Coleman's Favorite Players Rounds 11-15
In these late rounds, you’re highly unlikely to find consistent, quality value. My personal approach is to look for fliers – guys who could find themselves carving out more significant roles within their offense during the early weeks of the season and really start to take off. Be sure to check out our fellow experts’, Eric’s and Sean’s, favorite picks from these rounds as well.
(12-team, standard scoring)
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Round 11: Cameron Meredith
Current ADP: 11.08
In 2016, Meredith burst out of nowhere to become an every-down receiver by week 5 and from that point on that season, he was WR20. He averaged 7.3 targets per game that year and has posted an impressive 70% career catch rate despite most of his passes coming from Matt Barkley. Cam enters 2018 with New Orleans, catching passes from a QB who has thrown at least 625 passes in 9 of his last 11 seasons. There’ll be plenty of targets to go around, and Meredith should see a bulk of them working out of the slot. He won’t take over as Drew’s go-to option as long as Michael Thomas is healthy, but he should have no problem surpassing Ted Ginn and Benjamin Watson for targets. His 6’3” frame also makes him a viable redzone option for a perennially dominant offense.
Round 12: Adrian Peterson
Current ADP: Undrafted
AP is the definition of a late round flier in 2018, and considering the level of dependability available in this round, he’s totally worth the pick. Adrian Peterson was just signed by the Washington Redskins, and should have a good opportunity to beat out Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine for the lead back role. They wouldn’t have signed him if they truly believed in either of these two to produce for them. Let’s not forget just how dominant Peterson has been in his career. He’s a 7x Pro-Bowler and 4x First Team All-Pro, each as recently as 2015. He posted an average of 11.5 PPG last year in 6 games with Arizona behind a paltry offensive line, including a 134-yard, 2 TD stat line in his first game with the team and a 159-yard game in his third. In that game, he carried the ball 37 times and proved he is still capable of handling a heavy workload. If he winds up winning the #1 job in Washington behind their dependable O-line, he could be a steal.
Round 13: Geronimo Allison
Current ADP: 13.12
The idea of essentially spending nothing to get one of Aaron Rodgers’ starting receivers, is absurd. Yet…here we are. Geronimo Allison enters 2018 as Green Bay’s WR3, the same role Davante Adams was in when he caught 12 TD passes in 2016. In Allison’s 15 games played with Rodgers so far, he has tallied 45 targets, 26 receptions, 381 yards, and 2 TD’s as a WR4 or as a fill-in for an injured Adams, Nelson, or Cobb. Those are some pretty good point per target numbers. Last year, 3 Green Bay WRs played in over 70% of their offensive snaps, and there’s no reason to believe that that will change in 2018. Even as a WR3, Allison will see plenty of time on the field. Catching passes from a future hall of famer gives Allison plenty of fantasy upside this year.
Round 14: Taywan Taylor
Current ADP: Undrafted
Taylor is going into his 2nd NFL season and currently has the WR3 role locked down in Tennessee and could see that role expand if Corey Davis doesn’t have the breakout season that people are betting on. On Saturday, he reeled in all 4 of his targets for 95 yards and 2 TD’s, and even earned himself a little shoutout on Twitter from a guy you may have heard of…his name is Lebron James. Know him? Despite only receiving 28 targets in 2017, Taylor turned those into 16 catches for 231 yards and 1 TD, exemplifying his ability to make plays when he is given the opportunity. He will have the opportunity to see the field during 3 WR sets this year, and his playmaking ability should entice Mariota to throw the ball his way. Taylor’s potential makes him worth a 14th round flier in drafts this year.
Round 15: Saints D/ST
Current ADP: Undrafted
The Saints defense finished 30th or worse for 3 straight years in terms of fantasy points, up until last year where they finished 10th. They led the league in in passes defensed (99) and ranked 3rd in both interceptions (20) and forced fumbles (17), as well as scoring 5 TDs. While I’m personally an advocate of streaming a new defense each week depending on matchups, I think the Saints are a great defense to start with. They open the season with games against Tampa Bay sans Jameis and Cleveland. Many people believe this Cleveland offense is poised to do some damage but big offensive changes don’t happen overnight. Prepare for the Cleveland offense to take a few weeks before they really take off. 3x Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan and reigning defensive Rookie of the Year Marshon Lattimore lead this defense and they should jump out to a hot start against some weak opponents.