Fantasy Football: Late Round Flyers and Free Agents

You can almost taste how close the regular season is to finally kicking off the 2016 season. This week marks the 3rd week of the preseason, which is arguably, the most important week for teams to get a feel of where they are at and give their starters an extensive look. It’s also the most important for fantasy owners to get a look at those potential sleepers and late round flyers with upside that are getting overlooked in fantasy drafts.

We’ll take a look at some players who have been impressive thus far during the preseason and/or training camp. These players have the potential to be fantasy relevant this season, but are going undrafted in the majority of league drafts. Now, we’re not saying to plug these guys into your starting lineup immediately for week 1, but they’re worth a look as a late round flyer pick to stash or pick up now as free agents.

Spencer Ware | RB60 | ADP 179

Spencer Ware has seen a lot of work so far in the preseason and it’s pretty clear he’ll be the primary backup this season to Jamaal Charles. Ware was outstanding last season filling in for Charles after his injury, along with Charcandrick West. He appeared in 11 games last year, averaging 5.6 yard per carry on 72 attempts with 6 touchdowns. Both Ware and West received contract extensions this offseason but Ware appears to have taken the reigns. Charles owners at least should be drafting Ware as a handcuff, but he continues to go undrafted in a majority of league drafts.

This is a huge risk for owners taking Charles in the earlier rounds. Charles has an extensive injury history, and unlike some other handcuff candidates, Ware has already proven capable of stepping into the spotlight. This year, he’s expected to receive some carries even with a healthy Charles on the field in order to help prevent the veteran from such a heavy workload. Should Charles go down yet again, Ware will immediately have RB1 potential.

Tyler Boyd | WR59 | ADP 165

Sometimes in fantasy it’s not about the skill set of a player and what they can or cannot do, but the opportunity that’s given to them. In Cincinnati, Tyler Boyd is making the most of his opportunity with Brandon LaFell sidelined with a hand injury. With Mohamed Sanu now in Atlanta, the rookie out of Pittsburgh has his eyes set on that WR2 spot in Cincinnati behind Pro Bowler A.J. Green.

Boyd set records while at Pitt, but fantasy owners are normally sketchy about drafting rookie wide receivers. It should be noted, however, that LaFell returned to practice this week but coaches are still opting for Boyd to be the starter opposite Green. To be honest, LaFell wasn’t very impressive with Tom Brady as his quarterback, so not much should be expected out of him now that he’s in Cincy. Unlike most rookies, Boyd will see the field a lot to start the season, giving him the opportunity to breakout sooner rather than later.

Jared Cook | TE22 | ADP 167

Jared Cook signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers this offseason after spending the first seven seasons in the league between the Tennessee Titans and now former St. Louis Rams. Cook started the year on the PUP list after offseason surgery to his foot. Since his return, Cook has immediately gelled with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cook has to feel like a kid in the candy store with Rodgers as his QB after spending so many seasons with at best mediocre ones.

The knock on Cook in the past has been the inconsistencies with his fantasy numbers. While he’s put up some big numbers in games, his floor has remained relatively low. However, Cook has never been in a high power offense until now. He now has the opportunity to put up career numbers in Green Bay. There are just a handful of consistent tight ends in the league and we need all the help we can get at the position. With guys like Ladarius Green and Jordan Cameron still rated higher, Cook is an absolute steal at his current position.

Terrelle Pryor | WR81 | ADP 192

The secret’s already out on rookie WR Tajae Sharpe after Tennessee shipped Dorial Green-Beckham off to Philadelphia. With DGB out of the way and an impressive preseason, Sharpe is seeing his fantasy draft stock continue to rise. Another player that has had an impressive preseason, but is not seeing similar results with their draft stock is Terrelle Pryor. There are plenty of reasons to pump the brakes taking a chance on Pryor, but he looks poised to breakout for the first time since his days at Ohio State.

The former quarterback turned receiver has made some exceptional catches so far in preseason, showing his doubters that he has what it takes to be a valuable option for the Browns this season. At 27, this should be the prime of Pryor’s career. He has the opportunity to make 2016 a career defining season. Josh Gordon is back with the Browns but will be suspended the first four games of the season, giving Pryor the opportunity to showcase his skills solo to begin the season. The Browns have a very underrated receiving corps heading into the season and could turn some heads once Gordon returns. His return in week 5 could even enhance Pryor’s fantasy value and help to create a dynamic duo in Cleveland.

Kenny Stills | WR83 | ADP 250

Kenny Stills is being completely overlooked for fantasy after a disappointing first season with Miami in 2015. He caught just 27 receptions last year so the lack of attention is understandable, but him and QB Ryan Tannehill have shown chemistry early on, hinting that Stills could have the season we expected him to have last season. Jarvis Landry, obviously, is the guy to own in Miami, but Stills is still a starter in a much more uptempo Miami offense, with the potential to become the Dolphins #2 receiver.

DeVante Parker is still expected to claim that spot and have a breakout season this year, but he’s been relatively quiet in preseason so far, despite reports that he’s been phenomenal in practice. Stills, on the other hand, has been all over the field in his limited time and catching nearly everything thrown his way. Last week, he caught 2 touchdown passes against the Cowboys and looked impressive again this week against Atlanta. He is becoming a better route runner similar to Landry after being considered a one-dimensional deep threat in his first three seasons. With an ADP lower than a lot of kickers, Stills is one of my favorite low-risk, high reward options.

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