DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 008-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 5th, 2026

Wednesday Evening Edition

Wednesday Watercooler

Over or Undervalued

Matthew Stafford (LAR) Over/Under

He led his team to another NFC Championship appearance last season and finished as the Fantasy QB3 averaging over 20 fantasy points per game. It's definitely early in the fantasy season, but Stafford is currently projecting as the fantasy QB9, coming off the boards in the front end of the 8th round (12 team leagues). Although I only project him a couple of spots higher as the QB7, this feels low for me. I'm surprised, coming off his 2025 season with a career high 46 passing touchdowns, he still has wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams lining up on the outside. Sure there's the expected regression from 46 touchdowns, but I like his chances of having another strong campaign in 2026 under head coach Sean McVay. 

Michael Wilson (ARZ) Under

He won't come off the boards as a sexy pick in this year's fantasy drafts, but the Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (Current Overall ADP 88.0 WR42 - 12 teams) could bring plenty of value. Wilson was targeted last season 126 times, turning in 78 receptions for 1,006 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. While some may expect his teammate Marvin Harrison Jr to make a greater impact in 2026, it's hard to imagine Wilson falling off too great - a mid WR3 would seem to be the comfort zone with the potential of a back-end fantasy WR2.

Christian Watson (GB) Under

A fantasy favorite of mine, Watson's current ADP is 68.1 overall (fantasy WR33) after a 2025 season where he finished as the fantasy WR19, fantasy-points-per-game. Injuries has always been the issue with this Packer, so this is probably more gut-reaction than anything else, but with Romeo Doubs off to New England and Dontayvion Wicks off to Philly, Watson has a good shot to emerge as the teams Alpha receiver; if he can stay healthy. This is a risk-reward pick, but to get Watson as a late WR3 in the 6th round, he could produce as a top-15, mid-WR2 this season.

D'Andre Swift (CHI) Over

I have Swift in my dynasty league, so I watched enough of him and then rookie running back Kyle Monangai last season to know. In 2025 Swift finished as the fantasy RB17 and Monangai the RB40 (Fpts/gm). I'm sure the popular take here is the gap is going to close for sure. It's highly ulikely Monangai's rise will greatly impact Swift's 250+ touches from last season. With this situation having all of the makings of a timeshare, I would favor Monangai as the popular choice to see more work. Swift's current ADP is 44.7 (fantasy RB21). He's more likely to finish outside the top 30 as an RB3 (12 team leagues), around the same place as Monangai (current ADP overall 99.7) or slightly behind. And yes, there seems to be some very good value with Monangai (in 9th round).

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 007-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 4th, 2026

Tuesday Evening Edition

Tuesday Talk

$Ca$h Money on $unday$

In case anyone was wondering who the Touchdown King in the NFL is, you need not look any further then the Motor City. No player has hit paydirt more often over the past four seasons, than the Lions running Jahmyr Gibbs. In that span, he's broken the plain 49 times in 49 games played; 39 rushing touchdowns with 10 receiving touchdowns.

While Gibbs is King, it's not a complete runaway. The Ravens Derrick Henry has 46 touchdowns, with Kyren Williams third posting 44 scores (in 45 games played), but take a look at number four and remember these numbers on draft day.

1. Jahmyr Gibbs - 49

2. Derrick Henry - 46

3. Kyren Williams - 44

4. Josh Allen - 42

5. Jonathan Taylor - 40

6. Christian McCaffrey - 38

7. James Cook III - 38

8. Jalen Hurts - 37

9.Josh Jacobs - 36

10.De'Von Achane - 35

11.Saquon Barkley - 34

12.Bijan Robinson - 34

13.David Montgomery - 33

14.Amon-Ra St. Brown - 33

15.Ja'Marr Chase - 32

16.Davante Adams - 30

17.Mike Evans - 27

18.Travis Etienne Jr. - 27

19.Tee Higgins - 26

20.Kareem Hunt - 25

21.Courtland Sutton - 25

The top non-running back touchdown maker is the Bills quarterback Josh Allen with 42. And these are not touchdown passes, Allen has 41 rushing and one receiving touchdown over his past four seasons, making him a legit early round selection in fantasy drafts.

