
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Premier National Sports, 7 players not to draft, ESPN mock draft, must-draft players, and rushing QBs.

Home league draft season is upon us!
The group chats are coming back to life. Oh! And your commissioner wanted me to remind you: Pay your dues, b*tch. (He said it, not me.)
As we prep for one of the best days of the year, I’m spending less time daydreaming about who I want to draft and more time thinking about who I won’t. Here’s my no-way-no-how-no-matter-what draft list for 2025.
And if you’re in my home league and reading this newsletter, maybe this was all a psyop. Maybe I’m lying. Leave me alone. GO AWAY! PICK YOUR OWN FAVORITES! Stop sniping me!! And see you Saturday. <3
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Need a few extra minutes to ease into a manic Monday? Check out these article that are fresh on the Fantasy Life homepage. While you’re at it, if you subscribe today get 20% off when you use the promo code JORGE. Also, our rankings are getting updated regularly, as are our projections. Or set up a Guillotine LeaguesTM draft. Isn’t the best way to pass the dog days of summer? Ruff.

First off, don’t be disappointed when you don’t see Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams in this mock draft. Wait for 2027. Thor Nystrom still has plenty wide receivers to look forward to next year.

Matthew Stafford is coming back to work. Move him up. Joe Mixon may miss the start of the season. Guess where he’s going? Matthew Freedman found who’s rising and falling in ADP across different platforms.

With so much buzz from training camp and early games, Geoff Ulrich took questions from our Discord for the latest fantasy spin. While you’re at it, join the Discord.

The plan to have a balanced approach in a mock draft is all well and good until a pair of Tier 1 wide receivers are there for the taking in the first round. Adios, balance. Drafting in a 10-team league does call for strategy, so Dwain McFarland attacked this ESPN mock draft and offered round-by-round analysis with his thinking along the way.
Going elite QB or catching up at running back? When are the best times to invest in the onesie positions? Will there be Tombstone references? And you can’t miss a classic ZZ Top reference with a Fantasy Life spin. ⬇️

We love those big passing seasons. Patrick Mahomes in 2018 Tom Brady in 2007, 2011 … and 2021. Joe Burrow’s 2024 season is a more recent example. Those seasons were fun and all, but there’s something missing. That rushing element. Lamar Jackson’s 2024 season was one for the ages. Josh Allen has posted some amazing seasons as a dual threat. Jayden Daniels has announced himself as the next HIM.
Matthew Freedman zeroed in on eight quarterbacks who Fantasy Life has projected to rush over 75 times this season. In some instances, that could position them for QB1 overall status. For several others, we’re talking top five. These could be the difference makers in your battle for your league’s championship.👇🏼

We all have the players we’d love the draft at every opportunity. If you’re an Eagles fan, using an early pick on Saquon Barkley is preferred. You may need to leave a draft with an elite QB or TE. Or both! Yes, we all have our players we want to select in all our home league drafts.
Ian Hartitz has his own pick 6 of players he targets in every draft. One is a bench RB he’s written and talked about consistently throughout the offseason who has a big opportunity in front of him for the taking. They all offer high ceilings of production and have league-winning potential. Find out more about Ian’s must-have draft picks.⬇️
Just a few fun links on a Monday.
🏃🏻♀️ Keep up with Dwain’s Week 1 Preseason Takeaways.
🤔 There’s a lot of “Questionable” tags in San Fran. At least the 49ers are trying, right?
👀 Today is allegedly the day! Matthew Stafford (back) is… back!
📝 Tyler Shough’s preseason debut was fine. But he technically threw 2 TDs …
📱 The Guillotine LeaguesTM app is now availalble on Android.
🚑 Tyjae Spears health update. Not good timing.
😔 “It’s only preseason,” I remind myself as I double check Jaylen Wright’s stats.