DAVID'D DAILY DIGEST: 028-26

David's Daily Digest

September 6th 2026

Sunday Late Night Edition

Sunday Night Notes

Who you Got?

It's late Sunday night and I'm just prepping for three drafts tomorrow (should be a great day), two 12-team leagues and one 14-team. I've landed in the five spot which should afford me one common pick with all three. As I think about tomorrow, I am just sharing how I think the drafts will start and what my thoughts are.

After having completed dozens of mock drafts, I am leaning heavily on going running back first round. The wide receiver position is deeper, so I can come back and pound the position, conversely, I can do the same in reverse, targeting a wide receiver out the shoot.

What will likely be the deciding factor, how the first four picks go. There are three running backs and three receivers in the top tier spot; Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Ja'Marr Chase. I am also likely to include Jonathan Taylor making it a Magnificent 7.

Like most of the fantasy analysts, I am worried about Puka's off-field troubles and CMC's recent workload, but it would be very difficult to pass on either, but in the five spot, I really don't have to take either.

If Chase or JSN fall to five, that's where I will lean. Same with CMC, Bijan, or Gibbs (although I can't see BR or JG falling). If Taylor is sitting there with CMC and Puke, that may prove to be my dilemma; but at this top spot with these pedigrees I want certainty.

Who do I got, hard to say, but feeling like JSN, JT, or CMC in the five spot.

I'm only hours away, so I guess we'll know soon enough.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 027-26

David's Daily Digest

September 5th 2026

Saturday Afternoon Edition

Saturday Sports Page

Don't Sleep On These Dudes

I'll admit, I play Madden. I haven't played as much recently as I wish, but love the game. I don't know if the Madden curse is real, but Saquon Barkly ( ADP 13, RB7) comes off a phenominal season in 2024 (fantasy RB1), then is on the Madden cover and I'm sure like most fantasy owners he'd prefer to forget about the 2025 season, where he finished as the fantasy RB15 (fantasy points per game). Barkley is healthy to open the season and with the departure of wide receiver AJ Brown, it feels like there is less turmoil in Philly. 

Barkley and company are certainly capable of producing at a high level and with one of the top three rated offensive lines in the game (per PFF & ESPN), you have to believe there's a good chance this offense returns to form. Barkley is not coming off any type of major injury, played 16 games in 2025, and totaled 280 carries last season. There is every reason to believe he bounces back and returns to the first tier level at the position. He should be going off the board in the first round, but he's consistently slipping into the mid-second round.

Another running back that may offer more value than his current ADP is the Bears running back D'Andre Swift (ADP 47, RB20). A forgotten name and one that many expect to concede a large share of the backfield duties to his teammate, running back Kyle Monangai. Monangai (currently injured) will eventually get his share when he makes it back to the field, but while he is out swift should be able to take advantage. Over the past three seasons as the lead back, Swift has consistently finished in the Top 25, peaking last season at the fantasy RB15 (minimum 10 games played). With Monangai banged up and running behind a Top-5 rated offensive line, Swift could be a huge fantasy riser out of the gate possibly pushing toward a Top-12 position (at least until Monangai's return).

I trust my eyes more than I trust what the fantasy rumor mills are churning out lately. I watched a bit of Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ADP 123, WR46) and tight end Oronde Gadsden (ADP N/A). Last season Johnston (fantasy WR24 in 2025) was the team's top fantasy receiver leading the way with 8 touchdowns. I just don't believe he goes away and Keenan Allen's (122 targets in 2025) departure opens up a lot of room for more opportunity for Johnston, as well as Gadsden.

Last season Gadsden experienced the early-season surge, which put him on the fantasy map, but clearly playing in a Harbaugh heavy-run offense did him zero favors. The team brought in tight end David Njoku, who may appear to be a better fit for the run-first offense philosophy the team followed last season, but that was last season. This season begins the Mike McDaniel era and really like Gadsden as a late round flyer or stash. I love him in DFS for his boom/bust potential, and with McDaniel calling plays, there may be more boom.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

*ADP stats provided by Draft Sharks

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 026-26

David's Daily Digest

September 4th 2026

Friday Late-Night Edition

Friday Fantasy Fixx

My Fantasy Four

I have three more home league drafts coming up on Labor Day, so between now and then over this weekend I will be spending quite a bit of time participating in several Best Ball and a standard PPR league drafts. I want to build a sense of how players are being valued and which players others are reaching up to grab.

