Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode: First 2026 Mock Draft! Plus Big Coaching News
Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg
Main Theme:
A comprehensive discussion of the first mock draft for the 2026 fantasy football season, along with analysis of major coaching changes and their fantasy implications.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the very first 2026 fantasy football mock draft—strategies, notable picks, and league format debates—while breaking down huge NFL coaching changes and what they mean for fantasy. Adam, Dave, and Jamie share early draft trends, discuss player value, and debate optimal league setups for less luck and more skill.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mock Draft Introduction and League Format Ideas

• Adam introduces their 2026 mock draft results ([01:59])
  • Notable early picks: Jamar Chase, Bijan Robinson, George Pickens, Rico Dowdle, Cam Scatterboo.
  • Quarterbacks fell further than usual (e.g., Jalen Hurts in the 10th round).
  • Adam doubles down on his AJ Brown-to-Bills trade prediction.
• Ideal Fantasy Format Proposal ([04:05])
  • Adam proposes a 13-week regular season, four-week playoff (weeks 14-17), with two-week fantasy championships and unique “no-matchup” rounds where two highest scorers advance.
  • Adds “apex scoring” and ensures highest season scorer guarantees a playoff berth.
• Panel Reactions ([05:31])
  • Dave feels removing head-to-head matchups in playoffs is "a little weird."
  • Jamie and Adam discuss flexibility in league formats, hint at changes for their dynasty league.

Notable Quote:
"The most important thing is two-week fantasy championship, four-week total playoff, no matchups in the first two rounds… You're welcome."
— Adam ([05:15])

2. Big Coaching and NFL News

• Quarterback Updates ([06:35])
  • Jets head coach not committing to Justin Fields’ future.
  • Falcons restructure Kirk Cousins’ contract.
  • Russell Wilson admitted playing with a torn hamstring in 2025, which Adam calls "ridiculous" ([06:53]).
• Malik Neighbors Injury Concerns ([07:34])
  • Ongoing complicated recovery, using a cane last week.
  • Jamie: “It’s too soon to make a determination one way or the other.” ([07:53])
  • Dave: “If he’s not with the team on the field when training camp starts… maybe he shouldn’t be a second round pick.” ([07:57])
• Major Coaching Changes ([09:26])
  • John Harbaugh out in Baltimore.
  • Cliff Kingsbury out in Washington.
  • Pete Carroll out in Las Vegas.
  • Other coordinator/HC openings in Detroit and Arizona.
• Ideal Coaching Hires & Fantasy Impact ([10:24])
  • Jamie discusses best fits for Giants (Harbaugh/Stafanski/McCarthy).
  • Adam: Harbaugh is "so clearly the best candidate here" but notes rumors of him losing the locker room.
  • Dave and Jamie agree the Ravens is now the best open job, could prompt additional surprise openings.

Notable Quote:
"Any coach that’s out there would love to go to Baltimore. I think Harbaugh going on the market might open up another head coaching opportunity..."
— Dave ([13:38])

Notable Quote:
"You might think of John Harbaugh as a 'run the ball, defensive-minded' guy, but before the Lamar Jackson era, the Ravens led the NFL in pass attempts. He’s got a history of both styles."
— Adam ([15:21])

3. Wild Card Injury Updates ([17:55])

• Lane Johnson (Eagles OT) questionable.
• Kyler Gordon (Bears) may return.
• DJ Moore (Bears) and Romo Dunes A (Bears) both questionable.
• Terence Ferguson (Rams TE) misses practice; Tyler Higby is a free agent.

4. 2026 Mock Draft Strategies

Draft Approaches and Early Insights ([18:13])

• Jamie: Targeted "young breakouts" after establishing a core lineup ([18:28]).
• Dave: In a three-receiver, full-PPR league, prioritized WR but flexible; reinforced why mock drafts are vital for evolving strategies ([18:47]).
• Adam: Tried to secure “workhorse” RBs, especially after a frustrating 2025 RB landscape, but acknowledges the risk of ignoring WR ([20:02]).

Interesting Draft Choices ([24:43])

• George Pickens: 24th overall (late 2nd round).
  • Jamie: “I think it’s great.” ([25:03])
• Rico Dowdle: early 3rd round.
  • Dave: “Arguably the worst pick... ever.” ([25:10])
• Cam Scatterboo and Luther Burden at 3/4 turn.
  • Dave admits in retrospect he’d "have taken Scatterboo over McMillan." ([25:36])

5. Draft Position Debates: RB vs WR

• Adam's RB priority:
  • Devon HN and Omarion Hampton, his top-8 RBs, with first two picks ([20:37]).
  • Recognizes risk as his WRs “might stink”: T. Higgins, Cortland Sutton, Romo Dunes A ([21:07]).
• Jamie: Picked talent over position first, adjusted for WR need in round four ([22:26]).
• Dave: “Hero RB” (Jonathan Taylor in late round 1), then three straight WRs. ([23:10])
• QB values: Jalen Hurts falls to round 10; Josh Allen as first QB in round 4 ([24:01], [28:49]).

