It has been said that the beginning is the very best place to start. Well, like most things, the GUTS model didn't start at one point, so nailing down a beginning is difficult. But I'm choosing this as a beginning. I know, I can hear it now, "Lou, that's a nice little acronym, but how
By Lou BrunsonPublished On: April 14th, 2026Categories: Draft, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on The GUTS Dynasty Model, Explained Vol. 1: How We See the GameTags: Amon-Ra St. Brown, baker mayfield, Dandre swift, emari demercado, Hollywood Brown, Jauan Jennings, josh allen, Josh Jacobs, justice hill, pat freiermuth, Ryan Flournoy, Tyreek Hill
Social media is great for watching news happen in real time. You're following news.optimusfantasy.com on BlueSky, watching all the fantasy-relevant info roll through in real time, it's awesome. But you know what's not so awesome? Trying to sift back through your timeline to figure out exactly where that one free agent ended up signing back
By Carly MangerPublished On: March 9th, 2026Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, News, NFL, Redraft, Storyline, TrendingComments Off on 2026 NFL Transaction TrackerTags: aaron jones, alec ingold, Alec Pierce, austin hooper, Breece Hall, cade otton, calvin austin, Case Keenum, Charlie Kolar, Chig Okonkwo, chris rodriguez, Christian Kirk, curtis samuel, D.J. Moore, Dallas Goedert, dalton schultz, daniel jones, Darnell Mooney, David Montgomery, Dawson Knox, drew dalman, Dyami Brown, eddy piñeiro, Emanuel Wilson, emari demercado, Foster Moreau, gardner minshew, Geno Smith, George Pickens, Greg Dulcich, Hollywood Brown, isaiah likely, Isiah Pacheco, j.k. dobbins, jahan dotson, jake moody, Jake Tonges, jaleel mclaughlin, Jalen Nailor, james conner, Javonte Williams, Jaylen Waddle, jeremy mcnichols, jerome ford, joe mixon, John Metchie, jonnu smith, josh johnson, juice scruggs, justin fields, ka'imi fairbairn, Kalif Raymond, Keaton Mitchell, kendrick bourne, Kenneth Gainwell, Kenneth Walker, kenny pickett, Khalil Mack, Kyle Allen, Kyle Pitts, kyler murray, Malik willis, Marcus Mariota, maxx crosby, Michael Pittman, Mike Evans, minkah fitzpatrick, noah fant, olamide zaccheaus, rachaad white, Rashid Shaheed, Rico Dowdle, Romeo Doubs, stefon diggs, T. J. Hockenson, tommy devito, travis etienne, travis kelce, trent mcduffie, Trey Hendrickson, Trey Lance, Treylon Burks, tua tagovailoa, tutu atwell, tyler allgeier, Tyler Conklin, tyler higbee, Tyreek Hill, van jefferson, wandale robinson, zane gonzalez
Welcome back, one and all. If you are confused as to why I am welcoming you back, stop what you are doing and go check out Part 1 of this series. Now, without further ado... (Click the play button above for the full experience) *X files music plays in the distance* Have you ever wondered
By Optimus StaffPublished On: November 13th, 2025Categories: Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on The Schedule Conspiracy: Who’s Got the Secret Path to the Championship (Part 2)Tags: AJ Barner, Brenton Strange, Brian Thomas, bucky irving, David Montgomery, Deebo Samuel, Drake Maye, emari demercado, hunter henry, Hunter Long, j.k. dobbins, Jahmyr Gibbs, james cook, Javonte Williams, Jayden Daniels, Kyle Pitts, lamar jackson, Marcus Mariota, Mark andrews, michael carter, michael penix, rachaad white, RJ Harvey, sean tucker, Terry McLaurin, Travis Hunter, trevor lawrence, Trey Benson, Zach Ertz, Zonovan Knight
Boy, it's getting late early these days! What do you mean it's 4:30 and it's already getting dark? Don't worry, you'll get no 'Winter is coming' from us, although winter is very definitely coming, and it's more than just the fading light and weaker rays of the sun that tell us so. It's Week 11,
