As fantasy drafts inch toward the final stages, many managers shift their focus from headline starters to hidden value picks that can tip the balance in half‑PPR formats.
Aaron Jones, currently listed at an ADP of 121 and ranked RB40, represents a classic bargain in the late rounds. In 2025 he posted a career‑low 4.2 yards per carry but still managed 8.7 points per game in half‑PPR scoring, tying him for RB33 across backs with at least eight games played. His ability to generate production despite limited efficiency makes him an attractive flex option.
Keaton Mitchell, a late‑round option for managed leagues, brings explosiveness and a strong rushing efficiency that caught the eye of Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who specifically targeted the back for his scheme. With a depth chart that places Mitchell behind Omarion Hampton, a workload of eight to ten touches per game could transform him into a standalone FLEX or RB2 candidate.
Kaytron Allen, another deep sleeper with an ADP hovering around 200.3 (RB60), has impressed with a PFF run grade that placed him second among 59 FBS backs with at least 100 attempts in 2025. Behind him, teammate Nicholas Singleton also vying for touches, but if the Washington coaching staff leans on Allen as the early‑down and goal‑line option, his fantasy upside could rise sharply, especially given the competition from Jonah Coleman, who is projected to outrank him in next year’s rankings.
The strategic edge
For managers who can stomach a little risk, targeting these three backs in the final stages of a draft may yield disproportionate returns, especially in leagues that reward half‑PPR scoring. Their unique situational roles and coaching endorsements create a confluence of opportunity that could push their final point totals well beyond their draft positions.