DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: SATURDAY NIGHT SPORTS PAGE - 042-26

David's Daily Digest

October 3rd 2026

Saturday Evening Edition

SATURDAY NIGHT SPORTS PAGE

(Fantasy Football Edition)

WEEK 4

I mentioned earlier in the week my fondness for rolling with Jets running back Braelon Allen. The Bears defense up front is allowing the 6th highest yards per carry average through the first three weeks of the season. In a game where it looks as though Allen could be featured, he could be in line for 20+ carries and looking at hitting triple digits on the ground in this one. He's a start in all formats for me.

The Panthers are facing a Lions secondary (allow most yards receiving, receptions, and fantasy points to opposing tight ends) that has been shredded through the first three weeks of the season. With Xavier Legette (placed on IR) ruled out and Coker (Questionable) less than 100%, Waller should see plenty of opportunity Sunday night to do some damage, especially in the Red Zone.

Sleepers

This is a gut feeling based on my evaluation of the information available. Something that has been missing from the Packers passing attack, the short game. Clearly Watson and Golden are the deep threats and tight end Tucker Kraft is still shaking off some rust. With the loss of Jayden Reed (neck), wide receiver Skyy Moore (7 targets) saw his role elevated last week and he could see it expanded even more going forward. He's a speedster and could utilized in the Reed role. He's worth stashing and could be a flyer this week against the Buccaneers.

This is probably my favorite sleeper play of Week 4, Rams tight end Tyler Higbee. Perhaps not much of a sleeper, if you are awake and paying attention. With the loss of Terrence Ferguson last week, and over-shadowed by the big game turned in by Davante Adams, Higbee caught 8 passes for 62 yards and a score on 11 targets, good enough for fantasy TE6 in Week 3. Even with the return on Puka Nacua, Ferguson (placed on IR) is out and Colby Parkinson (knee/shoulder) banged up, Higbee should remain involved in the passing game

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: FANTASY FIXX - 041-26

David's Daily Digest

October 3rd 2026

Saturday Afternoon Edition

FANTASY FIXX

WEEK 4

With the Colts down a couple of receivers that include Alec Pierce and now Keenan Allen, I am inserting Josh Downs (Fantasy WR35) wherever I have him. Even before the Allen news, Downs was always a consideration for Week 4. Through the start of this season, Downs has a receiving line of 12 catches for 149 yards receiving on 20 targets over just the past two weeks. With Keenan out, we can expect similar if not more volume and production this Sunday.

Just like the situation in Indy, the Commanders receiving room is facing similar issues with starting wideout Terry McLaurin unlikely to go tomorrow in London. With T-Mac shelved, next man up, Stefon Diggs (Fantasy WR17 this season) slots in as a high-end WR3, even a low WR2. In his first three games this season, Diggs has notched 3 touchdowns, 13 grabs, on 22 targets thus far. Without T-Mac, Diggs figures to be heavily involved with a high probability of adding to his scoring total.

The Texans will be getting their number one receiver, Nico Collins back this week, which should be a huge uptick overall for the passing game. Lets not forget tight end Dalton Schultz (fantasy TE7). Collins will get his, but his influence will surely open up some opportunity for the doctor this week. Schultz stepped up huge in week 2 with Nico out, but came back to earth last week. This is a gut-call and I like Schultz to return to the TE1 conversation against the Cowboys, at least for week 4.

Another tight end pick that I am inserting where I can and play in DFS is the Seahawks AJ Barner. In 2025. Barner finished as the fantasy TE21, with a receivng line of 52-519-6 on 68 targets. He's been relatively quiet this season without his starting quarterback Sam Darnold, but did show some life last week when Darnold returned. Barner turned in a five-catch and 69 yards receiving day finishing as the fantasy TE14 for the week. His week 4 opponent Chargers have been all over the map versus the tight end. Another gut call, he was serviceable in Week 3 and I like the Darnold to Barner combination this week, especially in DFS.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY 040-36

David's Daily Digest

September 30th 2026

Wednesday Late-Night Edition

WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER

WEEK 4

Waiver Wire pickups: There's not a lot of premium choices this early in the season off the wavier wire, but two noteworthy grabs for the week 4 matchups would include running backs Braelon Allen (Jets) and Jaylen Wright (Dolphins). Allen has been relatively quiet playing behind starter Breece Hall (doubtful for week 4) through the first three weeks, but should have an opportunity this week against the Bears to make some noise and perhaps carve out a more expanded role going forward. For now Allen offers some week 4 help off the wire.

With Devon Achane shelved for the season with the ACL injury he suffered on Sunday, Wright may be the more appealing backfield option in Miami in PPR leagues. He's worth the grab and could play out as a potential flex play long term.

Another interesting play for week 4 is the Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield. While starter Puka Nacua is trending to return to week 4, this is a situation worth watching, should Nacua sit. With the loss of a couple of tight ends last week on Sunday night Mumpfield stepped up as the number two option behind Davante Adams and put up strong numbers. The Rams will be without tight Terrence Ferguson and Colby Parkinson is banged up, if Nacua sits, Konata could be a stash worth inserting this week against the Eagles (surrendered 17 catches for 196 yards receiving in week 3 to wide receivers).

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 039-26

David's Daily Digest

September 27th 2026

Sunday Morning Edition

Sunday Morning Gametime

Lineup Notes

A lot of injury updates this morning impacting a few of my lineup decisions. I am seeing on social media, Nacua doubtful for today, but this was something I have already been planning for this week. I am elevating players like Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (7 receptions, 10 targets) and Saints wideout Devaughn Vele (16 targets this season). I think both offer higher floors than most WR3/4 and flex options with their current usage rates.

I ran a lot of Jordan Love (Packers) this week, sitting Justin Herbert (Chargers) but think this could be a bounce back week for the Bolts. Where I can I am inserting Chargers, wide receiver Quentin Johnston and tight end Oronde Gadsden are high on that list. Bills defense has been shaky at best, but they haven't been asked to do much with the high powered Josh Allen. Niether Johnston (3 catches, 11 targets) or Gadsden (4 catches, 4 targets) have made much noise to this point, but the Bills defense ranks in the bottom third against both wide receivers and tight ends.

In my backfields I have managed to avoid some adversity, although most of my bench and backup running backs are currently shelved (Rico Dowdle, Jordan Mason, and Jonah Coleman) all out with injury. Names that I have in my lineups today include Quishon Judkins (great matchup today), Jadarian Price (his starting quarterback returns), and TreVeyon Henderson (hoping to see more of him this week). Judkins has yet to breakout this season, but the Panthers defense has been absolutely shredded the first two weeks allowing over 6 yards per carry and allowing a league high 173 yards per game on the ground.

In addition to the loss of Jonah Coleman (placed on IR this week) and I believed he was on the verge of emerging his way into a more prominent role, I am hopeful to see the return of Bills wide receivers DJ Moore and Keon Coleman. I probably won't run Coleman out this week, but will be interested to see how well he plays, I will insert Moore (who rarely misses time) where I can use his upside. 

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 038-26

David's Daily Digest

September 25TH 2026

Friday Night Edition

FANTASY FIXX

So let's start with this, last night was a disaster if you are a Packers fan, not so much if you are a fan of fantasy football. While there was some disappointment from the tight end spot (sorry Tucker Kraft & Kyle Pitts) we had several fantasy studs post big numbers with Bijan Robinson over 35 fantasy points and Drake London over 28 fantasy points. Even in the blowout lost, we still had strong performances from a couple of Packers receivers Christian Watson (22.6 fantasy points) and Matthew Golden (21.0 fantasy points). Despite how bad he looked even Jordan Love chipped in 18.5 fantasy points.

I am still a believer in the Packers quarterback and will have better games ahead and it seems to me that Kraft is still shaking off some of the rust. There's no question the offense has a big problem with the absence of Josh Jacobs in the running game and I don't know how they figure that out, but it feels like they may have to move on from Jacobs and find another body to fill those shoes.

Going forward, I think the Falcons have their quarterback in Michael Penix. He wasn't great, but what I saw was a player coming back from injury and immediately realizing after he threw that early pick, the game was too fast for him - he needed to get quicker. I think he made the adjustment and the 35-14 final is history. With Bijan and the Drake, Penix has the weapons he needs and if his defense can play the same on Sundays, as they did in Lambeau the Falcons could surprise this season.

FAVE FIVE

Looking ahead to the weekend, here's a snapshot of my favorite five plays for DFS, my fantasy lineups, and top performers;

Quarterback

Bryce Young (Panthers): The Panthers quarterback has been hot to start the season, averaging 324 yards passing per game and throwing a (tied for) league leading six passing touchdowns. On the road and weather not expected to be a factor, I like Bryce to continue his hot hand against a bottom third Browns defense versus the quarterback.

Running Back

Derrick Henry (Ravens): The King was held to 68 yards on the ground last week, but this week against the Cowboys (allow 6th most yards rushing per game) he gets rolling again with a big ground assault.

Wide Receiver

Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers): this would be one of my favorites stacks this weekend. I have a lot of confidence in McMillan (18 targets this season), but even more if Jalen Coker plays. The Browns are the 7th worst fantasy defense versus the wide receivers, having allowed a (tied for) league high 4 receiving touchdowns to the wideouts.

Tight End

Dalton Kincaid (Bills): It's just hard to bet against the ascending Bills right now and especially when they are facing a descending Chargers team. Kincaid is currently the number 2 fantasy tight end with 12 receptions on 14 targets (23% target share). His 225 yards receiving lead all tight ends. He's a must play and DFS value this week.

Flex

Breece Hall (Jets): the Jets will have to lean on the run game to slow this matchup down and they could find success against a Lions 23rd ranked run defense that is allowing better than 5 yards a tote. I like the prospect of Hall's volume in this one.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega