To supplement Josh Larky’s amazing best ball strategy article, we will be using PlayerProfiler’s advanced stats and metrics to highlight players with huge upside to smash at their Underdog Fantasy ADP. The following players are all in this article for separate reasons, but they share one thing in common.
They are all undervalued.
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
ADP – 29.9
To start off this list, we have an incredible value pick here with Michael Thomas. He broke the single season catch record with 149 Receptions in 2019 but struggled with off-the field issues in 2020, and the fantasy community have knocked him for it. On top of breaking a record in 2019, he was also the WR1 in fantasy by a long shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMiHv9uwpvs
Although he wasn’t as electric in 2020, Thomas was still the clear alpha while on the field. Look no further than his leading all qualified wide receivers with a 42.5-percent Air Yards Share. I will be ecstatic to take him at a discount this year.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
ADP – 57.8
Next up is the undisputed alpha on the 49ers. Brandon Aiyuk, the No. 25 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, entered the league with a 132.0 (92nd-percentile) Burst Score. In his rookie season, he logged a 100.0-percent (No. 1) Route Participation rate and a 31.1-percent (No. 28) Air Yards Share. He put on a show against top corners like Kendall Fuller, Marshon Lattimore, and others.
Brandon Aiyuk finished as the Rookie WR 5️⃣ in 2020 ?
Where did you have Aiyuk ranked in the 2020 class? pic.twitter.com/XruHgJrRTI
— RotoUnderworld (@rotounderworld) February 18, 2021
With Aiyuk likely getting a QB upgrade, I’ll pass on receivers like Cooper Kupp, Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen to smash the value with Aiyuk.
Tyler Conklin, TE, Minnesota Vikings
ADP – 215.4
Tyler Conklin is one of the last players being picked in drafts but is a great boom option. Why do I have a TE2 on this list? Well, think about Irv Smith, last year’s TE2 in Minnesota. While Smith and Kyle Rudolph were both active, Smith had a 64.5-percent Snap Share across nine games. While Rudolph was hurt from Weeks 14-17, Conklin boasted a 73.1-percent Snap Share along with a 9.4 Fantasy Points per Game average as the TE2.
Tyler Conklin Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Conklin will have huge opportunities in 2021 and is destined for enough boom games to more than pay off at this ADP.
Adam Trautman, TE, New Orleans Saints
ADP – 174.6
With Jared Cook out of New Orleans, it’s clear sailing for Adam Trautman as the team’s unquestioned TE1. A third round pick by the Saints last season, Trautman has a 38.1-percent (97th-percentile) College Dominator Rating, a 19.6 (87th-percentile) Breakout Age, an 11.05 (95th-percentile) Agility Score and a Best Comparable Player of Dallas Goedert. He was also a Senior Bowl standout. You can see why he is so likable.
Adam Trautman Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Tight Ends like Cook and Cole Kmet are going ahead of Trautman, and I’ll gladly pass on them for Captain America.
Bryan Edwards, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
ADP – 192.2
Bryan Edwards’ path to the alpha role is as straightforward as ever with Nelson Agholor gone. No one is left in his way that isn’t a fake alpha. Edwards shows off a 17.8 (100th-percentile) Breakout Age. He also has a 48.4-percent (94th percentile) College Dominator Rating in the SEC. To make matters even better, the Breakout Finder loves him. His Breakout Rating is the third-highest from last year’s rookie class, only behind CeeDee Lamb and Laviska Shenault.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZd913VAHoA
Edwards wasn’t used often in 2020, but with his path to the WR1 chair clear, he can now shine. I will gladly take him instead of guys like Kylin Hill, A.J. Green, Devin Singletary, etc.
Conclusion
All of these players bring credentials to the table that make them undervalued at their current ADPS. Target them in your drafts, and don’t be afraid to “reach” to obtain them for your roster. Good luck in your upcoming Underdog Fantasy drafts and be sure to use promo code Underworld when signing up.