One more key stat to note for a couple of running backs, McCaffrey's total come in just 37 games played, while Jonathan Taylor has posted his total in 41 games; the kind of frequency fantasy owners like to see.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 006-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 2nd, 2026

Sunday Evening Edition

BY THE NUMBERS.

2025 Target Leaders.

TIGHT ENDS

A couple of comments regarding the tight ends. Trey McBride runs away with the position with fantasy wide receiver-like numbers; catches, targets, yards, and touchdowns. McBride's current ADP is projecting as a late 3rd round fantasy draft selection.

The Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce posted his lowest numbers in receptions (76) and targets (108) since 2015. It was a down year for Kelce's quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but now entering his 14th season even if his quarterback has bounce back season, can he?

While Brock Bowers (Las Vegas) numbers were down last year due to the inconsistent play at the quarterback position, there should be a big change early this season with Kirk Cousins in town. The big question will be how long it will last, before the team turns to the rookie (Fernando Mendoza, number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft).

1. Trey McBride (ARZ) - 169

2. Kyle Pitts Sr (ATL) - 118

3. Tyler Warren (IND) - 112

4. Travis Kelce (KC) - 108

5. Harold Fannin Jr (CLE) - 107

6. Dalton Schultz (HOU) - 106

7. Jake Ferguson (DAL) - 102

8. Juwan Johnson (NO) - 102

9. Hunter Henry (NE) - 87

10.Brock Bowers (LV) - 86

11. Colston Loveland (CHI) - 82

12. Dallas Goedert (PHI) - 82

13. Cade Otton (TB) - 81

14. Chig Okonkwo (TEN) - 79

15. Evan Engram (DEN) - 76

RUNNING BACKS

It's really hard to argue against Christian McCaffrey for the top spot in  fantasy drafts when you consider his chances (129 targets) and volume numbers (413 touches), but there's no question Bijan Robinson (366 touches in 2025) is poised to make a run in 2026.

1. Christian McCaffrey (SF) - 129

2. Bijan Robinson (ATL) - 103

3. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) - 94

4. Chase Brown (CIN) - 88

5. De'Von Achane (MIA) - 85

6. Kenny Gainwell (PIT) - 85

7. Ashton Jeanty (LV) - 73

8. RJ Harvey (DEN) - 58

9. Jonathan Taylor (IND) - 55

10.Travis Etienne Jr (JAX) - 52

11. Javonte Williams (DAL) - 51

12. Tyjae Spears (TEN) - 50

13. Kyren Williams (LAR) - 50

14. Saquon Barkley (PHI) - 50

15. Rico Dowdle (CAR) - 50

16. Breece Hall (NYJ) - 48

17. Tyrone Tracy Jr (NYG) - 48

18. D'Andre Swift (CHI) - 48

19. Michael Carter (ARZ) - 45

20. Rachaad White (TB) - 45

21. Jaylen Warren (PIT) - 45

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 005-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 1st, 2026

Saturday Night Edition

BY THE NUMBERS.

2025 Target Leaders.

Wide Receivers

Targets lead to opportunities to make plays, and the Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been the reigning King of targets the past two consecutive seasons. It's had to imagine much changing this season, even when quarterback Joe Burrow went down last season, Chase's numbers held. Regardless of who is slinging it, Chase figures to be top Dawg in Cincinnati once again and maybe the league. Chase (Fantasy WR3 in 2025) is a first round lock in fantasy drafts with plenty of arguments (125 receptions-ranked 3rd, 1,412 yards receiving-ranked 4th in 2025) to support the number one pick.

The Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (Fantasy WR8) may have been the quietest 100-catch receiver in fantasy last season and with his 156 targets, he shouldn't be this season. Olave is currently projecting as a late 2nd round pick in fantasy drafts (12-Team). He played with both Tyler Shough (9 games) and Spencer Rattler (8 games) last season, so little risk here, regardless who is under center - if you can get Olave at the 2nd-3rd turn, grab him.

1. Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) - 185

2. Amon-Ra St.Brown (DET) - 172

3. Puka Nacua (LAR) - 166

4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA) - 163

5. Chris Olave (NO) - 156

6. Justin Jefferson (MIN) - 141

7. Wan'Dale Robinson (NYG) - 140

8. George Pickens (DAL) - 137

9. Emeka Egbuka (TB) - 127

10.Michael Wilson (ARZ) - 126

11. Courtland Sutton (DEN) - 124

12. Tetairoa McMillen (CAR) - 122

13. Keenan Allen (LAC) - 122

14. AJ Brown (PHI) -121

15. Nico Collins (HOU) - 120

16. Zay Flowers (BAL) - 118

17. CeeDee Lamb (DAL) - 117

18. Davante Adams (LAR) - 114

19. DeVonta Smith (PHI) - 113

20. Drake London (ATL) - 112

Rounding out the top-20, in the bottom half, the favorite to crack the top-10 has to be AJ Brown. Now in New England, Brown is the hands-down the undisputed number one receiver in Beantown. Brown arrives with his 6'1", 226-lbs frame and sure hands. Brown has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving and caught at least 7 touchdowns in each of his past four seasons, a bar he figures to easily eclipse this season, catching passes from quarterback Drake Maye. Brown is tracking around the middle of the 2nd round (as the 7/8 fantasy WR) in 12 team drafts but I am all-in to grab him at the top of the 2nd if available - I think he easily has top-5 ceiling in sight this season.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 004-26

David’s Daily Digest

July 31st, 2026

Friday Late Night Edition

Friday Night Fantasy Fixx.

At the Top of the Tiers.

It's Friday and I am just starting to build my early rankings for the Fantasy Football season (I'll have them done this weekend). As I build my rankings, there won't be too many, if any surprises as I get started.

1. QB-Josh Allen (BUF)

So there's no better place to start than at the top of the quarterback position. Surprise, surprise, well actually no, Bills quarterback Josh Allen grabs the top spot here. Allen has basically carried the Bills offense for the past several seasons (39 total touchdowns in 20250 and is poised to repeat once again. With the addition of wide receiver DJ Moore, Allen should improve 25 passing touchdowns numbers from a year ago and top 40 total this season. I'll take the over on 40.

1. RB-Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)

I've already said this and I'll say it again, Gibbs is my target in all drafts where I have a shot (top 3 draft pick). He's my clear number one this season, with Montgomery gone, Gibbs will eat. Over the last three seasons, Jahmyr Gibbs 5.3 yards per carry ranks 2nd and his 39 rushing touchdowns are second only to Derrick Henry's 44.

2. RB-Christian McCaffrey (SF)

It's hard to deny CMC's impact on the field. Not only a top ball carrier in the league, but he's got great hands out of the backfield and his volume is insane. McCaffrey's 413 touches (311 carries + 102 receptions) led all backs. He's a workhorse and enters this season healthy, I would expect the Niners to lean heavily once again. He may not hit 400 touches this season, with the return of Deebo Samuel, but he'll make a run (over/under 370).

1. WR-Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA)

I loved JSN last season and he delivered big time. The departure of DK Metcalf opened up the targets (163 career high in 2025) last season for JSN and produced career numbers across the board; 119 receptions, 163 targets, 1,793 yards receiving, 10 receiving touchdowns, 11.0 yards per target, and 15.1 yards per reception. With quarterback Sam Darnold returning under center, I like JSN's chances to repeat these numbers in 2026.

2. WR-Puka Nacua (LAR)

It's hard to deny how good Nacua really is, coming off a season where he finished as the top fantasy wide receiver. Over the past three seasons Nacua ranks 2nd in receiving yards, 3rd in receptions, and 1st in receiving yards per game among wide receivers. A career average of 20 fantasy points per game, Nacua is a first round target in all fantasy drafts with number one pick consideration, in my opinion.

1. TE-Trey McBride (ARZ)

Well the Cardinals may not be going places in 2026, but with quarterback Jacoby Brissett returning that's good news for Trey McBride fantasy owners and all those who draft him. McBride produced wide receiver-like numbers in 2025, with 126 receptions, 169 targets and 11 touchdowns (would have ranked as the fantasy WR5). Currently coming off draft boards in the late 3rd and early 4th rounds - likely to move up as the draft season heats up.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega