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
Well, they're here - the first week of byes. I didn't think they'd be quite this rough, either, but here we are. I mean, it's Week 5, and already we're talking about Flex players like "Tre Tucker" and "Darius Slayton," even in shallower leagues. Dig any deeper, and you start seeing true Madden-esque create-a-player names.
By Optimus StaffPublished On: October 3rd, 2025Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on Friday Vibes: NFL Week 5 Storylines and 2025 Fantasy Football OutlookTags: bucky irving, Carson Wentz, chase brown, Chuba Hubbard, Darius Slayton, derrick henry, george kittle, Jake Tonges, Joe Alt, justin herbert, keenan allen, kendrick bourne, Ladd McConkey, lamar jackson, Malik Nabers, Mekhi Becton, michael carter, Omarion Hampton, Quentin Johnston, rachaad white, tre tucker, Tyreek Hill
Do you long for the summer? Fresh out of the draft, which you clearly won and would coast to another fantasy football championship with nary a breath of opposition? Well, this is not that, folks! Massive injuries have decimated otherwise airtight plans, underperformers have destroyed foolproof schemes, and byes are wreaking havoc on our once
By Optimus StaffPublished On: October 3rd, 2025Categories: DFS/Betting, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 5Tags: Alec Pierce, Andrew Van Ginkel, Austin Ekeler, Bill Croskey-Merritt, chris rodriguez, Courtland Sutton, dillon gabriel, Evan Engram, Ivan Pace, Jacory Crosk, Javon Hargrave, Jaylen Waddle, jeremy mcnichols, joe flacco, Jonathan Allen, Jonathan Greenard, keenan allen, Marvin Mims, Quinshon Judkins, Rico Dowdle, tory horton, Troy Franklin, Tua Tagvailoa, Tyreek Hill
We're in Week 4, and we have a few 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, I will take every game and
By Kevin TompkinsPublished On: September 27th, 2025Categories: DFS/Betting, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on NFL Week 4 Fantasy Football Angles and LeverageTags: Aaron Rodgers, Adonai Mitchell, aj brown, Alec Pierce, Alvin Kamara, Amon-Ra St. Brown, baker mayfield, bijan robinson, Breece Hall, bucky irving, cam skattebo, Carson Wentz, ceedee lamb, chase brown, Chris Godwin, Chris Olave, chris rodriguez, Christian Gonzalez, Christian Kirk, Chuba Hubbard, Courtland Sutton, Dallas Goedert, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, David Montgomery, David Njoku, de'von achane, derrick henry, devin singletary, DeVonta Smith, dillon gabriel, DK Metcalf, Drake London, Drake Maye, elic ayomanor, Emeka Egbuka, Evan Engram, Garrett Wilson, George Pickens, harold fannin, hassan haskins, hunter henry, Ja'Marr Chase, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jake Ferguson, jalen hurts, james cook, jared goff, Javonte Williams, Jaxson Dart, Jayden Daniels, Jaylen Waddle, jaylen warren, jaylin lane, jeremy mcnichols, Jerry Jeudy, jk dobbins, joe flacco, john bates, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, josh allen, Josh Jacobs, justin fields, Justin Jefferson, juwan johnson, keenan allen, Kenneth Gainwell, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, kimani vidal, Kyle Pitts, Ladd McConkey, Malik Nabers, Malik Washington, matt milano, Mike Evans, nick chubb, Nico Colins, Noah Brown, ollie gordon, Omarion Hampton, Oronde Gadsden, Quentin Johnston, Quinshon Judkins, raheem mostert, ray davis, rhamondre stevenson, Sam LaPorta, Samaje Perine, saquon barkley, stefon diggs, Sterling Shepard, Tahj Brooks, Tee Higgins, Terry McLaurin, Tet McMillan, Tetairoa McMillan, Theo Johnson, tj hockenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Tyreek Hill, tyrod taylor, Tyrone Tracy, wandale robinson, Will Dissly, Woody Marks, Xavier Hutchinson, Xavier Legette, Zach Ertz
The season-ending ankle injuries will continue until morale improves. Countless fantasy teams found themselves hamstrung, please pardon the pun, as the Week 3 slate played out. The vibes were decimated. But we carry on! The fantasy season is long and at times grueling, and we love it because of those aspects. Or maybe in spite
By Optimus StaffPublished On: September 26th, 2025Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, Storyline, Strategy, TrendingComments Off on Friday Vibes: NFL Week 4 Storylines and 2025 Fantasy Football OutlookTags: ashton jeanty, C.J. Stroud, D.J. Moore, daniel jones, Eli Manning, jameis winston, Javonte Williams, Jaxson Dart, Jonathan Taylor, keenan allen, Ladd McConkey, luther burden, Malik Nabers, matthew stafford, Nico Collins, puka nacua, Quentin Johnston, Rome Odunze, russell wilson
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
Hey, is anybody old enough to remember 2024 Week 1 waiver wire darling Isaiah Likely? Pepperidge Farm remembers. As it happens, so do we. We had experts advising people to spend 50%+ FAAB on him and his 12 Week 1 targets. Of course, Likely went on to earn another 41 throughout the entire rest of
By Optimus StaffPublished On: September 8th, 2025Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, Strategy, waiver wireComments Off on Week 2 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football TeamTags: Aaron Rodgers, Ben Skowronek, bryce young, calvin austin, cam ward, D.K. Metcalf, Dallas Cowboys, daniel jones, DJ Giddens, Dylan Sampson, george kittle, isaiah likely, Ja'Marr Chase, jalen hurts, Jauan Jennings, Jaxson Dart, jerome ford, Joe Burrow, joey slye, Jonathan Taylor, jonnu smith, justice hill, justin fields, juwan johnson, Kayshon Boutte, keenan allen, Kyle Williams, Ladd McConkey, los angeles rams, Mack Hollins, Matt Prater, micah parsons, Mike Gesicki, noah fant, pat freiermuth, Quentin Johnston, Quinshon Judkins, roman wilson, russell wilson, Scott Miller, Spender Shrader, stefon diggs, Tyler Bass, Tyler Conklin, tyler goodson, Will Dissly
Welcome to the NFC South version of Optimus Fantasy's Team Previews! Today, we're looking at the New Orleans Saints. In order to best know where we're going, we often need to study where we've been. With that in mind, I will cover what the team looked like in 2024, fantasy significant changes to philosophy and
By Lou BrunsonPublished On: August 24th, 2025Categories: 2025 team previews, Draft, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, TrendingComments Off on New Orleans Saints Fantasy Football Preview 2025 | Draft Guide & AnalysisTags: Alvin Kamara, blake grupe, Brandin Cooks, ceedee lamb, Chris Olave, Derek Carr, Jake Haener, jamaal williams, juwan johnson, keenan allen, kendre miller, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashid Shaheed, spender rattler, Tyler Shough
Welcome to the NFC North version of Optimus Fantasy's Team Previews! Today, we're looking at the Chicago Bears. In order to best know where we're going, we often need to study where we've been. With that in mind, I will cover what the team looked like in 2024, fantasy significant changes to philosophy and personnel,
By Lou BrunsonPublished On: August 20th, 2025Categories: 2025 team previews, Draft, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, TrendingComments Off on Chicago Bears Fantasy Football Preview 2025 | Draft Guide & AnalysisTags: cairo santos, caleb williams, cole kmet', Colston Loveland, D.J. Moore, Dandre swift, drew dalman, jalen hurts, jared goff, Jayden Daniels, Joe Burrow, joe thuney, jonah jackson, keenan allen, kyle monangai, luther burden, olamide zaccheaus, Rome Odunze, roschon johnson
