Dynasty rookie drafts are not easy. There are so many factors that go into determining a prospect’s fantasy football value and future success. But, once the NFL Draft is in the books, there are bound to be players who are being underrated and underdrafted. A bad landing spot can be terrifying for a fantasy manager, but often talent will win out. On the other hand, pre-draft love can outweigh a horrible post-draft situation. Rookie valuations are a delicate balancing act between all of the information that we have at our disposal, not just the most recent or the loudest. We can’t ignore what happened during the NFL Draft, but we can’t overinflate its importance either.
Here is a list of players who have been underdrafted in early superflex rookie drafts, and why their value should be higher.
Drake Maye, QB NE (Round 1, Pick 3) (ADP: 6.8)
Maye was highly sought-after as the third overall pick in the NFL Draft. Teams were reportedly willing to part with as many as three first-round picks to move up to pick Maye, and the Patriots still turned those offers down and selected the Tar Heel quarterback. Once Maye went off the board, the desire to move up dried up. The Giants stayed put and took Malik Nabers, the Falcons shocked everyone and took Michael Penix at eight overall, and the Vikings only traded up one spot to 10 once panic started to set in that they could be leapfrogged for a QB. Despite that, Maye is going in the middle of rookie drafts, and after JJ McCarthy as the QB4.
The argument against Maye is understandable. The Patriots don’t appear to have any weapons on this team, despite drafting two wide receivers later on in the draft, and Maye may need to sit to start his career behind Jacoby Brissett. But, his talent and ceiling are special, and it’s in a different tier than McCarthy’s. McCarthy may have the advantage in his rookie year because of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson, but taking a less talented quarterback with worse draft capital is short-sighted in fantasy football. I’d draft Maye as early as third overall in superflex drafts as the second quarterback off the board, before Jayden Daniels.
Blake Corum, RB LAR (Round 3, Pick 19) (ADP: 19.33)
