Roy Helu will be donning the silver and black and may get his shot behind an unproven Latavius Murray

Drafting a team can consist of many strategies, especially in the later rounds, and one of those can be taking late-round fliers (lottery tickets). Why should one do this? Because upside is everything when all the established mid-to-high end players are gone.

There’s nothing wrong with players who are consistently average, but getting steals deep in a draft are what sets one team apart from another. To help with finding some lotto tickets, we’ve asked the featured experts to name under-the-radar RBs (ADP below 125 Overall) who are getting their late round attention.

Q1. Name one under-the-radar RB that you plan to target in all drafts as a late-round lottery ticket.

Roy Helu (RB – OAK)
Overall ADP: 152
“Latavius Murray projects as the early-down thumper, but he really didn’t show much last year beyond a Week 12 outburst (4 carries, 112 yards and 2 TDs) against Kansas City. Even if Murray secures the lead role this summer, Helu will carry PPR upside as one of the game’s best receiving RBs. He’s averaged nearly 9 yards-per-catch for his career, while he boasts solid pass-blocking chops. Look for the 26-year-old to assume a change-of-pace role and play a ton of 3rd down snaps. Plus, game flow might favor Helu most weeks, as Oakland’s defense remains unproven.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

“This former Cornhusker checks off a lot of the boxes I have for late-round RBs. He has good size, speed and most importantly, a job right off the bat as his team’s pass-catching back. That alone makes him worth drafting in PPR leagues, but I also think Helu is well-situated for a much bigger role. The only thing standing between him and feature-back duties is Latavius Murray, who is still somewhat unproven and/or could obviously get hurt. Oh yeah, Trent Richardson is also around, but really — Trent Richardson?”
– Des Bieler (The Washington Post)

Duke Johnson (RB – CLE)
Overall ADP: 144
“One guy that fell to me in a 20-team dynasty rookie draft a month ago at the #18 pick (IDP league) was Duke Johnson. To fall that far in a dynasty league is criminal and he should still prove to be a value pick in redrafts as well. He was my #4 ranked RB before the NFL draft, but his landing spot in a supposed crowded backfield has pushed his draft stock down in the fantasy community. Make no mistake, the Cleveland RB competition is a TWO-WAY battle between Isaiah Crowell and Johnson. The problem with Crowell is that he gave us little to get excited about last year as he displayed about as much wiggle as Sheldon Cooper on the dance floor (PFF gave him their worst elusive rating for a RB). The Browns need as many weapons on the field in that offense and Johnson is easily the most well-rounded RB on the roster. The Browns are already flexing him out as a WR as another way to get him the ball and when you also factor in he’ll be running behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, it adds up as a high % bet to get great production from a late draft pick. It drives me crazy that Tevin Coleman’s ADP is #68 while Johnson’s is #144. Take Duke later and he should eventually settle in as the man in Cleveland. Just be patient.”
– Tom Poisal (Top Tier Football)

Theo Riddick (RB – DET)
Overall ADP: 189
“Riddick is a RB that has been available late in drafts that I am targeting time after time. His value in PPR formats is going to be surprisingly good as he has experience in playing the slot WR role from his time at Notre Dame and could see snaps there for the Lions this year. Joique Bell is recovering from Achilles and knee surgeries this offseason, and Ameer Abdullah is a rookie learning the ropes. Riddick’s knowledge of the offense and outstanding receiving skills will make him an excellent late round fantasy draft selection.”
– Walton Spurlin (Fantasy Sharks)

Matt Jones (RB – WAS)
Overall ADP: 194
“Jones is one of my go to lottery tickets for this year. It’s a case of opportunity and changing of the brass. Jones is already projected to be the passing down back behind Alfred Morris, and being a draft pick of the highly touted scout and Redskins GM Scot McCloughan (who before being hired by the Redskins was being chased after by every NFL team), who has also thrown tons of praise Jones’ way and compared him to Marshawn Lynch, it just feels like the right opportunity. Gruden doesn’t have a reason to stick with Morris. That’s not his player and he doesn’t run the same zone scheme that made Morris a household name to begin with. Coming off a year where he barely surpassed 1,000 yards, a back with true 3-down potential like Jones has the chance to come on strong if Morris struggles, or if he just explodes as the passing down back.”
– Edward Gorelik (Rotoballer)

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