By Optimus StaffPublished On: November 10th, 2025Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Strategy, Trending, waiver wireComments Off on Week 11 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football TeamTags: Aaron Rodgers, baker mayfield, Brock Bowers, bucky irving, cedric tillman, chicago bears, Chris Godwin, Dallas Cowboys, Dalton Kincaid, David Njoku, Dawson Knox, dillon gabriel, emari demercado, harold fannin, J.J. McCarthy, Jackson Hawes, Jacoby Brissett, james cook, Jaxson Dart, Jayden Daniels, Jerry Jeudy, joe flacco, josh allen, kyler murray, Malik Nabers, Marcus Mariota, Mike Evans, rachaad white, Rashid Shaheed, ray davis, Riley Patterson, russell wilson, sean tucker, tez johnson, Theo Johnson, Trey Benson, Ty Johnson, Tyler Shough
Welcome to Week 10 of Angles & Leverage! It's the first week we've had this season, some truly uneasy lineup decisions this week, especially in DFS. I can't believe I was scouring stone-minimum wide receivers with actual intent to start one of them. It was gross! Four more teams are on bye this week, including
By Kevin TompkinsPublished On: November 8th, 2025Categories: DFS/Betting, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on NFL Week 10 Fantasy Football Angles & LeverageTags: A.J. Brown, aaron jones, AJ Terrell, Alec Pierce, Alvin Kamara, Amon-Ra St. Brown, bhayshul tuten, bijan robinson, Breece Hall, Brian Thomas, Brock Purdy, Bucky Irvin, C.J. Stroud, caleb williams, cedric tillman, Chris Olave, chris rodriguez, Christian Kirk, Christian McCaffrey, Christian Watson, Colston Loveland, D.J. Moore, D.K. Metcalf, Dallas Goedert, Dalton Kincaid, dalton schultz, Dandre swift, daniel jones, davante adams, David Njoku, Davis Mills, de'von achane, Deebo Samuel, Demario Douglass, derrick henry, devaughn vele, devin singletary, DeVonta Smith, Drake London, Drake Maye, emari demercado, Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson, Greg Dulcich, harold fannin, hunter henry, Isaiah Davis, J.J. McCarthy, Jacoby Brissett, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jakobi Meyers, jalen hurts, james cook, Jameson Williams, Jared Cook, jared goff, Jaret Patterson, Jaxon Dart, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jayden Daniels, Jaylen Waddle, jaylen warren, jeremy mcnichols, Joe Alt, Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, josh allen, Josh Downs, Josh Jacobs, julian hill, justin fields, justin herbert, juwan johnson, Kayshon Boutte, keenan allen, Kenneth Gainwell, Kenneth Walker, Khalil Shakir, kimani vidal, kyle monangai, Kyle Pitts, Kyle Williams, Kyren Williams, lamar jackson, Luke Musgrave, mac jones, Mack Hollins, Marcus Mariota, Mark andrews, Marvin Harrison, matt milano, matthew stafford, Michael Pittman, nick chubb, Nico Collins, Oronde Gadsden, Parker Washington, puka nacua, Quinnen Williams, Quinshon Judkins, rachaad white, Rashawn Slater, Rashid Shaheed, Ray-Ray McCloud, Ricky Pearsall, Rico Dowdle, Rome Odunze, Romeo Doubs, Sam Darnold, Sam LaPorta, saquon barkley, Sauce Gardner, sean tucker, T. J. Hockenson, Tanner Connor, Terry McLaurin, Tetairoa McMillan, tez johnson, Theo Johnson, travis etienne, Trey McBride, tucker kraft, Tyler Warren, tyrod taylor, Tyrone Tracy, wandale robinson, Woody Marks, Xavier Hutchinson, Zach Charbonnet, Zay Flowers
It's Week 6, and there are only two teams on bye: the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings. Enough time has gone by this season that we're starting to know what these teams are in 2025. Like the Colts, it's much more than a hot start at this point; they're AFC contenders. There's a lot of
By Kevin TompkinsPublished On: October 11th, 2025Categories: DFS/Betting, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Storyline, StrategyComments Off on NFL Week 6 Fantasy Football Angles and LeverageTags: Alvin Kamara, Amon-Ra St. Brown, antonio gibson, ashton jeanty, baker mayfield, bhayshul tuten, bijan robinson, Bo Nix, Breece Hall, Brian Thomas, Brock Bowers, bucky irving, cade otton, calvin ridley, cam ward, chase brown, Chris Godwin, Chris Olave, Christian Gonzalez, Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard, Cooper Kupp, cooper rush, Courtland Sutton, D.J. Reed, D.K. Metcalf, Dak Prescott, Dalton Kincaid, Dandre swift, daniel jones, Darnell Mooney, darren waller, davante adams, David Montgomery, David Njoku, Dawson Knox, de'von achane, Deebo Samuel, derrick henry, dillon gabriel, Drake London, Drake Maye, emari demercado, Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson, George Pickens, hassan haskins, hunter henry, j.k. dobbins, Ja'Marr Chase, Jackson Hawes, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jake Ferguson, Jakobi Meyers, Jalen Coker, Jalen Tolbert, james cook, Jameson Williams, jared goff, Jauan Jennings, Javonte Williams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jayden Daniels, Jaylen Waddle, jaylen warren, joe flacco, Jonathan Taylor, jordan love, josh allen, Josh Downs, Josh Jacobs, justin fields, justin herbert, juwan johnson, Kareem Hunt, keenan allen, kendre miller, kendrick bourne, Kenneth Gainwell, Kenneth Walker, Khalil Shakir, kimani vidal, Kyle Pitts, kyler murray, Kyren Williams, Ladd McConkey, Malik Washington, Mark andrews, Marvin Harrison, Matthew Golden, matthew stafford, michael carter, michael mayer, Michael Pittman, Mike Evans, Omarion Hampton, Patrick Mahomes, Patrick Surtain, puka nacua, Quentin Johnston, Quinshon Judkins, rachaad white, rhamondre stevenson, Ricky Pearsall, Rico Dowdle, Rome Odunze, Romeo Doubs, Ryan Flournoy, Sam LaPorta, Samaje Perine, stefon diggs, Sterling Shepard, Terrion Arnold, Terry McLaurin, Tetairoa McMillan, tony pollard, tory horton, travis etienne, travis kelce, tre tucker, TreVeyon Henderson, trevor lawrence, Trey McBride, tua tagovailoa, tucker kraft, Tyler Warren, Xavier Worthy, Zach Charbonnet, Zay Flowers
I am back for another week of Unpacking the NFL. If you are new here, I will be posting a stat/takeaway dump every Monday, unpacking different players and situations around the league. Week 5 did not disappoint. We had upsets, blowouts, breakouts, and a few "what just happened?" moments (I am looking at you, Arizona) that
By Carly MangerPublished On: October 6th, 2025Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, Storyline, Strategy, Trending, Unpacking The NFLComments Off on Unpacking the NFL Week 5: The Stats You Need NowTags: A.J. Brown, Adian O'Connell, AJ Barner, Alvin Kamara, antonio gibson, baker mayfield, Blake Corum, braelon allen, Breece Hall, Brock Bowers, Brock Purdy, bucky irving, calvin ridley, cam skattebo, ceedee lamb, chase brown, Chris Godwin, Chris Olave, Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard, Cooper Kupp, Courtland Sutton, Dalton Kincaid, dalton schultz, darren waller, Daryl Johnston, davante adams, David Montgomery, David Njoku, Deebo Samuel, derrick henry, DeVonta Smith, dillon gabriel, emari demercado, Emeka Egbuka, Emmitt Smith, Geno Smith, george kittle, harold fannin, j.k. dobbins, Ja'Marr Chase, Jacory Croskey-Merrett, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jake Browning, Jake Ferguson, Jake Tonges, Jalen Nailor, james cook, Jauan Jennings, Javonte Williams, joe flacco, Jonathan Taylor, jonnu smith, Jordan Addison, juwan johnson, keenan allen, kendre miller, kendrick bourne, Kenneth Walker, kenny pickett, Kyren Williams, Ladd McConkey, lamar jackson, mac jones, Malik Nabers, Malik Washington, mason taylor, michael carter, Mike Evans, Nico Collins, Patrick Surtain, puka nacua, Quentin Johnston, Quinshon Judkins, rachaad white, Randy Moss, Rashid Shaheed, rhamondre stevenson, Ricky Pearsall, Rico Dowdle, RJ Harvey, Ryan Flournoy, Sam Darnold, Sam LaPorta, Samaje Perine, saquon barkley, stefon diggs, Tee Higgins, Terry McLaurin, Theo Johnson, Trey Benson, Troy Franklin, Tyler Warren, Tyrone Tracy, wandale robinson, Woody Marks, Xavier Hutchinson, Zach Charbonnet
