Two-wide receiver starts dominate the draft blueprint. Puka Nacua’s record-setting 37.1% target rate anchors the rationale for prioritizing WRs early in 10-team PPR leagues. The guide leans into loading two high-floor wideouts, then pivots to a value RB in Round 3, with a TE in Round 4 and a high-upside QB like Patrick Mahomes in Round 5. After that, the strategy emphasizes snagging Denver’s two big receiving backs and stacking mid-round WRs, then filling depth with running backs and more receivers as WR remains the clear strength of the class.

Nacua is highlighted as the top target given elite route efficiency and target share, while Brian Thomas Jr. and Amon-Ra St. Brown surface as strong Round 2 options to sustain a potent two-WR start. In Round 3, Chase Brown or Chase Brown-like value at running back is recommended if you miss top tier RBs, followed by George Kittle in Round 4 for a reliable tight end. Mahomes in Round 5 is the floor-raising move, with Harvey in Round 6 and a slate of WRs in Rounds 7–9 to inoculate the roster. The guide closes with a depth-building plan into rounds 14–18.

The Bills’ Hard Knocks arc this week centers on James Cook’s four-year, $48 million extension, a move that cements him as a cornerstone in Buffalo’s offense alongside Josh Allen. The episode also spotlights Jimmy Ciarlo’s immediate impact on special teams after signing days earlier, delivering a playoff-caliber hit that drew praise from Sean McDermott. A pizza-party camaraderie theme emerges as Connor McGovern shares how a pandemic-era pizza party helped spark a late-season surge, a culture the team has leaned into as it rebuilt its depth and leadership. The Bills’ quiet formula for success—cohesive locker room energy, strong core players, and creative coaching moves—gets a deeper look as Buffalo balances competition and continuity into preseason and the path to the regular season.

James Cook landed a four-year, 48 million extension with 30 million guaranteed, a landmark move visible on HBO’s Hard Knocks and greeted by Bills GM Brandon Beane with a flurry of excitement. Buffalo keeps a top asset at the center of its offense as it pursues a win-now path, while Beane stresses the franchise motto: draft, develop, and sign their own. Alongside Cook, Beane has already re-signed Khalil Shakir, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard from the same draft class, signaling a clear commitment to internal development and continuity.

Cook’s deal comes as the Bills’ plan to grow through homegrown talent gains momentum, with Joe Brady’s presence at practice hinting at a more dynamic, perhaps more pass-heavy attack. For fantasy managers, this extension cements Cook as a central piece in Buffalo’s offense, with upside tied to workload and usage in the passing game as Brady shapes the scheme.

Episode 3 of Hard Knocks with the Buffalo Bills zeroes in on football, but the bearings have fantasy impact. James Cook’s four-year, $48 million deal cements him as a core feature back, likely pushing volume in red-zone and short-yardage roles. Josh Allen remains the engine, flashing clean red-zone timing and mobility that heightens Bills’ scoring upside. Ed Oliver’s off-field storylines hint at a high-motivation defensive line that could lock in consistent interior pressure against a Bears offense still finding its rhythm. The show also spotlights under-the-radar contributors who could shape late-season rosters, from Ja’Marcus Ingram and Jimmy Ciarlo’s perseverance to Connor McGovern’s leadership vibe in the locker room.

In fantasy terms, the episode suggests Cook remains a strong RB2 with RB1 spike potential in optimal setups, while Allen’s efficiency supports solid QB1 floors. Oliver’s relentless energy could translate into steady interior pressure stats for IDP leagues, and Milano’s leadership moment underscores Bills’ defensive cohesion going into the season. The Bills’ camaraderie—McGovern’s pizza party, Allen’s missed group invites—frames a healthy, chemistry-forward environment that often translates to practical, on-field gains for fantasy managers.

Josh Allen remains fantasy’s anchor for Buffalo, but the Bills’ supporting cast has real upside. Keon Coleman, a bigger-bodied rookie, has flashed in practice and looks like a breakout candidate around Round 7-8, offering a dynamic pairing with Dalton Kincaid, who is healthy and drawing early targets. James Cook remains a three-down threat, while Amari Cooper and Josh Palmer provide veteran reliability on the outside. Khalil Shakir’s growth adds another layer of depth. In the Bears joint practice, the first team showed signs of a more efficient passing attack, with Coleman beating double teams for multiple touchdowns and Allen flashing improved rhythm with his targets. If Coleman cements himself as a top option, Buffalo’s ceiling for 2025 expands, with Kincaid and Cook providing high-end upside, and Cooper/Palmer offering a firm floor. The Bills’ coaching staff is keeping expectations flexible, hinting at a plan that can pivot based on opponent and health, but the trend toward a more potent passing game is clear.