Guess who's back, back again? Oh, it's me! Back again with another week of Unpacking the NFL. If you are new here, welcome! Every Monday, I will be posting a stat/takeaway dump, unpacking different players and fantasy-related situations around the league. Week 8 included National Tight End Day! I, for one, was excited! It is usually
By Carly MangerPublished On: October 27th, 2025Categories: Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, Storyline, Strategy, Trending, Unpacking The NFLComments Off on Unpacking the NFL Week 8: The Stats You Need NowTags: aaron jones, bijan robinson, Bo Nix, Breece Hall, bucky irving, Cam Newton, cam skattebo, Charlie Kolar, chase brown, Christian Kirk, Christian McCaffrey, Courtland Sutton, Dallas Goedert, dan marino, David Njoku, de'von achane, derrick henry, Emanuel Wilson, Garrett Wilson, george kittle, Gunnar Helm, harold fannin, hunter henry, j.k. dobbins, Ja'Marr Chase, Jake Browning, Jake Tonges, jalen hurts, james cook, Jayden Higgins, Jaylen Waddle, Jaylin Noel, joe flacco, joe mixon, Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Mason, josh allen, Josh Jacobs, justin fields, Kayvon Thibodeaux, keenan allen, kimani vidal, Kirk Cousins, Ladd McConkey, lamar jackson, mac jones, mason taylor, nick chubb, Nico Collins, Omarion Hampton, Oronde Gadsden, Quentin Johnston, rachaad white, rhamondre stevenson, RJ Harvey, Rome Odunze, Samaje Perine, saquon barkley, sean tucker, Tank Bigsby, Tee Higgins, tony pollard, TreVeyon Henderson, Troy Franklin, tucker kraft, tyjae spears, tyler huntley, Tyrone Tracy, Woody Marks, zavier scott
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 fannin, hunter henry, Isaiah Bond, Isaiah Davis, Ja'Marr Chase, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jake Ferguson, Jakobi Meyers, Jalen Tolbert, james cook, Jameson Williams, jared 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
Just like that, the whole preseason is behind us. Congratulations, everyone! The next time we see a team on an NFL field, it will count. We're almost there. Just like before, this column wouldn't be possible without the work of Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus. He does great work; check him out if you
By Lou BrunsonPublished On: August 24th, 2025Categories: Draft, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, TrendingComments Off on Preseason Week 3 Takeaways | 2025 Fantasy FootballTags: A.J. Brown, adam thielen, ainias smith, anthony richardson, Bill Croskey-Merritt, Bo Nix, Brashard Smith, Brock Bowers, Brycen Tremayne, bucky irving, cam skattebo, chris brooks, Chris Olave, chris rodriguez, cole kmet', Colston Loveland, Courtland Sutton, d'ernest johnson, Dak Prescott, Dameon Pierce, damien martinez, David Moore, de'von achane, Deuce Vaughn, DeVonta Smith, devontez walker, Dontayvion Wicks, Dylan Sampson, elic ayomanor, Elijah Mitchell, elijah moore, Emanuel Wilson, emari demercado, george holani, harold fannin, hunter renfrow, isaac guerendo, Isaac TeSlaa, Isiah Pacheco, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, jahan dotson, Jalen Coker, james conner, Jarquez Hunter, Javon Baker, Jaxson Dart, Jayden Higgins, Jayden Reed, Jaydon Blue, jaylen warren, jaylen wright, Jaylin Noel, jermaine burton, jerome ford, joe flacco, John Metchie, Johnny Wilson, justin herbert, Kaleb Johnson, Kareem Hunt, Kenneth Walker, kimani vidal, luther burden, Malachi Corley, malik heath, Malik Washington, Marvin Mims, mason taylor, Matthew Golden, michael mayer, Najee harris, nick chubb, rachaad white, rasheen ali, Riley Leonard, Romeo Doubs, sean tucker, spencer rattler, Terrace Marshall, terrance ferguson, Trey Benson, tua tagovailoa, Ty Chandler, Tyler Shough, tyrell shavers, van jefferson, Xavier Hutchinson, Zach Charbonnet
