Ramp-up time

Featuring Kyler Murray, Bucky Irving, and more.

August 03, 2026

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Yooo!

We reduced the newsletter cadence to 1x per week for the early part of the offseason as we worked on building out the new site.

Now we’re ramping things back up!

This week, you’ll get a newsletter Mon, Tues, and Wed (I’m taking off Thur and Fri because I’ll be traveling).

Next week, we’ll be back to 5x per week (Mon-Fri).

Still want more? Check out our mobile app for more daily insights:

Last week, I asked you all: “Who will finish higher in PPR this year?”

66.2% of you said, “Jonathon Brooks”

Best subscriber comments:

  • Chuba: “Brooks can't stay on the field. Chuba isn't sexy, but consistent.”

  • Chuba: “Hubbard is always doubted but always is solid. Im staying with him until Brooks earns my vote”

  • Brooks: “Took him with my first 3 years ago and just praying to god that my patience is finally paying off.”

  • Brooks: “I drafted brooks as a rookie and had high expectations. Looking forward to him being healthy and showing some of his skills.”

Our take: I voted for Brooks. Hubbard’s efficiency was dreadful last year, ranking near the bottom of the league in advanced metrics like explosive run rate, missed tackle rate, and yards after contact per attempt. Some reports suggest that was partly due to playing through injury, but I don’t know if I buy that narrative. I prefer taking my chances on the guy with all the momentum right now in Brooks.

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

Giddy up.

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Christian Watson (WR, GB): "Despite injury-shortened seasons, his efficiency metrics are elite, including ranking 2nd in fantasy points per target (2.41) and 4th in yards per route run (2.65) last season." (FantasyPros Latest Articles and Advice, 2026-08-03)

DeVonta Smith (WR, PHI): "Historical data shows he commands a 35% target share when his former teammate is off the field, suggesting elite production potential in his new role as the primary outside receiver." (PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network, 2026-08-03)

Luther Burden (WR, CHI): "His combination of size, speed, and ability to create after the catch has earned him significant praise from the coaching staff, who view him as a potential top-5 receiver in the league." (Locked On Bears - Daily Podcast On The Chicago Bears, 2026-08-03)

Josh Downs (WR, IND): "His efficiency metrics, including an 82.5 PFF grade and 1.74 yards per route run, suggest he is already performing at a starter level despite limited usage in two-receiver sets." (Pro Football Focus, 2026-08-03)

James Conner (RB, ARI): "His roster spot is in jeopardy due to his age, salary, and inability to contribute on special teams, with analysts speculating he could be released or traded before the regular season." (NFL Spotlight w/ Ari Meirov, 2026-08-03)

Ladd McConkey (WR, LAC): "McConkey projects as a high-floor WR1 with an expected output of 90-100 receptions and 1,100-1,200 yards, functioning in a 'wide back' role that guarantees consistent target volume." (The Fantasy Football Show - with Smitty (Video Show), 2026-08-03)

Vikings reporters say Kyler Murray has pulled ahead of J.J. McCarthy in the team's quarterback competition after a rough camp stretch

profootballtalk reports "all online indications" out of Saturday's practice show Murray has "begun to pull away," noting Minnesota didn't sign Murray this offseason just to have him ride the bench. Locked On Vikings called McCarthy's Saturday practice "catastrophic," pointing to an interception where he tried to force a ball into a tight window and was repeatedly late on his reads. Purple Insider reported Murray is getting the larger share of first-team work as camp progresses, at 35 reps to McCarthy's 20.

Our take: This always seemed to be the most likely outcome sooner or later. But I don’t know if I thought it’d happen this fast given all the buzz of a “true competition” leading up to training camp. I really like Kyler as a late-round QB target this year.

Chiefs beat reporters say Kenneth Walker III is standing out early in Kansas City's revived screen game

Locked On Chiefs reports Andy Reid is bringing back "a revived screen game featuring Kenneth Walker III" this season, part of a broader plan to add more under-center snaps and diversify the run game around Patrick Mahomes. Defending The Kingdom says Walker told the show directly that he's "never been in a system like this" before, not even at Michigan State, and that he "loves" being used as a receiving target. The host compared his early usage to Kareem Hunt's breakout rookie year in Kansas City, saying Walker "is even a better version of that."

Our take: Hunt was RB4 that year and had 53 receptions, 455 receiving yards, and 3 receiving TDs. Walker had a career-high 46 catches in only 11 games during the 2024 season. Hard not to get excited about drafting Walker after seeing this.

Cardinals reporters say Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn't been handed the No. 1 receiver job in Arizona, with new coordinator Michael LaFleur running a real competition against Michael Wilson

Dynasty Nerds Podcast reports LaFleur isn't treating the depth chart as settled: "LaFleur doesn't see this as Marvin is the wide receiver one or Michael Wilson is the wide receiver one. They're competing for wide receiver one right now." PHNX Arizona Cardinals Podcast, the team's own beat podcast, confirms Harrison is still "the single receiver over Michael Wilson" for now, but adds "that has to be earned. That's not given." NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal went further earlier in camp, saying flatly: "If I had to give one of the two receivers a long-term contract, it's Michael Wilson, not Marvin Harrison Jr."

Our take: This will be a story to watch over the next few weeks. I still don’t know what to make of it. Traditional fantasy football strategy suggests MHJ is the buy low and Michael Wilson is the sell high, but Wilson has a lot of momentum coming off last year. I’m probably staying away from this situation altogether given the uncertainty.

Bucky Irving (RB, TB)

❝

“Zero carries inside the five yard line last year. Yes, Rachaad White's gone. Sean Tucker's still there. He's the guy who actually led the team and carries inside the five. And the one thing that Bucky was good at last year was catching the football, and they go and bring in Kenneth Gainwell, who's pretty much a pass catching running back. And so I think there's a little bit of risk that Gainwell's just better than Bucky... I suspect Tampa is no longer interested in work-horsing him, particularly since Gainwell's there and Sean Tucker's there... this could be a three-headed backfield on a team that I think is going to end up passing a lot anyway. And so if Bucky Irving isn't getting goal line carries... what are we doing with him?"

Source: Fantasy Football Today: "2026 RB Preview Part 1! Rankings, Picks, & Strategy! Draft Prep Guide (08/03 Fantasy Football Podcast)"

Our take: Bucky is one player I’m avoiding at cost this year (RB17 in redraft around 3.9 pick). He’s obviously a talented player, but seems to be getting squeezed out of the most valuable touches (goal-line and receiving). I’d rather draft guys with upside that could smash their ADPs. With Bucky, it almost feels like he needs to overperform inside the 20s just to meet his ADP.

Will Bucky Irving finish better worse than his RB17 ADP?

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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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