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I can't lie, I'm a sucker for training camp hype videos. Every single season I tell myself to not put too much stock into the viral one-handed catches and I fail every time (because it's fun). Now, when it comes to players and coaches telling us what we want to hear … That's a different story.
This Stock is Bearish
Recently Ben Johnson said that he was buying Luther Burden stock:
"It's been electric … He's still developing and growing his route tree. He's been extremely coachable, so I'm really happy with him."
Burden's price has already skyrocketed since the departure of DJ Moore. Throw in the fact that no rookie wide receiver has averaged more yards per route run than Burden (2.71) during the last decade, there's pretty good reason why he's currently off the board as the WR21 on Underdog. But are you willing to continue paying a premium if he gets more expensive as the summer rolls on? Maybe you'll feel better about the Rome Odunze price tag (WR28).
Say The Right Thing
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones was saying all the right things for fantasy managers this week when asked about hopefully being ready for Week 1. Couple that with Josh Downs believing there's more opportunities for him this coming season and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter reassuring that they're "going to try to use guys to the best of the ability to help our offense" and we could be looking at a solid late-round stack in best ball. Of course, that's if everything goes according to plan.
Jones (QB25) and Downs (WR45) aren't breaking the bank for you on Underdog.
Indianapolis went into a downward spiral once Jones was injured and Downs was never given much opportunity with Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce on the field. I am buying the idea of Downs having a big 2026 season, though. With Pittman gone we could see Downs with more targets in the underneath and intermediate areas of the field. Jones can tell us he will be ready for Week 1, but will he be at 100%? Probably not. Which means he may try to get the ball out quicker. Fantasy Life has Downs projected for 98 targets, 70 receptions and 699 receiving yards for a grand total of 166.3 total fantasy points (just 20.8 total fantasy points behind Pierce).
Moral of the story, every coach and player is going to be optimistic this time of year, but it's up to you to decide whether you want to buy in or bow out.
It’s Time To Buy In On Fernando Mendoza
Just think, last summer, Fernando Mendoza was an afterthought in the college football landscape. A nondescript transfer to Indiana, all Mendoza did was lead the Hoosiers on an epic 16-0 run, completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 TDs on the way to winning the Heisman Trophy. He also threw in a gritty game-sealing TD run for the ages that locked down the first national championship for Indiana. All that before recently being the first pick in the NFL Draft of the Las Vegas Raiders. Everything seems to be going up for Mendoza and those who believed in him. A bright NFL future is in front of him.
UNest works the same way. You don't wait until your kid is 16 to start building their financial future. You start now, when time is your single greatest advantage. A tax-advantaged investment account that grows with your child, set up in under 10 minutes. The long game is always the smartest play, on the field and off it.
Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from our merry band of football nerds …
🏈 Find who wears the green dot. And more IDP cheat codes.
💎 Are these players actually gems, or cubic zirconias?
📬 What to expect in rookie drafts? It gets scary pretty quickly.
👀 Exercise patience before declaring a dynasty trade is good or bad. Rookie tips.
🔔 So for whom this Bell tolls … in dynasty.
👋 Yes, we said not to get too hyped about OTA videos. But did you see this grab?
3️⃣ The Big 3 in Minnesota is running with some great company. Simply golden.
Fantasy
Editors’ Picks
ICYMI, Dwain McFarland and Ian Hartitz banged out Cheat Sheets for all 32 teams. Here are some of them. Also, please check out our rankings and projections.
 | Can Jaxon Smith-Njigba help the Seahawks soar again? Plus, more NFC West cheat sheets: |
 | Baker Mayfield now has a full offseason with Emeka Egbuka. Look out! And more NFC South cheat sheets: |
 | Jordan Love is packing plenty of pass catchers. Plus, more NFC North cheat sheets: |
SFB16 Scoring: Talking Video Game Numbers
Tight ends get an extra point per reception? All passing, rushing and receiving TDs are 6 points? 10-point bonuses for 100 rushing+receiving yards? The same for 300 yards passing? Are you going to see video game scores every week? In a word: YES.
Those are just some of the scoring settings for Scott Fish Bowl 16, the annual fantasy football tournament put on by Fantasy Cares to raise money to purchase gifts for underserved kids. Scott Fish kept hearing about the success of SFB9 when it was a video game theme, so he brought back the theme and the scoring. Get ready for some big numbers this season. We have a breakdown of the scoring and the rules. ⤵️
We Sleeping on the Titans in the AFC South?
If you just did boxscore surfing on Mondays, you might think that the Tennessee Titans were one of the worst teams in the NFL and not much worth watching. Well, they did end up with the No. 4 pick in the draft—hello, Carnell Tate—but two or three times a game Cam Ward would make a throw that few humans on the planet could make, much less connect on it with a receiver. That’s the hope that the Titans and their faithful are clinging to as they bring in HC Robert Saleh and ask OC Brian Daboll to work magic with Ward like he did with Josh Allen and Jaxson Dart.
Ian Hartitz and Dwain McFarland are winding up their Cheat Sheet series, so we thought it would be good to drop in the other AFC South teams’ overviews:
Favorites & Fades … EVERY ROUND!
Who are you smashing? Who are you passing? Kendall, cooterdoodle and Pete are back and going through the players who fit these descriptions in their drafts. Make sure to subscribe today and don’t miss an episode of the Fantasy Life Show.
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