Late Round Fantasy Football Flyers
Carlos Hyde RB Chiefs
Carlos Hyde is hands down the most underrated running back when it comes to the receiving game. In 2017 with the 49ers, he had 60 catches. Everyone is saying that he'll be the 3rd and short guy who will pound you, but I genuinely disagree. I think he's more than capable being a target for Patrick Mahomes coming out of the backfield. I think it's fair to say that Damien Williams hasn't solidified himself as the starter, so there is opportunity for Hyde. People are going to underestimate him because of what he's done the past two seasons, but he's been on horrible teams. With Jacksonville there was no threat in the passing game and he was also on the winless Cleveland Browns team. Those are tough circumstances for a running back so I don't think you can blame him for the production. Carlos Hyde is getting a fresh start where he could potentially be the number one back for a super bowl contending team. Carlos Hyde is definitely worth a late round flyer.
Noah Fant TE Broncos
Noah Fant is in a really system where he's set up to succeed. His entire staff is built with coaches who have done amazing things with tight ends. Let's start with Vic Fangio, while he was on the defensive side for the 49ers; he had to go against Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker every day in practice. So he knows how important it is to have a versatile tight end in his offense. Next let's look at his offensive coordinator. Rich Scrangello is coming off being the quarterbacks coach for the 49ers. The same 49ers team that just had George Kittle put up arguably the greatest statistical season by a tight end in NFL history. Similar to George Kittle, Noah Fant is a great runner in space. Expect Fant to be put in a position where he'll get the ball in space. Finally let's go to his tight ends coach, Wade Harman. Harman is coming off a tight ends coaching job with the Falcons where he just helped Austin Hooper earn his first pro bowl season in 2018. With Phillip Lindsey in the backfield, teams will try and stack the box. This will open up passing lanes for Noah Fant. I think he will thrive in the play action game and have the best rookie season out of all the tight ends in this draft.
Cole Beasley WR Bills
Cole Beasley is the definition of a young quarterback's best friend. He's such a reliable receiver and is exactly what Josh Allen didn't have last season. For the first time in his career, Josh Allen has a guy who he can dump the ball off to. Last season the Bills didn't really have much of a receiving threat outside of Robert Foster. I think Cole Beasley is going to catch a surprisingly high amount of balls this year and will get more production than he's ever gotten in his career. Beasley is going to be Allen's number one receiver this year and it's so hard to find a number one receiver in the late rounds when it comes to fantasy football. Similar to his rap game, his production will surprise you. Beasley is going to bring some personality to Buffalo and will be pouring a lot more hot sauce in the end zone this year. I think Beasley will be a number 3 receiver for your fantasy teams and a consistent flex play. I think he'll have around eight to nine hundred receiving yards and six or seven touchdowns this season.
Devin Funchess WR Colts
If you know me, you know that I am very, very high on the Colts and I think Frank Reich is a genius. When it comes to free agency, the Colts have arguably the weirdest, but best strategy. They tend to not invest heavily on big name free agents, but instead they extend the players they've picked up through the draft. All this being said, Devin Funchess is a player who they did sign from an other team this offseason. I think he's in a similar situation to what Eric Ebron went through last year. He's a player who was drafted highly and always had a ton of potential, but wouldn't do much during the regular season. I think they were both put in poor systems when it comes down to what they were good at, but now they've been blessed with Frank Reich calling plays. Defenses are going to be double teaming Eric Ebron in the red zone after what he did last year which opens up opportunities for Devin Funchess. He'll be the number two receiver behind TY Hilton and this will be the year that he's able to fulfill his potential with the Colts.
Danny Amendola WR Lions
Danny Amendola is a player who I think will have breakout games, but won't be the most consistent. With Golden Tate out of the Lions offense this year, there are a lot of missing targets to go around in Detroit. I think they will lean on that run game a lot more this season with Kerryon Johnson going into his second year and CJ Anderson coming in free agency, but Matthew Stafford loves his slot receivers. Amendola now has Darrell Bevell as his offensive coordinator; Bevell is known for what he did in Seattle and with Doug Baldwin. Baldwin's success in Seattle will excite fantasy owners about Amendola's potential. Despite being in a crowded receiving core, Amendola is really the only guy who makes his money in the slot. I think Amendola is a guy who will have breakout games for Detroit this year.
