Based on the current average draft position, these players are steals in fantasy football drafts.
Alfred Morris
Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris has never rushed for less than 1,000 yards in his NFL career. Right now, his ADP is averaging 31, which puts him toward the middle-half of the third round. He’s also the 13th running back being taken at this moment, just ahead of Frank Gore, Melvin Gordon and Lamar Miller.
Morris won’t have to split carries, and in his three years in the NFL, he’s shown the ability to score touchdowns (his career low is seven touchdowns) and produce yards.
He’s a far better value than Gore, Gordon (who will have to share the ball with Branden Oliver and Danny Woodhead) and Miller. He’s also being drafted behind New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram, who hasn’t exactly been known to chalk up the yards and touchdowns.
Morris is only in his fourth year, so there shouldn’t be a risk of a major downfal, and the Redskins can’t get much worse on offense than last season. In the third round, Morris is a quality pick.
Deandre Hopkins
Wide receiver Deandre Hopkins is now the man for the Houston Texans.
Granted, the Texans don’t have a great quarterback, but they will have to throw to somebody. Will it be Cecil Shorts? Or how about Jaelen Strong?
The receiver with the most talent and the best chance to have a breakout season is Hopkins, who will likely get the majority of the throwing targets. From his rookie year to his second season, Hopkins saw an increase of 24 catches to help him eclipse the 1,200 yard-mark in his second season.
He finished with 76 catches last year, and there’s no reason that number won’t continue to climb. He will be the only sure-fire weapon the Texans have at the skilled positions, especially with Arian Foster out, so his current ADP of 36 is a prime position for a steal.
Joseph Randle
Anyone who believes Darren McFadden will play significant time this season is fooling themselves. The Dallas Cowboys running back is supposed to be the lead back, but he’s already having trouble staying healthy, which has been a common thread during his career.
Joseph Randle’s ADP is 53, making him available early in the fifth round. He will get more carries as the season progresses, and everyone saw what DeMarco Murray did last year behind the Cowboys offensive line. Murray ran away with the rushing title, and that offensive line didn’t get worse.
The Cowboys may use a committee approach, especially in the early going, but rest assured, Randle will get plenty of carries eventually, making him a steal in the fifth round.
