Fantasy football draft season is in full swing as Week 1 looms next week.
So now we get to analyze some numbers for those of you who have yet to draft: Who’s getting taken too high or low?
Let’s start with the positives with a list of players who I think are still being underrated by the fantasy community. Obviously, your league-mates might feel the same way and draft them before you can. But if they drop? You’ll have the potential to end up with a serious bargain.
Using FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP) numbers, here’s a look at a few undervalued names:
1
RB Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
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ADP: 29.5
We’re doing that thing again where we undervalue Carson, who does come with injury concerns but who has more upside than the guys being taken ahead of him — I’d much rather draft the Seahawks RB than Josh Jacobs (Kenyan Drake worries) and David Montgomery (was last year’s breakout due to easy schedule down the road?).
2
RB James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
ADP: 40.3
My guess is that number has gone up since the Travis Etienne injury news. But as it stands, it’s surprising to me that he’s below Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift.
I’m just too worried about Sanders in what could be a timeshare in Philly, and Swift will have to deal with Jamaal Williams getting a lot of playing time. If Robinson is my Flex going into the season or even my RB2, I’d be thrilled given the roll he’ll have in Jacksonville again.
3
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
ADP: 69.8
He’s being taken behind rookie Ja’Marr Chase, who’s had a ROUGH preseason. And I think the Bengals’ offense will be able to support three pass-catchers, which brings us to Higgins.
I don’t get how he’s WR28 given that he might be the more trustworthy receiver on the roster. Don’t be scared to take him when drops.
4
RB Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
ADP: 114.8
It’s clear that the coaching staff is all about a timeshare here, and so everyone’s nervous about either D’Andre Swift or the former Packer, to the point where I think Williams’ value has dipped too low.
We’ve seen Williams be a valuable part of the Packers’ offense whether it’s as a change-of-pace back who can catch passes or as an injury replacement. I think his role expands even more to the point where he’s a week-to-week FLEX, and that’s a pretty role considering where he’s being drafted.
5
WR Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
ADP: 107
I thought the hype for Shenault was too much … but then I saw his ADP. Two things to note: With Travis Etienne out for the year, Shenault could be in line for a lot of short passes. And if you think he’s third on the receiver depth chart behind Marvin Jones and D.J. Chark? Here’s a preview of my “who’s getting drafted too high” — I think Chark could be a bust after Meyer called him a “big guy that played little last year.”
So, yeah. The hype is justified with Shenault, who is WR41 at the moment.
6
TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
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ADP: 124.3
Why is he TE13, behind names like Robert Tonyan (touchdown regression!) and Rob Gronkowski (crowded Bucs receiving corps)? Did we all miss that Gerald Everett is now a Seahawk? He’s worth a late pick, especially at this level.
7
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
ADP: 170.3
If you’re like me and you like to wait and wait for QBs, this is the guy I’m looking at late aside from Justin Fields and Trey Lance to stash in the hopes they’ll start soon.
Tagovailoa should be grouped with them, especially because he actually has the starting job, but also because he’s got an improved receivers corps and comes into the season healthy. This ranking reflects some doubts about what we saw in a small sample last season. He’s better than that, and he’s a steal here.