Welcome to the NFC South version of Optimus Fantasy's Team Previews! Today, we're looking at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 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 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Football Preview 2025 | Draft Guide & AnalysisTags: baker mayfield, bucky irving, cade otton, chase mclaughlin, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Mike Evans, rachaad white, sean tucker, tristan wirfs
Did you watch all of those preseason games? No?! Well, that's OK, I didn't either. But I did go back and watch the relevant parts of all of the ones I missed to bring you this article. Let's start off by setting some expectations about this column: Jobs are not won or lost in Week
By Lou BrunsonPublished On: August 12th, 2025Categories: Best Ball, DFS/Betting, Draft, Dynasty, Fantasy 101, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, Rookie, TrendingComments Off on Preseason Week 1 Takeaways | 2025 Fantasy FootballTags: aaron jones, aj dillon, alexander mattison, Alvin Kamara, Andrei Iosivas, andy dalton, anthony richardson, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Austin Ekeler, baltimore ravens, Blake Corum, Bo Nix, braelon allen, Brashard Smith, Breece Hall, Brenton Strange, Brian Robinson, bryce young, Buffalo Bills, calvin ridley, cam ward, carolina panthers, chase brown, chicago bears, Chimere Dike, Chris Godwin, Christian Kirk, cincinnati bengals, cleveland browns, Dallas Cowboys, denver broncos, Detroit Lions, DJ Giddens, Dylan Sampson, Efton Chism, elic ayomanor, Elijah Mitchell, elijah moore, Emeka Egbuka, green bay packers, houston texans, indianapolis colts, Isaac TeSlaa, Isaiah Davis, Isiah Pacheco, J.J. McCarthy, j.k. dobbins, Jack Bech, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jalen Coker, Jalen McMillan, james conner, Jarquez Hunter, Jaxson Dart, Jayden Reed, jaylen warren, jaylen wright, jerome ford, Joe Burrow, Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Mason, jordan whittington, justin fields, justin herbert, Kaleb Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs, KaVontae Turpin, Keaton Mitchell, kendre miller, Kenneth Gainwell, khalil herbert, las vegas raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, los angeles rams, Marvin Mims, Matthew Golden, miami dolphins, Mike Evans, Minnesota Vikings, new england patriots, new orleans saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Nico Collins, Philadelphia Eagles, pierre strong, Pittsburgh Steelers, rachaad white, rhamondre stevenson, Ricky Pearsall, RJ Harvey, roschon johnson, Samaje Perine, San Francisco 49ers, sean payton, sean tucker, Seattle Seahawks, spencer rattler, Tahj Brooks, tampa bay buccaneers, Taylor Heinicke, tennessee titans, travis etienne, tre tucker, TreVeyon Henderson, trevor lawrence, Trey Benson, Trey Lance, Troy Franklin, tua tagovailoa, tyjae spears, Tyler Boyd, tyler goodson, Tyler Lockett, Tyler Shough, tyson bagent, van jefferson, Washington Commanders, Will Shipley, Xavier Legette
Zero RB. (No, don't leave!) For a decade and change, this fantasy football draft strategy has been incredibly polarizing. It's made that one guy in your 12-team league into the league pariah. It has separated loved ones from their families in search of their new Zero RB star -- sorry, the answer was NOT
By Kevin TompkinsPublished On: April 17th, 2025Categories: Best Ball, Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, StrategyComments Off on Best Ball Strategy -- Zero RB vs. Robust RB | 2025 Fantasy FootballTags: bucky irving, chase brown, Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard, isaac guerendo, Jordan Mason, ken walker, Kenneth Walker, Najee harris, Rico Dowdle, sean tucker, Tank Bigsby, Tyrone Tracy, Zach Charbonnet, zamir white, Zero RB
Hey folks! We cannot understate the importance of being in on Week 9 waiver wire players early while the free agency acquisition budget (FAAB) price is cheapest (or free!), so you can add them to your roster. This is not just for adding them to your roster so your league mates don't get them first;
By Kevin TompkinsPublished On: October 25th, 2024Categories: Fantasy Football, Featured, NFL, Redraft, waiver wireComments Off on Week 9 Waiver Wire Look-Ahead Options | Fantasy FootballTags: cedric tillman, Drake Maye, Jalen Tolbert, jonnu smith, Quarterbacks, Running Backs, sean tucker, Tight Ends, wide receivers
Sometimes, life is stressful. It isn't always tailgating parties and Daisy Dukes like Morgan Wallen sings about. Most of the time, going through a day makes me realize a lot of music is just pandering bull crap. It feels more like Hank Williams Sr. and his crushing, heartache-laced blues. Bills are piling up, and my
By Bo McBrayerPublished On: October 18th, 2024Categories: Fantasy Football, Featured, Redraft, Spicy MusingsComments Off on Spicy Fantasy Musings | Fantasy Football Advice | Week 7Tags: Amon-Ra St. Brown, baker mayfield, bijan robinson, brandon aiyuk, Brock Purdy, bucky irving, cam akers, Chris Godwin, Cooper Kupp, D.K. Metcalf, Darnell Mooney, David Montgomery, Deebo Samuel, derrick henry, Drake London, Geno Smith, george kittle, isaiah likely, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, jared goff, Jordan Addison, juju smith-schuster, Justin Jefferson, Kareem Hunt, Kenneth Walker, Kirk Cousins, Kyle Juszczyk, lamar jackson, Mark andrews, Mike Evans, Patrick Mahomes, rachaad white, rashod bateman, Sam Darnold, Sam LaPorta, sean tucker, T. J. Hockenson, travis kelce, Ty Chandler, Tyler Lockett, Xavier Worthy, Zay Flowers
If you're like me, you stream defenses. Here are my favorite D/ST units for Week 7, plus four players you can drop confidently to make room on your fantasy football rosters.
By Nate PolvogtPublished On: October 15th, 2024Categories: Fantasy Football, Redraft, waiver wireComments Off on Week 7 Fantasy Football Starts & Drops | Streaming D/STs + Droppable PlayersTags: Bo Nix, bucky irving, cam akers, chase brown, cincinnati bengals, Dare Ogunbowale, deshaun watson, indianapolis colts, jalynn polk, Jaylen Waddle, joe mixon, new england patriots, new orleans saints, rachaad white, sean tucker, skylar thompson, tua tagovailoa, tyler huntley, Tyreek Hill, zack moss
If you like winning, come back every week for under-the-radar fantasy waiver wire pickups to keep you in contention until the final contest. We leave no stone unturned to ensure we give you the BEST chance to win week in and week out. Let's get to it with our Week 7 waiver wire pickups. The
By Nate PolvogtPublished On: October 15th, 2024Categories: Fantasy Football, Featured, News, NFL, Redraft, waiver wireComments Off on Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups | QB, RB, WR, TE & D/ST + DropsTags: Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, andy dalton, baker mayfield, ben sinnott, bijan robinson, Bo Nix, bucky irving, cade otton, cam akers, chase brown, Chris Godwin, CIN, cincinnati bengals, daniel jones, Dare Ogunbowale, Darius Slayton, demario douglas, Derek Carr, deshaun watson, devaughn vele, devin singletary, Drake Maye, Garrett Wilson, IND, indianapolis colts, isaac guerendo, j.k. dobbins, jalynn polk, Jayden Daniels, Jaylen Waddle, jim harbaugh, jk dobbins, joe mixon, Jordan Mason, juju smith-schuster, justin herbert, kimani vidal, Malik Nabers, Mike Evans, NE, new england patriots, new orleans saints, NO, noah fant, Patrick Mahomes, rachaad white, Rashee Rice, sean tucker, spencer rattler, taysom hill, Terry McLaurin, travis kelce, tua tagovailoa, tyler allgeier, tyler huntley, Tyreek Hill, Tyrone Tracy, waiver wire, week 7, Xavier Legette, Zach Ertz, zack moss