When I am building my fantasy team, I am always thinking about my Fantastic Four. These are the core four players, one quarterback, one running back, one wide receiver, and one tight end. My targets are not necessarily players in the top tier of each position, but those players I believe will significantly out perform ADP and finish in or near their top tiers.

Out of the shoot, at quarterback I am all-in on the Jordan Love train (ADP 153, QB20). Even before considering any of the Josh Jacobs fall-out, I just have a feeling head coach Matt LaFleur is going to let Jordan cook. We've seen what he's capable of and with Jacobs likely to miss some time, the stars may be aligning.

In the backfield, my ride-or-die dude is Omarion Hampton (ADP 16, RB10) of the Chargers. I think the Mike McDaniel influence will pay dividends for Hampton in both the ground and passing game. Last season Hampton averaged 4.4 yards per carry on 124 totes with 32 receptions for 192 receiving yards, and five scores. He fits the role of an 18-20 touch back and could easily find a path to 1,500+ scrimmage yards with 45-55 catches and 10+ scores in the McDaniel offense. That's what I am banking on.

I am planting my flag on the Broncos receiver, Courtland Sutton (ADP 71, WR30). I know they now have Jaylen Waddle, but I believe his arrival will only elevate Sutton. Waddle will take away some targets for sure, but I see his influence opening up greater opportunities for Sutton in the red zone, where he is already very effective. Courtland should still see plenty of work and could find his way to 10-12 touchdowns this season.

I like guys like Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews at tight end, but with Likely, a new team, new quarterback, I need a sample size before I am in. Andrews needs to show me he's still got something left, before I roll with him again. With that said, although he's coming off injury, I still like the Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (ADP 83, TE9). At 25, the kid still has a lot of juice left and I am excited at what we might see from the packers passing offense this season. Tucker's a keeper for me.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 025-26

David's Daily Digest

September 3rd 2026

Thursday Night Edition

Thursday's Take

Diamonds in the Rough

My first dart throw for this fantasy season is without a doubt the Broncos running back Jonah Coleman (ADP 175, RB50). Although he joins what would appear to be a crowded backfield in Denver with incumbent JK Dobbins and 2nd year back RJ Harvey, I like Coleman's chances to come out on top or at least be a consistent contributor by mid-season.

Coleman is a talented running back with strong physical traits. His last three seasons of college experience, the final two coming at the University of Washington, showcased his high productivity totaling more than 1,000 scrimmage yards in each. With notable solid pass-blocking skills and the ability to be an effective pass-catcher, Coleman clearly has a pathway to the field.

In his brief appearances in this preseason, Coleman displayed some of that low center of gravity and tremendous balance, paired with his excellent ability to break tackles that he showcased in college. Just going by the eye test, he definitely caught my eye and showed some flash that has been missing from the Broncos ground attack.

I believe Coleman possesses the talent and skill that will be hard to keep him off the field. Once on the field, his performance will keep him there. I like the pieces the team currently has in place, but Coleman feels like a difference maker and turns out the great Matthew Berry agrees with me, that Coleman will take over lead duties in the second half of the season. There should be room enough for all three to be fantasy relevant, but Coleman will be the lead horse by mid-season.

He's a must have in dynasty drafts and absolutely worth the risk in redrafts around the .

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 024-26

David's Daily Digest

September 1st 2026

Tuesday Night Edition

Tuesday Talk

Quick Takes

My drafting fingers are tingling and it's getting hot in here waiting for the big draft weekend that lies ahead. Of course we're ready, but there's still plenty more prep to be done.

As I gather my notes and take a deep look at rosters, stats, and what have you, I have a couple of quick takes as I look ahead to my upcoming drafts. I have Bills wide receiver DJ Moore (ADP 55) on my radar for the late 4th or early 5th round sweet spot. I just like his opportunity with Josh Allen throwing darts in his direction.

I am going to be putting the brakes on Bucs running back Bucky Irving (ADP 53) in this same area. I am a little salty from last season, he was a draft steal for me as my Keeper in the 22nd round, but when he ended finishing like a 22nd round fantasy draft, what a disappointment. I am hoping he can bounce back this season, but too much risk for me. If he falls a few rounds, maybe.

My last take for tonight is the Bears wide receiver Luther Burden (ADP 65), to be taken ahead of his teammate, Rome Odunze. Burden showed plenty last season to make me a believer; he started out slow last season, but flashed early in week 3 (19.8 fantsay points). But in his final (4) games he averaged nearly 7 targets per game posting 21 receptions for 324 yards receiving and a touchdown. Still overall modest numbers, just 15.0 fantasy points per game, but enough there to see the potential and upside. Burden is the pick for me.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 023-26

David's Daily Digest

August 29th 2026

Saturday Night Edition

Saturday Night Fantasy

Sports Page

The Draft Notebook: Quarterbacks

The 2026 NFL season is inching ever so close, a little less than 2 weeks before it all kickoffs on Wednesday September 8th. With the 2026 Kickoff moving closer and closer, the draft season continues to heat up more and more.

