Author: Yahoo Sports

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

When building a dominant fantasy football roster, nailing your first-round pick is essential — and, according to the recent debate between Matt Harmon and Dalton Del Don on the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, nobody is better set up to explode as the top overall player than Dallas Cowboys receiver, CeeDee Lamb.

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Let’s break down exactly what sets up Lamb for a fantasy football takeover this season.

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Del Don put it simply: Lamb had "135 catches, 1,750 yards and 12 TDs” in 2023. That’s already elite territory. But take a look at what’s happened in Dallas since then. The entire Cowboys receiver room behind Lamb is a collection of question marks: Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy. It's honestly hard to imagine a bigger gulf between a WR1 and the rest of a depth chart in the NFL right now.

That leads to possibly historic target volume. Del Don even says, “I think he could approach 200 targets this season.” For context, any WR pushing near 200 looks is an automatic top-three option — think peak Davante Adams — especially when you have Lamb’s elite mix of route-running and separation skills.

Lamb doesn’t just project to earn targets; he cashes them in. Harmon points out that, with no other true alpha options and quarterback Dak Prescott throwing his way, the Cowboys have every incentive to funnel the offense through Lamb: “This is the type of situation too where it's like, who else are they going to throw to? ... why would they throw to other guys when they have CeeDee Lamb there?”

It’s not just about opportunity. Over the last couple of years, Lamb has already proven he’s one of the top playmakers in the league. As Dalton notes, “CeeDee Lamb has the most PPR points per game among all wide receivers since 2003”, even while playing through quarterback injuries at times. Last year, he was the focal point, and this offseason only made the picture clearer.

Usually, you can nitpick a No. 1 receiver’s situation — maybe there’s a new star rookie added, or a veteran threatening to siphon targets, or a running game strong enough to limit volume overhead. That’s not the case here. Harmon and Del Don both repeatedly stress just how much this offense is set up to lean completely on Lamb:

• No WRs drafted this season

• Other pass-catchers on the roster are purely dart throws

• Even if someone like Amari Cooper is theoretically added, Lamb would still “comfortably clear like 160 targets.”

Fantasy drafters have spent all offseason lining up Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase as their unquestioned No. 1 WR picks. Del Don? He’s “closer to moving [Lamb] to my WR1 than I am No. 3.”

Why? The Jefferson–Lamb debate is especially interesting this year. While both are awesome, Jefferson is breaking in a new quarterback (J.J. McCarthy). As Harmon puts it: “We've just never seen him play yet. It's a new variable there.” Lamb, meanwhile, has his proven chemistry with Prescott, and the Cowboys offense isn’t changing.

Lamb is only “half a year older than Chase,” meaning he’s still in his absolute physical prime. Whether you play full-PPR or half-PPR, both Harmon and Del Don agree — no receiver in football projects for a better combo of safe, elite target share and monster upside.

In short? CeeDee Lamb fits the exact mold of a league-winning fantasy WR1: he’s an elite player, at his peak age, with huge target share, in a pass-happy offense and zero real competition for touches.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Every fantasy football summer, there’s a running back whose name lingers in the later rounds, only for savvy managers to snatch him up and ride a surprising wave of production. In this year’s dynasty rookie drafts, that name should be Jaydon Blue.

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After listening to Matt Harmon and Nate Tice break down the rookie class on the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, it’s crystal clear: Blue checks every sleeper box. Here’s why making him a priority in your dynasty drafts might be the move that wins your league.

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Unlike many Day 3 running backs who flash speed, Blue isn’t just a home run hitter. As Nate Tice noted, “He ran a sub-4.4. He’s 195 pounds. Usually, those guys bounce all their runs … [but] he runs between the tackles.”

That last part is crucial. So many undersized backs get pigeonholed into gadget or outside-only roles, but Blue presses the hole, sets up blockers and runs with vision and patience. Tice likened his style to Dolphins star De’Von Achane, noting, “He can do the real running back stuff — run between the tackles, has vision, sets up his blockers, runs with tempo.” There’s more than just “track speed” here; there’s legitimate, translatable football skill.