We're in Week 5, with a quartet of byes that includes the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. We have a handful of data points under our belt through the season's first four weeks, which give us some clarity and insight into what these teams are doing this season. We're no
By Kevin TompkinsPublished On: October 4th, 2025Categories: DFS/Betting, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Angles and LeverageTags: A.J. Brown, Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce, Alvin Kamara, Amon-Ra St. Brown, ashton jeanty, baker mayfield, braelon allen, Brashard Smith, Breece Hall, Brenton Strange, Brian Thomas, Brock Bowers, cade otton, cam skattebo, cedric tillman, ceedee lamb, chase brown, Chris Godwin, Chris Olave, chris rodriguez, Chuba Hubbard, Cooper Kupp, Courtland Sutton, Dalton Kincaid, daniel jones, Darius Slayton, darren waller, David Montgomery, David Njoku, de'von achane, Deebo Samuel, dillon gabriel, Drake Maye, emari demercado, Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson, George Pickens, Harold Fanning, hunter henry, Isaiah Bond, Isaiah Davis, Ja'Marr Chase, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jake Ferguson, Jakobi Meyers, Jalen Tolbert, james cook, Jameson Williams, Jaren Goff, Javonte Williams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jaxson Dart, Jayden Daniels, Jaydon Blue, Jaylen Waddle, Jerick McKinnon, Jerry Jeudy, joe flacco, Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, josh allen, Josh Downs, justin fields, Justin Jefferson, juwan johnson, keenan allen, Kenneth Walker, Khalil Shakir, Kyle Pitts, kyler murray, Ladd McConkey, Malik Nabers, Malik Washington, Marvin Harrison, michael carter, Michael Pittman, miles sanders, nick chubb, nick westbrook-ikhine, Nico Collins, Omarion Hampton, Parker Washington, Patrick Surtain, Quentin Johnston, Quinshon Judkins, rachaad white, Rashee Rice, Rashid Shaheed, rhamondre stevenson, Rico Dowdle, Sam Darnold, Sam LaPorta, saquon barkley, sean tucker, stefon diggs, Sterling Shepard, T. J. Hockenson, Tee Higgins, Terry McLaurin, Tetairoa McMillan, Tim Tebow, tom brady, Tommy Tremble, tony pollard, Travis Hunter, travis kelce, tre tucker, TreVeyon Henderson, trevor etienne, trevor lawrence, Trey McBride, Troy Franklin, tucker kraft, Tyler Warren, Tyreek Hill, wandale robinson, Willis McGahee, Woody Marks, Xavier Worthy, Zach Charbonnet, Zach Ertz
I am back for another week of Unpacking the NFL. If you are new here, I will be posting a stat/takeaway dump every Monday, unpacking different players and situations around the league. This article was inspired by JJ Zachariason's Monday Dumps, so shout out to him and make sure to check him out! Week 4
By Carly MangerPublished On: September 29th, 2025Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, Storyline, Strategy, Trending, Unpacking The NFLComments Off on Unpacking the NFL Week 4: The Stats You Need NowTags: A.J. Brown, aaron jones, Alvin Kamara, Amon-Ra St. Brown, ashton jeanty, bhayshul tuten, bijan robinson, Brian Robinson, Brian Thomas, bucky irving, cam ward, ceedee lamb, Chris Godwin, Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbad, cole kmet', Colston Loveland, Cooper Kupp, D.K. Metcalf, Dalton Kincaid, Darius Slayton, Deebo Samuel, derrick henry, DeVonta Smith, Drake London, Drake Maye, elic ayomanor, emari demercado, Emeka Egbuka, George Pickens, hunter