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.
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Fantasy EPL Hidden Gems
Romain Saiss | ADP 167
Saiss has the potential to be considered a lower end DEF1, but could easily fall to you after Round 9. Last season he averaged 8.2 ghost points/90 in 27 total starts. With Nuno gone there is a risk Saiss loses his spot to a new signing, but I would back him to start out the season. While Wolves only kept 10 clean sheets last season, if that number improves we could see Saiss become a top fantasy asset. Saiss fills up the stat sheet nicely (with aerials, interceptions, and clearances) and adds a threat from set-pieces. In mock drafts, I have seen the likes of Aarons, White, Keane, and Zinchenko all go ahead of Saiss. I would much rather draft Saiss over any of these guys!
I would aim to draft Saiss between Rounds 8-10 depending how badly you want him. In leagues with folks in the know, you may have to reach for him in round 8. But in home leagues, you may be able to get him between Rounds 10-12, which is a steal.
Troy Deeney | ADP 164
Deeney was once a ghost point machine not too long ago, but is falling down the ranks in mocks due to the uncertainty over his role at Watford. While it is unclear how many games Deeney will start, he is definitely worth a punt in the late rounds due to his upside, and incredible floor thanks to his aerial ability. I would estimate Deeney gets close to 20 starts this season within a +/- 5 game range. When he starts he will provide you FWD2 value, and could be on penalty kicks as well. Deeney will be keen to show he still can compete among the best, and be Watford's talisman for another season.
Deeney has fallen to as low as round 15 in mock drafts, but I would look to punt on him in Rounds 11-13 instead of taking a 7-8 PPS player such as Shelvey or Bissouma.
Pablo Fornals | ADP 123
Fornals had a very strong end to the season, especially in the final game vs. Southampton with 2 goals and an assist. The main question is whether he has done enough to earn a starting spot for next season? I truly believe he will start the season out on the wing unless West Ham bring in a new signing. Even then we could see rotation, with Fornals starting mainly in the EPL. This year West Ham are in the Europa League and will need to use their full squad to ensure they put up a fight in both competitions. The likes of Bowen and Benrahma will compete with Fornals for playing time, but for now I believe Fornals is ahead of both. Fornals only averages 6.7 ghost points/90, but will chip in with the odd goal and assist every so often. I would consider him a MID5 this season.
Look to draft Fornals between Rounds 11-13 as your MID5/6 with upside. I would much rather gamble on the upside of Fornals than draft someone with a lower ceiling like Fred or Klich in these rounds.
Andros Townsend | ADP 126
Townsend recently signed with Everton, and could be a steal in the upcoming season. Townsend should see a significant amount of starts at RW this season with Richarlison, James, and Calvert-Lewin forming the rest of the attack. The former Crystal Palace winger could also see a few set pieces, and we all know he has a world-class goal in his locker at any time. Townsend has previously offered a solid floor with key passes and dribbles, but it remains to be seen the kind of role he will have at Everton. If he manages to click with a better attack his ceiling will definitely improve, and we could see a mini revival of his career.
I would look to draft Townsend between Rounds 10-12. Townsend is probably going to be a MID3/4 but could provide upside of a MID1 on his day, making him the perfect player to take a gamble on at this point in the draft.
Tanguy Ndombele | ADP 169
This one is probably the biggest punt of the article. Under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the hope is that Ndombele gets a chance to stake his claim for a role in the starting XI. Ndombele never made the CM role his own under previous managers Mourinho or Mason, but he should get one final chance under Nuno this year. Ndombele has been a very inconsistent fantasy asset, but on his day he will fill up the stat sheet and easily get you 8-12 points, with the potential for the odd assist/goal. Hopefully a full preseason under Nuno and another year in England will help the young midfielder reach his best.
I would look to punt on Ndombele between Rounds 12-16. He should be drafted as your MID6/7, and can be easily dropped if he fails to make an impact in the Nuno era. With his potential and upside, he is well worth the risk at this stage of the draft.
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