Each fantasy football platform assigns a different value to players based on their rankings or the Average Draft Position (ADP) on their site. For the most part, player rankings are static across the industry, but from time to time, there are outliers that you can play to your advantage from a particular site. This analysis will be based on the current ADP from Real Time Sports.
Tom Brady (QB – TB) (QB9)
How could the GOAT be undervalued on ADP at RT Sports? He is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns and the proud owner of seven Super Bowl championships. Maybe it’s because statistics from years ago don’t help you win a championship this year. Or perhaps it’s because he’s undervalued because of his age and little to nothing in the rushing category.
Brady is coming off the board as the 84th overall player and the ninth quarterback. On the surface, that means he’s being drafted as a starter and might not look out of place until you dig into his statistics and fantasy points from last season. In 2021, Brady put up 387 fantasy points on the back of 5316 passing yards and 45 touchdowns. That would put him as number one in the NFL in both categories over top QBs like Josh Allen (QB1), Patrick Mahomes (QB2), and Justin Herbert (QB3).
Acquiring the services of Allen, Mahomes, or Herbert will cost you a third or fourth-round pick. You can wait until the eighth round to have Brady leading your team. Brady finished last season as a top-three scoring QB behind Allen and Herbert. There is nothing that changed too much with the Buccaneers that would be a red flag for Brady to match his output from a year ago. He still has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and more than likely Rob Gronkowski and now has the services of Russell Gage, formerly of the Falcons, as a sturdy WR3.
In fact, he might have an easier time because new coach Todd Bowles is at the helm. Now that former coach Bruce Arians is gone, Brady has the control and influence of the offense. Imagine a happy Tom Brady with a chip on his shoulder from losing in the playoffs last season. Sounds like a recipe for fantasy football success.
Melvin Gordon (RB – DEN) (RB37)
Gordon is ranked as the 83rd overall player heading into the upcoming season. This feels way too low based on his previous usage in the Bronco’s offense. Last season he handled about 50% of the backfield carries, accounting for 918 yards and eight touchdowns on 203 attempts. His backfield partner, Javonte Williams, rushed for 903 yards and four touchdowns on 203 attempts. That is about as even as it gets. Gordon is only 28 years old and still looks like he can hold his own on the playing field.
Even though there is a new coaching staff, having two capable players to keep both players fresh seems like a new trend in the NFL. Especially now there are 17 games. It makes sense to use a multi-back approach. So why is Williams regarded as a breakout player as the RB10 (15th overall) while Gordon is languishing as the RB37? It is not up to us to determine the logic behind that thinking. What is up to us is taking advantage of the shade being cast upon Gordon and drafting him at a tremendous value.
Allen Lazard (WR – GB) (WR46)
Lazard is entering the 2022 season as the number one wide receiver for one of the top teams in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers passed for 4115 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. Another thing to consider is that Davante Adams took his talents and his 1553 yards and 11 touchdowns to the Oakland Raiders this offseason. He leaves behind his eyepopping 169 targets to be absorbed by the current Packers receiver room.
So why is Lazard being drafted as the 117th overall player on the RT Sports site? His only competition for production is Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, last draft’s third-round pick, Amari Rodgers, and two rookies in second-round pick Christian Watson and fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs. They are talented individuals, but none can be considered a substantial roadblock for Lazard’s ascension as the top dog wide receiver in Green Bay.
Take him confidently when you are drafting in the ninth round, and Lazard is still on the board. Draft him as a WR3 with the potential for WR1 numbers and reap the value of a player being overlooked on the RT Sports site.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Gary Zamarripa is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Gary, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @garyzamFF.
