Good morning. It’s the perfect time to take five minutes from work to prep for upcoming fantasy drafts (we got you 🤝).

It’s also the perfect time to learn from the best beat writers in the NFL (we also got you, read The Athletic, who has a limited-time $1.99 sale 👈️ ).

Valid question: Has there ever been a worse NFL coach in history?

Kickoff Countdown

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ROOKIE

Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis rookie QB Anthony Richardson is #1 in our hearts. Not only is he a nice guy, but he also has a better skillset than Mike Vick-RGIII-Justin Fields combined. Richardson set QB combine records for broad jump (10’9”) and vertical jump (40.5”), while throwing a ball 60 MPH (2nd all-time) and running a 4.43 40-yard dash (4th all-time among QBs).

But is it all flash and no sauce? Maybe. Richardson must become a consistent passer, completing just 54.7% of his passes in college. He’s also among the least accurate QBs to ever be drafted in the first round, based on on-target % by depth. But remember: fantasy football isn't real football. Justin Fields was QB5 in FPPG last season despite being PFFs 36th ranked passer (yes, there are only 32 teams).

Given his rushing upside, Richardson is a must-draft flier with an ADP ranging from QB10-15. You can always grab Geno Smith or Kirk “You Like That” Cousins as option B.

What else they’re saying:

• Colts HC Shane Steichen has a history of success with young QBs (named Herbert and Hurts).

• Richardson is building momentum to be the Week 1 starter.

• "He’s been able to take in play calls and spit them out in the huddle, something rookie quarterbacks often struggle with.” -@AlbertBreer.

• Pat McAfee can't stop raving about Richardson, comparing his agility to Lamar Jackson and gushing over how easy he can flick the ball 55+ yards.

RISERS

Ready to Be Hurt Again

📈Cam Akers might have burned fantasy owners (like Eddie) last season, but he went from a healthy scratch to finishing with three straight 100+ yard games, and from Week 13-18, Akers averaged 18 PPR points per week. Sean Mcvay calls Akers a “central figure” in the offense this year. And Akers is in his contract year (remember Josh Jacobs contract year in 2022?).

With each practice, the odds Chiefs WR Justyn Ross lands a roster spot grows. An elite prospect (think: Ja’Marr Chase level) who could have been the WR1 in the 2022 draft had he stayed healthy, Ross is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds and a rare combination of skills. Patrick Mahomes on Ross: “He’s obviously making big plays, and he’s getting more and more involved in those first-team reps. He’s a guy that I hope can be a really good player in this offense.”

Ross wasn’t selected in the NFL Draft because of his medical history, as he learned in the spring of 2020 about a previously undetected congenital fusion in his spine, which threatened to end his career. In 10 days, the Chiefs will have their preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints — it will be Ross’ first game in 21 months.

New Panthers WR D.J Chark is a deeper sleeper. The Panthers WR coach said that Chark’s earned the trust of his QB and that if Young sees Chark one-on-one, Young will throw it.

Likely a weekly boom-or-bust player, Chark’s average of 14.4 yards per catch places him inside the top-10 of active WRs. If he can stay healthy, he could be the field stretcher for a young QB looking to establish himself. Exhibit A (video).

FALLERS

RBs (Still) Down Bad

📉 J.K. Dobbins has missed the first eight practices of Ravens camp due to an injury (known as a contract dispute). Remember, there’s a new OC in Baltimore - Todd Monken - who explained that it’s hard to say how far behind Dobbins is… Meanwhile, Melvin Gordon (yes, that Melvin Gordon) is making a strong first impression in Baltimore.

 The odds Dalvin Cook signs anytime soon are trending down. Just days ago he seemed a lock for the Jets. Now, it's reported that Cook and the Jets disagree over Cook’s role as the former Vikings RB wants to be the feature guy, via Dianna Russini on the Pat McAfee Show. Know your worth, Dalvin.

