Guest of the League
The Big League 3 (est. 2011) Est. 2010
FFL: Week 1 | NFL: Week 1

Champions Draft Results

Wed Jul 3 10:36am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Hurts was first quarterback picked


RealTime Fantasy Sports is proud to present you the results of our “Champions Draft." The draft this season once again consists of the top rated fantasy players on our site. We invited players rated near the top of our Top Fantasy Players report. So this is the best of the best on our site.

In this column, we'll give you a round-by-round look at the draft. Each round includes some notes on that round, talking about what just went down. Hopefully, this gives you some insight into the draft and helps prepare you for all your drafts this coming year.

Before we get to that, here is a quick overview of the league format. We used the same rules as we do for the "All-Pro" fantasy leagues on our site. So you can view the entire set of rules on our main page for that game. But here is a brief look. Each team starts a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, a defensive/special teams, a kicker and a flex player (RB, WR or TE). Scoring is pretty standard. Touchdowns are worth six except for passing touchdowns, which are worth four. And it is a points per reception league, giving every player a point per reception. Defenses get points for sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries. The rules are pretty standard with how many leagues operate these days.

ROUND 1

 1. Ballers - Christian McCaffrey RB, SF

 2. Birds - CeeDee Lamb WR, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Bijan Robinson RB, ATL

 4. Super Paurs - Breece Hall RB, NYJ

 5. Wreckingcrew - Tyreek Hill WR, MIA

 6. PaurPlay - Justin Jefferson WR, MIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, DET

 8. Bubbles Army - Ja'Marr Chase WR, CIN

 9. HORNS - Jahmyr Gibbs RB, DET

 10. Goodfellas - Puka Nacua WR, LAR

 11. Suncoast - A.J. Brown WR, PHI

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Saquon Barkley RB, PHI

NOTES: The first round was pretty chalk, going very similar to the current ADP. These savvy owners didn’t take many chances with the first round. There were five running backs and seven receivers picked in Round 1. It was not a surprise to see no tight ends or quarterbacks picked in the first round. The only mild surprise was seeing Jonathan Taylor failed to get picked this round. He normally goes at the end of the first round, but didn’t in this one.

ROUND 2

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jonathan Taylor RB, IND

 2. Suncoast - Garrett Wilson WR, NYJ

 3. Goodfellas - Sam LaPorta TE, DET

 4. HORNS - Travis Etienne RB, JAX

 5. Bubbles Army - Davante Adams WR, LV

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Chris Olave WR, NO

 7. PaurPlay - Josh Jacobs RB, GB

 8. Wreckingcrew - Kyren Williams RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - Devon Achane RB, MIA

 10. CRUNCHY - Derrick Henry RB, BAL

 11. Birds - Isiah Pacheco RB, KC

 12. Ballers - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, ARI

NOTES: Sam LaPorta was the first tight end picked, getting taken by Suncoast this round. He went a tad sooner, having an ADP of 24.99 but he wasn’t going to last to Suncoast when he picked again, so he had to pull the trigger now if he wanted him on his roster. . . . This was a running back heavy round, seeing seven go off the board. This is normally a trend in many drafts with a lot of owners going receiver in the first round. . . .Isiah Pacheco might have been the only surprise running back of this round. The Birds selected him with the 11th pick. This wasn’t too far off his ADP, though, normally going pick 26.62. . . . .Marvin Harrison continues to be the first rookie picked on draft day. The Ballers picked him with the last pick, making him the 24th pick overall.

ROUND 3

 1. Ballers - Drake London WR, ATL

 2. Birds - Michael Pittman Jr. WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Nico Collins WR, HOU

 4. Super Paurs - Deebo Samuel WR, SF

 5. Wreckingcrew - James Cook RB, BUF

 6. PaurPlay - Travis Kelce TE, KC

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Rhamondre Stevenson RB, NE

 8. Bubbles Army - Rachaad White RB, TB

 9. HORNS - Stefon Diggs WR, HOU

 10. Goodfellas - Joe Mixon RB, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Mike Evans WR, TB

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aiyuk WR, SF

NOTES: This round was a little more receiver heavy once again, having seven go off the board. This seems to be a trend in a lot of drafts, having owners get two receivers and a running back after three rounds. . . . .Travis Kelce is the second tight end picked, which is a little unusual for him, but definitely a trend. Kelce has an ADP of 30.8, going after LaPorta in most drafts. Paur Play is hoping he has at least one more big season in him. . . . .It is always interesting seeing how owners value the two top receivers for the Texans. Nico Collins went before Stefon Diggs in this draft. Collins was picked third this round by CRUNCHY while the HORNS picked Diggs with the ninth pick.

