The late rounds of a typical Fantasy EPL Draft usually consist of managers taking some steady streamers, making some dart throws, or leaving the draft room in frustration and turning on auto-draft! This article will give you a few players to look to target in the later rounds, in the hope that these gems can give your team that extra boost to start the season off strong. Click here for details on how you can access our 22/23 Draft Kit.
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Fantasy EPL Hidden Gems
Raul Jimenez | ADP 85
Jimenez is coming off his worst season yet (excluding 2020/2021 that cut short due to a horrific head injury). He only managed 6 goals and 4 assists in 30 starts with a PPM of 7.1 points. The Wolves attack as a whole suffered, and Jimenez was partly to blame. With another full preseason, the striker should get back to his best. Jimenez's ADP puts him in the 8th Round in 12 team leagues, which would make him a FWD3 for most teams. Jimenez could be a steal at this position. If he manages to come close to his stats of the19-20 campaign, he will provide FWD1 value. Lage will look to get the best out of his #9 this season, and a fully healthy Neto (he was injured most of last season) can help bring facilitate his renewal.
I would aim to draft Jimenez between rounds 6-8 depending on how badly you want him. Managers who don't draft forwards early may look to draft him in Rounds 6-7 so be mindful of other rosters during your draft to make sure he isn't swooped by a competitor.
Ibrahima Konate | ADP 133
Konate probably enters this season starting on the bench again. But I see him ultimately winning a spot beside VVD sooner rather than later. Konate was bought to Liverpool to be the long-term partner of VVD. Matip is aging, and somehow managed an excellent, injury free season. However, with Konate acclimatized to life at Liverpool, Klopp may not want to fully risk Matip week in and week out. If Konate manages 25 starts as a result, taking him in the 10th-12 Rounds will be a steal. He is a massive threat from set plays and will rack up the clean sheet points on this team. He is my top pick for "sleeper defender" this season.
Look to draft Konate in Rounds 9-12 depending on your league. If you are with a few Liverpool fans, he may be gone by round 9/10. Even around there he could offer serious DEF1 value when he starts.
Diogo Dalot | ADP 112
If Dalot's ADP stays as is he will fully be the steal of the draft. Dalot has shown why he should be United's starting RB, offering something Wan-Bissaka doesn't....offensive abilities. Fantasy-wise, he dropped 9.5 ghost points per start, filling up the stat sheet nicely each time he was in the XI. That is very good for a defender....especially a United defender. If Ten Hag improves this defence, Dalot will definitely deliver DEF1 value. Dalot is the defender I personally want to roster from United. He should have the RB spot locked. On the left side, I still believe Telles/Shaw rotate too much to be worth high draft slots. More clean sheets, less chances to lose points, and in a system where he can cross and dribble a bit more, Dalot could be a 9-10PPM defender.
I am seriously looking to draft Dalot around the 5th-6th Round. If you know you can get him later, you have a steal on your hands. In most leagues you should be able to get him in round 7, and that's where I'd look to grab him regardless of who's available!
Ricardo Pereira | ADP 138
This is the punt of the article here, and would involve some outside the box thinking. Leicester have lost Lookman, and there are legit no rumours of any new attackers being linked with them. While I'm sure Daka/Iheanacho/Albrighton will get some wing minutes....I do have a gut feeling Rodgers could use Ricardo in an attacking wing role. With Justin and Castagne more than capable of playing in the fullback positions, and no European competitions this season, there is a lot less need for rotation. Starting Ricardo in the RW of a 433, will allow Daka and Iheanacho to be super subs, and when needed start over the aging Vardy. Ricardo hasn't been the same since his horrible knee injury, but could we see a big comeback season from him? His ADP puts him in the middle of the 12th round right now, which is not a bad area to take a high upside punt like this. If this outside the box punt pans out, you will be rostering a defender starting at the RW position on a team that can contend for the top 6.
I would look to draft Pereira between Rounds 11-13. While there is a very real risk he doesn't start in the role predicted above, using a pick on him in Round 12 won't hurt your team construction. He could also feasibly get a chance to lock down the RB spot over Castagne, and is still well worth a punt at this stage in the draft.
Danny Welbeck | ADP 118
Welbeck has had his fair share of time in the spotlight. He has played for numerous teams, including his first club Manchester United, but looks settled in Brighton and will have a chance to start the season as the Seagulls' primary striker. He finished last season on a tear, averaging roughly 17 ppg in the final 5 games. The biggest concern with Welbeck, however, remains playing time. Brighton have signed a few new attackers, but Welbeck should still get his chance. Maupay seems all but done at Brighton (bar maybe the odd FA Cup game), and Potter has realized he just isn't a good player....finally. I think Welbeck's work ethic and natural instinct in front of goal will making him a solid FWD3 candidate at least in the early season. He is worth a punt if you have 2 stable forwards already. If he has a great start to the season, my advice would be to trade high on him to get a player more secure in playing time, and on a slightly better team.
I would look to draft Welbeck in Round 9-10. He will offer FWD2 upside when he is in the XI, and could offer good trade value with Brighton's somewhat decent schedule to start the season.
Honourable Mentions:
Stuart Armstrong | ADP 93 - Armstrong could lock down a starting role and offer MID3 value at a discounted draft price.
Joel Veltman | ADP 160 - Potential to be a starter in the Brighton back line, 7.1 ghost points per start is not bad for DEF4/5 value.
Willy Boly | ADP 182 - Boly will look to bounce back after a full preseason under his belt. Could become the DEF1 we all used to know, especially with Saiss departing.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek | ADP 290 - One to monitor in pre season, could steal minutes in the pivot of Cheslea's midfield, and could fall to you in Rounds 14-16.
Miguel Almiron | ADP 355 - Had a decent season under Howe, and will contest for a starting berth. One to punt on based on preseason performances and a lack of attacking signings.
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