FantasyPros - 4 Fantasy Football DRAFT VALUES Experts Love to Target | Players Who Will Outperform Their Rankings (Ep. 2024)

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Ryan from Fantasy Pros is joined by experts Jake Seeley and Derek Brown to discuss undervalued fantasy football players ahead of the 2026 draft season. The trio focuses on high-upside targets both inside and outside the top 75 overall rankings, with a strong emphasis on wide receivers. Debra (Derek Brown) champions Christian Watson, arguing that his elite production during the second half of the 2025 season—when he was effectively a top-15 fantasy WR—has been overlooked despite his new role as the Packers' clear WR1 following injuries to key players. Jake Seeley echoes this sentiment, highlighting Alec Pierce as a breakout candidate in Indianapolis, where he’s now the unquestioned No. 1 receiver after Michael Pittman’s trade. Both experts express confusion over why these players remain undervalued in consensus rankings. Outside the top 75, they spotlight Parker Washington of the Jaguars, whose dominant stretch in Weeks 16–19 (averaging 22.3 fantasy points per game) makes him a clear WR1 in Jacksonville, yet he’s ranked far too low. Jake also recommends rookie Caleb Douglas in Miami, noting his elite size and speed, and the lack of competition in a weak Dolphins WR room, making him a prime value pick in dynasty drafts. The conversation is lighthearted, with playful banter about past draft rivalries and pop culture references, but the core message is clear: early draft value lies in players who’ve proven themselves under pressure and are now being ignored by the consensus. The episode concludes with a strong call to action for listeners to use the FantasyPros Dynasty Draft Simulator and support the show via reviews and social media. The overall tone is enthusiastic and optimistic, with a focus on strategic, contrarian thinking in fantasy football. The experts emphasize that the best value often comes from players who’ve already proven their worth but are still being underestimated due to narrative bias or injury concerns. Key takeaways include: (1) don’t ignore players who’ve shown elite production in limited time, (2) target players in favorable role changes or team situations, (3) rookie value is highest when there’s a clear opening in a weak receiving corps, and (4) consensus rankings often lag behind real performance, especially in early draft season.