ROUND 4

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jaylen Waddle WR, MIA

 2. Suncoast - Jalen Hurts QB, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - D.J. Moore WR, CHI

 4. HORNS - DeVonta Smith WR, PHI

 5. Bubbles Army - Josh Allen QB, BUF

 6. Crusty GON Pod - D'Andre Swift RB, CHI

 7. PaurPlay - Patrick Mahomes QB, KC

 8. Wreckingcrew - D.K. Metcalf WR, SEA

 9. Super Paurs - Amari Cooper WR, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Kenneth Walker III RB, SEA

 11. Birds - Lamar Jackson QB, BAL

 12. Ballers - Trey McBride TE, ARI

NOTES: This was a quarterback heavy round, seeing four go off the board. Jalen Hurts was the first quarterback selected, getting picked by Suncoast. He went ahead of Josh Allen, who normally is the first quarterback picked in drafts. . . . .Trey McBride was the third tight end picked, going to the Ballers with the last pick in this round. McBride is flying up draft boards this year after this strong finish last season. He has an ADP of 48.2, so this spot for him is not out of the norm. . . .There was just two running backs picked this round after seeing at least four picked each of the first three rounds. D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Walker were the backs picked this round.

ROUND 5

 1. Ballers - Zay Flowers WR, BAL

 2. Birds - Mark Andrews TE, BAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Aaron Jones RB, MIN

 4. Super Paurs - Cooper Kupp WR, LAR

 5. Wreckingcrew - C.J. Stroud QB, HOU

 6. PaurPlay - Alvin Kamara RB, NO

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Kyle Pitts TE, ATL

 8. Bubbles Army - Dalton Kincaid TE, BUF

 9. HORNS - Anthony Richardson QB, IND

 10. Goodfellas - James Conner RB, ARI

 11. Suncoast - David Montgomery RB, DET

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - George Kittle TE, SF

NOTES: David Montgomery was one of the top league winners last year but falls to the fifth round of this draft, going to Suncoast with the 11th pick. Fantasy owners have concerns for a repeat season from Montgomery, having an ADP of 68.9. This could end up being a make or break pick for the defending champ. . . . .Cooper Kupp is another polarizing figure this season. He was a very early pick last year, but goes to the Super Paurs with the fifth pick in Round 5. He has taken quite the fall in drafts, having an ADP of 46.5. . . .There were four tight ends pick this round. Dalton Kincaid is the biggest mover from last year. The Horns picked him with the eighth pick. Kincaid is normally the fifth tight end off the board, so Horns might have gotten a little value with him being the seventh tight end selected with this pick.

ROUND 6

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Malik Nabers WR, NYG

 2. Suncoast - Najee Harris RB, PIT

 3. Goodfellas - Jaylen Warren RB, PIT

 4. HORNS - Zack Moss RB, CIN

 5. Bubbles Army - Christian Kirk WR, JAX

 6. Crusty GON Pod - George Pickens WR, PIT

 7. PaurPlay - Calvin Ridley WR, TEN

 8. Wreckingcrew - Jordan Love QB, GB

 9. Super Paurs - Zamir White RB, LV

 10. CRUNCHY - Tee Higgins WR, CIN

 11. Birds - Jayden Reed WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Tony Pollard RB, TEN

NOTES: The one pick that stands out in this round was the Birds taking Jayden Reed with the 11th pick. He has an ADP of 86.9, so they might have went a little early on Reed. He certainly has potential after scoring eight touchdowns his rookie season, but the Birds might have been able to get him a few rounds later. . . .The quarterback position slowed down a little this round with Jordan Love the only quarterback selected. He goes with the eight pick to Wreckingcrew. Love was fifth overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year, so getting him after the elite guys are gone could turn out to be good value for Wreckingcrew. . . . .Some running backs that could be splitting work this year flew off the board. Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Zack Moss, Zamir White and Tony Pollard were all picked. They all have some question marks about playing time but if one emerges, they could be great value in Round 6.

