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

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 037-26

David's Daily Digest

September 22ND 2026

Tuesday Night Edition

WEEK 2: FOUR HORSEMEN

Before I get into Tuesday Talk and dive into waiver wire consideration and current needs for my Fantasy Teams, for the record, this was my Four Horsemen picks for Week 2.

Quarterback (Grade D)

Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers); Not the kind of revenge game we hoped for, unless you are a Browns fan. Mayfield was not good and the offense struggled early. Hopefully for Mayfield and the Bucs, better days lie ahead.

RUNNING BACK (Grade C)

Derrick Henry (Ravens); the King was not quite the dominant force he was in week one, but he did deliver a score and add three grabs for 19 yards.

WIDE RECEIVER (Grade C)

Mike Evans (Niners); his week 2 afternoon was cut short after recording three grabs for 54 yards. He'll be solid WR2 if he can stay on the field. He's likely questionable for Week 3.

TIGHT END (Grade F)

Mike Gesicki (Bengals); I bombed with this pick as Gesicki was even targeted once. Both receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were a combined 19  targets on the day. There's no question after the top two targets, the rest are just risky random plays.

Not a good ride in Week 2.

TUESDAY TALK

Week 2 was rough as I lost a couple of key receivers, DJ Moore and Puka Nacua in several lineups. My benches aren't deep, but I have players like Chris Godwin Jr, Dontayvion Wicks, or Christian Watson, and in some lineups, inserting Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman into the flex spot. Coleman's play will be dependent on the health of the other running backs.

With the receiver spot, I have elevated Christian Watson primarily as my WR2 from the flex spot. As long as he's healthy he has a tremendous ceiling with a floor that is a little risky, but as long as the Packers continue their 2 to 1 pass to run ratio I like Watson's odds. 

Needless to say with the Chargers current struggles, where I have Jordan Love as my back-up, I am elevating him in favor of Justin Herbert. I feel like McDaniel and company will get it going soon enough, but I do love Jordan at Lambeau this Thursday night.

At the tight end spot, I was fortunate enough to be aggressive in most of my drafts and took Trey McBride, but I am targeting the Rams Terrance Ferguson where he's still available. His 9 targets on Monday night indicate, he's the big target the Rams will use to help fill the void if Nacua misses more time. If Nacua is back, he may be a stash and wait-and-see candidate.

After watching all of the games on Sunday, although not quite impressed with the Eagles offense, I did take notice that Titans did create a couple of turnovers and recorded three sacks. In a few leagues I am looking for streaming options, and while I don't like to kick a guy when he's down, with Jaxson Dart sidelined last night the Giants offense really struggled. I typically don't like taking a fantasy DST on the road, but I like the Titans matchup against the Giants for Week 3 (for now).

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 036-26

David's Daily Digest

September 19th 2026

Saturday Late Night Edition

Saturday Sports Page

DFS Saturday

Week one was a brutal weekend for me in DFS, so we'll look forward to bouncing back here in week 2. There are some nice key matchups where we get back to even. Here's a quick rundown of the DSF plays for Sunday Week 2;

QBs

-Baker Mayfield (Dk Salary $5,600) the revenge tour begins versus Browns defense (ranked 28th vs QB)

-Dak Prescott (Dk Salary $6,400) should enjoy home-cooking versus Commanders (allowed 3 TD passes in week 1)

-Jayden Daniels (Dk Salary $6,300) could have a big day versus Cowboys defense (ranked 29th vs QB)

RBs

-Bijan Robinson (Dk Salary $8,200) best matchup of the week versus Panthers D (32nd vs RB)

-Christian McCaffrey (Dk Salary $8,000) Should feast on the Fins Defense (29th vs RB)

-Derrick Henry (Dk Salary $7,200) will crush the Saints Defense this week (allowed over 5 yards per carry Week 1)

-Breece Hall (Dk Salary $6,200) will be featured in run game versus Packers D (2 rushing TDS allowed in Week 1)

-Bhayshul Tuten (Dk Salary $5,600) up next Broncos D (allowed 2nd most rush yards in week 1)

-Aaron Jones (Dk Salary $5,100) with Mason OUT should be featured against Bears D (2nd most rec yards allowed to RB)

-Alvin Kamara (Dk Salary $4,600) could see plenty of work in the passing game versus the Ravens (playing from behind).

WRs

-Ja'Marr Chase (Dk Salary $7,600) the Bengals will make an effort to get him the ball after the week 1 dud.

-CeeDee Lamb (Dk Salary $7,300) should be a favorite target on Sunday against the Commanders.

-Mike Evans (Dk Salary $6,600) looked great in week 1, should keep rolling against Miami.

-Emeka Egbuka (Dk Salary $6,400) will see plenty of work against the Browns, should find the end zone.

-Tetairoa McMillan (Dk Salary $6,100) with Coker available, he should draw some attention that could open things up for McMillan.

-Drake London (Dk Salary $6,000) expect better offense this week, could get peppered.

-Luther Burden II (Dk Salary $5,700) could have similar success that Christian Watson enjoyed in week 1.

-Chris Godwin Jr (Dk Salary $5,600) love the value and should be heavily involved in the pass game.

TEs

-Colston Loveland (Dk Salary $5,000) great value and would expect a bounce back performance this week.

-Dallas Goedert (Dk Salary $4,800) strong start should continue with a good matchup against the Titans.

-Mark Andrews (Dk Salary $4,400) no Zay Flowers could lead to more targets on Sunday.

-Mike Gesicki (Dk Salary $3,600) a strong start for Gesicki and another favorable matchup could lead to more red zone work.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega