FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

 
September 9th, 2021
Thursday Afternoon Edition

 

My Pre-season Rankings

 
I am not usually big on doing rankings before the season, but I have on occasion
shared my opinion. These are my rankings heading into the 2021 campaign. I've
added a few notes to support my thinking with some of my picks (which don't
differ much from the consensus);

 

Top 25 Wide Receivers

 
1. Stefon Diggs
2. Davante Adams
3. Tyreek Hill
4. DeAndre hopkins
5.DK Metcalf
6. AJ Brown
7.Calvin Ridley
8.CeeDee Lamb
9.Justin Jefferson
10.Keenan Allen
11.Allen Robinson
12.Terry McLaurin
13.Chris Godwin
14.Amari Cooper
15.Mike Evans
16.Julio Jones
17.Robert Woods
18.Brandon Aiyuk
19.DJ Moore
20.Adam Thielen
21.Tyler Lockett
22.Cooper Kupp
23.Chase Claypool
24.Diontae Johnson
25.Robby Anderson
 
Notes;
My number three ranking of The Freak is no knock on him, he's a beast and a
world talent, but he'll compete with Kelce and Mahomes ability to spread the
ball around. In Green Bay and Buffalo, both Adams and Diggs will be target
monsters.
 
This season, Russell Wilson cooks and Metcalf's rise begins. He's a beast with super
strength and speed and will be an absolute nightmare for opposing secondary's.
 
I am also high on AJ this season. With a legit number two receiver in Julio Jones on
the field, Brown is going to feast and have a big year.
 
With either Andy Dalton or Justin Fields under center, I am expecting A-Rob (Allen
Robinson) to be peppered with targets every Sunday.
 
I am actually project Claypool a bit higher this season than his pre-season No.23
rank, and believe he'll emerge as Big Ben's number one target this season.
 
Similarly, in Carolina, Robby Anderson will be re-uniting with QB Sam Darnold this season
and could challenge (DJ) Moore, for the number one target share.
 
That's my Take.
 
~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

 
September 8th, 2021
Wednesday Night Late-Edition

 

My Pre-season Rankings

 
I am not usually big on doing rankings before the season, but I have on occasion shared my opinion. These are my rankings heading into the 2021 campaign. I've added a few notes to support my thinking with some of my picks (which don't differ much from the consensus);
 

Top 25 Running backs
 
1. Christian McCaffrey
2. Dalvin Cook
3. Derrick Henry
4. Saquan Barkley
5. Ezekiel Elliott
6. Alvin Kamara
7. Nick Chubb
8. Aaron Jones
9. Jonathan Taylor
10. Antonio Gibson
11. Austin Ekeler
12. Najee harris
13. Joe Mixon
14. Chris Carson
15. Clyde Edwards-Helaire
16. David Montgomery
17. James Robinson
18. D'Andre Swift
19. Josh Jacobs
20. Miles Sanders
21. Gus Edwards
22. Kareem Hunt
23. Mike Davis
24. Darrell Henderson
25. Myles Gaskin
 
Notes; I have been listening to some of the experts and I agree with one Mike Clay (ESPN), I think Barkley has too much talent. He may start slow this season, but it's not how you start, but how you finish.
 
Last season, Aaron Jones was set free somewhat, so as long as he remains free this season he could finish inside the top five again. 
 
I am primarily a PPR fantasy player, so with that in mind, I am a big Austin Ekeler fan this season. With his 2nd year QB, Ekeler might be on his way to a top-10 finish.
 
I dropped Darrell Henderson a few slots, but the presence of Sony Michel in town has me watching the Rams backfield. It may be more a committee with Michel getting more early down work and goal line opportunities.
 
That's my Take.
 
