Fantasy Football Today: Post-Super Bowl 60 Mock Draft — Early Projections & Strategy

Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Adam Aizer
Analysts & Participants: Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings, plus Jacob Gibbs, Brandon Howard, Marilyn Berksen, RJ White, podcast listeners, and Rob Thomas (Facebook moderator)

Episode Overview

This episode features a live post-Super Bowl 60 fantasy football mock draft—designed to offer listeners a very early look at player values, draft strategy, and positional depth for the 2026 season. Host Adam Aizer, analysts Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings provide real-time analysis, projections, and strategic commentary as they draft alongside other CBS Sports staff and listeners. The episode focuses on evolving trends such as the value of WRs vs. RBs, tight end depth, QB draft timing, and reaction to the influx of new talent and off-season changes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mock Draft Structure and Rules

• Format: 12-team, 3 WR, PPR, 1 QB, 2 RB, 1 TE, Flex, 6 bench spots
• Not drafting: DSTs or kickers
• Draft Order: Adam (10), Heath (11), Jamey (12), Dave (7), others fill in

Kicking off the draft:

"Welcome everybody to Fantasy Football Today presented by BetMGM ... Let's see how early will the first quarterback go. Round three or you think later?" – Adam [01:57]

2. Opening Rounds Trends and Player Debates

RBs Off the Board Early

• RBs dominated round one: Bijan Robinson, Gibbs, McCaffrey, Devon Achane, etc.
• 7 RBs taken in the first round, 8 in the first 13 picks.

Elite WR Debate: Chase vs. Puka

• Heath strongly prefers Jamar Chase as WR1, citing talent and role:

  "Chase is absolutely insane. And so Chase is wide receiver one." – Heath [05:28-06:02]

• Arguments include Puka Nacua’s 23.6 pts/game vs. Chase's peak numbers. Chase’s production hinges on full Bengals offensive health.

Drafting Strategy

• Most drafters are experimenting—some sticking to rankings, others "winging it":

  "Just trying to find the players... it's funny how we can do a draft like this in August and it feels like doing something with AI ... Doing this exercise in February ... much more stressful." – Heath [03:00-03:32]

Notable Early Picks

• Adam takes Chase Brown at 10 overall, justifying with his RB2 per game finish with Burrow healthy.
• Jamey double-taps RBs (James Cook + Amarian Hampton):

  "I want to see how this plays out ... Not opposed to also pivoting to potentially another running back if a guy that I like falls there." – Jamey [15:36]

Player Preference Rationales

• Drake London over Jefferson, Neighbors, and Nico Collins (Heath):

  "I expect he's going to be close to 10 targets per game. And you just hope that they've got a quarterback that can get the ball in his vicinity ..." [10:07]

Eagles Outlook

• Panel optimism is cautious (6-7/10), noting uncertainties on OL, coaching, possible retirements. [13:22-13:46]

Josh Jacobs

• "Workhorse running back, good offense ... average almost 16 PPR points per game." – Dave [14:05]

3. Key Positional Runs & Depth Analysis

Tight Ends: New Guard

• Early TE picks: Trey McBride (2nd round), Brock Bowers (late 2nd), Colston Loveland (middle 4th).

• Discussion of a robust new group of second-year and rookie TEs (Loveland, Fannin, Kraft, Tyler Warren, LaPorta).

• Debate over whether to wait for depth or reach for upside:

  "If you miss McBride and Bowers, it might just be wait for the last of that group." – Heath [33:31]

• Kyle Pitts “still a tease,” only relevant if situation/health finally lines up.

  "Kyle Pitts’s history outweighs Kevin Stefanski’s history." – Adam [49:27]

Quarterbacks: When to Pounce?

• First QB (Josh Allen) doesn't go until mid-4th (pick 37).
• QB run in round 6: Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jaden Daniels (picks 66-69).
• Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford are mid-to-late round steals.

RB Clarity/Murkiness

• Bucky Irving, Travis Etienne, and rookie Basil Tutin are discussed as mid-round dart throws.
• Panel notes the challenge: lots of ambiguity due to free agency and role changes.

WR Depth and "Tiers" Feel Thin

• WRs went in large early clumps but fall off steeply due to uncertainty and few clear breakouts.
• Later receivers: "This is terrifying ... what the hell, it's February." – Dave [68:22]

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Rationale for Early WR over RB:

"Whenever it happens, Chase is absolutely insane. And so Chase is wide receiver one." – Heath [05:28]

Mock Draft Stress & February Uncertainty:

"Doing this exercise in February when we don't know, 25% of the guys are going to be playing or whatever is much more stressful. Doing it while podcasting, insane." – Heath [03:20]

Tight End Philosophy:

"To think that nine tight ends should go in the first six rounds is absurd. They're never good enough to justify that." – Adam [47:22]

QB Value Realization:

"It's just another reminder to wait on quarterback." – Heath [66:38]

Team Self-Grading:

"Again, it's Jackson McBride, Chase Brown, Breeze Hall, Higgins, Sutton, Juwan Jennings. And my flex would be Tony Pollard or Quentin Johnston. Maybe J.K. Dobbins or Josh Downs. Yeah, I do think it's a good team. I'm happy with it. I'll go A minus." – Adam [69:42]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Draft begins (position expectations, early strategy): [01:57–05:28]
• Chase vs. Puka WR1 discussion: [05:28–06:02]
• First round recap, early RB/WR splits: [13:46–14:39]
• Jamey explains RB/RB start: [15:36–16:07]
• Running back tier debate (Jacobs, Barkley, Bucky, Henry): [19:01–21:10]
• Wide receiver depth drop-off & tiers: [29:28–30:17]
• Tight end run and logic: [33:31–34:01; 46:41–47:50]
• Quarterback run round 6; QB value theories: [42:27–43:24; 66:10–66:41]
• Round-by-round team recaps & self-assessments: [67:14–71:14]

Team Recap Highlights

Adam (Host)

• Strengths: Jackson (QB), McBride (TE), RB depth
• Weakness: Shaky at WR, banking on late-round breakouts.

Heath

• Strengths: Loaded at QB (Hurts + Mahomes), balanced starting lineup.
• Assessment: "Solid ... succeeded in not embarrassing myself." [70:14]

Dave

• Strengths: Top-end WR (Jefferson), value at QB (Dak + Stafford)
• Concern: WR depth is "terrifying" [68:22], but drafting for upside.

Jamey

• Build: Bills stack (Allen + Cook), risks at WR after missing top targets, but intriguing TE depth with Likely/Kelce.

Takeaways & Strategic Lessons

• February mock drafts are risky: Many teams and roles will change between now and August -- take in-draft evaluation with a grain of salt.
• RBs rebounding in round 1: After years of WR ascendance, top RBs are again highly prioritized, but the debate is tight.
• TE could be a “sweet spot” with young talent: But don’t chase depth unless the prospect is truly elite or situation improves.
• Quarterbacks can and should be waited on: Quality value is available late, with little separating the top tier from the pack.
• Roster construction matters: Pay attention to positional runs—sometimes a single round wipes out an entire WR or TE tier.

Final Thoughts

This mock draft episode provides a witty, deeply analytical look into the chaotic, fun, and strategically-rich world of early fantasy football preparation. With humor, arguments over player value, risk, and outbursts over sniped picks, it’s a masterclass in evaluating both concrete performance and projected upside—reminding listeners that drafts are won with flexibility, research, and the willingness to make bold calls amid uncertainty.

For the full draft board and detailed results, visit cbsports.com/fantasyfootball.

Notable Panel Chemistry Moment:
"You know who else had Patrick Mahomes backing up Jalen Hurts? Super Bowl 59." – Adam [70:20]

On the absurdity of tight end inflation:
"To think that nine tight ends should go in the first six rounds is absurd..." – Adam [47:22]

February energy captured:
"This is terrifying...what the hell, it's February." – Dave [68:22]