🍋 Win Weekly All Season Long with Mike's Harder & Fantasy Life 🍋

If you love fantasy football like I do, you're probably in more than one league. Usually it's for pride, bragging rights, and the pleasure of lording your superior fantasy knowledge over your friends.

But what if winning your league could also give you a chance to win $25,000?

Mike's Harder—who aspires to be "A Fantasy Player’s No. 1 ally"—has teamed up with Guillotine Leagues to host Mike's Harder Leagues this season. Playing is completely free, and it comes stacked with prizes:

• Weekly Giveaways: Fantasy Life+ subscriptions, New Era gift cards and Mike's Harder swag

• Grand Prize: One league-winning manager will take home $25,000

• More Big Prizes: There’s even an effortless, non-competing $10,000 version

You’re made with Real Character, just like Mike's Harder—and this is no season for sitting on the sidelines.

Sign up at guillotineleagues.com/mhlfantasyfootball
(We’d play ourselves … if it weren’t against the rules)

_{21+ only. Premium malt beverage. Mike's Hard Lemonade Co., Chicago, IL. No purchase
necessary to enter sweepstakes. See official rules at guillotineleagues.com/mhlfantasyfootball.}

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

👀 An early look at the Week 2 rankings. Risers and fallers.

📺 Need to know these players for Week 2. Plus, battle of the backgrounds.

💪 Looking for your IDP edges? Players to start in Week 2.

🏃🏽‍♂️ This WR has to go … run deep routes.

🪓 Week 2 waivers process TODAY for Guillotine Leagues™. How to approach your FAAB bids.

🏈 A pair of WRs saw their upside take a jump. We’re buying.

🫰 Snap, snap. This TE is getting getting an upgrade in utilization.

📝 With the Cardinals starting 1-0, what does the 2027 projected draft order look like?

🤔 Man vs. Zone. Which WRs & TEs prefer which matchup?

🎯 Target this RB in dynasty. While you still can.

➕ Add “Rocket Sanders” to your waiver wire adds. Here’s why.

🏃 Run concept mix for every offense coming out of Week 1. Cool data viz.

🚑️ Curious when your injured players are coming back? Cool “Recovery Chart” here.

Upgrades In The Week 2 Rankings: Freedman’s Faves

We’re on to Week 2, and it has some living up to do to the opening stanza of the NFL season. That means it’s this week’s edition of Freedman’s Favorites. We’re going position by position as Freedman seeks to shed his “wet blanket” persona to actually identify some players who are primed to outperform their fantasy football rankings. As always, we’ll go position by position:

• Quarterback: No doubt this star will crush it

• Running Back: Don’t come for the King

• Wide Receiver: New home looking pretty sweet

• Tight End: Never wrong, just early

  CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR FREEDMAN’S FADES

Four Trade Targets Ahead Of Week 2

Week 2 is always the most interesting time when it comes to fantasy football trade targets and sending offers in your leagues.

Despite it being a long season, so many people tend to overreact, especially following a loss. Although Week 1 was an insanely high-scoring week, there were still plenty of disappointing performances that may have fantasy players freaking out. 

Time to start working the phones.

Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Can we all just agree that Atlanta’s Week 1 doesn’t actually count?

Outside of Bijan Robinson’s greatness, of course. 

The fantasy world has made it very clear that they didn’t want Tua Tagovailoa under center for the Falcons. But it took just 26 Cooper Rush dropbacks for the mood to change. Rush completely crushed any hopes for the Atlanta passing attack, completing 12-of-22 passes for 143 yards. He averaged a laughable 3.5 air yards per attempt, while 41.2% of his pass attempts were at or behind the line of scrimmage. As a result, London caught just 2 passes for 29 yards. 

Things will be better if Tagovailoa returns, but the real upside is unlocked once Michael Penix is ready to roll. Of course, Penix is far from a top-tier quarterback, but he’s absolutely a massive upgrade over Rush. And we’ve seen London produce at a high level with Penix under center. From Weeks 4-11 of last year, London averaged 11.2 targets, 7.3 receptions, 108.5 yards and 24.2 PPR PPG. He was fantasy’s WR1, while recording five 100-yard games over that stretch. London’s midseason stretch illustrates the upside he possesses. During that span, he ranked second in TPRR (31%) and first in target share (36%), while accounting for a whopping 75% of Atlanta’s end-zone targets.

What We Learned From Week 1 in Guillotine Leagues^TM

Forget about draft day. After the first chop is when the real fun begins in Guillotine Leagues. Hit that waiver wire! Though save some dollars because it’s a long season. Marcas Grant and Tipp Major react to the breakouts and busts from the first week of fantasy football. Please subscribe to the CHOP Podcast YouTube channel.

How About Some Peace Of Mind?

There’s a peace of mind that comes with knowing you have certain players on your fantasy roster. That Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase stack is just so sweet. See Bijan Robinson in that RB1 slot, you can just write him down for 100+ scrimmage yards and a couple TDs. And Trey McBride, just chalk him up for 10+ targets and elite WR numbers out of the TE slot.

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Switch to Xfinity today and get WiFi motion detection and CyberSecure included. Get it now at Xfinity.com/shield.

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Around the Watercooler

It’s on to Week 2, and your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

🐶 About the Chiefs’ search for a running game. This K9 is a dawg.

🧔‍♂️ So many Week 1 Takeaways to break down, Matthew was joined by the bearded Denny Carter.

💪 These RBs were bell cows in Week 1, but will they maintain the roles in Week 2?

📉 Even after just one week, it’s time to send these players back to the waiver wire.

👀 This vet RB still has some juice left. A viable Week 2 streamer?

🥀 It might be time to call it on Marvin Harrison Jr. Is he finally a fade?

😆 I could watch Jameis Winston apply cologne all day. Check this out.

🤩 Will the MVP bounce back at home? Shootout potential loading.

🚑️ Injury updates: Kyler, Baltimore WRs and Ladd.

👀 Did someone say Deebo is back in the Bay Area? Look at that next matchup.

🤔 With one week of data, how does that change which handcuffs to prioritze?

🙌 Looking for a TE to stream? This vet is bearing down on a tasty opponent.

🙏 Please be healthy, Coker. This is not cool.

The Number 1 Utilization Takeaway From Week 1 Is …

Ashton Jeanty ascends to high-end RB1 status in fantasy.

A prayer circle can work wonders. Jeanty tied Bijan Robinson for the No. 1 Utilization Score at RB in Week 1, clocking in with a 99. The second-year back scored 32.7 fantasy points as the RB3 and dominated the Vegas backfield. 

Jeanty accounted for 73% of snaps, 70% of rushing attempts, and parlayed his 61% route share into a 21% target share, catching two TDs.

The Round 1 NFL Draft pick finished the day with 23 attempts and 6 targets. He converted those opportunities into 156 yards from scrimmage.

Last season, Jeanty rarely had room to operate, but things looked better behind a revamped offensive line with Tyler Linderbaum and the return of Kolton Miller.

• Yards before contact: 0.5 → 1.0

• Yards after contact: 3.1 → 3.4

• 10+ yard attempts: 9.7% → 13%

It's a small sample, and the Dolphins might not be a good defense, but Jeanty is a top-three RB prospect in the history of the Rookie Super Model, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. So, this could also be the norm for Jeanty in 2026.

We could see the Raiders offense regress against tougher competition, but with a new scheme under Klint Kubiak and Jeanty looking more spry than last year, I am bullish on his rest-of-season outlook. And history is on our side.

Since 2013, we have seen 13 RBs post a rush share of 65% or higher with a target share between 16 and 22%. They averaged 23.1 points per game.

Jeanty UPGRADES to high-end RB1 territory as an every-down player.

Defense (DST) Streamers To Target For Week 2

Last week was a good one for our DST targets, with the Jaguars and Jets delivering strong scores. The Eagles gave up a late TD to hurt their score, but they weren't a total disaster and remain a good starting option against the Titans this week.

Let's look ahead to the best defense (DST) streamers for Week 2 fantasy football.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 3% Rostered

Targeting the Browns offense was a successful strategy in Week 1, and we're going to go back to that as often as we can this season. The Bucs defense was rarely drafted due to their Week 1 matchup with the Bengals, but they put up a good score thanks to a pick-six. Defensive TDs aren't a stable or predictable stat, but I am confident that Deshaun Watson is going to give them opportunities to make another impact play. He looked just as bad as the last time we saw him starting for the Browns, taking five sacks and throwing one interception with several other close calls.

The Bucs are at home and currently favored by 8.5 points, something I love to see for my DST. After losing in Week 1, they should look to bounce back in a big way against this hapless Browns offense. The Bucs are likely just a one-week streaming option, but they have a great ceiling and good floor in this matchup, which makes them my favorite target on the waiver wire this week.

Bears Offensive Explosion: Overreaction, Or Not?

Are the Bears embarking on the greatest offensive season ever? Is Josh Allen going to have the Bills as Super Bowl locks? Worried about WR1s who didn’t perform to their ADP? Hold on. There’s still a lot of football to play. Kendall and Pete run through all the Overreaction Monday headlines. Subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show to catch every episode.

