So you are staring at the last picks of your fantasy football draft. You know, the ones before you pick your defense and kicker.
Every draft pick is essential in building a winning roster. Finding those diamonds in the rough provides you with a path to your fantasy football championship.
Here is a look at the top players at each position to fill out a standard roster after roughly pick 250.
- Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
- Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
- Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
- 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
Deep League All-Undrafted Team (2023 Fantasy Football)
Clayton Tune (QB – ARI) (ADP 309)
Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune? Cardinals' QB room taking shape after Colt McCoy cuthttps://t.co/t2rzsV6xG9 pic.twitter.com/Q9U5KpJfme
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 28, 2023
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback situation is a complete mess. Kyler Murray is not ready to get back on the field and start the 2023 season on the team’s physically unable to perform list (PUP), which means he will miss at least the season’s first four games. The Cardinals realized Colt McCoy wasn’t their guy and released the journeyman quarterback. Inexplicably, the Cardinals then traded a fifth-round pick for Josh Dobbs.
The Cardinals also have rookie signal-caller Clayton Tune, who made splash plays with his mobility this preseason. Dobbs has not impressed with his small sample size of plays to this point of his NFL career. So why not see what the rookie Tune can do to kick off this season? It’s not like the Cardinals are going anywhere.
Chris Evans (RB – CIN) (ADP 267)
it's chris evans season pic.twitter.com/RUrdBGHOHx
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 11, 2023
Samaje Perine‘s departure opened the door for Chris Evans to be the passing down back in the explosive Bengals offense. Evans has seemingly won the role in the Bengals offense and, at worst, is one of the most valuable handcuff running backs to Joe Mixon, who we continue to witness his diminished efficiency.
Keaontay Ingram (RB – ARI) (ADP 272)
Don’t sleep on Keaontay Ingram, folks.
The second year RB gets in for the touchdown.
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) August 20, 2023
Keaontay Ingram ended the preseason with 11 carriers for 48 yards and a score. Ingram earned the right to back up veteran James Conner on the Cardinals’ depth chart. Connor has missed multiple games in his six NFL seasons, making Ingram worth drafting and stashing the second-year running back with one of your last draft picks.
Jake Bobo (WR – SEA) (ADP 344)
JAKE BOBO pic.twitter.com/aliOLn08cr
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 26, 2023
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Jake Bobo has climbed into the mix for the Seahawks four- receiver lineups. Bobo caught five receptions for 98 and a score in his first two preseason games. Given the suspension of D’Wayne Eskridge, Bobo finds himself with the potential to be a fantasy contributor for the Seahawks as defenses key on the impressive Seahawks wide receiver trio.
Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) (ADP 272)
GET TO KNOW THE NAME…
Puka. Nacua. pic.twitter.com/wBkmI2LooF
— Derek Brown (aka Ugly John Daigle) (@DBro_FFB) August 13, 2023
His rise among us fantasy geeks continues as Puka Nacua develops into the No. 3 for the Rams. And with the recent news of Cooper Kupp suffering a setback with his hamstring, we could see Nacua building upon his momentum from this OTA’s. Nacau didn’t disappoint in his first preseason game, where he caught three of five targets for 32 yards and a touchdown. There is a tremendous opportunity for Nacua to make a significant fantasy impact in his rookie season.
Trey Palmer (WR – TB) (ADP 299)
Trey Palmer EXCUSE me 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/TtldbX2B0r
— Ray G (@RayGQue) August 26, 2023
Trey Palmer was one of the NFL Preseason stars with seven receptions, 91 yards, and two scores. Palmer made the most of his opportunity after veteran wideout Russell Gage suffered a season-ending knee injury. After this dynamic preseason, he will step into Gage’s No. 3 receiver role. Palmer, the 23rd wide receiver in this year’s draft, has also chipped in on special teams by returning punts and kickoffs. Look for Palmer to get plenty of love from Baker Mayfield with defenses attempting to take away his top two wideouts, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
Cade Otton (TE – TB) (ADP-288)
Cade Otton
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) August 28, 2023
This is not a sexy pick, but Otton should develop into a safety valve for Baker Mayfield, with defenses focusing on their two excellent wideouts. Otton should have plenty of looks this season and projects to surpass his 42 catches for 391 yards and two touchdown outputs from last season. Not bad for a dart-throw draft pick, especially if you decided to punt the position.
Justice Hill (RB/FLEX – BAL) (ADP 287)
Justice Hill's five carries this preseason: 6, 37, 5, 10 and 15 yards.
🏈 Average: 14.6 yards per carry
🏈 Rush yards over expectation: 51 (10.3 per carry)
🏈 Success rate: 100%(btw, check out that block by Daniel Faalele) pic.twitter.com/SsoujmLOmY
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 22, 2023
Fantasy managers have been down this path before for Justice Hill. Hill is behind J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards on the Baltimore Ravens RB depth chart, but he has made notable plays this preseason. Hill has six touches for 86 yards in two preseason games while highlighting his speed. Hill has earned a more significant role in the Ravens offense, especially in Todd Monken’s scheme, where the Ravens are expected to throw more. Hill can become the team’s third-down back, allowing him to pressure Edwards for touches and back up Dobbins, who has played only 23 games in the last three seasons.
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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.