Is D.K. Metcalf overpriced at his WR12 ADP? Metcalf struggled with efficiency last season after posting a career low 11.8 yards per reception. His 78.7 PFF receiving grade was his lowest since his rookie season in 2019. "Metcalf's upside is through the roof, but his volatility paired with the fact that he'll see more competition for targets than ever before is enough to force me out on his WR12 cost”, per Kate Magdziuk at PFF.

Cooper Kupp’s status remains fluid after he suffered a hamstring injury Tuesday and left practice with a medical staffer, per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. Rams WR outlook, and other position battles are starting to taking shape with Kupp’s injury outlined in this article.

QUOTES

Flower Shop

He is “the most impressive rookie I have seen in six training camps” - Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. He’s talking about Ravens rookie WR Zay Flowers, who has been “near impossible” to cover in man-to-man.

“He lines up across from a corner, and unless they literally interfere with him or hold him, he has tremendous separation on almost every cut." Flowers’ ADP is currently multiple rounds behind fellow first-round rookie WRs. His pre-draft comp? Antonio Brown (on-field).

“You’re not the real hero, I’m the real hero” - Zach Wilson’s hype video had me dying. He finished last night’s start 3/5 for 65 yards.

“I see a two-headed monster here” - Lions HC Dan Campbell gave an in-depth breakdown of how he sees the Lions backfield playing out. Mark Ingram = David Montgomery while Alvin Kamara = Jahymr Gibbs.

DYNASTY

Trade Calculator & Big Bets

Marquise Brown enters a contract year at age 26, having only played an entire season once in his four years in the league. Brown was the WR5 in weeks 1-6 (without D-Hop) in 2022. Hopkins is now gone, and Brown is by far the best receiving option on the Cardinals - Brown also has led his team in air yards in each of the last three years and has never been outside the top-25 at his position, per Ryan Heath.

Kadarius Toney is projected to start the season on IR after having two surgeries on the same knee this off-season, and another surgery (unknown knee) last offseason. @DrJesseMorse believes this will “always be an issue” for Toney. His lengthy injury history aside, Toney is talented. But let someone else take a bet on his talent.

EstablishtheRun released a new tool - their Dynasty Trade Calculator. Put it in a trade, weigh ETR vs. market dynasty rankings, they tell you who wins. It also helps you make the trade more fair. If you’re a subscriber there (I am), highly recommend you check it out.

QUICK SLANTS

The Pollard Express

📖 Read Matthew Berry’s 100 Facts You Need to Know Before You Draft, which includes some Tony Pollard hype:

50. In 13 career games where he has gotten at least 15 touches, Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard averages 19.6 PPG.

51. Last year, Tony Pollard had 12 carries inside an opponent’s 10-yard line, tied for 30th among RBs.

52. Last year, Tony Pollard had nine rushing touchdowns.

53. Last year, Ezekiel Elliott had 26 carries inside an opponent’s 10-yard line, tied for third most among RBs.

📖 Read The NFL Top 100 List Revealed – Players Vote On The Best Players In The League which now includes players 11 (Aaron Donald) to 100 (DeVonta Smith). The craziest rankings? Lamar Jackson is #72 while Josh Jacobs is #12. Come on man.

📖 Read the inside scoop on the Colts’ relationship with Jonathan Taylor, who is now the third Colt to want out in the past nine months. This is by far the messiest.

🎙️Listen to the Fantasy WR Rankings, Tiers, and Fears podcast by The Ringer, the funniest fantasy pod out there. They created the “Dread Zone” - a tier of talented WRs with liabilities at QB (think: Jeudy, Watson and Diontae Johnson) and outline who they target there.

📺️ Watch Scott Barrett and TJ Calkin break down dynasty football strategies - a masterclass on how to navigate your fantasy football dynasty league.

If you’re anything like me, the hardest part of the day is hiding fantasy football from normal coworkers. It’s a weird feeling, seeing your bosses lips move while wondering if you should draft Jonathan Taylor at the end of the second round.

Grateful that you joined us this morning. Now get after it!

Tweet of the Day

Someone please check on Jonathan Taylor.

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