It may be a bit early for fantasy football, but Underdog has come out with the Big Board contest, allowing users to capitalize on offseason rookie hype and questionable average draft positions. There is a solid $200,000 reward for first place with a relatively low entry fee of $10. So, lets jump right into my favorite picks early on this off season. These are the top players you need to draft this upcoming season.
1. Keenan Allen (WR) – ADP 37.3
Coming off an injury-riddled season, it is easy to forget about the Chargers. However, don’t forget that Allen still put up over 200 fantasy points last year despite injuries and inconsistent QB play. Allen is a fantasy winner every year, and he has a higher ceiling than Mike Evans or D.K Metcalf ahead of him. It’s tough for me to justify taking DeVonta Smith or Malik Nabers over him either; a healthy Justin Herbert could power Keenan Allen to another outstanding year.
2. Cooper Kupp (WR) – ADP 41.3
Yes, Puka Nacua poses a threat to Kupp’s fantasy production, and it may be true that Kupp’s prime is over. However, there is a ton of value when taking him in the third to fourth round – do not underestimate Matt Stafford’s ability to produce elite WR seasons. It should be noted that Kupp still threw up over 150 fantasy points despite missing a large portion of the year, expect him to rebound in 2024.
3. Amari Cooper (WR) – ADP 47.0
This is an automatic pick for me in the fourth round. Cooper is coming off a stellar year in terms of fantasy production, despite only catching 5 touchdowns. He is a significantly safer bet than Jayden Reed (51) or Jordan Addison (54). WR-first strategies tend to fair well, and the position falls off quickly after Cooper’s draft position. If you go with an early running back or tight end, Cooper is a must-draft.
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4. Chuba Hubbard (RB) – ADP 120.2
Continuing on players you need to draft, this one may be a hot take for some – but a guaranteed starter at RB34 is always good value, and Hubbard will get more touches next year with Miles Saunders officially stuck in limbo on the depth chart. The Panthers offense cannot be worse than last year and is likely to bring in a top-WR in a stacked draft class. Opportunities should increase in the red zone for Hubbard, and he will provide good value this late in fantasy drafts.
5. Darren Waller (TE) – ADP 149.2
Waller has been as high as TE5 in years past, and has dropped all the way to TE18 this year. Fantasy drafters have given up on Waller, who had a difficult year in a dysfunctional offense. However, expect Waller to rebound with the Giants potentially bringing in Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze and OL help. Waller will remain as the consistent veteran option and will pick up more opportunities than last year. Even a repeat performance of last year wouldn’t be a tragedy at this late in the draft, and it is much more likely that Waller churns out a much better performance next season.
These are the top players you need to draft right now, but stay tuned for more of my top picks.
Current honorable mentions: WR Jerry Jeudy (122.3), TE Travis Kelce (46.2), QB Matt Stafford (126.2), WR Xavier Legette (171).
| Player | My Target Draft Position |
| Keenan Allen | 25-30 |
| Cooper Kupp | 30-35 |
| Amari Cooper | 35-40 |
| Chuba Hubbard | 110-120 |
| Darren Waller | 135-140 |
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