FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

David’s Daily Digest

September 6th, 2025

Saturday Evening Edition

“THE FOUR HORSEMEN: WEEK ONE”

It’s NFL Sunday week one (only hours away) and it’s time to get it started with my Weekly Four Horsemen. These are the weekly fantasy studs I pick to outperform their weekly DFS salary (by more than 2.5 times).

QB - Baker Mayfield (TB), DK Salary $6,600

It’s a new season and another chance for “Shake-N-Bake” Baker Mayfield to get cooking once again. This weekend on the road against Atlanta should be no different for Mayfield, even without a couple of familiar targets (Chris Godwin-OUT, Jalen McMillian-IR). Mayfield will still have receivers Mike Evans, Sterling Shepard, tight end Cade Otton, and rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka to target. In two games last season against the Falcons, Mayfield averaged 25.3 (DK) fantasy points per game, with 510 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and 53 rushing yards. The Falcons defense also ranked in the bottom 3rd against opposing quarterbacks, allowing the 7th most fantasy points. 

RB - Jahmyr Gibbs (DET), DK Salary $7,700

Could 2025 be the year of Gibbs. Down the back stretch of 2024, the Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs caught lightning in bottle finishing as the fantasy RB3 from weeks 12 thru week 17. In two games last season against the Packers, Gibbs averaged nearly 17 (DK) fantasy points per game, rushing for 108 yards, collecting 7 balls for 41 yards receiving, and adding two touchdowns. Last season the Packers defense struggled against opposing running backs in the passing game, allowing the 4th most receptions and 3rd most receiving yards. I’m expecting to see a lot of Gibbs on Sunday, especially out of the backfield.

WR - Matthew Golden (GB), DK Salary $4,900

With this pick I am entering a little bit into the realm of the unknown. The Packers rookie receiver Matthew Golden put very little on tape in the preseason, but the whispers coming out of the Packers training camp have been very positive. Golden appears poised to take the lead reins in the Packers receivers room and facing a Lions defense that allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers he’s got a good shot. The Lions allowed 2nd most receptions and the most receiving yards to opposing wideouts. Golden could be fantasy gold on Sunday.

TE - Hunter Henry (NE), DK Salary $3,900

The Patriots tight end could be a steal at his current salary, especially with a home matchup against a Raiders defense that ranked 4th worst against opposing tight ends. Henry scored at least 9.4 (DK) fantasy points in 8 of his last 11 games (week 6 thru week 17). In 2024 the Raiders defense allowed the 5th most receptions and receiving yards to opposing tight ends and 10 touchdowns (2nd most). Henry is positioned to finish as a TE1 in Week 1.

That’s My Take

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

David’s Daily Digest

September 6th, 2025

Saturday Afternoon Edition

THE TAKEAWAY: THURSDAY & FRIDAY NIGHT

A couple of exciting games in the books for week one already, and plenty to talk about through the fantasy lens. These are my headlines and takes from the Thursday and Friday night games just played.

Cowboys at the Eagles

Eagles are a running team

Despite the talent out wide, the Eagles offense starts and finishes with the ground game. It’s apparent they lean heavily on the legs of quarterback Jalen Hurts (14 carries) and running back Saquon Barkley (18 carries).

Fly-Eagles-Fly, sometimes…

With so much emphasis and success with the run game, the Eagles pass game will be sporadic at times. In their week 1 win, Hurts attempted just 23 passes, while the offense totaled 38 carries.

Dak is Back

He may not be the old Dak (Prescott), but he looked like a pretty good carbon copy. Prescott was dropping dimes, but unfortunately so was his best receiver. Prescott was 21 of 34 for 188 yards, but his numbers could have been much better. Too soon to roll out, but he could enter the QB1 conversation by mid-season.

CeeDee will dominate in 25

The Cowboys wide receiver (CeeDee Lamb) looked unstoppable at times, but fortunately for the Eagles defense, Lamb was his best defender with a couple of critical drops. By the end of the night Lamb turned in 7 catches for 110 yards receiving, on 13 targets, but his night could have and should have been huge.

Cowboys run game a mirage?

The Cowboys got some decent production on the ground from running backs Javonte Williams (54 yards rushing, two touchdowns) and Miles Sanders (53 yards rushing), but you have to wonder how different it might have been had Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter not been ejected. The jury is still out on the Cowboys backfield and ground game.

Chiefs at the Chargers

Herbert cool as ice cream sherbert

The Chargers signal caller was not a name tossed around much in the preseason fantasy conversation, but after his week 1 performance, especially with his legs, he has to be part of the QB1 conversation now; 318 yards passing (three touchdown passes) and 32 yards rushing.

Hampton looks solid in debut

The Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton didn’t post week 1 numbers that jump off the page, but if you watched the game, he had some very nice runs inside. His totals were skewed with several no gains and loss of yards down the stretch as the Chargers tried to shorten the game with the lead. He looks the part of a solid fantasy RB2.

The Old man finds the fountain again

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen may be back, but Friday night he looked as if he never left. The savvy veteran receiver found ways to get open, on his way to a 7 catch, for 68 yards receiving with a score night. 

