We’ve all gotten to the end of our fantasy drafts and felt the anxiety of not knowing a single name left on the board. You drag a couple of 32-year-old running backs and suspended wide receivers to your queue and hope for the best. But you don’t have to live this way. There are always some names in the late rounds that come from nowhere and win people their leagues. 

There’s Always Treasure Amongst the Trash

Puka Nacua went undrafted last year before breaking every rookie WR record in the NFL. Patrick Mahomes was a 13th-round pick during his first year as a starter. I won my league thanks to a Trey McBride breakout down the stretch last season, and he was an afterthought all draft season. So, what gems can we find picking through the trash at the end of your draft this year?

QB Jared Goff – Detroit Lions – 10th Round

Jared Goff had the Lions one score away from a Super Bowl appearance last season. And throughout his career, he’s been prolific at home and indoor stadiums. Well, this season 14 of the Lions’ 17 games are indoors, including 15 of the first 16 games. 

Their opening schedule is also very favorable for a hot start. He’s someone who could flash early, giving you time to find another option for later in the season or to sell high via trade.

RB Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers – 14th Round

I’m not going to try to convince you that Chuba Hubbard is some otherworldly talent. What he has is opportunity. He plays on a GARBAGE Carolina Panthers team that will be without the early-round rookie they drafted for the first four weeks of the season.

The plan was for the Panthers to kick Hubbard to the curb last season when they brought in Miles Sanders via free agency, but Hubbard proved to be the more talented back. Now, he finds himself as the undoubted starter for at least four games this season until Jonathan Brooks returns from injury. He’s a great option if you need someone early in the season.

WR Brian Thomas Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars – 10th Round

Brian Thomas Jr. is also my wager to lead all rookie receivers in yards this season, which you can find at +1600 at some books. He’s got explosive upside and is already in two-receiver sets for Jacksonville.

They’re going to move incumbent starter Christian Kirk to the slot because that’s where he performs best, and Gabe Davis will be used for blocking and running in a straight line on the other side. The fit for Thomas Jr. in Jacksonville is perfect, and he has a more than competent quarterback under center that will be able to get him the ball. 

TE Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers – 11th Round

Late-round Tight Ends can get really gross. But every year there’s a guy who becomes the safety blanket for his quarterback and experiences spikes in his touchdown stats. Enter Pat Freiermuth, who is likely the second target in his offense before WR George Pickens.

The Steelers haven’t won the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes and will need a trusted option over the middle in the new Arthur Smith offense. New starting QB Russell Wilson has also been known to pepper TEs in the red zone throughout his career.