In many ways, the approach to finding late-round steals in Best Ball formats is similar to that of standard fantasy leagues. Managers will want to target latent talent that hasn’t bloomed, either due to opportunity, injury concerns or other mitigating factors.
The main difference between Best Ball leagues and standard leagues is maintenance, as managers in Best Ball leagues draft a team and make no other acquisitions for the rest of the season. Lineups are automatically set each week after games are played, meaning a team’s highest possible point total is realized without the stress of start/sit decisions.
Without the ability to fill roster holes via waiver wire, trades or free agency, managers will need to be wary about drafting inconsistent or injury-prone stars with early picks. My strategy, which is reflected in this piece, is to find insurance for these potential pitfalls by accruing value in handcuffs and high-floor players late in the draft.
Scoring settings in Best Ball leagues vary, but for the purpose of this article we’ll be referencing full-PPR formats. For more information about strategy in Best Ball leagues, check out Mike Tagliere’s Best Ball guide for beginners.
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Gus Edwards (RB – BAL)
Mark Ingram was the clear lead back for Baltimore in 2019, but Edwards carried a 35.7 season-long offensive snap percentage, making him one of the most-used backup running backs in football in 2019. He was also the Ravens’ go-to runner in short-yardage situations, pacing the Baltimore backfield with 41 carries with three or fewer yards to go.
Despite his short-yardage usage, Edwards scored only two rushing touchdowns on the year, a number that should see positive regression in 2020. Although not a threat in the receiving game, Edwards showed signs of being a bell-cow running back during a seven-game stint as starter in 2018, in which he averaged 17 carries and 93 rushing yards per contest.
With the Ravens likely to continue limiting the 30-year-old Ingram’s carries, Edwards could find himself with increased fantasy opportunity in 2020.
Jamaal Williams (RB – GB)
According to FantasyPros’ handcuff tool, Williams was one of the most valuable backup running backs in fantasy last year. Drafted as RB 66 in Best Ball formats in 2019, he finished the season as PPR RB30 despite missing the better part of two games with a concussion.
Williams was fairly consistent in his reduced role last season, tallying seven double-digit PPR games and tying for second in the NFL among running backs with five receiving touchdowns. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has committed to keeping Williams involved in the offense, so while he may be a thorn in the side of Aaron Jones’ managers, he could be a boon for Best Ball drafters looking for high-upside potential in later rounds.
Chris Thompson (RB – WSH)
Before suffering a turf toe injury in Week 6 last season, Thompson ranked third among running backs in targets and receptions while averaging 11.7 PPR points for game. Despite missing five games in 2019, Thompson still finished with 58 targets, good for 16th among running backs. His 5.3 targets per game ranked him ahead of fantasy stars Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones, and Ezekiel Elliott.
Although he operates in a crowded Redskins backfield, he’s the clear receiving back for a team that will likely need to pass often in come-from-behind situations in 2020. Drafted as RB58 in Best Ball leagues last season, Thompson’s James White-like skillset and opportunity could offer managers great late-round value.
Hunter Renfrow (WR – LV)
In the last two weeks of the 2019 season, Renfrow totaled 18 targets, 15 receptions, 209 yards, and two receiving touchdowns. His 45.9 PPR points during that span ranked second to Michael Gallup and perhaps foreshadowed what’s to come for the former Clemson star in his second year with the Raiders in 2020.
Although not the most athletic receiver, Renfrow is very good at recognizing holes in zone coverage, which could make him a high-volume safety net receiver in the mold of Julian Edelman. Although Darren Waller was far and away quarterback Derek Carr’s favorite receiving threat in 2019, Renfrow led Raiders wide receivers in targets (71) and receptions (49). While he’ll be going higher than his WR102 Best Ball draft position in 2019, Renfrow could provide late-round, high-floor value for managers looking to offset boom-or-bust candidates on their rosters.
Allen Lazard (WR – GB)
Injuries to Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison forced Lazard into action during the Packers’ Week 6 win against the Lions, in which the former practice-squad star led Green Bay with 65 receiving yards and a touchdown. He finished that game with 16.5 PPR points and strengthened his playing relationship quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who told reporters he had struck up a good friendship with the young wideout throughout the season.
While Lazard didn’t become a consistent fantasy option in 2019, he still finished as the Packers’ second-leading receiver, outplaying Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. If the 6’5″ Lazard continues to develop a rapport with Rodgers this offseason, he could be a strong late-round Best Ball option heading into 2020.
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Daniel Comer is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Daniel, check out his archive and follow him @DanComer404.