5 Good Value Players in Fantasy in Each Position

Jesse’s 5 Value Players in Fantasy in Each Position

Today, we are going to look at QB, RB, WR, and TE in fantasy football and highlight 5 players in each position who have great upside value and could be considered undervalued. As we get closer to the season, fantasy leagues are starting in full force with drafts and mock drafts. For reference, the data I’m using comes from 12-team standard PPR mock drafts on ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper. I can’t speak for everyone, but football season is my favorite time of year, and fantasy football is a big reason why. So let’s cut out the chit-chat and get rolling!

Note: These are not listed in order of who has the best value — this is simply a list of players I think are great grabs at their current predicted ADP (Average Draft Position). We used a 12-person league setup with 15 roster spots.

Quarterbacks

• Matthew Stafford (Projected Rounds 9–12): As the reigning MVP and leader in passing touchdowns last season, you would think his ranking would be higher, but he currently sits at QB15. I think most people are concerned with his age and reported injury history. Last offseason, there was speculation he might retire due to lingering injuries, and this year he seems to be dealing with a back issue. However, I have Stafford ranked higher than Bo Nix, Trevor Lawrence, and Brock Purdy, who are all ranked above him in most mocks. Stafford kept all of his offensive weapons, and his defense looks better on paper. If he stays healthy, I don’t see any reason he won’t be a top-5 fantasy QB again.
• Patrick Mahomes (Projected Rounds 8–10): Mahomes was QB11 in total points last season until his knee injury in Week 15. I know the Chiefs weren’t the dominant team we’re used to seeing, and the main concern is Mahomes returning from that injury on a team that might not be vastly improved. Rashee Rice is having a slow start to the offseason, Travis Kelce looks a bit slower with age, and Xavier Worthy is still getting back to form after last season’s shoulder injury. Even so, I just feel like Mahomes will finish in the top 10. He has the elite talent to elevate those around him, and if he stays healthy, he’ll get there.
• Cam Ward (Round 15–Undrafted): ESPN has him ranked as QB25 overall. I think the Titans’ offense is far too improved for him to fall that far. With Calvin Ridley, the addition of Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, and new OC Brian Daboll, Ward is poised to make a big leap in Year 2. I think we’ll see a lot of seeeeeed!!! If he and the Titans stay remotely healthy, I believe he finishes as a top-18 fantasy quarterback.
• Caleb Williams (Projected Rounds 6–8): Williams finished as QB5 last season, yet ESPN currently has him projected at QB11. I expect this team to build on last season’s success and push him back into the top 8. I have Williams ranked ahead of Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence, and I see him as a solid top-10 option. Ben Johnson is too good of an offensive play-caller, and the Bears have plenty of weapons. My only real concern is the durability of his receivers, who have struggled with injuries over the past two seasons.
• Baker Mayfield (Round 11–Undrafted): Last season, injuries to Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, and Chris Godwin hurt Mayfield’s production. Two seasons ago, when the offense was healthy, he finished as a top-10 QB. Last year, he was QB8 up until Week 6 before the injury bug bit the Bucs, ultimately finishing as QB19 in total points. Ranked at QB20 to start this season, he has a lot to prove — especially with his offseason comments about seeking a new contract. I currently have him projected in the top 15.

Running Backs

• Tony Pollard (Projected Rounds 7–9): Brian Daboll is the main reason I am higher on Pollard than most. Daboll utilized Tyrone Tracy and Cam Skattebo heavily over the last two seasons. I think Pollard will get the ball much more than he did last year, though draft-day caution is still warranted since Spears and rookie Nicholas Singleton will steal some touches. Pollard finished as RB23 in total points last year, but I have him in the RB16–17 range if he stays healthy. Great value here.
• Tyler Allgeier (Projected Round 12–Undrafted): Many people forget that Allgeier was set to be a starter after signing his contract before the Cardinals drafted Jeremiayh Love in the 1st round. I don’t see Love being a primary goal-line back, so I expect Allgeier to see more work in the end zone.
• Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Projected Round 14–Undrafted): Bhayshul Tuten is set to be the starter for the Jags this season, but nobody knows how he’ll pan out or if he can stay healthy. He’s a young player with high upside, but could also flop. That’s why I like Rodriguez in this late spot or as a waiver-wire target. He has the potential to step up if Tuten stumbles, and Rodriguez brings more NFL experience to the table.
• Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Projected Round 14–Undrafted): I like Tracy for the same reason I like Rodriguez — he could be in the right place at the right time. With Skattebo coming off a season-ending injury, I don’t see the Giants giving him 20 carries a game right away. Coach Harbaugh’s offenses have historically been very run-heavy, so Tracy could easily end up with more touches than people expect.
• Jadarian Price (Projected Rounds 6–7): With the injury to Zach Charbonnet last season, Price is set to handle the bulk of the carries until the Seahawks feel comfortable splitting the workload. I love Price’s setup and potential productivity at his draft position more than Love’s. Price was also a 1st-round pick out of Notre Dame, and I expect him to have a very productive season.

