The NFL season opener is right around the corner, and fantasy football is currently ramping up. It's always good to be prepared, so we've got you covered with plenty of tips to remember when drafting.

Most fantasy football drafts see players taken way too early, or perhaps too late. It's quite common, but nobody knows exactly which players are steals as opposed to busts. Unpredictability ranges from Dak Prescott's breakout rookie campaign, to Peyton Manning becoming unplayable his final year with the Broncos.

It's tough to determine, which is why 'sleepers' and 'busts' exist in the first place. The best we can do is take the information at hand to make assumptions of the future, which is what we have done. Utilizing three mock drafts in a 12-person serpentine standard fantasy football format, we have determined which players to be considered a 'reach' while others a 'steal'.

Agree or disagree? Sound off in the comments section! Here is our list of 10 NFL Players To Avoid Drafting Early In Fantasy (And 10 Bargains In Later Rounds).

20 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Rex Burkhead - NE/RB

Average Pick: 70

Round Equivalence: Late 6th

The sixth round is actually not a bad place to take Rex Burkhead, especially if his production is consistent. The issue with Burkhead is that he is a New England Patriot running back, a position that sees sporadically productive stats between three or four individuals.

It's very difficult to trust that any New England running back will put up consistent numbers for 16 weeks of the season. With that said, Burkhead is a very solid pick in the late sixth or early seventh round as a flex or a desperate RB2. There are also some new additions to the Patriot backfield this year, although Burkhead is probably the safest bet. Anything ahead of the sixth round is a huge and unnecessary reach for Burkhead.

19 GOOD LATE VALUE: Emmanuel Sanders - DEN/WR

Average Pick: 49

Round Equivalence: Early 5th

If you can get Emmanuel Sanders in the fifth round, take him. Don't even think about it, just do it. If you're taking Emmanuel Sanders with your fifth pick, you are likely taking your WR2. He will produce WR1 numbers with Case Keenum now his quarterback, which makes him a fifth round steal.

If preseason is any foreshadow, Sanders will out produce Demaryius Thomas in targets and subsequently points.

Sanders is an easy top 10 talent in the NFL wide receiver department, and if you get him in round five or lower, then expect consistently productive outings. There's no need to reach on him, but taking him in round four is completely justified.

18 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Jerick McKinnon - SF/RB

Average Pick: 26.6

Round Equivalence: Early 3rd

Perhaps a late third round pick or even a fourth round pick would look better, but McKinnon may face a similar issue that players like Royce Freeman face (more on him later). Matt Breida is a great running back, and the Niners know this.

He will almost definitely take carries away from McKinnon or even take his job.

Breida is a bit injury prone however, so those who reach on McKinnon as early as the third round might luck out. San Francisco has a lot of talented backs behind Breida though, and McKinnon will have to earn his volume of touches early. McKinnon can produce solid RB2 numbers, but his Georgia Southern counterpart in Breida should be expected to see many touches too.

17 GOOD LATE VALUE: Patrick Mahomes - KC/QB

Average Pick: 100

Round Equivalence: Early 9th

If this is the case, wait on your quarterback. Drew Brees is another solid quarterback who has fallen to rounds eight or lower. Mahomes is in prime position to become a top player at the quarterback position, which preseason has shown.

Mahomes has completed over 70% of his passes, and hit seven different receivers in his third preseason game. The weapons and coaching give Mahomes an easy path to production, but Mahomes' pure talent and mobility make him a fantasy superstar waiting to break out. Mahomes should worth a a round four or five pick by the end of the season, so getting him in round nine could propel you into the playoffs.

16 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Dalvin Cook - MIN/RB

Average Pick: 11.3

Round Equivalence: Late 1st

Two of the three mock drafts saw Dalvin Cook selected late in the first round. One mock draft had Cook going as the first pick in the second round. Be careful about this selection if it's in the first round, as an ACL injury is always one to consider when drafting a player.

Cook's potential is worthy of the first round, no doubt.

But if you draft him, it will have to be somewhat of a reach in that he will have to be your team's main source of points. Cook can produce, but he may split the ball a lot this season if Minnesota wants to utilize a solid core of backs behind him. There are other great player's at Cook's average draft selection who can provide points, with less worry about injury or playing time.

15 GOOD LATE VALUE: Nelson Agholor - PHI/WR

Average Pick: 100.6

Round Equivalence: Early 9th

Once stated before, Agholor only surpassed 100 receiving yards once last season. He had seven games with double-digit scoring efforts though. He also finished the campaign with eight touchdowns, five of which came in the first seven weeks.

Agholor is worth a selection in round six, but he falls to round nine constantly. Perhaps his 2017 season was overlooked, or many aren't sold he will be healthy all year. He should be expected to take on a solid WR2 role though, so getting him in round nine may allow you to fill your running backs first. He was a favorite target for Carson Wentz, so expect similar results or better than last year.

