Fantasy Football: Best Late-Round Values at Each Position

If you've played fantasy football for more than 45 minutes, you'll probably already know this—late-round gems crown champions.

While drafting Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is a fun commodity to have, there's nothing like finding someone like Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge in 2015 or picking up Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin late in the season.

In fact, players like quarterback Blake Bortles, running back David Johnson, Barnidge and Baldwin were all either undrafted or drafted really late. With those kind of players, why even bother drafting, am I right?

Point is: It helps your chances to secure a title if you hit on some late-round studs and play the waiver wire.

In this slideshow, you'll find three players from each position.

To qualify as a "late-round pick," the respective player is being drafted in the 10th round or later, according to Fantasy Football Calculator ADP. 

Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts

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After a nonexistent season with the Indianapolis Colts, tight end Dwayne Allen is poised to contribute in a big way in 2016.

While 2015 was a horrendous season, we've seen production from Allen, specifically in the form of touchdowns. In 2014, Allen had eight touchdowns on 29 receptions.

To this point, outside of those eight touchdowns, Allen has been a mediocre player in fantasy football. However, there is a glaring and obvious difference from the past and the present—tight end Coby Fleener.

This offseason, Fleener departed and landed with the New Orleans Saints.

The Colts depth chart in terms of pass-catchers consists of wide receivers T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett, along with Allen.

With a healthy season from quarterback Andrew Luck, Allen may have a tough time accumulating a high amount of targets and receptions, but he could be a touchdown scorer in the red zone.

Allen is a risky every-week starter, but he is a fantastic option for a Tyler Eifert owner awaiting his return or as a bye-week fill-in or deep-league starter. Though risky, he could pay huge dividends—just be weary of the repercussions.

Allen is currently going in the 11th round as the 14th tight end off the board.

Travis Benjamin, WR, San Diego Chargers

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With the injury to wide receiver Stevie Johnson, fellow San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin is the clear-cut, no-questions-asked No. 2 wide receiver on the Chargers depth chart.

As we saw last season, Benjamin is much more than a deep threat. In fact, he is a much better route-runner than we expected, totaling 125 targets with the Cleveland Browns in 2015.

Also, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw over 660 times. While that was more than he's ever thrown, Rivers could probably reach the 600 mark once again. The running game and Melvin Gordon should improve this upcoming season, but the offensive line still has question marks.

While fellow wide receiver Keenan Allen should see a bevy of targets, there should still be a great amount left over after Rivers feeds Allen, tight end Antonio Gates and running back Danny Woodhead.

Going as the WR46 in points-per-reception leagues, Benjamin has WR3 upside in the same format in 2016.

Martellus Bennett, TE, New England Patriots

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Well it's back to the two-tight-end sets for the New England Patriots.

Since the imprisonment (is that OK to say?) of tight end Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots have been looking for a tight end to tandem with Rob Gronkowski.

Well, they've found him—former Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett.

We've seen it before. You know, the Patriots offense being able to facilitate two TE1s. That could very well happen again this year.

Other than the tight ends, the Patriots do have wide receivers Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell. However, this group of skill position players is best suited in those famous two-tight-end sets like the old days.

To sum it up: Bennett and Gronk are going to play, like, all the time.

Bennett will likely be third on the team in targets this season. If you're one to draft a tight end late, Bennett in the middle of the 10th round is a great bargain for the price. 

Anquan Boldin, WR, Detroit Lions

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This Detroit Lions offense is going to be a lot of fun to watch in 2016. Some are fans of its potential, some are not—it is what it is.

There are many weapons on the Lions, but none like wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin has made a name for himself being a yards-after-the-catch monster—something we've already seen this preseason.

Coming out of the slot, Boldin could rack up a modest amount of catches, but with his size and ability to separate from defenders, the touchdown likelihood is too juicy to pass on.

The Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford throw the ball quite a lot each season and Boldin could still be a fantasy commodity, even at his advanced age.

I mean, come on—he's currently being drafted as the WR68 in the 14th round. You could do a lot worse.

Isaiah Crowell, RB, Cleveland Browns

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Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell possesses an ability that we are all looking for in fantasy running backs—200-carry potential.

Last season, Crowell had 185 carries. While fellow running back Duke Johnson is the main pass-catcher out of the backfield for the Browns, Crowell still offers value that you cannot find in other RB4s, according to their ADP.

While Crowell had a yards-per-carry average under four in 2015, the Browns offensive line was dreadful, to say the least.

Last season, Crowell was a relatively tough back to bring down and also had his fair share of long runs as his elusive rating and breakaway percentage display, respectively.

Believe it or not, the Browns are an offense that is ascending, all things considered. With the additions of wide receiver Corey Coleman and quarterback Robert Griffin III, along with Josh Gordon finally returning this season after a four-game suspension, Crowell could improve statistically. 

Crowell is currently going in the 10th round—that's pretty good for a 200-carry capable running back.

Rishard Matthews, WR, Tennessee Titans

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Although Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker is the main pass-catching option for the team, wide receiver Rishard Matthews projects as the WR1.

It's not too often you can find a team's lead wide receiver in the 11th round.

Last season, quarterback Marcus Mariota missed four games due to injury. Still, the Titans were 31st in the league in yards per drive and 29th in the league in points per drive, according to Football Outsiders.

With another year of Mariota, plus the additions of Matthews, rookie wide receiver Tajae Sharpe and running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, those figures are bound to go up.

