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

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 016-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 16th 2026

Sunday Afternoon Edition

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

When it comes to drafting my fantasy quarterback, I am of the shared opinion to wait on this position, typically looking at the 5th round or later and that would be to target the likes of Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, and in recent seasons Patrick Mahomes.

I’ll admit, I have been known to be trigger happy, jumping up the fantasy ladder and taking my quarterback a little early, but I have been snake bitten. Which is why I am scratching my head as I consider doing it again.

Last season I took my quarterback in round 4, selecting the Bengals quarterback Joe Burrows. This followed a 2024 season when he passed for 4,918 yards and tossed 43 touchdowns. 2025 was nothing like the previous season and Burrows turned into “No Go Joe.” 

In week one of the 2024 season he passed for a measly 113 yards with one touchdown pass. Now it wasn’t Burrows or his weapons that had me on edge and filled with worry last season, it was his offensive line. It looked like the men up front were trying to get him killed. Burrows was sacked 3 times in week one, twice in week two and hit so many times, I could have easily predicted what would eventually happen. Burrows 25 season was reduced to 8 games as he missed 9 games due to injury.

This season Burrow returns healthy and with his full complement of weapons. There’s no question the stars could be aligning for “Joe Cool” with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins, and running back Chase Brown helping to lead the offensive charge.

The only question that remains, can the offensive line hold up and protect their signal caller. As long as Burrow has time and stays clean, he’ll be tossing dimes or quarters all over the yard this season. In his first appearance I saw enough to give the O-line a grade of C. Not a great score, but enough to make me a believer in the upside here.

Burrow’s current ADP of 56.1 has him coming off the board in the middle of the 5th round as the fantasy QB4, behind Josh Allen, Drake Maye, and Lamar Jackson. Apparently I am not the only believer.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 015-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 15th 2026

Saturday Morning Edition

Going to the Well

There’s no question that success in Fantasy scoring requires performance, but the biggest key is opportunity. Your players can’t score if they are not in the game and they don’t perform if they are not on the field. And when they are on the field, chances are the key and volume leads to the top.

Last season there were only four players with 300 carries, but there were 10 players with over 300 touches, which includes carries and catches. This type of volume is what is needed to finish in the Top-10 fantasy scoring for running backs.

In 2025, the top eight fantasy scoring running backs (points per game) all finished with more than 300 touches and 7 of the 8 played in 17 games. Durability and availability are difference makers and this list is filled with the players that make a difference.

Last Season’s Fantasy RB12, the Cowboys running back Javonte Williams, after his strong return in 2025, looks like a good bet for a repeat in 2026. Williams is currently the fantasy RB18 coming off draft boards with an ADP of 36.8, start of the 4th round (12 team drafts).

The Bills running back James Cook (Fantasy RB6 in 2025) joined the 300 club in 2025, for the first time in his career. It’s hard to imagine seeing the Bills lean so heavily on Cook in 2026. He’ll still be the bell cow, but even with 25-30 fewer carries in 2026, he’s still Top-10 in my opinion. Cook's current ADP of 13.6 has him at the top of the 2nd round in fantasy drafts as the fantasy RB7, where he should be.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 014-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 14th, 2026

Friday Late Night Edition

Best Hands in the Biz

What to do on a Friday night, how about a deep dive into some wide receiver numbers. With all of the moves this off-season, one of the more recent that's captured some of my attention has to be the Diggs to Washington move.

Last season, with a minimum of 80 targets in 2025, no receiver was better than the Commanders Stefon Diggs (102 targets last season). His arrival to Washington, paired with a healthy (quarterback) Jayden Daniels, has his stock on the rise in my opinion.

Diggs is definitely on the back-nine in his career with recent fantasy finishes as the fantasy WR14 in 2023, WR18 in 2024, and WR25 last season. These followed three consecutive seasons finishing Top-10.

His Top-10 days may be behind him now, but with the electric Daniels slinging passes in his direction, Diggs looks like a strong candidate to finish much higher than his current ADP as the fantasy WR44 - it's still early in the draft season.

Diggs is not likely to climb higher than top 35 ADP, but  in my opinion, finishing inside the Top-30 is not out of the realm of possibility.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 013-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 13th, 2026

Thursday Evening Edition

THE KING KEEPS KRUSHING

The Ravens running back Derrick Henry may just be the exception to the rule. As most folks and every professional athlete that has ever stepped onto the gridiron know, Father Time is undefeated. 

Heading into his 11th season at the age of 32, King Henry looks to disprove the rule, at least for one more season. Henry is coming off a solid 2025 campaign where posted 1,595 yards rushing (his 3rd highest total in his career) with 16 rushing touchdowns on 307 carries.

Henry is beast, breaking through would-be tacklers and steam-rolling his way to the fantasy RB7 last season. Watching his off-season workouts, it's hard to imagine him not producing once again.

With a healthy quarterback Lamar Jackson under center this season, the King looks poised to hold onto his crown in 2026. His career yards per carry average is just a tick under 5 yards and in 2025, Henry averaged 5.2 yards per carry. In fact, his numbers show, that as the season wears the King just gets better.

Henry's current ADP (PPR 12 teams) is mid-2nd round as the RB9. On my draft board I have him up a few slots as the RB7. There are a couple of backs that may finish ahead of him overall at the end of the season, but Henry's is likely to do most of him damage heading into and throughout the fantasy playoffs - I'll pay up for that.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 012-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 11th, 2026

Tuesday Evening Edition

BACK WITH A VENGEANCE

Maybe take this one with a grain of salt, perhaps with a slice of lime and in a tall shot glass! I'm not calling a shot here, nor am I sharing any real new take here, just going on record to say I too am a Omarion Hampton "Believer."

It's just a small sample size, but enough to convince me there's something there. Last season I selected Hampton with my third pick in one of my more competitive home leagues and for the first fours weeks of the 2025 season, I thought with this pick I nailed it.

Hampton was winning the timeshare he was in with running back Najee Harris, before Harris went down in week 3. through two weeks, Hampton had earned 72% of the snap-share, by week 4 it was up to 78%.

In weeks 3 & 4, Hampton posted scores of 24.9 fantasy points with 70 yards rushing, one rushing touchdown, 6 receptions, and 59 yards receiving in week 3 (good enough for the fantasy RB4). He followed that up with 27.5 fantasy points with 128 yards on the ground, another rushing score, 5 more catches for 37 receiving yards (fantasy RB7 for week 4).

Hampton would go down in week 5 and miss the next 8 weeks. He was not quite the same in his return, but with a whole off-season to recover and a new OC (Dolphins former HC Mike McDaniel) the prospects of what he could be look limitless.

In my home league, it's a one player keeper, round protected. I went early with Hampton last season in the 3rd, and current ADP has him at the end of the 2nd round. In my opinion there's enough value there. He's a strong hold and keeper for me. I'm all-in on Hampton.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 011-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 9th, 2026

Sunday Evening Edition

BOUNCE BACK IN 26

One of the most enjoyable parts of fantasy football of course is winning, But when you get it right, that can be nearly as satisfying. It doesn't happen often, so projecting outcomes for the coming season during pre-draft, can be hit or miss. So many variables go into it, off-season changes, new personnel, different role or returning from injury, with so many obstacles, nothing is guaranteed. 

As I am prepping for my upcoming fantasy drafts, I have asterisks on the following players to make big jumps from their 2025 outcome.

In Minnesota, the Vikings acquired quarterback Kyler Murray during the offseason giving their quarterback room a significant upgrade. The improvement should have an immediate impact on wide receiver Justin Jefferson. It's been a while since Murray's had the luxury of throwing to a receiver of Jefferson's caliber, but back in 2020 during DeAndre Hopkins peak run as a pass catcher, in his first season with Arizona, he finished as the fantasy WR5 with Murray throwing his passes. 

