Fantasy Football: 5 under-the-radar players you should target in your drafts

Fantasy Football
NFL Analysis Network

With NFL training camps right around the corner, that means one thing; Fantasy Football draft season! Before we know it, drafts will be taking place as people try and defeat their family members or best friends for bragging rights or to just avoid the embarrassment of the last place punishment.

While everyone has different strategies when it comes to drafting their teams, finding late-round gems is what usually makes or breaks a team. Everyone can draft the big named players early on, but it is the diamond in the rough that put you over the top.

Let us help you with your Fantasy Football draft preparation. Here are five under-the-radar players you should target in your drafts this year.

5. Robert Tonyan, Tight End, Green Bay Packers

Robert Tonyan came out of nowhere in 2020, finishing among the top 3-5 players at the tight end position depending on league scoring. It was an unexpected third-year breakout, as he caught 59 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns.

While there may be some regression to the mean when it comes to the touchdowns, Tonyan is still ranked lower than he should be. Some outlets have him ranked behind same team duos Hunter Henry/Jonnu Smith with the New England Patriots and Dallas Goedert/Zach Ertz of the Philadelphia Eagles.

There is no reason to believe Tonyan won’t again finish among the top-10 tight ends this season. Grab him later on in the draft and you’ll be happy that everyone else passed on him.

4. Cam Akers, Running Back, Los Angeles Rams

Cam Akers was one of the more popular rookies for Fantasy Football managers to target last season. Unfortunately, he was never really given the reins to the backfield and battled some injuries, compiling 625 yards and two touchdowns on 145 carries. That has caused some of the shine to come off of him, but savvy managers don’t mind that at all as Akers is a prime under-the-radar candidate.

Akers is the unquestioned starter heading into this season, as only Darrell Henderson looks like he will challenge him for backfield touches. There are fewer mouths to feed in the backfield this season, as Malcolm Brown and John Kelly are no longer on the roster.

The presence of Matthew Stafford will also help Akers, and the Rams offense as a whole, as he is a sizeable upgrade on Jared Goff

3. Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Now, you may ask how a Super Bowl-winning player is flying under the radar, but that just so happens to be the case with Antonio Brown. For all his off-field issues, on the field, he can still get it done.

While there are a lot of players fighting for targets in Tampa Bay, as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin would be No. 1 target on most teams, and Rob Gronkowski will get his, Brown can still produce for your fantasy team. All those big names are suppressing each other, but Brown is flying furthest under the radar as the presumed No. 3.

Tom Brady likes targeting Brown and opportunity is key in fantasy. In eight regular-season games, Brown was targeted 62 times. With how dynamic he is with the ball in his hands, Brown could easily flirt with WR3/Flex numbers if that target share continues this season.

2. T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts

Veteran burner T.Y. Hilton looked like he was nearing the end of the road in 2019 when he played in only 10 games, catching 45 passes for 501 yards and five touchdowns. He was healthier in 2020 and had a good bounceback with 56 catches for 762 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games.

Hilton will now have Carson Wentz as his quarterback and should produce solid numbers as well. As a deep threat, Wentz is a much better pairing for him than a 39-year old Philip Rivers was.

With no players added this offseason that would threaten his playing time, Hilton should once again operate as a top-two option in the Colts’ passing game.

1. D’Andre Swift, Running Back, Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are not normally a place people look for Fantasy Football value, but they should have plenty this season. D’Andre Swift is flying under the radar and he should not be.

The offseason signing of Jamaal Williams caused some people a pause for concern when it came to Swift, presenting a chance for savvy managers to take advantage. Last season, Swift was sharing the backfield with Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson. Sharing with only Williams means more opportunities.

Swift is also an incredible pass-catching running back, upping his floor even more. The Lions figure to be trailing in a lot of games this season, something Swift will benefit greatly from as the passing down back.

Swift is currently ranked outside the top-20 of some Fantasy Football outlets despite being a true dual-threat and having less competition this season than last for touches.

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