For this article, I am focusing on the player props that stand out the most to me heading into the 2026 season. Some of these bets come down to opportunity. Others are about quarterbacks or skill players I think the market is still too low on. And with a few of them, I simply think the number does not match what that player is capable of producing if everything goes according to plan.

These are not necessarily the biggest names in college football. They are the numbers where I think we have an edge.

Here are my favorite 2026 college football season-long player prop bets.

Cam Coleman Over 749.5 Receiving Yards

This is one of my favorite season-long props on the board because I think Cam Coleman is walking into the best situation of his career. Coleman has always looked the part. He is 6-foot-3, moves incredibly well for his size, has a massive catch radius, and can win vertically. The problem at Auburn was never talent. It was consistency around him, especially at quarterback. Even with that, Coleman still finished his first two seasons with 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now he gets Arch Manning in an offense I expect to throw the ball a lot, and he should immediately step in as the No. 1 option.

Last season, Coleman led Auburn in targets per game at 7.4, while also leading the team in chunk rate, explosive rate, and air yards per reception. He was already being used as both a short-area option and a vertical threat, with hitch routes and go routes making up a huge portion of his route tree. The production just never fully matched the talent because Auburn struggled to consistently get him the football in the right spots. That should change at Texas. Manning finished 2025 playing some of his best football, and pairing him with Coleman and Ryan Wingo gives this offense a completely different ceiling in the passing game.

For Coleman to clear 749.5 yards, we are talking about roughly 63 receiving yards per game over a 12-game regular season. I think that number is too low for the role he is walking into. He is Texas’ No. 1 receiver, he finally has a quarterback capable of maximizing what he does downfield, and I expect the Longhorns to be aggressive throwing the football. If Coleman stays healthy, I think he clears this number without much trouble.

The Bet: Cam Coleman Over 749.5 Receiving Yards

Dear Readers,

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Win totals are one of my favorite ways to bet college football because they force you to look beyond just how talented a team is. Quarterback play matters. Coaching matters. The schedule matters. Depth matters. And sometimes the biggest edge comes from identifying where the market has gone too far in either direction.

For this article, I’m not trying to pick every team on the board. These are the numbers that stand out the most to me heading into the 2026 season. Some are teams I believe are being undervalued, while others have expectations that I think are simply too high.

These are my 2026 College Football Win Totals Best Bets.

Oklahoma Over 7.5 Wins

Oklahoma is one of my favorite over bets on the board because I think this comes down to whether John Mateer can play to his ceiling. The Sooners already have the defense and coaching staff to compete with anyone in the SEC. The issue is the schedule. Oklahoma has to go on the road to Michigan and Georgia, gets Georgia and Texas in back-to-back weeks in the middle of the season, then has another difficult stretch with Ole Miss and Texas A&M before closing the year at Missouri. There are not many easy spots here, which is why getting over 7.5 wins is going to require Mateer to be significantly better than he was for stretches last season.

The good news is there is a real case for that jump. Oklahoma asked Mateer to create far too much out of chaos in 2025. The offense took longer to develop, he dealt with the highest pressure rate of the group when compared with Gunner Stockton and Trinidad Chambliss, and that showed up in the results. Mateer finished with the highest turnover-worthy play rate and the lowest passing grade of the three. Stockton might have the highest floor and Chambliss might be the better quarterback right now, but I still think Mateer has the highest ceiling. Oklahoma returns its offensive line, brings back a defense capable of keeping it in games, and Mateer gets a second year in the same system.

That is the bet for me. I am betting on continuity, development, and Mateer taking a meaningful step forward. The schedule is brutal and there will be weeks where Oklahoma gets tested, but this is also the type of team that can beat opponents it is not supposed to beat if the offense becomes more consistent. I think the Sooners surprise some people in 2026 and get to eight wins.

The Bet: Oklahoma Over 7.5 Wins

California Over 6.5 Wins

California is another team I am willing to bet on because I believe in Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele enough to buy the over at 6.5 wins. Tosh Lupoi’s first major job after taking over was making sure Sagapolutele stayed in Berkeley, and keeping him gives Cal a legitimate foundation to build around. If Sagapolutele takes another step, this offense has the upside to be one of the more dangerous units in the ACC. Chase Hendricks and Ian Strong add more playmaking ability on the outside. Dorian Thomas gives them another option at tight end, and Adam Muhammad should have a chance to lead the backfield with Ashton Emory providing additional depth.

The schedule is what makes this number interesting. The opener against UCLA is massive because it gives Cal an immediate chance to bank a win before ACC play really starts. There are difficult spots on the schedule, including Clemson and some challenging conference road games, but I do not think Cal needs everything to break perfectly to get to seven. If the Bears take care of the games they should win and steal one of those tougher ACC road matchups, the over becomes very realistic.

This is ultimately a bet on Sagapolutele and the direction of the program under Lupoi. Cal has enough offensive talent to create problems, and I think the quarterback is good enough to raise the floor of this team even when the schedule gets difficult. I am not expecting Cal to suddenly become an ACC contender overnight, but seven wins is absolutely within reach. I think Lupoi gets this program moving in the right direction immediately, and the Bears clear this number.

The Bet: California Over 6.5 Wins

Dear Readers,

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Whether you're getting ready for fantasy drafts or just want to stay locked in, we've got you covered. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any updates as we march toward kickoff.

*Editor's Note: These will be released every Sunday with as much updated information as possible.

Arizona Cardinals

QB: The Cardinals’ passing attack continues to be one of the more encouraging developments of camp. Jacoby Brissett looked sharp with the starters, including an impressive touchdown throw to Marvin Harrison Jr. while moving outside the pocket. Gardner Minshew followed it up with another efficient performance, and Arizona’s quarterbacks completed every pass they attempted in the first half.

Carson Beck missed the game with a rib injury, but it does not appear to be a major concern. His strong preseason debut still has him trending in the right direction behind Brissett.

RB: Jeremiyah Love finally got a chance to show what his game looks like with live tackling, and he delivered. Love finished with 58 yards on 11 carries while consistently creating more than what was blocked. The quick feet and explosiveness were obvious, but the receiving usage may have been even more encouraging. He caught all three of his targets and was clearly being used as a legitimate option out of the backfield. He also comfortably out-touched Tyler Allgeier, which is something fantasy managers need to notice. Love did leave with an ankle issue late in his night, but the early indication is that it is minor. That is still something we need to monitor.

WR: The Marvin Harrison Jr. versus Michael Wilson conversation is still going to be there, but I continue to believe Harrison’s talent eventually wins out. Harrison only needed one target to make an impact against Las Vegas, catching a touchdown and drawing a defensive pass interference penalty downfield. He looks healthy again after an injury-shortened 2025 season, and this is a massive year for him. Michael Wilson has been excellent throughout camp and deserves the praise, but Harrison simply has another level of talent if everything finally comes together. Further down the depth chart, Jalen Brooks continues to make plays. After putting up 99 yards in the Hall of Fame Game, he followed it with six catches, 52 yards, and a touchdown. Reggie Virgil also added another impressive catch and continues to make his case for a role.

TE: Not much has changed here. Trey McBride is the TE1 and remains one of the safest bets at the position. He should continue to be a major part of this passing attack.

Should Be on Your Radar: The offensive line and Jeremiyah Love’s health. Love looked every bit like the No. 3 overall pick in his first real extended preseason work. He created yards on his own, showed he can be featured as a receiver, and already appears to be separating from the rest of this backfield. But the offensive line was already my biggest concern with Arizona, and now it may have taken another major hit. Rookie guard Chase Bisontis suffered a knee injury that Mike LaFleur immediately described as concerning. Arizona was already dealing with depth issues up front after losing Kaleb Proctor earlier in the offseason. If Bisontis is out for an extended period, that becomes a real problem for an offense built around protecting Brissett and creating space for Love. Love’s ankle appears minor, but it is still another situation worth watching after Arizona gave him 14 touches in his first preseason game. The talent is not the question with Love. He looks legit. The question is whether this offensive line can give him enough help to reach that ceiling consistently.

