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- A New QB Starter Is Named
Our long, national nightmare is finally over.
We now know who the Colts’ Week 1 starter will be… and it’s not Anthony Richardson.
I really thought Shane Steichen and Co. would punt this decision until the last minute (this team is very familiar with the concept of punting), but yesterday they came out and definitively announced Daniel Jones as the starter.
I say “definitively” because Steichen left zero ambiguity about the direction they were headed. He insisted that Jones will be the starter for “the entire season” and that he “doesn’t want to have a short leash for that.”
So where does that leave us?
📈 Jones - ARich is undraftable in managed leagues at this point, while Jones enters the late-round flier mix at QB thanks to his rushing ability. Steichen clearly cares about consistency, and Jones is the lesser of two evils in that department. This is by far the best supporting cast Jones has ever had, as well. Speaking of which …
📈 Josh Downs, Michael Pittman, Tyler Warren, and Adonai Mitchell - Jones represents a slight upgrade for all of the weapons in this offense. Richardson had the chance to take this entire crew down with him kamikaze style, while we know Jones is at least capable of getting the ball to his top playmakers.
This isn’t a passing offense I want to load up on, but taking stabs on one or two of these guys in drafts is on the menu. Right now, I prefer playing it through the cheaper, younger options in Warren (one of our rankers has him TE6) and Mitchell (he’s had a great camp and preseason).
📈 Jonathan Taylor - This is also a slight plus for JT. As Matthew notes here, ARich was a much bigger threat at the goal line for vulturing TDs than Dimes will be.
Ultimately, this isn’t a seismic shift in how we value this offense. Dwain told me he really only adjusted the completion rate, which slightly helps everyone and raises the floor of the entire offense.
All that said, don’t get too comfy. I doubt this is the last we hear from one Mr. Anthony Richardson …
Your fantasy lineup isn’t the only thing worth managing.
Now that the season’s in full swing, it’s a good time to refocus on your own goals.
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Fantasy
The Preseason Boost Is In Full Effect
The reactions (and overreactions) are palpable.
Every preseason snap, practice, and press conference has datapoints being pulled left and right to justify paying for—or fading—a player in 2025.
And as you can imagine, the market is responding.
Luckily, The Oracle is on the case. He’s gone through every major fantasy football platform to highlight the biggest ADP risers and fallers, and how you—the drafter—should adjust, including notes on two of the buzziest rookies in the world:
WR Emeka Egbuka (Buccaneers - ADP: 105.0, +4.8): WRs Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (neck) are injured, No. 1 WR Mike Evans (32 years old) is past his prime, and Egbuka has been a first-team playmaker this preseason. His Guillotine Leagues™ ADP is still far behind his Underdog ADP (65.0), so I expect his stock to rise even more from here. Action: Buy.
RB TreVeyon Henderson (Patriots - ADP: 60.2, +10.5): Dwain McFarland and I disagreed on Henderson last week on the Fantasy Life Show. He's undoubtedly talented, but the Pats offense could be mediocre, and OC Josh McDaniels could choose to use Henderson as a rotational player. He's not as cheap on ESPN as he is on some other platforms … but he feels expensive for a guy who isn't certain to lead his backfield in opportunities. Action: Sell.
Get a full, site-specific breakdown of the players rising and falling on draft boards and gain an edge on your leaguemates for draft day. ⤵️
Fantasy
10 League-Winning Wide Receivers for 2025
You’ve gotten Dwain McFarland’s league-winning QBs and RBs, so naturally, we’re onto the pass catchers—specifically, wide receivers.
There are 10 total wideouts that Dwain has pegged as league-winning options, with ADPs spanning across the draft board (so you can target as many of them as possible, obviously).
With a trio of league-winning WRs around the Rounds 1-2 turn, Nico Collins kicks us off:
“Collins is a Tier 1 WR. He checks every box, and his underlying data screams two words: Julio Jones. This man simply shouldn't be going in Round 2 of fantasy drafts.
ESPN: Pick 16
Sleeper: Pick 14
RTSports: Pick 15
FFPC: Pick 16
GTFOH.
If you play on Yahoo, he goes pick 10, so sorry about that. But the rest of you folks drafting from pick six to 12 have a chance to land this BAMF in Round 2.
If you are drafting electronically, this is an immediate click with conviction. If you draft live, please have a celebratory dance prepared because you just scored.
Collins is a Round 1 fantasy talent going in Round 2 of drafts—he is a HIGH-PRIORITY pick.”
Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.
🏆 Ian Hartitz reveals his late-round picks with huge upside. The list you NEED.
📺 The perfect QB and TE strategy for your home leagues. Ian & Dwain have you covered.
📝 Drafting on ESPN? Here are 10 player hacks to bring to your draft.
🚨 Guillotine Leagues™ waivers run today at 3pm (ET)!! Here’s what to do!
👨⚖️ Just like ADPs, auction values are moving and shaking with preseason action.
🚑️ A Bucs WR goes down. Brutal setback for the Year 2 guy.
👀 The rookie WR who continues to make plays. He’s on my timeline constantly.
🔏 An injured RB returns to practice ahead of schedule. He’s an elite handcuff.
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