Matthews broke onto the scene last season with the Miami Dolphins, catching 43 passes for 662 yards and four touchdowns. While those numbers are far from scintillating, Matthews did miss five games due to injury, but had five or more receptions in five games.

Wide receiver Kendall Wright is still dealing with a hamstring injury and the Titans traded former second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham. Both of these factors should boost Matthews' fantasy value, even if slightly.

While Mariota doesn't throw a ton, Matthews should end up second on the Titans in targets in 2016. He's currently being drafted as the WR54.

Take a swing!

Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

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The Philadelphia Eagles are perhaps the least inspiring fantasy offense in 2016—nothing gets me nor you excited, right?

However, the one bright spot is running back Darren Sproles. While he may be best suited for PPR leagues, he offers cheap upside at his current ADP of RB46 in the 11th round.

Let's cut to the chase—quarterback Sam Bradford is, well, not the best. As a result, I'm not overly excited about the wide receivers. Sproles, however, saw 73 targets in 2015, catching 55 of them.

Though the Eagles have added wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham to bolster their receiver depth, Sproles is the best option value-wise on the Eagles offense.

In a PPR league, Sproles is a worthy flex play who could beat his target total of 73 last season.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

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I know what you're going to say about Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and it's likely expletive-laden.

Totally understandable.

The first half of last season was so frustrating for anyone who owned Stafford. However, after the Lions brought in offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter (fantastic name) a switch flipped.

For the first nine weeks of the season, Stafford was the QB19 with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. 

From Week 10 on? QB5, with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions.

In 2015, the Lions were also fifth in the league in pass attempts per game. This season, that number could very well go up. Even with the departure of wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the Lions added Anquan Boldin and Marvin Jones to the fold.

Stafford has been known to throw quite a bit, throwing over 700 times in a season twice. 

In a 14-team league, I'd leave the draft content with Stafford as my starting quarterback.

Securing Stafford as your quarterback in the 11th round (like his ADP shows) allows for flexibility to stock up on running back and wide receiver depth.

The Stafford and Cooter connection is real.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is probably my favorite quarterback to own this season when you look at his price tag.

Like Matthew Stafford, Taylor is also going in the 11th round as the QB16.

There are numerous aspects to Taylor and the Bills that make him a likable asset.

First, his rushing ability. In 2015, Taylor had over 100 rushing attempts, making him one of three quarterbacks to reach that milestone.

Second, he didn't throw a ton in 2015. In fact, the Bills were 31st in pass attempts per game. Why is that a selling point? Because it's impossible for Taylor to regress in that area of his production.

An uptick in pass attempts and a steady stream of rushing attempts are both fantastic attributes with fantasy quarterbacks—especially the rushing.

Lastly, the Bills downright score points when Taylor, wide receiver Sammy Watkins and running back LeSean McCoy are on the field. When this trio was healthy and on the field together, the Bills averaged right around 26 points per contest.

Taylor will finish as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in 2016.

Chris Thompson, RB, Washington Redskins

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With the Washington Redskins backfield in flux after Matt Jones' injury, the one constant that remains is Chris Thompson.

Although he is not a workhorse, Thompson should see upward of 85 to 90 targets in 2016.

Right now, the Redskins have tight end Jordan Reed and wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson as the main targets, but that doesn't mean Thompson should be forgotten.

Thompson has really improved on his pass protection and is the best among the Redskins backs. Pass protection leads to snaps in the NFL, we know that. With this, plus his receiving ability, Thompson may even be able to carve out a slightly larger role, especially with Jones' injury and the ineffectiveness thus far from rookie running back Keith Marshall.

In PPR leagues, Thompson is an easy target. One thing that could dampen his value, however, is the signing of a veteran running back like Pierre Thomas.

Until that happens, Thompson is a fine option, especially at his RB60 price tag.

Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

For the sake of this slide, let's hope that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston avoids the sophomore slump.

Last season, Winston had his rookie growing pains, but finished off the season with over 4,000 passing yards—pretty impressive.

Winston has solid depth at the skill positions. At wide receiver, the Buccaneers rely on Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. Besides them, Winston has running back Charles Sims and tight ends Cameron Brate and Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

Those are some pretty good options for a quarterback going in the 12th round and 17th at the position.

Over the last three games of 2015, Winston and the Buccaneers were fifth in the league in pass attempts with 42. Volume, volume, volume.

His rookie slumps were apparent when you look at where the Buccaneers ranked in yards per drive, points per drive and turnovers per drive, ranking fifth, 18th and 26th, respectively. To sum it up, the Buccaneers created yardage, but due to turnovers from a rookie quarterback (and of course other variables) the point totals and the yardage were not exactly on par with one another.

Minus hitting a wall in his second season, Winston will continue to be a prolific passer and should cut down on the turnover attempts.

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

Gus Ruelas/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten just keeps on truckin', doesn't he?

Every season, Witten is underdrafted and outperforms his ADP leading up to that season, seemingly. What has been his kryptonite the past couple seasons has been his touchdown totals. In 2014 he had five and in 2015 he had just three.

However, his TE10 finish last season was the worst he's finished in a decade.

Totaling over 100 targets last season, Witten is still an integral part of the Cowboys offense. With quarterback Tony Romo back, Witten should be his same old self, outperforming his ADP.

Witten is going in the 13th round as the 15th tight end off the board. While he may have some frustrating weeks, Witten will still have a healthy amount of games with five or more receptions—a trait that is nice to have if you wait on a tight end and settle for someone like Witten.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus, Pro-Football-Reference, Team Rankings and Football Outsiders. All ADP references courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.