Jefferson is more than capable of reaching that plateau and after finishing as the fantasy WR28 (minimum 10 games) last season (84 receptions, 1,048 yards receiving, and two touchdowns). JJ should be a preseason favorite to finish back in the Top-10 in 2026 with a projected outcome of over 95+ receptions, 1,250+ yards receiving, and 8+ touchdowns. 

These projected numbers would have landed him as a Top-10 receiver last season, following his previous finishes of fantasy WR4 in 2024, WR5 in 2023, WR2 in 2022, WR4 in 2021, and WR9 in 2020. He's a good bet to return to the top this season and could be Top-5 once again.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 010-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 8th, 2026

Saturday Evening Edition

WHO IS NUMBER ONE?

While my preference is to take the Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs with my number one overall pick in this year's fantasy draft; that is any draft where I have the first pick. While this may seem like sound advice, don't discount the others in the conversation.

For the most part, the Big-3 include Gibbs, Bijan Robinson (Falcons), and Christian McCaffrey (Niners), but don't forget the Colts running back Jonatha Taylor. He's coming off his best season, since his breakout campaign in 2021, when he rushed for over 1,800 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and 21.9 fantasy points per game.

Last season Taylor continued rise to the top with a 1,585 yards rushing performance with 18 rushing touchdowns, 46 receptions for another 378 yards receiving and two scores. Last season Taylor finished as the fantasy RB4, this following a 2024 campaign where he finished as the fantasy RB7.

Taylor will bring his 21.3 fantasy points per game average from 2025, to the new season, where he's got a legimate shot at finishing at the top. Taylor is a true workhorse in the Colts backfield and should be featured once again. Even if you miss out on the Big-3, Taylor is primed to make a run for the top spot and should be in the conversation.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 009-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 8th, 2026

Saturday Afternoon Edition

Saturday's "FF" Sports Page

Top Tiers

As I prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season and start considering strategies and where I want to target certain players, etc, I  continue to building my own player ranking s and tiers. I have learned and have only recently started to consider that ranking players overall or by position can often be misleading and even confusing. I realize that breaking players up in tiers will help me to identify value and keep me on track during my upcoming drafts.

What I am talking about, is the difference in scoring from one player A, to the next player B, and then to the next player C, is not always the same. Where the scoring difference from player A & B may be a fewer than a point, it won't matter which I take.

Separating tiers by position will help you stay on track when building your team through the draft, as you realize when you are looking a particular player in a particular round there are usually a group of players that will fall in that pocket - following this thinking helps me to stay on track with my picks, as I fill out each position, from running backs to wide receivers to quarterback etc.

But when I look at having a successful fantasy draft, I am of the opinion you can't lose the season on draft day, but your first several picks can certainly lay the foundation to a winning season.

So let me talk about the overall tier for this fantasy season; the 12 players that should be taken in the first round. Let's zero in on the first half of the round; the first six-seven picks starting with the running back position. In this first tier, you can switch them in and out, but Jahmyr Gibbs (21.6 fpts/game), Bijan Robinson (21.8 fpts/game), and Christian McCaffrey (24.5 fpts/game) are at the top, but one more name that should be included (in my opinion) is Jonathan Taylor (21.3 fpts/game). All four are bona fide fantasy RB1's and 20+ fantasy point per game candidates from last season. 

In this same mix at the top of the first round consider wide receivers Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Ja'Marr Chase. Each of these receivers have averaged over 135 targets per season over the past two. With their talent, skill and that kind of volume, they are embedded at the top of all fantasy drafts. Additional names bringing up the back half of the first round, you need to add are Justin Jefferson (295 targets since 2024), CeeDee Lamb (269 targets since 2024), and Amon-Ra St. Brown (313 targets since 2024). Each of these sure handed pass catchers can provide the steady performance your fantasy teams needs to compete every week. 

