It’s easy to get excited about the first few rounds of your fantasy draft, but the real value often comes late. Whether it’s a WR4, a backup QB, or a running back buried on a depth chart, these are the picks that can swing matchups, or even entire seasons. Whether you play in traditional redraft, deep dynasty formats, or are stacking best ball rosters, late-round upside is gold.
Here are ten names to keep on your radar heading into 2025.
WR Rashid Shaheed – New Orleans Saints
Shaheed played just six games last season due to a meniscus injury, but still caught 20 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 17.5 yards per catch. Now healthy and back at full speed in training camp, he’s in line to be the Saints’ WR2 behind Chris Olave. New head coach Kellen Moore wants to push the ball downfield more often, which suits Shaheed’s speed. The quarterback battle between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough may create some uncertainty, but either one will need deep threats. If the QB play is average or better, Shaheed could offer flex value with big-play upside, especially in best ball formats.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. – New York Giants
Tracy enters 2025 as the favorite to lead the Giants’ backfield after flashing in limited opportunities last year. The fifth-round rookie has a background as a receiver, which fits well in a system focused on short passes and checkdowns. With Devin Singletary and rookie Cam Skattebo expected to share backup duties, Tracy is set to handle early-down and receiving work. He’s impressed the coaching staff throughout the offseason and could be looking at a 200-touch role in an offense now led by Russell Wilson. If he can clean up fumbling concerns, Tracy has RB2 upside.
QB Justin Fields – New York Jets
Fields wrapped up 2024 with the Steelers, throwing for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns while adding 289 rushing yards and five more scores in six starts. Despite the solid finish, Pittsburgh moved on, and Fields landed with the Jets, where he’s expected to start over Russell Wilson. The team is building around his mobility, and early camp reports say he’s taking most first-team reps. A minor toe injury in practice doesn’t appear serious, and he’s on track for Week 1. If he can deliver league-average passing with his rushing ability, Fields could be a major value.
RB JK Dobbins – Denver Broncos
Dobbins ran for 905 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games last season with the Chargers before a knee injury cut his year short. Now in Denver, he joins a team that lost Javonte Williams and plans to lean on the run with a young quarterback. Dobbins will compete with rookie R.J. Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin, but is expected to lead the backfield in carries and red zone work. Sean Payton has praised his vision and patience. If he stays healthy, Dobbins could easily reach 200 touches and RB2 value at a discounted draft cost.
WR Stefon Diggs – New England Patriots
Diggs posted 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games with the Texans before tearing his ACL. Now fully cleared, he signed with the Patriots and has already emerged as rookie QB Drake Maye’s top target in camp. Diggs may not have the same explosiveness he had in Buffalo, but he remains a sharp route-runner with a knack for getting open. In a low-volume offense with limited target competition, Diggs could post strong WR2 numbers if he stays healthy.
TE Zach Ertz – Washington Commanders
Ertz quietly delivered 66 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Despite Washington’s additions of Deebo Samuel and rookie Ben Sinnott, Ertz remains the starting tight end and a go-to target for quarterback Jayden Daniels. He will continue to operate over the middle and in the red zone. While not a big-play threat anymore, Ertz offers a reliable floor and touchdown potential, which are valuable traits in a thin tight end landscape.
RB Jordan Mason – Minnesota Vikings
Mason joins the Vikings after rushing for 789 yards and three touchdowns with the 49ers, averaging more than five yards per carry. He proved productive with volume and now enters a backfield led by Aaron Jones. Mason is expected to handle goal-line and early-down duties, especially as rookie QB J.J. McCarthy gets up to speed. If Jones misses time, Mason could be a plug-and-play starter, making him one of the better late-round stashes this year.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson – New York Giants
Robinson led the Giants in targets last season and finished with 93 catches for 699 yards and three touchdowns. He thrived in a quick-pass system, primarily out of the slot. With Russell Wilson at quarterback, that role remains intact in 2025. Robinson is reportedly a favorite in third-down and red zone packages. He won’t deliver many splash plays, but he could easily notch another 90-catch campaign in PPR formats.
QB Kyler Murray – Arizona Cardinals
Murray threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns last year while adding 572 rushing yards and five scores. He now enters 2025 with Marvin Harrison Jr. as his top weapon. Their early chemistry has been a highlight in camp, and the Cardinals kept the same offensive system in place, giving Murray some rare continuity. With Harrison elevating the pass game and Murray still a dual-threat, he’s a strong candidate to outperform his ADP.
WR Calvin Ridley – Tennessee Titans
Ridley topped 1,000 yards last season and enters 2025 as Tennessee’s clear WR1. He now has rookie quarterback Cam Ward throwing his way, and early camp buzz suggests the two have clicked quickly. The Titans added some depth pieces, but Ridley remains the focal point in the passing game. If Ward settles in, Ridley could post low-end WR1 or strong WR2 numbers at a very reasonable price.
Parting Shot
Championships are often won in the later rounds. Whether you’re looking for safe depth or upside that can explode, each of these ten names comes with a plausible path to real fantasy value. Training camp buzz is already building around several of them, and you can get them all for pennies on the draft-day dollar.
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