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Most people won’t see the emergence of the Rams or rise of Davante Adams until it smacks them in the face, but thinking through the season for yourself and getting a little bold and adventurous with outlier predictions can be the difference between missing the playoffs and a fantasy championship.

During this year, the Podfather has been asking your favorite fantasy football analysts to undergo this thought experiment to bring the hottest fantasy takes and allow you to read tomorrow’s news today, but please be warned, these takes are not for the faint of heart.

The comical values that popped up in the XFL’s first week are no longer present. Both DraftKings and Fanduel got a grip on pricing, but there’s still enough cheap plays to get to Phillip Walker ($10,600). Houston decimated the LA Wildcats in their first game and still passed the ball more than 70-percent of the time. This offense is the XFL’s version of Jameis Winston and the Bucs. Walker will be chalky but he’s worth paying for in cash, and there are many ways to make lineups that feature him unique for tournaments.

Darius Victor is the best way to save at a fluky running back position without punting entirely. The Guardians never relinquished control of their game versus Tampa Bay and wound up running 44 total plays, seven fewer than the next-lowest team. This week New York faces DC, an early favorite to win the league, which should force them to crank up the pace. Among the only runners seeing work in all phases, Victor is the best value back.

Where is Tom Brady playing next season? Derrick Henry is a white hot value in dynasty.

Tony Pollard is a strong buy in dynasty. Making the case for Cam Akers in the top-3 running backs.

Zack Moss had his best statistical season in 2019. Utah’s workhorse rushed for over 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding 28 receptions for 388 yards and another two touchdowns as a receiver. With his dominant 2019 performance, he posted a 36.5-percent (85th-percentile among qualified running backs) College Dominator Rating.

With prospects, it’s best to focus on the positive early production despite a later college career dip. Joshua Kelley produced on the ground and through the air in 2018. He posted a 33.2-percent (77th-percentile) College Dominator Rating which ranks Top-10 among 2020 running back prospects.

Being able to draft Sammie Coates was admittedly my biggest factor in determining whether to launch an XFL seasonal league. I’ve waxed poetic about his potential here in the past. He now finds himself in June Jones’ run and shoot offense, where his elite athleticism will matter much more than his average college production.

Keenan Reynolds was a college quarterback at Navy who ended his career with more rushing yards (4,559) than passing yards (4,001). Now a receiver, and Seattle’s special teams captain, his 88 rushing scores are the most among any player in the XFL. Injuries to Kasen Williams and Alonzo Moore will boost his Week 1 projection.

Lamichal Perine touted the podcast in a surprising way. Joshua Kelley and Antonio Gibson best-illustrate the difference between high floor and high ceiling selections.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has a bell cow profile. Laviska Shenault needs to move up draft boards.

L.A.’s Josh Johnson and Dallas’ Landry Jones are both dealing with injuries and should be considered game-time decisions. If either gets a clean bill of health, they’re the safest play of the week. The duo has the most NFL experience by far, with each having over 1,300 passing yards in the majors. For the price, look to Landry. He’ll be operating the most successful collegiate passing attack, one that he played in during his time at Oklahoma.

The only player who projects to dominate their backfield is former Seahawk, Colt, Cowboy and Packer: Christine Michael. He’s a name people know and will likely be one of, if not the highest-owned rusher on the slate. St. Louis made Michael the first running back taken in the Skill Players Draft. They chose not to take another back until the seventh round. The Battlehawks also have the least appealing quarterback in Jordan Ta’amu. They’re likely to lean on the run unless Ta’amu impresses early.

Deebo Samuel is currently the best value wide receiver in fantasy football drafts. Damien Williams is the most misunderstood running back in the NFL.

Devin Singletary will be a top-5 running back in fantasy football. N’Keal Harry will break out this year.

The most exciting part of the 6-3, 215 pound Bryan Edwards’ prospect profile is his 17.9 (100th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) Breakout Age. This while competing for targets with former second-round pick, and current San Francisco 49ers rookie sensation, Deebo Samuel. A solid Combine can ensure Edwards is drafted on or before Day Two. That would make him an upside early-to-mid second round sleeper pick after top running backs are off the board.

Too many people are sleeping on Jalen Reagor after he played on a putrid TCU offense in 2019. A former long jump champion with an 18.7 (95th-percentile) Breakout Age and 36.7-percent (74th-percentile) College Dominator Rating quietly balled out. He averaged 20.8 yards per punt return in 2019, even returning one for a score. Always look for dynamism in wide receivers. Especially when their respective teams try to get the ball in their hands any way possible.

Najee Harris going back to school was inexplicable. Chuba Hubbard going back to school was predictable.

Travis Etienne going back to school was understandable. Curtis Samuel’s air yards vs. actual yards are amazing.