Additionally, since we are talking volume plus value, rounding out the first round candidates, rounding out the first round I would like to suggest Bills running back James Cook and Dolphins running De'Von Achane. I am a little down on Achane when you consider all of the off-season changes and new offense. Defenses will stack the box and holes could be hard to find this season. He'll have plenty of volume, but I don't think he'll match his numbers from last season.

Conversely, I think the Bills offense has received a nice upgrade in the passing game with wide receiver DJ Moore. With an improved passing attack, Cook should find more creases in the run game and could see more involvement in the passing game. I like Cook as a top 10 fantasy running back this season, with Top-5 upside (finished as the fantasy RB6 last season).

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 008-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 5th, 2026

Wednesday Evening Edition

Wednesday Watercooler

Over or Undervalued

Matthew Stafford (LAR) Over/Under

He led his team to another NFC Championship appearance last season and finished as the Fantasy QB3 averaging over 20 fantasy points per game. It's definitely early in the fantasy season, but Stafford is currently projecting as the fantasy QB9, coming off the boards in the front end of the 8th round (12 team leagues). Although I only project him a couple of spots higher as the QB7, this feels low for me. I'm surprised, coming off his 2025 season with a career high 46 passing touchdowns, he still has wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams lining up on the outside. Sure there's the expected regression from 46 touchdowns, but I like his chances of having another strong campaign in 2026 under head coach Sean McVay. 

Michael Wilson (ARZ) Under

He won't come off the boards as a sexy pick in this year's fantasy drafts, but the Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (Current Overall ADP 88.0 WR42 - 12 teams) could bring plenty of value. Wilson was targeted last season 126 times, turning in 78 receptions for 1,006 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. While some may expect his teammate Marvin Harrison Jr to make a greater impact in 2026, it's hard to imagine Wilson falling off too great - a mid WR3 would seem to be the comfort zone with the potential of a back-end fantasy WR2.

Christian Watson (GB) Under

A fantasy favorite of mine, Watson's current ADP is 68.1 overall (fantasy WR33) after a 2025 season where he finished as the fantasy WR19, fantasy-points-per-game. Injuries has always been the issue with this Packer, so this is probably more gut-reaction than anything else, but with Romeo Doubs off to New England and Dontayvion Wicks off to Philly, Watson has a good shot to emerge as the teams Alpha receiver; if he can stay healthy. This is a risk-reward pick, but to get Watson as a late WR3 in the 6th round, he could produce as a top-15, mid-WR2 this season.

D'Andre Swift (CHI) Over

I have Swift in my dynasty league, so I watched enough of him and then rookie running back Kyle Monangai last season to know. In 2025 Swift finished as the fantasy RB17 and Monangai the RB40 (Fpts/gm). I'm sure the popular take here is the gap is going to close for sure. It's highly ulikely Monangai's rise will greatly impact Swift's 250+ touches from last season. With this situation having all of the makings of a timeshare, I would favor Monangai as the popular choice to see more work. Swift's current ADP is 44.7 (fantasy RB21). He's more likely to finish outside the top 30 as an RB3 (12 team leagues), around the same place as Monangai (current ADP overall 99.7) or slightly behind. And yes, there seems to be some very good value with Monangai (in 9th round).

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 007-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 4th, 2026

Tuesday Evening Edition

Tuesday Talk

$Ca$h Money on $unday$

In case anyone was wondering who the Touchdown King in the NFL is, you need not look any further then the Motor City. No player has hit paydirt more often over the past four seasons, than the Lions running Jahmyr Gibbs. In that span, he's broken the plain 49 times in 49 games played; 39 rushing touchdowns with 10 receiving touchdowns.

While Gibbs is King, it's not a complete runaway. The Ravens Derrick Henry has 46 touchdowns, with Kyren Williams third posting 44 scores (in 45 games played), but take a look at number four and remember these numbers on draft day.

