We're into August and fantasy football draft season is ramping up. As you prep for your drafts, be sure to check out our free fantasy football draft kit with the latest player analysis, rankings, sleepers and more. And if you're looking for an even bigger edge on the competition, Yahoo has two great options: Fantasy Plus or our new Ultra subscription, which includes a 150+ page draft playbook along with our draft strategy lab.
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
On Thursday, Yahoo fantasy football analyst Scott Pianowski joined the exclusive Fantasy Plus discord, one of the many subscription features, to answer your questions. Here's a full recap of the AMA:
Question: Who are some of your favorite targets this draft season?
Pianowski: I'm buying the Chargers in a lot of different ways, especially Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey. New OC Mike McDaniel and a healthy OL could take this offense to the moon. I am hoping Keenan Allen doesn't come back to L.A., just to keep the target tree a little bit more narrow. But go get McConkey, please.
It's a great year to wait at QB. In addition to Herbert, I have a lot of interest in Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence and Dak Prescott.
I find myself getting a lot of Sam LaPorta and Jordan Mason shares.
Question: I just got my draft slot for my most important league (Pick 7). I'm thinking of going WR (ideally Amon Ra or JSN)-RB-RB-RB, but I'm second-guessing myself if CMC falls to seventh — any advice?
Pianowski: I'm going to fade McCaffrey this year. The last two times he led the NFL in touches, the following season was a mess. Also, his efficiency was not great last season, it almost felt like Kyle Shanahan's purpose was to get McCaffrey as much fantasy production as possible. While I am willing to suspend the aging curve for Derrick Henry, since his efficiency is stable, I have a different view of CMC.
The Niners have a curious construct, a lot of talent but a very old team.
Question: So I have the 10th pick in my fantasy draft and I'm a big Robust RB guy. Hypothetically, if what my beliefs about Omarion Hampton are true, and he is a truly putrid RB, does the Mike McDaniel system and supporting cast outweigh that? Does he have a realistic risk of being benched anytime during the season?
Pianowski: I certainly like Hampton more than you do, but I'm not going to discount your eye test either. Your early picks should be players you believe in, players who excite you. If that's not Hampton, I would advise you not to take him. Sometimes fantasy is as simple as that.
I also think it's possible some of what looked bad on tape last year was actually a reflection of the offensive line, which basically went kablooey as soon as the season started.
Question: Hey Scott, do you have any favorite QB-WR stacks you're looking to target in drafts? Or do you generally try not to force a stack and just go with the flow of the draft? Thanks!
Pianowski: I am more likely to stack in best ball or leagues that are point-based or have an overall prize, where you're trying to shoot for the moon and you want to tell yourself the simplest upside story possible. In a managed head-to-head league, it's something I'm open to doing but I'm not going to force it. That said, if I can get a quarterback I like and a receiver I like who link up, I'm certainly up for it. The Chargers I mentioned earlier, yes please. Dak Prescott and one of his guys. Jared Goff and one of his guys (Sun God requires a specific draft slot, LaPorta is more pliable later).
One target player I didn't mention earlier, and I realize this bus is getting very crowded but please draft Josh Downs this year.
Question: You told me who like, who are some players you're avoiding?
Pianowski: I think the rookie running backs taken in April's first round might be disappointing. Jeremiyah Love has all sorts of competition for the ball in Arizona, and I'm worried that could be a very bad team (we want positive game scripts for our backs). Jadarian Price certainly is going to be in a timeshare with Seattle.
De'Von Achane is a wonderful player, but the setup in Miami is a mess. This probably is the worst offense in football, and while you can say some positive things about new quarterback Malik Willis, he tends to scramble when a play breaks down, not check down to his running backs. Occasionally, Achane will win through his talent and home run ability, but I'm not drafting him.
The name brand on Patrick Mahomes II is a little bit stronger than it should be. Last year's wonderful running isn't going to come back after the knee injuries he suffered, and I don't love his downfield pieces. This has been an ordinary offense for a couple of years. I expect the Chiefs are going to make Kenneth Walker III the centerpiece of the offense, not that Mahomes will be a joke or anything, but not a fantasy destination. (Also, count me out on Rashee Rice.)
I will also admit I continue to rank Malik Nabers lower than everybody else, especially my esteemed colleagues, but that certainly makes me nervous. I have moved Nabers up somewhat the last couple of weeks but to merely WR18 on my board.
Question: Scott, I don't know what to make of DJ Moore this season — on the one hand, he seems like the best WR Josh Allen has had since Diggs — but on the other, this seems like such a "spread-the-ball" around offense. I feel like in some mocks I've been drafting Moore as a WR2 when he should be more of a WR3/4 — any thoughts?
Pianowski: I think you have the right idea here. I have Moore somewhere on the WR2/3 seam. I expect Buffalo's target style has to change now that Moore has been added. I'm not pounding the table for him but I'm certainly fine to get some shares. Kind of a yellow plus for me, if we consider the green/yellow/red tag system.
Question: Where do you sit on Murray now that he's been given the starting spot. Worth starting/drafting in a deep Superflex league?
Pianowski: Murray is a very intriguing backup for fantasy, the second QB on your roster. I wouldn't want him to be my starter leaving the draft. Here's hoping Kevin O'Connell can work his magic again. Obviously it didn't click with J.J. McCarthy, but we have to love O'Connell's track record prior.