ROUND 7

 1. Ballers - Terry McLaurin WR, WAS

 2. Birds - Jonathon Brooks RB, CAR

 3. CRUNCHY - Rashee Rice WR, KC

 4. Super Paurs - Joe Burrow QB, CIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - Evan Engram TE, JAX

 6. PaurPlay - Diontae Johnson WR, CAR

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Keenan Allen WR, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Austin Ekeler RB, WAS

 9. HORNS - Chris Godwin WR, TB

 10. Goodfellas - Tank Dell WR, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Javonte Williams RB, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Raheem Mostert RB, MIA

NOTES: Our first rookie running back was picked this round, seeing the Birds take Jonathan Brooks with the second pick. Brooks could start the year slow, recovering from his knee injury, but could be a huge factor down the stretch for the Birds. Brooks went around 10 spots later than normal, having an ADP of 64.3. . . .Rashee Rice is a player facing a possible multi-game suspension. If not for that, he would be going much higher. Instead, he falls to CRUNCHY with the third pick this round. Rice has an ADP of 81.6, so he goes about where he normally does in drafts. If he can end up avoiding a suspension, this pick will be a huge steal for CRUNCHY. . . .Raheem Mostert is another intriguing player to watch in drafts. He was a league winner for many last year but is not getting drafted like that. AlwaysBetOnBlack gets him with the last pick this round. Mostert has an ADP of 84.8, so most drafters are not betting on a repeat of his huge season.

ROUND 8

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brian Robinson Jr. RB, WAS

 2. Suncoast - Marquise Brown WR, KC

 3. Goodfellas - Dak Prescott QB, DAL

 4. HORNS - Nick Chubb RB, CLE

 5. Bubbles Army - Devin Singletary RB, NYG

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Tyjae Spears RB, TEN

 7. PaurPlay - J.K. Dobbins RB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Blake Corum RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - David Njoku TE, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Jake Ferguson TE, DAL

 11. Birds - Christian Watson WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Trey Benson RB, ARI

NOTES: Nick Chubb is returning from another major injury and lasts until the fourth pick of Round 8. He has big question marks, but the Horns could take a chance on him with three quality backs already on his roster. . . .The Ballers took a chance on rookie Trey Benson in Round 8. After taking Christian McCaffrey with the first pick, the Ballers filled up other positions on his roster before taking chances on running backs later in the draft. . . . .There were seven total running backs picked this round. Many owners are hoping to find that great mid-round value, looking for the Raheem Mostert of this season.

ROUND 9

 1. Ballers - Zach Charbonnet RB, SEA

 2. Birds - Ezekiel Elliott RB, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Kyler Murray QB, ARI

 4. Super Paurs - Ty Chandler RB, MIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - DeAndre Hopkins WR, TEN

 6. PaurPlay - Chase Brown RB, CIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Caleb Williams QB, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Jordan Addison WR, MIN

 9. HORNS - T.J. Hockenson TE, MIN

 10. Goodfellas - Gus Edwards RB, LAC

 11. Suncoast - Courtland Sutton WR, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Trevor Lawrence QB, JAX

NOTES: Three quarterbacks go this round, giving every team at least one quarterback except one. Ballers is the only team that doesn’t have a quarterbacks after nine rounds. The three quarterbacks picked this round were Kyler Murray, rookie Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence. . . .Teams continues to load up on mid-round running backs with five getting of the 12 picks being running backs. None of these backs are sure things but both Ezekiel Elliott and Gus Edwards have some touchdown potential on their teams. . . .DeAndre Hopkins is not getting drafted as he was in the past. He goes with the fifth pick to Wreckingcrew. This spot is even later than normal for Hopkins, who has an ADP of 79.6.

