FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

August 24th, 2022

Wednesday Afternoon Edition

Welcome Back to FF Thunderdome

It's been a long hiatus thanks in much part to real life happening and COIVD, but thankfully with the pandemic slowly and surely moving further away in our rearview mirror, it's that time of the year to get excited about Fantasy Football.

There's no question, COVID and RL put a damper on this fan's enthusiasm toward fantasy football the last couple of seasons, but this year in general has felt very different.

I've always been a big sports fan, but in all honesty, the effects of the pandemic have left a cloud over sports the past two years and my excitement level has been lacking. But due to the resilience of our great nation and my love for the NFL, I am back and right on time for Fantasy Football.

I'm a huge Denver Broncos fan and one of the big reasons for my growing excitement (since the springtime) has been the addition of quarterback Russell Wilson. I am not sure he will be the game changer to make the Broncos playoff contenders right away, but he definitely makes the offense significantly better and way more exciting! That alone is enough to get my engine revving.

With the prospects of an exciting NFL team to watch this season, my fantasy football barometer has been on the rise and at the time of writing this entry, it's measuring off the charts!

The 2022 Fantasy Football Season is here, the NFL kicks off in two weeks, Broncos are relevant again, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is the consensus number one fantasy draft pick, and Cooper Kupp is the number rated fantasy wide receiver to start the season, what's not to get excited about?
It's time to snap on the chin strap, lace up them cleats, and get your popcorn ready (side note - it helps to have an ice-cold beverage to wash down your popcorn), Fantasy Football is back again!

That's my take!
~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 2nd, 2021
Saturday Late-Evening Edition

 

Week 4 Quick Takes

 

So after three weeks, the sample size gets bigger, but the fantasy waters get murkier, or so as they say. It seems the injury bug is making its rounds this week, but I believe we can still navigate our way through to a successful week four. And I’d say the best place to start is under center.
 
QB-Sam Darnold
The Panthers quarterback has been steady, but not spectacular this season, while leading his team to a 3-0 record. Darnold is completing 68% of his passes while averaging nearly 300-yards per game. But in three games he has just three touchdown passes. Against a Cowboys secondary that has allowed 7 passing touchdowns this season (tied for 3rd most), I expect Darnold to ring up a couple or three on Sunday.
 
QB-Taylor Heinicke
He’s not a popular name or trend and very likely undrafted in most fantasy leagues, but this could be a good week to play Taylor Heinicke in DFS. The Washington Football Team has a favorable matchup this Sunday and Heinicke will be throwing against a Falcons defense that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Sounds like a good day coming for Heinicke. 
 
RB-Miles Sanders
The Eagles running back (fantasy RB30 this season) is coming off a two-carry outing in week 3 for 27 yards. On the season Sanders has rushed for 156 yards while averaging better than 5 yards per tote. The Chiefs defense has allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing running backs, while surrendering better than 5 yards a clip. I am looking for Sanders to have a solid day and touch pay dirt at least once.
 
WR-Robby Anderson
Panthers quarterback (Darnold) and Anderson had great chemistry during their tenure with the Jets, reunited this season in Carolina, it’s been slow treading for the first three weeks. The Cowboys secondary allows the 7th most receiving yards to wide receivers. I believe this is a primed get right game for Anderson.
 
WR-Christian Kirk
The Cardinals 4th year wideout has been solid this season (as of 10/2, fantasy WR17), leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and 2nd in touchdowns with 2. If he’s not in your starting lineup, get him in it. Heading into Sunday, he’ll line up against a Rams defense that has allowed the 3rd most receptions and 9th most receiving yards to opposing wide receivers. Just a few seasons ago, Kirk was supposed to be the new guy, but with all the noise of DeAndre Hopkins' arrival, the AJ Green signing this offseason, and the Rondale Moore drafting, I guess Kirk has been forgotten. The Cardinals leading receiver will remind everyone on Sunday, why he should not be forgotten.
 
That's my Take.
 
~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 24th, 2021
Saturday Late-Evening Edition

Week 3 Quick Takes

Fantasy Football is a tricky game, one filled with many trends, and while the sample size this season is still not very big, it’s only been two games. Two game is small, but t is enough to draw some early conclusions, but nothing we would etch in stone. So let’s start…..

