Week 1 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2020 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

We're back and it feels so good. Below are RotoBaller's Week 1 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 1 of the NFL and fantasy football season. In case you missed it, this is our eighth year now writing this weekly column. Our weekly tiered defense... Read More

2020 Team Defense (DST) Draft Sleepers

If last year proved anything, it's that a top-flight DST can be a league winner. According to ESPN, the Steelers were on 18.4% of league-winning teams, the Ravens on 18.1%, and the juggernaut Patriots DST was on 14.2% of teams. However, as we've seen in seasons past, drafters can oftentimes overreact to a great season... Read More

Cincinnati Bengals Defense (D/ST, CIN) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 45.8 (22nd D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Bengals immediately addressed the loss of Kirkpatrick and Dennard by adding two intriguing options at cornerback in the offseason in Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander. These are cheaper options to be sure, and they may not represent a huge downgrade in talent. William Jackson III could return to... Read More

Cleveland Browns Defense/ST (D/ST, CLE) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleeper

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 28.1 (11th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The story in Cleveland is a combination of veterans stepping up and rookies showing out. Myles Garrett may be the best pass rusher on the planet (the Bosa brothers may certainly quibble about that point), and both Sheldon Richardson and Oliver Vernon will anchor the middle once again. Rookie Jacob... Read More

Washington Football Team Defense (D/ST, WAS) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 40.6 (25th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Washington defense is littered with former first-round picks, but easily the most exciting player here is defensive end Chase Young, who they drafted with the second overall pick this year. Young is widely regarded as one of the more transcendent talents in recent memory, and he'll step in... Read More

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (D/ST, JAX) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 34.3 (26th D/ST) ANALYSIS: Losing Calais Campbell is obviously significant, but the Jaguars have a ton of young talent up front that can make the Jaguars reminisce about the unbelievable 2017 season. It'd be nice if they could figure out Yannick Ngakoue's contract situation, but even if they head into the 2020 season... Read More

Dallas Cowboys Defense (D/ST, DAL) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 28.8 (4th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Cowboys suffered some major losses in free agency, but it's possible that they recovered so well they're in a better position. Losing Robert Quinn and Maliek Collins up front stings, but replacing them with upside veterans like Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe and Everson Griffen ensures that this pass... Read More

Statcast Hitter Studs and Duds - Exit Velocity (Week 6)

We're cruising right along on our Statcast Hitter Studs/Duds series. Many fantasy baseball owners are starting to see the value of MLB's Statcast advanced stats in order to help identify potential risers and sleepers. We're approaching the midway point of this shortened season, and hot and cold streaks are beginning to expose their permanence--is a... Read More

Statcast Hitter Studs and Duds - Barrels (Week 5)

We're cruising right along on our Statcast Hitter Studs/Duds series. Many fantasy baseball owners are starting to see the value of MLB's Statcast advanced stats in order to help identify potential risers and sleepers. Just as we do for pitchers, this weekly series will examine a handful of hitters who are performing surprisingly well or... Read More

Statcast Hitter Studs and Duds - Exit Velocity (Week 4)

We're off and running on our Statcast Hitter Studs/Duds series! Many fantasy baseball owners are starting to see the value of MLB's Statcast advanced stats in order to help identify potential risers and sleepers. Just as we do for pitchers, this weekly series will examine a handful of hitters who are performing surprisingly well or... Read More

Statcast Hitter Studs and Duds - Barrels (Week 3)

We're off and running on our Statcast Hitter Studs/Duds series! Many fantasy baseball owners are starting to see the value of MLB's Statcast advanced stats in order to help identify potential risers and sleepers. Just as we do for pitchers, this weekly series will examine a handful of hitters who are performing surprisingly well or... Read More

Early Week 1 Exit Velocity Hitter Studs and Duds

We're off and running on our Statcast Hitter Analysis! Each week, I will select a different metric to evaluate unexpected names at the top and bottom of the Statcast Leaderboards. Even if you aren't well-versed in Statcast, you know exit velocity. Even the crustiest of old-school baseball announcers has incorporated this term in his vernacular... Read More

Exit Velocity Hitter Studs and Duds Heading Into 2020

Welcome to this year's first iteration of Statcast Hitter Analysis. Each week, I will select a different metric to evaluate unexpected names at the top and bottom of the Statcast Leaderboards. Even if you aren't well-versed in Statcast, you know exit velocity. Even the crustiest of old-school baseball announcers have incorporated this term in his... Read More

Nine NL Rookies Ready to Leap Into Starting Lineups

Every year, there are those rookies who we expect to make a splash right away; think Kris Bryant, Ronald Acuna, Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge -- those guys. Once we make it through all the service time manipulation shenanigans, there are always youngsters ready to snatch roster spots immediately, and 2020 is no exception. Earlier this week... Read More