Watch Your Fantasy Team In Action On Fire TV

On football Sundays, isn’t it best when you can watch your fantasy players live? Josh Allen throwing and galloping his way to multiple TDs. Ja’Marr Chase taking the top off the defense on a long bomb. Jahmyr Gibbs blazing past defenders as if they’re standing still. Even better, how about watching without endless scrolling to get to the correct apps? If so, you need Fire TV. 

It organizes all your live games from your favorite teams in one place across apps, right on the home screen. No more searching. 

Find where the game’s playing and easily subscribe to that streaming service (as needed)—all from one tab on your home screen.

_{Separate subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.}

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

🙀 Three-leg parlay looking scary? Not to cooterdoodle.

🔮 One more Week 1 game. How does MNF shape up?

🐧 Jaylen Waddle is facing a tough debut with the Broncos. See what the projections say.

🏈 Caleb Williams or Josh Allen QB1 for Week 1? Quite the race up the leaderboard.

💪 Sonny Styles is ready for the league. Say hello, Saquon.

🤢 Tough start for Ja’Marr Chase managers. Better days ahead.

💸 Parker Washington’s agent made a call right after this … guaranteed.

😡 The Strib Club is closed … for at least a month.

🙏 The Raiders’ game plan was complicated. Um, not really.

Week 2 Waiver Wire: Cokeheads Unite!

One thing we learned other than the Bears are going to be one of the most fun offenses this season—start your Bears weekly!—is that teams are going to be playing catchup against that offense. And when that happens, players are going to pop. Look at Jalen Coker in Week 1, when he went for a scintillating 8-138-2. Is this a sign that more than one pass catcher is fantasy viable in Carolina?

Alex Cupps released the FREE edition of our waiver wire column, with recommendations at all four position groups. If you’re looking at stopgap flex options to fill in for injuries, Cupps has some recommendations.

Winners/Losers From Week 1: Prime Bucky is Back

Remember a few months ago when Tampa Bay HC Todd Bowles speculated that Bucky Irving’s return from injury could happen in late summer or fall? That was so before the leaves started putting on their fall colors (still to come). Pretty fun to have your guts churn at the thought of the 2024 sensation missing any part of this season. Looks like Week 1 may have put some of that chatter to rest.

Now that we’ve almost got the complete slate of Week 1 games in the books, it’s time to take a quick look at the winners and losers of Week 1 with our amigo Joe Metz.

EDGE Boost Expands Your Playing Options

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Around the Watercooler

Happy first NFL Sunday of the 2026 season! Here’s the latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

❓ Start MarShawn Lloyd over Ashton Jeanty? Kendall answers this and other questions.

💸 No Parker Washington contract … yet.

👀 Is this Ladd going to cook a defense? See what the matchup says.

🔟 This QB loves home cooking. Matthew’s 10 Facts has the lowdown.

😔 Another WR gets a downgrade today. Could be a scary game.

🤝 This week may be a good time to explore trading high on Mike Evans. Plus, more players to target.

💪 Will 5 Konami Code QBs score today? Bet on it.

↗️ How high will the Bears-Panthers score go? Remember what Ben Johnson said.

💥 You need to start this WR today. Looking at a smashing opener.

🏈 ICYMI: Freedman’s Favorites and Fades. All in one spot.

🍋 Dwain-libs drops a possible TE breakout. Nice accent.

Latest News & Injury Updates For Week 1

Want the latest injury news before you set your lineup? How about info on utilization and how it can impact your fantasy football roster? Zain Dhanani compiled a comprehensive game-by-game breakdown with all the fantasy-specific information you need to know before the kickoff at 1 p.m. ET. ⤵️

DFS Roundup: Player Picks & Stacks to Target

Preseason DFS is cute and all, but TODAY we get a full slate of games and an array of star players and sleepers we can slot into our DFS lineups. No matter the format you play, we have plenty of players and stacks to target for the Week 1 action:

• This TE highlights our value plays on DraftKings and FanDuel.

• A pair of great stacks with low ownership for GPP plays.

• A trio of chalk studs to build around on FanDuel.

• Target a bounceback RB on DraftKings.

Week 1 Pregame Strategy Session With Matthew

Who better to offer up last-minute fantasy football advice before the first Sunday kickoff of the 2026 NFL season than the godfather of fantasy football himself, Matthew Berry? If you have a start/sit decision, or just want some confirmation that you’re making the correct lineup call, Matthew will be joined by Alex Cupps to answer questions that come into the chat, live during the show.

🍋 Win Weekly All Season Long with Mike's Harder & Fantasy Life 🍋

If you love fantasy football like I do, you're probably in more than one league. Usually it's for pride, bragging rights, and the pleasure of lording your superior fantasy knowledge over your friends.

But what if winning your league could also give you a chance to win $25,000?

Mike's Harder—who aspires to be "A Fantasy Player’s No. 1 ally"—has teamed up with Guillotine Leagues™ to host Mike's Harder Leagues this season. Playing is completely free, and it comes stacked with prizes:

• Weekly Giveaways: Fantasy Life+ subscriptions, New Era gift cards and Mike's Harder swag

• Grand Prize: One league-winning manager will take home $25,000

• More Big Prizes: There’s even an effortless, non-competing $10,000 version

You’re made with Real Character, just like Mike's Harder—and this is no season for sitting on the sidelines.

Sign up at guillotineleagues.com/mhlfantasyfootball
(We’d play ourselves … if it weren’t against the rules)

_{21+ only. Premium malt beverage. Mike's Hard Lemonade Co., Chicago, IL. No purchase
necessary to enter sweepstakes. See official rules at guillotineleagues.com/mhlfantasyfootball.}

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

🚀 A trio of players’ trade value has already risen. Pounce now.

❓ Fantasy Life Friday on the FF Happy Hour. Alex Cupps & Matthew answer Week 1 questions.

🔥 The top five player props for Week 1. Some nice TD odds here.

👀 Prepping for the FanDuel DFS main slate? Core plays to build around.

📝 A full run-through of the injury report. What does the Tua injury mean for London, Bijan and Pitts?

⚡️ The Year 3 breakout could start in Week 1 for this rising WR.

🙀 Scared Money is back for Week 1. May the odds be never in your favor.

💰 A trio of PrizePicks to get you off to a profitable start to the season.

🔮 Prediction market picks for Week 1. Value on a sneaky TE.

Editors’ Picks

One more sleep until our first Sunday on the couch, watching football and cursing our lineup decisions. Remember, don’t tinker! You won’t need to with our rankings and projections. And ICYMI, enjoy these articles.

Matthew’s 10 Facts Don’t Panic! Matthew has you covered with 10 facts you need to know for Week 1.

Cupps’ Cupboard After breaking down the consensus rankings, projections and other analytics, Alex Cupps revealed the players he’s higher and lower on for Week 1.

Freedman’s Fave & Fades All in one spot: QB Favorites QB Fades RB Favorites RB Fades WR Favorites WR Fades TE Favorites TE Fades

Game-by-Game Breakdown For Week 1

The smell of pumpkin spice coffee in the Laghezza household means one thing, and one thing only—it’s time for football. Somebody pinch me …

He made sure to include implied game totals (at the time of writing) under every individual game—it’s the easiest way to identify offensive outbursts in a pinch.

Enjoy the Week 1 fantasy football game-by-game breakdown, aka THE BLITZ. Click the button below to be taken to all of the breakdowns, with a few highlighted matchups below:

• 51 projected points in what should be one of two massive Week 1 bangers.

• A close second (50) in projected points; you’re starting just about everyone from this game.

• Predicting an outright win from a slight underdog and a high-upside passing attack.

• Unstoppable (offensive) force meets immovable (defensive) object. What wins out?

• The true breakout season for this WR1 starts NOW.

Kendall’s Key Questions For Week 1

Kendall and I did a show together this offseason (miss you, Kendall) that forces us to ask a lot of tough questions months away from any lineup decisions. 

But now, the questions matter more than ever with Week 1 on the line. And Kendall is here to answer all of yours: 

• "Travis Kelce or Juwan Johnson?"

• "Do any players scare you in Guillotine League^TM formats for Week 1?"

• "Who is a potential sneaky flex play?"

• "Do you miss me, too?" Sorry … This one's just for me.

Smash or Pass for Week 1?

With the first Sunday of NFL games about to hit our TV screens, it’s time to see who will make us happy—or sad—in Week 1. Kendall and Pete break down players at each position group who they are smashing or passing on this weekend. That includes some big names. Subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show so you catch every episode during the season.

Watch Your Fantasy Team In Action On Fire TV

On football Sundays, isn’t it best when you can watch your fantasy players live? Josh Allen throwing and galloping his way to multiple TDs. Ja’Marr Chase taking the top off the defense on a long bomb. Jahmyr Gibbs blazing past defenders as if they’re standing still. Even better, how about watching without endless scrolling to get to the correct apps? If so, you need Fire TV. 

It organizes all your live games from your favorite teams in one place across apps, right on the home screen. No more searching. 

