Welcome to July, aka the time to start seriously zoning in on fantasy football preparation. Though many still enjoy participating in “standard” formats (non-PPR) or half-PPR, full PPR fantasy football has become pretty popular over the years.
With PPR, certain players take significant leaps in fantasy draft value, and that’s the focus with the late-round options below. Take advantage of the relatively low costs on one or all of them in upcoming drafts. There’s little risk and a load of upside.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Late-Round Fantasy Football Draft Targets
Marquise Brown (WR – KC)
Marquise Brown was expected to be a key target for Patrick Mahomes during his first campaign in Kansas City. Instead, it turned out to be mostly a lost season for the veteran wideout due to a shoulder injury. Brown finally got in on the action in Week 16, proceeding to make five and four catches, respectively, in his two regular-season contests. He went on to play in all three playoff games for the Chiefs with only minimal production.
Brown should be running plenty of routes in the Chiefs’ attack from the outset of the 2025 season. With Rashee Rice making his way back from injury and facing a possible suspension, Brown could be Mahomes’ main target behind a declining, nearly 36-year-old Travis Kelce.
Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAX)
After back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons to begin his career, some were still down on Travis Etienne’s fantasy prospects heading into last season. Ultimately, those detractors were proven right, as he rushed for only 558 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 15 games.
Etienne dealt with some nagging injuries last year and was typically outperformed by backfield mate Tank Bigsby as far as running the ball is concerned. One thing Etienne has consistently excelled at is catching the ball out of the backfield. That was no different in 2024, as he recorded 39 receptions and had eight games with at least three. Also, as can be seen with the next selection on this list, Etienne’s new head coach, Liam Coen, who was the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay last season, likes to get his backs involved in the passing game.
Zach Ertz (TE – WSH)
What year is it? Zach Ertz was supposed to be cooked. The three-time Pro-Bowler said “not so fast” last season, as he completely revived his career with rookie superstar Jayden Daniels flinging him the football.
Ertz finished second in receptions (66), receiving yards (654) and receiving touchdowns (seven) for the Commanders. That was good enough to make him the fantasy TE7 for the season in PPR formats. The 34-year-old is currently being drafted as the No. 22 tight end, according to average draft position. There’s virtually no risk given the cost.
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