logo
Fantasy football: Here are top late-round ‘fliers' to catch for your draft

Fantasy football: Here are top late-round ‘fliers' to catch for your draft

Hindustan Times6 days ago
Fantasy football can be a messy arena to play in. But planning beforehand can help you ace your draft and pick the right player at the right moment. Here's a look at six late-round 'fliers' that should be grabbed in drafts, as listed by ESPN: File photo of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (AP)
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Ever since he suffered a compound ankle fracture and dislocation in 2020, Dak Prescott has had a rough couple of years. He still managed to finish seventh or better in 2021 and 2023, with an average of 20 fantasy points per game in each campaign. He finished outside of the top 18 fantasy QBs in 2022 and 2024, but had to end his season early in Week 9 following a torn hamstring. The player still holds the ability to bounce back, as shown by his throwing 4,516 yards (QB3) with Brian Schottenheimer.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
With an average of 5.2 yards per carry last season, ranking sixth among running backs, at least 100 carries, and a top-five fantasy producer at the position in three of his first four games as the 49ers' starter last season, Jordan Mason is quite the option to consider. He managed to remain healthy and touch the ball over 300 times in the 2024 season.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Despite suffering a knee injury in Week 16 last season, Trey Benson's compact frame, high speed, and sturdy hands make him a favorite selection among fantasy football managers. As one of the highest-upside backups at the position, Benson is likely to play a larger role in his second campaign, as previously stated by Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon.
Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Denver Broncos
There's no doubt that adding Marvin Mims Jr to your roster helps give a presumptive No. 2 WR on an ascending offense. With an average of 5.2 targets per contest from Weeks 12-18 (up from 1.9 over the first 11 weeks of 2024), Mims recorded two 100-yard receiving efforts and five TDs during the Broncos' final six games last season.
Kyle Williams, WR, New England Patriots
With an average of 17.1 yards per reception and 14 scores as a Cougar in 2024, Kyle Williams is the Washington State product who caught the football world's attention after posting a 4.4 40-yard dash time at the combine at the Super Bowl.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brenton Strange's moment in the spotlight came after Evan Engram was forced to take a backseat due to his repeated maladies. Previously selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, he now posts a 40-411-2 stat line. A complementary pass-catcher, Strange's blocking abilities keep him on the field and make him a crucial figure.
With contribution from Stuti Gupta
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jaguars veteran DT Arik Armstead now has a back injury that's sidelining him in camp
Jaguars veteran DT Arik Armstead now has a back injury that's sidelining him in camp

Hindustan Times

time28 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Jaguars veteran DT Arik Armstead now has a back injury that's sidelining him in camp

