The RotoWire Blog has been retired.

These archives exist as a way for people to continue to view the content that had been posted on the blog over the years.

Articles will no longer be posted here, but you can view new fantasy articles from our writers on the main site.

Seven Must-Draft Late-Round Gems

Every season, we stumble upon players at the end of our drafts who end up having a profoundly positive effect on our fantasy rosters, and the 2014 season will be no different. Last year, Riley Cooper, Terrance Williams, Julius Thomas and Zac Stacy were selected after round 15 (pick 180-plus in standard 12-teamers) - if at all. So, who are some of the players that are worth taking a flyer on that we hardly read about? I reviewed the NFFC ADP for draft results over the past 14 days and identified seven endgame options who are, for the most part, off the radar and have the potential to put up decent numbers in our lineups. Identifying these players from the jump can save us tons of free agent bidding dollars and bolster our benches with ample depth. Let's take a look.

Donald Brown (RB, SD -- ADP 198.5)

Brown is an interesting late-round handcuff to the injury-prone Ryan Mathews, who finally played 16 games for the first time in his career. Last season, Brown impressively ran for 5.3 yards-per-carry on 102 touches, despite a woeful Colts o-line, and caught 27 balls. The latest on Brown is that he's slated for "grunt work", but it would be wise for the Chargers to utilize his talents and keep Mathews fresh throughout the season. If (or perhaps, when) Mathews goes down, it's Brown, not third-down back Danny Woodhead, who would step in to get the carries. Brown is an ideal late-round handcuff at a low, low price.

Shonn Greene (RB, TEN -- ADP 196)

The plodding Greene is not the sexiest of backs, but given rookie Bishop Sankey's preseason struggles, Greene may have an opportunity for carries and goal-line work early in the season. Greene has undergone two arthroscopic knee surgeries in the past year and hyperextended his knee in a preseason game, but says he feels fine and is regaining confidence. Greene is a workhorse when relied upon - back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in 2011 and 2012, and though his 4.1 YPC is nothing special, it's better than public perception. The 233 pound Greene has a low center of gravity and is very capable at the goal line.

Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR -- ADP 226)

It's difficult for even the most disciplined of fantasy players to not be swayed by preseason games - and so Stewart has slowly moved up draft boards following his two preseason TDs against the Chiefs earlier this week.  He scored 10 TDs in each of his first two seasons and has played the full 16 games in three of  six seasons. Stewart is only 27 years old with fewer than 1000 career carries and should most certainly put up more fantasy points than 31-year-old teammate DeAngelo Williams, who was very unspectacular last season. Cam Newton and Mike Tolbert will undoubtedly keep Stewart's goal-line chances to a minimum, but you can certainly do worse for your RB6 than Stewart. A healthy Stewart can quite possibly put up RB2 numbers this year.

Malcom Floyd (WR, SD -- ADP 215)

Floyd is 33-years-old now and has not played a full season since 2009, but appears healthy thus far and was called the "runaway" MVP of Chargers camp by the San Diego Union-Tribune (for what it's worth). Floyd has always been adept to catching the long ball (career 17.3 YPR) and should complement up-and-comer Keenan Allen well and draw coverage away from him. Grab Floyd at the end of your drafts as your last WR in non-PPR and expect some long TDs if he can stay on the field.

Jermaine Kearse (WR, SEA -- ADP 268.5)

Pick 268 equates to the middle of round 22, which is probably two to five rounds past your typical fantasy draft. Granted, the Seahawks have not had a 1000-yard receiver since Bobby Engram in 2007 - and we don't expect Kearse to - but he can very easily lead this team in receiving TDs. The 24-year-old Kearse takes over Golden Tate's position and has a tremendous feel in the end zone - we all remember those 2013 playoff touchdowns, including a great grab in the Super Bowl. Fifty-five catches, 750 yards and 7-8 TDs is not an unreasonable expectation for Big Game Jermaine.

Mike Williams (WR, BUF -- ADP 222.6)

Williams is another late-round flier who has a nose for the end zone. Prior to his lost 2013 season, Williams caught at least 63 balls in each of his three pro seasons, including TD totals of nine in 2012 and 11 in 2010 (his rookie year). Quarterback Manuel appears to have a good rapport with Williams in camp and may look his way in the end zone, early and often. Williams has a propensity for off-the-field antics, and will hopefully stay out of trouble in Buffalo. He's a better receiver than Robert Woods and could very easily put up 65 -800- 7, but with a lower YPR (13.7 career) until EJ Manuel builds the confidence to get his balls downfield.

Andre Holmes (WR, OAK -- ADP 220.7)

The big-bodied (6-4, 210) Holmes came out of nowhere and impressed down the stretch last year, particularly in a seven catch, 136 yard performance against the Cowboys in week 12.  The Raiders WR corps is crowded and it's anyone's guess who amongst Holmes, James Jones, Rod Streater and Denarius Moore will lead the team in fantasy production. Jones and Streater appear to be starters while Moore - who may be the most talented of the bunch and is only 25 years old - has major work ethic and maturity issues. That leaves Holmes as a situational deep threat and possible end zone target. I do think QB Matt Schaub will be better than last year (how could he be worse?) and that the Raiders offense will surprise some folks, although they'll likely be inconsistent from week to week. Holmes is a good one to keep an eye on if he goes undrafted - unless you decide to give him a roster spot if your bench is deep.

I've got some more names for you next week, including an undrafted tight end who is criminally undervalued and will produce TE1 numbers this year.