The final rounds of a typical depth redraft fantasy league are essentially priority waiver wire plays. Especially with the dynamics at play in 2020, expect teh turnover level in the early weeks of the season to be high - and they should be - on the back end of fantasy rosters. Between a shorter Injured Reserve status, PUP list players, COVID-10 designations, nagging injuries to keep players out from August or early September to plainly evolving preferred players from the waiver wire, flexibility is key with the valuable roster spot capital.
With that lens on the final draft picks, drafters need clarity quickly from said selections and a big dose of upside possibility if one of the previously mentioned scenarios occur in the window between the draft and the first few weeks of the regular season.
Here are the high-variance options with a clear storyline how they can be a season-changing selection right away to warrant keeping them. It only takes one 'now I have a fantasy starter' outcome from a handful of your final selections to pay significant dividends from this approach.
*Using mid-August Consensus ADP, Average Draft Position, for PPR leagues starting in Round 13*
Quarterbacks
Be conservative with extra quarterbacks on your roster in typical redraft leagues on the shallower roster size. The superior options even in Round 8-12 are a significant tier jump from Rounds 13 and beyond by ADP. If going true late-round quarterback to stockpile other positions, here are the best plays to begin the season:
Philip Rivers: A healthy T.Y. Hilton is a critical part of this early-season play, but Parris Campbell is already getting buzz with his electric speed to aid Rivers after the catch, and a superior offensive line than the recent Chargers iterations poise to boost Rivers.
Wildcard: Gardner Minshew. While his yardage was unspectacular last season as a 14-game starter in Jacksonville, Minshew had seven games of multiple passing touchdowns and six games of 30 or more rushing yards. Also, Minshew did not register a rushing touchdown, which is likely to change if he continues his running ways in 2020. There is minimal depth chart pressure (until next offseason at least) to take Minshew off the field. The lone question mark is the lack of weapons boost in Jacksonville with the signing of Tyler Eifert and Chris Thompson the notable additions.
Running Backs
The highest upside options who would benefit from any missed time to a running back ahead of them on the depth chart are THE priority selections late in a draft.
Chase Edmonds: Projects as the clear starter if Kenyan Drake is out.
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A.J. Dillon: Could be a season-changer if Aaron Jones misses time, worth having more roster stickiness than most on this global list.
Adrian Peterson: Less downside than most on this list as no Derrius Guice points to a strong workload and viable RB2 fantasy role at outset.
Damien Harris: Riser with more concern (justifiably) for Sony Michel's status to open season. Michel could outright miss games or even go on the PUP to boost Harris' early-season viability.
Darrynton Evans: Minimal competition for RB2 role, Derrick Henry missed time away.
DeAndre Washington: Potential season-changer in perfect storm scenario, which could be as simple as a slow start or missed time from Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Carlos Hyde: Chris Carson's status for Week 1 still a question mark, Hyde could lead Seattle in touches in that case.
Ryquell Armstead: While a healthy Chris Thompson could soften passing game upside, Armstead projects as the biggest benefactor if Leonard Fournette misses early-season games.
Wide Receivers
Be selective with later-round wide receivers in general as few have clarified early-season stories like running backs.
Brandon Aiyuk: Deebo Samuel's status is key, if Samuel is out, Aiyuk has fantasy usage upside from the outset.
Allen Lazard: Flashed at times with three games of 60+ yards last season and the WR2 role is wide open in Green Bay.
Tee Higgins: In a worst-case, Cincinnati's wide receiver depth chart is crowded and the passing game overall is middling with a rookie quarterback. However, the best case for Higgins is an injury (or missed time) from any of A.J. Green (who is already missing reps due to his hamstring), Tyler Boyd, or John Ross (has been away from camp due to a family member with COVID-19) can fuel an early role for Higgins.
Parris Campbell: Progression from a lost rookie season, quarterback upgrade, and what if T.Y. Hilton is not 100% to start the season?
James Washington: Progressed in 2019 despite no Ben Roethlisberger and a hodge-podge of quarterback play. Roethlisberger unlocks the upside for all Steelers passing game targets and the big-play maven Washington.
Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert: Bar none, Goedert is the highest upside tight end if the starter misses time. Goedert was fantasy viable even with Zach Ertz active last season.
Eric Ebron: Ben Roethlisberger raises the tide of all the passing game boats, including Ebron who is on a later-career boost after his sluggish Detroit start.
Greg Olsen: Six career TE1 seasons in PPG and now with the best quarterback of his career. The perfect storm here with Russell Wilson is one of the best tight values in fantasy drafts.
