Finding and selecting great players in the early rounds of your fantasy football draft is always important for team building. But for the most part, it is hard to completely miss on at least some value early on.
I believe championships are won in the middle rounds. Difference-makers are found here that set your team apart. Who are some players you can find in the seventh round that can make the difference? The picks in this round are likely to see your starting roster for a large portion of your season, so getting it right is important.
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The Top Players To Target in the Seventh Round
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
Let’s start off with one of my favorite players in drafts in 2023. David Montgomery has been a solid and efficient back in Chicago since he entered the NFL.
He has not had a single season under 1,000 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns in his four-year career.
Montgomery from Fields!
📺: #PHIvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mzMHAEtgdH pic.twitter.com/BC60AGQO59— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022
Now, Montgomery heads to the Motor City where he will be in a backfield with rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs. But the totally new committee in Detroit doesn’t look all that different from the 2022 backfield. Gibbs seems to fit the mold of former Lion D’Andre Swift. And Montgomery looks to be the back replacing Jamaal Williams.
If this is true, Montgomery has a chance for a lot of success in 2023. He will be running behind a stellar offensive line and taking over for Williams, who had over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. You read that right: 17 touchdowns.
It would be unwise to assume that Montgomery is going to see a touchdown total in the high teens as well, but the opportunity is certainly there for success. If Montgomery can get a big share of the touches in Detroit, he is more than capable of producing. And if you are getting him in the seventh round, you could have a deep running back room on your fantasy roster.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As we speak, Evans is a receiver that is falling on the sixth and seventh-round border. Depending on your league, he may be gone by the seventh round. But if you have an early selection after the turn, Evans is someone you should certainly target.
There are some things to have concern about in Tampa. The most obvious is the departure of Tom Brady leaving and Baker Mayfield being his replacement. While this isn’t ideal for Evans and the rest of the Bucs’ pass catchers, Evans is too good of a talent not to take a stab at in this round.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
Evans isn’t an ordinary wideout. He’s one of only seven players in NFL history to have nine consecutive years of 1,000 receiving yards or more. And he’s the only one to do it from Year 1. He has been a consistent producer for fantasy owners every season and is coming off a 1,124-yard, six-touchdown campaign.
Mayfield being the QB in Tampa does bring Evans’ streak into question, but it also means a wide receiver of his caliber is actually available in the seventh round. He is a guy that has finished in the top 20 fantasy receivers eight of his nine seasons. And he’s available around pick 73.
Don’t overthink this. Take the talent when it is sitting right in front of you.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
There are some managers that may see Addison as a slight reach here. Nonetheless, if you are in the later parts of the seventh round, he has huge potential for your team. Yes, trusting rookies is always dangerous, but Addison’s situation is just too good to pass up.
Paired with the best wide receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson, Addison will have a fantastic opportunity in the Vikings’ offense. With defenses zeroing in on Jefferson, Addison will see a lot more single-man coverage and soft spots in the zone. And he is a very skilled route runner that has the ability to get himself open on his own.
The Vikings had the second-most passing yards in the league last year behind only the Kansas City Chiefs. They were fourth in passing touchdowns. And Adam Thielen (now a Panther) is vacating 107 targets from that 2022 offense.
Enter Addison who has an opportunity to make a mark on the league right away. And if you are drafting in the 80s for your seventh-round pick, he is a fantastic option. You could be buying in on a player that will be going off the boards in the 40s or 50s a year from now.
Who Should You Draft in Other Rounds?
Want to see what options might be available before or after your pick in other rounds? We have you covered.