Everyone loves rookies. The idea of limitless potential and memories of Justin Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. winning leagues gets fantasy managers all hot and bothered. But even if some of the sexiness has worn off their names, there is plenty of production to be had in veteran players. They may not have the unlimited upside and dreamy league-winning potential, but don’t overlook the old guys.
I’ve identified five veteran players who can be had at a discount: a couple of running backs, wide receivers, and a tight end. The value they provide could be what puts your team over the top this season.
Darnell Mooney – WR – Atlanta Falcons
(FantasyPros ADP: WR49, 116 overall)
Say his name, and he appears!
I be-lieve in Joe Hendry! 👏👏
Sorry, I mean Darnell Mooney.
I said his name in my Deep Sleepers article among players drafted outside the top 120 in 2024 who became mainstays in fantasy lineups. While he’s not quite going outside of the first 120 players off the board, he’s still not getting the respect he deserves.
Mooney was one of 30 wide receivers to see 100 or more targets and catch over 60 passes. His 12.8 average depth of target ranked 12th best in the league, and his yards per target (9.73) and yards per reception (15.5) ranked inside the top 10 among qualified receivers.
DARNELL MOONEY FRONT FLIPS INTO THE END ZONE FOR SIX 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C3Qqrx1YuT
— ESPN (@espn) September 17, 2024
He was the definition of a boom-bust player, with a near-even split of games over 13 points (8) and under 10 (7). But when he hit, he hit big. Mooney tied Jordan Addison for the most catches over 20 yards with 13. With Michael Penix Jr taking over as the starting quarterback this season, there could be a shift in the target share. But in two games with Penix as the starter, Mooney averaged 5.5 targets, slightly lower than his 6.9 target per game average. However, that number is somewhat inflated by his Week 5 target extravaganza, during which he saw 16 targets.
At WR 46, there’s little risk in drafting Mooney. He’s a solid WR3 who can win you weeks. If the Falcons’ offense rises with Penix under center, he could easily jump into the top 24.
David Montgomery – RB – Detroit Lions
(FantasyPros ADP: RB23, 56 overall)
The concern that the Lions’ offense could take a step back this season is a valid one. Their offensive line certainly didn’t improve with the retirement of Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler signing with Tennessee. And you can’t consider Ben Johnson’s arrival in Chicago a plus for the Bears without also considering it a negative for the Lions. But if David Montgomery’s ADP remains outside the top 20 running backs, you’ll be able to find him on nearly all my rosters.
You can’t simply look at past production for future value, but you have to consider it. Montgomery has scored 25 total rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, averaging 15.4 points per game and finishing as RB16 & RB15 in his two seasons as a Lion. Although he shares the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, he’s still averaged over 200 carries and 30 targets per season with Detroit. And he’s missed three games each season! He gets 53% of the team’s carries inside the 5, and outcarried Gibbs inside the 10 last season, 33 to 26.
Even if the Lions’ offense isn’t the top-scoring team in the NFL, it’s not suddenly going to be one of the worst. So why is he being drafted as RB23? He’s a high-end RB2 being drafted closer to FLEX value. Buy the dip.
Christian Kirk – WR – Houston Texans
(FantasyPros ADP: WR56, 147 Overall)
CJ Stroud‘s supporting cast will look much different this year after a serious step back from his 2023 Rookie Of The Year season. Stefon Diggs signed with New England in free agency. Tank Dell is likely out for the entire 2025 season thanks to a gruesome Week 14 knee injury. The Texans addressed the position in the draft, spending a 2nd-round and 3rd-round pick on former college teammates Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. But the March acquisition of Christian Kirk could prove to be the most impactful move made for the 2025 Texans offense.
Diggs and Dell averaged a total of 13.4 targets between the two, so there is plenty of opportunity to be had. It’s been reported by Texans beat reporter DJ Bien-Aime that early in training camp, Kirk has seemingly developed into a safety blanket for Stroud.
Christian Kirk 'looking like' potential safety blanket for C.J. Stroud https://t.co/LlR4oNHp8o via @Koslow_ari #WeAreTexans
— FantasyPros (@FantasyProsNFL) July 13, 2025
While Higgins is talented enough to make a push for second on the target hierarchy, Kirk is penciled in as the Texans’ slot receiver and should start alongside Nico Collins. This is good news for the vet, as Stroud targeted his slot receiver on 26% of his pass attempts, and his completion percentage was nearly 5% higher when targeting that position. Kirk produced when he was on the field, averaging 14 yards per catch and 1.84 yards per route run in 2024, just behind former Jacksonville teammate and stud receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The last time Kirk played a full season, he finished as WR11 in total points. He’s not going to finish anywhere near that this season, but especially in PPR formats, he’s a solid WR3 being drafted outside the top 50 receivers. Draft Kirk instead of having to pay up to grab him off waivers a week or two into the season.
Pat Freiermuth – TE – Pittsburgh Steelers
(FantasyPros ADP: TE20, 160 overall)
I didn’t think much about Pat Freiermuth until I saw how low he was being drafted. Does Pat Freirmuth have elite upside? Absolutely not. But as I wrote up Jonnu Smith as one of my Fantasy Grenades and saw Muth’s ADP, I was shocked. He’s being drafted behind the likes of Darren Waller, Zach Ertz, and Hunter Henry. Tell me why?
The ‘Muth is one of the most consistent, reliable players at fantasy football’s most volatile position. He’s finished as a TE1 two of the past three seasons in both points per game and total points, and only played 12 games in the third. He led the Steelers with the most catches and touchdowns in the red zone, and his 20.3% red zone target rate was second only to George Pickens. If you wait on tight end like I tend to do, pair Freiermuth with an upside play along the lines of Kyle Pitts (I still believe), Isaiah Likely, or Mason Taylor. If they fall flat, you’ll have a firm foundation to fall back on.
Jayden Reed – WR – Green Bay Packers
(FantasyPros ADP: WR46, 101 overall)
Green Bay boasts one of the strongest receiver rooms in the entire NFL. Great for Jordan Love‘s upside, not so much for the consistency of the Packers’ pass catchers. But how in the world is Jayden Reed going outside the top 100 players? He finished as WR29 in total points despite Love missing two games and being hampered by injury from Week 4 on. Yes, his targets decreased by nearly 20 from his rookie season, but he still scored six touchdowns and increased his receiving yardage thanks to improved efficiency. Reed ranked fourth in yards per reception (15.58), yards after the catch per reception (7.33), and 12th in yards per route run among qualifying receivers. And he tied Brian Thomas Jr and Alec Pierce for the fourth most receptions of 20+ yards (12).
The addition of first-round pick Matthew Golden makes the crowded receiving corps a bit cozier, but Christian Watson‘s ACL injury will keep him off the field through at least October. Reed is just entering his third season and is continuing to develop. Even with the competition for targets, Reed is a big-play threat on one of the most explosive offenses in the league. With a healthy Love, Reed still has plenty of upside.
(Data sourced from Fantasy Points. Qualifying WRs include a minimum of 75 targets unless otherwise stated. )
Photo by Rich von Biberstein | Adapted by Parker McDonald (@TheCarbonFox on Twitter/X)