Wide Receivers

• Deebo Samuel (Projected Rounds 11–13): With Ricky Pearsall out for the season and Mike Evans’ injury history, Deebo has an opportunity to regain the role he had back on the 49ers. He won’t be that exact same player — he has his own injury history to manage — but he’s been getting tons of red-zone work in camp, which translates to great upside at his current draft position.
• Stefon Diggs (Projected Rounds 8–11): Diggs finished as WR23 last season, which was surprisingly productive considering he was coming off a major knee injury. He posted 85 catches for over 1,000 yards. On this Commanders team, he’s primed for a better year with Terry McLaurin drawing coverage, making for a much better situation than the Patriots receiving corps he played with last season.
• Wan’Dale Robinson (Projected Rounds 8–10): I love the upside at this draft price. Over the last two seasons with the Giants under Daboll — who is now the OC for the Titans — Robinson saw 280 targets, catching 185 passes for 1,713 yards and 7 TDs. He finished as WR14 last season, and I think he’s in a great spot to be top 15 again.
• DJ Moore (Projected Rounds 4–6): Here is another great spot for a player I expect to outproduce several receivers drafted ahead of him. Moore was WR35 last season due to missed time, but I have him ranked ahead of Ladd McConkey, Tetairoa McMillan, and Garrett Wilson. Though he had career lows last year while acting as the WR3 on the Bears, he’s now on the Bills, where he is expected to be the clear WR1.
• Josh Downs (Projected Rounds 9–10): With Alec Pierce dealing with an injury, Downs should see plenty of targets coming his way. Pierce is expected back for the start of the season, but Downs in the slot will be much more of a target machine. Pierce has never caught 50 passes in a season and has only broken 1,000 yards once. While Downs might not put up huge yardage totals, I expect him to command high target volume and catch totals. Downs and Tyler Warren will absorb most of the targets while Pierce works downfield.

Tight Ends

• George Kittle (Projected Rounds 8–10): Kittle was a locked-in top-3 tight end for years before finishing as TE13 last season. Age and injuries have lowered his rankings, and while the 49ers expect him ready for Week 1, managers are understandably skeptical. That said, if Kittle is on the field, he has top-5 TE ceiling, making him a absolute steal at this point in drafts.
• Isaiah Likely (Projected Rounds 8–10): Likely missed time last season, but the Giants and Jaxon Dart have reportedly been very impressed with him in camp. We know Coach Harbaugh loves using tight ends — as we saw with Mark Andrews in Baltimore — and Likely now gets his chance as a true TE1 instead of playing in a backup role.

Travis Kelce (Projected Rounds 9–11): Another perennial top-5 tight end who was considered a disappointment last season. I believe Kelce has something to prove this year as he approaches retirement. He still finished as TE3 in PPR in 2025 during an “off year” for the Chiefs. At his current ADP, he’s a fantastic grab if you miss out on Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, or Harold Fannin. I have Kelce outperforming Tucker Kraft, Sam LaPorta, and Hunter Henry.

• Brenton Strange (Projected Round 12–Undrafted): Before landing on IR last year, Strange was producing as a top-10 PPR tight end. He posted career highs before the injury, and now that he’s fully healthy, he could be a massive late-round steal. He finished TE23 overall last season, but I have him pushing for top-15 status. Trevor Lawrence will likely rely on him as a safety valve now that Travis Etienne is gone.
• Gunnar Helm (Projected Round 15–Unranked): He’s not a guy you start every week, but people are sleeping on Gunnar Helm. He backed up Chig Okonkwo last season and now has the opportunity to step up as TE1 for the Titans. Unlike new additions Wan’Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate, Helm already has chemistry with the QB Cam Ward. He could serve as a valuable safety net for Ward. Helm finished as TE31 last year, but I have him inside the top 25, making him a solid last-round pick or waiver pick up.

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Author — Jesse Robertson(Benchwarmer Broadcasting Co-host)