Atlanta Falcons

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

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For this report, we’re doing things a little differently. We’re not going conference by conference or covering every team. Instead, we’re focusing on the G6 programs and individual situations that matter most for College Fantasy Football, Devy, and dynasty managers.

The goal isn’t to react to every positive quote or camp highlight. August is full of hype. We’re looking for the developments that can actually change player values: quarterback battles, running back rotations, emerging target leaders, freshmen pushing for real roles, injuries, and players consistently earning praise or first-team opportunities.

Some teams have multiple situations worth breaking down. Others might only have one player or position battle we need to know about. The focus is simple: find the G6 storylines that could actually matter for fantasy this season and beyond.

Let’s get into the G6 teams and players you need to know coming out of fall camp.

G6

USF

USF has one of the more interesting quarterback battles in the G6 with Michael Van Buren and Luke Kromenhoek competing for the job. Van Buren still looks like the favorite and has been the more comfortable quarterback operating from the pocket, while Kromenhoek brings the stronger arm and more downfield juice. The staff has kept the competition open, but right now I would expect Van Buren to be the first quarterback on the field.

Van Buren also brings a lot more game experience than most G6 quarterbacks. He has already started games at Mississippi State and LSU and has faced high-level competition throughout his career. Kromenhoek is the upside play if he can become more consistent, but Van Buren’s experience and command give him the edge right now. This could still be a situation that carries into the season if neither quarterback completely separates.

The backfield looks like it will be led by D.J. Crowther, with Jason Collins Jr. right behind him. Crowther rushed for 929 yards and 10 touchdowns last season at Dartmouth and has been running with the first team in camp. Collins brings another productive FCS background, while Alvon Isaac gives USF a change-of-pace option who can contribute as a receiver and on special teams. This feels like a deeper rotation, but Crowther is clearly the back I would start with for fantasy.

Receiver is much more crowded. Bryson Rodgers, Arhmad Branch, and Mudia Reuben look like the early starting trio, with Cameron Seldon, Jaron Glover, and Kenny Odom providing experienced depth. Odom is especially interesting after catching 62 passes for 582 yards and six touchdowns at UTEP last season. There is enough talent here that targets could get spread around, which makes this one of the harder rooms to project right now.

Tight end is worth paying attention to because this offense is expected to feature the position heavily. Wyatt Sullivan is the clear starter after leading the room with 18 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns last season, while Luke Clyburn and Evan Dangler give USF multiple experienced options behind him. If the offense carries over the tight end usage we saw in the spring, Sullivan could become a sneaky G6 CFF option.

For fantasy, Van Buren is the quarterback I would bet on, Crowther is the safest skill-position asset, and Sullivan is the sleeper I am watching. The quarterback battle still needs to officially settle, but USF has added enough experience at running back and receiver to give whoever wins the job a solid supporting cast. Crowther has the clearest path to volume, while the receiver room may take a little longer to sort itself out.

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

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This series is going conference by conference, one per day, breaking down what we know right now from fall camp. We’ll hit every team in the Power Four and focus on the information that actually matters for College Fantasy Football, Devy, and dynasty managers.

The goal isn’t to react to every positive quote or camp highlight. August is full of hype. Instead, we’re looking for things that can actually change player values: quarterback battles, first-team reps, running back rotations, emerging target leaders, freshmen pushing for real roles, injuries, and players who are consistently being mentioned by coaches and beat reporters.

For each team, I’ll keep it tight and focus on the biggest storylines coming out of camp so far. Some situations are already starting to become clear. Others are probably going to take another scrimmage or two before we know what we’re dealing with.

Today, we move to the Big 12.

Let’s get into it.

BIG 12

Arizona

Arizona enters the Big 12 portion of this series with one of the most stable quarterback situations in the conference because Noah Fifita is still the clear centerpiece of the offense. Seth Doege has been extremely complimentary of Fifita’s overall command, trust, and understanding of the system, and that familiarity is allowing Arizona to move faster through camp than it did a year ago. The offense is already showing more motion, more personnel variation, and more wrinkles than it did last season, which is a good sign for a veteran quarterback entering another year in the same system.

Fifita has also looked sharp in practice. One of his recent sessions was described as one of his best of camp, with his accuracy standing out throughout the day. He connected repeatedly with Tre Spivey and Gio Richardson, while also continuing to show the ability to create under pressure. That is exactly what you want to see from a quarterback who already has the job locked down and is now working on taking the offense to another level.

The backfield is much more crowded. Ismail Mahdi is back in the mix, but Arizona also has Kedrick Reescano, Quincy Craig, Antwan Roberts, and Wesley Yarbrough competing for touches. It has been a different back flashing from practice to practice, which tells me this could be a rotation rather than a one-man backfield. Reescano and Craig should still have meaningful roles, while Yarbrough has quietly put together a strong camp. Mahdi’s return obviously adds another layer, but we need to see how quickly he is fully reintegrated before assuming he takes over the room.

Receiver is probably the deepest position on the offense. Tre Spivey remains one of the key names, and the staff believes he is in a better position to increase his production this season if he can consistently create separation. Isaiah Mizell has been one of the bigger camp risers and has repeatedly made plays downfield, while Gio Richardson has looked like a reliable outlet for Fifita. Rodney Gallagher is also firmly in the rotation. This is a deep group, which is good for Arizona but could make weekly fantasy target shares a little harder to project.

Freshman Caleb Smith is another name worth monitoring. He has already been getting work as a punt returner and has made several impressive catches in camp, including one of the best plays of the early practices on a deep ball in traffic. He is not likely to jump the veterans immediately, but the staff clearly wants to find ways to get him involved, and the new eligibility rules make it easier for Arizona to use him right away.

For fantasy, Fifita is the clear centerpiece, Spivey is the established receiver I am watching closest, Mizell is the camp riser, and the backfield is the biggest question. Arizona has enough depth at both running back and receiver to make this offense dangerous, but that same depth could spread touches around. Fifita remains the safest bet because everything still runs through him, and the added schematic wrinkles give him a chance to build on what he did last season.

Arizona State

Arizona State has one of the more interesting quarterback battles in the Big 12 with Cutter Boley and Mikey Keene splitting first-team work. Both have been rotating through the top two units, and Kenny Dillingham has not rushed to name a starter. Boley has been generating some positive practice buzz, while Keene brings more experience. Freshman Jake Fette is also showing why he was such a highly rated recruit, but he still looks like the developmental option in this race rather than the immediate favorite.

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

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Read more

This series is going conference by conference, one per day, breaking down what we know right now from fall camp. We’ll hit every team in the Power Four and focus on the information that actually matters for College Fantasy Football, Devy, and dynasty managers.

The goal isn’t to react to every positive quote or camp highlight. August is full of hype. Instead, we’re looking for things that can actually change player values: quarterback battles, first-team reps, running back rotations, emerging target leaders, freshmen pushing for real roles, injuries, and players who are consistently being mentioned by coaches and beat reporters.

For each team, I’ll keep it tight and focus on the biggest storylines coming out of camp so far. Some situations are already starting to become clear. Others are probably going to take another scrimmage or two before we know what we’re dealing with.

Today, we move to the ACC.

Let’s get into it.

ACC

Boston College

Boston College is starting to give us a much clearer offensive picture, and the biggest development is Mason McKenzie taking ownership of the quarterback job. He looks more comfortable than he did in the spring, and the staff has been pleased with both his command and leadership. McKenzie has also added 10 to 15 pounds since spring, which should help him handle the physical side of an ACC schedule. More importantly, he is playing like someone who understands this is his offense now.

