Going into a draft with a set of expert rankings should be just part of your strategy. Another part should be knowing which guys you really want to target based on all the information that’s been put out there this preseason. There will come a point in every draft (typically after the first few rounds) where you may not like what’s in front of you based on rankings and average draft position (ADP). When this happens, you need to be able to react quickly and that’s where our featured experts are going to help.
Below, you’ll find the one must-have player each of the experts have on their list. It’ll be up to you to decide how much you want to reach, but highlighting where they sit in your rankings could help you out of a jam if they’re close by when it’s your turn to pick.
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Q. Once you get past the first few rounds (ADP #36), who is one ‘must-have’ player you’ll be targeting in all drafts?
Stefon Diggs (WR – MIN): Overall ADP – 71
“It seems that some have missed the memo that Diggs was really good last year, I mean really good. Some will say that he was up and down, but as talked about in my new series “Boom, Bust, and Everything in Between,” not many wide receivers aren’t. Diggs actually had a reason to be a bit more volatile than most, as he was dealing with injuries much of the year, but still managed to finish as the WR24 in standard points per game and WR14 in PPR points per game. To see some of his splits from last year when he was hurt versus when he wasn’t, check out his profile here. He’s being drafted with guys like Brandon Marshall and Emmanuel Sanders when he should be drafted by guys like Jarvis Landry and Michael Crabtree. Feel free to pull the trigger in the fifth round.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)
Jamison Crowder (WR – WAS): Overall ADP – 83
“Crowder and his #83 ADP provides fantastic value that leaves wiggle room above his head for me to comfortably reach with if I’m in a pinch in snake-draft formats. A lot of attention is going to the similar Stefon Diggs up at #71, but he doesn’t get enough love in the red zone compared to what we’ve seen Crowder get from Kirk Cousins. Everyone’s ready to crown Terrelle Pryor with the spotlight and is excited about Josh Doctson, but just remember that Crowder isn’t done evolving at just 24 years old and was responsible for just ONE drop last season. With several new pieces around him, Crowder’s chemistry with Cousins may also earn him some exceptional early love.”
– Nick Mariano (RotoBaller)
Doug Martin (RB – TB): Overall ADP – 74
“He’s passed the preseason eye test and nowhere else can you get a running back on a great offense with top 5 week to week potential this late in drafts. Yes, you have to bide your time for his return, but he’ll easily supplant Quizz and take over the starting job. I expect big things from Doug Martin and I love throwing him on my bench especially in leagues where I’m not as strong at RB early.”
– Andy Holloway (The Fantasy Footballers)
Sammy Watkins (WR – LAR): Overall ADP – 53
“Watkins has dropped all the way from the mid third round to the middle of the fifth. I am still taking him in the third round so he will end up on nearly every one of my rosters. Believe it or not, Case Keenum and Jared Goff combined for more passing yards last year than the Buffalo Bills despite having the worst receiver core in football. Add Andrew Whitworth and Sean McVay, and I’d argue this is a better situation for Watkins. Goff has looked more than competent this pre-season and remember, Watkins has been every bit as good as Antonio Brown over each of their last 14 healthy games.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)
Tyreek Hill (WR – KC): Overall ADP – 45
“Once you get to Round 4, I am all in on Tyreek Hill. Few players in the league are capable doing more with the ball in their hands than Hill. That’s evident by the fact that he scored a touchdown on every 9.4 touches in 2016, the best mark in the league of players with at least 75 touches. After a slow start to the season, the fifth-round pick finished his rookie year with 1,836 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns, including 24 carries for 267 yards and three touchdowns rushing. With Jeremy Maclin out of the picture, the snaps and targets will be there for him to produce even bigger things in 2017!”
– Dan Clasgens (Pro Football Focus)
Devante Parker (WR – MIA): Overall ADP – 100
“After the first few rounds of taking the best player available or building through your dominating strategy, like modified zero-RB, you tend to see everyone hone in on their favorite targets every round. In years past, drafting against experts like Pat Thorman or Jake Ciely, I may have had to reach a round or two earlier to get that must have player. This year, my must have player is looking like Devante Parker of the Miami Dolphins, who is being drafted around the 100th overall player and 40th overall WR. I had been targeting Parker, Maclin, and Meredith as my WR4s in almost every draft the last few weeks and the rapport Jay Cutler showed in his 1st preseason game with Parker pushed him into the must-have category. Cutler loves to throw to his big body wide receivers and will often put the ball on them even if they appear covered. Alshon Jeffrey averaged over 145 targets between 2013 and 2014, and that’s with Brandon Marshall soaking up over 160 in 2013. I love the fit with Cutler and Parker and I want TD and high volume target upside in my WR4 this year.”
– Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)
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Thank you to the experts for naming their must-have players. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.
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