While everything starts to get exciting, for a successful draft, I get calm. The calm before the storm, where I unleash all of my fantasy football prowess and dominate. With the holiday weekend approaching and three more home leagues to draft, it's time to open the notebook and breakdown strategy.

In the opening rounds as most of us will do, we look for the best available, highest floors, with tremendous upside is what we should be targeting. When I am building my roster, I am prone to look for my quarterback and tight ends in the later rounds, but this is not written in stone. As I watch my draft progress, I am targeting top tier players to start and adapting to the flow. If some top tier talent, like tight end Trey McBride (ADP 18) falling to the 4th round, or quarterback Joe Burrow (ADP 53.0) sliding into the 8th round, I am not hesitating to take either or both. 

But if my draft follows suit, these are a handful of quarterbacks I am comfortable snagging in the later portion of the draft, after the 7th round. The first candidate is the Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ADP 91). Herbert was QB11 last season, posting 7 games with at least 18.8 fantasy points. With a new OC in Mike McDaniels, he's certainly capable of improving this season.

The next candidate on my watch list is the Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (ADP 79). Going around the 7th round, Nix is right there on the border of where I might take him. I prefer him in the 8th, but will reach in the late 7th. Nix (QB10 in 2025) is coming off a 3,911 yards passing, 25 passing touchdowns with 5 rushing touchdowns last season. If the ankle is good to go, I am good to draft Nix in the 8th.

What I definitely consider a bargain and great value this season is the Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (ADP 132). Goff finished last season as QB12, but with the weapons he has at his disposal, he clearly has a path to a Top-10 finish. Last season had some dips, but in 11 of his starts in 2025 Goff posted at least 15.2 fantasy points, including 4 games with 24.8 or more. He's a back end QB1 in 12 team formats that you can wait on.

One more notable that's not getting much ink these days is the Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ADP 98). Mahomes was the QB4 in 2025 (points per game) and while his numbers seemed down, he still performed as a Top-5 fantasy quarterback. He's coming off the boards in the 9th round and offers plenty of upside, especially with the return of Rashee Rice.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 022-26

David's Daily Digest

August 26th 2026

Wednesday Night Edition

WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER 

WRAP

DRAFT TARGETS

With the kickoff of the 2026 season now less than two weeks away, it's time to take a hard look at draft strategy and potential draft day targets to mark throughout your draft. From the 1st round of the draft, even with the last pick, you should always be looking for value to improve your team.

As I review my upcoming drafts and consider my own drafting strategy, I am going to share some of my favorite targets for the 2026 Fantasy Draft (PPR format - 12 team).

Right out of the gate, the first round is pretty straight forward. I've made it no secret that I like King (Derrick) Henry (ADP 17.5) this season, even if I am at the top or in the middle of the second round, he's my 2nd round target. Regardless of his total touches last season or over the past five season, this dude is a beast and produces.

Moving into the early mid-rounds, I am looking for a pair of Packers, wide receiver Christian Watson (ADP 58.9), followed by tight end Tuck Kraft (ADP 100.4) a little later. The timing of Kraft will depend on the league and my leaguemates tendencies, may go a round, round and a half sooner. But with Watson, I am looking to grab him as a second wide receiver in the 5th or 6th round. Although his numbers have never been historic, if he can stay healthy and give me at least 12 games this season, he can be a difference maker.

Moving along deeper into the draft, I like Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman as a huge potential sleeper this season. He's going to get play, but how much to start we'll see, but by week 8 he could have a huge role.

My breakout candidate this season is the Packers quarterback Jordan Love and I will be targeting him as a later round back up quarterback. If he hits, I'll have the capital to improve my team and be able to ride his arm into the fantasy playoffs. I am excited about what we might see and what he can do this season.

After my defense and kicker are taken, I'll survey the fantasy landscape and a name that surfaces more times than not is Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (ADP 182.3). Dulcich is a dart throw and the tail end, but I like him as a deep flyer. The Dolphins offense may only be a shell of what it was, but new quarterback Malik Willis will have to throw to someone. My Spidey-senses are telling me, Dulcich will be one of the benefactors. I think he could crack the Top-12.

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

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 tight end.

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