Welcome to Week 1, Home League Hub crew! The draft board is calling, the snacks are ready, and you’re probably itching to build that championship roster. But here’s the thing about home leagues: we tend to draft with our hearts as much as our heads. We remember those dominant seasons, the players who carried us to glory, and those names just feel right.
Well, this year, let’s play smarter, not just with nostalgia. Your league rivals might be clinging to the past, but you're about to get the "home league edge" by knowing who to forget and who to remember for your starting lineup.
We’re talking one QB, two RBs, two WRs, and one TE for each side. Let’s dive in!
The "Old Friends" You Should (Reluctantly) Forget in Your Draft
These are the household names that your league mates might still overvalue. Let them make that mistake. You're here to win.
1. QB: Patrick Mahomes – Your Reigning MVP… Who Might Not Be a Top-5 QB Ah, Mahomes. The golden boy. While he's undeniably the best real-life quarterback, his fantasy production hasn't consistently landed him in the elite QB1 territory for a couple of seasons now. With Rashee Rice suspended for at least six games, he's once again without a clear-cut, dominant #1 receiver to elevate those passing numbers. You'll spend a premium draft pick for a name, but you can find similar (or better) fantasy production much later. Let someone else take the plunge.
2. RB: Derrick Henry – The King's Throne is Looking a Little Shaky Derrick Henry is a marvel, continuing to defy the age curve for running backs. It seems every year we say he'll finally fall off, and he keeps churning out yards. However, in fantasy, it's all about value. For the high draft capital you'll need to spend on "King Henry," you can likely grab a younger, more dynamic, and potentially more productive running back with a safer workload. The risks for such an early pick are just too high given his age and potential decline.
3. RB: Alvin Kamara – The Cheat Code's Expiration Date Alvin Kamara used to be an absolute "cheat code" in fantasy football, especially in PPR leagues, with his incredible receiving prowess. But let's be honest, those days are a couple of seasons behind us. He hasn't consistently delivered that elite, game-breaking production for the past two years. While he still has moments, drafting him based on past glory will likely leave you frustrated. There are better, more reliable options available.
4. WR: Davante Adams – Second Fiddle in La La Land Your average home leaguer remembers Davante Adams as a dominant force with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. It's been years since that era, and while he now has a fantastic quarterback in Matthew Stafford with the Rams, he's clearly playing second fiddle to Puka Nacua. Nacua has established himself as the team's top target, and at this stage of his career, Adams just isn't worth the draft pick he used to command. Don't chase the name; chase the targets.
5. WR: Tyreek Hill – The Cheetah's Pace is Slowing (Relatively Speaking) Tyreek Hill still possesses incredible speed, but the high-flying Miami offense isn't as explosive as it once was. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hasn't looked the same since his series of concussions, impacting the deep ball. With Achane's injury, defenses can now focus more attention on Hill. Plus, Jaylen Waddle continues to grow into a more prominent receiver in that offense. Hill will still have big plays, but his overall consistency and ceiling might not justify his typical draft position.
6. TE: Travis Kelce – The Retirement Tour Begins (For Fantasy) Wait, Kelce?! I know, I know. It sounds blasphemous. And yes, there's been plenty of training camp buzz that he's "all in" for what could be his final season. Don't buy the hype for fantasy purposes. This is an aging tight end who's already heavily involved in prepping for his post-NFL career (hello, commercials and TV gigs!). While he might perform better than last year's somewhat down numbers, that still might only be mid-TE production for a player you'll have to draft as an elite option. Let another leaguemate draft the legend; you draft the value.
The New Faces & Hidden Gems to Target in Your Draft
These are the players your casual league mates might be sleeping on. Arm yourself with this knowledge, and prepare for some serious draft day smugness.
1. QB: Jayden Daniels – Your Rushing Upside Cheat Code This kid can flat-out ball! Many casual players might not have followed Jayden Daniels' electric run with the Commanders last year, where he transformed that offense and nearly led them to an NC Championship. His major rushing upside gives him an incredibly high fantasy floor, and now that Terry McLaurin has signed his extension, Daniels has his undisputed #1 receiver back. He’s poised for a massive season and could be the steal of your draft at QB.
2. RB: Bijan Robinson – The Christian McCaffrey Clone You Can Draft You hit the nail on the head – for some reason, Bijan Robinson still flies under the radar for many casual players. Don't make that mistake! This kid is a legitimate game-changer, a true dual-threat with elite catching and running ability that is eerily Christian McCaffrey-esque. The Falcons' offense runs through him, and he has the talent to carry them to the playoffs and your fantasy team to a championship. If he’s available, smash that draft button.
3. RB: Bucky Irving – Tampa Bay's New Workhorse (You Heard It Here First!) This is probably the biggest "who?" player for most casual home league players, and that's exactly why he's on this list. While Rachaad White was seen as the de facto lead back for the Buccaneers, Bucky Irving slowly but surely took over the #1 running back role for the team in the latter half of last season. He's a talented runner with excellent vision and receiving chops. Grab him before your league mates realize what's happening!
4. WR: Brian Thomas Jr. – The Jaguar Ready to Pounce Let's be real, most casual players aren't tuning into Jaguars games every Sunday. But that means they missed the flashes of brilliance from Brian Thomas Jr. last season. He's a big-play threat every time he touches the ball, and as his chemistry with Trevor Lawrence continues to grow, he's poised to become a true breakout star. He's the kind of high-upside player you can get in the mid-to-late rounds who could end up being a weekly starter.
5. WR: Ladd McConkey – The Charger Hiding in Plain Sight Did anyone actually watch the Chargers last year? If they did, they'd know about Ladd McConkey's incredible rookie season. He didn't just play well; he exploded onto the scene as a reliable, high-volume target for Justin Herbert. He’s the perfect late-round WR to snag because his performance last year was legitimate, but his name value in casual leagues is still surprisingly low. Capitalize on your leaguemates’ ignorance and get a potential WR2 for a bargain price.
6. TE: Tyler Warren – Your Late-Round TE Lottery Ticket Time for a deep sleeper at tight end, the most frustrating position in fantasy. Say hello to Tyler Warren. The Colts drafted this kid this year, and he possesses elite physical talent. Now look at their depth chart – outside of their top guys, there’s a massive opportunity for a talented pass-catcher to step up. Warren has the potential to become a favorite safety blanket for his quarterback and a red-zone monster. He's the perfect late-round TE pick who could finish as a top-10 option.