Fantasy Football Draft Values: Jaylen Waddle, Malik Nabers, Pat Freiermuth

The 2024 NFL preseason is a few weeks old, meaning it’s fantasy football season. Some fantasy leagues will have their draft over the next few days, while others will wait until Labor Day weekend to draft. Either way, now is the time for fantasy players to prepare for their redraft leagues.

Many factors go into winning a redraft league every year. However, the top factor is drafting players at a value.

Let’s look at six of my favorite fantasy football draft values based on Yahoo ADP.

Fantasy Football Draft Values: Yahoo Leagues

Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)

Yahoo ADP – 39.4 | WR19

Waddle is coming off a disappointing 2023 season. He was the WR34, averaging 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, the former Alabama star missed three games because of injuries and left others early. Yet, Waddle averaged 7.4 targets per game, up from 6.9 in his first year playing alongside Tyreek Hill. More importantly, the explosive receiver is an outstanding route runner. Waddle posted the fifth-highest yards per route run (2.93) average among wide receivers with at least 25 targets last season (per Fantasy Points Data).

Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)

Yahoo ADP – 69.3 | WR28

New York will have one of the worst passing offenses in the NFL this year. However, Nabers will succeed because of his expected high target share. The Giants lack any proven pass-catchers following Darren Waller’s retirement. Meanwhile, Nabers ranked first in the rookie draft class in yards per route run (3.64) among wide receivers with at least 20 targets last season (per PFF). The former LSU star has made several highlight reel receptions during training camp. Don’t be surprised if Nabers is a top-12 wide receiver as a rookie.

Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)

Yahoo ADP – 130.1 | TE18

While Freiermuth is coming off the worst season of his career, fantasy players should give him another shot in 2024. The Steelers’ offense will be significantly better after upgrading their quarterback room. Furthermore, Arthur Smith taking over as the team’s offensive coordinator is excellent news for Freiermuth. Last year, the Atlanta Falcons tight ends averaged a 31.7% overall target share and a 29.3% red zone target share. With Diontae Johnson in Carolina, Freiermuth could see the volume needed for a breakout season in the final year of his rookie contract.