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Draft season forces fantasy managers to reconcile fandom with strategy: the player you root for on Sundays can quickly become a liability in your lineup. Targeting undervalued athletes who slip through most draft boards is a simple tactic that can deliver steady points without costing premium picks.
Every year I circle a handful of names I consider “must grabs” if they fall late. The objective is not glamour but value — players who offer a high floor, upside on a modest investment, or hidden roles that could expand. Below are two candidates I expect to be available later than their potential warrants, and why they matter for your roster-building today.
Jared Goff — stability at quarterback
Goff has long been an underrated presence at the position. Coming off a season in which he finished inside the top 10 among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring, he often becomes an afterthought during drafts as managers chase flashier names.
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That disconnect creates a clear opportunity: if the quarterback pool looks deeper than usual, you can wait and still land a reliable floor with Goff instead of burning a mid-round pick on an unproven option. His game-script and offensive scheme tend to produce consistent weekly results, which is especially useful in leagues that reward passing volume and touchdown efficiency.
He’s not a boom-or-bust long shot; he’s the kind of steady performer who can carry a bench and cover bye weeks or sudden injuries without catastrophically harming your weekly scoring.
Zach Charbonnet — upside in a crowded backfield
Charbonnet’s profile combines upside with draft-day affordability. While he shares snaps in a committee situation, his physical running style and route-running ability give him multiple paths to relevance — short-yardage carries, third-down targets, and occasional explosive plays.
Running backs who can contribute in both the ground game and the passing game often outproduce their ADP when given a modest increase in opportunity. That makes Charbonnet a worthwhile target late in drafts or as a speculative pickup early in the season.
- Jared Goff — Position: QB. Typical draft range: late rounds. Why: Top-10 fantasy QB last season, high floor, consistent passing volume.
- Zach Charbonnet — Position: RB. Typical draft range: late rounds / waiver-wire. Why: Dual-threat potential, role can expand if touches shift or injury occurs.
How to use these targets: treat them as insurance and upside. Drafting a steady QB late frees up capital for premium skill positions early. Selecting a running back like Charbonnet is a low-cost bet that can pay off when committees tip toward one back or injuries create opportunity.
Small, pragmatic moves during the draft often matter more than headline-grabbing picks. Prioritize players who blend reliability with a clear path to increased touches — those are the ones that keep your team competitive through the long season.