henry, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jake Ferguson, jalen hurts, james cook, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jaxson Dart, joe flacco, joe mixon, Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, josh allen, justice hill, kendre miller, Kenneth Gainwell, Kenneth Walker, lamar jackson, Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison, Najee harris, Omarion Hampton, Patrick Mahomes, puka nacua, Quentin Johnston, Quinshon Judkins, rhamondre stevenson, Rico Dowdle, Rome Odunze, Romeo Doubs, stefon diggs, Terry McLaurin, Tetairoa McMillan, Theo Johnson, Tommy Tremble, travis etienne, TreVeyon Henderson, trevor etienne, Trey Benson, Trey McBride, tyler allgeier, Tyler Warren, wandale robinson, Woody Marks, Xavier Worthy, Zach Charbonnet, zavier scott
Now that we're in Week 3, we have a couple of data points under our belt, which give us some insight into what these teams are doing this season. We're no longer guessing with utilization and using what we have at our disposal to make informed decisions. In this ongoing series, Kevin will take every
By Kevin TompkinsPublished On: September 19th, 2025Categories: DFS/Betting, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on NFL Week 3 Fantasy Football Angles and LeverageTags: A.J. Brown, A.J. Terrell, aaron jones, Aaron Rodgers, Alvin Kamara, Amon-Ra St. Brown, ashton jeanty, Austin Ekeler, baker mayfield, ben sinnott, bhayshul tuten, bijan robinson, Blake Corum, Breece Hall, Brian Thomas Jr., Brock Bowers, bryce young, bucky irving, cade otton, calvin ridley, cam akers, cam skattebo, Carson Wentz, cedric tillman, ceedee lamb, chase brown, Chimere Dike, Chris Olave, chris rodriguez, Christian McCaffrey Mac Jones, Chuba Hubbard, Colston Loveleand, Courtland Sutton, D.J. Moore, D.K. Metcalf, Dak Prescott, Dallas Goedert, Dandre swift, daniel jones, davante adams, David Montgomery, David Njoku, derrick henry, DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wikcs, Drake London, Drake Maye, Dylan Samson, elic ayomanor, emari demercado, Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson, Geno Smith, Harold Fannin Jr, hunter renfrow, Isaac TeSlaa, isaiah likely, J.J. McCarthy, j.k. dobbins, Jack Conklin, Jacoby Ford, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jake Browning, Jake Ferguson, Jakobi Meyers, jalen hurts, james conner, Jameson Williams, jared goff, Jason Witten, Jauan Jennings, Javonte Williams, Jaxon Smith-Njigma, Jayden Daniels, Jayden Higgins, Jayden Reed, jaylen warren, jaylin lane, Jaylin Noel, jeremy mcnichols, Jerry Jeudy, Joe Burrow, Joel Bitonio, john bates, Jonathan Taylor, jonnu smith, Jordan Mason, Josh Downs, justin fields, Justin Jefferson, justin watson, juwan johnson, Kaleb Johnson, Kalif Raymond, keenan allen, Kellen Morre, Kenneth Gainwell, Kenneth Walker, kyle monangai, Kyren Williams, Ladd McConkey, lamar jackson, Luke Musgrave, luther burden, Malik Nabers, Marcus Mariota, Marvin Harrison Jr., Matthew Golden, matthew stafford, micah parsons, Michael Pittman, Mike Evans, Najee harris, nick chubb, Nico Collins, Noah Brown, Omarion Hampton, pat freiermuth, Patrick Mahomes, Patrick Surtain, puka nacua, Quentin Johnston, Quinshon Judkins, Rashid Shaheed, Ray-Ray McCloud, rhamondre stevenson, Ricky Pearsall, RJ Harvey, Rome Odunze, Romeo Doubs, russell wilson, Sam LaPorta, saquon barkley, Sauce Gardner, sean payton, stefon diggs, T. J. Hockenson, Tee Higgins, Terry McLaurin, Tery Benson, Tetairoa McMillan, tony pollard, travis etienne, Travis Hunter, travis kelce, TreVevon Henderson, trevor lawrence, Trey McBride, Troy Franklin, tucker kraft, Tyler Lockett, Tyler Warren, wandale robinson, Woody Marks, Xavier Hutchinson, Xavier Legette, Xavier Worthy, Zach Charbonnet, zavier scott, Zay Flowers