The passing game is being built around creating more explosive plays. McKenzie has talked about the speed BC has at receiver and running back, and that is clearly the direction Bill O’Brien wants to push this offense. Jaedn Skeete is probably the most important player to watch there. He has battled injuries the last two years, but early camp reports say he looks like the same explosive player he was before getting hurt. He has already shown good chemistry with McKenzie and should be one of the top targets if he can finally stay healthy.

The backfield is less settled, but there are some interesting pieces. Bo MacCormack and Evan Dickens have both flashed early, and the staff has emphasized the overall speed in that room. We have not gotten enough padded work yet to draw a strong conclusion on workload or hierarchy, so I would not force a fantasy take here yet. This feels like a situation where the next week of camp should tell us much more.

Tight end is quietly becoming one of the more interesting position groups on the roster. Ezekiel Moore has been heavily involved as a receiver and has become one of McKenzie’s favorite options early in camp. That is a major change from last season when he caught only two passes. Bryce Lewis also gives BC a bigger, more athletic body at the position, and O’Brien has repeatedly said he feels good about the room even after losing Kaelan Chudzinski for the season.

One thing worth noting is that BC is being very intentional with how it handles camp after getting crushed by injuries last season. O’Brien and the strength staff are gradually increasing practice workloads instead of jumping straight into long, physical sessions. That matters for a player like Skeete in particular, because the upside has never really been the question. Availability has.

For fantasy, McKenzie is the centerpiece, Skeete is the receiver I am watching closest, and Moore is the surprise name at tight end. McKenzie has the mobility and the staff clearly wants to create more explosives, which gives him some CFF appeal if the offense takes a step forward. Skeete could be one of the better ACC receiver values if he stays healthy, while Moore looks like a player whose role may be much larger than people expect.

California

California is one of the harder ACC teams to get a strong camp read on right now because there just has not been a ton of actionable information out there. Most of what we have is more about identifying players who could become relevant once the season gets going rather than reacting to a clear depth-chart shakeup.

At running back, Adam Mohammed still looks like the expected starter, but Carter Vargas is a name worth keeping in the back of your mind. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry at UC Davis last season and brings enough versatility to carve out a role. I would not project him to immediately take over the backfield, but he is exactly the type of transfer who could end up mattering more than people expect if he earns passing-down work or becomes the clear No. 2.

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

This series is going conference by conference, one per day, breaking down what we know right now from fall camp. We’ll hit every team in the Power Four and focus on the information that actually matters for College Fantasy Football, Devy, and dynasty managers.

The goal isn’t to react to every positive quote or camp highlight. August is full of hype. Instead, we’re looking for things that can actually change player values: quarterback battles, first-team reps, running back rotations, emerging target leaders, freshmen pushing for real roles, injuries, and players who are consistently being mentioned by coaches and beat reporters.

For each team, I’ll keep it tight and focus on the biggest storylines coming out of camp so far. Some situations are already starting to become clear. Others are probably going to take another scrimmage or two before we know what we’re dealing with.

Today, we move to the Big Ten.

Let’s get into it.

BIG TEN

Illinois

Illinois has one of the more interesting offensive transitions in the Big Ten with Katin Houser taking over at quarterback, but the early reports have been encouraging. Collin Dixon said there has been “no drop-off” from Luke Altmyer and praised Houser’s command and competitiveness. That is probably the biggest thing I wanted to hear with this offense. Illinois still has enough experience around him that Houser does not need to completely carry the unit. If he can keep the passing game stable, there should still be plenty of fantasy production available.

The receiver room has a lot of moving parts. Dixon is the safest returning option after catching 35 passes for 548 yards and five touchdowns, while Hudson Clement finished last season much stronger than he started. Clement has missed time early in camp with an injury but is expected back, and his position coach has been very complimentary of how comfortable he looks in the offense. FAU transfer Jayshon Platt has generated buzz since the spring, Alex Perry gives them size outside, and Brayden Trimble should work his way into the rotation. There is opportunity here, but I am not sure we have a clear WR1 yet.

The young receivers are also worth tracking. Nas Rankin has the recruiting profile but is still catching up after missing spring, while Nate Cichy has been one of the more surprising camp names. Bret Bielema called Cichy “a very impressive player,” and he has taken advantage of extra reps while several receivers have been limited. Kenyon Alston remains another talented freshman, and Jacob Eberhart has now moved from safety to receiver. Illinois is clearly trying to figure out which of these young players can help immediately.

The biggest fantasy takeaway for me is Ca’Lil Valentine. Kaden Feagin’s move to tight end clears up 122 carries from last season, and while all of those touches will not automatically go to Valentine, he should be the biggest beneficiary. Valentine already led Illinois with 131 carries last year and rushed for 614 yards while showing more physicality as the season went along. The program has also marketed him heavily this offseason, and everything points toward him getting the type of workload we have not seen from an Illinois back since Chase Brown. Aidan Laughery will absolutely be involved, and Jordan Anderson gives them a short-yardage option, but Valentine looks like the back I want.

Behind them, the freshmen are interesting for the future. Nelsyn Wheeler has the early advantage because he has been in the program since the spring, but Javari Barnett is the player whose physical traits really jump out. Barnett arrived with a hamstring issue and still hit 20.5 mph at 235 pounds. Tyrone Wheatley has been careful not to oversell him, but he also made it clear that Barnett has the traits to eventually become a major player. This may be more of a 2027 storyline, but he is absolutely a name to stash away.

Feagin’s move from running back to tight end might be the most unique storyline on the roster. He already has 1,592 career yards from scrimmage and has shown he can be dangerous catching the football. The entire question is whether he can hold up as a blocker well enough to earn consistent snaps. Barry Lunney Jr. has been pleased with his development, and if Feagin gets comfortable with the physical side of the position, Illinois suddenly has a 6-foot-3, 260-pound tight end who already knows what to do with the football in his hands.

For fantasy, Valentine is probably the player I am most interested in right now. Houser looks capable of keeping the offense functional, Dixon and Clement give him experienced targets, and Feagin is the wild card at tight end. Cichy is my under-the-radar freshman to monitor, while Barnett is more of a long-term Devy name. Illinois may not have the star power of some other Big Ten offenses, but Valentine getting a true lead-back workload could give us a very useful CFF asset.

Indiana

Indiana is one of the more interesting teams in the Big Ten because Josh Hoover is taking over an offense that has been very productive the last two years, and everything coming out of camp has been positive so far. The TCU transfer looks more comfortable than he did in the spring, and his teammates have consistently praised the work he is putting in behind the scenes. Charlie Becker talked about Hoover constantly reaching out to receivers to get extra throws in and build chemistry. That is exactly what you want to hear from a transfer quarterback stepping into a new system. The talent has never really been the question with Hoover. If the timing and command continue to come along, this offense should be in good shape.

The receiver room gives him plenty to work with. Nick Marsh looks like the headliner and continues to stand out physically. He has the build and skill set of a true boundary WR1 and looks poised for a big season. Behind him, Davion Chandler appears to be settling into the slot, with LeBron Bond and Shazz Preston working outside. That gives Indiana a pretty clear early structure at the top of the depth chart. Marsh is the obvious fantasy name here, but Chandler could be useful if he locks down consistent volume inside.

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

This series is going conference by conference, one per day, breaking down what we know right now from fall camp. We’ll hit every team in the Power Four, starting with the SEC, and focus on the information that actually matters for College Fantasy Football, Devy, and dynasty managers.

The goal isn’t to react to every positive quote or camp highlight. August is full of hype. Instead, we’re looking for things that can actually change player values: quarterback battles, first-team reps, running back rotations, emerging target leaders, freshmen pushing for real roles, injuries, and players who are consistently being mentioned by coaches and beat reporters.

For each team, I’ll keep it tight and focus on the biggest storylines coming out of camp so far. Some situations are already starting to become clear. Others are probably going to take another scrimmage or two before we know what we’re dealing with.

