With the fantasy football season slowly approaching, many are wondering who are the best picks heading into the draft. Using ESPN’s early ADP, let’s take a look at the best value picks from three different areas of the draft: the early rounds (Rounds 1-3), middle rounds (Rounds 4-6), and late rounds (Round 7+).
Best Early-Round Fantasy Football Value Picks
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (ADP 17)
With the injury to Aaron Rodgers last season, Garrett Wilson was set up for failure. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers and a new left tackle in Tyron Smith, the passing attack in New York should be elite. Wilson was targeted on 29.8% of New York’s passes last year, so he should be in line to explode this season as the Jets’ offense takes a step forward.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (ADP 25)
Jalen Hurts is coming off another fantastic season for fantasy as he finished as the QB2, behind only Josh Allen. With Allen losing his top two receivers this offseason, Hurts is set up to become the QB1. The only knock on him is that he lost his Hall of Fame center, Jason Kelce, to retirement. It will be interesting to see how the tush push works this year, but Hurts should still have another excellent fantasy season.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (ADP 29)
With only two tight ends currently being drafted in the top three rounds of fantasy football drafts, LaPorta leads the way in value. Not only did LaPorta finish as the TE1 in this past year, but it was also his rookie year. Despite this, he is currently being drafted as the TE2, behind Travis Kelce. LaPorta is in line to continue his dominance in 2024, which is why he is a great value pick.
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Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (ADP 33)
Josh Jacobs had a rocky year last year, but the blame can not be only on him. The Raiders’ offensive line was abysmal, and their quarterback play was terrible. Aidan O’Connell Finished 25th in ESPN QBR last year, which allowed teams to sell out for the run. With Jacobs getting a fresh start in Green Bay as the lead back, he should be able to get back to his 2022 self.
Best Mid-Round Fantasy Football Value Picks
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP 38)
White saw his first year of being the lead back in Tampa in 2023, and he did not disappoint. White finished as the PPR RB4 last year but was the RB2 from Week 7 onwards, only behind Christian McCaffrey. In a PPR format, White should not be falling to the 15th RB off the board in fantasy drafts. He was fourth in receptions for RBs in 2023 with 64 receptions while also having 1,539 yards in total.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (ADP 39)
Coming off one of the best rookie quarterback seasons of all time, C.J. Stroud is set to continue his dominance. With the addition of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the Texans have arguably the best receiver corps in the NFL. Stroud finished last season as the QB11, but he was the QB7 before he and WR Tank Dell both suffered injuries in Week 13. If the Texans can stay healthy, a top fantasy season from Stroud is guaranteed.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (ADP 46)
Waddle finished last year as the PPR WR34, but he was the WR21 in points per game. The Dolphins’ offense is very explosive, which plays into stars like Waddle and Tyreek Hill. If Waddle can stay healthy, he could be a fantasy star like he was in 2022 when he finished as the WR8.
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (ADP 59)
When Trey McBride took the role of TE 1 in Arizona in Week 8, he became a fantasy stud. After WEek 8, McBride was the TE3 in total scoring while only having three TDs. With the departure of Marquise Brown in free agency, McBride is set to become the main target for Kyler Murray, barring the upcoming draft.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (ADP 77)
Kyle Pitts has burned everyone who has drafted him after his impressive rookie year. This year, though, he finally has a starting-caliber QB throwing him the ball in Kirk Cousins. Cousins loves using his TEs, as evidenced by T.J. Hockenson finishing as the TE4 in 2023. Pitts is arguably the most athletic TE in the NFL and is in line to finally be a top TE in fantasy
Best Late-Round Fantasy Football Value Picks
Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP 89)
Marquise Brown joined the Chiefs this offseason which should allow him to reach his full potential. With Rashee Rice potentially due to miss time with off-the-field issues, Brown could become the WR1 in Kansas City. The potential WR1 for Patrick Mahomes going at ADP 89 is a must-draft.
Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (ADP 113)
With Jim Harbaugh coming into San Diego and bringing in his run-first scheme, the starting RB for the Chargers will be a great value pick. Harbaugh’s offense has been a power run scheme through all levels of football, which plays perfectly with Edwards’ running style. If the Chargers do not add a running back in the NFL Draft, Edwards is a must-draft with this ADP price tag
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (ADP 139)
Gared Goff at ADP 139 feels illegal after the year he had last year. Goff finished as the QB7 last year, which was over players like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. For his ADP price, Goff is a must-draft, even if it is just for a backup option.
