"League winner" has become a popular term in the fantasy football space. What is a league winner? Well, it's a player who breaks out and returns immense value, inevitably appearing on a high rate of championship teams.
League winners come in different forms. A first-round pick can be a league winner, but he would have to significantly be better than the field. A middle- or, in particular, a late-round pick who returns early-round value also can be a league winner. These are the types of players all fantasy managers should be searching for in drafts.
Here are my 15 favorite players who could turn the tide for fantasy rosters.
Sign up for ESPN Fantasy Football. Play the No. 1 Fantasy game for free!
Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants
In 12 games as a starter last season, Dart averaged 20.13 fantasy PPG, the fifth-highest average ever for a rookie QB. He did so despite losing top receiver Malik Nabers early on and undergoing a midseason coaching/playcaller change. I expect Dart to continue to run at a high rate, which gives him a high fantasy floor and ceiling, and with Nabers and Cam Skattebo healthy, he has better pieces around him than he did last season. His play style might scare some, but his ADP is low enough where you can take him and another QB such as Jared Goff, Jordan Love or Baker Mayfield.
Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Murray has shown us he can be a reliable fantasy QB, even if he hasn't always lived up to the lofty expectations. Last season was the first time Murray did not finish top 12 among QBs in fantasy PPG. His rushing ability gives him a safe floor, and now he has the best playcaller and pass catchers of his career. That adds the high ceiling we have been chasing since 2020.