DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 021-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 24th 2026

Monday Night Edition

THE FANTASY SPORTS PAGE

Making the headlines out here in California, not only is the weather heating up (with no end in sight), so is the fantasy football draft season. It’s all the rage, at least in my circles and probably most NFL fans. Whether you play on the ESPN platform or any other sites, you are prepping mad and planning your draft strategy.

For myself and my 9 league mates, we are one down with our most competitive (deepest-35 player roster that includes IDP) and longest running draft having just completed yesterday (Sunday, 8/23). It was a marathon of a draft, but very enjoyable and filled with all of the nuances and phases of draft anxieties, highs, and lows.

The first highlight of our draft without question, was our annual spread. I am very lucky, in this league I play with a couple of armchair chefs who are pretty good. There’s nothing like endless sides (such as meatballs, queso, potato salad, chips with homemade salsa) paired with smoked brisket and whiskey flavored ribs. This graded out off the charts with an A+.

Throughout the day, the draft was filled with those moments of drafting Kenneth Walker (ADP 22.1) in the first - a small reach that could pay huge dividends, and selecting D’Andre Swift (ADP 45.8) in the 3rd round. While a 5th round pick of Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (ADP 51.9) seemed like such an early take with the 44th pick, a 5th round selection of Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan (32.6) at the end of round offered lots of value.

There were plenty of debates as we ventured deeper into the draft, with Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr (ADP 148.5) being taken with the 99th pick. But there’s always that one guy, even without the help of Autodraft he finds a way of grabbing a kicker (Brandon Aubrey in the 12th round) much earlier than the consensus. One of the biggest reach without question, but I am a homer, so don’t ask me, was the pick of Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman (ADP 155.4) with the 114th pick - I loved it and think he'll be relevant by week 6 this season.

At the conclusion of the draft, after 25 rounds of drafting we all anxiously awaited for our draft grades, as if our lives depended on it. Our reigning champion staked his claim for his run at back to back titles, coming out on top with a draft grade of A - his top pick and overall number one running back Jahmyr Gibbs and 3rd round pick tight end Brock Bowers anchored his draft. My team rated a solid B, as I found value with a 4th round selection of tight end Trey McBride and 8th round quarterback Joe Burrow.

My sleeper pick and probably the best of the draft came in the 23rd round when I took the Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich. The best thing for me with this pick, he was my backup tigh

All-in-all, when it was all said and done, this year’s draft was a great success, filled with more memorable moments, great food, and great friends. Here’s to the 2026 fantasy football season!

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 020-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 21st 2026

Friday Evening Edition

Friday’s Fantasy Fixx

It’s Draft weekend for me, well my first home league draft and the first of many. As I prepare for Sunday’s big draft I am making notes for several players I will be looking for throughout the draft (but at the right price).

In a lot of ways, your fantasy draft is just like bargain shopping. You have to know where (and when) to look for the best deals as you are building your Championship team. The early rounds should prove to be easy enough, as only the top tier talent is what is on my radar. But as I move along into the draft, past the first round, a player that I am looking at toward the back end of the 2nd or even early 3rd as my RB2, the Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (ADP 22.3). Two words say it all for me, Andy Reid. Kareem Hunt and LeSean McCoy come to mind when I think about Walker lining up in the Chiefs backfield. When Reid has a weapon, he uses it.

Next up as I move into the 4th and 5th rounds an RB3 I will be looking for is the Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr (ADP 41.2). With Saints veteran ball carrier Alvin Kamara sidelined for several weeks Etienne Jr should be able to carve out a hefty role in the offense bolstering his fantasy stock capital. The fantasy RB12 last season, Etienne’s pass catching upside (minimum of 35 receptions each of his four seasons) should help keep him deep in the RB2 conversation.

Moving right along, around the 8th and 9th rounds, it becomes time to fill your bench and one player I want in reserve is the Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (ADP 94.6). I am sold on quarterback Jordan Love this season, and one of the reasons is Reed, who enters the 26 campaign healthy. Reed missed a majority of the 25 season, but he’s a weapon that could be a difference maker on Sunday. In his first two seasons, he posted 15 or more fantasy points in 12 games. He’s a bit of a boom or bust candidate, but when he hits it can be big.

Beyond the projected starting quarterbacks in fantasy, your QB1’s, a name that has moved up my ranks is the Giants 2nd year quarterback Jaxson Dart (ADP 117.9). He finished as the fantasy QB14 having played in 14 games, but two of his included games he basically made cameo’s. In his 12 other games, Dart topped 19 fantasy points in 9 of those starts, finishing in the Top-10 in eight. Dart is coming off the board late enough to be your back-up, but may end up your starter.

Lastly, another simple conclusion based on circumstance. A healthy Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and the departure of Isaiah Likely, should open the door a little wider for Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (ADP 129.5) coming off draft boards as the fantasy TE12. It’s hard to imagine Andrews recapturing some of the magic that had him as the fantasy TE3 (in 2022), TE5 (in 2023) and TE7 (in 2024). He fell off significantly last season with an injured Jackson under center, but the lights are shining bright and all signs are pointing up here in 2026. Andrews could be a TE1, basically getting drafted in the 10 or later. He’ll be on my radar.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 019-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 19th 2026

Wednesday Evening Edition

WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER 

WRAP

DRAFT DAY TARGETS

It’s that time of the year, fantasy football season is in full swing and it’s time for me to prepare myself for my six annual home fantasy league drafts. I’ve been reading a few articles, listening to a lot of podcasts and radio shows (on Sirius) for information, as well as replaying all of the preseason games (only one week thus far) on NFL+.