~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 8th, 2021
Wednesday Night Late-Edition

 

My Pre-season Rankings

 
I am not usually big on doing rankings before the season, but I have on occasion shared my opinion. These are my rankings heading into the 2021 campaign. I've added a few notes to support my thinking with some of my picks (which don't differ much from the consensus);

 

Top 15 Quarterbacks
 
1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Josh Allen
3. Kyler Murray
4. Lamar Jackson
5. Dak Prescott
6. Russell Wilson
7. Aaron Rodgers
8. Tom Brady
9. Justin Herbert
10. Matthew Stafford
11. Ryan Tannehill
12. Joe Burrow
13. Jalen Hurts
14. Matt Ryan
15. Kirk Cousins
 
Notes; I may be buying heavily into the Josh Allen hype-train, but it's easy to do when he has a top 3 (potentially top 1) wide receiver in Stefon Diggs. Allen has the arm and talent to supplant Mahomes as the number one QB.
 
I also watched a lot of Hard-Knocks this preseason, so I am a believer in a healthy Dak (Prescott). The Cowboys should be involved in a lot of shoot-outs this season, especially tomorrow night against the Bucs.
 
I like Joe Burrow as a starting QB in 12 team leagues, as long as he is healthy to start the season, he's got the talent and has some potentially good hands people to throw to.
 
That's my Take.
 
~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 2nd, 2021

Thursday Late-Night Edition

 

Draft Day has Returned: Are You Ready?

 

With the return of the annual Fantasy Football Season, we welcome back one of the most celebrated days of the calendar year; Draft day!
 
It’s a unique time of strong brotherhood, where the bond of gamesmanship and the love of the game bring men, women, boys, girls, cats & dogs, and fans of the NFL together for a few hours of trash talk, heartbreak, elation, and misery. I am talking about the beloved annual fantasy draft, an event unlike any other. 
 
The draft day extravaganza is one event that can take your joys and celebrations to the highest of heights and one that can suck every inch of the very life out of your soul with every selection that is made and those that are not made.
 
But before the drama, laughs, or any trash talking can begin, the dedicated fantasy league commissioner and his fellow owners must plan for the day of perfection and greatness. It all starts with the perfect venue; any place the wives, significant others, or distinguished partners will allow. Let’s face it, your backyard or garage will suit as long as you have adequate lighting. Dedicated fans know, nothing will stand in the way of your fantasy draft, except for maybe a few little scheduling conflicts, but where there is a will, there will be a draft.
 
Once you have hammered down the date, time, and place, it’s game on and time to do this thing!
 
The key to a successful and memorable draft day is simple; you must show up prepared. The planning is key, but preparation and supplies are essential. The fantasy owner should plan for  plenty of hydration; a large variety is always a winner!

You can also never go wrong with a nice cold beverage; wink, wink.
 
With your supply cabinet heavily stocked for the day’s event, it helps to plan for some great snacks and dishes.

 
Google can be a helpful tool for Draft day recipes or the phone number to your local pizza joint, but if you have the courage, homemade dishes work just as well.

 

Forget your fantasy magazine, the latest expert advice from your favorite fantasy football podcast, if you want the perfect draft on Draft Day, just make sure you have the coldest beers in town. As long as the beer is cold, you have already won.

 
That’s just my take.
 
 
~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

August 31st, 2021
Tuesday Late Night Edition

FANTASY FOOTBALL IS BACK!!

Welcome Back!

It’s Fantasy Football Season once again, the 2021 version.
These are without question strange and in some cases for some difficult times, but hopefully with the return of the NFL and fantasy football, fans can experience a little more normalcy that has been missing for most for the past year and a half.

We are entering our second season during the ongoing pandemic, but I am looking forward to this being a great season, with a lot more football this season, 18 weeks worth!

With the added week of football, what’s the plan, what’s the strategy?
Mine is simple, take lots of notes, do my research, and get ready for the best year of fantasy football yet.

I am totally buying into this new age of quarterbacks, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes with uber talent, the super athletic Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray, and the rising stars Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow.

This year's rookie class is also one I am excited about, not only because of their potential, but their immediate impact; Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, and Zach Wilson. I haven’t even mentioned Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, or Tom Brady and what their seasons might look like.

With so much talent at the position, I like the depth at quarterback for one QB Leagues, so per usual I won’t be chasing any in the early rounds.

It’s going to be a great season and could be one for the ages; so are you ready for some football?

Welcome back Fantasy football Season, time to get your popcorn ready!

~David Ortega