Let’s be real: the Dallas Cowboys’ RB room is ripe for the taking. As both hosts discussed, Blue’s only real competition right now is Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders — both players whose best days may be behind them.

“Javonte Williams is on the roster. Miles Sanders is on the roster. He’s [Blue] better than that. He’s a better running back than those guys, even if he’s smaller,” Tice said. Unless Dallas pulls off a surprise signing, there’s nobody on the roster who profiles as an obvious roadblock. And as Harmon pointed out, when you add in Dallas’ physical, mauling offensive line, Blue’s skill set could be maximized right away.

The Cowboys always build with their run game in mind. Nate Tice explained, “With this offensive line, they’re always going to run it. Dak [Prescott] wants to always have running be part of the offensive system.” Blue’s inside running prowess and ability to catch passes align perfectly with Dallas’ offensive DNA — a critical factor overlooked in rookie drafts.

And don’t forget the “Texas bump.” As Tice put it, the fact that Blue is a local product only helps his chances at getting opportunities and winning over the coaching staff.

Even as a fifth-round pick, Blue has the clearest runway among late-round rookie RBs. The hosts were quick to hammer home value: “How is he not going to see the field when we’re talking about Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders?” Harmon asked. The Cowboys will inevitably need fresh legs, and Blue could see meaningful carries from the jump.

Harmon summed up the excitement with: “He could outkick that Day 3 draft capital.” In the second round of their dynasty rookie mock on the latest Fantasy Football Forecast, Blue stood out for how easily he could surge up the depth chart and surprise the league, much like Isiah Pacheco did or past late-round breakouts.

In dynasty startups and rookie-only drafts, targeting Blue in the second or third rounds is a chance to capitalize on uncertainty and opportunistic roster construction. He’s not just a “sleeper” because he’s a real-life fifth-round pick — he’s a sleeper because he’s got NFL talent, an immediate path to touches and a coaching staff invested in his success.

If you want a running back who could shatter expectations and pay off big-time as the season unfolds, Jaydon Blue is your guy. Let your league-mates chase the obvious names. You’ll be the one with a future Cowboys starter before they know what hit them.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

If you’re piecing together your dynasty fantasy football rosters (or doing some redraft season-long research) after the NFL Draft, you’ve probably noticed the rising buzz around Tetairoa McMillan — otherwise known as "T-Mac"— the talented Arizona receiver who landed with the Carolina Panthers.

If you’re wondering what makes McMillan such an intriguing fit, particularly paired with Bryce Young, this week’s Yahoo Fantasy Forecast episode dropped some illuminating insights.

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Let’s break down why Yahoo Sports' Matt Harmon and Nate Tice believe the McMillan-Young duo could become fantasy dynamite.

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To start, Tice gushed about McMillan’s pro-readiness as a classic X receiver. The Panthers’ receiver room needed a genuine No. 1 target to stabilize the pecking order. As Harmon put it, McMillan can “bump everybody down to a more comfortable position, both from just a hierarchy, but also where they're going to line up in the receiver room.”

This gives the Panthers much-needed clarity and, more importantly, gives Young a true outside go-to threat. McMillan isn’t just a perimeter guy — he proved repeatedly on film he thrives on dig and in-breaking routes, excelling on “scramble drills” where he stays alive as a target for his QB.

Not all quarterbacks are created equal when it comes to supporting fantasy wideouts, especially rookies. While Young had his ups and downs in his rookie campaign, both Harmon and Tice see tangible reasons why his development points to a McMillan breakout.

Harmon pointed out that even though Young is a smaller QB, he “actually does operate the middle of the field really well,” a trait that matches McMillan’s best attributes. McMillan’s separation, especially on dig routes (where he posted above-average success in charting), lines up with what Young likes to throw, and on those critical, high-reward intermediate targets.

