Fantasy Football Drafting With My Friends

Davis Mattek places AJ Brown in the second tier of 2026 wide receivers alongside Rashee Rice and London, below the elite tier of Puka, Chase, JSN, St. Brown, Lamb, and Jefferson. The team is very confident in AJ Brown's physical status heading into training camp, suggesting no lingering injury concerns.

Davis Mattek favors Aaron Rogers over TJ Hawkinson in the 170s range, believing Rogers is more likely to add points at that draft cost.

The source wants to see real reporting on Adam Randall versus Rashid Ali to clarify the Ravens' backfield depth chart situation.

The source places Amon-Ra St. Brown in the top tier of 2026 wide receivers alongside Puka, Chase, JSN, Lamb, and Jefferson, indicating elite-level fantasy value and ranking.

Mattek identifies health status as the key consideration for Ashton Jeanty's fantasy value, raising the question of how healthy Jeanty is heading into the season.

The source is doubling up on Baker Mayfield in draft strategy, selecting him at pick 106 despite being ahead of ADP, stating they would be 'giga mega tilted' to miss him on their team, indicating strong conviction in his value.

McVey recently called Blake Corum a stud who is a big part of what the Rams do, indicating strong confidence in his role and importance to the offense.

Davis Mattek explicitly states 'We'll not be selecting Brandon Aiyuk,' indicating a clear preference to avoid drafting this player in the draft context.

Davis Mattek is passing on Brenton Strange, questioning whether he wants to stack the Jaguars that much; Strange's ADP is not particularly attractive relative to other options, making him a fade at his current draft cost.

Mattek continues to like Brian Thomas Jr. and expressed comfort taking him as a wide receiver in the draft. However, the resulting team received feedback expressing concern: 'A little worried about your wide receivers.' Mattek identifies Thomas as a key inflection point in 2026 wide receiver rankings; after Thomas goes, there is a tier that is 'like 40 guys deep,' indicating a significant drop-off in scarcity.

Davis Mattek identifies Caleb Williams as an unbelievably good fantasy football quarterback, positioning him alongside Jaylen Hertz as a preferred quarterback target over Josh Allen in the current draft environment, emphasizing Williams' fantasy upside relative to the third-round quarterback conversation.

Davis Mattek places CeeDee Lamb in the top tier of 2026 wide receivers alongside Puka, Chase, JSN, St. Brown, and Jefferson, indicating elite-level fantasy value and ranking. He would love to draft Lamb at pick 111 but does not expect to get the opportunity, indicating strong preference for the player at that draft position.

The source is pivoting from Jaden Reed to Chris Godwin as a replacement target to reduce unintended Reed exposure and double up on Baker Mayfield, indicating a preference for Godwin as a better value or allocation choice in best ball drafting.

Christian Kirk is dealing with a calf strain that is causing him to miss time in training camp, affecting his availability and draft readiness.

The source selects Chuba Hubbard in the draft and humorously references being 'the last Japanese soldier still fighting for Chuba Hubbard,' indicating strong conviction and advocacy for his fantasy value.

The source criticizes David Montgomery as a poor draft pick in marathon/cumulative scoring formats, calling him a 'marathon ass pick' and a 'drafter's ass pick.' The criticism suggests Montgomery is overvalued in these specific league formats where ceiling and consistency matter differently than in standard scoring.

Davis Mattek is backing off Deebo Samuel slightly because he's less convinced that Debo walks back into a role where he is a featured wide receiver. Mattek speculates Debo will land with either the Raiders or re-sign with the Commanders, but compares his potential career arc to DeAndre Hopkins' decline on the Ravens. However, Mattek also notes Debo scored 11.7 points per game last season, which for his current ADP is an 'absolute mega steal,' and believes he's a better pick than Cooper Cup. Mattek prefers Debo back to the Commanders rather than the Chiefs or Rams, as signing with the Chiefs would hurt Worthy and Rashee Rice.

The source states De'Marco Murray is clearly the Chiefs' lead back right now, with an expanded role for EMTT Johnson.

The source would like to see Devin Singletary cut or traded by the Giants to open up the backfield for Tracy, suggesting Singletary is blocking opportunity.

Davis Mattek drafted Emeka Igbuka as a wide receiver; the resulting team received a B-grade overall from the draft evaluation tool with above-average ADP value. However, the source received feedback expressing concern about the wide receiver group: 'A little worried about your wide receivers.'

