2024 Fantasy Football draft prep: Kenneth Walker, Chris Godwin part of the seven studs you shouldn’t sleep on

Every summer, veterans who have been around a while, have a couple of bad seasons or have any kind of flaws in general become unpopular in Fantasy drafts. Everyone wants the new hotness so badly that they’ll blindly pass up reasonably good players who have potential to be quality values on Draft Day.

And let’s be real: there are no extra points for drafting cool players. You want points any way you can get them! You would take any idiot for your team if it meant beating your brother-in-law, your boss, or literally anyone.

I’ve found seven players who I think Fantasy managers have overlooked — with the average draft position (ADP) to back it up. Almost none of them are sleepers, you’ve heard of all these guys. But you should be targeting them appropriately (or maybe even ahead of current ADP) with the knowledge that they’re not totally useless.

And if you want more values, please check out my latest Sleepers 3.0 column — names like Courtland Sutton and Josh Palmer would qualify for this list but I’m gate-keeping them as sleepers.

Average draft positions from FantasyPros and CBS Sports are as of Aug. 20.

Why is he overlooked? He was a hyped-up Fantasy running back last year and finished 20th in PPR points per game (17th in non-PPR). He’s missed two games in each of his first two seasons. The excitement around the Seattle offense under Ryan Grubb has been primarily focused on the passing game.

Why you shouldn’t overlook him: Grubb has been outspoken about Walker this summer, calling him a “three-tool guy” and showing a willingness to use him more as a receiver than the prior coaching staff did. Walker is also healthy, unlike Zach Charbonnet, who didn’t do much in camp to earn a big role before missing time.

FantasyPros PPR ADP: 42.6, RB17 | CBS PPR ADP: 40.4, RB17
I’d take him: 32nd overall

Why is he overlooked? Because he’s 29 years old and has missed four games in each of his past two seasons and at least three games in five of his past six seasons. The Cardinals know that, and they know he’s not a long-term solution for them, which is why they drafted Trey Benson. Conner also doesn’t figure to play many third downs, just like last season when he played on 49 of a possible 168.

Why you shouldn’t overlook him: When he’s played, he’s produced. Conner has averaged at least 15.4 PPR points per game in each of his past three seasons with the Cardinals and even hit 17.8 PPR points per game in his last eight with Kyler Murray in this very scheme in 2023. Conner ranked top-10 in avoided tackle rate (28.8%) and yards after contact per rush (3.93 yards) while still managing 5 yards per carry. Arizona’s offense was upgraded across the board and its defense wasn’t as much, creating the perfect scenario for many high-scoring games involving Conner’s team.

FantasyPros PPR ADP: 57.4, RB18 | CBS PPR ADP: 50.4, RB18
I’d take him: 50th overall

Why is he overlooked? A month ago he was on the roster bubble according to some beat reporters. A season ago he was coming off of a torn ACL and was awfully limited (3.6 yards per carry, four games with 15-plus PPR points, 12 games with 53% or fewer of the team’s offensive snaps).

Why you shouldn’t overlook him: For starters, his knee is fine. He’s looked good this preseason, especially after coach Sean Payton prodded him to lose some weight. He’s best suited to handle any down and distance for the Broncos, including goal-line work, and is also the likely leader in touches. And this offense might not be as bad as you think — certainly better than last year’s.

FantasyPros PPR ADP: 92.4, RB31 | CBS PPR ADP: 88.1, RB31
I’d take him: 75th overall

Why is he overlooked? He’s more overlooked than forgotten — last season he posted an average of 13.1 in PPR in 16 games without Nick Chubb — that included seven games between 11 and 14.2 points and just four with 15 or more. So he was solid, not spectacular, but he was sharing to a high degree with Kareem Hunt, who is no longer in town. The Browns added talent to their receiving corps and depth to their run game, but Ford is still atop the depth chart until Chubb is fully recovered from his massive 2023 knee injury.

Why you shouldn’t overlook him: He’ll be the lead running back for a competent offense for the first few weeks, if not months. While his production isn’t expected to dazzle, his price tag as a Round 9 pick who could be a decent starter for a little while will. If you go Zero-RB or Hero-RB, or if you spend earlier draft capital on Jonathon Brooks or Nick Chubb, Ford makes sense as an Autumn fill-in.

FantasyPros PPR ADP: 120.4, RB39 | CBS PPR ADP: 102.8, RB35
I’d take him: 105th overall

Why is he overlooked? McLaurin has rarely been a great receiver for Fantasy. You’d have to go back to 2020 to find his best season — 14.9 PPR points per game. He’s scored either four or five touchdowns in four straight campaigns. He hasn’t had 1,200 or more receiving yards in a season ever — including college!

Why you shouldn’t overlook him: McLaurin’s talent has never been the issue — his quarterbacks have. Now he has a great young one in Jayden Daniels, who has impressed over and over again this preseason. No one else in the offense is as suited to collect targets like McLaurin, which should push him to career bests and perhaps even his first top-20 finish among Fantasy receivers in the pros. He’s fantastic if you draft him at or a little bit before his ADP.

FantasyPros PPR ADP: 75.0, WR33 | CBS PPR ADP: 83.2, WR34
I’d take him: around 60th overall

Why is he overlooked? Coming back from a torn ACL and then dealing with another injury really slowed Godwin down for most of last year. He averaged 10.9 points per game in PPR through his first 12 matchups despite 7.1 targets per game. Meanwhile, Mike Evans picked up the slack and had a monster season. Banking on Baker Mayfield-led receivers hasn’t been a guaranteed deal either.

Why you shouldn’t overlook him: He’s healthy, which is what you’d want from a 28-year-old receiver. Godwin should be more explosive than he was last season. He’s also expected to play a lot more in the slot. Considering that new playcaller Liam Coen is a sprout from the Sean McVay coaching tree, which could (should) mean he’ll be in the Cooper Kupp role for the Bucs. That should yield a lot of targets, most of them in the short and intermediate range, and potentially massive red-zone usage. As for Mayfield, there’s nothing to suggest he’ll completely fall off; it helps that the Bucs O-line was replenished. Godwin is another steal at ADP.

FantasyPros PPR ADP: 76.4, WR34 | CBS PPR ADP: 84.8, WR35
I’d take him: around 60th overall

Why is he overlooked? For starters, Brown hurt his shoulder on his first and only snap of the preseason. No one loves taking players with injury tags next to their name. And Brown has had weeks of consistently great production in his past, but plenty of weeks with consistently bad production too. It’s impossible to view him as a reliable weekly must-start receiver.

Why you shouldn’t overlook him: Not only should Brown eventually find that month or so of non-stop big numbers, but he’ll do so catching passes from Patrick Mahomes in the Chiefs offense! It’s the biggest opportunity Brown will have in his career to throttle defenses without being the primary option defenses will scheme for. Brown’s shoulder should be OK by the time we get to late September. This is an ADP to jump at.

FantasyPros PPR ADP: 103.0, WR42 | CBS PPR ADP: 112.5, WR43
I’d take him: around 90th overall