The Bills Offense
Even with quarterback Josh Allen the currently ranked QB19 in fantasy scoring thus far and wide receiver Stefon Diggs ranked WR24, both far below the heavy draft investment fantasy owners surely made, it’s too early to panic. This is the week; at home both will get right against the Washington Football Team. The Washington Team allows the 7th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and the 7th most completions to opposing quarterbacks. Yup, the Bills offense gets healthy on Sunday.

The LA Chargers Offense
I just like the Chargers offense this season. With wide receiver Keenan Allen, possibly a top 5 receiver on the gridiron and in fantasy, wide receiver Mike Williams, this year’s best bet for breakout receiver (well in my book anyway), and the addition of tight end Jared Cook, to go along with the return of running back Austin Ekeler, this offense is loaded. I am not forgetting their young arm talent, quarterback Justin Herbert. He’s been a rock star since he stepped on the field, and even though he slots in at the current QB25 in fantasy scoring, there’s more there than meets the paper; 4th most completions and 5th most passing yards so far this season. It’s coming people and I am believer in this Chargers offense and not the Chiefs defense.

RB-Saquon Barkley
I’m sure a lot of people are calling for Saquon to finally get rolling and I will tell you why, they are right. Barkley played a significant number of snaps his last time out (good sign) and he’s had 10 days to recover and get ready for this Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons. Another good sign for Barkley, the Falcons allow the 13th most fantasy points to opposing running backs, having faced Miles Sanders and Leonard Fournette the first two weeks, while allowing over 4.6 yards per carry. Sanders and Fournette are good backs, but neither are same caliber back as Saquon (currently RB49). This Sunday Barkley busts out.

RB-Javonte Williams
The Broncos rookie runner could breakout this Sunday on the ground and in the air against a Jets defense that allows the 5th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Jets have allowed the 3rd most receptions to opposing running backs and 325 total yards, 5th most this season.

WR-DK Metcalf
This guy is just too good to stay quiet (currently WR33). He’ll see a Vikings defense that allows the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Both Lockett and Metcalf should find the end zone.

That's my Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 15th, 2021
Wednesday Late-Evening Edition

Week 1 Quick Takes

After one week of football, let's  pump the brakes on panic mode. There’s not enough sample size to make any definitive conclusions and it’s too early to let emotion dictate your actions (well that’s actually never a good idea). So what do we know after one Sunday, not a whole lot more than we knew before Sunday to be honest, but here are a few quick takes from Week one….

RB-Ronald Jones
It’s way too early to dump Jones. He had a fumble, those things happen, and they will happen again, but his talent does not grow on trees. Even after his disastrous week one, Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians has already come out and said he’s their starter. Let’s take that statement with a grain of salt, we’re not going to drop Jones, but keep him stashed on your bench for now.

RB-Devin Singletary
Any part of the Buffalo offense you can snatch is worth owning. Singletary is not a household name as a top-20 fantasy back (29th RB in week 1), and though his production was modest, he posted an 80% snap count percentage with 14 touches (11 carries, 3 catches), with 5 targets. The touches were a little low for being on the field 64 snaps, but if he continues to manage a high percentage snap count the volume and opportunity will come in a high-powered offense. Singletary should be rostered and considered as a week-to-week flex play moving forward.

WR-Christian Kirk
It was amazing to see how many fantasy leagues the Cardinal’s wide receiver was not drafted in. Clearly the arrival of AJ Green clouded Kirk’s outlook in the minds of many fantasy owners and it shouldn’t have. Kirk has shown great skill in the past and his production on Sunday is a very encouraging sign that he could actually elevate the teams number 2 receiving option. Playing in only 60% of the team’s offensive snaps (39), he finished with five targets (just one behind Green) and outperformed the latter with 5 receptions for 70 yards and two scores. Kirk finished week 1 as WR9 in fantasy scoring and should be started as a solid flex going forward.

WR-Mike Williams
Everyone loves wide receiver Keenan Allen and why shouldn’t they, he’s the poster-child for target consistency, but his teammate and fellow Chargers receiver Mike Williams is a must start going forward. We’ve seen some flashes in the past and a few fireworks last season, but now with 2nd year quarterback Justin Herbert at the helm, Williams is set to breakout. His 12 targets and 14th WR in fantasy for week one are a direct indication of what’s to come. Williams is a low WR2 and high-Flex start moving forward.

The Packers Offense
Everyone, and I mean everyone has a bad day every now and then. With a primetime matchup on Monday night against the Lions, yes, the Packers offense will rebound and get right. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones, and wide receiver Davante Adams, should all return to their normal fantasy stud status.

That's my Take.

~David Ortega

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