Soaking up average draft position (ADP) value is an excellent way to advance to the playoffs in best ball tournaments and have a positive return on investment (ROI) in all best ball contests. Of course, it’s not ideal to stray too far from ADP since the wisdom of the crowd has value. Still, some players are underrated, and this piece will analyze the best value in all 18 rounds of Underdog Fantasy’s best ball drafts.

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Best Ball Values By Round

Rounds 5-8

The fifth and sixth rounds are a sweet spot for two high-upside quarterbacks. It's reasonable to chase the upside of Patrick Mahomes (18.9 ADP), Jalen Hurts (20.0) and Josh Allen (21.5) at or below their ADPs. However, the gap between Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence and the next tier of quarterbacks, which includes Lamar Jackson (31.5), Justin Fields (38.9) and Joe Burrow (41.9), is too large.

Herbert was hamstrung last year by a significant rib injury and injury absences for Williams and Allen and was the QB15 in PPG among quarterbacks who played more than one game. Yet, he was the QB2 in PPG in 2021. Herbert's in a prime bounce-back position if Allen, Williams or both stay healthy this year. And the Chargers also added Quentin Johnston in the first round of this year's NFL Draft to further bolster the pass-catching group. Los Angeles's offense could also enjoy a shot in the arm from their new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Per Football Outsiders, the Chargers were fourth in situation-neutral pace in 2022 and sixth in 2021, and the Cowboys were second and first.

Lawrence benefited immensely from the tutelage of Doug Pederson after a wasted rookie season playing for professional clown Urban Meyer. He was the QB12 in PPG in 2022. However, Lawrence saved his best work for last. Following Jacksonville's bye in Week 12, Lawrence was the QB5 in PPG from Week 13 through Week 16. Additionally, per PFF, Lawrence was seventh in PFF passing grade and third in big-time throws (18) among quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks from Week 13 through the Super Bowl. He is an ascending talent, and plopping Calvin Ridley into the mix could help accelerate Lawrence's development this year.

Cam Akers and James Cook are winners of the offseason. The Rams' most significant addition to their running backs was using a sixth-round pick on Zach Evans. The Bills signed Damien Harris to a one-year contract for less than $2 million during the early wave of free agency, didn't draft a running back and signed veteran banger Latavius Murray to a one-year deal worth slightly over $1 million shortly after the draft. I highlighted Akers and Cook as RB3s with RB1 potential in February and remain bullish on their outlook.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.