6. Players with Injury Risk or Situational Uncertainty

• Adam avoids players off major injuries, except for special circumstances like Rasheed Rice ([26:53]).
• Consensus: Historical precedent shows many don’t return to full value immediately.

7. Detailed Draft Board Analysis with Timestamps

Round 1 ([30:10]):

Jamar Chase, Bijan Robinson, Jameer Gibbs, Puka Nakua, JSN, Christian McCaffrey, Devon HN, Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Malik Neighbors, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook.

• Neighbors is the only surprising pick for some, given injury questions.
• Panel agrees Pickens, Lamb, and other WRs will spark rank debates.

Round 2 ([31:17])

Notables: Drake London, Rasheed Rice, Trey McBride, Justin Jefferson, Omarion Hampton, Nico Collins, Brock Bowers, Josh Jacobs, Devante Adams, AJ Brown, George Pickens.

• Jamie: Happy to start Bijan and AJ Brown in first two rounds.
• Dave: Running backs "could easily be pushed up" in future mocks. ([41:19])

Round 3 ([45:24])

Notables: Derrick Henry, Chase Brown, Rico Dowdle, Saquon Barkley, RJ Harvey, T. Higgins, Bucky Irving, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Tederell McMillan, Cam Scatterboo.

• Debate over placement of uncertain RBs like Harvey and Henderson.
• Wide receivers after the RB stretch are “risky” but could be great if healthy: Higgins, Wilson, Olave.

Round 4-5 ([55:00]-[61:19])

• Burden, Jameson Williams, Travis Etienne, McConkey, Breece Hall, Sutton, Allen, Kyren Williams, Waddle, Metcalf, Marvin Harrison Jr., Javonte Williams.
• On taking QBs: Dave and Jamie stress deep value later, and Adam calls Josh Allen "the safest player in fantasy." ([58:27])

Tight End Value Discussion ([61:19])

• George Kittle, Colston Loveland, Harold Fannin Jr., Tucker Kraft, Tyler Warren, Kyle Pitts, Sam LaPorta debated for round 5-7 value.
  • Kittle: Jamie 8.5/10, Dave 10/10 ([63:32]).
  • LaPorta in round 7: hosts less enthusiastic due to injury concerns.

Notable Quote:
"If you're risk averse, you're not going to draft Cam Scatterboo… I'm more interested now than I was when we did this draft."
— Dave ([50:28])

8. Team Draft Recaps ([69:08])

• Jamie (Pick 2):

  • QB: Matthew Stafford (late pick)
  • RB: Bijan Robinson, Chase Brown
  • WR: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ameka Buka, AJ Brown
  • Flex: Zach Charbonnet
  • TE: Tyler Warren
    Bench Highlights: Charbonnet, Ramondre Stevenson, Kyle Williams

• Adam (Pick 7):

  • QB: Joe Burrow
  • RB: Devon HN, Omarion Hampton
  • WR: Higgins, Sutton, Odunze
  • Flex: Woody Marks
  • TE: Sam LaPorta Bench Highlights: Jalen Wright, Troy Franklin

• Dave (Pick 11):

  • QB: Justin Herbert (round 12)
  • RB: Jonathan Taylor, Ken Walker
  • WR: Rasheed Rice, Tedro McMillan, Jameson Williams, Tyreek Hill
  • TE: Harold Fannin Jr. Bench Highlights: Jakori Krosky-Merritt, Jonathan Brooks, Isaiah Likely

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Round 10, but hot take, I think AJ Brown gonna get traded to the Bills." — Adam ([02:24])
• "I just avoided players coming off significant injuries… these guys are often not the same." — Adam ([27:26])
• "Arguably the worst pick in the draft ever." — Dave on Rico Dowdle in the third round ([25:10])
• "You want to target teams with explosive offenses and bad defenses… that's what you should look for from teams moving forward." — Dave ([38:21])
• "This is why we mock draft… It helps." — Dave ([18:47])
• "If you have convictions on players, do it." — Jamie ([25:36])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ideal Fantasy Format Proposal: [04:05]
• Malik Neighbors Injury Debate: [07:34]
• Coaching Carousel Deep-Dive: [09:26]-[15:21]
• Wild Card Injury Updates: [17:55]
• Mock Draft Intro & Strategies: [18:13]-[23:10]
• Interesting Draft Picks: [24:43]-[26:45]
• Injury Risk – Draft Approaches: [26:53]-[28:07]
• Full Draft Board & Positional Debates: [30:10]-[55:00]
• Tight End Value: [61:19]-[67:09]
• Team Recaps: [69:08]-[75:58]

Podcast Tone & Language

The hosts maintain an energetic, friendly, and occasionally self-deprecating tone, joking about their own picks, ribbing each other about dynasty and redraft tendencies, and playfully calling some picks “the worst ever.”

In Summary

This episode is packed with actionable insights for 2026 fantasy football drafts, including early lessons from the first mock draft, new strategies for league formats, and sharp takes on the changing NFL coaching landscape. The panel debates RB/WR value, how to handle injured players, and early tight end targets, all while previewing how off-season changes may move the needle for player value. All fantasy footballers—from major strategists to casual drafters—will find these insights and discussions invaluable for planning their upcoming season.