Find where the game’s playing and easily subscribe to that streaming service (as needed)—all from one tab on your home screen.

_{Separate subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.}

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

🍷 The OG regular from the FF Happy Hour returns. Nate Ravitz joins Matthew.

🤣 Mike Evans learns about the Rams’ travel plans. Oh dang!

👀 Your Week 1 start/sit guide is here … some SMASH starts at QB.

🔭 Front-row seats in Australia … aren’t like they are here!

🙌 Can anyone match up with Tetairoa McMillan? Bearing down Week 1.

🤑 Ryan Flournoy gets paid. Parker Washington next?

🔪 The floor is nice for this RB in Guillotine Leagues^™. Put a star by him.

🐶 Go high with this RB before he breaks out. Know how to pick ‘em.

🔮 Can Michigan keep up with Oklahoma? CFB Week 2 predictions.

💰 Can the Saints cover against the Lions? Best bets for Week 1.

📬 Who is undervalued in Dynasty? Comes down to a pair of rookies.

🪿 Next will they measure neck length at the combine? This WR would be tops.

Matthew Berry’s 10 Facts For Week 1

DON’T PANIC.

That may be a quote from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, but it also pertains to the first NFL games of the 2026 fantasy football season. Especially if you roster A.J. Brown or Sam Darnold. But one thing we know: the season isn’t gone after a single game. Not even a single week. Though Week 1 is still important.

That’s why Matthew dropped his first piece of content for the regular season. 10 Facts You Need to Know For Week 1 reminds us it does us no good to get too excited about a fast start, or too down about a tough open. He also drops important tidbits on players for this week. Here are some hints:

• A QB is spectacular with just the right protector.

• Another QB is like Dorothy: “There’s no place like home.”

• This RB has soared over this week’s opponent repeatedly

• One of the WR darlings of the offseason has a choice first matchup.

• a QB-WR duo could roar this Sunday

We could give you more, but that’s not as fun as actually reading the article. Enjoy!

Studs and Duds From The Week 1 Rankings

Hey! Cupps here. Every Friday this season, I’ll be dropping my overall strategy for the upcoming week of games—players I’m higher/lower on than consensus fantasy football rankings, and the biggest things I’ll be keeping my eye on. 

As someone who primarily leverages data to make decisions in fantasy football, my rankings are created using a blend of several inputs:

• Our weekly fantasy football projections, adjusted using fantasy football DvP rankings

• Prediction market data (essentially taking the current prices on various yardage, touchdowns, receptions, etc., to create implied fantasy point projections)

• Vegas prop lines

Using these sources as a baseline, I create my own hybrid projection system for each position. Let’s get right into it!

Kyler Murray

• FL Consensus: QB13

• My Rank: QB5 (+8)

I’ve spent this entire offseason higher than consensus on Murray, so it’s only right to call him out in my Week 1 rankings.

There are a couple of things that stand out to me about Kyler in Week 1. First, he comes in as the QB5 on the week in our Fantasy Life projections. Additionally, he has a ‘Vegas base’ value—essentially, the combination of a player’s fantasy stats outside of touchdown points—of 11.2 points (QB10). High floor, high ceiling week for Murray (get used to hearing that one this season) to kick things off against Green Bay.

10 of 10 These Facts You Need to Know

Brothers and sisters, friends of the revolution, Matthew is kicking off a weekly video series. Here we have the 10 Facts You Need to Know for Week 1 … the video edition. Hear them straight from Matthew himself. And make sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Life YouTube channel so you don’t miss an episode.

Get Ready for Packers vs. Vikings

Packers vs. Vikings Is Week 1’s Featured National Game

The NFC North takes center stage Week 1! Stream the NFL on CBS to catch all of the action from Packers vs. Vikings live on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET on Paramount+.

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

🙌 Matthew brought in a special guest to talk wide receivers: Adam Thielen.

😭 Brock Bowers is out 1-2 weeks (at a minimum). The fantasy fallout.

🏆 Survivor picks for Week 1. The road to winning it all starts now.

🚀 Kyler Murray top-five QB in Week 1? The upside is insane.

👀 What sharp money is telling us for Week 1 fantasy football. A sneaky TE to start.

🍋 Join a league and get a shot to win $25K. Play Harder & it’s Free.

💰 Picks, props and predictions for TNF. Smash the Blake Corum over.

⚔️ The best and worst DvP matchups for Week 1. Garrett Wilson time.

🔮 The next Puka? 3 things to watch for dynasty managers to watch in Week 1.

💥 Young RBs break out? The betting community says they will.

🤩 JSN picked up where he left off. Still, get well soon, Darnold.

Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em

Week 1 is here, which means it is time to turn draft-day takes into actual start 'em, sit 'em decisions for Week 1 fantasy football. This column uses the Fantasy Life Projection Model, Freedman’s Game Model, projected roles, injuries, depth-chart changes and matchup context to identify the players whose Week 1 outlooks are better—or worse—than their ADP and usual reputation suggest.

A “sit” is not always a must-bench. It means that player is a downgrade relative to expectation and may be worth fading for a similarly ranked option in a better role, matchup, or scoring environment.

Happy Week 1, y'all!!!

QB Start of the Week: Jared Goff

• Confidence: Low-end QB1 with Mid-Range QB1 Upside

• Lineup Call: Start in all 12-team formats. Viable low-end QB1 in 10-team leagues, especially if you are choosing between him and another pocket passer in a lower-scoring environment.

The Lions carry the second-highest team total of Week 1 at 27.5 in Freedman's Game Model, against a Saints secondary that lost its best defensive back, slot corner Alontae Taylor, in free agency. That will make life easier on Amon-Ra St. Brown, who aligned inside 47% of the time last season.

Detroit’s backfield situation adds another reason to be bullish. David Montgomery is no longer behind Jahmyr Gibbs, while Isiah Pacheco is on IR, leaving Jacob Saylors as the No. 2 option. The Lions no longer have the proven two-back setup that helped them lean on the run last season. With fewer established answers behind Gibbs, Detroit could put more of its Week 1 offense on Goff’s right arm.

The Fantasy Life Projection Model forecasts Goff for 263 passing yards and two touchdowns. That projection aligns exactly with the market, where his aggregate passing-yardage prop sits at 263 yards (the model is pretty good at this projection thing, y'all). Goff cleared that mark 47% of the time last year—a very high rate for a number that high in this era of passing.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 17.8

• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 21.9

• Floor: 14.2

Goff was drafted as the QB16 but ranks ahead of multiple names he was drafted behind this summer, including Caleb Williams, Jaxson Dart, and Patrick Mahomes. This week he is the No. 10 QB in our consensus ranks. His floor is slightly lower than balanced, dual-threat options, but confidence in his median outcome is high.

Goff is my QB10, and I am not even the most bullish of our rankers—Zain Dhanani and Alex Cupps have Goff ranked 8th and 9th, respectively.

Bold Predictions For Week 1

Every Thursday here at Fantasy Life, Adam Pfeifer will provide some bold predictions for the week ahead in fantasy football. As we progress in the season, this article will feature many more under-the-radar players who can be potential fill-in options for you if bye weeks or injuries are impacting your roster. 

Let’s get bold.

Tyler Shough Finishes As A Top-Five QB

Admittedly, I’d feel better about this call if the Saints had Jordyn Tyson available. But New Orleans had nothing at WR2 last season, and Shough still averaged a healthy 16.4 fantasy points per game from Week 8 on, good for the QB14 in fantasy. Shough flashed some of the things we love from a fantasy quarterback—rushing and deep passes. During that span, 20.9% of Shough’s pass attempts were 15-plus yards downfield (13th), while 12% traveled at least 20 yards. Shough was also pretty efficient during the second half of his first NFL season, ranking:

• 6th in completion rate (68%)

• 7th in passing YPG (238.4)

• 10th in offensive throw EPA (56.4)

Shough was solid as a passer, but also added plenty of production with his legs. From Week 8 on, he handled 8% of the designed rush attempts (1.8 per game), as well as 20% of the inside-the-five carries. Overall, Shough averaged 4.5 carries and about 20 rushing yards per game during the second half of the year.

I love this Week 1 matchup with the Lions. For starters, this game features a total of around 50 points, and we know the Saints will have to throw to keep up. Secondly, the Lions' secondary is a serious issue right now, as starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph both open the year on IR. This has been a man-heavy scheme for years now, and that didn’t change in Kelvin Sheppard’s first year as DC. The Lions deployed man coverage over 30% of the time last year, a top-five rate in football. I always look for quarterback rushing upside against man-centric defenses because the defenders’ backs are almost always turned when the quarterback takes off to run. Detroit has ranked top-five in rushing yards per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks in three of the last four years. 

9 Moves To Make Before Week 1: Terrance Ferguson?

We finally had some football! Does that mean you’re done because your drafts are behind you? Not a chance. Kendall, Dwain and Pete join up to talk about players who could be targets on the waiver wire. Subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show and catch every episode during the season. 