Today, we start with the SEC.

Let’s get into it.

SEC

Alabama

The biggest storyline in Tuscaloosa is still the quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, and everything coming out of camp suggests this is a legitimate competition. Mack brings the experience, the size, and the comfort level of someone who has spent his entire college career in Kalen DeBoer’s system. Russell is the more dynamic option and continues to generate some of the loudest praise on the roster. Tight end Marshall Pritchett described Mack as extremely knowledgeable and dependable, while calling Russell “dynamite in a bottle.” That pretty much sums up the battle right now. Mack feels like the steadier option, while Russell offers the type of playmaking ability that can completely change the ceiling of this offense.

DeBoer has also been complimentary of both quarterbacks, saying they have been consistent early in camp while showing command of the offense and creating explosive plays. The big thing he wants to see now is how each quarterback responds when things go wrong. That is where these upcoming scrimmages become important. We already know both can make throws in practice. The separation is probably going to come from who handles pressure better, avoids the disastrous mistakes, and keeps the offense moving after a bad possession. Alabama does not necessarily have to name a starter immediately, but I would expect us to have a much better feel for this battle after the next couple of scrimmages.

The other major focus for Alabama has been fixing a rushing attack that simply was not good enough last season. The Tide averaged just 3.4 yards per carry, and Ryan Grubb has made it pretty clear that getting the run game back on track has been one of the priorities of the offseason. His philosophy sounds simple: stop trying to do everything and get really good at what works. “Don’t get an inch deep and mile wide,” Grubb said. “Do what you’re good at and be great at it.” There has also been a much bigger emphasis on physicality throughout camp. Grubb has talked about the different energy around this group, while sophomore tackle Jackson Lloyd mentioned the sense of urgency surrounding the offensive line and running game. Alabama does not need to suddenly become the best rushing team in the country, but they cannot be anywhere close to what they were a year ago.

For us, the biggest fantasy question might actually be which Alabama running back is worth owning. Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, AK Dear, and EJ Crowell all have a legitimate path to touches, and I think this could be much more of a rotation than many people want to admit. Dear probably carries the most excitement because of his talent and long-term ceiling, but that does not mean Alabama is just going to hand him the backfield. Hill and Riley are going to be involved, and Crowell gives them another talented option. The improved emphasis on the run game makes this backfield more appealing than it was a year ago, but the depth of the room could also make it frustrating for fantasy. Until somebody starts separating in scrimmages, I’m not forcing a clear RB1 here.

That is really the theme with Alabama right now. There is a ton of upside, but we are still waiting for clarity at the two positions that matter most for fantasy. Who wins the quarterback job, and does one running back actually emerge from this rotation? Russell winning the QB job would immediately make this offense more interesting from a ceiling perspective, while a true lead back emerging would give us one of the most valuable developments of SEC camp. Those are the two situations I’m watching closest over the next couple of weeks.

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By this point, managers have had months to digest roster moves, rookie landing spots, OTAs, coach comments, and depth chart projections. Now we’re finally getting real practice reports, early usage trends, injuries, and legitimate camp buzz. Some of it will prove meaningful. Some of it will be forgotten by September. Either way, it is already influencing how dynasty managers value players.

Late July and early August are always fascinating trading windows because managers are trying to decide which camp reports to buy into and which ones to ignore. Some players are being aggressively acquired before a potential breakout becomes obvious. Others are being moved before concerns surrounding their role, competition, or performance turn into a bigger value problem.

This is where the market starts to tell us which players dynasty managers are chasing, which players they are getting nervous about, and where values are beginning to shift as we move closer to Week 1.

As always, we’re using real trades from FantasyCalc to see what is actually happening in dynasty leagues, not just what is being discussed on the timeline. Let’s dive into the five most moved players from late July and early August and what their trade activity tells us about the current dynasty market.

How to Use This Article

This isn’t a buy/sell list.

It’s a market map.

As you read through each player, ask:

• Am I holding this asset or chasing it?

• Does this player give me flexibility in future trades?

• Is this a consolidation piece or a piece I should consolidate out of?

Because dynasty isn’t about being right once. It’s about staying liquid, leveraged, and in control long enough to win repeatedly.

Marvin Harrison Jr. — WR, Arizona Cardinals

Surprise, surprise, Marvin Harrison Jr. is on this list again. His second season was derailed by injuries, but I still think we are firmly in buy season. Even with everything that went wrong, Harrison was the WR27 in PPG from Weeks 1-13 and averaged 12.8 PPG over his final five healthy games. The talent was never really the question. It was whether Arizona could consistently put him in positions to win and whether he could stay healthy.

So far in camp, the early returns have been encouraging. Harrison looks faster, he’s consistently creating separation, and Mike LaFleur has talked about giving him more freedom within the offense and moving him into situations where he can attack defenders in different ways. The early drop concerns have also quieted down as he’s started stacking strong practices and making plays downfield. Trey McBride is still going to command targets, but Harrison has clearly separated himself from Michael Wilson as the primary wide receiver in this offense. I’m not overthinking this one. The market never fully recovered after the disappointment of his first two seasons, and I still think there’s a window to buy before a legitimate Year 3 breakout pushes his price back toward where we expected it to be.

Dynasty Trades - 12 Team SF/TE Premium

• Marvin Harrison Jr. FOR 2027 2nd/Tank Dell

• Marvin Harrison Jr./Isiah Pacheco FOR Carnell Tate

• Marvin Harrison Jr./Chig Okonkwo FOR Isaiah Likely

• Marvin Harrison Jr./2027 2nd FOR Emeka Egbuka

• Marvin Harrison Jr. FOR 2027 1st

• Marvin Harrison Jr. FOR Jayden Reed/2028 2nd

• Marvin Harrison Jr./Jayden Reed FOR Michael Wilson/Mike Evans

• Marvin Harrison Jr. FOR DaVante Adams/2027 2nd

• Marvin Harrison Jr. FOR KC Concepcion

• Marvin Harrison Jr. FOR Eli Stowers/2027 2nd

Zay Flowers — WR, Baltimore Ravens

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*Editor's Note: These will be released every Saturday with as much updated information as possible.

Arizona Cardinals

QB: Carson Beck gave Arizona something to think about in the Hall of Fame Game. The rookie looked calm, accurate, and in control, finishing 15-of-19 for 188 yards and a touchdown. What stood out most was how comfortable he looked operating the offense. He did not force throws, handled pressure well, and showed good touch on intermediate and downfield passes. Jacoby Brissett is still the favorite to start Week 1, and one preseason game does not change that. But Beck absolutely helped himself. If he keeps playing like this, he could push Gardner Minshew for the QB2 job and potentially accelerate the timeline for when Arizona gives him a real look.

RB: Jeremiyah Love continues to look like exactly what Arizona hoped it was getting with the No. 3 overall pick. The explosiveness, lateral quickness, and receiving ability have all translated early. There are still rookie moments, which is expected, but nothing so far has changed the evaluation of the player. The bigger question remains how Arizona divides touches in a crowded backfield and whether the offensive line can give Love enough room to consistently create explosive plays.

WR: Reggie Virgil is starting to force his way into the conversation. Kendrick Bourne still appears to have a strong hold on the WR3 job behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, but Virgil has continued to make plays. His size gives him a real advantage near the goal line, and a multi-touchdown practice showed that he can be more than just a developmental receiver. Virgil may not have a huge role immediately, but he has done enough to make the coaching staff find ways to keep him involved.

TE: Trey McBride has been one of the safest pieces of this offense throughout camp. There has not been much reason to change the outlook here. He remains heavily involved, looks like one of Arizona’s best players, and should once again be one of the focal points of the passing game.

Should Be on Your Radar: Is there actually a quarterback battle developing in Arizona? Not for Week 1. Brissett still has the clear advantage there. But Beck’s performance changes the conversation behind him. The rookie looked much more advanced than you normally expect from a third-round quarterback making his first NFL appearance. He was poised, accurate, and willing to challenge tight windows without putting the football in unnecessary danger. The important part is what happens next. If Beck stacks another strong preseason performance or two, Arizona may have a difficult time keeping him buried as the third quarterback. Minshew suddenly has real competition for the backup job. More importantly, Brissett is a bridge quarterback. If Arizona struggles early, the fan base and coaching staff are eventually going to start asking when it is time to see Beck. We are not there yet. But after one preseason game, that timeline already feels a little shorter.

Atlanta Falcons

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In this article, we will work through the first 20 rounds of consensus redraft ADP and examine the players available in each range. The goal is not simply to repeat the draft board. We want to identify where positional runs begin, which players appear appropriately priced, where potential values are developing, and which selections may carry more risk than the market is currently acknowledging.

League Settings

This ADP is based on the following format:

• 12-team redraft league

• Half-PPR scoring

• 20-round draft

• One quarterback format

• Overall consensus ADP

• 240 total selections

ADP will continue to change as more information becomes available, but this early August snapshot gives us a clear picture of the current redraft landscape before preseason action begins reshaping the market.

Round 1

1.01 Bijan Robinson, ATL RB
1.02 Jahmyr Gibbs, DET RB
1.03 Ja’Marr Chase, CIN WR
1.04 Puka Nacua, LAR WR
1.05 Christian McCaffrey, SF RB
1.06 Jonathan Taylor, IND RB
1.07 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA WR
1.08 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET WR
1.09 James Cook, BUF RB
1.10 CeeDee Lamb, DAL WR
1.11 Justin Jefferson, MIN WR
1.12 Ashton Jeanty, LVR RB

Pick I Like: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of my favorite first-round picks because we have already seen him produce like an elite fantasy receiver even in an offense that did not throw the ball at a high rate. He finished as the overall WR2 last season after catching 119 passes for a league-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also commanding an NFL-best 33.9% target share. Seattle moved him around the formation and featured him in every important situation, including on third downs and in the red zone. The offense should look relatively similar in 2026, and there is nobody on the roster who should seriously challenge him as the clear top option in the passing game. Even if his efficiency comes back down a little, the combination of youth, durability, target volume, and a locked-in role gives him one of the safest floors among the receivers available in Round 1, with enough upside to finish as the overall WR1.

Pick I Don’t Like: James Cook, Buffalo Bills

James Cook is not a player I expect to completely fall apart, but I have a hard time seeing the upside that justifies taking him with a top-10 pick. He was outstanding last season, leading the league with 19 carries and 98 rushing yards per game while averaging 5.1 yards per carry, but he also caught fewer than two passes per game and continues to lose valuable goal-line opportunities to Josh Allen. Buffalo has already talked about getting Ray Davis and the rest of the backfield more involved after Cook handled 309 carries, so it is difficult to expect that same workload again. The Bills also added D.J. Moore, lost their offensive line coach and a starting interior lineman, and are transitioning Joe Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach. Cook can still finish as an RB1, but if the rushing volume or touchdowns decline even slightly, he could settle closer to RB10. That is a solid fantasy season, but it is not the type of ceiling I want to chase with the ninth overall pick in a half-PPR league.

Round 2

2.01 Saquon Barkley, PHI RB
2.02 De’Von Achane, MIA RB
2.03 Omarion Hampton, LAC RB
2.04 Drake London, ATL WR
2.05 Chase Brown, CIN RB
2.06 Brock Bowers, LVR TE
2.07 Trey McBride, ARI TE
2.08 Kenneth Walker III, KC RB
2.09 Derrick Henry, BAL RB
2.10 Nico Collins, HOU WR
2.11 A.J. Brown, NE WR
2.12 Jeremiyah Love, ARI RB

Pick I Like: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers still feels like a cheat code at tight end, and getting him in the middle of the second round is a value I am willing to take even with several appealing running backs still on the board. The positional advantage is just too difficult to ignore. Bowers has already shown that he can command elite volume, and in a Raiders receiving room that still lacks another true centerpiece, there is a realistic path for him to push toward 150 targets again. That kind of workload puts him in the same conversation as a top-five fantasy wide receiver, except you are getting it at tight end. He may not have Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball, but Kirk Cousins has always leaned on reliable middle-of-the-field targets, and Fernando Mendoza would likely do the same whenever he takes over. After battling through a knee injury last season, Bowers appears healthy and has reportedly been one of the clear stars of camp. The running backs in this range are tempting, but Bowers gives you a weekly advantage at the weakest position in fantasy, and that makes him worth the second-round price.

Pick I Don’t Like: Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals

I love Jeremiyah Love as a prospect, but I do not love the situation enough to take him at the end of the second round. The draft capital and contract tell us Arizona plans to feature him, and his talent gives him legitimate league-winning upside, but there are still too many concerns for me at this cost. The Cardinals have Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, and Trey Benson in the backfield, so even if one of them is moved, Love may not immediately own every valuable touch. Nathaniel Hackett is also not an offensive coordinator I trust to consistently maximize his players, and Arizona could be one of the worst teams in football. That matters when you are spending an early pick on a running back who may need touchdowns and positive game scripts to fully hit his ceiling. Love could absolutely overcome the situation because he is that talented, but I would rather use my early running back selections on players tied to better offenses and more stable roles. At a top-30 price, I am comfortable letting someone else take on that risk.

Round 3

3.01 Josh Allen, BUF QB
3.02 George Pickens, DAL WR
3.03 Josh Jacobs, GB RB
3.04 Rashee Rice, KC WR
3.05 Kyren Williams, LAR RB
3.06 Chris Olave, NO WR
3.07 Breece Hall, NYJ RB
3.08 Malik Nabers, NYG WR
3.09 Javonte Williams, DAL RB
3.10 Tee Higgins, CIN WR
3.11 Tetairoa McMillan, CAR WR
3.12 DeVonta Smith, PHI WR

Pick I Like: Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Rashee Rice comes with plenty of risk, but the upside is still too strong for me to pass on in this range. When he has been on the field, Rice has consistently produced like one of the best receivers in fantasy, averaging nearly 10 targets, 71 receiving yards, and 15.5 fantasy points per game last season. He has already shown that he can function as Patrick Mahomes’ top target and give you legitimate WR1 production, which is difficult to find in the third round. The concern is obviously his availability. Rice has played only 12 games over the last two seasons, and he is still being eased through training camp after undergoing a cleanup procedure on his knee in May. He is leaving practices early for planned rehabilitation and clearly is not back to 100 percent yet, so there is real risk attached to the pick. Still, if he avoids another setback and is ready for Week 1, Rice has the type of target volume and weekly ceiling that can swing fantasy leagues. At this point in the draft, I am willing to accept the risk for a player who could finish as a top-10 receiver.

Pick I Don’t Like: Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Malik Nabers is an elite talent, and when healthy, there is no question that he has WR1 upside. He drew 205 targets through his first 19 NFL games and already finished as the WR7 as a rookie despite playing with some of the worst quarterback play in the league. The issue is that this is redraft, and Nabers is still less than a year removed from tearing both his ACL and meniscus. He has avoided the PUP list and has reportedly felt good during his limited work in training camp, but the Giants have not provided a firm timeline for when he will be ready for full game action. Even if he is active early in the season, there could be limitations on his snaps, routes, or overall workload as he continues working back. Nabers could eventually smash this ADP once he is fully healthy, but I do not want to spend a third-round pick hoping that recovery goes perfectly. In dynasty, I am buying the talent without hesitation. In redraft, the injury risk is enough for me to stay away at this price.

Round 4

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Christian and I walk through our personal top-10 rankings, comparing where we agree, where we differ, and which players have the clearest paths to improving their draft stock. At the top of the class, Cayden Green, Trevor Lauck, Kade Pieper, and Jordan Seaton appear in both of our top fours. Green enters the season with one of the strongest pass-blocking profiles in the class, while Lauck combines high-level grades in both phases. Pieper brings a physical interior presence, and Seaton remains an intriguing tackle prospect because of his pass-protection ability and overall ceiling.

The middle of our rankings includes Greg Johnson, Evan Tengesdahl, Anthonie Knapp, and Trevor Goosby. Tengesdahl stands out as one of the best run blockers in the group, while Johnson offers impressive size and balance at guard. Knapp remains a developmental tackle worth monitoring, and Goosby brings a massive frame with strong grades in both the running and passing games.

The back end of the rankings features Blake Frazier, Austin Siereveld, Iapani Laloulu, Jacarrius Peak, and Greg Johnson, depending on the individual board. Each player offers a different evaluation. Peak’s pass-blocking production gives him a chance to rise quickly, Siereveld has already displayed excellent run-blocking ability, and Laloulu’s pass-protection numbers make him one of the more interesting centers in the class. Christian also highlights PJ Williams among his first three players outside the top 10.

This episode is not simply about ranking offensive linemen. It is about understanding the traits and projections behind each placement. We discuss pass protection, run blocking, positional value, physical development, consistency, and what each prospect must prove during the 2026 season. Whether you are preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft, following college football scouting, or looking to understand the players protecting the next generation of fantasy stars, this is the starting point for the 2027 offensive line conversation.

If you want to go even deeper, everything we do lives on the site: rankings, ADP, tools, guides, articles, and much more at The Devy Royale. That’s the full TDR ecosystem.

The Devy Royale Website

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If you want to watch the full episode, you can find the video below. Let us know your biggest takeaway from the show.

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Whether you're getting ready for fantasy drafts or just want to stay locked in, we've got you covered. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any updates as we march toward kickoff.

*Editor's Note: These will be released every Saturday with as much updated information as possible.

Arizona Cardinals

QB: Jacoby Brissett has made a strong early impression after returning with a new contract. He already understands how to process an offense and handle what defenses throw at him, so the focus now is building a scheme around what he does well. With many of the same pieces returning from last season, Arizona is hoping that continuity gives Brissett a real chance to settle in as the bridge quarterback.

RB: Jeremiyah Love has already flashed his big-play ability and receiving upside, but the Cardinals do not appear interested in overloading him immediately. James Conner remains the steady veteran presence, while Tyler Allgeier has experience working in a rotation with an explosive young back. Love has the highest ceiling, but this could be a frustrating committee early in the season. Conner hasn’t seen the field yet but Allgeier is an interesting handcuff.

WR: Michael Wilson has been one of Arizona’s most consistent players in camp. His routes have been sharp, physical, and intentional, and he looks like a receiver playing with something to prove. Marvin Harrison Jr. has made plenty of plays, but the drops and occasional inconsistency remain difficult to ignore. This is not about writing off Harrison. It is about recognizing that Wilson currently looks like the more dependable option. Quarterbacks naturally lean toward receivers they trust, and Wilson is building that trust with every rep. Kendrick Bourne also gives Arizona a legitimate third receiver who can step into a larger role if either starter misses time.

TE: There is not much to report here yet. Trey McBride looks locked and loaded as one of the focal points of the offense. His ceiling will ultimately come down to quarterback play and how consistently Arizona can protect Brissett.

Should Be on Your Radar: The offensive line is the biggest concern on this roster, and it could limit everything Arizona wants to do offensively. The Cardinals passed on taking an offensive lineman with the third overall pick before selecting guard Chase Bisontis at No. 34. Early camp footage has already shown the offensive line collapsing quickly and leaving Jeremiyah Love with nowhere to go. Arizona allowed 59 sacks last season, and there are still legitimate questions about whether this group improved enough. Love is talented enough to create explosive plays on his own, but there is only so much a running back can do when defenders are meeting him in the backfield. The offensive line is the biggest red flag in Arizona and could make it difficult for Love, Brissett, and the entire passing game to find any consistency.

The Pulse: Arizona still looks like one of the weaker teams in the league, but the most interesting storyline is the battle between Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Harrison has caught a lot of passes in camp, but one wide-open drop quickly became the moment that circulated across social media. Mike LaFleur did not dismiss the mistake, but he praised Harrison for responding with a big catch on his next opportunity. That response matters, but the drops will remain a talking point until Harrison proves he can consistently handle the role expected of him. Wilson has looked steadier, and that makes this more than just a camp storyline. Harrison has the draft capital and elite talent, but Wilson could become the receiver Brissett trusts most early in the season. The answer to that competition may determine the entire shape of Arizona’s passing game.

Atlanta Falcons

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Trade calculators have made it easier to compare players and picks across different positions and timelines. They are useful tools, especially when you are trying to understand the general market. The problem begins when every trade is treated like a math equation. If the assets on your side add up to a higher number, the deal is considered a win. That might look great on a screenshot, but dynasty leagues are not won by building the highest calculator score.

A trade can increase your total roster value while making your starting lineup worse. It can turn one elite asset into several interchangeable pieces, create unnecessary roster clutter, or leave you with more players than you can realistically start. You may have technically gained value, but that value does not always translate into weekly points, lineup advantages, or a better chance to win a championship.

The goal should not be to collect the most total value. It should be to build the strongest starting lineup possible while maintaining enough depth and flexibility to adjust when injuries, breakouts, and changing player values hit your roster. Every move should have a purpose beyond simply making the calculator turn green.

Before celebrating a trade because the numbers say you won, ask a more important question: Did the deal actually improve your dynasty team, or did it only improve your calculator score?

Not All Value Is Equally Useful

One of the biggest mistakes dynasty managers make is assuming all value helps a roster in the same way. Two or three smaller assets may technically equal one elite player on a trade calculator, but that does not mean those assets provide the same weekly impact.

Elite players create lineup advantages that are difficult to replace. A true difference-maker can give you production that most teams in your league simply cannot match. When you trade that player away for multiple lesser pieces, you may increase your total roster value while lowering the ceiling of your starting lineup.

That is where dynasty managers need to separate total roster value from usable value. Total roster value is the combined value of every player and pick you own. Starting-lineup value is the strength of the players you can actually put into your lineup each week. Trade-market liquidity measures how easily those assets can be moved later, while weekly scoring impact reflects what those players are doing to help you win right now.

Those categories are not always connected. A roster can have plenty of total value while lacking elite starters. It can also be filled with players who look valuable on paper but are difficult to move because nobody in the league wants to pay full price for them. Depth still matters, especially during injuries and bye weeks, but there is a major difference between useful depth and a collection of interchangeable roster pieces.

Consider a manager trading a top-five wide receiver for two WR2-level players and a future first-round pick. A calculator may view the deal as fair or even favor the side receiving the package. The problem is that only one of those receivers can replace the elite player in the starting lineup. The other becomes depth, and the future pick does not provide any immediate production.

The manager may have gained assets, but the weekly lineup is now weaker. Instead of starting a player capable of producing a major positional advantage, that team is relying on a lower-tier option and hoping the extra pieces eventually make up the difference. Over the course of a season, that downgrade can cost points every week.

This does not mean you should never trade an elite player for a package. It means the package needs to do more than simply match the player’s calculator value. It should improve your roster construction, fit your competitive timeline, and give you a realistic path to replacing the weekly advantage you are giving up.

The Best Player in the Deal Still Matters

Dynasty managers have become increasingly comfortable with the idea of tiering down. Move off an elite player, add a younger piece, pick up a future selection, and walk away with more total assets. In the right situation, that can be a smart strategy. The problem is that managers sometimes become so focused on adding pieces that they ignore the value of simply keeping the best player in the deal.

The extra assets can make a trade feel safer. Instead of relying on one player, you now have multiple players or picks that can increase in value. That sounds appealing, especially in a format where injuries and uncertainty are always part of the equation. However, spreading value across several assets does not automatically make your roster stronger.

In many dynasty formats, especially leagues with shallower starting requirements, the manager receiving the best player often gains the real advantage. Only so many players can enter your lineup each week. When lineup spots are limited, elite production becomes even more valuable because there are fewer opportunities for depth to make a meaningful difference.

That is why elite assets are so difficult to acquire. They provide high-end production, strong market value, and a level of security that most players cannot match. Managers rarely move them without asking for an overpayment because replacing that combination is not easy. Once you trade away a truly elite player, getting back into that tier can be much harder than expected.

The added pieces in a tier-down deal need to do more than make the calculator look balanced. They need to compensate for the drop in weekly production, the loss of lineup upside, and the insulation that comes with owning a top-tier asset. A future first-round pick may become valuable, but it may also land later than expected. A younger player may gain value, but that does not mean they will ever develop into the player you moved away.

Before making that type of trade, ask yourself a simple question: Would you rather have one player who can win a matchup or three players you are constantly deciding whether to start?

That does not mean the side receiving multiple assets can never win the deal. It means quantity should not be confused with quality. If you are giving up the best player, the return needs to create a clear advantage somewhere else on your roster. Otherwise, you may end up with more pieces while becoming less dangerous.

Roster Spots Have Value Too

Dear Readers,

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Whether it is a quarterback receiving a public vote of confidence, a running back being mentioned as part of a committee, or a young player generating legitimate breakout buzz, these updates can cause values to shift before anyone takes a meaningful snap. The key is determining which comments deserve our attention and which ones should simply be filed away as typical offseason hype. Using the media day reports. I will look at potential changes in roles, depth-chart developments, injury updates, offensive philosophy, and any other information that could affect a player’s outlook in C2C, CFF, or Devy formats.

There will be plenty of information to sort through, but the goal is simple: identify the updates that actually matter and explain how dynasty managers should react.

Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy Cleared to Return, but Timeline Remains Uncertain

This is a very encouraging update for Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy, especially when you consider where things stood earlier in the offseason. Hardy was shot at a concert in Mississippi, required emergency surgery, and there was real concern that he could miss the entire 2026 season. The fact that he has already been medically cleared to begin working his way back is a major positive. Eli Drinkwitz shared at SEC Media Days that Hardy has been back around the team facility and working through his rehabilitation. The biggest complication has been that the bullet struck a bone, making this a much different recovery than a normal football injury. There is no clear blueprint for how quickly a player can return from something like this, which is why Missouri is still being careful with the timeline.

The current expectation is that Hardy’s return-to-play process could take somewhere between five and eight weeks. Even then, the Tigers may not immediately know whether he is ready to handle a full workload or if it will take additional time for him to return to form. Still, this news feels much more positive than many expected. A few months ago, the conversation was about whether Hardy would play at all this season. Now the discussion has shifted toward when he could return and how quickly he can get back to being one of the best running backs in college football.

Hardy rushed for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, leading the SEC in rushing and finishing as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. He was expected to be the centerpiece of Missouri’s offense heading into 2026, especially with the Tigers replacing starters at quarterback, wide receiver, and along the offensive line. Jamal Roberts will still have an important role in the backfield, and Missouri will likely avoid rushing Hardy back before he is completely ready. Roberts could see a larger workload early in the season, but Hardy remains the player this offense will eventually want to build around.

C2C, CFF, and Devy Impact

For CFF managers, this update should be viewed as good news. Hardy may still miss time or begin the year with a limited workload, but the possibility of him returning this season now feels much more realistic. He should probably be moved down slightly in seasonal rankings because of the uncertainty, but this is not a situation where I would completely remove him from draft boards.

In C2C leagues, Hardy remains a strong asset. His 2025 production showed what his ceiling can look like, and the fact that he is already progressing toward a return makes him more of a hold than a player managers should be looking to move. Roberts is also worth rostering because he could provide early-season production and serve as protection for Hardy managers.

From a Devy perspective, the biggest thing is getting Hardy healthy. He has already put together a season that proved he can produce at a high level in the SEC. Missing a few games would not erase that. The larger concern would be whether the injury impacts his explosiveness or keeps him from looking like the same player once he returns.

There are still questions, but this update is much better than the alternative. Hardy went from potentially missing the entire season to having a realistic path back onto the field. Considering everything he has been through, that is a significant win.

Talyn Taylor Could Emerge as Georgia’s Next Breakout Wide Receiver

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That’s not a league. That’s a lottery with extra steps.

Trading is the last real skill edge in fantasy football. Rankings are free. Projections are free. Everybody’s reading the same articles and listening to the same podcasts, which means everybody’s draft board looks 90% identical. The waiver wire is a coin flip dressed up as strategy. But trading? Trading is a negotiation between two humans, and most humans are bad at negotiating. If you get even a little bit good at it, you have an advantage that no amount of content consumption can erase.

And here’s the part I genuinely believe: getting good at trading makes your league more fun for everybody. A league that trades is a league that talks, argues, laughs, and shows up. You’re not just building your roster. You’re building the thing that keeps twelve grown adults texting each other in February.

So this is my attempt at a handbook. Not “here’s who to buy low,” because you can find that anywhere and it expires in a week anyway. This is about the craft itself. The psychology, the mechanics, the etiquette. The stuff that’s true in 2026 and will still be true in 2036. I’ve pulled from the actual literature here, hostage negotiators, behavioral economists, the people who study why humans make the decisions they make, because it turns out your league chat is just a small, dumb version of every negotiating table on Earth.

Read it once a year. Preferably in your pajamas, with coffee, before you send your first offer of the season. Big decisions deserve comfortable pants.

Part One: Your Enemy Is Your Own Brain

Before you can trade well with other people, you have to understand why you’re bad at valuing your own roster. And you are. So am I. So is everyone. This isn’t an insult, it’s biology.

The endowment effect, or: why your bench is not a museum

In 1990, the economists Daniel Kahneman, Jack Knetsch, and Richard Thaler ran a famous experiment. They gave half a classroom of students coffee mugs, then let the mug owners set selling prices while everyone else set buying prices. Same mug. Same room. Same day. The owners demanded roughly twice what the buyers were willing to pay.

Nothing about the mug changed when it landed in someone’s hands. Ownership itself inflated its value.

Now think about your roster. You drafted these players. You watched their college tape. You defended your picks in the group chat. Every player on your team has a little story attached to him, and those stories are worth exactly zero points. When you catch yourself saying “I just can’t move him, I’ve had him since his rookie year,” you are the mug owner. Congratulations. The mug does not love you back.

The practical fix is boring but it works: value your own players at what the market says, not what your heart says. If you’d have to think hard before trading FOR a guy at his current price, you probably shouldn’t be turning down that price when someone offers it for him.

Loss aversion, or: why your leaguemates won’t say yes to fair offers

Kahneman and Amos Tversky’s prospect theory work, the research that eventually won Kahneman a Nobel, established something that explains about 80% of dead trade negotiations: losses hurt roughly twice as much as equivalent gains feel good.

This is why a perfectly fair 1 for 1 offer dies in someone’s inbox. Your leaguemate doesn’t evaluate your offer as “player A versus player B.” He evaluates it as “the pain of losing MY guy versus the pleasure of gaining YOUR guy,” and the pain side of that ledger gets doubled before he even starts thinking. A trade that’s dead even on paper feels like a loss to both sides. That’s the actual reason fantasy leagues are frozen solid, and it’s why the classic advice to “just send fair offers” is a recipe for getting ignored.

