With only a month or two left until your fantasy draft, it’s about time you started getting your big board ready. Here’s a list of players who represent good value at their ADP, broken down round by round for rounds 1-7. Where there’s a major difference between a player’s PPR performance vs. their standard performance, I’ve given an alternative pick in the same round.
ADP Data is provided by Fantasy Football Calculator.
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Fantasy Football Draft Values
Round 1: Antonio Brown, Steelers Wide Receiver / Lamar Miller, Texans Running Back
Finding players to target in the first round is easy - they’re all studs. Antonio Brown, however, is simply a class above the rest. Last year, he finished with 1,834 receiving yards despite Big Ben missing 4 games. With Big Ben at the helm, Brown averaged 133 receiving yards per game last year - good enough for over 2,100 yards if they both play a full season. Other 1st round options are nearly as solid, but there shouldn’t be any contest as to the 1st overall pick.
If you’re not picking 1st overall, then Lamar Miller may be a better option close to the turn. He will be given the keys to the kingdom in Houston, and with a starter load, Miller should be a high end RB1. In past years, Miami has limited Miller’s touches and he has still proven himself an RB1. Though his performance in Houston may be more of an unknown than other 1st rounders, he is still an excellent pick close to the turn.
Round 2: Allen Robinson, Jaguars Wide Receiver
Allen Robinson provides 1st round value despite being drafted well into the 2nd round. Last year, he was targeted 153 times and scored 14 TDs. That was good enough for a 6th overall finish, though he is currently being drafted as WR8. Robinson is the safest pick in round 2, as he has no serious concerns going into 2016, in contrast to Dez Bryant and Jordy Nelson’s expected return to form, and Alshon Jeffery’s injury history.
Round 3: Mark Ingram, Saints Running Back
Though it’s entirely likely Mark Ingram will be going at the end of the 2nd round by the time you draft, he is absolutely a steal anywhere near the 3rd round. According to a post by Reddit user /u/RC1206-Fierfek, Ingram is miles ahead of any other top 15 RB in consistency - His worst week in standard was 7.4 points. This beat out all other top RB’s second worst week. In addition to his other-worldly consistency, Ingram is consistently a top 5 RB in points per game, and the Saints have no major changes that would suggest anything will change in 2016. If you can draft Ingram at the bottom of the 2nd or top of the 3rd, do it - you’ll have an RB1 for an RB2 price.
Round 4: Jarvis Landry, Dolphins Wide Receiver (PPR) / DeMarco Murray, Titans Running Back(Standard)
Jarvis Landry is a PPR monster - there’s no other way to put it. Despite a revolving door of coaching staff in Miami last year, Landry put up the 9th most points of any WR, and was targeted an amazing 167 times. Combine this with his ability to return punts for TDs, and Landry is a sneaky pick for WR1 that could potentially be found as late as the 4th round.
DeMarco Murray is another great option if you’re in a standard league, or if someone else in your league snagged Landry early. Though Tennessee is likely the worst team in the league right now, Murray will be given starter carries, and has an undeniable affinity for patient, vertical running. Even if Tennessee plays from behind, Murray represents great value in the middle of the 4th round.
5th Round: Ryan Mathews, Eagles Running Back
Now that Philadelphia has gotten off Chip Kelly’s Wild Ride, we can expect some stability at the RB position there. Ryan Mathews is the clear starter, with no real competition for carries other than Darren Sproles, who may see some 3rd down work. Mathews, though injury prone, absolutely has the talent to be a #1 RB, and we saw flashes of that last year with Murray’s injuries. Barring any change or injury, Mathews should be a lock for a high end RB2/low end RB1.
6th Round: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals Wide Receiver / Eric Decker, Jets Wide Receiver
Both Larry Fitzgerald and Eric Decker performed amazingly last year. However, small question marks related to their upcoming season have tanked their draft value. Decker may face a much weaker QB than last season in Geno Smith, and Larry Fitzgerald is just getting old. Despite these concerns, both receivers finished at or above the level of Brandin Cooks, who is going at the beginning of the 3rd round. Larry Fitzgerald finished as the WR7 in PPR last year, and Decker finished as WR14. However, they are currently being drafted as WR27 and WR28, respectively.
7th Round: Danny Woodhead, Chargers Running Back (PPR) / Blake Bortles, Jaguars Running Back (Standard)
If you’ve managed to snag great value in early WRs like Allen Robinson and Jarvis Landry, then you might find yourself in need of a true RB2 or flex player. Danny Woodhead is being drafted as such, but presents amazing value - he finished as a RB1 last year and is currently being drafted as a low-end RB2, despite no significant change (besides a healthier offensive line) in San Diego. Woodhead should receive a similar amount of work this year despite what his ADP would suggest.
For those who went RB heavy early or don’t need a pass catcher like Woodhead, Blake Bortles is an amazing choice at QB. Last year, he finished as QB4, and should see an even greater improvement this year, with developing, young receivers like Allen Robinson (22) and Allen Hurns (24). Despite any indicators his performance will suffer this year, he is currently being drafted as QB8, and as such he represents amazing value for those who prefer to lock up a QB early.
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