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

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 003-26

David’s Daily Digest

July 30th, 2026

Thursday Night Edition

Old Faces in New Places.

What's the impact?

I am just getting back into the Fantasy Football groove and haven't had a lot of time lately to dig too deep into some of the off-season changes, but these are a few that happened where I see immediate impact this season.

QB-Kyler Murray (Min)...after a sub-par performance in a shortened 2025 season (Fantasy QB#22), Murray may be looking at a bounce back season under Head Coach Kevin O'Connell. But the real impact could come at the wide receiver position with Justin Jefferson (Fantasy WR#32 in 2025). With Murray under center, JJ should have no problem improving on his 11.9 fantasy points per game (1 Pt PPR) and two touchdowns from last season.

QB-Kirk Cousins (LV)...Cousins should offer some stability at QB spot, so tight end Brock Bowers (Fantasy TE# in 2025) owners can breathe a sigh of relief, but hard to say what that will look like once the Rookie steps in to take the reins.

RB-David Montgomery (HOU)...Montgomery's arrival to Houston will afford him a real opportunity to dominate the backfield touches. Without any real competition for the top spot from running backs Woody Marks or Jawhar Jordan, Montgomery looks to easily slide into mid-RB2 territory this season.

RB-Rico Dowdle (PIT)...I suspect Dowdle will split touches with Jaylen Warren, so not much change in his value, but certainly 2nd year running back Kaleb Johnson feels completely irrelevant.

RB-Kenneth Walker (KC)...his arrival in KC, paired with Head Coach Andy Reid and Walker looks like an instant Fantasy RB1, as long as he stays healthy. Walker has a history of getting dinged up, but when he's on the field he has the power and speed to not only be a dynamic runner, but a Top-10 fantasy running back.

WR-DJ Moore (BUF)...the move to Buffalo should greatly elevate Moore's fantasy value as a wide receiver one. There shouldn't be too much competition for targets in the Bills passing game, with Moore taking the top spot followed by wide receiver khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid.

WR-AJ Brown (NE)...AJ Brown really steps into this Patriots offense as the Big Dawg. Brown shouldn't have much trouble returning to a Top-10 fantasy wide receiver as quaterback Drake Maye's favorite target this season.

WR-Jaylon Waddle (MIA)...I feel like Waddle is stepping into an ideal situation. The Broncos leading receiver last season, Courtland Sutton will still be a redzone threat, but Waddle is the odds on favorite to lead the team in targets this year.

WR-Michael Pittman Jr (PIT)...I would have preferred to see Pittman remain in Indy with quarterback Daniel Jones. I'm not sure how well he'll fare lining up with DK Metcalf and having quarterback Aaron Rodgers who is entering his 22nd season slinging the rock. 

TE-Isaiah Likely (NYG)...this could be a great landing spot for Likely. With Quarterback Jaxson Dart under center and wide receiver Malik Nabers coming off injury in 2025, Likely has a chance to emerge as a viable receiving threat and Top-10 fantasy tight end.

TE-David Njoku (LAC)...Njoku is certainly a capable receiving threat, but with tight end Oronde Gadsden already in town his opportunity could be capped. Njoku offers very little value out of the gate sitting behind Lad McConkey, Quentin Johnson, Omarion Hampton, and Gadsden in the pecking order.

these are just my Fantasy Football Pre-Season Takes.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 002-26

David’s Daily Digest

July 28th, 2026

Tuesday Night Edition

My Early 2026 Fantasy Rankings

Hands down my number one, no surprise is Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He's the most explosive and dynamic back (in my opinion) in the game today. Over the past three Seasons, Gibbs has been a staple in the Top 10 fantasy running backs (including Top 3 the past two seasons) and with the departure of David Montgomery, he's set to take the top spot.

It's hard to argue Rams wideout Puka Nacua off the mantle of fantasy receivers, but I really believe it's a toss up between Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Nacua. JSN will benefit greatly with the return of Sam Darnold as his signal caller, following a season with 119 receptions for nearly 1800 yards. 