The implication is useful once you make peace with it: to get a deal done, the other manager usually needs to feel like he’s winning by a little. And that’s fine! Your job is to find trades where you can afford to let him feel that way, where the piece you’re giving up matters less to your roster construction than the piece you’re getting matters to yours. Which brings us to the single most important idea in this entire handbook.

Part Two: Trade Rosters, Not Players

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Until Adam Schefter reported recently that multiple teams felt like Stribling was the best wideout in the draft, and the Rams had their eyes on him. The buzz will continue to mount because Stribling’s skill set is perfect for the best version of the Shanahan offense. Here’s why.

What Stribling Does Well

I’ve long been a fan of Stribling, getting into multiple debates (friendly, mostly) in our Discord throughout draft season, and especially post-draft. Stribling was inside my top-five wideouts. I had him ranked ahead of Denzel Boston. We’ll see how that plays out, but I was so bullish on him because of his unique skill set in a class full of mediocrity. Here’s what I wrote in our guide:

Stribling was the most surprising evaluation of the entire class, as he graded out significantly higher than expected before the NFL Scouting Combine, and emerged as an even more complete prospect. He’s one of the most elite athletes at the position, with a 4.36s 40-yard dash highlighting his biggest strength. He’s a nightmare to cover on deep balls, as he can blow right past coverage. With the Ole Miss offense, he wasn’t utilized as a deep threat, but rather as an elite playmaker with the ball in his hands. 63.5% of his targets were under 10 yards, and he excelled at every level. When asked to run intermediate and deep routes, he averaged 16.22 yards per route run. To put that into perspective, Jordyn Tyson averaged 9.16, and Makai Lemon averaged 14.82. Stribling isn’t just a speed guy, though. He’s fluid in and out of breaks, especially when pushing vertically and breaking off for comebacks. He’s excellent at generating yards after the catch, combining his elite speed with physicality. He’s not elusive with the ball in his hands, but it generally doesn’t matter. He’s not an elite route runner, but he does enough at his size to believe he can be an impact player. He’s strong, consistently fighting off physical corners. He’s arguably the most underrated player in this receiving class, though how he’s deployed at the next level is critical to his career path.

It’s hard to nail down his biggest strength, mostly because he was utilized in completely different ways in college, excelling in both styles and roles. He’s The Flash with the ball in his hands, and he’s physical enough to be a meaningful yards-after-the-catch player (more on this later). He can also push a defense vertically without much issue, putting safeties on high alert and creating space underneath for his teammates. Stribling’s average depths of target during his two years at Oklahoma State were 14.3 and 14.7, respectively. In 2024, his final (and arguably, sole meaningful) year there, he ranked 10th in the nation in that stat. In 2025, Lane Kiffin had different plans for him. The goal of the Ole Miss offense was to get the ball in his hands and allow him to make plays. In both situations, he was an excellent player after the catch. His 400 yards after the catch in 2025 ranked 32nd nationally. Kendrick Law was the only player ahead of him with fewer targets. Essentially, Kiffin wanted to get the ball into his fast guys’ hands and let them make life easier for their quarterback. It worked, and Stribling had an outstanding season, but it made his evaluation slightly more complicated. He’s not an overly elusive player; he’s a big-bodied wideout with a wide catch radius on top of the “small boy” skill set. His routes aren’t always the most crisp, but he has enough throttle and pace to create advantages against corners. When he pushes vertically, he sells the hell out of his routes so it’s easier to break off into comebacks and curls.

When you combine that with his elite athleticism, the ceiling is massive. Stribling ran a fast 40-yard dash, yes, but he was also explosive on his jumps. Where he was a little less consistent was in the agility testing, which we’ve already discussed. Still, a 4.36-second 40 time at 6’2, 207 is nothing to sneeze at, despite most dynasty managers’ propensity to do so.

I failed to mention how excellent a blocker Stribling is in that scouting report, but that’s one area where Shanahan and company are going to be drooling over. With how much the 49ers run the ball, it’s hard to imagine Stribling comes off the field in 12-personnel with his excellent, physical blocking.

The Best Version of the Shanahan Offense

While NFL offenses are regularly evolving - especially Kyle Shanahan’s - there’s typically a “most ideal” version that we as fans get to see for a season or two. The 49ers rarely have trouble on offense. In 2025, they ranked:

• 8th in Total Yards

• 11th in Yards Per Play

• 11th in Points Per Game

• 4th in Passing Yards

Unfortunately for the rest of the league, that’s not even remotely close to the best version of the 49ers’ offense. In 2023, with everyone relatively healthy, they ranked:

• 1st in Total Yards

• 1st in Yards Per Play

• 2nd in Points Per Game

• 4th in Passing Yards

Dear Readers,

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For years, dynasty managers could build around an incredibly stable group of elite assets. The top quarterbacks rarely moved. Wide receivers held value for years. Even aging veterans maintained surprisingly strong market insulation.

That foundation is beginning to crack.

The next generation of stars has arrived, while many of the players who defined the last five years are entering a completely different phase of their dynasty lifecycle. That doesn’t mean they’re no longer productive. It means the market is beginning to value them differently.

That shift creates opportunity.

In the latest episode of the TDR Show: The Dynasty Investor, Jay Stein and I break down how the dynasty market is changing, where value is beginning to move, and how managers can stay ahead of the next wave instead of reacting after it happens.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the dynasty market feels different than it did just a year ago

• Which elite assets still have true value insulation

• The veterans beginning to lose long-term market protection

• The next generation of cornerstone dynasty players

• How to think about dynasty windows by position

• Players we believe are currently overvalued and undervalued

🎧 Listen to the podcast

Podcast

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A Quick Preview

One of the biggest takeaways from this discussion is that every position is changing in a different way. Quarterback still offers some of the safest long-term investments, but even that position is beginning to experience more turnover than we’re accustomed to seeing. Running back remains the fastest-moving market in dynasty. Young elite backs like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs have become foundational assets, while another wave led by Ashton Jeanty, Jeremiyah Love, Omarion Hampton, and Quinshon Judkins is already pushing upward. Wide receiver has historically been the safest place to park dynasty value, but that insulation isn’t quite as automatic anymore. Veterans are aging, younger stars are climbing, and the gap between tiers is becoming much thinner. Tight end may actually be experiencing the biggest transition of all. The league is moving from the Travis Kelce and George Kittle era toward a new foundation led by Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Tyler Warren, and Colston Loveland. Every position tells a slightly different story, but they all point toward the same conclusion. The dynasty market is changing.

Subscriber Only Thoughts

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

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Christian and I walk through our personal top-five rankings, comparing where we agree, where we differ, and which tight ends have the clearest paths to gaining value. Names like Jamari Johnson, Peter Clarke, Trey’Dez Green, DJ Vonnahme, Brody Foley, and Luke Reynolds all bring something different to the table. Some offer receiving upside and mismatch potential. Others bring size, blocking value, red-zone ability, or the kind of two-way skill set that can keep them on the field early.

This group is interesting because the evaluations are not all the same. Jamari Johnson brings receiver-level value and move tight end upside. Peter Clarke has the physicality, run-blocking profile, and enough receiving production to matter. Trey’Dez Green has rare size and touchdown upside. DJ Vonnahme, Brody Foley, and Luke Reynolds each have paths to rising if their roles continue to expand in 2026.

This episode is not just about ranking tight ends. It is about understanding the profiles. We discuss each player’s strengths, concerns, statistical context, devy value, and what they need to prove this season to move up the board. Whether you are trying to get ahead in devy drafts, C2C leagues, dynasty rookie prep, or just want to know which tight ends could be next, this is the starting point for the 2027 tight end conversation.

If you want to go even deeper, everything we do lives on the site: rankings, ADP, tools, guides, articles, and much more at The Devy Royale. That’s the full TDR ecosystem.

The Devy Royale Website

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This is only Episode 6. We’re just getting started. If you want to watch the full episode, you can find the video below. Let us know your biggest takeaway from the show.

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