While I spent my entire childhood living in apartments, the complex where my mom and I lived from ages 11-18 was part of an idyllic neighborhood. On the high end, the housing could have passed for the setting for John Hughes' movies about suburban white kids in high school. On the low end of the range, they were a decent replica of the kids' neighborhoods in Stranger Things.
It's to say that while I didn't come from the means of most of my classmates and friends, I wasn't deprived in that respect. I never had any delusions that I was. Hell, I began college at the University of Miami, a school where a lot of kids who were raised in the high-end of the John Hughes lifestyle went there to continue the party.
Don't get me wrong; this wasn't the case for all. It wasn't the case for me. Miami had (and still has) some top-notch programs, but it was still on the tail end of its reputation as a party school when I enrolled. For a significant portion of the alumni, a degree seemed secondary.
I cared about getting a degree even if I ultimately learned the journey for knowledge was worth a lot more than the paper symbolizing a less meaningful destination. Some students seemed to understand this better than others, and many of them were my classmates in the studio music and jazz performance program. One of them was my friend, Aldo, who taught me the value of dumpster diving.
Aldo was a friendly, funny, and optimistic guy from Colombia who also happened to be an excellent percussionist. I thought he was a little crazy, but I spent my childhood learning how to please and complete tasks rather than to think independently and create. I was better at the latter, but I spent a lot of emotional and intellectual bandwidth checking those impulses at every turn with the ferocity of Scott Stevens on the boards.
By the time I got to Miami, I had already spent one summer of high school emptying the trash I collected from the apartment complex into dumpsters for a paycheck. I never considered there was value in the trash. People didn't throw away things of value. If they did, how would it look if people knew I might covet what was there much less root around for it?
The "What would people think?" was strong on me. Like a well-meaning protection mechanism implanted into me that grew out of control like a secret government experiment gone awry.
Aldo didn't care about any of that. America is a country filled with riches; he was a student on his dime, and money was tight. Walking back from a rehearsal, he suggested we drop by the Burger King across from my dorm. I was thinking we were going inside. Aldo had other ideas.
He made his way directly to the blue dumpster parked behind the drive-thru menu and climbed in. Three minutes later, he emerged with several boxes of food.
"You're taking home half-eaten food?" I asked with my ignorant presumptions rooted in my John Hughes childhood.
"Nah, man, they throw away cooked food it didn't serve or that wasn't prepared correctly for the customer's order," Aldo said, opening a couple of boxes to show me perfectly intact Whoppers, BK Jr.s, and Fish Filets. "They have perfectly cooked food thrown away at the end of shifts that's only been sitting in this dumpster for maybe an hour. They can't sell it, but it's wasted in the trash."
"So you do this a lot?"
"Yeah, at a few places. I hit their dumpsters every 3-4 days; I practically eat for free. Grocery stores are the best if they don't lock the dumpster."
While I never had to dumpster dive for food, I had gotten to know Aldo well enough to realize how my background and standard of living biased my perspective of what could be a logical resource of value.
Fast-forward to today. As a content producer of one of the most comprehensive analyses of rookie prospects in the industry, I see a lot of perfectly talented values prematurely thrown in the fantasy industry dumpster. While finding consumable value for your team isn't as easy as it is behind the grocery store within an hour of its closing, I have no stigma about dumpster diving for fantasy values, and neither should you.
Here is a list of 21 players at the ends of rosters I'm monitoring. They may not have fantasy value today, but they are worth monitoring during the next 2-3 years. Many are players with only 1-2 years of experience. Ty Chandler and Parker Washington are good examples.
Several were coveted dynasty rookie picks who will be dumped in favor of the next draft class. Kyren Williams fits that description.
Others will bounce around the league until they find a foothold and an opportunity. Raheem Mostert is a great example.
I've listed them in reverse order of how I value them (lowest to highest).
21. RB Kevin Harris, Patriots
A well-built runner from South Carolina, Harris has good contact balance and the burst to do effective work between the tackles. An underrated receiver, Harris has value as a check-down option in the middle of the field.
New England cut Harris after signing Ezekiel Elliott and kept him on the practice squad ahead of speedster, Pierre Strong Jr, who the Patriots took earlier in the same draft. Harris is also ahead of JaMycal Hasty on the depth chart and earned playing time last week with Rhamondre Stevenson out, scoring a touchdown on a 4-touch, 25-yard performance against the Chiefs.
Harris may have more short-term value this year if you're desperate for a running back while Stevenson is out. Last week's touchdown isn't the first time the Patriots have used Harris in the red zone and had success.
Although Ezekiel Elliott is open to returning to the Patriots next year to team again with Stevenson, there's no guarantee this will be the case. Harris could make a case for the No.2 spot on the depth chart and be one touch away from a lead role.
Because the Patriots are a mess this year, that may not seem appealing, but we've learned not to judge these situations too hastily, haven't we? Right? I hope so.
20. WR Ronnie Bell, 49ers
A special teams maven with legitimate promise as a receiver, Bell made a strong impression in training camp and the preseason. Enough to earn at least 5-7 snaps in all but three games this year. He has caught 4 of 6 targets for 51 yards and a score.
Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk aren't going anywhere from this roster loaded with skill talent. Jauan Jennings might, however. A skilled blocker with the skill to win contested plays and get open in shallow zones, Jennings is at the end of his deal.
The 49ers might like Jennings enough to re-sign him because of his versatility as a role-player. If they don't, it could be a sign they are confident in Bell filling that niche and also being a play away from earning a significant passing-down role that translates to fantasy value.
19. TE/WR Elijah Higgins, Cardinals
The former Stanford receiver embraced learning the tight end position at last year's Senior Bowl and began his NFL career with the Dolphins. Miami cut Higgins to keep the impressive Chris Brooks (see below) and quarterback Skyler Thompson (yes, keep monitoring his whereabouts) on the depth chart. The Cardinals were among eight teams who placed bids for Higgins.
Think of Higgins as a more athletic Juwan Johnson. With Zach Ertz and Geoff Swaim hurt at various points this year, Higgins has been active, earning 8 catches on 12 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown. Tre McBride will remain a significant part of the passing game, but there's a possibility Higgins could have more of a hybrid role next year.
It's a remote possibility but one worth monitoring.
18. WR Justin Shorter, Bills
Gabe Davis will be moving on, and the Bills could be seeking a replacement if Sean McDermott remains the head coach. That "if" is one of two reasons why Shorter isn't higher on this list.
Firing McDermott could lead to significant changes to the offense and its personnel, thanks to a new head coach who might take a look at a lot of players on the back half of the depth chart and decide they aren't his guys. The other reason is Dalton Kincaid, who will likely be any coach's "guy" and could earn more of Davis' role as a downfield threat — something sadly missing from the Bills' plans this year that could have made the offense even better.
If Shorter's situation proves favorable, he has the physicality and length to deliver in the Davis role. He's not as fast, but he's more physical and reliable at the catch point.
17. TE Cole Turner, Commanders
Turner made this list last year. Once again in training camp, Turner looked good and earned significant playing time early in the season while Logan Thomas recovered from injury. He's a receiving tight end with excellent length who adjusts well to the ball.
Mike Gesicki is an example of a tight end who tested great, but that athleticism doesn't show up as well on the field. Turner is the inverse of Gesicki in the sense that he wasn't an elite athlete in workouts, but he's more fluid and skilled at using his athletic ability on the field.
The third year could be the charm for Turner if Logan Thomas, who turns 33 next year, can't hold up. This offseason could also see Washington draft a tight end like Brock Bowers, and Turner's value remains in the dumpster.
16. TE Josh Whyle, Titans
An athletic option with the physical skills to be an all-around tight end with more upside in line than Chigoziem Okonkwo, Whyle earned playing time this year before an injury forced him to IR. Whyle has the skills to develop into a starter and could compete with Okonkwo for that role as soon as 2024. Okonkwo was supposed to become a significant part of the passing game, but dropped passes and the instability of the unit as a whole curtailed that promise.
Okonkwo is built like a player without a position, and the different ways Tennessee has used him indicate that. Rarely does a player in this situation transcend that gadget role and become a high-end producer. It's worth monitoring Whyle's 2024 camp for this reason alone.
15. WR Jalen Nailor, Vikings
K.J. Osborn's contract expires at year's end, and Nailor has performed well enough each of his two summers in Minnesota to earn a shot at the No.3 spot if he can stay healthy. He's explosive enough to work the intermediate and vertical ranges of the field from the slot, and he's a skilled runner after the catch.
Kevin O'Connell did a strong job with this team, considering the injuries to key talents on offense and a makeshift defense is hanging in there on the strength of an aggressive Brian Flores scheme. Look for the offense to remain the same in 2024 and Nailor to get a shot at significant playing time.
14. WR Erik Ezukanma, Dolphins
On the Dolphins' Non-Football Injury List, Ezukanma impressed the Dolphins staff during his second training camp. Mike McDaniel said, "[Ezukanma] has probably made the biggest gains from last year to this year." Dolphins wide receiver coach Wes Welker called him a freak of an athlete.
Before an old college injury that Euzkanma aggravated late this summer, there was talk that the tall and physical receiver could take over Mike Gesicki's role in the passing game as a big-bodied option who could win contested catches while also providing a bit of a Deebo Samuel element as a ballcarrier and runner after the catch.
Cedric Wilson, Braxton Berrios, and Robbie Chosen are all capable when called upon as a third option, but none of them are long-term options. Ezukanma has that ceiling.
13. WR Tre Tucker, Raiders
Players 11-13 on this list are fairly interchangeable at this point, and if I'm not kidding myself, the same is probably true for the receivers between spots 6-9. Tucker is a lower-class Jaylen Waddle who could develop into a middle-class version with starter upside.
This largely depends on the direction the Raiders go with its coaching staff. If they keep Antonio Pierce as the head coach, Tucker could earn the No.3 spot as a big-play option benefitting from schemed plays that leverage his speed. If not, Tucker could be deemed a Josh McDaniels guy and buried on the depth chart or swept out of town.
12. WR Tyler Scott, Bears
Tucker's teammate at Cincinnati, Scott has excellent speed and has the promise that Ryan Poles and some of the NFL Draft community saw in Velus Jones Jr I can't say I saw much more than a gadget player and return specialist in Jones, but Scott is a different story despite some flaws with his attack of the ball that led to drops as a Bearcat.
Scott could have a chance to succeed Darnell Mooney as the second starter in 2024. It's also just as likely the Bears draft a bigger option to complement DJ Moore and Scott remains an afterthought in the offense.
Until we see how the quarterback and coaching situations play out in Chicago, Scott is a talented player but not one worth significant investment.
11. WR Kayshon Boutte, Patriots
It will be a new era in New England and Boutte could easily be seen as another failed Belichick-era receiving prospect and sent packing. However, Boutte is a talented option with flanker/slot versatility. He's a mix of Robert Woods and Jarvis Landry in terms of athletic ability and potential skill development.
If the Patriots keep Boutte, get a good quarterback, and shore up the offensive line, Boutte could emerge in Year Two as a contributor with additional promise long-term as a high-volume fantasy option.
10. QB Tyson Bagent, Bears
Chicago has a tough decision with Justin Fields. The financials will argue that the Bears should trade Fields and take an early-round quarterback. Fields' performance on and off the field as well as the mitigating factors of Matt Nagy's coaching incompetence and the lack of quality surrounding talent early in Fields' career, pose a compelling argument the Bears should remain patient with an emerging star.
I'm betting Fields winds up an Atlanta Falcon no later than May so his new organization can also sign him to an extension. Unless the Bears keep Fields and draft a first-round quarterback, it means Bagent is the team's No.2 quarterback and a promising enough passer to monitor.
Bagent showed the poise, placement, mobility, and arm talent to develop into a quality NFL player. If he can impress in 2024 training camp at a level above the impression he made in 2023, Chicago could feel they have two starting-caliber options. If Fields stays and falters, Bagent could earn a legitimate opportunity to remain the starter.
Stranger things have happened at quarterback. Kirk Cousins was in Bagent's shoes in Washington not so long ago.
9. WR Charlie Jones, Bengals
Tyler Boyd's contract expires at year's end, and Jones has a lot of the attributes that could make him a near-1:1 replacement for Boyd if he can acclimate fast enough for Joe Burrow to rely on. Jones can stretch the field on play action, but he's at his best working the middle of the field and serving as a shallow and intermediate safety blanket in the slot. If Jones proves more explosive than Boyd, and I think he is, Jones might develop into a middle-class version of Cooper Kupp in Zac Taylor's offense.
8. WR Andrei Iosivas, Bengals
Tee Higgins will likely command a lucrative deal elsewhere in 2024, and Iosivas has earned the most playing time of the rookie wideouts. He's a more explosive athlete than Higgins and could replace Higgins as the boundary and red-zone ball-winner. I have a gut feeling Jones might be the better all-around option, and if the Bengals lean more on Jones as a Kupp-like player, Iosivas will not remotely earn Higgins' workload. Until we see indications Zac Taylor is heading in that direction, Iosivas is the more enticing option.
