Fantasy Football Mailbag: Sleeper Picks, My Guys, League Structure, And More
Gene Clemons digs into the mailbag to answer questions from our Fantasy Life Discord members, who asked for player and draft recommendations.
We are into the first week of preseason games, which may give us some insight into new offenses and how players will perform in them. I am excited to see all of these teams back on the field. I am also excited about the Fantasy Life Discord. Shoutout to all of you for being so active. I asked for fantasy questions and you responded in grand fashion. Not only did you ask questions but you asked good, thought-provoking questions. My only regret is not being able to respond to everyone—especially since I have been made fun of in the past for my “lengthy pieces.” I will definitely get to the Discord and do some AMAs. I would love to engage with this rich community of fun-loving fantasy football-holics. In the meantime, let's answer some questions.
Fantasy Football Mailbag Questions
How do I talk my redraft home league managers out of superflex? - failuredisciple
Which three players with a top-25 ADP are you fading/concerned about? - Craig
If I'm being honest the top 25 is pretty rock solid. The only concerns are based on injury. Will Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor stay healthy? Will Tyreek Hill and De'Von Achane get a healthy Tua Tagovailoa and will Dak Prescott stay healthy to throw to CeeDee Lamb? Other than that, all of these players should have a quality season.
Which three players outside the top 50 are you drafting a round early to be sure you get them? - Craig
Justin Fields: He is being drafted in round nine or 10, but you should be ready to get him in the seventh round. His potential value as a runner is going to make people roll the dice on him earlier than other quarterbacks. Never forget that when he is out on the field, he produces like a top-10 quarterback.
Alvin Kamara: He seems to be going criminally low considering that he's the only consistent performer the Saints have on offense. He can affect the game as a rusher and as a receiver, which makes him even more effective and it is not like the NFC South has AFC North-caliber defenses in it. Fantasy managers will remember him in real time so you do not want to get caught waiting.
Jakobi Meyers is getting a similar target share to Brock Bowers so it is strange that he is being drafted so low, but you know who realizes that as well? The other people in your draft. If you believe in him with improved quarterback play and a rushing attack then you need to be ready to take him earlier than expected.
Who are your sleeper/sneaky "my guys" for this year? Not the chalk answers that most people will give. The guys you have a gut feeling about but don’t want to actually put the names out into the fantasy universe? - SportDPro16
If I have a feeling about them but don't want to put it out into the fantasy universe then why would I do that now? I will say this, there's a tight end in New York that I believe will have a surprise impact, an NFC North back who could break out, and an established NFC South receiver who could see his numbers go up as well.
In a 10-team PPR superflex league and we are going to TE Premium this year, too. How should I approach the draft? Is it a must to grab a TE in the first or second round? - DirtyChewbaccaRock
Some people make more out of the tight end premium than they should. Do not reach for tight ends because they are at a premium. Instead, take advantage of others reaching and grab the normally high-scoring talents. Remember that the premium raises the level of the tier 2 and tier 3 tight ends and that is where you likely want to grab your guy. After the two super target tight ends, who are you getting that you believe will pay major dividends in a TEP league? Maybe Kittle. Let everybody else jump, you can play it cool
In general, should Dynasty fees be waived for a new owner taking over a dumpster fire? - A mob of ducks
It is not a bad gesture if you know the new owner is coming into a difficult situation or “basura en fuego” as you described. The better gesture is to allow them to have the top pick overall. Give them the opportunity to build and reshape their roster through the draft. I would even be interested in doing an expansion draft where a new owner gets to grab one unprotected player from every roster. That would definitely be a great gesture.
Targets outside of the top 200 for us sickos in 18-team leagues. - Valuetown
Jalen Royals is a receiver who is being overlooked in a wide receiver room in Kansas City that looks deep on paper but he has real legit talent. He also has something many of the other receivers don't have, and that is position flexibility. He can work inside or outside effectively. He can take the top off the defense or he can be a possession guy. He plays bigger than his 6-foot, 195-pound frame. If Rashee Rice does miss time, who is the best receiver equipped to replace him and provide similar value? It is not Hollywood Brown or Xavier Worthy.
Justice Hill. Yes, Derrick Henry is going to carry the mail with Lamar Jackson, but we also know that Hill has a lot of value as a receiver out of the backfield. He had 51 targets and 42 receptions in 2024. Hill has kept a defined role on this team since he joined the squad and he is missed when he is not available. In PPR formats he can be valuable, especially in deeper leagues. Last season he recorded three or more receptions in seven of his 15 games. He also possesses the explosiveness to break off a big gain on a run or pass at any point in the game.
Juwan Johnson has put up solid numbers over the past three seasons since being moved to tight end. Despite making only five starts, his 50 receptions and 548 yards were career highs for him. He produced 8 or more points in PPR formats in nine of his 17 weeks last season. The new regime should be able to utilize him even more than he has been used in the past. He is essentially a big wide receiver, which gives him the advantage over smaller defensive backs and linebackers.
How are you evaluating new RB rooms to predict the success of RBs? For example, Chuba Hubbard now has Rico Dowdle behind him, Chase Brown doesn’t have Zack Moss behind him, Aaron Jones is joined by Jordan Mason, etc. - Nolan
Because of the value of the reception in PPR leagues whenever you have a potential committee start with who is the better receiver. Then predict the carries based on their talents as runners. For example, Justice Hill is a better receiver than Derrick Henry, but the split in carries is nowhere near close. Henry is going to be the guy while Hill may offer value, especially in games against aggressive pass rushers or in games where the Ravens will overpower the opponent.
Hubbard is a better runner than Dowdle but not by much. We saw Dowdle have a lot of success with a backup quarterback, OL injuries, and a hobbled top receiver. There are also other backs in the fold which bring into question their usage. They paid Hubbard so he will get the first looks. It's his job to lose.
Jones has a lot of value as a receiver, but Mason is a better runner in my opinion. I think as the season goes they will both share a legit role in the offense. Both could be valuable flex plays. Fantasy managers with Brown are the big winners. Nobody is in the way of his usage currently. It's up to him to keep it that way.
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