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6 Late-Round Best Ball Draft Targets (2024 Fantasy Football)

6 Late-Round Best Ball Draft Targets (2024 Fantasy Football)

Fantasy football has become a year-round game. While dynasty is the most popular year-round form of fantasy football, best ball is quickly gaining steam.

Much will change over the next several weeks in the NFL world. Free agency is nearly here, while the NFL Draft is less than seven weeks away.

However, there is no such thing as a bad time to draft a best ball squad. Let’s look at six of my favorite late-round best ball targets with an ADP outside the top 110 selections.

Late-Round Best Ball Draft Targets

ADP courtesy of Underdog Fantasy

Jayden Daniels (QB – LSU): ADP 123.4 | QB18

While fantasy players don’t know where Daniels will land during the NFL Draft, the former LSU star is someone I want to load up on as my QB2 in best ball drafts. He was an elite runner in college – a trait that transitions well to the NFL early in a quarterback’s career. Daniels had 1,134 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season despite putting up massive passing numbers.

The former LSU star had a breakout year in 2023, totaling 3,811 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and only four interceptions on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. Daniels was one of the top passers in college football last season, posting an 8.4% big-time throw rate per PFF. Most mock drafts have him landing with the Washington Commanders or New England Patriots. Both situations would lead to him playing right away and having to put the offense on his back.

Jerome Ford (RB – CLE): ADP 134.9 | RB42

Unfortunately, Nick Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury early in the 2023 season, ending his year after only two games. Yet, the Browns had faith in Ford. The team didn’t offer Kareem Hunt a new contract in the offseason, waiting until Chubb’s injury to bring back the veteran. Meanwhile, the second-year running back ended the season as the RB17, averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite barely playing over 50% of the snaps.

Ford was one of only three top-24 running backs to finish under five rushing touchdowns, joining Bijan Robinson and James Cook. Cleveland used Hunt at the goal line, with seven of his nine rushing touchdowns coming from within the five-yard line. Yet, he won’t return in 2024. Reportedly, the Browns will ask Chubb to take a significant pay cut to remain with the team. Even if the veteran is back, he likely won’t be ready for Week 1. Therefore, Ford Ford could have a featured role to start the season.

Keaton Mitchell (RB – BAL): ADP 172.4 | RB53

Reportedly, the Ravens will make a splash move at running back this offseason. While some have speculated that the team could sign Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs, the more likely target is Derrick Henry. Regardless, Baltimore has to add someone of significance this offseason, with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards being free agents. However, fantasy players shouldn’t think the new big-name running back won’t have to share the backfield with Mitchell.

There is plenty to love about the former East Carolina star. Mitchell averaged 8.4 yards per rushing attempt in limited work as a rookie. More importantly, he is a home run hitter, posting the highest explosive run rate (14.9%) among running backs with at least 35 rushing attempts in 2023 (per Fantasy Points Data). While Mitchell suffered a torn ACL late in the regular season, he should be ready for Week 1. Rather than chase after the big-name addition, I will draft the explosive second-year player at a discount.

Mike Williams (WR – LAC): ADP 112.9 | WR51

The Chargers will have to release Williams before the start of free agency because of their salary cap situation. While the veteran wide receiver could agree to a restructured or reduced salary, that seems unlikely. Yet, Williams could be a steal at his current ADP, depending on where he signs in free agency. While he is coming off a torn ACL, the former Clemson star should be ready for Week 1 without limitations.

Williams has struggled with injuries over the past two years. However, he has been an elite fantasy wide receiver in the past. The veteran was the WR10 in 2021, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, Williams was the WR12 on a points-per-game basis last season, averaging 13.6 per contest. Hopefully, he doesn’t end up catching passes from Mac Jones or Jarrett Stidham because that’s the only way you can keep me from drafting the veteran wide receiver.

Marvin Mims Jr. (WR – DEN): ADP 165.8 | WR71

Many had high hopes for Denver’s passing attack in 2023. Mims was a popular sleeper candidate, especially after Jerry Jeudy got hurt in training camp. Unfortunately, nothing went according to plan for the Broncos’ offense last year. The former Oklahoma star struggled to earn a consistent role on offense, totaling only 22 receptions on 33 targets for 377 receiving yards and one touchdown in 16 contests. Mims ended the season as the WR92, averaging only 3.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

Therefore, why should fantasy players draft a wide receiver who scored fewer than 5.9 fantasy points in all but two games as a rookie? Because things are about to change in Denver. They’ve already traded Jerry Jeudy to the Browns. They will also seriously explore trading away Courtland Sutton, meaning Mims could be the Broncos’ No. 1 wide receiver in 2024. While his rookie season was a bust, the young receiver is explosive and potentially prime for a sophomore-year breakout.

Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT): ADP 145.3 | TE17

Last season was one to forget for Freiermuth and fantasy players with him on their team. The third-year player was a popular mid-round tight end draft pick. However, he missed five games and struggled when playing. Freiermuth averaged only 5.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, a career low. The tight end saw his targets (36.1%) and receiving yards per game (43.9%) significantly drop from 2022 to last season. Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to get the passing game going regardless of who called the plays.

While many hate seeing Arthur Smith get another chance in the NFL, his hiring is excellent news for Freiermuth. Fantasy players have seen the tight end be productive when given the target volume and red zone opportunities. Last year, the Atlanta Falcons tight ends averaged a 31.7% overall target share and a 29.3% red zone target share. With Jonnu Smith signing with the Miami Dolphins, nothing is standing in Freiermuth’s way from having a breakout season in the final year of his rookie contract.

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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