DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 031-26

David's Daily Digest

September 12th 2026

Saturday Night Edition

Saturday Sports Page

DFS Saturday

It's Saturday night week one of the NFL. Tomorrow is a full slate and it's DFS Saturday Night, time to build my lineups. With 13 games scheduled, there are plenty of plays to be made, and key matchups to exploit.

Let's start at the top with the Quarterback's room and these week one studs. Tomorrow's week one favorites of mine include Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (DK salary $6,600), the Bengals Joe Burrow (DK salary $6,900), and the Chargers Justin Herbert (DK salary $6,100). 

Hurts is at home against one of the worst fantasy defense versus opposing quarterbacks in 2025. With home-cooking on the menu, I expect a big performance from the Eagles passer. In his last two full starts against Washington, Hurts has averaged 19.1 fantasy points. 

Burrow is healthy and if his line can keep him upright, he should be a solid QB1 this week against the Buccaneers defense (ranked 31st versus opposing quarterbacks). Herbert in a new offense, at home this Sunday has an ideal matchup against the Cardinals 19th ranked fantasy defense versus opposing quarterbacks. I am expecting the McDaniel (Chargers new OC) influence to produce right away. At his low salary, Herbert has to be a DK favorite tomorrow.

Now looking into the backfield, the top plays that have my list include the Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (DK salary $6,900), the Bears D'Andre Swift (DK salary $6,100), and the Buccaneers Kenny Gainwell (DK salary $5,200). 

Starting with Barkley, after a subpar (by his standards) 2025, I expect Barkley to bounce back in 2026. Barkley has owned Washington in his last three starts averaging 140 yards rushing, 27.0 fantasy points per game, with 5 rushing touchdowns - he's a must play. 

Swift looks set for his usual workload and facing a Panthers defense that allowed the 8th most rushing yards and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025, he figures to be a solid option on Sunday. The Bengals 2025 fantasy defense (ranked last versus opposing running backs) allowed nearly 5 receptions per game, expect a lot of Gainwell tomorrow.

A quick look at the wide receivers and tight ends;

WRs

-Chris Olave, Saints (Dk Salary $6,700) versus Lions defense (31st vs WRs)

-Zay Flowers, Ravens (DK salary $6,400) versus Colts defense (30th vs WRs)

-Garrett Wilson, Jets (DK salary $5,800) versus Titans defense (4th most rec yds allowed)

TEs

-Dallas Goedert, Eagles (DK salary $4,100) versus Commanders defense (28th vs TEs)

-Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers (DK salary $3,500) versus Cards defense (25th vs TEs)

-Colston Loveland, Bears (DK salary $5,300) versus Panthers defense (3rd most yds/rec allowed0

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 030-26

David's Daily Digest
September 11th 2026
Friday Late Night Edition

FRIDAY FANTASY FIXX

Before I get into it tonight, it's been a helluva week. Real life has kept me on my toes, pretty busy all week. And then you think about today. September 11, 9/11.

25 years ago today, so much changed in an instant. I don't think I could do this moment any justice trying offer my own perspective. I wasn't in New York at the time, Pennsylvania, or DC. Like so many across the country, I witnessed this event from a distance, by radio and television.

What I will say, never have so many of us, owed so much, to so many. On 9/11, 2001, in the face of great tragedy and loss, so many shined bright and lifted so many of us with the acts of courage, heroism, and sacrifice. We didn't need to wait days or weeks for the reports to tell us, what most of saw on that day. Where most of us would be running out, we saw so many of New York's finest running in. 

In the wake that followed, the stories of heroism that I would learn about are what I carry with me each day. They were examples of a human spirit I can only aspire to be and a sample of what makes this American nation so great. I remember at that time, that it was sports that lifted this nation in a time of sorrow and helped carry through its most vulnerable time.
While we remember those that were lost, we carry those memories of them with us and those memories of them when we shared moments rooting for our favorite teams and players. Fantasy Football was still a child at that time, but we can still carry that same spirit and childhood joy, we shared back then today.

FAVE FIVE

With week 1 of the NFL under way, what favorite fantasy players will you be cheering for this weekend?

Under center, I can't get away from Chargers Justin Herbert (ESPN QB4 this week). I have a few shares of him in redraft leagues, liking his overall perspective for the season. Herbert is home this week to face a Cardinals defense that was middle of the pack versus quarterbacks in 2025. The big difference this Sunday could be the McDaniel factor; Herbert's a favorite play of mine this week.

In the backfield, I am on board with the Texans running back David Montgomery (Low-end RB ranked this week). This week Montgomery has a shot a defense that allowed 5.0 yards per carry and one rushing touchdown per game in 2025. This feels like a Montgomery touchdown week with 16+ touches. He's a solid DFS play this week.

Lining out wide in week 1, my favorite receiver is the Sun-God from Detroit, Amon-Ra St. Brown (ESPN WR4 this week). ASB was targeted 172 times in 2025, 2nd most in the league. While the Saints played solid versus wide receivers last season, ASB is no ordinary wide receiver. It will be a tough matchup, but I expect him to be heavily involved in the passing game adding a score to his 2026 resume.

My favorite tight end for week 1, the Ravens Mark Andrews (ESPN TE7 this week). Andrews faces a Colts team that was 5th worst against tight ends (fantasy scoring) in 2025. Andrews kind of fell of the radar in 2025, but I think he's primed to find his way back to Top-10 status or higher with a healthy quarterback (Lamar Jackson). He'll be in a few DFS linesups this week.

For my 5th favorite in week one, heading back to flex in the backfield with the Bears running back D'Andre Swift (ESPN RB27 this week). Swift faces a Panthers defense that was 8th worst (fantasy scoring) versus the running back in 2025. Even with running back Kyle Monangai available, Swift should be a solid flex in week 1.

That's My Take
~David G. Ortega

DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST: 029-26

David's Daily Digest

September 8th 2026

Tuesday Late Night Edition

TUESDAY TALK

My Best Draft

So my drafts are done! So how did I do? Honestly I think I am all over the map. I did target a number of players, so you'll see them sprinkled throughout my 19 fantasy leagues (4 Best Ball, 13 redraft, 1 Auction, and 1 Dynasty).

In a nutshell, I am not too high or too low on any of my drafts. Each team is balanced but lets take a walk through some and look at some of the highlights.

When I could I followed typical form at the top of the 1st round and took Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan in a couple of my drafts. I even paid up for both in my Auction; that league should be interesting to follow. With Gibbs and Robinson as my anchors, I surrounded them with quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receivers DJ Moore, Christian Watson, and tight end Tucker Kraft.

Players like wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Christian Watson, tight ends Trey McBride, Tucker Kraft, running back Derrick Henry, and quarterback Jordan Love highlight the majority of my teams. These are players I am excited about and confident will perform well this season.

My best draft included Keeping Omarion Hampton in the 3rd round, pairing him with running back Derrick Henry, to go along with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (1st round pick), tight end Trey McBride (4th round pick), wide receiver Courtland Sutton (7th round pick) and anchored with quarterback Joe Burrow (8th round pick). I have a lot of confidence with this team.

It's going to be a fun season, better get my popcorn ready!

That's My Take

~David G. Ortega

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