It’s extremely early for fantasy football draft talk, but dynasty leagues and best ball leagues never sleep. Right now, looking at Underdog’s best ball drafts, there are some clear values and some players that are going higher than they should be. Here we dive into player values by round, and players that most likely will see a significant boost in value as free agency and trades come.

One thing that makes these best ball drafts fun is the ability to draft at different times. For example, by joining a draft this early, you can find some values to take advantage of. On the other hand, if you wait until closer to the start of the 2023 season, some of these players’ average draft position (ADP) might no longer be as good of a value. Join some drafts early and take advantage of these differences in ADP with these Underdog Best Ball – Early Value Plays.

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Jonathan Taylor

ADP 10.0

Just a year ago, Jonathan Taylor was the consensus 1.01 in all formats of fantasy football. Now we see him sitting at 1.10, and the RB3 overall on Underdog. Injuries and a rough season derailed his fantasy outlook, but changes in Indianapolis should really help Taylor. The Colts currently hold the fourth overall pick and are rumored to want to move up to pick one. Regardless of this outcome, the Colts are expected to draft a quarterback in the top four of the NFL Draft.

Better quarterback play should boost Taylor’s value next year, and not allow defenses to stack the box so much. This season he failed to run for 1,000 yards but did not play a full season due to injuries. He rushed for 861 yards, and four touchdowns making him a great pick for a bounce-back candidate. This is a good example of taking advantage of the value while it’s there by drafting early. When the start of the season comes around he could very well be back into the discussion as one of the top running backs in fantasy football and a top-five pick.

Garrett Wilson

ADP 22.0

Coming off a very impressive rookie campaign, Garrett Wilson is currently being drafted as the WR11. Wilson played with four different quarterbacks this season. Joe Flacco, Mike White, Zach Wilson, and a little bit of Chris Streveler. Despite the inconsistency at the quarterback position, he still put up 1,103 yards.

Not surprisingly, the Jets have publicly made it their mission to acquire a veteran quarterback this offseason. They have been linked to Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, and Jimmy Garoppolo. If the Jets were able to acquire Rodgers, we may see Wilson sneak into the top of the second round with any significant upgrade at quarterback.

DeAndre Hopkins

ADP 36.8

While his future is uncertain, DeAndre Hopkins is being drafted as the WR17 right now. He did not have the stat productions he is used to having in seasons past, but losing Kyler Murray towards the end of the season did not help. Hopkins finished the season with just 717 yards receiving, and three touchdowns. He’s had a down 2021 and 2022, but with a change of scenery, he could resume his normal 1,000-yard seasons.

Hopkins has expressed his desire to be traded, and that is pretty much expected this off-season. Right now, Hopkins can be drafted at the end of the third round. Depending on the team he goes to, we could see his ADP jump up a round.

Mike Williams

ADP 43.5

Potentially the new WR1 in Los Angeles, Mike Williams currently is the WR20 off the board. Recently, it was announced that Keenan Allen may be a cut candidate. If this occurs, Williams now becomes the WR1 with Justin Herbert as his quarterback. That could be absolutely fantastic for his value and we’d get to see what Williams can do with even more work. Expect a big boost in ADP if this occurs.

Williams has cracked 1,000 yards receiving just twice in the last four years. However, given the chance at the WR1 role with Herbert at the helm, I would expect him to pass that with no problem, barring he stays healthy for the season.

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Dameon Pierce

ADP 52.4

Coming off a fantastic rookie season, Dameon Pierce is being drafted as the RB18. Pierce had a strong rookie season with 939 rushing yards. He averaged 4.3 YPC and broke 90 yards rushing or more five different times this season. With the Texans expected to draft a quarterback with the second pick in the NFL Draft, expect a better season next year with Pierce, as teams won’t be able to stack the box as much.

Michael Pittman Jr.

ADP 53.8

Next up is Michael Pittman Jr. who is being drafted as the WR24 on Underdog. Chris Godwin is an example of a wide receiver being taken above him. The Colts are expected to draft a quarterback in the top four of the NFL Draft, and better quarterback play should have Pittman as a great value pick as the WR24. This season, Pittman recorded 925 yards receiving and only four touchdowns, down from his 1,000-yard season in 2021. Furthermore, a better quarterback should make for a bounceback from Pittman.

Tyler Allgeier

ADP 75.1

Another second-year running back, Tyler Allgeier is the RB24 off the board. Allgeier is still splitting the backfield with Cordarrelle Patterson, but he finished the season with 1,035 yards. In his final four games, he broke 100 yards twice, one with 139 yards, and the final regular season game with 135 yards. Going into the off-season, Atlanta could always add to the backfield, but Allgeier seems like the favorite to lead the backfield next season.

Cam Akers

ADP 75.6

Cam Akers is being drafted as the RB25 right now on Underdog. Toward the end of the season, Akers eventually broke out, and that was when Matthew Stafford was on the sideline. In his last three games, he rushed for 118 yards, 123 yards, and 104 yards to close the season out. Furthermore, he recorded three touchdowns in one of those games. Barring any free agent running backs being brought in, or even rookies being drafted, Akers is projected to be the lead back in an offense getting back Stafford and Cooper Kupp. This makes Akers a potentially great value in the seventh round.

Khalil Herbert

ADP 93.6

Someone who has a great chance to break out in 2023 is Khalil Herbert. Currently, he’s being drafted as RB31, coming off the board in the eighth round. David Montgomery is a free agent, and Herbert as of right now is the projected lead running back in Chicago. Herbert averaged 5.7 YPC this season and rushed for 731 yards. The Bears have the number one pick in the draft, and a lot of cap space to spend to make their team better. If Herbert is truly the top back entering next season, there is going to be a lot of hype around him, and will cause his ADP to double. This may be my favorite value pick right now.

Trey McBride

ADP 173.4

Second-year tight end Trey McBride is being drafted as the TE22 in Underdog right now. While Zach Ertz is still under contract for a few more seasons, he is 32 years old and tore his ACL last season. McBride will enter the offseason programs operating as the TE1 in Arizona. While Kyler Murray isn’t projected to be back until midseason, McBride will be operating as one of the top pass-catching options in Arizona with Hopkins looking to be traded, and AJ Green retiring.

Sam Howell

ADP 189.9

An early value at the quarterback position right now is Sam Howell. He is the QB29 right now, and as of now is being talked about as the potential QB1 in Washington next season. While things can change between now and the NFL Draft, Howell is in a good spot to potentially be the starting quarterback. This is an offense with Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, Terry McLaurin, and Jahan Dotson. Washington’s offense has lots of potential and upside for fantasy purposes if everything goes right. Overall, he’s a dart throw at the end of drafts but could be a steal as a starting quarterback.

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Dynasty Content

• ADP (1QB)
• ADP (SF/2QB)
• Rookie Profiles
• Rankings
• 2023 Class Preview
• Top 10 Quarterbacks
• Way Too Early Mock Draft

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