Davis Mattek drafted Gino Smith as a backup quarterback; the resulting team received a B-grade overall from the draft evaluation tool, indicating slightly above-average value at ADP and in advancement metrics.

Davis Mattek would not take a running back over Jamar Chase in the third round, indicating Chase is a preferred target at that draft position relative to running back options. Chase was also selected early in the live draft, with Mattek expressing enthusiasm ('No better no better way to start. Oh, Jamar Chase actually. Wow.'), indicating strong conviction in the player's early-round value.

The source places JSN (Jalen Nailor) in the top tier of 2026 wide receivers alongside Puka, Chase, St. Brown, Lamb, and Jefferson, indicating elite-level fantasy value and ranking.

Davis Mattek drafted Jaylen Tolbert in the 20th round on a DraftKings team, indicating confidence in his value at that ADP. Tolbert played with Malik Willis at the Senior Bowl, creating potential stack synergy that Mattek leveraged in his roster construction.

Selected as a running back in draft; part of the core roster construction alongside Ashton Genty, Saquon Barkley, and Emecha Eggbuka, indicating Mattek prioritized him as a foundational piece in the early-to-mid draft.

Davis Mattek drafted Javante Williams as a running back; the resulting team received a B-grade overall from the draft evaluation tool with above-average ADP value. The source received positive feedback on running back selection, with an evaluator stating 'Love your running backs.'

Davis Mattek is easily taking Jeremiah Love at his draft position, acknowledging the pick may be controversial but expressing conviction in the selection.

The source selects Joe Burrow in the draft, indicating confidence in his fantasy value as a quarterback option.

Davis Mattek received good reporting from 49ers training camp that Jordan James is the running back two for San Francisco, which the source describes as their favorite bit of news from the weekend, indicating strong positive sentiment about his role clarity and opportunity; however, the source also wants to follow Jordan James versus Kalin Black for the 49ers backfield, indicating the depth chart situation is still being determined. The source projects Jordan James as a fourth-round pick and discusses him as a potential backup running back if Christian McCaffrey is injured in preseason, implying significant upside in that scenario. The source estimates Jordan James has a 62% chance of holding onto his job as the Seahawks' running back; James had a better college receiving profile than Kalin Black with 14.5 receiving yards per game, making him the more secure option.

Davis Mattek is fading Josh Allen in the third round, holding only 3% ownership ($339 allocation) in the Flock League. While acknowledging Allen has a high ceiling and good playoff matchups (Dallas in week 17, Cincinnati), Mattek criticizes his floor and inconsistent scoring, citing performances of 6 points vs. Cleveland, 8 points vs. Houston, and 15 points vs. Atlanta. Mattek prefers to take Allen in the fourth round instead, viewing third-round ADP as overpriced for his risk profile. Mattek characterizes Allen as 'the definition of the 4% exposure blanket'—meaning you don't want zero exposure but shouldn't overweight him—and notes that even a 40-point week 17 performance leaves you 'live' if Allen was a round three pick, illustrating the challenge of quarterback separation.

The source references the Benemy situation with the Kansas City Chiefs, noting that quarterback turmoil is typical for the organization's offseason, which may affect offensive personnel and role clarity.

A commenter praises a Justin Jefferson take made by another participant (Tyler) as a great PPR selection, indicating confidence in Jefferson's fantasy outlook and value proposition.

Davis Mattek prefers Keenan Allen to sign with the Colts rather than the Chiefs or Rams; signing with the Chiefs would be bad for Worthy and Rashee Rice, while signing with the Rams would be 'really, really bad for T Ferg.' This indicates the source's preference is based on minimizing negative externalities to other players on his roster. Allen is also viewed as an acceptable late-round wide receiver option when all tight ends are gone.

Source drafted Kenyan Drake as a late-round running back option; the resulting team received a B-grade overall from the draft evaluation tool with above-average ADP value.

In a half-PPR league, Davis Mattek would not take Lamar Jackson in the third round, indicating the quarterback's ADP is too high relative to the source's valuation in that format. The source prefers a double running back start in half-PPR scoring.