Nine AL Rookies Ready to Leap Into Starting Lineups

Every year, there are those rookies who we expect to make a splash right away. Think Kris Bryant, Ronald Acuna, Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge--those guys. Once we make it through all the service time manipulation shenanigans, there are always youngsters ready to snatch roster spots immediately, and 2020 is no exception. Below are nine of... Read More

Johan Camargo Will Provide Modest Production As Long As He Holds Off Austin Riley

Johan Camargo stumbled a bit in 2019 after two solid seasons to begin his career with the Braves. A brutal .663 OPS and an infield full of studs ahead of him on the depth chart led to a forgettable 248 plate appearances for the 26-year-old. He's in an interesting position for 2020, as his role... Read More

Week 16 Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Okay, this is it. If you're still alive, you can't afford to miss out at ANY position, including DST. In fact, ESPECIALLY DST. If you've made the championship, you've likely got a pretty good set of skill players, so DST is that one last magic cog that could be the difference between a title belt... Read More

Week 15-16 Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Still doing things a little differently this week--for those of you who are still alive. I want to take a look at the playoffs as a whole (and in this case we are considering Weeks 14-16) and determine which DSTs you can ride all the way through and which ones you should stream this week.... Read More

Week 14-16 Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

The playoffs are here, and that means we're going to do things a little differently. I want to take a look at the playoffs as a whole (and in this case we are considering Weeks 14-16) and determine which DSTs you can ride all the way through and which ones you should stream this week.... Read More

Week 13 and Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

This is your last shot at the playoffs--don't miss out because you neglected something as important as your DST! That's only half-sarcastic. Below are RotoBaller's Week 13 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 13 of the NFL and fantasy football season. In case you... Read More

Week 12 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Almost out of time to make that last push for the playoffs--no time like the present to squeak out a win because you picked the right defense. Below are RotoBaller's Week 12 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 12 of the NFL and... Read More

Week 11 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Below are RotoBaller's Week 11 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 11 of the NFL and fantasy football season. In case you missed it, this is our seventh year now writing this weekly column. Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver... Read More

Matthew Stafford Not Expected to Play Against Chicago

In a surprise turn, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is now being considered unlikely to play when the Lions visit Chicago on Sunday afternoon. After lingering concerns about a back injury, team doctors will not let Stafford play today due to fractured bones in his back. Given the apparent seriousness of the injury, it's unclear when... Read More

Week 10 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

We've arrived at the dreaded six-team bye week, so there are even fewer DST streaming options out there than normal. That's not to say there aren't some real winners to be found, but almost none of them are surefire streaming studs at first glance. Below are RotoBaller's Week 10 defense tiers and rankings, or which... Read More

Lamar Jackson Expected To Be 100% For Sunday

After battling an illness during the week, Lamar Jackson returned to practice on Friday and is expected to play on Sunday. Jackson missed Thursday's practice entirely, but returned in full on Friday, with Head Coach John Harbaugh noting that he "looked good". Jackson may be the overall QB1 this week in a matchup against the... Read More

Chris Herndon Expected to Make Season Debut in Week 10

Despite his questionable designation, Jets tight end Chris Herndon is expected to be active for the first time this season against the Giants on Sunday. Herndon technically suited up in Week 9, but was only there in case of emergency. Herndon served a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, and then was... Read More

Le'Veon Bell "Looks Good" For Sunday

Despite wearing a questionable tag for the Jets' Week 10 tilt with the Giants, Adam Gase said that "it looks good for Bell" for Sunday, per New York Post Jets beat reporter Brian Costello. The Jets did sign Josh Adams from the practice squad earlier in the week, which cast some doubt over Bell's status,... Read More

Sterling Shepard Officially Ruled Out For Week 10

Shepard will remain on the bench for the fifth straight game after failing to clear concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets. Shepard had been trending in the right direction prior to Week 9, but was forced to re-enter concussion protocol prior to the Giants' loss to the Cowboys on Monday night. This... Read More

Adam Thielen Officially Declared Out For SNF

After removing himself from the Vikings' Week 9 matchup, Thielen's status for this week was cloudy at best. He has officially been ruled out after not practicing on Friday. The hamstring injury that has bothered Thielen since Week 7 has not yet cleared up, and his status moving forward will remain murky until we begin... Read More

Week 9 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Whereas last week was troublesome because there were so many usable DSTs, this week I did a lot of juggling because many of the typical top options have horrendous matchups. Below are RotoBaller's Week 9 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 9 of... Read More