🍋 Win Weekly All Season Long with Mike's Harder & Fantasy Life 🍋

If you love fantasy football like I do, you're probably in more than one league. Usually it's for pride, bragging rights, and the pleasure of lording your superior fantasy knowledge over your friends.

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Mike's Harder—who aspires to be "A Fantasy Player’s No. 1 ally"—has teamed up with Guillotine Leagues to host Mike's Harder Leagues this season. Playing is completely free, and it comes stacked with prizes:

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Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

🔥 Kickoff is here. Fantasy breakdown for tonight’s SEA vs. NE game.

🤝 Trade targets to pursue before Sunday … their prices might never be lower.

👀 More trade targets, but this time for dynasty managers.

🔮 Never too early to look at the projected NFL Draft order. Cardinals or Dolphins at No. 1?

🤔 Will MarShawn Lloyd be a bell cow? Not so fast.

⁉️ Who is the Giants RB2? You tell me …

🚑️ You might not be able to count on Rome. I don’t love the sound of that.

🔗 Who are the handcuff RBs to keep an eye on? Green Bay is a mystery.

🤔 Sometimes picking a DST streamer is easy. Who’s playing the worst offense?

⛏️ So this is why the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in a decade. Grinding.

Upgrades & Downgrades In The Week 1 Rankings

Week 1 kicks off tonight, and Matthew Freedman has been diving deep into each position’s individual rankings. So deep that he churned out eight (8!!!) positional pieces profiling his biggest upgrades and downgrades.

There’s no better place to start when mulling over your lineup decisions, so let’s dive in:

• QB Upgrades for Week 1: New OC supercharges this QB’s debut

• QB Downgrades for Week 1: Expect a slow start from the reigning QB1?
  

• RB Upgrades for Week 1: Great start for this RB1 contender

• RB Downgrades for Week 1: Not so fast on CMC …
  

• WR Upgrades for Week 1: Year 2 WR will bear down on opposition

• WR Downgrades for Week 1: We may have to wait on everyone’s favorite breakout.
  

• TE Upgrades for Week 1: What an opener for future TE1

• TE Downgrades for Week 1: Patience is a virtue with TEs returning from injuries.

Buy, Sell, Hold is Back For 2026

That’s right, our weekly dose of cooterdoodle offering up advice on doing everything from picking up to cutting and trading away players is back. Buy, Sell, Hold, people! Get excited!

The Week 1 edition starts 2026 off with a bang, featuring a WR getting drafted several rounds after a teammate and just might be the WR1 on their team. And it doesn’t stop there. ⤵️

Questions We Need Answered After Week 1

Drafts are done—though we know some sickos will do a lunchtime draft hours before kickoff. But for the rest of us, we can’t wait to see all the hours of study, mock drafts and podcast watching pay off. The games are here, and the other great thing after seeing real fantasy points is we get answers to all the questions we’ve had that only real action can answer. Dwain, Freedman and Cupps team up to compile the questions they want answered going into Week 1. Please subscribe to the Fantasy Football Is Life YouTube channel.

Everything You Hate About Fantasy Football, Fixed.

You won your league last year. Congrats. Then August rolled around and. .. you started completely over. New draft, new roster, none of what you built survives. Where's the reward for all that work?

Every fan has screamed at their team's GM at least once—bad contract, botched pick, letting the wrong guy walk. You've thought it: I could do that better. Franchise League Football is where you get to prove it.

It's a contract-based keeper platform with a real salary cap. You inherit a franchise with existing contracts from Day 1—evaluating deals, hunting waiver-wire bargains, deciding who stays and who hits free agency. Blind-bid auctions set salaries. Multi-year contracts carry real weight. You can even draft college players before they declare, stashing future stars on minimum deals. Add automatic injury substitution, round-robin playoffs, and weekly giveaways for high scoreS. It's clear why FSGA named it Best Startup Product Experience.

Built by MIT engineers. Rewards decision-making, not the luck of a random draft order.

Use code MBFL50 to save 50%. Get started at FranchiseLeagueFootball.com or download the app.

Around the Watercooler

It’s Week 1, and your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

💪 Who projects for the biggest RB workloads out of the gate? One name might surprise you.

🧨 Could Lions-Saints be a shootout? Tyler Shough might be a streaming option.

🎯 The best matchups to exploit in IDP leagues. A star DB headlines the slate.

🏈 Just in case Jonathon Brooks is back … starting him against the Bears?

👮🏻‍♂️ Handcuffs to monitor in Week 1. All eyes on this backfield.

✈️ Dynasty buys and sells … the arrow is pointing up for a Jets WR.

✏️ The Falcons finally announced their QB. I give it 3-4 weeks.

🙏 If Dart gets hurt again … we are in good hands.

🤔 Guess who just got a four-year extension? It’s not a player …

🧀 What lies ahead for this WR. Stay healthy.

Week 1 Waiver Wire Targets

Kaelon Black | 34% Rostered

A rookie drafted 90th overall in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Black is one of my favorite low-owned running back handcuffs going into 2026. 

There were question marks earlier in the offseason as to whether it would be second-year back Jordan James or Kaelon Black serving as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey, but we’ve since gotten confirmation that Black will have the first crack at this role.

Black’s prospect profile is not one that inspires a ton of confidence in his talent, and I personally believe he was significantly overdrafted by the 49ers. I’m not sure that really matters, though. The 49ers clearly have one of the most valuable backfields across the entire league when it comes to fantasy production, and we know CMC struggles with extended injuries on occasion. Black needs to be rostered everywhere going into Week 1.

Malik Davis | 18% Rostered

After a surprising turn of events this offseason, including the release of second-year backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, it appears Malik Davis is locked into the Dallas Cowboys RB2 role. I view Davis similarly to Kaelon Black—significant question marks around both of their individual talent profiles, but the environment is so conducive to scoring fantasy points that I’m not super worried.

One thing worth mentioning about Davis’ prospect profile (he’s been in the NFL since 2022, so take this with a grain of salt) is his receiving ability. Throughout Davis’ college career from 2017-2022:

• 0.06 avg FDPRR (82nd % among all RBs since 2014)

• 0.18 avg TPRR (75th%)

• 1.52 avg YPRR (71st%)

Obviously it’s been a while since we’ve seen this receiving work on full display, but it bodes well for Davis’ fantasy upside if Javonte goes down. I view him as a must-add in all formats before this season kicks off.

The Top Three DST Streamers For Week 1

We are so back. The 2026 fantasy football season is upon us, which means that it is time to set those starting lineups. We spend the whole offseason evaluating the QB, RB, WR and TE positions, but most fantasy managers tend to only think about which DST they should draft a few minutes ahead of time.

For Week 1, most draft platforms require you to draft a full starting lineup, so you won't truly be 'streaming' the position in Week 1. As a result, this is focused on non-premium DSTs that we recommend targeting in the final few rounds of your draft (or on the waiver wire if you’ve already drafted).

Jacksonville Jaguars

There is no better opposing offense to target than the Cleveland Browns. If I had to guess, this article will feature the Browns' opponent every week that they qualify under the 50% rostered threshold.

The last time we saw Deshaun Watson as a starter in 2024, he was one of the worst QBs in the league. He took 33 sacks in the seven games he started and only threw multiple passing TDs in one of those games. Since then, he has suffered two Achilles injuries, which can't have helped his mobility. Cleveland also has a poor offensive line, which PFF ranked 31st heading into this season.

The Jaguars have a solid but unspectacular defense, but Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are plenty good enough to get after Watson in his first start since Week 7 of the 2024 season. It also helps that Jacksonville is at home and favored by 7.5 points, which is an ideal setup for a pass rush to rack up opportunities for sacks and turnovers.

The only downside is that you probably won't want to keep them for more than one week, as they have a run of games against the Broncos, Patriots, Bengals and Eagles in Weeks 2-5. 

Watch Your Fantasy Team In Action On Fire TV

On football Sundays, isn’t it best when you can watch your fantasy players live? Josh Allen throwing and galloping his way to multiple TDs. Ja’Marr Chase taking the top off the defense on a long bomb. Jahmyr Gibbs blazing past defenders as if they’re standing still. Even better, how about watching without endless scrolling to get to the correct apps? If so, you need Fire TV. 

It organizes all your live games from your favorite teams in one place across apps, right on the home screen. No more searching. 

Find where the game’s playing and easily subscribe to that streaming service (as needed)—all from one tab on your home screen.

_{Separate subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.}

Around the Watercooler

Happy Labor Day! Your favorite football nerds are hard at work and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

🙌 Last-minute mock draft from 1.05. Building on JSN.

📈 Early look at the Week 1 rankings. Saquon how high?

🤩 Behind the scenes on Freedman’s Favorites and Fades. Weekly must read.

⬆️⬇️ Plenty of movement in Dynasty Stock Watch. Rookie TE faller actually a bargain?

✈️ Don’t sleep on this Jets WR. Been a camp darling.

🐬 A TE could be a top target earner on his squad. Someone has to.

😎 Got one more draft? Matthew’s cheat sheet is here to help.

👀 And keep his top-75 rankings handy. Just in case.

