The 2024 Fantasy Football season is quickly approaching. Although everyone worries about how their first or second-round picks will perform, it’s the late-round sleepers who make the biggest difference. These players probably aren’t going to be starters for your team on week one but they could still play a big part in winning your league especially if you have a lot of injuries and need an immediate replacement. Here are three players who I am targeting late in fantasy drafts this season.
QB Aaron Rodgers (ADP: 137 on Fantasy Pros)
Rodgers, 40, is coming off a torn Achilles injury from last season. But he has finished as a top-15 fantasy quarterback in eight of his last nine seasons when he was healthy. In 2022, Rodgers’ last season in Green Bay, he finished as the No. 13 QB while throwing for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Rodgers was seventh in touchdowns in 2022 but only led the Packers to an 8-9 record.
Is it likely for Rodgers in his age 40 season to have a dropoff? Yes, it is. However, I don’t believe it will be as severe as his ADP suggests. Currently, Rodgers is being drafted as the No. 20 on Fantasy Pros. To me, it is a good bet to take on a proven elite QB even though he is past his prime. He might not have top-five or top-ten upside in him but if he can get into the top-15 range, that’s good value for your backup QB. Rodgers has a good core of pass catchers this season with the Jets. The Jets have an elite WR in Garrett Wilson, who has an ADP of 10 right now, while also adding Mike Williams from the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams had over 1,000 yards the last time he played more than 15 games.
If Rodgers stays healthy this season, there is a good chance that he will be an above-average QB in the NFL. He also has the supporting cast to do it, with multiple elite WRs and an elite RB in Breece Hall.
RB Ty Chandler ( ADP: 133 on Fantasy Pros)
In the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings signed former Pro Bowl RB Aaron Jones to a one-year $7 million contract. Chandler will still remain a big part of their offense. As a backup, Chandler saw a career-high in rush attempts last season with 102 carries for a total of 461 yards with only three touchdowns. Chandler also caught 21 balls for 159 yards which gave him 101 fantasy points in PPR leagues. Although he finished as RB 48 a season ago, he’s no longer the backup. Right now, the Vikings are calling Chandler the 1B RB to Jones’ 1A.
With Sam Darnold taking the reigns as the Vikings starting QB, the running backs should be heavily involved. Chandler should benefit a lot this season playing alongside Jones in the backfield with Darnold. Getting a player that might wind up being a starting RB after the 10th round in your draft is unbelievable value.
WR Rashod Bateman (ADP: 222 on Fantasy Pros)
Bateman, a former first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is still only 24 years old. He hasn’t fulfilled his complete potential in the first three years of his career. Despite this, he is still talented and is worth a flier in one of the final rounds of your draft. Bateman is being drafted as WR79 right now according to Fantasy Pros. He played in 16 games for the Ravens in 2023, totaling 367 yards on 32 receptions while averaging 11.5 yards per catch.
Batemen is listed as a starter on the latest Ravens depth chart. Ravens OC Todd Monken said he’s seen tremendous growth during training camp. Since the Ravens do not have an established elite veteran WR, I think adding Bateman to your fantasy team for the low cost of a late-round draft pick is a good decision. As Bateman’s ADP is very high at 222 on Fantasy Pros, he is someone to target if you are in a deep draft with extra rounds or a league with 12 or more teams.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is ryanwohl) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information
