FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

 

August 27th, 2022
Saturday Afternoon Edition

2022 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

With the start of the 2022 Fantasy Season less than two weeks fantasy owners that have yet to draft or still have a few left to complete, have to be thinking about what players to take and which players to avoid.

With one draft already under my belt and another just around the corner (less than 24 hours), I am looking at my list of players to take and players to pass on. I've been mocking drafting a lot, so I think I have good sense of where some players may be early and late in drafts.

So let's start with my targets. I am currently prepping for a 12-team draft and will be picking in the 3rd slot. I've been working on a strategy out of the gate; being at the top end of the draft I am looking for running backs out of the gate. Picking 3rd, I am extremely excited about taking Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. I believe his increased involvement in the passing could pay huge dividends in PPR formats.

As I hit the mid-early rounds, I am looking at wide receivers. Right off the top of my list I am trying to get a piece of the Broncos aerial attack. With the addition of quarterback Russell Wilson, his arrival immediately elevates wideouts Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Just like Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf in Seattle were, both Sutton and Jeudy can be fantasy studs in Denver.

These are just a few twists and turns I am looking to take early in drafts, but as I progress through the mid-rounds (7-11) here are a few wideouts that I am targeting because of their potential upside. Wide receivers Christian Kirk, Allen Lazard, Kadarius Toney, and Devante Parker are all talented wideouts that could easily become the team's leading receiver and demand the lion's share of targets.

Through these same rounds, but at the front end a couple of running backs that I am eyeing for their upside potential are the Texans Dameon Pierce (starter), the Commanders Brian Robinson Jr (potential starter), and the Lions Jamaal Williams (back-up). I believe all three will have opportunities to be productive in their respective backfields and serve well as solid RB3 and/or flex plays.

There are no hot takes here, just my short list of a few targets I feel good about in 2022. Navigating a draft can be tough, so hopefully these players will provide some needed value at the right time and pay big dividends this season.

That's my take!
~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

August 25th, 2022
Thursday Night Edition

Draft Day Has Returned

With the 2022 Fantasy Football season just two weeks away from kick-off, all across the country Draft days are taking place and on the clock. Stock the fridges, pick up a fantasy magazine, and print out your cheatsheet, it's time to make a pick.

Fantasy football is a special time of the year, where excitement, anticipation, and suspense collide. I myself will be participating in at least five drafts this year, maybe six (haha), sometimes you just can't get enough. 

Draft number one has already concluded and I have a few notes to share, not exactly hot takes or golden nuggets, but a few takeaways. Draft one is considered the big league of my neighborhood leagues (I play in 5 total) and probably the most fun. It's only a 10-team, but has the most cash involved and without question has the best league chemistry; a great bunch of guys who really enjoy fantasy and talking some good old fashioned trash.

This year I drew the second slot (every year we hold a draft lottery to select your draft position - I chose two). At the top end of the draft my thinking was clear, one of the available hero running backs (Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, Najee Harris, Christian McCaffrey, and Austin Ekeler), Jonathan Taylor was a keeper held over from last season.

Here's my opinion on this group, I really don't believe there is a wrong pick here. The only one I have a slight reservation about is McCaffrey's durability, because of injuries suffered the past couple of seasons). Cook was the guy I wanted. I think his usage in the passing game will increase this season and he'll be a monster in 2022.

Some of my early targets were Keenan Allen in the 3rd (12th receiver off the board) and Darren Waller in the 4th (5th tight end selected). Allen was the best available and a back-end WR1, so I was happy with this selection. He's ceiling may be a little lower this season than in the past, but his floor is higher than most. 

A tight is not something I usually take early in drafts, but Waller fell to me in the 4th, so I grabbed him. With the arrival of Davante Adams, I think this could be a big bounce back season for Waller; reminiscence of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in Kansas City.

In 8th round after filling out my line-up with two running backs, a tight end, quarterback, and three wide receivers I selected DeAndre Hopkins; a steal if you ask me. He'll be back in week 7 and could easily finish as a top-end WR1 over the last 11 weeks of the season.

In this home league we play IDP and carry deep rosters (35 players), but only go 30 players deep on draft day, with a 25 round draft with five defensive keepers.

My two favorite picks in this draft came in 14th (Brian Robinson Jr) and 15th rounds (Davante Parker). 

After watching the Commanders first preseason game, it became clear to me Robinson has a chance to steal the starting job in the backfield. This is only a 10-team league, so in deeper 12 & 14 team leagues Robinson is going to go much earlier, as early as round 11 or 10 (in my opinion).

Parker was a late snag, my 7th receiver taken, and a receiver that I believe has top end WR2 talent, if not higher. He's a risk for sure, but as late as I took him, very little capital wagered and worth the gamble. Based on when I took him, he could very well go undrafted in 12 team leagues.

This was just a little peek into what went down in my first draft, what my thoughts were, and what the draft value was for the players I selected. Based on this first go round, there was some value left on the table, some potential gems found, but most of all a fun drafted completed.

That's my take!
~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

August 24th, 2022

Wednesday Afternoon Edition

Welcome Back to FF Thunderdome

It's been a long hiatus thanks in much part to real life happening and COIVD, but thankfully with the pandemic slowly and surely moving further away in our rearview mirror, it's that time of the year to get excited about Fantasy Football.

There's no question, COVID and RL put a damper on this fan's enthusiasm toward fantasy football the last couple of seasons, but this year in general has felt very different.

I've always been a big sports fan, but in all honesty, the effects of the pandemic have left a cloud over sports the past two years and my excitement level has been lacking. But due to the resilience of our great nation and my love for the NFL, I am back and right on time for Fantasy Football.

I'm a huge Denver Broncos fan and one of the big reasons for my growing excitement (since the springtime) has been the addition of quarterback Russell Wilson. I am not sure he will be the game changer to make the Broncos playoff contenders right away, but he definitely makes the offense significantly better and way more exciting! That alone is enough to get my engine revving.

With the prospects of an exciting NFL team to watch this season, my fantasy football barometer has been on the rise and at the time of writing this entry, it's measuring off the charts!

The 2022 Fantasy Football Season is here, the NFL kicks off in two weeks, Broncos are relevant again, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is the consensus number one fantasy draft pick, and Cooper Kupp is the number rated fantasy wide receiver to start the season, what's not to get excited about?
It's time to snap on the chin strap, lace up them cleats, and get your popcorn ready (side note - it helps to have an ice-cold beverage to wash down your popcorn), Fantasy Football is back again!

That's my take!
~David G. Ortega