🌴 Some have My Guys. Zain’s Zeals plants 5 flags.

➕ Want the latest projections? That and more with FantasyLife+.

🍋 Join a league and get a shot to win $25K. Play Harder & it’s Free.

🥵 Enjoy the best sweat in fantasy. Sign up for Guillotine Leagues^TM.

🚌 Matthew’s most-drafted players. We’re riding with who’s No. 1.

Are You Ready For Your Fantasy Draft?

It’s here. The end of the last draft weekend of the year! Time to celebrate. Are you done? OK, time to lock in. Do you have everything ready for your draft? Just to make sure, we made a quick checklist of what you need from Fantasy Life:

• Fantasy Life Draft Guide

• Fantasy Life Rankings

• The Perfect Draft Strategy Article

• Matthew’s Draft Day Manifesto

• Matthew’s Love/Hate

• Matthew’s 10 Lists of 10

• ADP

• Projections

• Draft Companion

• Cheat Sheets

• Drafting From 1.01 to 1.12

• Strategy on ESPN

• Strategy on Sleeper

• Strategy on Yahoo

• Weather and Fantasy Football

• Draft Champion (Pregame help)

• Fantasy Football Team Names

And when you’re done drafting, make sure to Sync Your League. Good luck!

Last-Minute Do Not Draft These Players in 2026

This is your final warning. 

With your last draft(s) on the line, you need to watch out for some players that Adam Pfeifer is avoiding.

• TreVeyon Henderson | RB | NE

• DK Metcalf | WR | PIT

Wait! Wait just a minute … 

His "Do Not Draft List" includes a WR who finished WR16 in 2025?? ⬇️

Keep Getting Bad Trade Offers?

Jake Trowbridge has a few things to get off of his chest before the season begins. And every fantasy manager should relate to his three requests. 

If you've ever received a trade offer that p*ssed you off, this is for you. 

You might even want to send Jake's letter to your least favorite trade partner. Maybe, just maybe, they'll finally get the hint.

Remember These Hot Takes to Avoid the Guillotine

Make sure you’ve got something cool on hand, because the takes are HOT on the latest episode of the CHOP podcast. Marcas Grant and Tipp Major hand out their boldest takes heading into the 2026 season, and if you don’t want to get yourself chopped in Guillotine Leagues^TM you’ll listen up. Make sure to subscribe to the CHOP Podcast YouTube channel.

Watch Your Fantasy Team In Action On Fire TV

On football Sundays, isn’t it best when you can watch your fantasy players live? Josh Allen throwing and galloping his way to multiple TDs. Ja’Marr Chase taking the top off the defense on a long bomb. Jahmyr Gibbs blazing past defenders as if they’re standing still. Even better, how about watching without endless scrolling to get to the correct apps? If so, you need Fire TV. 

It organizes all your live games from your favorite teams in one place across apps, right on the home screen. No more searching. 

Find where the game’s playing and easily subscribe to that streaming service (as needed)—all from one tab on your home screen.

_{Separate subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.}

Around the Watercooler

Your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes on the last Sunday with no NFL for this year …

👀 Getting ready for your draft? Here’s Matthew’s rankings.

🇺🇸 Planting some flags for the coming season. Surprise RB1 incoming.

➕ Want a Draft Companion by your side? That and more with FantasyLife+.

💪 This QB has looked good coming off injury. Nice backup option.

🤩 Upside is everything. These WRs are eady for breakouts.

🏈 This rookie RB is getting early hype. Remember him late in your draft.

🍋 Join a league and get a shot to win $25K. Play Harder & it’s Free.

🙌 Last year we had this WR so high up in ADP. Now he’s a bargain?

🌞 Too early to think about the fantasy playoffs? Where will your QB play?

🥵 You know you want the best sweat in fantasy. Sign up for Guillotine Leagues^TM.

🤝 What if your TE is just tight with the QB? Could lead to targets.

🤣 Whatchu Talkin Bout Will Lutz? Different strokes for team names.

🤔 Imagine what we’ll learn Week 1. Backfield split?

🤣 Do you see yourself here? Especially the trade offer.

Are You Ready For Your Fantasy Draft?

It’s here. The last draft weekend of the year! Time to celebrate. Are you done? OK, time to lock in. Do you have everything ready for your draft? Just to make sure, we made a quick checklist of what you need from Fantasy Life:

• Fantasy Life Draft Guide

• Fantasy Life Rankings

• The Perfect Draft Strategy Article

• Matthew’s Draft Day Manifesto

• Matthew’s Love/Hate

• Matthew’s 10 Lists of 10

• ADP

• Projections

• Draft Companion

• Cheat Sheets

• Drafting From 1.01 to 1.12

• Strategy on ESPN

• Strategy on Sleeper

• Strategy on Yahoo

• Weather and Fantasy Football

• Draft Champion (Pregame help)

• Fantasy Football Team Names

And when you’re done drafting, make sure to Sync Your League. Good luck!

Matthew Berry’s Top-150 Cheat Sheet

Want to take Matthew with you along for the ride that is your fantasy football draft? You can, sorta. We have compiled a cheat sheet and broken it down by position. All the players appearing on Matthew’s top 150 rankings are right in one spot.

You can prop this article right next to you or even print it out. It’s the next best thing to having Matthew sitting next to you. And if you ever run into him, say thanks for helping you win your league. ⬇️

Breaking Downs Some Wide Receiver Sleepers

Still drafting? Of course you are. It’s only the busiest draft weekend of the year. Lock in and stay there, because that’s how you find those gems late in drafts. Those sleepers who could pop and become starters on your fantasy squad before you know it.

Kody Malstrom ran a go route and found three sleepers you need to target. But he didn’t stop there. He also hit the other positions, so check those out after you read about these WRs:

• QB Sleepers

• RB Sleepers

• TE Sleepers

Drafting With Dwain: Stacked WR Room

Can you feel how locked in Dwain is when he enters a high-stakes draft with Kendall? He’s got the cap on backwards and is all business. See how Dwain and Kendall draft this team and look for some pointers for your own drafts. Subscribe to the Fantasy Football Is Life YouTube channel to catch every episode.

Stream the NFL on CBS live on Paramount+!

Paramount+ is your home to gridiron action all season long. Stream the NFL on CBS live and we’ll see you Sunday!

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

❤️ Reunion time. Matthew is joined by a dear friend to talk injuries.

💪 This dual-threat QB has gone in the last round of drafts. Too late.

🤩 It’s the Perfect Draft Strategy. Updated for you.

🆓 Free Aaron Jones, has new meaning.

🍋 Join a league and get a shot to win $25K. Play Harder & it’s Free.

🙌 Will Makai Lemon have a new role? Pump the brakes.

🧀 Ready to forget Matthew Golden’s rookie year? It’s a leap year.

🥵 You know you want the best sweat in fantasy. Sign up for Guillotine Leagues^TM.

💎 A pair of Year 2 TEs could be ready for breakouts. Potential late-round gems.

👀 Another Oregon TE to watch. It’s a factory.

🔮 Week 1 college football predictions. Fighting Irish to blow out Badgers?

😎 The new normal for this QB? His coach believes.

Are You Ready For Your Fantasy Draft?

It’s here. One of the busiest draft weekends of the year. Time to celebrate. Are you done? OK, time to lock in. Do you have everything ready for your draft? Just to make sure, we made a quick checklist of what you need from Fantasy Life:

• Fantasy Life Draft Guide

• Fantasy Life Rankings

• The Perfect Draft Strategy Article

• ADP

• Projections

• Draft Companion

• Cheat Sheets

• Drafting From 1.01 to 1.12

• Strategy on ESPN

• Strategy on Sleeper

• Strategy on Yahoo

• Draft Champion (Pregame help)

And when you’re done drafting, make sure to Sync Your League. Good luck!

Cupps’ Cupboard: What We’ll Learn Week 1

Alex Cupps is ready to move onto Week 1 as well. Because we learn more in "seven hours on Sunday of Week 1" than we do from any of our offseason prognostications. 

And Cupps knows just what to look for this week to help you get a leg-up over your leaguemates.

Find out why he's monitoring these three groups in Week 1:

• GB Packers

• LA Chargers

• "Tweener" TEs

Matthew’s Rankings Update: New 1.01

I don't care if you've been fully locked in to ADP all offseason. You'll want to check for the significant changes Matthew Berry has made to his rankings before drafting during the final push of Labor Day weekend.

Some of these new rankings are going to impact how you draft RBs from murky backfields. 

And others… are just Berry finally capitulating to The True 1.01.

I guess you can teach an old dawg new tricks. ⤵️

Final TE Rankings: Move Up Loveland?

We’re sure of the top tight ends. But are we really sure that duo won’t get some company. Kendall and Pete close out their rankings series with a final TE discussion before the new season. Make sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show YouTube Channel to catch every episode.

Make the Cut With Blackwood for Men

Now that the 53-man rosters are set, how about a quick shoutout to the guys who not only beat the odds and made the cut, but actually grabbed a starting role? Guys like our friend Fernando Carmona. The former Arkansas mauler just went from 5th rounder in April, to camp standout, to starting guard for the Tennessee Titans. You don't rise like that by being common. You do it by treating your body and mind right, and finding any edge you can.

Are we saying he's a starter because he used Blackwood products? Hell yes we are! OK, no, we're not. But it certainly didn't hurt that he had healing botanicals like ginseng and green tea boosting his body and hair every time he hit the showers.

If you're ready to rise above the usual grooming and get your own healthier edge, try our new code, FANTASY26 at checkout. You'll save 26%—our best discount yet. And if you take a late-round flier on Cam Ward and it pays off, don't forget to thank the guys like Fernando who cleared the way for him by doing whatever they could to be their best.

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

👀 Special guest joins Matthew, as Field Yates pulls up a stool for happy hour.

📰 George Kittle and Mike Evans plan to play? And tush push sticking around.

🍋 Join a league and get a shot to win $25K. Play Harder & it’s Free.

🔮 Predictions for college football Week 1. Not going over the top.

🏈 Rankings, ADP, Draft Companion … get ready for draft day and beyond with FantasyLife+.

👨🏼‍🍳 These sleeper QBs could really cook. Or bake.

🪓 Got room for one more draft? Try Guillotine Leagues^TM.

🤔 This rookie WR was on the rise before getting hurt. Dynasty buy opportunity?

🙌 3 upside WR plays could outdo their rankings. Just stay healthy.

😎 Use Fantasy Life projections to make futures bets. Thank us next year.

👑 Death, taxes and … King Henry keeps on, keeping on.

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Mocking

I know you're not done drafting yet. There's no way. (If you are, join one more. Why not?)

As you head into the final weekend before football, you need to be prepared for your last drafts of the season.

Adam Pfeifer is walking us through a mock draft review from the 1.02 this week. 

Sure. We all know who we would want at 1.02, but there's 15 more rounds after that, buddy. ⤵️

Perfect Draft Strategy 2026 Got An Update

I saaaaaid: I know you're not done drafting yet. There's no way.

And what if I told you there was a way to adopt the perfect draft strategy? 

Dwain McFarland doesn't just have a nice head of hair. He's got a framework for the perfect strategy and he's sharing it. With you. 

Want QB strategies? Want RB strategies? It doesn't matter the position, we've got it. 

Review targets and fades for each position. It's the only way to leave your draft with a perfect roster. ⤵️

Last Chance For Quarterback Rankings

Kendall, Pete and Dwain have put together a series of shows highlighting their final positional rankings of the offseason … just in time for one of the busiest draft weekends of the year. We know who’s at QB1—Josh Allen—but after him it gets interesting. Subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show YouTube channel to catch every episode during the season. 

Bank on Drake Maye’s Rise to Stardom

For all the people who a year ago were calling Drake Maye a sleeper, who could have predicted a near-MVP season? After passing for 4,394 yards and 31 TDs, adding in 450 rushing yards and 4 scores, and finishing tied for fourth with 20.4 fantasy points per game, Maye has risen the ranks to superstar status. Now he just got A.J. Brown added to the WR room. He’ll be 24, is projected for another big year and forward-thinking fantasy managers can see Maye as a QB they can count on for years to come.

UNest works the same way. You don't wait until your kid is 16 to start building their financial future. You start now, when time is your single greatest advantage. A tax-advantaged investment account that grows with your child, set up in under 10 minutes. The long game is always the smartest play, on the field and off it.

Around the Watercooler

Your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

🤔 Let’s talk draft strategy. Matthew and Dwain determine the best ones.

😴 A rookie jumps to RB2 status. Don’t sleep on Kaelon Black.

📰 Latest camp news … simple Jeanty update.

🏈 The Raiders name their starter … c’mon, just play the rookie.

👀 These WRs could be dynasty bargains. Keep an eye on these rookies.

🐃 That’s a new injury … hmm, keep tabs on this for Buffalo.

💥 Another RB could break into the Gibbs-Bijan RB1 battle. Breakout szn incoming!

🤔 Who will lead the Panthers in carries Week 1? Hmm.

🍨Preseason told us a good story for these WRs. Scoop them up.

🎯 Who to target in dynasty startups? Draft him until it Hurts.

🤘🏽 Who’s winning the Natty? Hook ‘em Horns or …

🥵 Ready for some hot takes? Surprise top-3 WR.

It’s All About The Upside With These WRs

We’re all in search for upside when it comes to our fantasy drafts. Get that player in the seventh round who can pop and be a top-10 performer. Or snag that QB in the double-digit rounds who ends up giving you a blazing-hot three-game run during the fantasy playoffs. That’s the dream, at least.

Joe Metz found three wide receivers who are upside plays for the coming season, and they all have true breakout potential that could win leagues. ⤵️

Don’t Sleep On These Quarterbacks

Not everyone can get Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson in the early rounds of fantasy drafts. In a 12-team league, that means 10 teams are going to be waiting at QB. And sometimes waiting some more. Believe us, there are players who are worth that wait.

Kody Malstrom identified three QBs who are going in the double-digit rounds who fantasy managers must keep in mind. Here are some hints for each:

• He was 2nd in 2024 in pass TDs as a late-round hit

• He’s annually a good bet to pass for 4,000 yards and 30+ TDs

• Former draft bust may be this year’s dual-threat breakout

Final Wide Receiver Rankings for 2026

It’s about that time. Our final drafts are either complete (congrats) or coming up this weekend. Almost time to put your pencils down and start the season. With that, Kendall, Dwain and Pete run through the last of the WR rankings for the coming season. Don’t miss an episode of the Fantasy Life Show, SUBSCRIBE TODAY.

Everything You Hate About Fantasy Football, Fixed.

You won your league last year. Congrats. Then August rolled around and. .. you started completely over. New draft, new roster, none of what you built survives. Where's the reward for all that work?

Every fan has screamed at their team's GM at least once—bad contract, botched pick, letting the wrong guy walk. You've thought it: I could do that better. Franchise League Football is where you get to prove it.

It's a contract-based keeper platform with a real salary cap. You inherit a franchise with existing contracts from Day 1—evaluating deals, hunting waiver-wire bargains, deciding who stays and who hits free agency. Blind-bid auctions set salaries. Multi-year contracts carry real weight. You can even draft college players before they declare, stashing future stars on minimum deals. Add automatic injury substitution, round-robin playoffs, and weekly giveaways for high scoreS. It's clear why FSGA named it Best Startup Product Experience.

Built by MIT engineers. Rewards decision-making, not the luck of a random draft order.

Use code MBFL50 to save 50%. Get started at FranchiseLeagueFootball.com or download the app.

Around the Watercooler

Your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

🙌 Matthew dove into WRs. So Matt Harmon stopped in for Happy Hour.

📰 Mike Evans injury update. Plus, Jeremiyah Love’s Week 1 availability and more.

🤔 Picking from the 1.01 … this mock draft went hard for the WRs.

↗️ Time to trade MarShawn Lloyd in dynasty? Sell-high opportunity.

🏈 This RB is very popular in drafts. Even though he’s a backup.

🍀 3 bets to win the CFB national championship. Luck of the Irish?

🚑️ Bucs WR injury updates. Todd Bowles loves doing this.

🚗 Want a Draft Companion riding sidecar for you? Here’s how.

🔮 Will this Super Bowl contender miss the playoffs? Bold predictions.

👀 Tyler Shough getting into a shootout with the Lions? And more Week 1 projections to watch.

🤔 The Packers say they haven’t seen the Jacobs video … what else are they going to say?

🦆 Who’s going to win the Big 10? Some are going quackers over one team.

😭 Tua forgot to switch to his burner account. Oh no.

😎 These RB projections … the ceiling is so beautiful.

This Running Back Is Ready To Cook In 2026

We’ve been hearing about the possibility that James Cook could catch more passes this season. It was music to the fantasy community’s ears, as Cook entered the NFL in 2022 with a profile as a smallish back who could catch passes. He’s proven that his size has nothing to do with his ability, as he’s run off three straight 1,000-yard seasons. The pass catching? We’re still waiting.

Alex Cupps made an update to his rankings and boosted Cook because all signs are pointing toward a season where the Bills RB will add more pass catching to his already-prolific rushing production. ⤵️

Using Receiver Score To Find Who’s Trending Upward

If you’re reading this newsletter, you know that if you look hard enough, you will find some helpful nuggets that could give you the edge in your fantasy drafts. It’s often how much work players get with the starting unit, as Dwain does so well—here’s Week 3 takeaways, BTW.

Zain Dhanani used his metric Receiver Score to identify four wide receivers who should be going higher than their ADP might otherwise suggest.⤵️

Big Deal Or No Deal? You’re On The Block

Now that the preseason is over and we’re ready for real football, Guillotine Leagues^TM drafters are faced with some big decisions. Marcas Grant and Tipp Major dove right into the preseason Week 3 takeaways to see if their was any impact to their draft strategies. Make sure to subscribe to the CHOP Podcast YouTube channel to catch every episode. ⤵️

Fantasy HQ Is Now Powered by Xfinity

Just in time for the 2026 season, we have launched Fantasy HQ to give you the most innovative and personalized fantasy football experience possible. And it’s all powered by Xfinity. With Fantasy HQ, you can:

• Sync your leagues

• Get fantasy draft advice

• Receive personalized head-to-head matchup info

• Enjoy the Xfinity Scoreboard

• Use the Trade Analyzer, waiver wire tool & get start/sit info

• And More!

While we can’t guarantee you a win every week, you can take advantage of what the Xfinity 5-Year Price Guarantee means for your wallet: 5 years. The same price. No contracts or commitments. Just peace of mind knowing your connection, and your cost, will go the distance. Sports can be unpredictable, but your internet price doesn’t have to be. Get a reliable price for the most reliable, fiber-powered WiFi. Only with Xfinity.

_{Restrictions apply. Select plans only. Most reliable claim based on Opensignal Awards USA: Fixed Broadband Report, May 2025: XB6+.}

Around the Watercooler

Your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

👀 Who are our expert rankers’ “My Guys”? Take this list to your draft.

💪 What to make of the QBs in fantasy this season? Nate Tice joined Matthew to talk signal-callers and more.

🔮 These players ready to boom or bust Week 1? Look at the projections.

📰 This RB will miss at least 4 games. And a top-3 WR returns to practice.

🪓 Pick from the 1.18 in a Gullotine Leagues^TM draft? Take your cuts.

↗️ A deep threat gets a new home. Gets a lift in ADP.

📋 Cooterdoodle has friends dig cheat sheets out of the trash. You won’t have to.

🍋 Join a league and get a shot to win $25K. Play Harder & it’s Free.

🤦 It will never end …Travis Hunter update from Liam Coen.

👑 Want to prove you’re the best fantasy sports player in the nation? Join the Austin Ekeler Fantasy Royale.

🦅 Zach Ertz coming back? There’s one reunion he’s open to.

🤔 Special treatment in LA? Aaron Donald update.

🗣️ Anyone named Caleb? New way to pick draft order.

Freedman’s Bold Predictions For The 2026 Season

1. Ravens Miss the Playoffs

• Odds: +305 (DraftKings)

• Implied Probability: 24.7%

Haha, just below my 25% threshold. Perfect.

I feel the need to say this: I think that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are good. Jackson could win MVP, and the Ravens could win the Super Bowl.

I could look very, very stupid (stupider than usual) with this bold call at the end of the season.

But Jackson was the highlighted player in my 2026 Freedman's Fades article, and in my best bets article I called out the Ravens' win total of under 10.5 (+125).

For better or worse (probably worse), I see some downside with the Ravens this year.

Let's start with Jackson.

He's now 29 years old. As a runner, he might be slowing down (last year he had a career-low 26.8 rushing yards per game), and his rushing ability is his true superpower. Without it, he would likely be a very different (and less effective) player.

On top of that, Jackson doesn't have the build of a typical NFL QB. With his slight frame (6-foot-2, 205 pounds), he might be more susceptible to injury, and the fact that he has missed 4+ games in three of the past five seasons doesn't suggest otherwise.

If Jackson were to slow down this year or miss more than a couple of games, the Ravens could be in trouble.

And then there's the new playcaller, OC Declan Doyle.

At 30 years old, the dude is barely older than Jackson … and he has never called plays before. What if he and Jackson don't get along? What if, in transitioning from the grizzled Todd Monken to the Backstreet Boy-looking Doyle, the star player feels he knows more than his OC and constantly feuds with him?

That might not happen, but let's not act as if it's impossible. We're entering the world of the unknown, and that's especially the case with HC Jesse Minter.

On the one hand, Minter is a well-respected defensive coach. On the other hand, he has never been an HC before.

Say whatever you want about previous HC John Harbaugh and Monken, but at least with them we know what we had. We could project with more certainty.

With Minter, Doyle, and an aging Jackson in a new offensive system, we have ample ambiguity.

Again, lots could go right with this team. In order to create our NFL Game Model (Week 1 lines are now live!) I first build baseline projections for every offense and defense, and I have the Ravens as one of just three teams to rank in the top eight on both offense and defense.

But I think those rankings are based on assumptions that should be loosely held, whereas the market is currently treating the Ravens as a locked-in Super Bowl contender.

Drafting at the 1.01 on Yahoo: What Comes Next?

We all want nice things in life. Tasty tacos on a Tuesday (or any day). A couple cold ones with close friends on a warm summer night. And occasionally to get the 1.01 in a fantasy draft. Adam Pfeifer chose to reward himself in this mock draft using the Yahoo settings on our Draft Champion.

While the 1.01 has been a great debate all summer—Can you go wrong with Bijan or Gibbs?—it’s the rest of the draft that we need to get right after that stud at the top. That’s what Adam is trying to build, using the Yahoo settings. ⤵️

It’s the Final Rankings Before Week 1

Kendall and Pete are playing the top 48 hits before Week 1 of the 2026 season. The running back hits (no misses yet). See where they have players before you step into your drafts. Make sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show YouTube channel to catch every episode. ⤵️

Watch Your Fantasy Team In Action On Fire TV

On football Sundays, isn’t it best when you can watch your fantasy players live? Josh Allen throwing and galloping his way to multiple TDs. Ja’Marr Chase taking the top off the defense on a long bomb. Jahmyr Gibbs blazing past defenders as if they’re standing still. Even better, how about watching without endless scrolling to get to the correct apps? If so, you need Fire TV. 

It organizes all your live games from your favorite teams in one place across apps, right on the home screen. No more searching. 

Find where the game’s playing and easily subscribe to that streaming service (as needed)—all from one tab on your home screen.

_{Separate subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.}

Around the Watercooler

Your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

🏈 Finally ready for REAL football. Week 3 preseason takeaways.

📰 Big update in relation to Josh Jacobs. With rising roles in fantasy football.

😎 MarShawn Lloyd getting a bigger role? Matthew has his reaction.

🔥 Have a Yahoo draft coming up? You can use our experts directly in your draft.

🔪 Can you go RB-heavy in a Guillotine Leagues^TM draft? Plenty to go around.

👀 Final look at the dynasty rankings. Right spot for Matthew Stafford?

🐏 An all-time great returns. Even bigger Super Bowl favorites?

🥶 Winter is coming. Is your fantasy team weather-proof?

💥 A big breakout is about to happen. We’ve seen it coming.

💪 Here comes the son, err, grandson/nephew. A legacy QB could be tops in next NFL Draft.

🪓 Want the best waiver wire anywhere? Try Guillotine Leagues^TM.

💸 How many wins for the Ravens? Freedman bets on that and more.

😍😡 ICYMI: Matthew’s Love/Hate sets up the season perfectly.

When Dynasty Meets Guillotine Leagues^TM

Another one of my next drafts coming up is a Guillotine League^TM with Peter Overzet. 

The format itself is a challenge (which I love), eliminating one player each week with the lowest score. 

So how do you play it? How do you survive the chopping block? Jake Trowbridge has his eye on three possible solutions:

• An undervalued WR who could "pop"

• A trustworthy RB who does nothing but touch the ball

• A TE benefitting from a terrible, no-good, very bad WR room. ⤵️

Inside Lane To Movement In The Rankings

ADJUST THE RANKS!

No, really. 

The rankings are constantly changing. And that movement can offer some sweet, sweet value in your drafts relative to ADP.

Sam Wallace has done the work for us, combing through the adjustments. He highlights some Risers and Fallers in our rankings to determine whether their new ADPs are worth it. 

• Ja'Kobi Lane +23

• Kayshon Boutte +12

• Jakobi Meyers -9

• Omar Cooper -7

Get Draft Ready This Summer

It’s summer, which means that your fantasy drafts are right around the corner. That also means some really good spreads to enjoy with your friends as you pick your teams. Before you indulge, there’s another way to get ready for those drafts.

Start losing weight the right way through Hims today. Weight-loss treatment plans through Hims now include access to FDA-approved Wegovy® pills and injections to fit your lifestyle (no insurance required)—helping users lose up to 20% of bodyweight in 1 year.* It’s convenient, legit and refreshingly simple to get started. You’ll fill out an online assessment and, if a provider determines you're eligible, receive your prescription—you’ll also get a dedicated Care Team with 24/7 messaging and personalized support to guide you through treatment plans that fit your goals.

With a Weight Loss Membership, you can get started for just $39 in your first month, then $149/month thereafter.** Whether you’re chasing better energy, more confidence, or just want to feel more in control, Hims is here to help you stick to the plan (no matter if you go Zero or Hero RB).

We’re proud to have Hims as a Fantasy Life partner. Their support keeps this newsletter free, fun and full of trade panic and waiver wire regret.

