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The goal in fantasy football, especially in the later rounds of drafts, is to target high-ceiling players with some type of roadblock to playing time that can be easily overcome.
This could mean they are currently in a backup job and need an injury to gain more value, or they may have had a previous lack of production, but a change in situation or offensive philosophy dramatically changes their outlook.
These are 5 players that I’m personally targeting in the later rounds of fantasy drafts this year:
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Matt Breida (RB) MIA:
Breida has always been a back with immense talent and athleticism, but he has never logged more than 180 carries in a year because he can’t seem to stay healthy. Traded to Miami for a 5th round pick in April, Breida has a much clearer path to work, with only the aging Jordan Howard in front of him. He’s coming off the board as the 36th RB, somewhere in the 8th-9th round. With the massive drop off in talent at RB after the first 20 or so backs, Breida is a lottery ticket that could pay huge dividends if he can stay healthy.
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Emmanuel Sanders (WR) NO:
Sanders signed a two year deal with the Saints this off-season, immediately becoming the favorite for WR2 duties behind Michael Thomas. Sanders was excellent in the second half of 2019 after he was traded to the 49ers. Now paired with Drew Brees, Sanders is an excellent value in rounds 10-11, where his ADP sits right now. He’s the 46th WR off the board, but could absolutely end up as a Top 25 WR this year.
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Diontae Johnson (WR) PIT:
The speedster from Toledo just kept getting better as the year went on for Pittsburgh in 2019. He has big play potential, and with the return of Ben Roethlisberger, he is being overlooked as the 52nd WR off the board in redraft this year. He’ll split time in the slot with JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Chase Claypool tabbed for outside duties to begin the season.
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Curtis Samuel (WR) CAR:
Samuel is being criminally underrated in 2020. Matt Ruhle and Joe Brady take over the reigns of the offense for the Panthers this year, and Teddy Bridgewater comes in as the new QB. He’s the 55th WR coming off the board in round 12-13. He’s an excellent late round flier with huge upside in an offense that should be much better than it was in 2019.
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D’Andre Swift (RB) DET:
Detroit’s RB situation is a bit of a mess, and with a history of not being very RB friendly, I am not high on any of the RBs this year at all. Swift was the best all around RB to come out of the draft this year, as he’s the most complete of any prospect. He’s got a massive roadblock in Kerryon Johnson, though. Health has been an issue for Johnson, and if it becomes an issue in 2020, Swift will step into a large role. He’s a good back to stash later in drafts, and seeing as he’s the 40th RB coming off the board in the 11th round of drafts, his potential production warrants a look this late in drafts.