Additionally, Young, like No, 1 pick Cam Ward, is a QB who “likes to scramble, to throw ... he likes to run around and find throws.” McMillan, as noted by both hosts, shines on scramble drills and is adept at finding space when the play structure breaks down. That chemistry could mean big spike weeks for fantasy managers.

What also makes this pairing so tantalizing is the context. As Tice said, McMillan is going to be “the No. 1 receiver there.” There are complementary pieces, but McMillan is the target alpha — and that alone is significant for fantasy. And with a stronger offensive line, and a new staff making sound process moves, the Panthers offense is primed to take a leap. Tice even went so far as to say he sees Carolina being “at least a top-half unit, top-15, top-16 unit” on offense.

Both Harmon and Tice reminded us that not all rookie wideouts pop as instant superstars. We’ve become spoiled by chasing Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase-type breakouts. Even if McMillan’s start is more modest, the talent, role and fit all point toward a bet worth making.

“No matter what…I think he's going to make it in the league,” Tice said. “I don't think that's a bold statement. ... He's going to be the No. 1 receiver there. They have auxiliary options, but I think McMillan's going to hit the ground running.”

Dynasty managers looking for long-term value at the receiver position should be eagerly targeting McMillan — especially if they’ve already invested in or believe in Young’s emerging skillset.

Why? Because their games mesh perfectly: Young’s willingness (and ability) to operate over the middle and trust big receivers on in-breakers, McMillan’s route-running and scramble-drill polish, and the clear WR1 workload on a rising offense.

In short: The McMillan-Young pairing could be the exact kind of early dynasty connection you’ll want to plant your flag on before your league-mates catch up.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

In this episode of the "Inside Coverage" podcast, Yahoo Sports' Frank Schwab, Jori Epstein and Charles Robinson spent a significant amount of time discussing teams with the biggest question marks after the NFL Draft. Here are some of the teams they flagged as having the most uncertainty heading into the offseason:

San Francisco 49ers

Schwab ranked San Francisco's offseason 32nd — last in the NFL — due to major talent losses, questions about the aging core (like George Kittle, Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey) and uncertainty around Brandon Aiyuk. 

Robinson emphasized that the team lost a lot of core talent, and its defensively heavy draft needs to hit perfectly for San Francisco to quickly rebound. There's also anxiety about whether Brock Purdy can succeed without the same level of skill-position talent he's had the past couple of years.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ quarterback situation is a “clown car,” with too many options, especially after drafting Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, and no clear plan post-Deshaun Watson. 

Robinson points out that it's highly unusual and nearly unmanageable to go into the season with four quarterbacks. There’s also internal concern about front-office dynamics and whether team owner Jimmy Haslam is making things more chaotic. 

The quarterback room is crowded and unsettled — and, depending on how decisions play out, the Browns might be wasting draft capital and causing unnecessary drama in the locker room and front office.

New York Giants

Their quarterback situation is also murky. Russell Wilson was signed as a potential starter, Jameis Winston is in the mix, and first-round rookie Jaxson Dart is waiting in the wings. There are questions about how long Wilson will get before the team turns to Dart, especially with Brian Daboll coaching for his job. The Giants added talent this offseason, but the sequence and management of quarterbacks could dictate how the season unfolds — and whether the staff survives into 2026.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters

Dallas Cowboys

While the pundits praised the Cowboys' draft (especially for strengthening the offensive line), Schwab and Epstein both raised questions about the running back and wide receiver rooms. There is uncertainty around who, aside from CeeDee Lamb, is going to catch passes, and whether the Cowboys have enough firepower at running back, or might need to make moves (like an Amari Cooper reunion) before the season. 

Despite a positive draft grade, Dallas' offensive skill-position depth is lacking compared to divisional rivals.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers, after finally drafting a receiver in the first round (Matthew Golden), still don’t have a clear-cut WR1. There’s a logjam of “good but not great” receivers, and neither Epstein nor Robinson was sure if any will emerge as an alpha target for Jordan Love. The lack of a proven, dominant receiver could keep the Packers as a “good but not great” team, especially in a tough NFC North.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Inside Coverage" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.