Which running backs, tight ends are currently draft day values?

Yahoo Fantasy analysts Matt Harmon and Dalton Del Don identify some running back and tight end value options for fantasy managers ahead of drafts for the 2022 season.

Video Transcript

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MATT HARMON: It's almost time for that all important draft for your fantasy squad, and finding value could be the key to taking in that fantasy glory. So let's get to some Draft Day Values here brought to you by Arby's, where you can pick two, two for $6 to satisfy your draft day cravings. We're also looking at players where you can find some good value on in fantasy this year. So Dalton, my guy, let's get started with our pair of running backs here.

DALTON DEL DON: It's Darrell Henderson on the Rams, for me, who's just way undervalued in drafts. He's admittedly had injury issues, but he isn't being drafted as a top 40 back despite the very real possibility. He's the leader of a backfield on a team that just won the Super Bowl.

Cam Akers talk about a high priced option. He finished last among 105 running backs in rush yards over expectation while looking downright sluggish returning from a torn Achilles last season. Both are admittedly currently dealing with injuries. But they were splitting work evenly beforehand, yet Henderson is going almost 100 picks later in fantasy drafts, making him a clear draft day value.

MATT HARMON: I love it. I love that call. Honestly Dalton, I would rather pass up that entire dead zone group of like, Cam Akers, Elijah Mitchell. Sorry, I know he's on your 49ers, but that whole dead zone group-- Josh Jacobs, David Montgomery, and go a couple rounds later for a guy like Tony Pollard. And I'm not totally all out on Zeke this year. But I really like Pollard as a value in the eighth round. Because frankly, I think they're going to need him to get involved in the passing game.

Sometimes Dalton, we know these like, the running back, he's lining up in the slot. He's going to catch more passes than ever. You know, notes from minicamps and training camps can be kind of false flags in the off season. But this one, I believe, because Pollard can thrive in that sort of Austin Ekeler light type of role for this team you know, while Zeke handles kind of the grinder carries.

So I would honestly, rather pass up that whole dead zone group, and I would go for guys like Tony Pollard, would have also great injury upside in case anything ever happens to Ezekiel Elliott.

All right, let's move on to the tight end position here. We know that this one is notoriously difficult for fantasy managers. So hit me with your value tight end.

DALTON DEL DON: Well first off, Travis Kelce will soon be 33 years old and is in the clear decline phase of his career. So he's far too high priced as a common top 15 pick, even going in the first round in some fantasy drafts. But my tight end Draft Day Value is Cole Kmet, who's barely being drafted as a top 20 fantasy tight end despite there being a real chance. He leads Chicago in targets this season.

There's no one behind Darnell Mooney, who we all like. He's also not even 180 pounds. Chicago isn't the greatest setup admittedly with poor weather and an offense not likely to score a ton of points. But Kmet is going to rack up catches. And he's also due for some nice touchdown regression during his third year in the league. He's a nice Draft Day Value.

MATT HARMON: Yeah, listen, if you're not taking a tight end in the early rounds, or even one of those like, top 8 to 9 drafted guys, I love the idea of just completely punting the position and trying to find a value like Kmet. Or I've got one even further down the board, VCU's finest Mo Alie-Cox. I truly believe this is the year for the former basketball player, the athletic tight end, who's been hanging around the Colts roster for a long time. And he's made some splash plays, and I know some fantasy folks like, let's get more Mo Alie-Cox involved.

I think they're getting him involved this year. He's talked about taking on more of those Jack Doyle type routes, which basically means he's going to be running the shorter routes, the higher percentage routes. With Matt Ryan in town, we know that Michael Pittman is getting a quarterback upgrade. I'm kind of intrigued by a guy like Alec Pierce maybe as the second wide receiver.

But at the tight end position right now, the runway is completely clear for Mo Alie-Cox to dominate the targets there and potentially be like a super deep sleeper tight end, like a Darren Waller type who is going so late that one year. I think he is a great Draft Day Value this year.

All right Dalton, thanks man. This was awesome. Get these value picks on your fantasy draft day and get great value every day at Arby's.