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Arik Armstead has yet to play a down in Jacksonville's training camp, a lingering absence that has the Jaguars concerned about his availability for the season opener. HT Image The 31-year-old defensive tackle opened camp last month watching from the sideline in what coach Liam Coen equated to giving him 'a little bit of a veteran start.' Now, two weeks later and with Armstead still without a practice rep, Coen said he is dealing with a back injury that has him on the shelf indefinitely. Although Coen expressed optimism that Armstead could be ready for the team's opener against Carolina on Sept. 7, he added 'it's hard for me to say right now.' 'Ultimately, he'll probably know how to get himself ready to go, I would hope,' Coen said Tuesday. 'The key is just making sure that he's healthy and ready to go for the first game. Ultimately, it's a long season, as we know. 'Not to say that early (games) aren't obviously as important as late ones, but it is a long season, and we're really just trying to get him to be as healthy as possible.' Armstead signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with Jacksonville in 2024 that included $28 million guaranteed. It was an eye-popping deal for a 6-foot-7, 290-pound player on the wrong side of 30 who missed 13 games over his final two seasons in San Francisco. Making the signing even more of a head-scratcher, Armstead was brought in to be a backup behind starting edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker — a decision the team believes will be fixed with Armstead now playing inside. 'Just being out there more I'm going to be more productive," Armstead said. 'They're not paying me as a situational player.' Although Armstead saw action in all 17 games last season, he finished with just two sacks. His lack of production prompted him to ask coaches in mid-October to move back to his more natural position as a tackle. They declined. But it was far from a lost year for Armstead. He received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, given annually to one of 32 nominees to recognize their humanitarian efforts off the field. It was a career achievement that put Armstead in an exclusive club. But did it buy him any extra grace amid a new regime? Coen, first-year general manager James Gladstone and first-year executive vice president Tony Boselli already have dismantled most of what's widely considered the worst free-agent class in Jaguars history. Last year's group included cornerback Ronald Darby (cut), receiver Gabe Davis (cut), returner Devin Duvernay (cut), center Mitch Morse (retired) and safety Darnell Savage (fighting to make the 53-man roster). Armstead's roster spot appears safe for now, especially since he has a guaranteed salary of $14 million this season. The Jaguars also liked what they saw from him during organized team activities and believe the position switch inside could get him closer to being the guy who had 33½ sacks in nine years with the 49ers. 'I've got a good five years left in me,' Armstead said in the spring. 'I got a lot to prove, a lot to do, a lot to accomplish. I'm not stopping anytime soon. I still feel great. I know I can play at a high level. When that day comes where I feel like I can't play at a high level, I'll shut it down. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.' ___ AP NFL:

Giants' defensive line is determined to live up to the hype and high expectations
Giants' defensive line is determined to live up to the hype and high expectations

Hindustan Times

time28 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Giants' defensive line is determined to live up to the hype and high expectations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Dexter Lawrence set out to quiet the chatter minutes after the first practice of New York Giants training camp. The veteran defensive tackle had already challenged his fellow players not to listen to the outside noise. HT Image 'They want to talk about our D-line and all this,' Lawrence said, 'but we haven't done anything yet.' Linebacker Brian Burns shared the same thought process a few days later, with a little more profanity tossed in, acknowledging what the formidable front looks like on paper. And while adding No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter to a group already featuring Lawrence, Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux has the potential to make this an elite pass rush, those involved are quick to insist they need to prove it first. "Everything looks good with the names that we have and the potential and this and that," Burns said. 'It's all on us. We can take this as far as we want to go.' Teammate Darius Muasau called it 'the best D-line in the NFL right now," which is lofty praise that can get tossed out there in the dog days of summer with camps in full swing and before any meaningful games are played. Even the exhibition season might not be an indication of what the unit can do. That will get tested in September with the gauntlet of opening at NFC East rivals Washington and Dallas and at home against defending AFC champion Kansas City, followed by then Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. Coach Brian Daboll, among many others, is looking forward to seeing how Lawrence, free agent signing Roy Robertson-Harris, Thibodeaux, Burns and Carter handle hefty expectations. 'Hype doesn't get you anywhere,' Daboll said this week. 'Action does. So, whatever people think or they say, good or bad, the only thing that really matters is how we go about our business and ultimately producing when it matters.' Even tying for the worst record in the league last season at 3-14 — the 30th-ranked offense shouldered a bigger slice of that blame — only seven teams had more sacks than the Giants' 45. Lawrence set a career high with nine, Burns was next with 8 1/2 and Thibodeaux figures he should have had more than 5 1/2 with so many half-sacks part of his total. 'Probably would've been, you guys can do the math, maybe seven or eight if I were to finish those,' Thibodeaux said. 'Just making sure that I get everything I deserve this year.' Burns noticed a positive change in Thibodeaux at some point last season, which has continued into camp. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said Wednesday he routinely shows clips of the 2022 No. 5 pick running to the ball as an example to other players. 'K.T. has impressed me about how he handles himself in the building,' Burns said. 'He gets in early (and) he does his thing. All in all, he flipped that switch last year, so I expect big things from K.T." The organization — and bettors — expect big things from Carter, too. He's a heavy favorite at less than 3-1 on BetMGM Sportsbook to be AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after 12 sacks in 16 games in his final college season at Penn State, during which he also led the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision in tackles for loss. 'He's going to be put in positions to succeed, and that's just due to the guys we have on the line,' Burns said. 'Me, Dex, K.T., he's going to have 1 on 1s. He's going to have opportunities to show what he can do.' Bowen, going into his second season running New York's defense, is putting the onus on himself and his staff to find ways to get impact players on the field in the correct situations. That might mean Burns, Thibodeaux and Carter all lining up on an obvious passing down to show what they all can do. 'We've got to make sure we do a good job of finding ways to utilize them,' Bowen said. 'To have three guys that can roll and play and do different things for us, it really opens up the creativity for us." After not participating in all of team drills at practice Wednesday, top receiver Malik Nabers said he was fine and called it part of the plan devised by coaches and trainers. Asked if it was about managing his lingering toe injury, the second-year pro said it was about everything. It's unclear how much, if any, Nabers will play in the preseason opener Saturday at Buffalo. With standout left tackle Andrew Thomas still on the physically unable to perform list and rehabbing to return from surgery in October for a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, James Hudson has been filling in that spot with the first-team offense. That is, until midway through practice Wednesday. Hudson left the field with training staff and did not return. Rookie Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick out of Purdue, took over in Hudson's absence. ___ AP NFL:

