The starters have been scrutinized and analyzed ad nauseum. But what do you do when you start building depth and the picks are in the late hundreds? The running backs and wide receivers, likely options for backups, may actually be backups in real football, too.
So what players offer the best value who can have the biggest upside? A popular pick is to handcuff your top running back with his backup. Another option is to handcuff another team’s best running back. Last season was a primary reason to practice that strategy as several top running backs went down with injury, only to see their backups have solid seasons for fantasy football owners.
Don’t just worry about the handcuff, though. Picking up rising quarterbacks can be decent options, along with that young wide receiver who could work his way up the depth chart.
Here’s three players to keep an eye on with your draft’s final picks.
Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens, WR
We didn’t get a first glimpse at Perriman last year thanks to an injury during his rookie campaign. That’s OK, since he says he’ll be worth the wait.
Draft experts don’t expect him to be worth the wait considering he’s ranked 194th overall and owns an average draft position of 215. He’ll be there for your final picks and he’s worth a flier based on potential.
The Ravens need a playmaker. Steve Smith Sr. is on his last leg and while I like Kamar Aiken, he isn’t the answer the Ravens are looking for in terms of a future No. 1 wide receiver. Mike Wallace is the burner for now, but his time in Minnesota should tell us that he’s completely limited and it’s only a matter of time before Perriman earns a bigger role for the Ravens.
He was a first round draft pick for a reason and the Ravens must see what that investment looks like this season. The Ravens offense should be improved this season, so Perriman will eventually see a bigger role. That could be a boon to your fantasy roster down the road.
Charcandrick West, Kansas City Chiefs, RB
This is all about handicapping the future. Jamaal Charles has been unable in the past to stay on the field. He’s missed significant time in two of the last five seasons. Two years ago, despite seeing action in 15 games, he went for his lowest amount of carries since 2009.
Those numbers can be a telling sign for the end of a running back’s career. If Charles can’t stay on the field, all signs point to West as being the main option for the Chiefs.
During Charles’ absence last season, West went for 848 total yards and five total touchdowns. West is another year older and has already shown the ability to step in for Charles’ absence. He’s not a starter now. But West offers a realistic shot at gaining a potential RB2 in the final rounds of the draft.
Jaelen Strong, Houston Texans, WR
Somebody has to catch the ball other than DeAndre Hopkins for the Houston Texans. Why not Strong?
Strong is battling for that second wide receiver position, but all reports and playing time in the preseason point to strong as being that second option. Strong suffered through a difficult rookie year last season, but that should change this season.
Strong finished the year last season with more balls his way, ending the season with 12 targets during his final two games. That has continued with five targets during his most recent preseason game as a starter.
Currently, Strong owns an ADP of near 300, so he’s unlikely to be drafted in any leagues. However, he will likely be the No. 2 option for a Texans team that could be more dynamic on the offensive side of the ball. He could slip into a WR3 role this season if Houston’s is as good as advertised.
