FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 12th, 2021
Sunday morning Edition

My Week 1 Notes

Going into this years fantasy drafts, I had a mix of strategies and philosophies, the zero RB, the balanced approach, etc., but the common denominator with all of my drafts were my mid-to-late rounds selections.

Heading into week one Sunday of the fantasy season, just a couple of hours away, these were some of my draft picks that will be in several lineups today.

RB-Javonte Williams

I waited on running backs in several of my drafts and one running back I found that I am excited about this season is the rookie, Broncos running back Javonte Williams. He impressed in the preseason and gave me reason to believe that he will at some point be the guy in Denver and Melvin Gordon could be somewhere else. I will be starting Williams, banking on his involvement and volume today; enough to be a top 20 RB in week 1.

WR-Robby Anderson
When I finally paid attention and saw the quarterback Sam Darnold and Anderson were re-united (and it feels so good) in Carolina, Robby became an instant watch list candidate. When the two played in New York together, Anderson had some big games and looked like a Top-15 WR. His production today may not reach those heights today, but he’s easily a starting flex in all formats.

WR-Chase Claypool
The Steelers pass game looks pretty formidable this season, as long as Big Ben (Roethlisberger) stays healthy. With options like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Dionte Johnson, Eric Ebron, and Claypool, the pass game should fly and Claypool is my pick for the leading receiver candidate in the steel-city. He showed some big flashes last season and with more of a normal training camp and preseason this season, he should take major steps toward being a legit WR1A/1B in Pittsburgh. 

TE-Gerald Everett
He was once touted as an up and coming receiving tight end in Los Angeles when he was drafted by the Rams. Now that he is in Seattle, he could get cooking with quarterback Russell Wilson. If you drafted your tight end late or you’re looking to stream the position, I like Everett as an option, but maybe not today against a stingy Colts D.

TE-Jared Cook
I did take my tight ends late, but one pick I am most excited about is the potential of Jared Cook in Los Angeles. With a huge endorsement from running back Austin Ekeler, I expect Cook to be a very good red-zone weapon this season, but also with his size he’s going to get some play. He’s got a favorable matchup this week and should be started in 12 teams or larger leagues.

That's my Take.

~David Ortega

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 15 Tight Ends
 
1. Travis Kelce
2. Darren Waller
3. George Kittle
4. Mark Andrews
5. TJ Hockenson
6. Kyle Pitts
7. Logan Thomas
8. Dallas Goedert
9. Robert Tonyan
10. Tyler Higbee
11. Mike Gesicki
12. Noah Fant
13. Jonnu Smith
14. Austin Hooper
15. Gerald Everett
 
Notes;
The Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce checks in as my No.7 wide receiver, haha, okay, he's not a receiver, but he sure puts up those kinds of numbers. I'm pretty sure he's the consensus number one tight end and it's not even close.
 
I'll be honest, I love Kittle, he's a great football player, and I won't go against the grain on this one, but I won't invest an early pick on him. His toughness could be a fantasy liability, but when he's on the field he plays like a beast.
 
I agree with the consensus on Kyle Pitts, simply because other than Calvin Ridley, who else is Matt Ryan going to throw to.
 
I am a little low on Tonyan, simply because one, his touchdown efficiency last season was off the charts, and two this season there could be an MVS effect in play. But we'll see.
 
Hockenson thrived at times last season with Matthew Stafford in Detroit, now that Stafford is in Los Angeles, I expect Higbee to benefit similarly.
 
I would like Fant more, but with Courtland Sutton returning, a second year Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler, just not enough balls or targets to go around.
 
That's my Take.
 
~David Ortega

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