Davis Mattek is not as bearish on Marvin Harrison Jr. as many other analysts, arguing that a top-five pick who shows promise won't be benched. Mattek notes that Michael Wilson's production came with Harrison off the field or hampered, and the offense won't be structured around Wilson. He implies Harrison's current sixth-round ADP is too low relative to his talent, despite Harrison leaving training camp early and falling in average draft position.

Mattek never selects Mason Taylor in drafts, stating 'How often do I click Mason Taylor? Uh none. Never,' indicating a complete lack of draft interest or preference for the tight end.

The source agrees Matthew Golden is a good pick but questions their degree of confidence in him; does not want him on the first page of exposures and passes on him later in draft, suggesting conviction level does not justify early or frequent selection.

The source identifies Mike Washington as the clear running back two on his team, suggesting he has a defined backup role. Mike Washington is the clear running back on his team, establishing him as the primary ball carrier and likely lead-back option.

The Raiders worked out Miles Sanders; Davis Mattek notes Sanders previously had a role with the Jaguars, mentioning 'Miles Sanders did shove Jaden Blue for a little bit last year,' indicating Sanders has depth chart utility and can displace other backs in a new system.

Davis Mattek would not take a running back over Puka Nacua in the third round, indicating Nacua is a preferred target at that draft position relative to running back options. Mattek places Nacua in the top tier of 2026 wide receivers alongside Chase, JSN, St. Brown, Lamb, and Jefferson, indicating elite-level fantasy value and ranking.

Puka Nakua was Davis Mattek's first pick in the live draft, selected at the four slot, indicating a strong preference for the player early in the draft.

Any wide receiver signing with the Chiefs (Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, or Deebo Samuel) would not be great for Rashee Rice's target share and fantasy value, indicating concern about target cannibalization. Davis Mattek places Rice in the second tier of 2026 wide receivers alongside AJ Brown and London, below the elite tier of Puka, Chase, JSN, St. Brown, Lamb, and Jefferson.

Selected early in the draft as part of a running back-heavy strategy; Mattek anticipated four to five running backs through six rounds and included Barkley as a core piece alongside Ashton Genty and Javvante Williams. Later drafted as part of a four running back, one wide receiver build. The resulting team received a B-grade overall from the draft evaluation tool with above-average ADP value, and an evaluator stated 'Love your running backs.'

Davis Mattek drafted Stefon Diggs as a wide receiver; the resulting team received a B-grade overall from the draft evaluation tool with above-average ADP value. However, an evaluator expressed concern about the wide receiver group, stating 'A little worried about your wide receivers.' Mattek noted that Diggs signing with the Commanders is acceptable, but signing with the Chiefs would be negative for Worthy and Rashee Rice on his roster due to target share cannibalization.

Davis Mattek believes there is room for Taj Brooks to become the running back two for the Bengals ahead of Perine, indicating potential for role elevation and opportunity; the source suggests Brooks could take the Bengals' lead back role ahead of Evan Perine.

Davis Mattek is high on Terence Ferguson for the Los Angeles Rams, projecting him as the team's third wide receiver and tight end one, indicating significant offensive role and target opportunity.

Tory Horton avoided the physically unable to perform list, clearing him to participate fully in training camp without injury restrictions.

Davis Mattek highlights Travis Hunter's recent YouTube video where Hunter self-compared to Xavier Worthy 2.0, expressing enthusiasm about the comparison and its draft relevance. Mattek drafted Hunter to set up double stacks in roster construction. Hunter received 36% exposure in Mattek's max-entered pre-draft contest on Drafters, reflecting meaningful draft interest and conviction in the player's fantasy value.

The source drafted Trevor Lawrence as starting quarterback and received a B-grade overall from the draft evaluation tool, indicating slightly above-average value at ADP and in advancement metrics.

Ty Simpson was heavily drafted by Davis Mattek in pre-draft contests, with eight pre-draft teams built around him and six paired with Matthew Stafford, but the strategy 'stung' and underperformed, indicating a disappointing pre-draft outcome and potential bust risk.

Any wide receiver signing with the Chiefs (Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, or Deebo Samuel) would be bad for Xavier Worthy's target share and fantasy value. However, Worthy received 49% exposure in Davis Mattek's max-entered pre-draft contest on Drafters, the highest among his pre-draft picks, indicating strong conviction and market demand for the player despite the target-share risk.

The source wants to monitor Xavier Scott versus Deont Claybornne for the Vikings backfield, indicating the depth chart is still being determined.