5 Players High-Stakes Drafters Do NOT Love As Much as Home Fantasy Leagues

Alvin Kamara is being drafted as RB43-RB53, which Ian Hartitz considers a reasonable price for a player who averaged 18 PPR points per game in 2024. While acknowledging concerns regarding his age (31) and a 3.6 YPC last year, Hartitz argues the Saints' offensive environment was the primary culprit. He highlights Kamara's efficiency with Tyler Shuck (116 total yards on 25 touches in their only full game) and suggests he remains a viable late-round target for specific roster builds.

Bijan Robinson is categorized by Ian Hartitz as one of the elite running backs in the league, consistently drafted in the top 12 of high-stakes formats.

Ian Hartitz prefers drafting Brock Bowers in the second round over Sam LaPorta, citing his 'superpowers' strategy as a reason to prioritize Bowers at his current cost.

Ian Hartitz recommends Bucky Irving as a strong value target if he is available past the top 60 picks, preferring him over the current draft cost of Sam LaPorta.

Ian Hartitz expresses concern regarding Cam Akers' recovery from an ankle dislocation, citing historical examples like Tony Pollard and Chris Godwin who took significant time to return to form. He warns that Akers may not be fully back to normal until mid-season.

Christian McCaffrey is identified as a premier running back, consistently selected in the top 12 of high-stakes fantasy drafts.

Ian Hartitz ranks Christian Watson in the same tier as Davante Adams and prefers him as a value alternative to drafting Sam LaPorta in the mid-60s. While he is ranked closely with Parker Washington, Hartitz notes that drafters can often wait longer to secure Washington, making Watson a specific draft-room decision.

Ian Hartitz identifies Colston Loveland as a preferred target if he misses out on Brock Bowers, indicating he is a priority over Sam LaPorta at current draft costs.

Ian Hartitz cites Daniel Jones' injury concerns as a primary reason for his skepticism regarding the Colts' overall offensive outlook.

Ian Hartitz highlights a significant ADP discrepancy for Davante Adams, who is ranked WR19 on ESPN but slips to WR27 in FFPC. While Hartitz acknowledges age-related concerns—noting Adams will be 34 by season's end and that few receivers maintain top-12 production at that age—he argues Adams remains a viable investment outside the top 24. He points to Adams' massive 28 endzone targets last season, 10 more than the next closest receiver, as a cushion against touchdown regression, and ranks him just ahead of Christian Watson and Parker Washington.

Devon Achane is recognized as a top-tier running back, consistently drafted in the top 12. Ian Hartitz notes the Dolphins' $52 million investment in him suggests a significant role, though the exact backfield split remains uncertain.

Derrick Henry is identified as a top-tier running back, consistently selected in the top 12 of high-stakes fantasy drafts.

Ian Hartitz reports that George Kittle is returning from injury slower than expected, which is negatively impacting the San Francisco offensive outlook.

Ian Hartitz highlights George Pickens as a significant red-zone threat, noting he was the second-most targeted receiver in the endzone last season with 18 targets, trailing only Davante Adams.

Ian Hartitz identifies Jahmyr Gibbs as a top-tier running back who has averaged at least 18 PPR points per game, placing him among the elite group of backs typically drafted in the first round.

Ian Hartitz advises against drafting Jameson Williams, citing target competition with Sam LaPorta and questioning his production when LaPorta is active in the lineup.

Ian Hartitz identifies Jaylen Warren as a respectable RB2 option for fantasy managers who are utilizing a 'hero RB' draft strategy.

Jonathan Taylor is recognized as a top-tier running back option, consistently going in the top 12 of fantasy drafts.

Ian Hartitz identifies Jordan Travis as a superior value proposition compared to Sam LaPorta, specifically noting that LaPorta is currently being drafted 30 to 40 picks earlier than he should be.

Ian Hartitz is fading Josh Jacobs due to a combination of injury history, legal concerns, and a poor offensive line (ranked 23rd by RotoWire, 29th by Establish The Run). Jacobs struggled significantly at the end of last season, recording only 94 yards and zero touchdowns on his final 35 carries. Hartitz currently ranks him as RB17, noting he would only move him to RB14 if the legal issues were resolved. Additionally, Hartitz notes the historical tendency of coach Matt LaFleur to utilize a 1A/1B backfield committee.

Ian Hartitz is highly enthusiastic about Malik Nabers, expressing relief that the receiver is expected to be back for Week 1. Hartitz ranks him as his WR10 and the 23rd player overall, placing him on the borderline of the second and third rounds. He notes that while Nabers is a high-upside talent, he is the only player in the Giants' offense that defenses must account for on every play.

MarShawn Lloyd is performing well in training camp and receiving praise for his explosive pass-catching ability. While Ian Hartitz expresses skepticism about his ability to stay healthy, he notes that Lloyd fits the archetype of a threat to Josh Jacobs' workload.

Ian Hartitz ranks Mike Evans at WR23, one spot ahead of Davante Adams, noting that Evans possesses a higher target ceiling in the San Francisco offense despite current injury concerns. He emphasizes that Evans' role provides a higher ceiling for production compared to other veteran options.

Ian Hartitz suggests drafting Ray Davis as a high-upside handcuff, arguing that he would be ranked ahead of veterans like Alvin Kamara if the primary starter were injured.

Ian Hartitz notes that the absence of Ricky Pearsall from the San Francisco wide receiver depth chart is a key factor currently influencing the team's target distribution.

Ian Hartitz recommends targeting Rico Dowdle as a late-round handcuff option for fantasy managers who have already secured three stud running backs in the early rounds of their drafts.

Ian Hartitz ranks Sam LaPorta as his TE5 but expresses concern over a back injury, noting that while he is not on the PUP list, it remains a flaw. He highlights a discrepancy in ADP (TE6 on ESPN/Yahoo vs. TE8 on FFPC) and questions if last year's production is being overstated. He places LaPorta in the same tier as Kyle Pitts, Tucker Kraft, and Dalton Kincaid, noting that the Lions' elite offense is the primary tiebreaker in his favor despite the injury risk.

Saquon Barkley is considered a top-tier running back, consistently drafted within the top 12 picks.

Ian Hartitz recommends drafting Tank Bigsby as a high-upside handcuff, noting that he would be ranked significantly higher if the starter ahead of him were removed from the picture.

Ian Hartitz includes Tucker Kraft in his current tight end tier but highlights a knee issue and concerns about his usage in underneath routes, suggesting he needs to play in a 'George Kittle mode' to be successful in the Packers' offense.

Ian Hartitz references Tyrod Taylor as part of the group of players whose success under Greg Roman is often attributed to Roman's scheme, though Hartitz argues the talent level of these players played a larger role.