Fantasy News & Analysis

Premium Content Sign Up

Fantasy Football: 12 sleepers to target after Round 9 in drafts

• Running quarterbacks are a cheat code in fantasy football; therefore, the San Francisco 49ersTrey Lance and Chicago BearsJustin Fields are going too late in drafts.

• Pass-catching running backs with explosive playmaking ability are the archetype of choice when it comes to late-round steals, and the Minnesota VikingsJames Cook, Indianapolis ColtsNyheim Hines and New York JetsMichael Carter fit the bill.

• Talent is the No. 1 requirement when drafting late-round receivers; therefore, the New York GiantsKadarius Toney, Pittsburgh SteelersGeorge Pickens, Tampa Bay BuccaneersRussell Gage and Tennessee TitansTreylon Burks are names we should embrace at ADP.

• Tight ends that approach 80% route participation are hard to keep out of the top 12, and the Cleveland BrownsDavid Njoku and Jacksonville JaguarsEvan Engram could reach that mark in 2022 based on preseason utilization.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

All PFF+ subscribers now have access to our revamped fantasy football draft guide, which has all the streamlined and intuitive features you’ll need to dominate your draft this season. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR PFF+ AND TRY IT FREE TODAY

QUARTERBACK

TREY LANCE, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | ESPN 111 | YAHOO 96

Quarterbacks that can run are a cheat code in fantasy football.

For example, Taysom Hill sported a gross 63.1 PFF pass grade in eight games with 15 dropbacks or more over the last two years. He averaged 206 passing yards and 0.89 passing touchdowns per game (both very bad). However, he supplied 461 yards and six touchdowns rushing. Despite enormous passing game woes, he averaged 21 fantasy points per game over those eight games. Quarterbacks that hit 21 points per game and avoid injuries have finished as QB9 or higher every year since 2007.

The concerns about Lance’s ability in the passing game are overblown for fantasy purposes. If he does figure out the passing attack (within the realm of possibility) – he could push for top-3 status thanks to a loaded WR/TE room.

You might be getting Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts multiple rounds later.

JUSTIN FIELDS, CHICAGO BEARS | ESPN 152 | YAHOO 129

Everything I just said above about Lance can be applied to Fields except for the absolute ceiling outcome since the Bears don’t have near the weaponry as the 49ers. Still, great surrounding weapons aren’t a must for rushing quarterbacks – one of the beautiful parts about their game.


RUNNING BACK

JAMES COOK, BUFFALO BILLS | ESPN 124 | YAHOO 115

DOMINATE FANTASY FOOTBALL & BETTING WITH AI-POWERED DATA & TOOLS TRUSTED BY ALL 32

Unlimited Fantasy League Sync
Fantasy Start/Sit Line-Up Optimizer & Waiver Wire
WR-CB & OL-DL Matchups, PFF Player Grades, & Premium Stats 2.0 Tools
Nathan Jahnkes Rankings - #1 Most Accurate Last 70 Weeks
PFF Best Bets, Player Props, & Power Ranking Tools
NFL Mock Draft Sim with Trades & Draft Grades

Already have a subscription? Log In

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit