Regardless of what form of fantasy football you’re playing, everyone is trying to find sleepers in the last few rounds of drafts. Identifying undervalued players at the end of drafts can completely change the course of your team’s season.
Last year, we had players like Kyren Williams, along with rookie receivers Tank Dell and Puka Nacua. All three emerged to be true difference-makers on fantasy football rosters.
With Underdog Fantasy Best Ball Mania V (BBMV) drafts already underway, it’s time to start identifying players in the later rounds of drafts that could bring that extra spark to your lineup. After all, hitting on players in this part of drafts could give you a shot at 1.5 million dollars in BBMV.
Prices will fluctuate as more information is gathered throughout the offseason. However, drafting in May can allow you access to mispriced ADPs. This can lead to rosters that could not be constructed when ADPs settle out in August.
Let’s take a look at some of the players available in the later rounds of drafts that can be added on to ideally make a “super team” in May. Be sure to check out Wolf’s 2024 Best Ball Rankings to see who he’s grabbing in the final rounds of drafts.
RAY DAVIS, BUFFALO BILLS (ADP: 172, RB53)
After a journeyman college career that ended at the University of Kentucky, Ray Davis found a home in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. After being selected in the 4th round of the NFL Draft, Davis joins James Cook in Buffalo’s backfield.
As a member of the Buffalo offense, Davis provides contingent value as a handcuff to Cook. However, Davis could have a meaningful role without an injury to Cook.
The Bills refuse to lean heavily on Cook, and he didn’t earn a bell-cow role under either offensive coordinator (Ken Dorsey and Joe Brady) last season. Cook handled 52 percent of the Bills rush attempts last season, eclipsing the 60 percent mark in just four individual games. This is a far cry from a workhorse back. So who handled the rest of the touches at running back?
For the most part, it was the corpse of Latavius Murray. Ty Johnson, Damien Harris, and Leonard Fournette were also involved at different points throughout the year. If the 2023 version of Latavius Murray can earn touches in this offense, it’s not that far of a stretch for Davis to get work in 2024. This is especially true when looking at the guys on the roster behind Cook and Davis: Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans, and Frank Gore Jr.
Aside from earning a chunk of the rushing attempts, there is a case for Davis to fully take over the goal line role. Buffalo essentially refused to use Cook at the goal line last season. Cook had 4 carries inside the five-yard line last season. Compared to Murray, who had 12 goal-line carries, tied for 12th most in the NFL.
With a path to a meaningful role in a Josh Allen offense and ridiculous upside, if Cook goes down, Ray Davis should be a name that is targeted at the end of drafts.
KIMANI VIDAL, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (ADP: 189, RB58)
Another rookie running back entering a situation with limited competition is Kimani Vidal. This lack of competition makes him an interesting dart throw. Vidal was not a highly valued prospect out of Troy University but was ultimately selected by the Chargers in the 6th round.
It’s natural for a GM to be excited about their new players after the draft. However, it truly seems like the Chargers like what they have in Vidal. His ability to break through tackles and pass protect could allow him to get meaningful reps as a rookie.
Thankfully, there aren’t too many players for Vidal to beat out for touches in the LA backfield. The primary competitors to Vidal will be JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Dobbins is coming off another major injury, rupturing his Achilles in 2023. This is on top of major knee surgery in 2022. Edwards is nothing more than a serviceable back. He can do what is asked of him but doesn’t bring much to a team.
This is all to say… the competition is lacking in Los Angeles. There is certainly a path for Vidal to become a part of the committee in LA and earn regular touches.
TYRONE TRACY JR., NEW YORK GIANTS (ADP 206.2, RB64)
One of the best landing spots, Tracy’s biggest competition for touches is Devin Singletary. Opportunity is key for rookie running backs, and Tracy has a big one with the departure of Saquon Barkley. A converted WR, Tracy has a unique skill set that raises his potential ceiling.
As a sophomore, Tracy led Iowa in Yards Per Route Run with 2.26 (!). Despite only having 33 carries before converting to RB at Purdue in 2023, he led all Power 5 RBs in this class (min. 100 carries) by yards after contact per attempt and ranked second in missed tackles forced per attempt.
At Purdue in 2023, he had the 11th-best kickoff return average in school history, including a 98-yard touchdown. Given the NFL’s new kickoff rules, there is a higher potential for players in Best Ball to gain points through special teams. I can only see Tracy’s stock rising as the summer goes on and we get beat reports from training camp. Get him while he’s free!
D’ONTA FOREMAN, CLEVELAND BROWNS (ADP: 225, RB65)
With the health of star running back Nick Chubb in question, journeyman running back D’Onta Foreman becomes an interesting late round selection in draft. While he is not a flashy young rookie, there is legitimate opportunity in the Cleveland backfield.
Following a multi-ligament knee injury that required multiple surgeries, Nick Chubb is primed to miss time to open the 2024 season. Starting the season on the PUP list and missing Weeks 1-4 is also realistic. Without Chubb in the mix, Cleveland will be left with Foreman and Jerome Ford as their primary ball carriers. Nyheim Hines is also a part of this backfield but he is more of an after thought.
While Chubb is out of the lineup, the Browns will lean on Ford and Foreman to handle the running back responsibilities. Ford will be the primary back with Foreman playing a complementary role. However, this secondary role can return value.
Even though Ford was the Browns “lead back” for most of 2023, he handled just 42% of rush attempts for the season. Ford also never handled more than 60 percent of rushes in a single game. Kareem Hunt was the reason for Ford’s lack of backfield dominance. Hunt handled 30-40 percent of the rushing attempts most weeks and was used at the goal line. This role produced eight weeks in which Hunt was the RB30 or better. In the absence of Chubb, Foreman seems to be the primary candidate to take work off of Ford’s plate.
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