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Friday, May 24, 2024
Many rookie-only drafts are about to begin, if they haven't already, and our FFT team has valuable insights on how to assess this rookie class.
Jamey Eisenberg recently took part in a Superflex Dynasty rookie-only draft and compiled a recap with notes on the draft's most interesting aspects. For details on where rookie QBs like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy were chosen, check out Jamey's Superflex Dynasty rookie-only draft recap.
Jamey once again turned his attention to the rookie class, shedding light on five under-the-radar rookies poised to deliver better-than-expected Fantasy numbers. While popular names like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Brock Bowers garner attention, there are numerous incoming rookies deserving of more discussion. Discover the underrated rookies to target in your next draft in Jamey's latest write-up.
If you're looking for a running back and a wide receiver to target in Round 2 of your next PPR Fantasy Football draft, Heath Cummings has you covered. Both players he suggests hail from the AFC East, and both players are valued as a consensus second-round pick among our FFT analysts. To find out more about the two players Heath is making a case for as Round 2 selections, be sure to give his Round 2 running back and wide receiver piece a read.
In her latest piece, Megan Shoup recommends team stacking as a strategy, whether or not you have the quarterback. Team stacking involves drafting players from the same team, a seemingly simple concept with some nuances to consider. For deeper insights into effectively employing this strategy, be sure to check out Megan's latest article on the different ways Best Ball Fantasy Football stacking can be utilized, which also includes a link to her SportsLine article sharing her top team stack this year.
Jamey Eisenberg sat out to improve his quarterback room in his Superflex Dynasty rookie-only mock draft. Last season his QB room consisted of Matthew Stafford and Geno Smith . After finishing 6-8, he knew that something had to change. He was able to grab J.J. McCarthy with his first selection, which is a very solid move. Whenever McCarthy becomes the starter in Minnesota, he'll be surrounded by plenty of playmakers, which will only enhance his effectiveness as a rookie.
Jamey addressed the quarterback position once again in Round 4 by selecting Spencer Rattler. Rattler should've gone much higher than he did in the 2024 NFL Draft. While we'll likely never know what prompted Rattler's draft-day slide, it's rare that you see a Senior Bowl MVP slip past Round 4. Even 2005 MVP Charlie Frye was taken in the third round, and he did not possess Rattler's overall talent. Rattler was eventually selected in Round 5 by the New Orleans Saints, and if he eventually becomes Derek Carr's successor, it's possible that Jamey might have gotten a big-time bargain in Round 4.
I'm a fan of J.J. McCarthy, but Rattler has the potential to be the better quarterback between the two. His arm talent matches up perfectly with the likes of Chris Olave as he throws with great pace on his deep ball. He improved as a decision-maker every season and he's only going to get better. He's learned to take prudent risks over time and he's a better quarterback now because of it.
While there were character concerns regarding his maturity and ability to get along with teammates, much of that stemmed from a reality television show he did when he was just 17 years of age. He's now 23 and players at the Senior Bowl raved about his leadership and how he endeared himself to his teammates. If given a true opportunity to win the job in NO, he could end up being a better selection for Jamey than McCarthy.
In Jamey Eisenberg's list of under-the-radar rookies, he highlights two running backs, two receivers, and one tight end. Among them is Tyrone Tracy Jr., who transitioned from wide receiver to running back in 2022 and has been displaying his versatility ever since.
Tracy exhibits toughness between the tackles and possesses the necessary quickness and vision for explosive runs on the perimeter. The Giants running back room is undergoing a reset as it currently consists of Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Jashaun Corbin, and the speedy Dante Miller . Given Tracy's diverse skill set, he could potentially earn early-season playing time.
Ainias Smith is another versatile player worth considering as a sleeper. He played a hybrid role of running back and wide receiver in college. Smith's arrival in Philadelphia, under an offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore who has experience integrating versatile weapons like Smith into his scheme, should prove beneficial for both Smith and the Eagles.
There are plenty of running backs and wide receivers to consider in Round 2, and you can check out our FFT team's top 200 PPR rankings here. However, two players stand out to Heath Cummings: James Cook and Jaylen Waddle.
Heath is particularly bullish on Cook, ranking him at No. 16 overall. With offensive coordinator Joe Brady's emphasis on the run game, Cook saw an average of 19.6 touches per game in his final seven regular-season appearances. Heath anticipates Cook exceeding 300 touches this season if the Bills prioritize the run game to compensate for Stefon Diggs' departure.
As for Waddle, Heath rates him at No. 23 overall, considering him a borderline WR1. One reason for this is Waddle's standout Week 15 performance against the New York Jets. In that game, with Tyreek Hill sidelined due to an ankle injury, Waddle amassed eight receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. If the Dolphins' offensive line can protect Tua Tagovailoa, Waddle could see more opportunities for deep passes, leading to improved numbers.
Stacking in Best Ball involves drafting players from the same team, but it's crucial that these players surpass their Average Draft Position (ADP). Megan Shoup emphasizes the importance of selected players exceeding their draft value.
An example of an undervalued offense that experienced a breakout season in 2023 is the Houston Texans. Despite being drafted in the mid-to-late rounds, all the skill players on the Texans outperformed their ADP.
Megan advocates for various stacking approaches. While the conventional method involves pairing a quarterback with one or two pass-catchers, Megan prefers a more innovative approach, often stacking running backs and/or tight ends with her quarterback. For more insights on stacking strategies and potential pitfalls to avoid, delve into Megan's comprehensive article on Best Ball Fantasy Football stacking.    
 
 
This weekend, the PGA Tour returns to Texas for the Charles Schwab Challenge. Watch LIVE as a field including the number one player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, along Spieth, Fowler and Straka compete on Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
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The Liberty and Lynx kick off another season of WNBA on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ LIVE tomorrow at 1 PM ET. Craving more WNBA? Catch Connecticut Sun vs. Chicago Sky at 8 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
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