1. Jahmyr Gibbs - 49

2. Derrick Henry - 46

3. Kyren Williams - 44

4. Josh Allen - 42

5. Jonathan Taylor - 40

6. Christian McCaffrey - 38

7. James Cook III - 38

8. Jalen Hurts - 37

9.Josh Jacobs - 36

10.De'Von Achane - 35

11.Saquon Barkley - 34

12.Bijan Robinson - 34

13.David Montgomery - 33

14.Amon-Ra St. Brown - 33

15.Ja'Marr Chase - 32

16.Davante Adams - 30

17.Mike Evans - 27

18.Travis Etienne Jr. - 27

19.Tee Higgins - 26

20.Kareem Hunt - 25

21.Courtland Sutton - 25

The top non-running back touchdown maker is the Bills quarterback Josh Allen with 42. And these are not touchdown passes, Allen has 41 rushing and one receiving touchdown over his past four seasons, making him a legit early round selection in fantasy drafts.

One more key stat to note for a couple of running backs, McCaffrey's total come in just 37 games played, while Jonathan Taylor has posted his total in 41 games; the kind of frequency fantasy owners like to see.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 006-26

David’s Daily Digest

August 2nd, 2026

Sunday Evening Edition

BY THE NUMBERS.

2025 Target Leaders.

TIGHT ENDS

A couple of comments regarding the tight ends. Trey McBride runs away with the position with fantasy wide receiver-like numbers; catches, targets, yards, and touchdowns. McBride's current ADP is projecting as a late 3rd round fantasy draft selection.

The Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce posted his lowest numbers in receptions (76) and targets (108) since 2015. It was a down year for Kelce's quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but now entering his 14th season even if his quarterback has bounce back season, can he?

While Brock Bowers (Las Vegas) numbers were down last year due to the inconsistent play at the quarterback position, there should be a big change early this season with Kirk Cousins in town. The big question will be how long it will last, before the team turns to the rookie (Fernando Mendoza, number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft).

1. Trey McBride (ARZ) - 169

2. Kyle Pitts Sr (ATL) - 118

3. Tyler Warren (IND) - 112

4. Travis Kelce (KC) - 108

5. Harold Fannin Jr (CLE) - 107

6. Dalton Schultz (HOU) - 106

7. Jake Ferguson (DAL) - 102

8. Juwan Johnson (NO) - 102

9. Hunter Henry (NE) - 87

10.Brock Bowers (LV) - 86

11. Colston Loveland (CHI) - 82

12. Dallas Goedert (PHI) - 82

13. Cade Otton (TB) - 81

14. Chig Okonkwo (TEN) - 79

15. Evan Engram (DEN) - 76

RUNNING BACKS

It's really hard to argue against Christian McCaffrey for the top spot in  fantasy drafts when you consider his chances (129 targets) and volume numbers (413 touches), but there's no question Bijan Robinson (366 touches in 2025) is poised to make a run in 2026.

1. Christian McCaffrey (SF) - 129

2. Bijan Robinson (ATL) - 103

3. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) - 94

4. Chase Brown (CIN) - 88

5. De'Von Achane (MIA) - 85

6. Kenny Gainwell (PIT) - 85

7. Ashton Jeanty (LV) - 73

8. RJ Harvey (DEN) - 58

9. Jonathan Taylor (IND) - 55

10.Travis Etienne Jr (JAX) - 52

11. Javonte Williams (DAL) - 51

12. Tyjae Spears (TEN) - 50

13. Kyren Williams (LAR) - 50

14. Saquon Barkley (PHI) - 50

15. Rico Dowdle (CAR) - 50

16. Breece Hall (NYJ) - 48

17. Tyrone Tracy Jr (NYG) - 48

18. D'Andre Swift (CHI) - 48

19. Michael Carter (ARZ) - 45

20. Rachaad White (TB) - 45

21. Jaylen Warren (PIT) - 45

That's My Take.

~David Ortega