With the NFL Season Approaching, that means that fantasy football season is in full swing. There are the surefire first-round targets you know about, but the winners of your league are the ones who found that 7th round gem that turned into a breakout star, or the consistent wide receiver with the high floor while you may have swung a missed on the talented rookie. This article is for the fantasy GMs looking to draft the right players at the optimal value for your winning team (and I’m not taking the blame if these players don’t perform well).  

1. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers 

Brandon Aiyuk’s rookie season displayed promise, but a sophomore year plagued by injuries and inconsistent quarterbacking left room for improvement. With a healthier campaign ahead, and a burgeoning rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, Aiyuk flourished in 2022, going for over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time as a pro. He finished as the WR15 last year, making him a high-end WR2 for most fantasy teams, yet is still mocked to go in round 6-7 in most leagues. The Niners have an abundance of playmakers with Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffery in AP the mix, but Aiyuk still factors into the gameplan even with the heavy artillery. Aiyuk finished with at least 11.5 or more PPR points per game in 8 of the 11 games with Christian McCaffery joining the team, and with another year of chemistry with Brock Purdy under center, he could emerge as a sleeper selection.  

2. Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers  

Jaylen Warren’s trajectory in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ backfield is an intriguing storyline to watch. While Najee Harris undoubtedly remains a cornerstone of the offense, the potential for Warren to carve out a substantial role is undeniable. His versatile skill set, and top-tier pass blocking, combined with the evolving nature of NFL offenses, positions him as a challenger who could contribute meaningfully and reshape the narrative of the Steelers’ rushing attack. He played at least 40 percent of offensive snaps in 4 games after the Steelers’ week 9 bye (as opposed to just one game before the bye). He’s also taking limited snaps in preseason, which is a good sign that Pittsburgh values the change-of-pace role Warren brings. This is definitely a late-round flier type of selection(round 11 or later), and one that will require some patience, but if you’re starting Najee in fantasy, Warren is definitely valuable as a high-end handcuff, and an RB2 if Najee goes down.  

3. Elijah Moore, WR, Cleveland Browns  

Elijah Moore’s sophomore season with the New York Jets wasn’t a fruitful one, accruing only 446 yards and only 37 receptions due to disputes with the coaching staff and erratic quarterback play. Transitioning to the Cleveland Browns and guided by Deshaun Watson under center, Moore is poised to emerge as a linchpin in their aerial offensive arsenal. His adeptness in evading defenders and fostering explosive plays positions him as a newer version of Will Fuller, with whom Watson had a great rapport within Houston. A late-round dart throw on a potential flex option is a move I’d recommend taking advantage of in your league.  

4. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs  

Isiah Pacheco’s skillset was illuminated on the grandest stage during the Super Bowl with 76 rushing yards and a touchdown, playing a part in the Chiefs’ phenomenal second half and underscoring his potential to be the back of the future in KC. His college years as a between-the-tackles running back highlighted his vision out of the backfield, a skill that resonated in the Andy Reid system during his rookie campaign as he averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 170 rushing attempts. Should he continue thriving on the NFL’s grandest platform, Pacheco’s fantasy equity could ascend precipitously.  

5. Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts 

With Richardson winning the starting job off rip for the Colts, the offensive tableau takes on a new dimension. Anthony Richardson, distinguished by his arm strength and mobility, is well-poised to thrive in this new system. A blend of raw arm talent and ground acumen renders Richardson a captivating value proposition for fantasy managers seeking quarterback assets after missing out on the proven names of Hurts, Mahomes, and Allen early on. A dual-threat like AR5 is a goldmine in fantasy with the advantage of passing and rushing points. There’s a good chance he’ll be a QB drafted in the first five rounds after this season, so grabbing him in round 9 and betting on him to make an impact immediately is a risk you and I should be taking.   

6. Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers  

Romeo Doubs’ debut season in 2022 was a tale of two halves. After being a focal point of the Aaron Rodgers-led offense, an ankle injury severely halted his momentum and led to an uneventful second half.  As a new addition to the Green Bay Packers, aligning with quarterback Jordan Love, Doubs is poised to forge a symbiotic rapport. Provided he can transpose his deep threat and red-zone efficacy to the NFL stage, Doubs could evolve into a scoring dynamo and a late-round draft-day coup.  

7. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans  

Tight ends are often treated as dime-or-dozen after a certain threshold during fantasy drafts, but Chigoziem Okonkwo’s amalgam of stature and athleticism positions him as a coveted asset. The Titans’ offensive schematic lends itself to favorable matchups for tight ends, and Okonkwo’s capacity to establish himself as a reliable red-zone target further elevates his potential to eclipse his draft positioning. He finally got on the field in December and January of last year with 21 of his 32 season-long receptions coming in late during his rookie campaign. With a full season of football under his belt and limited competition for targets (only Hopkins and Burks pose a threat for target shares), Chiggy could be set up for a breakout campaign.