 1,661 rushing yards and finished second in the nation in rushing. The competition in the Sun Belt Conference is subpar, which is part of the reason why he fell to the sixth round of April’s draft. However, the Chargers are a fine landing spot for the rookie.
The competition standing in Vidal’s way is currently Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins is coming off another devastating injury after tearing his Achilles tendon. Edwards is coming off a career year with the Baltimore Ravens, but enters his age-29 season and has never handled more than 198 carries in a year.
There is plenty of room for another back to emerge in this offense. Vidal has enough talent to be a fantasy difference-maker if he carves out a role. If injuries strike the depth chart, Vidal could be a potential league-winner. He makes for a good late-round dart throw in all formats.
Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy Football ADP: 145
Chandler got a brief run as Minnesota’s starter to close the 2023 season. Ultimately, it did not amount to a ton of production. Chandler only finished as the PPR RB29 in points per game from Weeks 14-18. However, he did flash potential in a Week 15 performance against the Cincinnati Bengals when he ran for 132 rushing yards to go along with a score on the ground.
Touchdown Ty Chandler!
📺: MINvsCIN @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/vtmfEKvOLy pic.twitter.com/O8u6w4GMCV— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2023
Veteran running back Aaron Jones was brought in as the team’s new starter this offseason. However, he turns 30 years old during the season, and the Vikings have made it known they intend to keep Chandler involved in the offense. While Jones surged late in the 2023 regular season and playoffs for Green Bay (Jones closed with five straight games of 100+ yards rushing), he missed six games dealing with a nagging hamstring injury.
Jones also saw some of his advanced metrics decline in 2023. His finishes in RYOE, MTF/ATT, and Fantasy Points Data Suite’s Yards After Contact Per Attempt (YAC/ATT) were all down compared to 2022. These small chinks in the armor suggest Jones could be slowing down.
Chandler was not incredibly efficient during his brief run as a starter last year. However, the Vikings have spoken highly of him all offseason and want him involved. If Jones’ injuries continue or he falls off the running back age cliff, Chandler is primed for a lead role. He's a good bench stash and offers some potential standalone value as well.
Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Fantasy Football ADP: 117
Corum was one of the most talented running backs in the 2024 rookie class.
TOUCHDOWN Blake Corum! MICHIGAN EXTENDS THEIR LEAD! 🤩#MichiganFootball #WashingtonHuskies
pic.twitter.com/sj9lFecfYO— Underrated Elites (@UnderratedUE) January 9, 2024
He has great vision and quickness and is an ideal fit for head coach Sean McVay’s scheme. The team has made it known that it wants to lighten incumbent starter Kyren Williams’ workload this season. General manager Les Snead also made it known the team was looking to trade its third-round pick before it saw Corum falling to it. At that point, it decided to keep the pick and take Corum. Based on their words and actions, it sure seems like the Rams have big plans for the rookie.
Despite having a front-row seat to Williams’ amazing 2023 season, the team still felt the need to use a Day 2 pick on Corum. This speaks to their thoughts on both backs. Williams has a history of injuries since he entered the league.
He has missed action due to injury in each of his first two seasons and already missed a portion of the Rams' offseason program dealing with a foot injury. His latest injury serves as a reminder that Corum is just one Williams injury away from a bell-cow role in the Rams offense.
We shouldn’t expect Corum to immediately supplant Williams as the starter. It’s more likely he slowly carves out his own role in the offense and takes over the majority of touches by season’s end. At the very least, consider Corum a priority handcuff in all formats.
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