ROUND 10

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Xavier Worthy WR, KC

 2. Suncoast - Dallas Goedert TE, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - Ladd McConkey WR, LAC

 4. HORNS - Keon Coleman WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, SEA

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Jerome Ford RB, CLE

 7. PaurPlay - Jameson Williams WR, DET

 8. Wreckingcrew - Rico Dowdle RB, DAL

 9. Super Paurs - Mike Williams WR, NYJ

 10. CRUNCHY - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, JAX

 11. Birds - Curtis Samuel WR, BUF

 12. Ballers - Brock Purdy QB, SF

NOTES: Round 10 is the round of the rookie. There were four rookie receivers picked this round, including Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas. These are four receivers that all have the chance to emerge as top playmakers in their respective offenses. . . . .Ballers is the last team to take a quarterback, picking Brock Purdy with the last pick in Round 10. Purdy was seventh overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year. . . . Suncoast was the last team to select a tight end, taking Dallas Goedert with the second pick. Goedert can be erratic but has a high weekly ceiling in his offense.

ROUND 11

 1. Ballers - Kendre Miller RB, NO

 2. Birds - Josh Downs WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Rome Odunze WR, CHI

 4. Super Paurs - Gabriel Davis WR, JAX

 5. Wreckingcrew - Brandin Cooks WR, DAL

 6. PaurPlay - Jahan Dotson WR, WAS

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Cole Kmet TE, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Brock Bowers TE, LV

 9. HORNS - Jerry Jeudy WR, CLE

 10. Goodfellas - Jayden Daniels QB, WAS

 11. Suncoast - Tyler Lockett WR, SEA

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aubrey K, DAL

NOTES: We had our first team take a second quarterback. Goodfellas took rookie Jayden Daniels with the 10th pick. They picked Dak Prescott two rounds earlier, giving him what could be a potent one-two punch at quarterback. . . .Our first kicker was picked. Brandon Aubrey was taken with the last pick this round by AlwaysBetOnBlack. It is a tad earlier than normal for our first kicker. Aubrey has an ADP of 133.1. . . .The top tight end in this year’s draft, Brock Bowers, was picked by Bubbles Army with the eighth pick. Bubbles is hoping Bowers is the Sam LaPorta of this year’s rookie class.

ROUND 12

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Dallas Cowboys Def/ST, DAL

 2. Suncoast - Jakobi Meyers WR, LV

 3. Goodfellas - Kimani Vidal RB, LAC

 4. HORNS - Khalil Shakir WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - MarShawn Lloyd RB, GB

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Antonio Gibson RB, NE

 7. PaurPlay - Justin Herbert QB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Pat Freiermuth TE, PIT

 9. Super Paurs - Jared Goff QB, DET

 10. CRUNCHY - Kirk Cousins QB, ATL

 11. Birds - Tua Tagovailoa QB, MIA

 12. Ballers - Chuba Hubbard RB, CAR

NOTES: AlwaysBetOnBlack took the first kicker and followed that by picking the first defense. The Cowboys defense is the first off the board, giving AlwaysBetOnBlack both the Cowboys kicker and defense. . . . .There were a couple rookie running backs picked this round. Kimani Vidal and MarShawn Lloyd don’t have a clear path to playing time with their respective teams but have some potential if given the opportunities. . . .Four teams took backup quarterbacks this round. It is interesting to see Justin Herbert fall so far, but he has question marks because of a new offense and lack of playmakers in the passing game.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Week 1 Fantasy Preview

Player Notes
DeAndre Hopkins Sep 5 7:00pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) was limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday to kick off preparations for the Week 1 regular-season opener in Chicago this Sunday against the Bears. Hopkins practiced with a sleeve on his left leg on Thursday and could be questionable to play this weekend. However, offensive coordinator Nick Holz did say that if the 32-year-old veteran is active against the Bears, he's expected to have a big role across from new wideout Calvin Ridley. We'll have a better idea of Hopkins' status when the Titans release their final injury report for Week 1 on Friday. The former first-rounder is no longer a Pro Bowl wideout, but he did put up his seventh 1,000-yard season in 2023 with Ryan Tannehill and Will Levis throwing him passes. Ridley's presence will mean fewer targets, but Nuk still has the ability to be a serviceable WR4/flex for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Sep 5 6:50pm ET
Terry McLaurin

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin should be expected to see the vast majority of targets on Sunday afternoon and should be treated as a high-end WR2 in Week 1. Currently, the Commanders depth chart outside of the Ohio State product is looking quite bleak, with several unproven wideouts. Even after catching passes from multiple QBs every season of his career, the former third-round pick has posted a 1,000-yard campaign in all but one of his five professional campaigns. He now hopes to continue that same success with the new franchise QB in the nation's capital. In a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who surrendered the fifth-most 248.9 passing yards per game last year, McLaurin could be in store for a big game and get off to an excellent start as he looks to be the focal point of the Washington offense yet again.

