Each week we will list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define “widely available” as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.
This week we will highlight players who will likely have value this season, but went undrafted in most standard leagues (average draft position courtesy of Fantasy Pros).
QB Tyrod Taylor, Browns (ADP: 209): Taylor’s floor remains high because of his running capabilities — he and Cam Newton are the only quarterbacks with at least 80 carries and four rushing scores the past three seasons — and he’s never had this many weapons in the passing game (Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Antonio Callaway, David Njoku and Duke Johnson). He only has to keep Baker Mayfield sidelined for a season.
RB Jeremy Hill, Patriots (ADP: 208): Last season was the first Hill didn’t score at least nine touchdowns in his four professional seasons. Both Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel missed the entire preseason with reported knee injuries.
RB D’Onta Foreman, Texans (ADP: 161): Foreman begins the season on the PUP list (he will miss at least the first six games). As soon as he returns, Lamar Miller’s days are numbered as a starter.
WR James Washington, Steelers (ADP: 216): We spent four seasons salivating over the possibilities of Martavis Bryant in this offense. Washington is just as talented and significantly more stable.
WR Ryan Grant, Colts (ADP: 290): A healthy Andrew Luck’s No. 2 wide receiver is typically a fantasy relevant asset.
WR Geronimo Allison, Packers (ADP: 189): Allison begins the season as Aaron Rodgers’ No. 3 wideout. He’ll finish it as his second option and a WR2 in fantasy.
WR Dede Westbrook, Jaguars (ADP: 173): Marqise Lee is done for the season. Donte Moncrief can never stay healthy and the one thing Blake Bortles can do is throw a decent deep ball. Westbrook is the most talented receiver on the roster.
TE O.J. Howard, Buccaneers (ADP: 154): He scored six touchdowns on only 39 targets his rookies season. Cameron Brate has earned our respect, but I always bet on talent to win in the end.
TE Ricky Seals-Jones, Cardinals (ADP: 217): Tight end has always been a point of emphasis in a Mike McCoy offense (Antonio Gates, Hunter Henry and Julius Thomas).
D/ST Bills (ADP: 289): They will likely force a lot of turnovers, and the upgrades to the defensive line will only help their pass rush. The ball-hawking, disciplined secondary is the cherry on top.
