Football season is upon us, which means fantasy football is, too. As drafts begin, it’s important to find the hidden gems.
There are three players who have a strong chance of exceeding expectations and could be league winners when you draft them.
Omarion Hampton Could Be a Top-3 Running Back With McDaniel
Omarion Hampton is entering his second year in the league, and after missing a good chunk of last season with an ankle fracture, he’s healthy and ready to go.
In the nine games he played last season, Hampton averaged 15.08 PPR points per game, including three games with 20-plus points. Had he stayed healthy, Hampton easily could have finished among the top-ten running backs in total fantasy points.
Now Hampton has a new offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel, who joined the team shortly after the Chargers’ season ended. McDaniel is one of the best offensive minds in the league. He turned Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane into fantasy superstars. The former Dolphins head coach will have a huge part in improving Hampton’s game.
McDaniel was high on Hampton, saying, “From the first day we’ve gotten on the field to [Tuesday], you could argue and crown he’s had as much, if not the most growth, of any player.”
Fantasy Pros have Hampton ranked as RB10 and 25th overall. However, Hampton has the potential to finish as a top-three running back this season. His healthy ankle and the arrival of McDaniel are enough reason to draft him this season.
Denver Is the Best Thing That Could Happen to Waddle’s Fantasy Value
Jaylen Waddle is entering his first season as a member of the Denver Broncos, after being traded by the Miami Dolphins in the offseason. The move to Denver is the best thing that could happen to his fantasy outlook.
In Denver, Waddle’s biggest competition for targets is Sutton. He won’t command the volume Hill did in Miami. Nix and Waddle have also shown the connection they have created in training camp and the preseason.
Waddle’s time in Miami was shaky, but he was still able to produce some strong fantasy finishes. He finished as a top-20 fantasy wide receiver twice, including a top-eight finish in 2022.
His quarterbacks last season were Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson, and Quinn Ewers. Despite that carousel, Waddle finished as the WR24. After Tyreek Hill’s season ended in week four due to injury, Waddle excelled as the No. 1 receiver and averaged 13.5 PPG in PPR formats.
Now in Denver, Waddle’s biggest competition for targets is Courtland Sutton, who won’t command the same target volume that Hill did in Miami. Waddle is younger and more skilled than Sutton, giving him a clear path to the No. 1 role.
Waddle is going in rounds four and five. That’s a steal for a player who could return to top-10 WR status in Denver.
Isaiah Likely Finally Gets to Be the No. 1 Tight End
Like Waddle, Isaiah Likely is entering his first season with a new team, the New York Giants. Likely spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, and now reunites with former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Likely had an underwhelming campaign last season, averaging just 5.6 PPR points per game across 11 games. Likely’s struggles in Baltimore largely stemmed from playing behind Mark Andrews. Andrews was one of Lamar Jackson‘s favorite targets and commanded far more volume.
However, Likely has still shown flashes of what he is capable of, including 13 career games of 10 or more fantasy points.
Now that he’s a Giant, Likely will no longer have to compete with Andrews and is now the tight end one in the Big Apple.
He’ll catch passes from second-year QB Jaxson Dart. Young quarterbacks lean on tight ends. He should serve as a safety valve for Dart, while also being capable of explosive plays.
Harbaugh specifically brought Likely with him. That kind of trust means heavy usage.
Likely is a late-round pick with top-five TE upside. He could be the steal of the draft.
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