Trying something new

Featuring Kyler Murray, Fernando Mendoza, and more.

July 22, 2026

In partnership with

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Yooo!

Tonight, we’re trying out a new newsletter format that’s focused more on storylines with insights, rather than just a list of bulleted insights. Hope you like it!

In case you missed it, our brand-new website is live and 100% FREE for everyone!

  • 200+ fantasy football podcasts and websites tracked

  • Updated player pages with sentiment trends

  • Free league sync for a personalized feed

  • and much more to come!

As we continue to work on the new site, we have reduced the newsletter cadence to 1x per week for the early part of the offseason.

We’ll increase the newsletter cadence again later in the offseason.

In the meantime, check out our mobile app and subreddit for more daily insights:

Last week, I asked you all: “Who are you most bullish on from tonight's newsletter?”

31.9% of you said Bo Nix.

Best subscriber comments:

  • Bo Nix: “Based on draft position I love Nix. In most re-draft leagues he will be someone's second QB. No risk and has skillset to be a league winner.”

  • Bo Nix: “Two top 10 seasons, he’s been the most consistent QB from that stacked 2024 class. He just added another weapon in Waddle. He was tailor made for a Sean Payton offense. He’s a sure bet for QB2 numbers every year and already showed QB1 is in the range of outcomes, TWICE.”

  • Kyren Williams: “Williams is the only one here who has a clear shot to be top 10 at his position.”

  • Kyren Williams: “The Rams are gonna run the ball, alot! They added both starting CBs off a good KC defense, and Miles Garrett! They have a top OLine, and are gonna be ahead often. In my auction league, I'm shooting for Williams AND Corum. And most likely, their Defense and Kicker.”

Our take: I’d vote for Derrick Henry. I didn’t see any sign of slowing down last year. The main argument against him is that he keeps defying the odds of older RBs slowing down. I’m all-in until the wheels fall off.

Alright, now let’s get to some news you might’ve missed this week.

Giddy up.

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De'Von Achane's Fantasy Outlook Hinges Entirely on Malik Willis Replacing Tua Tagovailoa's Check-Down Role, Per Multiple Fantasy Shows

RotoBaller notes Achane is locked in as Miami's offensive centerpiece after signing a four-year, $64 million extension in May, and is one of only three backs to finish as a top-six fantasy RB in each of the last two seasons. Fantasy Football Today's data shows the split starkly: 21.5 PPR points per game across games with Tua Tagovailoa over the last two seasons, versus just 10.5 in games he's missed, questioning whether new quarterback Malik Willis can replicate that role. The Fantasy Football Advice Podcast was the most pessimistic, arguing "hyper mobile quarterbacks don't throw to running backs at nearly the same rate as pocket passers" and that Willis' style could cap Achane's target volume.

Our take: I just drafted Achane at the 2.7 in a redraft league last week. He wasn’t someone I wanted to target going into the draft, but was the best RB available. I think the concerns are valid, but ultimately trust the volume he’ll get.

Cowboys Voices Are Debating Whether George Pickens Actually Outproduces CeeDee Lamb in 2026

The FantasyPros Dynasty Football Podcast put the odds at roughly 60/40 that CeeDee Lamb outproduces Pickens this season, crediting Pickens as being "awesome last year" but expecting Lamb to benefit from entering the year healthy after last season's high ankle sprain. DLLS Dallas Cowboys Podcast's hosts are already debating whether Pickens has "showed up" enough to pass Lamb, referencing Lamb's No. 55 spot on the NFL Top 100. Fantasy Football Today flagged the historical risk in ranking both that highly, pointing out only one of the last 17 wide receiver teammate duos to both finish top-12 in PPR points per game actually repeated the feat.

Our take: I’ve owned Dak and Lamb in one dynasty league for the last 5 years and won 3 rings on the back of that stack, so it’s hard to be unbiased. I do have Pickens in another league as well. I’d lean with FantasyPros, but put odds at 70/30 that CeeDee outproduces Pickens this year.

Schefter Says Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers Extension Is Trending Toward $50 Million a Year, With Insiders Split on Whether It Gets Done Before Camp

Locked On Bucs relayed Adam Schefter's report that Mayfield's camp has set a deadline tied to training camp's start for a new deal, with Schefter pegging the number at "the $50 million mark" while the hosts believe it lands closer to the "55 to 60 range." Fantasy Footballers Dynasty noted an extension "has not been given" despite once seeming "inevitable," leaving Mayfield exposed to a "full reset" if he gets hurt again. The Ringer NFL Show framed the gap as a term disagreement more than a dollar one, saying Tampa Bay "would pay him 60 million a year" but wants a shorter contract than Mayfield is seeking, given his physical playing style.

Our take: Baker is in the new Quarterback Netflix documentary season that came out recently. Hard not to root for the guy. I’m only two episodes in, and it’s very clear that he will try to play through any injury. Not always ideal when dealing with your long-term franchise QB. I’d be shocked if they don’t work something out, though.

Vikings' QB Competition Between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy Reportedly Runs Through Camp and Into the Regular Season, Though Not Every Analyst Buys It

Locked On Vikings reports the Murray-McCarthy competition will run "throughout camp through the preseason games right up to the start of the season," adding the team hasn't given up on J.J. McCarthy despite bringing in Murray. Purple Daily described a specific split-rep plan, with each quarterback getting a half of the preseason opener before the rotation runs "all the way through week four." Locked On Dynasty Football's hosts dismissed the idea that it's a real competition, citing McCarthy's 31st-ranked completion percentage last season among qualifying quarterbacks and predicting Murray "is going to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in week one... for the duration of the season."

Our take: I imagine Kyler would have to play very, very poorly to not be the Week 1 starter. It also just feels like it would be easier to pivot to JJ in-season if needed, than to start JJ and pivot to Kyler.

Raiders Reportedly Plan to Sprinkle Fernando Mendoza Into First-Team Reps, But Analysts Split on How Long Kirk Cousins Actually Holds the Job

RotoBaller, citing Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, reports the Raiders plan to "sprinkle" Mendoza into first-team training camp reps even though Kirk Cousins is expected to open the season as the starter. Chris Simms Unbuttoned called Cousins only a "small favorite" for the job and said he "will not be shocked if Mendoza's starting week one" if the rookie impresses in the preseason. Purple Daily, a Minnesota Vikings podcast that also broke down the Raiders' situation, predicted Mendoza will "start no fewer than five games" regardless of how camp opens. Steel Curtain Network took the opposite view, saying Las Vegas' plan is to "wait as long as they can" and could lean on Cousins for the Raiders' entire season.

Our take: This storyline genuinely surprised me. I thought Cousins was a lock for the Week 1 job months ago. But the more I think about it, I guess it wouldn’t be all that surprising if Cousins was officially washed up and Mendoza overperformed in camp. Not too excited about either of these guys in redraft, but could be a nice value boost for Mendoza in dynasty if he starts sooner than expected.

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That’s all for tonight!

See ya pizza,

Joe

P.S. In case you missed it, catch up on our most recent newsletters below:

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