1. Jahmyr Gibbs*

2. Bijan Robinson

3. Puka Nacua

4. Christian McCaffrey

5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba*

6. Jonathan Taylor

7. De'Von Achane

8. Amon-Ra St.Brown*

9. Justin Jefferson

10. Ja'Marr Chase

11. CeeDee Lamb

12. James Cook

13. Derrick Henry*

14. Saquon Barkley

15. AJ Brown

16. Chase Brown                                                                              

17. Chris Olave

18. George Pickens

19. Kenneth Walker III

20. Josh Allen*

If JSN is not available, the next receiver to target has to be Amon-Ra St.Brown. The Sun God has only finished as a Top-5 fantasy receiver three straight seasons, averaging 117 receptions for nearly 1,400 yards, and double-digit touchdowns. He figures once again to be a major part of the Lions passing game and should put up similar Top-5 numbers.

I was watching a video a few weeks ago of Derrick Henry's training regiment and I am convinced he is part Terminator or machine. The odds are he should fall-off, but I would not bet against him. He's coming off a season where he rushed for nearly 1,600 yards with a 5.2 yards per carry average. At the moment Henry seems to be out-running Father Time and I can see another season of 280 carries for 1,400 plus yards and 12 rushing scores - numbers that should keep him Top-10.

At number 20, Josh Allen is a back-end round two pick, but one that is worthy in my opinion. Allen has finished as a Top-2 fantasy QB in five consecutive seasons as well as Top-5 overall. That type of consistent production has all of the ingredients of a winning fantasy team. Give me Josh Allen as my fantasy QB and I like my chances every week.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 001-26

David’s Daily Digest
July 27th, 2026
Monday Night Edition

The 2026 Fantasy Season is Here.

I've been playing fantasy football for over 25 years now and this time of season never gets old. It's the peak of summer and with the temperatures on the rise, the trash talking and draft day hype starts heating up just as much!

That traditional age old conversation of who's going at number one continues with names like Ja'Marr Chase, Jahmyr Gibbs, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the mix. Is a running back first the right strategy this year or is this the year that wide receivers dominate the top slots of fantasy scoring.

Last season, four of the top six fantasy scorers (FPPG) were running backs with Christian McCaffrey leading the way. The only wide receivers to finish top-10 were Nacua (#2) and Smith-Njigba (#7), standard PPR scoring according to FantasyData.

For season long numbers, Arizona Cardinal Trey McBride (#14) was the only tight end to enter the top 25; the distant number two tight end was Kyle Pitts Jr (#56).

A successful draft requires finding value wherever you can; if you took McBride early last season it probably paid huge dividends. The next three scoring tight ends, points per game had their seasons cut short due to injury. If you ignored the injury joo-joo talk surrounding McCaffrey and snagged him after Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, you made out like a bandit.

This season, Nacua and JSN should sit atop the receiver boards, returning with the same game slingers that vaulted them to the top a year ago, but Chase could be a risky bargain this season. Even with a healthy Joe Burrow (#15-fantasy QB), one has to wonder how bad will his offensive line be this season; the same one that saw Burrow go down in week 2 and only play 8 games last season.

How about under center this season, will Caleb Williams provide an encore performance to 2025 or will the league DC's use last season's film to pikc holes in his game? Can a healthy Baker Mayfield in Tampa and a healthy Lamar Jackson in Baltimore bounce back in 26? There's plenty of reason to believe so, but are names like Jaxson Dart, Justin Herbert, or even Jordan Love worth waiting on and taking later?

As you can see there is so much to dive into and plenty to talk about and were still in the month of July. Let the countdown begin and the fantasy smack talk unleashed, we're just getting started in here. It's time to hit the magazine stands, printout those cheat sheets, open a browser or two and dive into your research, the 2026 Fantasy football season is here.

That's My Take.
~David Ortega