With fantasy football championships in full swing, now is a perfect time to look back on the big-value picks in the draft that got you to the big game. These are players who vastly outperformed their preseason ADP, and are all over the teams who succeeded.
Consider them gifts, during this holiday season.
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5. Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns (ADP: N/A)
Before this season Barnidge’s career high for receptions was 13, which he set in 2014 and matched in 2015. So it was no surprise that he was ignored on draft day, and after two nondescript weeks to begin the season.
Then, Barnidge caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 and never looked back. He scored at least once in each of the next four weeks, and has scored in eight of his 14 games. He has caught two more passes and scored just two fewer touchdowns than Rob Gronkowski, who was drafted 14th overall on average.
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4. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks (ADP: 183)
Doug Baldwin’s 13 receiving touchdowns are tied for the NFL lead with Allen Robinson of the Jaguars. The man is on a Jerry Rice-like tear over the last four weeks. That’s literal. Only Jerry Rice has scored 10 touchdowns in such a short span.
Baldwin’s four-week stretch is getting all the publicity but he’s been pretty solid all year. He has caught six or more passes in six games this year, and without Jimmy Graham in the picture, he has been a target hound. That won’t change, and he’s a must-start in the championship if you’ve got him.
3. Devonta Freeman, Falcons (ADP: 112)
Freeman looked like the starter for the Falcons for most of the preseason, but he was expected to be in a useless timeshare with rookie Tevin Coleman. The rookie actually had the job in the beginning of the year, but broke a rib and turned the job over to Freeman.
And Freeman never let go. He scored six touchdowns in his first two starts, scored eight touchdowns in four weeks, and remains near the top of the RB rankings. The running back positon has been such a wasteland that even though he’s tailed off -- 56 rushing yards or fewer in each of his last five games – he probably did enough to get you in the playoffs.
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (ADP: 77)
Brady’s appeal was lifted just before the SWN Patriots preview, and here’s what I wrote.
“Brady’s going No. 9 among QBs right now, but that will change. He should be going as high as the fifth QB off the board. Expects 30-35 touchdowns, single-digit interceptions, and about 4,200 yards.”
He has exactly 35 touchdowns, he’s thrown six picks, and he is at 4,405 yards. With two games to go, he’s the No. 2 player overall in fantasy. He went way too late in drafts.
Honorable Mention: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers (ADP: 133)
Williams has made eight starts – two before Le’Veon Bell’s suspension was up, and six since Bell hurt his knee – and he’s scored nine touchdowns in those opportunities. Pittsburgh’s elite passing game keeps Williams from facing stacked boxes, and with the heaviest workload of his career he has thrived.
He has averaged 4.5 yards per attempt, and 2.3 receptions. If you handcuffed Bell, you barely missed a beat. If you picked up Williams and hung onto him through Bell’s limited 2015 campaign then he’s probably the best FLEX in your league.
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers (ADP: 64)
Newton has been hands down the most devastating weapon in fantasy football, piling up 3,402 yards and 33 touchdowns through the air, and 580 yards and seven scores on the ground. That’s 3,982 total yards and 40 touchdowns.
What’s even better than having Newton is watching him swag out while he racks up points. Cam’s out there Dabbin’, Hittin Dem Folks, and even mixing in the Twist. He’s easily the most fun player to own in fantasy, and arguably the most fun player to watch in the NFL.
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