Rasheed Rice will miss the first six weeks after a suspension, nudging Chiefs’ early-season targets away from him and toward Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce. Rice buyers should pivot to a late-sixth-round plan, pairing Worthy with Kelce for a big early floor while awaiting Rice’s return for the fantasy playoffs. Patrick Mahomes remains a solid eight-spot QB buy when value aligns, while the rest of the KC offense gains a clearer pecking order.

On the quarterback side, the panel argues against overdrafting high-end QBs in standard leagues and emphasizes fair value. Justin Fields and Lamar Jackson offer upside, but risk requires context: Fields’ rushing upside vs. a potentially slower pass volume; Jackson’s efficiency and system stability. In wide receivers, Terry McLaurin, DJ Moore, and Zay Flowers sit as intriguing mid-round targets with solid yearly ceilings, while Calvin Ridley and Travis Etienne Jr. emerge as reasonable Jaguars anchors with upside in a high-octane offense.

Beyond KC and the top names, the show previews late-round WR darts (Rashee Rice’s replacement depth, Keenan Allen’s veteran floor, and Puka Nacua’s potential breakout) and explores tight end pivots like David Njoku and Luke Musgrave in the later rounds, balancing upside with cost in a volatile fantasy season.

Cutdown Day whittled NFL rosters to 53, with Amari Cooper returning to the Raiders and reshaping their pass-catching outlook. Joe Mixon landed on the Reserve/NFI list, muddying Cincinnati’s backfield plans right as the season looms. Caleb McGary’s season-ending Falcons injury creates immediate line depth questions, while Trey Hendrickson secured a big Bengals extension, stabilizing their edge.

Teams on the list of shame—Jets, Chargers, Chiefs, Ravens, Buccaneers—still had rosters to finalize, and the Lions held 50 on the books, underscoring how fluid depth remains across fantasy-relevant roles. Dozens of veterans hit waivers or found new homes, while UDFA stories and late trades spark new waiver and dynasty targets as Week 1 approaches.