From RotoBaller

Dyami Brown Sep 5 6:50pm ET
Dyami Brown

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown looks to emerge as the No.2 wideout in the season opener but should be left out of your starting lineups this weekend. Brown flashed some upside during the preseason, especially in the opening game, where he caught a 42-yard pass from Jayden Daniels. In the second game, he continued to build a connection with Daniels by seeing three targets from him on just one drive. Through his first three seasons in Washington, the UNC product totaled only 476 yards and three scores, making him a boom-or-bust option in Week 1. However, if Brown can claim the No.2 spot on the depth chart, he could become a solid flex play as the season progresses as Daniels develops as a passer.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Sep 5 6:50pm ET
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz could see a hefty amount of targets his way in the season opener, making him a high-end TE2 in all leagues. With many questions surrounding the No.2 receiver in Washington, Ertz could fill that role in the short term. Last season, the veteran appeared in just seven games before suffering a season-ending quadriceps injury. During this span, Ertz averaged a mere 7.4 PPR points but was targeted on 23.2% of his routes. Through his first taste of the regular season, rookie Jayden Daniels may lock on to Ertz in the middle of the field instead of pushing the ball outside. However, if the 33-year-old cannot perform, he may soon be replaced by rookie Ben Sinnott, who the Commanders selected in the second round of this year's draft. Facing the Buccaneers, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends last season, Ertz might be a sneaky play in DFS formats and a high-end TE2 in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Cade York Sep 5 6:50pm ET
Cade York

Washington Commanders kicker Cade York joined the Commanders during the last week of August in exchange for a late-round pick, making him the new starting kicker. The Commanders opened the preseason with Riley Patterson and Ramiz Ahmed on their roster, but both failed to make the final cut after they missed several attempts. Last season, York did not attempt a field goal, but in his 2022 rookie campaign, he went 24-for-32 on attempts and 35-for-37 on extra points. The 23-year-old struggled from deep as he went a poor 4-for-7 from 50 or more yards. Fantasy managers should not consider York a streaming option in the season opener, given his inconsistent performances as a professional kicker. However, if Daniels can move the Washington offense down the field through the season, York could enter streaming conversations later on.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Sep 5 6:50pm ET
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott continues to seek a new long-term deal just days before the start of the 2024 regular season as he gets ready to enter the final season of his current contract, but he and the Cowboys don't appear to be any closer in their talks. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement by this Sunday before their game against the Cleveland Browns, it opens up the possibility that he will indeed hit free agency next March. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that a deal does not feel like it's within striking distance right now. Contract issues aside, the 31-year-old veteran signal-caller is coming off one of his finest seasons in Dallas, but it once again ended in a playoff embarrassment in the wild-card round with a loss to the Packers. Prescott has one of the best wideouts in CeeDee Lamb, but he'll be more of a QB2 in fantasy in a tough road matchup in Week 1 against the Browns.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Allen Sep 5 6:50pm ET
Jonathan Allen

The Washington Commanders defense is looking to kickstart a massive turnaround with newly hired head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Last season, the Commanders' defense allowed 388.9 yards per game, which was the highest mark in the league. In addition, they surrendered the most passing yards per game at a 262.2 mark but were slightly better in the run game, allowing 126.8 yards per game, which was the sixth-highest mark. Quinn looks to launch a culture change in the nation's capital, which was evident in bringing in veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner to lead the charge during free agency. In addition, the Commanders brought in defensive back Michael Davis to ease playing time on 2023 first-round selection Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who struggled in his first pro campaign. Their defensive line is once again led by Pro-Bowlers Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, who should play a significant role in stopping the run and bringing some added pass rush to the opposing team. Fantasy managers should not look to stream the Washington defense this weekend as they continue to turn things around. Facing two strong Tampa Bay receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, is not an easy task for a rebuilding group, so perhaps this week is a wait-and-see approach for this unit.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Sep 5 6:40pm ET
Russell Wilson

