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August means one thing—home league drafts sit on the nearest horizon, and it’s high time to get into the full swing of things. So strap on those Fantasy Life drafting shoes, this month we’re going to mock around the clock using our free mock draft simulator and test every strategy and approach in the history of fantasy football!
With unofficial depth charts dropping like depth charges on social media streets, it’s the season of questions. Choose wisely and find values that propel you to glory. Get it wrong … and face the fantasy consequences.
Today, I kick off the weekend by getting the wheels turning with a fun exercise. I’ll do some thinking out loud and pose my top fantasy-related question to be answered for every team as we approach the regular season.
We’ll kick things off with the AFC today … followed by the NFC next Friday.
Baltimore Ravens: With Isaiah Likely on the shelf, is the entire fantasy universe too low on TE Mark Andrews making a healthy return at ADP 100?
Buffalo Bills: Which discounted Buffalo pass catcher steps up into a featured role for a prolific offense projected near the top of the NFL in points?
Cincinnati Bengals: Is there a fantasy-viable draftworthy third option in the Bengals’ pass attack with the addition of Noah Fant?
Cleveland Browns: Who will win the starting quarterback job in Cleveland, and could he manage to make them even an average offensive unit?
Denver Broncos: Will rookie WR Pat Bryant step into an every-down role as the second big-body wideout the Broncos are in such desperate need of?
Houston Texans: Will Houston’s new look O-line provide C.J. Stroud enough breathing room to elevate presumed WR2 Jayden Higgins to weekly relevance?
Indianapolis Colts: Is Anthony Richardson actually healthy enough to start Week 1, and if so, why isn’t he going 40 picks sooner? And that was before he took that big hit last night.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Will new HC Liam Coen’s magic touch extend to Duuuuvaaaalll, finally getting Trevor Lawrence over 18 fantasy points per game?
Kansas City Chiefs: Can a 36-year-old Travis Kelce continue to thrive despite the Chiefs’ offense boasting multiple other pass-catching threats for the first time?
Las Vegas Raiders: Is Ashton Jeanty in line for 300-plus touches as a second-round fantasy pick for the revamped Raiders?
Los Angeles Chargers: Does Najee Harris know how many fingers I’m holding up?
Miami Dolphins: Can Miami’s Mike McDaniel and Tyreek Hill reclaim the space-creating prowess that made their Dolphins the top-gaining offense in 2023?
New England Patriots: If New England keeps progressing as expected, will Kyle Williams make a run at fantasy’s most valuable rookie WR?
New York Jets: Will Justin Fields progress enough as a passer to carry two top-30 overall picks in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall at their respective ADP?
Pittsburgh Steelers: Did Aaron Rodgers find enough youth at the fountain to keep Pittsburgh from being the league’s slowest offense?
Tennessee Titans: Is QB Cam Ward good at football, and will a strong preseason send WR Calvin Ridley flying up draft boards?
Phew, 16 questions is a lot. Let’s take some time to digest, and we’ll revisit the NFC next week. In the meantime …
Fantasy
QB Draft Strategy: Fantastic Four Early or Wait?
It’s the quandary that comes before every single-QB draft: Invest in the core of four dual-threat aliens going in the early rounds or wait until the later rounds? While there is always the allure to load up your roster with running backs, wide receivers, and maybe even a top tight end, good feelings get squashed the first time your team has to face one of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jayden Daniels, or Jalen Hurts.
Using his ever-present data-driven approach, Dwain McFarland shows all his work and does a deep dive on a collection of quarterbacks who could be possibilities from the aforementioned four dual-threats to the late-round options who could tag team you to a title.👇🏼
Best Ball
Extreme Zero RB in Best Ball? Not For The Faint Of Heart
Going Zero RB in a best ball draft is fairly common. With formats like Underdog needing to start three WRs, when the pass catchers start flying off the board it’s easy to push the RBs down the board. But that would be too easy for a Zero RB bro like Pete Overzet. He needed a challenge.
Pistol Pete wanted to take it to the next level by holding off on pulling the trigger on a running back until the ninth round, just to see how that roster would look. It’s a good thing he wasn’t eating during the draft, because waiting so long might have turned his stomach. Warning for all best ball drafters: Do not try this at home. ⛔️⬇️
Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
We’re now seeing REAL NFL FOOTBALL! All 32 teams are taking the field in these days. For those watching in the fourth quarter of any game: ❤️.
🤔 Is ADP consistent across different sites? Not really.
🪓 While we’re at it, there’s a difference between Redraft and Guillotine LeaguesTM ADP.
🏍️ A teammate’s devastating injury may impact Matthew’s Ride or Die.
🤯 How will Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams work together? Thor has insight.
🎯 Kendall offers three late-round QBs to target in your drafts.
🚂 Who got the number of that train?
😴 There are sleepers. Then there are deep sleepers.
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