It’s safe to concede, I am confused as ever, with information and stats oozing out my ears, but nonetheless I am as prepared as ever. Running backs in the early rounds, a top flight receiver and ball carrier in the early rounds. Should I look to grab a quarterback early or wait on the position and what about tight end?

I am balancing the usual dilemmas faced when draft day approaches, but I am feeling confident with my outlook. The top tier players should fall into place per normal, but as I look into the mid rounds, I am noting the players I see upside and probability.

I am eying the Bills wide receiver DJ Moore (ADP 49.8) as an early WR3 and I feel good about that, with his quarterback being Josh Allen. His ADP puts him coming off the board early in the 5th round (fantasy WR26 - flex). I am more likely to sit on him until the 6th, but if he’s my third receiver I’ll be primed to make the move.

Another wide receiver that falls into this same space will be Christian Watson (ADP 58.7). The Packers wideout is coming off the board near the end of the 5th as the fantasy WR28 (flex). If I can slot him in as my third receiver, I’ll be very happy, especially since I think he’s got Top-20 upside.

I’m going to share my homer pick here with my take on Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (ADP 63). With the arrival of Jaylen Waddle, Sutton may see a slight reduction in target share, but a significant rise in quality chances especially in the red zone. I love his skill and talent and see him as a back-end WR3/flex with upside.

I won’t wait too long reaching for the Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. I know he’s coming off an ACL injury from last season and may not be ready for week 1 (although he is trending in the right direction). I think Kraft is a legit Top-10 tight end with Top-5 upside, especially in the 2nd half of the season. If I do grab Kraft in drafts, I’ll likely back him up with some insurance (maybe Isaiah Likely or Oronde Gadsden).

One more draft day note. Another homer pick, running back Jonah Coleman(ADP 160.4); maybe, maybe not. With his current draft position of early 14th round, he definitely qualifies as a late round flyer or Dynasty stash. Even in redrafts, I am leaning toward filling the last spot on my bench with Coleman. In a very small sample size, I thought he impressed against the Falcons last week, but more than that I like the history of head coach Sean Payton - the days of Darren Sproles, Deuce McCallister, and Reggie Bush. I think the kid has a shot of working his way into the lineup.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 018-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 18th 2026

Tuesday Evening Edition

TUESDAY TALK: 

DRAFT PREP

In one of my home leagues, we have a very unique custom scoring that emphasizes the quarterback position; 1 point per rushing, receiving, and passing yard. Needless to say the quarterbacks that throw a ton for a lot of yards are at a premium.

Your Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and if he's healthy Patrick Mahomes should be at the top of our fantasy scoring this season, but a quarterback that is probably not projected to be in this bunch is on my radar. Three seasons ago, after sitting on the bench for two full seasons, the Packers quarterback Jordan Love broke out. With 32 passing touchdowns and 4,159 yards passing, Love finished as the Fantasy QB5.

Since the 2023 season, Love has not been able to recapture some of that magic, which is why I am all on-board with the Packers signal caller this season. Nagging injuries and a depleted wide receiver corp really hampered Love’s production in both 2024 and 2025.

There’s nothing special about the upcoming 2026 season, except for the fact his receivers may be entering the start of the season healthier than they’ve ever been. One key piece, who just may be the biggest is Christian Watson, who will enter the 2026 season healthy after missing 10 games last season. 

Love should also have the services of his tight end Tucker Kraft, by the start of the season. With his weapons in place and a healthy arm, the Packers field general looks poised to command his troops and maybe respark some of that 23 season magic - at least that’s what I believe.

Love’s current ADP is 143.1, coming off the board at the end of the 12th round (12-team) as a late QB2, so I won’t need to reach for him. I should be able to wait on a quarterback, grab a Jared Goff or Patrick Mahomes and back them with Love. If he hits, that will be of tremendous draft day value I can leverage during the season to improve my team.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 017-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 16th 2026

Sunday Evening Edition

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

 

DJ Has Moore

I’ve never been a big DJ Moore supporter for fantasy purposes, but I have come to recognize his talent and skill. He clearly possesses the ability to produce as a Top-10 fantasy receiver, as evident with his WR9 finish in 2023. 2025 was not the same, and Moore’s target share fell and his numbers dropped.

Last season Moore was the fantasy WR46 and clearly fell behind in the pecking order in Chicago down the stretch of last season behind 2nd year receiver Rome Odunze, rookie Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland; too many mouths to feed. I don’t believe this is the case in 2026.

Moore is in Buffalo. A new team and a helluva new quarterback. Moore will be paired with Josh Allen and I have hijacked the bandwagon and I am all-in on DJ Moore. Moore’s current ADP is 51.4 (early 5th round) coming off the board as the fantasy WR26. I will be targeting Moore and looking for him in the early 4th round. With Allen at the helm, I believe Moore easily has Top-12 upside.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega