As Cake’s timeless throwback asks, “How did you afford your rock 'n' role lifestyle?”
Simple, this fortunate drafter shrewdly selected the guys listed below.
Value is in the eyes of the beholder. ADP data acts as a guide, but even fantasy’s Sacagawea can lead gamers astray.
When it comes to annual picking practices, the widely held belief leagues are often won in the middle rounds has some merit. It’s far from foolproof, but those who scored Jayden Daniels, Brock Bowers or De’Von Achane in the discount portion of 2024 drafts presumably punched a playoff ticket.
Of course, they could’ve also been the miserable bastard who overconfidently grabbed Christian McCaffrey at No. 1 overall, but, again, odds were strong they booked a successful season.
Similar to scoring a 30-pack of Coors Light at the nearby Kum & Go for $20, the players outlined below are self-perceived extraordinary ADP buys.
Here is this year’s All-Undervalued Team, players you should "ruthlessly smash" the pick button for in the discount rounds this season.
QB - Bryce Young, Panthers (ADP: 122.23, QB22) - Given his diminutive frame, the former Alabama jamma isn’t quite tall enough to ride that nearby amusement park coaster. However, as other short slingers Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray have shown, pocket-sized passers can reliably produce in the right situation.
Benched earlier last season, Young remerged from his resetting focused and fresh. From Weeks 13-18, he finished top-10 in per game output three times. That may not seem earth-shattering, but his No. 5 Pro Football Focus pass grade over that span showcased his potential. On the season, his QB17 red-zone completion percentage and QB5 deep-ball catchable pass rate exuded similar feelings.
With Tetairoa McMillan now in the mix, Young is poised to take a significant step forward. His No. 3 easiest fantasy QB strength of schedule only increases the likelihood.
His ceiling is the QB10-QB12 range, but a finish inside the position's top-15 would certainly leave investors satisfied.
RB - Tyrone Tracy, Giants (ADP: 85.20, RB28) - The raging love affair for modern day Peyton Hillis, Cam Skattebo, has greatly suppressed Tracy’s draft day cost -- even with the rookie still sidelined by a nagging hamstring injury.
Tracy falling outside the RB2 ranks in average drafts is downright silly. Given the youngster’s time missed, the converted college WR should renew his opportunity-dominant role straight away. Remember from Week 10 on last year, he tucked inside the position’s top 17 four times. For the deep-league FLEX crowd, his 16.9 PPR points scored Week 16 versus Atlanta was playoff hero-like.
Sure-handed and dependable, Tracy ranked an appreciable RB24 in yards created per touch (3.59), RB23 in yards per touch (4.9) and RB29 in total missed tackles forced (34). Again, he’s a back-end RB2 in a pinch.
Consider him a discount version of D’Andre Swift (ADP: 63.41, RB22) who just might outperform the comp over the 18-week season.
WR - Matthew Golden, Packers (ADP: 82.42, WR41) - The Golden One is one of the virtual game’s shiniest new toys. Stock the bullion and investors could turn quite the tidy long-term profit.
Hyped throughout Packers camp, the rookie speedster has clearly shown he isn't a one-trick MVS type. He's displayed route versatility, winning outside the numbers and routinely beating defenders across the middle. His separation skills and after-catch explosion are why onlookers -- Jordan Love very much included -- have described him as "a stud."
Also influential is the staggering amount of nicks and scrapes Green Bay's wide receiver corps has already endured. Jayden Reed (foot), Romeo Doubs (back) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) have all missed time this summer with various setbacks. As a result, Golden has refined his skills, making the transition from college uncomplicated.
Love's bum thumb on his non-throwing hand raises some questions, but fully expected to be ready for the enormous opener versus Detroit -- he returned to practice earlier this week -- the QB should immediately tally a Golden return.
When the dust settles on the season, the first-rounder totaling WR2 numbers in 12-team leagues would come as no surprise.
TE - Brenton Strange, Jaguars (ADP: 126.26, TE20) - Stranger Things are happening in Jacksonville and the under-the-radar tight end is a demogorgon with soft hands.
Brian Thomas and Travis Hunter may have DUVAL all abuzz, but the under-appreciated tight end stands to benefit working in the short-to-intermediate field -- many of those opportunities coming in single coverage.
Last year with Trevor Lawrence and backup Mac Jones, Strange rose from obscurity to contribute meaningful PPR production in 12-team and deeper leagues. Twice in the regular season's final four weeks, he slid inside the TE top-15 in per game output. His 11 catches for 73 yards versus the Jets in Week 15 still sits fresh on the mind.
If his Preseason performance with the starters offers any indication, he's a viable 65-70 catch candidate. Last year in Liam Coen's Tampa Bay offense, TE Cade Otton totaled the 11th-best line in 0.5 PPR formats.
His secondary analytics don't exactly move the meter, but passing the eye test with flying colors and locked into the TE1 role in what should be a prolific scoring attack, Strange isn't a bizarre pick in the middle rounds.
What players make your All-Undervalued Team? Share in the comments section below.