We're approximately two weeks from the 2026 NFL opener between the Patriots and Seahawks and most fantasy football drafts are taking place in this window. The time is now to ask any and all questions, and that's where Yahoo Fantasy is here to help. Analyst Scott Pianowski joined the Yahoo Fantasy Plus discord for an AMA on Wednesday. Below is the full recap.
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Question: Jameson Williams was a top-10 WR last year and the Lions have the easiest schedule this year, yet he's going as the WR26, why the discrepancy? Seems like he's poised for a step forward, not back.
Pianowski: It's always interesting to find players like this, who might be able to produce less than they did the previous season and still beat their ADPs. I call them Regress and Win players, check that article from about two weeks ago. In the case of Jameson Williams, I think some wondered if his late season spike was significantly fueled by the Sam LaPorta injury and maybe that wouldn't carry over if LaPorta were healthy this year. Of course, right now LaPorta is dinged up. Bottom line, Detroit has lovely offensive continuity and an indoor-heavy schedule that looks easy, and I want to bet on this offense as much as I can. That includes Williams. Go get him.
Question: Do you have any insight on the possibility of Josh Jacobs getting suspended? Seems like a scenario where we might see Ezekiel Elliott's name pop up.
Pianowski: Whenever we're talking about the legal side of fantasy football, I have to mention my friend Drew Davenport, a practicing lawyer who does outstanding work reading the tea leaves. He's at @DrewDavenportFF on X. I recommend everybody follow him and consider what he says on issues like these. Jacobs isn't sure to avoid suspension, but that's certainly the way to play it right now (MarShawn Lloyd is an interesting backup in Green Bay).
Question: I would like to ask, what are your expectations for Xavier Worthy and how do you think he will be utilized in a very WR2-WR3 needy offensive scheme in Kansas City?
Pianowski: I am lukewarm on Worthy. He's merely my WR50 right now. The Kansas City offense hasn't been the sports car we normally expect the last couple of seasons, and in the case of Worthy, he's a field stretcher who is struggling to get separation against defenses that start the game trying to take away the deep pass. He'll see plenty of air yards, but in many weeks, they'll be washed out prayer yards. Worthy will also have some spike weeks, but I don't know how you can ever predict when they'll come.
Question: Will Saints QB Tyler Shough stay hot this season or was last season his peak?
Pianowski: I'd feel a little bit better if Jordyn Tyson were healthy, but I am bullish on Tyler Shough. Head coach Kellen Moore looks like a right answer. The Saints play at a fast pace, squeezing in extra snaps. Also, put a circle around tight end Juwan Johnson; he's been an absolute steal all summer. Shough is a nice depth QB for fantasy.
Question: In a 14-team, half-PPR league, I'm drafting from the 9th pick. Should I go WR followed by back-to-back RB?
Pianowski: Obviously it depends on what's available to you; in a league that big, it can be hard to project. I would strongly consider two running backs to start, and then hammering away at receiver. But a WR/RB/RB start also makes sense. I want to be clear, my fantasy strategies are always written in pencil because I want to be flexible and be ready when opportunities present themselves in the draft. But given the amazing depth at quarterback this year and the sneaky depth at tight end, I can promise you those are not going to be early priorities for me. I want a strong running back room and I want a strong receiver room, although I think I can get the latter thing even if I don't attack it in the first two rounds.
Question: You're pretty high on Terry McLaurin. How do you think the OC change from Kliff Kingsbury to David Blough will change things, if any?
Pianowski: Nobody is sorry to see Kliff Kingsbury go, I agree. My concern with this team is the offensive line could be a horror show. Nonetheless, with Jayden Daniels back, I think we can set our watch with Terry McLaurin most weeks; even with Stefon Diggs added, McLaurin has a very high floor for target share. Last year goes down as an excused absence, between the McLaurin holdout and then the Daniels injury. He'll bounce back nicely in 2026.
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