Traditional or snake drafts have been around since the creation of fantasy football. However, salary cap or auction drafts have become more popular, including with home or public leagues. Unlike a snake draft, a salary cap draft allows every team an equal chance at drafting every player, but you have to wisely manage your budget or find yourself missing out on much of the fun.
Therefore, let’s look at 12 players whose salary cap value is a steal or overvalued. The draft values used come from the FantasyPros salary cap calculator based on a 12-team, 1-QB, PPR league with a $200 budget.
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Best & Worst Fantasy Football Salary Cap Values
Best Values
Tyler Shough (QB – NO) | Salary Cap Value: $1
Last season, Tyler Shough was the QB4 over the final six weeks, averaging 20.1 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he had four top-12 finishes during that stretch. More importantly, the Saints made him one of the biggest winners this offseason.
They improved the offensive line by signing David Edwards. New Orleans also added Travis Etienne Jr. and Jordyn Tyson to go alongside Chris Olave, giving Shough several options in the passing game. Shough is an excellent value that lets fantasy players allocate the bulk of their budget to other positions.
Jadarian Price (RB – SEA) | Salary Cap Value: $16
Jadarian Price was the biggest fantasy winner from the 2026 NFL Draft. The Seahawks lost Kenneth Walker III in free agency, while Zach Charbonnet is coming off a torn ACL and likely won’t play until Thanksgiving, if not later.
Last season, Seattle had the third-most rushing attempts in the league, averaging 25.8 per game from their running backs. While Emanuel Wilson should have a role, Price will be the featured rusher in the backfield, making him a steal at his current salary cap value, especially with Bucky Irving being valued at $7 higher.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – JAX) | Salary Cap Value: $3
While everyone is excited to draft Bhayshul Tuten, don’t forget about Chris Rodriguez Jr. He spent time with head coach Liam Coen at Kentucky. Furthermore, Rodriguez won’t be a bench warmer for Jacksonville, as the team used a two-headed approach last season.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez was arguably the Washington Commanders’ best running back in 2025, averaging 12.8 PPR fantasy points per game in the four contests he had 12+ rushing attempts. His $3 value puts him in the same range as handcuffs when he should be valued as a low-end FLEX option.
Jordan Addison (WR – MIN) | Salary Cap Value: $6
Minnesota’s offense was a nightmare last season with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer under center. Justin Jefferson failed to live up to his top-10 average draft position (ADP), while Jordan Addison couldn’t be trusted with anyone but Wentz starting.
Addison averaged 7.5 targets and 16 PPR fantasy points per game during the four contests he played with Wentz, totaling 15.1+ points in all but one outing. If he can return to his 2024 form with Kyler Murray, Addison will be a massive steal at his current salary cap cost.
KC Concepcion (WR – CLE) | Salary Cap Value: $1
The Browns made massive changes to their wide receiver room this offseason, using two of their first three draft picks on KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. While the latter has gotten the headlines lately, Concepcion remains my favorite Cleveland wide receiver for 2026.
Head coach Todd Monken spent the past three years coaching Zay Flowers in Baltimore and should see similarities with Concepcion. Therefore, the rookie will likely lead Cleveland in targets as a rookie, getting a meaningful number of designed touches, making him significantly undervalued at his current draft value.
Chig Okonkwo (TE -WSH) | Salary Cap Value: $0
Fantasy players looking for a dirt-cheap tight end with top-10 upside should draft Chig Okonkwo, as he is in line to finish second on the Commanders in targets.
Last season, Okonkwo set career-highs in receptions (56), targets (79), receiving yards (560) and PPR fantasy points per game (7.3) despite playing on an awful offense.
Yet, Okonkwo thrived late in the season as Cam Ward developed, averaging 12.7 fantasy points per game during the fantasy playoffs. Unless Antonio Williams is this year’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, Okonkwo should have a breakout season.
Worst Values
Josh Allen (QB – BUF)| Salary Cap Value: $21
I have no problem with Josh Allen being the clear-cut QB1. The superstar signal-caller has finished as a top-two quarterback in five consecutive years, including back-to-back seasons as the QB1 despite lacking a big-name wide receiver.
However, Allen’s $21 draft value is the problem, as the quarterback position has never been deeper for fantasy players. Not only is Allen more than twice as expensive as every other quarterback, but fantasy players can spend $18 less and get Matthew Stafford, who averaged only 0.8 fewer fantasy points per game last year.
Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF) | Salary Cap Value: $42
Last season, Christian McCaffrey finished as the RB1, averaging 24.5 PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 45.8 more fantasy points than any other running back. While he could be the RB1 again in 2026, fantasy players should avoid drafting him at his $42 value.
McCaffrey had 413 regular-season touches last year, a career-high. Unfortunately, the last time he had over 375 touches in a season, McCaffrey missed 13 games the following year. James Cook doesn’t have the same upside as McCaffrey, but is a far better and safer value at $31.
Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI) | Salary Cap Value: $31
Many had concerns about Saquon Barkley last year after the superstar back had 482 touches in 2024, including the playoffs. He averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game last season, his lowest mark since 2021.
Furthermore, Barkley averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs last year. By comparison, he averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 25 breakaway runs during his 2024 fantasy MVP season. After finishing last year as the RB14, fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley at his $31 value, the ninth-highest among running backs.
Davante Adams (WR – LAR) | Salary Cap Value: $20
Despite missing the final three games last year with a hamstring injury, Davante Adams led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns, even with Puka Nacua finishing sixth with 10 scores.
Unfortunately, the veteran set near career lows in nearly every other category, including receptions (60), targets (114) and receiving yards (789).
Furthermore, Adams’ streak of five seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards was on pace to break even before suffering the hamstring injury. Between his age, injury risk and price tag, fantasy players should put Adams on their do-not-draft list.
DK Metcalf (WR – PIT) | Salary Cap Value: $11
While DK Metcalf finished last year as the WR26, averaging 12.5 PPR fantasy points per game, fantasy players couldn’t trust him in their lineups. The veteran scored single-digit fantasy points in 40% of his games, including five of the final eight contests.
Furthermore, the Steelers vastly improved their wide receiver room this offseason, adding Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard. Fantasy players can use the same $11 on Metcalf to draft Carnell Tate ($7) and KC Concepcion ($1), and have money leftover. Yet, both rookies have significantly more upside than Metcalf.
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) | Salary Cap Value: $13
Kyle Pitts is coming off a breakout season, finishing as the TE2 and averaging 12.4 PPR fantasy points per game. He set career highs in receptions (88), targets (118) and touchdowns (five).
However, most of Pitts’ fantasy production came with Drake London out of the lineup. He averaged 6.2 targets and 9.6 fantasy points per game with London. By comparison, he averaged 8.8 targets and 19 fantasy points per game without the star receiver.
Furthermore, most of Pitts’ success came with Kirk Cousins under center. Unfortunately, his $13 price tag is significantly overpriced.
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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.