_{*Along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. In a 68-week clinical study of Wegovy®, about 1 in 3 adults with obesity or with overweight and weight-related medical problems achieved 20% weight loss. Average weight loss achieved was 15%. Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.}

_{**$149/mo price includes medication only, if prescribed. An active Hims Weight Loss Membership is required ($39 for the first month, auto-renews at $149/month thereafter). Membership is billed separately and does not include or guarantee a prescription. Medication is not available without a membership. Membership fee is not included.}

_{Not available in all 50 states. Prescription required. Weight Loss by Hims is a holistic program that includes nutrition support, technological tools, and medications prescribed based on what your provider determines is medically appropriate and necessary for you. See website for full details, important safety information, and restrictions. Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.}

Around the Watercooler

Your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

🛎️ Chris Bell has entered the building. He’s back, so keep an eye on him late in drafts.

🧐 Do the Packers have a WR1? It’s elementary that they just might.

🪓 Can dynasty and Guillotine Leagues^TM mix? You be the judge.

🏈 You can win $10,000 by joining the Fantasy Life League on Renegade. Join for free here.

1️⃣ Look ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft. Could this legacy QB be No. 1?

📋 Need the latest rankings and cheat sheets before your draft? Here you go.

🔮 Who could be tops in receiving yards in 2026? We have a longshot, and it could happen.

😴 There’s a TE who’s a great pick late in drafts. Others will sleep on him, you won’t.

🤔 Is Lamar Jackson really a buy in dynasty? Use redraft ADP to help you decide.

⚡️ This WR almost made Ride or Die. His situation is electric.

Are You Ready For Your Fantasy Draft?

It’s here. One of the busiest draft weekends of the year. Time to celebrate. Are you done? OK, time to lock in. Do you have everything ready for your draft? Just to make sure, we made a quick checklist of what you need from Fantasy Life:

• Fantasy Life Draft Guide

• Fantasy Life Rankings

• The Perfect Draft Strategy Article

• ADP

• Projections

• Draft Companion

• Cheat Sheets

• Draft Champion (Pregame help)

And when you’re done drafting, make sure to Sync Your League. Good luck!

Let’s Talk About The Weather … For Fantasy Football

Sure, it’s great to think about football right now when the weather is pretty warm and not likely to be a factor in fantasy football. But what about a few months from now, when the cold starts to creep in on the Midwest and Northeast. We have to start looking ahead to what can and will be a factor in our fantasy football decisions. Chris Allen is back as our resident weather expert, and shows us the way for what to look for when it comes to weather. ⬇️

Freedman’s Best Bets: Wet Blanket Warms Up Some

We don’t talk much betting in this space, but sometimes those rules must be bent. When Matthew Freedman puts together his 32 best bets for the coming season, it’s time to perk up and pay attention.

That’s right, the wet blanket has graced is with the calls that he’s standing behind for the coming season. And would you believe he actually took some overs? Sure enough, he placed some bets that will make you stand up and take notice. And they could have an impact on how you draft and manage your fantasy teams in the coming season.

High-Stakes Draft Overview

Who says you can’t go home again? We welcome back dear friend Ian Hartitz to chat with Dwain McFarland as they break down a high-stakes draft on RT Sports. Does it make sense to go elite TE in this format? It’s like old times as they break it down. Make sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Football is Life channel.

Stream the NFL on CBS live on Paramount+!

Paramount+ is your home to gridiron action all season long. Stream the NFL on CBS live and we’ll see you Sunday!

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

❤️ It’s Love/Hate. ICYMI, find out what Matthew’s got.

👀 Matthew also talked WRs and TEs. Watch it with a cold one.

➕ Have our rankings by your side at the draft … Sign up for FantasyLife+.

💸 Freedman’s Best Bets. He’s not a wet blanket all the time.

🤩 It’s the Perfect Draft Strategy. Updated for you.

🚑 Some news on Ashton Jeanty. On the mend.

🤔 This player could win OPOY. Don’t tell us the odds.

😴 A TE is set for a big workload early. Plus more sleepers.

💪 Some NFL prospects will be on display today. You will know this QB’s name.

⓿ It’s College Football Week 0. We have Best Bets, Bold Predictions and Parlays.

🥵 You know you want the best sweat in fantasy. Sign up for Guillotine Leagues^TM.

2️⃣ Got the 1.02? Here’s a side of Bijan.

Are You Ready For Your Fantasy Draft?

It’s here. One of the busiest draft weekends of the year. Time to celebrate. Are you done? OK, time to lock in. Do you have everything ready for your draft? Just to make sure, we made a quick checklist of what you need from Fantasy Life:

• Fantasy Life Draft Guide

• Fantasy Life Rankings

• The Perfect Draft Strategy Article

• ADP

• Projections

• Draft Companion

• Cheat Sheets

• Draft Champion (Pregame help)

And when you’re done drafting, make sure to Sync Your League. Good luck!

Preseason Week 3 Utilization Takeaways

The NFL is just teasing us with this preseason football. We can almost smell the games that are coming, but we have to wait just a bit more for the REAL DEAL. That said, there are a few things we can take away from the games they’ve been playing, as some players who are going to be fantasy football contributors did see some action in the final week of dress rehearsals. Dwain got in his preseason reps by uncovering the nuggets you need to know before draft day. ⤵️

Cupps Cupboard: Use ADP to Find Dynasty Values

Some fantasy managers keep their dynasty rosters far away from their redraft rosters, mostly because they think they’re different games. What if we told you that you can use redraft ADP to uncover some gems on the dynasty side? That’s exactly what Alex Cupps is proposing in his latest Cupps’ Cupboard. ⤵️

The Best Values At Every Position

We know that not all ADPs are created equal. Where on one site a player is a bargain, on another he could be too pricey. Kendall and Pete sift through and find the best values on the different sites. Make sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show YouTube Channel to catch every episode.

Make the Greatest Pickup

Here's a question: Which player had the greatest fantasy season ever after not even being picked in most fantasy drafts? That would probably be Arian Foster, who went from undrafted in 2010 to leading the league in rushing with 1,616 yds and 16 TDs—plus 66 receptions. He topped the 2nd-best RB by over 75 fantasy points that year. And if you picked him up on waivers, you got the best thing ever, essentially for free (OK, unless you were in a FAAB league. But don't ruin our fun analogy with your technicalities).

Well, if you missed your shot at Arian in 2010, here's a new chance to get the best thing ever, for free. We're giving away a $200 gift set of our most popular men's grooming products! All you have to do is click this link to enter. Even if you don't win the big prize, after entering you'll receive a new promo code featuring our best discount yet on premium natural hair and skin-care essentials. Or, if you don't like free stuff (or maybe you just hate Arian Foster for some reason) you can also go straight to our site to create your own set of clean, healthy products with a singular style that can only be described as Natural Class.

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

❤️🤬 A tradition like no other. Love/Hate comes to Fantasy Football Happy Hour.

😎 The Tiers all got updates: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End.

🏈 Rankings, ADP, Draft Companion … get ready for draft day and beyond with FantasyLife+.

👁️ It may be Week 0 in college football, but still a few prospects to keep an eye on.

👀 Update to the Josh Jacobs situation. Potential fantasy football fallout.

🚨 TRADE ALERT: Jonnu to Green Bay. Here’s how the dominoes fell.

🚨 TRADE ALERT x 2: Tutu returns to LAR.

🙏 FINALLY … a positive Alec Pierce update.

🚑 Big injury updates: Chase, K-9 and more.

📫 What to do in Rounds 1-5? Ideal building strategies.

😴 Using Matthew’s rankings on Sleeper. Nice advantage.

🤣 Nothing like poking fun at your leaguemates. In an article!

📈 Stock up and down on Fleaflicker. Read before you draft.

🔮 Who can reach Shaun Alexanders 28 TDs? Select group.

Update to the 2026 Perfect Draft Strategy

The beauty of fantasy football content is that quite often you get a piece that’s so all-encompassing, that it must be read before you enter the arena that is the draft room. Then the NFL happens, and it needs an update because players start moving all over draft boards for a myriad of reasons.

Dwain McFarland’s Perfect Draft Strategy piece for the coming season is one of those pieces that cannot be missed. And thankfully Dwain made a heavy update you need to see before going on the clock. ⤵️

Patrick Mahomes vs. Dak Prescott: You’re OTC

Are we sure we’re in the age that is deemphasizing the pass in the NFL? We know teams are running more, but in looking at our fantasy football rankings, all it tells us is that QB this year is DEEP. Just stay healthy, fellas!

Speaking of healthy, it sure looks like Patrick Mahomes is on his way to making a healthy return to the field on Week 1 against the Broncos after suffering a season-ending torn ACL last year. Now instead of being among the top 5 QBs in fantasy, he’s at QB15. A few spots ahead is Dak Prescott, but it’s closer than you think even though Dak has surpassed 4,400 yards in each of his last four healthy seasons. If you’re on the clock, who are you picking? ⤵️

Avoid the Chop With These Position Battles

Few things tougher than to see one of those classic Guillotine Leagues^TM sweats come down to the wire, when a player you were sure was going to get a big workload ends up flopping because his opportunities shriveled up like the witch in Wizard of Oz. Marcas Grant and Tipp Major are here to make sure you don’t melt away because you were on the wrong end of a position battle. Subscribe to the CHOP Podcast YouTube channel so you can avoid the blade.