Quentin is in, the fun shall begin

The Chargers passing game highlighted the teams success on offense and Quentin Johnson Jr led the way, snagging 5 balls, for 79 yards receiving, and two scores on 7 targets. He was kind of the forgotten man clearing concussion protocol this week, but I’m sure every fantasy manager will remember his name on Waiver wire day ahead of week 2.

McConkey part of the Three Amigos

You could say, Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey is the gringo amigo in the trio of Johnson, Allen, and McConkey. This may be a bit of an over-reaction, but all Three Amigos appear to be fantasy relevant after Friday night’s performance. McConkey was second on the team with 9 targets, one behind Allen (10), and two ahead of Johnson (7). With this share size (26%), McConkey is locked in as a solid fantasy WR2 in PPR.

Hollywood Shines in Brazil

With the absence of Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice and 2nd year wideout Xavier Worthy exiting early in the Friday night contest, the door was wide open for Marquise Brown to walk through, which is what he did. With 10 receptions, for 99 yards receiving on 16 targets, Brown led all Chiefs pass catchers in both categories; JuJu Smith-Schuster was next with 5 targets. Brown’s stock is on a mad rise and for the time being should continue, but only time will tell when Rice and Worthy return. For the moment, Brown appears locked in as the Chiefs number one.

Kelce remains a TE1

This should have been a quiet game for Kelce, but a 4th quarter 37-yard touchdown reception preserved his night. As long as his quarterback is Patrick Mahomes, Kelce always has a chance to score and should be considered a low-end TE1.

JuJu shows up for Chiefs

We haven’t really heard his name much since he joined the Chiefs, but a trip to Brazil may be just what JuJu Smith-Schuster needed to remind everyone who he is. The Chiefs receiver contributed a decent effort posting 5 catches for 55 yards receiving. If Xavier Worthy (shoulder) misses any extended time, Smith-Schuster could return to fantasy relevance in the short term.

Mr.Mahomes shows his legs in week 1

The Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 258 yards and a score in Friday night’s loss to the Chargers. It’s the 7th game in his last 8 starts that he has not reached 300 yards in the air, but his use of his legs (57 yards rushing with a touchdown) adds another dimension to his arsenal that will keep him in the fantasy QB1 tier. 

That’s My Take

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAIVD'S DAILY DIGEST

David’s Daily Digest
September, 3rd, 2025
Wednesday Night Edition

Watercooler Wednesday

NFL WEEK ONE IS HERE

We are less than 24 hours from the NFL officially kicking off the 2025 season, with the Thursday Night Game, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. As I count down to kickoff, I just completed my 3rd Best Ball draft on the Underdog site. Best Ball is a different beast with the 20 second clock, but can hardly get enough. I may squeeze one more in before kickoff.

Much like any draft, you’re trying to build depth, but the interesting difference is the deeper bench. Players that came to mind tonight, looking ahead to the 2025 season, I found that I really like CJ Stroud to bounce back this season.

With a backfield in flux (no Joe Mixon to start the season), I can see the offense leaning on the pass early. Wide receiver Nico Collins will figure big, but look for tight end Dalton Shultz to be a sneaky sleeper early in the season, as the Texans youthful receiving group find their football sea legs.

That’s My take for Watercooler Wednesday.
~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

David’s Daily Digest

August 31st, 2025

Sunday Evening Edition

DRAFT WEEKEND DAY PREP

It’s the final weekend, in fact we are down to the last day (of the weekend) before NFL opening weekend and the kickoff of the 2025 Fantasy Football Season. The season will officially kickoff on Thursday night September 4th, so the clock is ticking, time to get your notes in order, your prep wrapped up, and your strategy perfected for the biggest Draft weekend Day on the calendar.

Thus far I have participated in one Dynasty draft, two home leagues (deep roster) drafts, (7) NFL & ESPN fantasy leagues and an Auction draft. And what I have learned is that I am all over the place. Trying to build the perfect roster is no easy task, and it’s also built on a lot of personal preference.

With a couple of home league drafts scheduled for Monday, as I prep for these remaining drafts, here are some of my draft targets;

At the top of my list in the early rounds I am fixed on running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Fantasy RB1 from weeks 13 thru 18 in 2024), wide receiver Drake London (Fantasy WR2 from weeks 16 thru 18 in 2024), and quarterback Joe Burrow (Fantasy QB4 from weeks 11 thru 18 in 2024).

In the latter half of the draft I am looking for value in players like the Jets 2nd year running back Braelon Allen (opportunity in a new offense), the Packers 3rd year tight end Tucker Kraft (7 receiving touchdowns in 2024), and Packers quarterback Jordan Love (could be a bounce back in his third full season as the starter).

My 2025 draft darling, if I have one, has to be Broncos tight end Evan Engram. A sure-handed receiving option for the Broncos 2nd year quarterback (Bo Nix) who should have a rather safe floor for fantasy managers. With very little competition for targets, he’s poised to command a large share and could finish top-5. Just two seasons ago Engram was the fantasy TE4, finishing with 114 receptions on 143 targets, something he has a shot at coming close to this season. His current ADP (8.09) has him coming off the boards around the 8th round as the fantasy TE9. 

That late in the draft with his upside, I love the set up and his value.

That’s My Take.

~David G. Ortega