14 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Evan Engram - NYG/TE

Average Pick: 49.6

Round Equivalence: Mid 4th

Taking a tight end in the fourth round of any fantasy draft is a reach, especially if you play with three wide receivers. Evan Engram going in the fourth round on average is considered a reach, even if he produces similar results from a year ago.

Not to mention Engram is dealing with concussions this preseason, he may not be on the field all 16 weeks of the year.

His potential is worthy of a late fourth round pick, but with a running game now in the offense his targets might dip slightly. Many other tight ends that fall in drafts can produce, such as Jimmy Graham. Taking Engram in the fourth round isn't a terrible decision, but it's wise to fill needs elsewhere.

13 GOOD LATE VALUE: Jared Goff - LAR/QB

Average Pick: 142.6

Round Equivalence: Late 12th

12th round is insane for a guy who finished 11th overall in fantasy points last year. Goff only had one week last year in which he finished with single-digit points. He eclipsed 20 points seven times and 30 points three times.

A player with that sort of production is a steal at round 12.

Sammy Watkins is gone, granted. Watkins was not the only reason for Goff's success however, as Robert Woods broke out in 2017. Woods is back and the Rams got Brandin Cooks who is as fast as he is dangerous. There's no reason to think Goff won't succeed again this year, and if he is available round 12 you can stack the rest of your team with depth.

12 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Royce Freeman - DEN/RB

Average Pick: 36.6

Round Equivalence: Late 3rd

Royce Freeman skyrocketed in all three mock drafts, always selected in the third round. These mock drafts aren't keeper leagues either, which makes the selections more of a head scratch. The appeal is that he is favored to see plenty of carries this season, but Vance Joseph likes Devontae Booker (especially in the red zone - just ask C.J. Anderson).

It's easy to see Booker receive more touches than Freeman, but the fact that playing time is a concern (especially in the red zone) is the reason to stay away from Freeman in the third round. If he falls to the fifth or sixth, then a selection may be more approachable. The third round is a tough sell for a player who will presumably split time with a coach-favored veteran.

11 GOOD LATE VALUE: Pierre Garcon - SF/WR

Average Pick: 76

Round Equivalence: Mid 7th

For a guy who produces WR1 numbers, mid seventh round is an absolute steal of a pick. Garcon can insert anywhere into your lineup and produce his given role. The only issue with Garcon is that he suffered a neck injury last year. When healthy though, he garners nine targets per game.

With Jimmy Garoppolo now bringing stability to the quarterback position, we may see a highly efficient and consistent Pierre Garcon.

He has quietly been one of the most targeted wide receivers in recent years, and seems as focused as ever with the given situation he is in under a Mike Shanahan offense.

10 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Corey Davis - TEN/WR

Average Pick: 70.6

Round Equivalence: Late 6th

Surprisingly, Corey Davis was selected ahead of multiple players we felt were better. Davis enters the season with an incredibly small sample size of what he can deliver. Not to mention, the Titans are a run-heavy offense who have struggled offensively this preseason. Davis is one of the more talented wide receivers in the NFL, but it may be another year before we see his ceiling potential shine through.

An inconsistent passing game makes Davis a tough pick, especially as a fantasy football starter (going in round 6). Perhaps as a bench player, Davis would be a more realistic option and potential steal. To ask Corey Davis for consistent points on a weekly basis is a lot, especially when players like Nelson Agholor and Pierre Garcon will be available. Starting Davis in a three wide receiver league isn't a bad thing if he's your WR3, but you better have stacked running backs as he shouldn't be your sixth round pick in any draft.

9 GOOD LATE VALUE: Tevin Coleman - ATL/RB

Average Pick: 58.6

Round Equivalence: Late 5th

Tevin Coleman going late fifth round means he is mainly being drafted as a FLEX option. As either your FLEX or your RB2, Coleman is a player you can insert on a weekly basis and feel confident. Even though he splits the backfield with Devonta Freeman, Coleman produces starter numbers in an efficient Atlanta offense.

It is quite rare to see a productive backup like Coleman, but he shouldn't be thought of as a normal backup.

He should also be highly regarded in PPR leagues, as he is a pass-catching threat to many opposing defenses. He has big play capability, and doesn't need the entire workload to put up serviceable numbers.

8 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Isaiah Crowell - NYJ/RB

Average Pick: 71.6

Value Equivalence: Late 6th

Taking Isaiah Crowell in the late sixth round is actually not too bad of a stretch, depending on your situation. If you are in desperate need of a RB2 at that moment, Crowell is a solid fall back plan with potential trade appeal. Unpredictability is the only issue with Crowell being taken in starter rounds (1-7).

The Jets offense as a whole is very tough to trust, especially with Bilal Powell lurking behind Crowell.

Powell is a good runner, and so Crowell as a starter is on very thin ice to begin. With an unpredictable Jets offense and Bilal Powell almost definitely taking carries, Crowell is at best a late seventh round pick for most leagues.

7 GOOD LATE VALUE: Chris Thompson - WAS/RB

Average Pick: 78.6

Round Equivalence: Mid 7th

Chris Thompson, if healthy, is a first round pick. He touched the ball six times in week two last year, and produced 22 fantasy points. In week three, Thompson touched the ball six times in the air for 150 yards and a touchdown.

He doesn't need the ball to produce a ton of points, which is particularly scary considering he is the clear-cut number one running back on the Redskins' roster. If Chris Thompson stays healthy he will be the number one steal of the 2018 fantasy football season. He also catches a ton of passes, so his production in PPR leagues may become that of a top five player. Health the only real concern with Thompson, hence why he has dropped (unkindly) to round seven for most.

6 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY : Trey Burton - CHI/TE

Average Pick: 93

Round Equivalence: Early 7th

The seventh round could be a tight end heavy round, granted. Trey Burton, however, was selected as the fifth tight end overall in two of the three mock drafts. The appeal is there for obvious reasons, as Zach Miller thrived under the radar while in Chicago. The Bears seem to be a run-heavy team this year, and are still an inconsistent offense as a whole.

Burton may produce pretty solid numbers at the tight end position, but seeing him go ahead of guys like Jimmy Graham, Greg Olsen and Delanie Walker is a tough sell. Depending on what's left at tight end when you pick in the seventh round, Burton could be your last resort option. Just don't make him your first option unless you're completely sold on him. Expect Allen Robinson to produce the most results in Chicago's passing attack.

5 GOOD LATE VALUE: John Ross - CIN/WR

Average Pick: 132.3

Round Equivalence: Late 11th

If the preseason has been any indication, John Ross is due to break out this season. He mirrors the play of Tyreek Hill from Kansas City, in that he can bust a big play down the sideline at any given moment. He is a home run threat.

With A.J. Green occupying most coverages, Ross will see early production in the season.

He should have continued success as the season goes on, and Andy Dalton seems to be as focused as ever. Should Dalton play well this season, Ross may find himself within the top 15 wide receiver in fantasy this year. Health is Ross' main concern, as is many Bengal wide receivers.

4 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Dion Lewis - TEN/RB

Average Pick: 53.3

Round Equivalence: Mid 5th

Anything ahead of round five is a stretch for Dion Lewis, considering he is not even the starter in Tennessee. Granted, he will see the field a lot. His overall dependence may only come through the aerial attack however, which for Tennessee has been inconsistent.

Lewis will have the opportunity to play through his carries though. If he displays solid ability on the ground, the Titans will likely lean on him more as the season progresses. It's difficult to grab a player who doesn't start in the fifth round. There are exceptions (Tevin Coleman as an example), but Dion Lewis has not reached that exception. The preseason signs are encouraging, but his overall success also falls onto Derrick Henry's production. It's tough to invest your fifth pick in a player who has to rely on someone else's production to play.

3 GOOD LATE VALUE: Peyton Barber - TB/RB

Average Pick: 101

Round Equivalence: Mid 9th

Peyton Barber may end up becoming the only consistent source of points from Tampa Bay's offense. He was very productive to close out the 2017 season, and is currently the staring running back on Tampa's depth chart.

The only handcuff to Barber is rookie Ronald Jones, who may eat into his playing time.

However, Barber has been vastly more efficient than Jones this preseason. If Barber continues to produce the way he has since last season, head coach Dirk Koetter will stick with Barber. A ninth round pick on Peyton Barber couldn't hurt, and could potentially see RB2 numbers.

2 DON'T TOUCH TOO EARLY: Duke Johnson, Jr. - CLE/RB

Average Pick: 68

Round Equivalence: Mid 6th

Duke Johnson falls into the same category as most of the players already discussed. Johnson is a backup running back on the Cleveland Browns, being selected as a starter for many fantasy teams.

The sixth round is entirely too early for a Duke Johnson selection, that is of course unless Cleveland names him the starter.

That hasn't happened though, so it was surprising to see Johnson taken ahead of Carlos Hyde in one draft. Johnson has appeal in PPR leagues because he is underrated in the aerial game, but asking Johnson to produce RB2 or even FLEX numbers on a weekly basis is a stretch. If we were more confident in his playing time consistency then maybe a sixth round pick is fine. For now though, he shouldn't be thought of more than a player you can rotate at the FLEX position.

1 GOOD LATE VALUE: Marlon Mack - IND/RB

Average Pick: 111.3

Round Equivalence: Early 10th

If Marlon Mack is the starter for Indianapolis all season, then he will be an easy steal at round 10. Also keep in mind that Marlon Mack is a menace in the passing game. He is a steal for PPR leagues, and has appeal as a seventh or eighth rounder in those leagues.

Mack is also young, so he's worth a stash in dynasty leagues.

For most standard leagues though, taking Mack any earlier than eight is not wise. He is handcuffed by a pass first offense and running backs behind him that can play. If Mack is used as the team's true starter though, he will produce outstanding results for a 10th round pick.