Over the last few weeks, Zach Brunner (@FantasyFlurry), Trevor Land (@TrevorLand2) and myself (@LukeReim) have been analyzing the relevant players on each NFL team to give you the top fantasy football draft values. We gave you the tools that you need to help you understand each division.
Much of our conversation revolved around fantasy football draft value, leading to us giving a candidate for the value pick on each team. Be sure to rewatch all of our streams about this and other fantasy-relevant topics on our YouTube page. Like and Subscribe, of course.
We started with the most fantasy-relevant division in the league today with the AFC West. Guys like Patrick Mahomes and Austin Ekeler are going to be the best fantasy players in that division, but we are looking at those solid players, who for whatever reason are not being drafted high. On that note, let’s get into it.
Best AFC West Fantasy Football Values
Kansas City Chiefs – Jerick McKinnon Fantasy Football Draft Value
Jerick McKinnon has carved out a fantasy-relevant role, due in part to his receiving ability. He was really effective at the end of last season. In Weeks 14-17 last year, McKinnon was RB6 once and RB1 twice throughout the league. What is so intriguing with McKinnon again this year is that he is being drafted as RB44 and 126th overall. With a strength of Patrick Mahomes’ game being improvising, McKinnon has a skillset that much better suits that than Isiah Pacheco. The Kansas City Chiefs also brought in running back Deneric Prince, who has every opportunity to take carries away from Isiah Pacheco, as the two are both one-cut runners.
The two running backs going directly ahead of McKinnon are Elijah Mitchell and Tyler Allgeier, who both are way too inconsistent to trust with workhorse runners ahead of them on the depth chart.
The Chiefs won a Super Bowl with McKinnon in his current role and should have no reason to stray away. His work in both the receiving and rushing game, as well as his pass-blocking ability and chemistry with Mahomes, should give intrigue to a flex play any week. A player like that to be RB44 is crazy.
Los Angeles Chargers – Keenan Allen Fantasy Football Draft Value
Probably due to his injury history, the Keenan Allen fantasy football value is once again disrespectful. Allen is currently being drafted as WR18, good for 38th overall. He has been as consistent as possible when he was on the field. Allen has recorded over 1,000 yards in the last four seasons that he has played in 14+ games. Last season, Allen was averaging around 75 yards on 6-7 receptions per game, which in most fantasy formats is good for at least 10 points per game. Add on a touchdown and you are looking at WR1 numbers.
With one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Keenan Allen has carved out a role as a high-volume safety blanket. Allen is probably the top option (if not, then top-two option) on every pass play for the Chargers this season. To get that as your WR2 is almost as close to WR1 numbers that you are going to find.
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Las Vegas Raiders – Hunter Renfrow Fantasy Football Draft Value
While the Hunter Renfrow fantasy football value was impossible to trust last year, we shouldn’t totally rule him out of fantasy football teams yet. Slot receivers have notoriously thrived in a Josh McDaniels offense. The Clemson alum is just one year removed from a 1,000-yard, nine-touchdown campaign. He is now going WR68 and 172nd overall in leagues. With Jimmy Garoppolo known for taking what the defenses give him, it feels likely that will Renfrow will see his fair share of targets out of the slot. His route-running ability should be enough to give any fantasy manager intrigue at Renfrow.
Hunter Renfrow’s ceiling in this Raiders offense gives him the most fantasy football upside. I would imagine that Renfrow may be a player who is going to end up on a lot of people’s “Do Not Draft” list, which means that you may be able to get him later than WR68. All the pieces are there for Renfrow to succeed. Josh McDaniels. Jimmy Garoppolo. And Davante Adams taking top coverage. I think the risk is worth it as you aren’t really losing much from drafting Renfrow.
Denver Broncos – Tim Patrick Fantasy Football Draft Value
If you thought the Hunter Renfrow fantasy football ADP was low, Tim Patrick is currently going as WR92, which is 261 overall. Since he was hurt last year, let’s look at his 2021.
In 2021, Patrick finished as WR42. If we are asking ourselves who the best fantasy football draft value at WR is on the Broncos, it has to be Tim Patrick. He is a player that Denver recently paid and it seems that they have a plan to use him. Sean Payton alone should be enough to give Patrick a finish higher than WR92.
Look back at the New Orleans days. Payton had guys like Lance Moore and Devery Henderson fantasy-relevant. On a rough average, over the last two healthy years, Patrick has been about a 50-catch, 745-yard, six-touchdown guy. That has happened with Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton on the field. That production is currently going undrafted. While healthy, Patrick is one of the better WR3 talents in the NFL. How many other guys are going undrafted that have the potential to be a fantasy WR3 for you this season?
