There are seemingly infinite ways for leagues to draft, and a growing number of outlets offer every kind of fantasy game imaginable. Still, the most common way leagues are selected is the automated online draft room. Tracking ADP is a must to have an advantage while everyone in your league is focused on the same scroll of names under the "still available" column. Today we look at undervalued players in ESPN and Yahoo! drafts.
Tom Brady
ESPN ADP: 64.6 | QB Rank: 10
Yahoo ADP: 67.3 | QB Rank: 9
Remember when everyone was counting out an aging Peyton Manning? Now it's Brady's turn to get the old-guy treatment, and he's not even coming off of a career threatening neck injury. As recently as 2012, Tom Terrific was among the fantasy elite, finishing top 3 in points while throwing for 4,827 yards and 34 touchdowns. The biggest reason Brady is being undervalued, aside from his down 2013 being a statistical career outlier, is the potential for improvement with his receivers. Obviously, the health of Rob Gronkowski should be monitored, but he is still on track to start Week 1. Kenbrell Tompkins and Aaron Dobson should see huge improvement that is common for second-year receivers. There is a ton of depth at quarterback, but at QB10 Brady has almost no downside (2013 should be his statistical floor). He still plays in a high volume offense and is still Tom Brady, so count on upper second-tier numbers, and don't be completely shocked if he rejoins the ranks of the the elite.
Victor Cruz
ESPN: 47.1 | WR17
Yahoo: 38.7 | WR16
At WR17 in ESPN drafts, Cruz is a huge bargain. Like Tom Brady above, you have a player from a volume offense with a track record of success, who has a great opportunity to improve over last year's numbers. Dampening the fourth-year receiver's value is that he is coming off career lows in catches, yards and touchdowns (73-995-4) after being banged up and missing two games with a knee injury in 2013. Cruz actually had more yards per game last year (71.3) than 2012 (68.3). He also had a fluky low four touchdowns after averaging 9.5 his first two seasons. Expect something more like 85-1,100-8 with the potential for more and a final ranking much higher than his current WR17.
Doug Martin
ESPN: 12.7 | RB7
Yahoo: 27.3 | RB14
Martin's 2013 season ended early after a shoulder injury in Week 7. This is great news for fantasy owners entering 2014. One, Martin is headed to training camp fully healthy. Two, the injury was not in the lower half of his body, so his legs are strong and fresh. Finally, he is still the lead back in Tampa Bay. There is a rather large disparity between Martin's ESPN and Yahoo ADP. ESPN players don't seem too worried about the injury or new Buccaneers coaching staff. Yahoo drafters might be a little worried Bobby Rainey, Mike James and rookie third-round pick Charles Sims will cut significantly into Martin's touches. I tend to side with the former.
Ray Rice
ESPN: 57.3 | RB23
Yahoo: 94.5 | RB27
It would be hard to imagine Ray Rice having a more disastrous 12 months after a terrible season for Baltimore in 2013 and a public domestic abuse episode in the off-season. Still, the 5-8 back is suspended for only two games (a topic for another column), which is great news for his fantasy value. Even better news is that the Ravens hired Gary Kubiak and his zone blocking scheme as offensive coordinator. Rice is a perfect fit in the ZBS and the new coach is on record backing him as the lead runner.
Undervalued Rookies
Bishop Sankey
ESPN: 73.4 | RB29
Yahoo: 74.7 | RB21
A lot of big names on this list so far, but there are some unproven players with the opportunity to provide value. Bishop Sankey was the first back selected in the 2014 NFL Draft due to his 4.4 speed and ability as both runner and receiver. History has shown that running back is the one position that can provide instant fantasy impact. Sankey has the best path to production among the rookie class thanks to mediocre competition (Shonn Greene) and a rebuilt offensive line in Tennessee. PPR leagues should be especially interested in Sankey, who has a chance to put up numbers similar to what Giovanni Bernard did last year as a rookie.
Jordan Matthews
ESPN: 145.4 | WR61
Yahoo: 130 | WR51
Generally, rookie wide receivers have a much tougher go in their first year than running backs, but if you're looking for a late-round breakout like Keenan Allen in 2013, Jordan Matthews is your guy. Chip Kelly's offense in Philadelphia is becoming the Nellie Ball of the NFL. Matthews is the latest player that should benefit from the fast-paced scheme. Already walking in as the starting slot receiver, the 6-foot-3 rookie possesses the tools to become a true No. 1. Let the rest of your league chase bigger name rookies like Sammy Watkins (72.9, WR26), who history shows us will frustrate owners with the growing pains of a first-year player.