Netflix or ESPN? Where to watch WWE Raw, Smackdown, WrestleMania, other Premium Live Events
Netflix or ESPN? Where to watch WWE Raw, Smackdown, WrestleMania, other Premium Live Events

Economic Times

timean hour ago

  • Economic Times

Netflix or ESPN? Where to watch WWE Raw, Smackdown, WrestleMania, other Premium Live Events

WWE WrestleMania on ESPN Live Events WWE RAW, SmackDown on Netflix FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ESPN announced a partnership with WWE, including the streaming rights to WrestleMania, on the heels of an agreement with the NFL. In a deal announced Wednesday, ESPN becomes the U.S. domestic home for WWE Premium Live Events. WrestleMania will be part of ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service starting in 2026. ESPN is expected to launch its direct-to-consumer service before the end of September. The service would give consumers access to all ESPN programs and networks for $29.99 per comes after WWE moved 'Raw' weekly live stream from Comcast's USA Network to Netflix. Netflix agreed to pay more than $5 billion for rights to show "Raw" and other WWE programming including "Smackdown" and "Wrestlemania" over 10 years, part of the streaming service's move into live events that are attractive to WWE fans and viewers in the US will be able to catch all the WWE Premium Live Events on ESPN. In addition to WrestleMania, WWE's Premium Live Events include Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and Money in the Bank. Before the agreement with ESPN, these Premium Live Events were streamed on Peacock for American viewers.'WWE's agreement with ESPN is a pivotal moment for our millions of fans across the United States: the leader in sports entertainment partnering with the biggest brand in sports media,' Nick Khan, president of WWE, said in a statement. "Bringing WWE's flagship events to ESPN's platform is tremendously exciting. We know the sky is the limit.'Added Jimmy Pitaro, the chairman of ESPN: "This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.'Even after deal between WWE and ESPN, Netflix will continue to stream WWE RAW and Smackdown as per schedule for viewers in the US. International viewers will be able to watch WWE Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, on Netflix.A1. Even after deal between WWE and ESPN, Netflix will continue to stream WWE RAW and Smackdown as per schedule for viewers in the US. International viewers will be able to watch WWE Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, on Netflix.A2. Now WWE fans and viewers in the US will be able to catch all the WWE Premium Live Events on ESPN. In addition to WrestleMania, WWE's Premium Live Events include Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and Money in the Bank. Before the agreement with ESPN, these Premium Live Events were streamed on Peacock for American viewers.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store