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson's (calf) status for Week 1 on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons is firmly up in the air after he was limited in practice by the same calf injury that bothered him in training camp this summer. Wilson will be checked out by team doctors, and Rapoport mentions the caution with how the team's medical staff is treating Wilson's injury leave's some doubt as to whether Wilson will play on Sunday. It leaves open the possibility that backup Justin Fields could get the start in the season opener. However, when asked if the Steelers had concern about the 35-year-old Wilson's calf issue, head coach Mike Tomlin said, "None." We should have more clarity on Wilson's status after Friday's final injury report is released, but right now, he's trending as a shaky QB2 option in superflex leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Sep 5 6:40pm ET
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels should be locked into all starting lineups as he prepares to make his regular-season debut on Sunday afternoon. The reigning Heisman trophy winner looked sharp in his limited preseason action as he went 12-for-15 with 123 yards and added 16 rushing yards and a score with his legs. In his final season at LSU, the former number-two overall pick threw for 3,812 yards with 1,134 rushing yards and 50 combined scores. Daniels will line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who surrendered 248.9 passing yards per game, which was the fourth-most in the league last season. Fantasy managers should feel confident placing the future of the Commanders in their starting lineup as he should provide not only a safe floor but the upside to finish near the top of his position.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Sep 5 6:40pm ET
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. should be started in all leagues as an RB2 in Week 1 as he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson is expected to be the slight leader in a committee with veteran Austin Ekeler. During the preseason, the Alabama product consistently saw the first carries of the game but was often replaced by Ekeler during third-down situations. Last season, the 25-year-old ran for 733 yards, punched in five scores, and tallied 368 yards and four scores through the air. Fantasy managers should expect Robinson to be a solid RB2 on Sunday with the upside to get goal-line work. However, expectations should be tempered slightly as the Buccaneers allowed the fifth-lowest 95.3 rushing yards per game last season.

From RotoBaller

Austin Ekeler Sep 5 6:40pm ET
Austin Ekeler

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler is shaping up to be an RB3 or flex option in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ekeler had a difficult 2023 season as he battled a high ankle sprain early on, which clearly limited him throughout the campaign. However, in the offseason, he decided to take his talents to the DMV in the hope of reclaiming fantasy stardom. Fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to see the majority of the passing downs in a running back committee with Alabama product Brian Robinson Jr. During the preseason, Ekeler typically replaced Robinson on third downs but did see a few red zone attempts, which is something to monitor going forward as Ekeler has always shown a nose for the end zone throughout his career. For now, fantasy managers should treat Ekeler as an RB3 with the upside to see a heavy dose of targets his way.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Sep 5 6:40pm ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Although there is no official resolution between the Cincinnati Bengals and star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase on a long-term contract extension, he is expected to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the New England Patriots after putting in two limited practice sessions so far this week. For what it's worth, quarterback Joe Burrow said that Chase will be ready to go this weekend. The Bengals and Chase have been deep in contract negotiations for around the last month, but it remains unclear if they will be able to work something out before Sunday. The 24-year-old was a top-10 fantasy selection in drafts and should be locked into all starting lineups against the Patriots, although there is clear bust potential here for him just because of the fact that he practiced with the team only twice before this week.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Sep 5 6:30pm ET
Jaylen Warren

