The last few weeks before training camp can be a dead spot for NFL news and fantasy football, but they also provide us with the last opportunity to find value in late-round players before news or camp reports could push their average draft position (ADP) even higher.
Year after year, we see best ball contests won with teams drafted before training camp even starts, and that’s in part because of the values available now that simply won’t be there in a month. Here are five late-round targets and dart throws for best ball.
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Late-Round Fantasy Football Best Ball Targets
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ARI) | Underdog ADP: 160
It was disappointing for long-time Tyler Allgeier truthers to see him blocked from No. 1 RB duties in Arizona after signing with the Cardinals in free agency. But it might not be the worst situation. Arizona has signaled loudly that it doesn’t intend to lead the league in pass attempts again, with the addition of Allgeier and the drafting of Jeremiyah Love.
Allgeier might not be happy to once again not be the lead back, but he’s dealt with this before, with Bijan Robinson. Despite how talented Robinson is, Allgeier saw a 43.5% share of carries inside the 5-yard line last season, touching the ball 32 times inside the red zone.
If Allgeier can do that in Robinson’s third year, it seems a fair assumption to think he can intrude upon Love’s touches in his rookie season. We’re a year removed from Allgeier finishing 10th in explosive run rate in 2024 and ranking seventh in juke rate. He catches the ball well, is solid in pass protection and has never fumbled the ball in well over 650 carries in the NFL.
That’s the kind of player coaches will find excuses to play. Let’s also not forget the massive contingent upside should anything happen to Love.
Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE) | Underdog ADP: 173.4
Another running back worth your attention in the late rounds is Dylan Sampson, the clear No. 2 RB in Cleveland. Quinshon Judkins does seem to be on track to have recovered from his dislocated ankle and fractured fibula, sustained in Week 16 last season, but the gap between him and Sampson still feels too large.
Sampson is by far the better pass-catcher of the two players, outdoing him in yards per route run (2.01 vs. 1.17), yards per target (7.13 vs. 5.03) and yards per reception (8.21 vs. 6.58). This is a team that should expect to be in pass-heavy situations frequently.
The goliath trade of Myles Garrett, as well as the loss of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, leaves this defense significantly worse off than last year. If that pushes them towards having to pass the ball more, it will help Sampson much more than Judkins.
Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL) | Underdog ADP: 205.2
Now feels like the perfect time to draft Jaydon Blue, as the drumbeat is starting to become more voluminous as training camp creeps closer.
Blue’s rookie campaign didn’t amount to much, with only 129 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus one reception for a touchdown, but the team has kept the faith in him. Here’s what Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently said about Blue:
“I think Jaydon has come back with a different look on his face, I think he’s practicing better. As he continues to grow, he has to understand and realize that until he’s the bellcow, there are going to be other roles that he’s going to have to fill, whether it’s coming out of the backfield and catching the football, or special teams. But I love the idea of a change-of-pace back to go with Javonte, who’s an absolute pounder and bruiser, a guy that’s gonna score 12 or 13 touchdowns every year for us. Jaydon’s a huge part of what we’re trying to do, and he’s gotta do his part, and I think he is doing his part. That’s gotta continue. I’m not gonna get too high or too low on anybody right now, I’m just excited about the fact that he has matured.”
The team could easily have added another body to the mix this offseason, with Javonte Williams returning as the clear starter, but they’ve been content to push their chips in on Blue and Phil Mafah, who had five rushes for 18 yards last year. This isn’t a bet on talent or a bet that will make you feel excited, but it is a bet on opportunity, and Blue should have buckets of that this season
Cade Otton (TE – TB) | Underdog ADP: 187.6
For years now, we’ve seen late-round tight end be a viable strategy in best ball. It’s not to say the elite tight ends aren’t worth considering, but finding real value at the position consistently happens later. Cade Otton languishes at the back end of draft boards despite his situation improving this offseason.
Long-time red-zone volume hog Mike Evans is gone, vacating a 24.3% red-zone target share and also a 34.6% first-read share in that area, according to the Fantasy Points Data Suite.
Otton has played a consistent role in this offense, with back-to-back seasons of 59 receptions. He’s never been a prolific touchdown scorer, but it seems too easy for him to see a bigger share if Baker Mayfield would like to lean on a big-bodied player in that area.
Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT) | Underdog ADP: 193
Thanks in no small part to Arthur Smith, Pat Freiermuth saw a career-low 51% snap count in 2025, as the Smith-led offense consistently rotated among Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington.
Previously, Freiermuth had never been below a 62% snap share, which was his rookie season. Realistically, a return to at least 65% seems fair to assume, and without Smith, Freiermuth returns to clear No. 1 TE status.
Washington is a fun tight end and has just been rewarded with a new contract. In this range of the draft, however, we can feel comfortable taking Freiermuth, who has two seasons with seven touchdowns in his pocket. If he scores even just five in 2026, he’ll have paid off handsomely.
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