Before I get started let me set the stage how I came up with these three undervalued players. I did three mock drafts, drafting at three different places (4, 6, and 8). I did a pretty basic 12 man, PPR, one quarterback, and one flex league. When I draft, I like to fill out my starting roster before I start on my bench. Why? Because my bench won’t get me any points. Most of the time I end up dropping most of the players I drafted on the bench by week 4. Take this all in consideration when looking at these three guys.
- Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Minnesota Vikings
I picked Kyle in the 7th round. I filled out my two running backs, 2 wide receivers, and my flex in the first six rounds. So now is the time to fill in the tight end position. But wait, I am passing on a third running back or another wide receive. But as I said I like to fill in my starters first. Rudolph is coming into a season with quarterback Sam Bradford throwing him the ball for the second year. Bradford loves tight ends. Plus, with Latavius Murray still injured and rookie running back Dalvin Cook in the backfield, I don’t trust the running game this year. Rudolph should see plenty of passes his way. And because he is a pretty big target, he will see the ball in the red zone too. I can see Rudolph getting a 100 catches, 1,000 yards, and 10 touchdowns this year. All of those numbers are up from last year.
"This season (83, 840, 7) was more along the lines of what I expect for myself, and what I expect moving forward," Rudolph said, "to kind of be a springboard and a baseline for the rest of my career." Source ESPN - Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants
I picked Eli in the 13th round. Now before you say, “Well I thought you fill out your starting roster before the bench?” That is true, however, when it comes to QBs I will wait until the well is drying up. I could have chosen, Dak Prescott, Marcus Mariota, and Ben Roethlisberger. I picked Manning because I feel he has the best targets out of the other three QBs. With Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, and so on. With a handful of running backs who can’t really run the ball, I feel Manning’s passing attempts will only go up. But won’t Marshall take attempts away from OBJ? Yeah, but that isn’t Manning’s problem. All Eli has to worry about is throw the ball, they catch it, get the yards, and score. He doesn’t care who catches it. I think Manning’s numbers will be something around 4,400 yards passing, 35 touchdowns, 23 interceptions (more passes thrown more chances of INTs). - Mike Wallace, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens
I took Wallace in the 11th round. It was a tough choice between Wallace and WR Marvin Jones from the Lions. The tie breaker for me was that Wallace is really the only option in the passing game as of right now in Baltimore.But that may change if Jeremy Maclin or Erik Decker signs with Baltimore.(they signed Maclin) Plus, the Ravens throw a lot more than the Lions. So that means more passes toWallaceMaclin. By the 11th round one is mostly filling in bench spots for bye week fillers anyway. One would probably never start a player from the 11th round or beyond, unless the player goes off for a few weeks in a row. I can see Wallace getting 85-90 catches, 1,200 yards, and 8 touchdowns. More passes his way, his numbers will go up.
Editors note: Dig Deeper with these 10 undervalued players for 2017.
Final Thoughts
As you go into your drafts, look for these three players. They will be right around where I picked them. Unless you get someone who is a homer for that team or player and will pick them three rounds too early. But I think these guys are great picks at where I got them and would be happy with them on my team. I like to pick players who will get me the most points as starters not as bench player. Rudolph and Manning will be two guys who can do that. Wallace, give him a few weeks and then watch out, he will get his points. Maybe he will work his way into your flex position by the end of the year.