7. WR Xavier Hutchinson, Texans
I'm a sucker for Hutchinson's ball skills and potential development as a route runner. He's essentially an aspiring Noah Brown with more athletic ability but not quite Brown's strength at the catch point.
Brown is on a one-year deal, and Nico Collins enters the final year of his deal in 2024. Hutchinson, who has earned steady playing time, even if targets have been sparse, could emerge as the No.3 receiver in a Texans offense with a promising quarterback who could open things up enough that Hutchinson earns legitimate fantasy value sooner than later.
6. Justyn Ross, Chiefs
Rashee Rice and Ross spent much of the offseason working out with Patrick Mahomes II. They were the two receivers insiders said had a great chance of making an impact this season. Rice commandeered much of the slot role (54 percent of his snaps are slot or tight to the formation), while Ross was seen as the long-term answer to deliver a perimeter presence similar to Tee Higgins that Mahomes has lacked in Kansas City.
Ross instead earned a suspension for a felony destruction of property charge filed after a domestic argument. If Ross' off-field issue gets worked out with minimal repercussions, there's still an opportunity for him to emerge as a significant player in the passing game where Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Marques Valdes-Scantling have done little to impress.
Considering the history of Andy Reid's system hasn't been an easy setting for fantasy production at the receiver position since his years with the Eagles, this is why you could probably shuffle Ross with any of the next five receivers listed after him and have a more viable order.
5. RB Chris Brooks, Dolphins
Devon Achane is a hot commodity with an exciting future. The rest of the known names on the depth chart aren't big parts of the future. Raheem Mostert is old. Jeff Wilson is a productive reserve when healthy. Salvon Ahmed knows the system but lacks a lot of starter skills.
Brooks impressed as a UDFA in training camp — enough to be among the reasons the Dolphins parted with Elijah Higgins. When given playing time early this year, Brooks looked like a quicker Gus Edwards with far better agility before an ankle injury sent him to IR.
Brooks and Achane could become the Dolphins' 1-2 punch if Miami doesn't draft a running back early in 2024 or sign a compelling free agent. I have enough doubts that they will. I'll take that bet on Brooks as a cheap stash.
4. RB Zach Evans, Rams
It's not difficult to keep touting Evans. Teammates have been impressed with him and even Sean McVay has mentioned that Evans is an intriguing option that he hopes he can give more playing time to late in the year.
Kyren Williams has performed well behind an offensive line that has opened highways for him. While Williams will command an early-round value in fantasy drafts next year, I will be taking Evans wherever I can on the cheap until it's clear he won't be the No.2 RB in L.A. Even if Evans is the No.3, I'll hang on another year. He has the most upside of the backs on this list and maybe any player on the board.
3. RB Tyler Goodson, Colts
Trey Sermon got the media mentions this weekend against the Steelers, but Goodson also impressed. Goodson is also the more explosive player whose receiving skills are an untapped value that could earn him the No.2 role next year if Indianapolis keeps him and lets Zack Moss walk, which I think will be the case.
2. RB Michael Carter, Cardinals
Carter has been efficient in limited time with the Cardinals since the Jets released him from career purgatory. Carter is an excellent route runner who offers Arizona what Kliff Kingsbury saw in Chase Edmonds but with even more value between the tackles.
The aging James Conner has one more year if the Cardinals don't take the out with his contract at the end of this season. Carter's contract is in effect through next year, so look for him to become a bigger part of the Arizona offense, which could translate to legitimate fantasy value.
1. RB Deuce Vaughn, Cowboys
The Cowboys could have a very different running back room by May. It's doubtful Tony Pollard is back next year and far more likely the Cowboys either select a runner during the first four rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft or they sign a free agent.
Rico Dowdle did enough that the Cowboys may make an offer. If I were Dowdle with his injury history, I'd stick with the team that was patient with his health for the past three years — an eternity for an NFL running back. I'm not sure he'll see it that way, and he might find the market less friendly when he could have earned significant playing time with the Cowboys in 2024.
If Pollard and Dowdle are gone, Vaughn, who impressed during the preseason, could find his way to the field and deliver as a high-volume option in the passing game. He also has the skills to surprise between the tackles as an option who could at least earn 8-10 touches in the run game. Think of him as a more explosive Dion Lewis type.
He's a boom-bust option relative to the other backs listed before him, but remember, we're dumpster-diving. You can afford to dream.