If your league hasn’t drafted yet, congratulations. You have injury and lineup information that earlier drafting leagues were not privy to. The trick now is what to do with this plethora of NFL information. Keep in mind that coaches lie, and a player will always say, “I feel great!” even if his knee is holding on by its last tendon. Therefore, don’t make any knee-jerk reactions. Be sure to go into your draft well prepared. Here’s a few last-minute pieces of advice.
Draft the Jaguars as your opening day Team Defense
The NFL schedule gods have offered up a sacrificial lamb to start the season: The Cleveland Browns. The Brownies crawl into Jacksonville with beleaguered QB Deshaun “Nobody Likes Me” Watson at the helm. In 19 games with Cleveland since 2022, Watson has been sacked 70 times, thrown 12 interceptions and fumbled five times. Jacksonville’s 31 takeaways last year trailed only the Chicago Bears. Pounce on the Jags D.
Speaking of Deshaun Watson
As unpopular as the decision was to name Watson as the Browns’ opening day starter, especially with Cleveland fans, there was no other option. They can’t bench their $230 million QB without giving him a shot to prove his worth one last time. Shedeur Sanders’ day will come. He’s only 24 and has a bright future. Undraftable for Fantasy purposes, Watson most likely will be run out on a rail after this season, leaving an $86.2 million dead cap hit in his wake.
Have patience, Grasshopper
When you draft a player to stash away like Jaydon Blue, Ja’Kobi Lane or Jonah Coleman, you have to realize they won’t “break out” in September, and probably not October either. The NFL season is a marathon, and sooner or later a deep bench will bring riches to those who had the fortitude to hang on to such players.
Harbaugh is worth four extra victories for the Giants
In 17 years as a head coach in Baltimore, John Harbaugh had just one season (2015) when he didn’t win eight games. The Giants’ schedule includes winnable matchups against the Titans, Cardinals, Browns, Commanders and Cowboys. I think an 8-9 record is possible and keeps the Giant fan base optimistic for the future. Draft Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers with confidence.
Glenn is worth four extra losses for the Jets
Meanwhile, on the “green” side of MetLife Stadium, I fear the defensive-minded Aaron Glenn has no defense for his team’s poor…defense. The Jets failed to record a single interception in a season for the first time in NFL history. They lost five straight games by 23 or more points in a single year for the first time in NFL history. And I think by Christmas day, Glenn’s tenure at the helm of the Jets will be history. Draft Geno Smith, Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson with trepidation.
Don’t fret about preseason injuries
Coaches bubble-wrap their stars in the preseason. Do you really think Patrick Mahomes won’t be on the field for the Chiefs on Sept 14? And Malik Nabers will watch the Giants from the stands against the Cowboys? Puka Nacua and George Kittle were on the NFL injury report every week last year yet always showed up on game day. Will they miss their openers? Don’t bet on it. Make sure to check the inactive reports, but I’m not worried at all about these guys.
Take a flyer on Kayshon Boutte
The Texans’ WR room has been ravaged. Jayden Higgins is out for the year; Tank Dell is still working his way back from a devastating 2024 injury. Jaylin Noel has been limited all camp, and they signed NFL journeymen Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones off the street last week. Thus, the trade for Boutte made sense. He immediately becomes their second-best WR after Nico Collins. Boutte can be a nice addition to a decent Texans offense that attempted the eighth most passes in 2025.
Mom always said, ‘Stay in school’
But this is ridiculous. The NIL has made a mockery of NFL rookie salaries. Because of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collectives, elite college stars can earn significantly more money ($500,000-$1 million) in college than a standard NFL rookie minimum or a practice squad salary ($247,000). So, Mom was right. Stay in school, kids. It pays better.
Next Week: Breakout Stars
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Bill Reinhard is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association, and a columnist for FantasyGuru.com.