After being limited in the Pittsburgh Steelers' first official practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) upgraded to a full participant on Thursday, signaling that he's on track to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. It's an injury that Warren has been dealing with since getting hurt in the first preseason game in the middle of August, but the 25-year-old is expected to be active for fantasy managers this weekend. The third-year running back will continue to share a backfield with Najee Harris, which will limit his overall fantasy ceiling, but Warren averaged 5.3 yards per carry and at times looked like Pittsburgh's best back in 2023. Warren should be treated as a reliable RB3/flex heading into the start of the regular season despite having an injury designation this week.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Sep 5 6:20pm ET
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, fresh off signing a contract extension, will look for a hot start in a Week 1 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Dicker ended up as the overall K10 in fantasy last season, scoring 7.5 fantasy points per game. He made 31 of his 33 field goal attempts and scored on all 35 extra point tries. In an offense that should be improved this season, Dicker has more upside than that and should be a sturdy and steady producer at one of fantasy football's least predictable positions. He's definitely a starting option in all formats still using a kicker spot.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Sep 5 6:10pm ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) was added to the Week 1 injury report on Thursday and was listed as a limited participant due to a hamstring injury. Higgins practiced in full on Wednesday, and while this could raise eyebrows for some, Higgins has assured us he'll be good to go for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday versus the New England Patriots. "Ready to put on a show for the fans," Higgins said. It doesn't sound like anything that will slow the 25-year-old down to open up the 2024 campaign, and with Ja'Marr Chase potentially being limited due to his lengthy contract holdout all offseason, there's a strong chance that Higgins ends up being the most targeted pass-catcher in Cincy by quarterback Joe Burrow early on. Higgins remains in the shadow of Chase in fantasy, but he has solid WR2 fantasy appeal in Week 1 in a game the Bengals are favored by more than a touchdown.

From RotoBaller

David Bell Sep 5 6:10pm ET
David Bell

The Cleveland Browns have waived wide receiver David Bell, a third-round pick from the 2022 NFL draft. With no immediate addition to the 53-man roster, the Browns now have an open spot as they prepare for the season opener. Over his career with the Browns, Bell played in 31 regular-season games, recording 38 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns. He also had eight receptions for 54 yards in last season's playoff loss to the Texans. The remaining wide receivers on the active roster are Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Jamari Thrash, and Cedric Tillman. This move may signal confidence in the development of Tillman and Thrash, who are expected to take on more prominent roles in 2024. Ultimately, Bell's tenure with the Browns did not meet the team's expectations when they selected him in the third round two years ago.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Sep 5 6:10pm ET
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings second-year wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) said he is definitely playing in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the New York Giants after recovering from a high-ankle sprain. Addison was officially limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week. Meanwhile, Jalen Nailor, who is also dealing with an ankle injury, appeared to be more limited than Addison on Thursday. The 22-year-old Addison initially suffered his ankle sprain on Aug. 14. The 23rd overall pick last year out of USC benefitted from a lengthy absence from Justin Jefferson and finished with a 70-911-10 line in 17 games. Most fantasy pundits are expecting him to take a step back in Year 2, though, with a downgrade in QBs from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold. With him nursing an ankle injury to boot, fantasy managers should consider Addison a WR4/flex in Week 1 if he's active.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Sep 5 5:50pm ET
Christian McCaffrey

The San Francisco 49ers are officially listing running back Christian McCaffrey's (calf, Achilles) injury as both calf and Achilles on the injury report, and he was limited in practice on Thursday. This designation is not new but is now provided in full disclosure. Head coach Kyle Shanahan reassured reporters before practice that the Achilles issue is related to the calf strain McCaffrey sustained in early August during training camp. Shanahan did not express concern about McCaffrey's availability for Monday's season opener against the New York Jets. A three-time All-Pro, McCaffrey led the league in rushing yards (1,459) and total yards from scrimmage (2,023) in 2023 and tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns (21) with Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert. He was also named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. McCaffrey's exceptional skills as both a runner and a pass-catcher are crucial to the 49ers' offensive success, and he remains the team's top running back until further notice.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aubrey Sep 5 5:50pm ET
Brandon Aubrey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey was excellent in his rookie season last year and will look for another strong year in his sophomore season. Aubrey entered the last game of the season last year a perfect 35-for-35 before missing two in his final game. He still ended up with 49 extra points and finished as the top overall fantasy kicker with 9.2 fantasy points per game. There's no reason to believe he can't repeat or at least come close to his excellent season, making him an easy top-10 kicking option every week.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Sep 5 5:30pm ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson had a solid season last year, finishing as the overall fantasy TE10. He's set for a similar or perhaps even bigger role this year after the departure of running back Tony Pollard. Ferguson was 10th in receiving yards per game among tight ends and 17th in yards per route run. He could see more short passes going his way this season, making him an excellent floor play with some upside each week. Week 1, however, could be a difficult one as the Cleveland Browns defense limited opposing tight ends to the fewest receiving yards last season and the second-fewest fantasy points. Ferguson is a low-end TE1 for Week 1 with brighter outlooks ahead.

From RotoBaller