Tom Strachan argued that Calvin Ridley’s 924.5-yard prop and WR69 ADP are at least a round and nearly 100 yards too cheap. Tennessee spent aggressively on the offensive line so top pick Cam Ward will not face the same constant pressure that torpedoed Caleb Williams in Chicago. Strachan pointed out Ridley still ranked 15th in missed tackles forced and 8th in yards per reception despite finishing 78th of 85 receivers in catchable-target rate from Will Levis. With Ward flashing all summer, a pass-centric scheme, and little target competition, Strachan expects Ridley to post a 1,000-plus-yard season and finish as a steady weekly WR2 across best ball, dynasty and redraft formats.

Strachan grabbed Tucker Kraft in the 11th round, noting that the second-year tight end finished 2024 top-five in yards after catch per reception and scored seven touchdowns despite sharing snaps with Luke Musgrave. If Jordan Love keeps the Packers near last year’s 10th-highest pass-rate-over-expected, Strachan expects a volume jump that would push Kraft into the low-end TE1 mix.

Strachan endorsed taking Stefon Diggs as a fifth wide receiver, citing consistently upbeat reports from Patriots beat writers that Diggs has already become Jacoby Brissett’s clear first read. With New England expected to trail frequently and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt installing a pass-volume friendly scheme, Strachan views Diggs as a cheap source of double-digit target weeks and red-zone usage that can out-produce his current ADP.

Strachan said he is comfortable drafting Rhamondre Stevenson because he still projects for the bulk of early-down and goal-line work in Alex Van Pelt’s offense. TreVeyon Henderson is penciled in for most passing-down snaps, but Strachan expects Stevenson to keep 250-plus touches if Henderson has to "earn a bigger role as the season goes on." He recommended being aggressive on the waiver wire to backfill if usage shifts, yet maintained that Stevenson’s current discount bakes that risk in.

Strachan highlighted Xavier Worthy as the best mid-round way to leverage Mahomes’ stated goal of throwing deep more often in 2025. He pointed out that Worthy’s speed instantly makes him the premier field-stretcher on a receiving corps that “is definitely starting to look better.” Because Mahomes has been vocal about improving long-ball efficiency and the Chiefs invested first-round capital in Worthy, Strachan believes the Mahomes-Worthy stack offers league-winning spike weeks in half-PPR and best-ball formats at a much cheaper total cost than the traditional Mahomes–Kelce hookup.

Tom Strachan warned drafters not to pay full freight for Patrick Mahomes in 2025 redraft or best-ball contests. He blamed what he called the “Matanagi factor” – Matt Nagy’s play-calling tendencies that, in Strachan’s view, lower Mahomes’ weekly ceiling compared with past Eric Bieniemy seasons. Strachan also flagged the looming Rashee Rice suspension as another hit to overall passing efficiency. While acknowledging that Mahomes has publicly emphasized improving his deep-ball accuracy throughout the offseason program, Strachan said he is only interested when the quarterback falls below market price or can be paired with a late-round Chiefs wideout, otherwise preferring to wait on cheaper QB options.

Tom Strachan labeled Amon-Ra St. Brown a fade at pick 1.05. Although St. Brown has cleared 140 targets three straight seasons and scored 12 touchdowns in 2024, Strachan believes surging teammates Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams will eat into his share over a full year. That extra target competition lowers the path to a truly league-winning ceiling, leaving St. Brown’s range of outcomes closer to a top-10 receiver than the top-5 payoff his draft slot demands. Unless an injury thins Detroit’s pass-catcher room, Strachan would pivot to higher-upside options in the mid-first.

Tom Strachan cautioned drafters against taking Ashton Jeanty in the first round. Since 1984 only one first-year back—Saquon Barkley in 2018—has finished as the overall RB1, highlighting the historical uphill climb Jeanty faces. Strachan noted that Las Vegas already features premium pass-catchers Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, plus longtime goal-line poacher Raheem Mostert, all of whom siphon opportunities. Jeanty’s talent is unquestioned, but Strachan expects touch competition and red-zone vulturing to keep him from returning first-round value in year one.

Tom Strachan advised passing on Puka Nakua at 1.05 despite elite volume. Nakua averages 6.6 receptions per game across two seasons, but his 0.3 touchdowns per contest lag well behind other first-round receivers such as Ja'Marr Chase (0.7) and Justin Jefferson/CeeDee Lamb (0.5). Strachan added that Matthew Stafford’s lingering health questions compound the touchdown drought. Even with Davante Adams drawing coverage away, Nakua must dramatically increase red-zone production to justify first-round cost, so Strachan prefers safer or higher-ceiling options at that draft slot.

Tom Strachan told drafters to gauge their own risk tolerance on Christian McCaffrey. The 29-year-old has logged more than 11 games only once in the past four seasons, but when on the field he is still a consensus league winner. McCaffrey participated fully in OTAs—running drills many veterans skipped—suggesting his 2024 Achilles issues are behind him. The 49ers traded away Jordan Mason and are currently dealing with an injury to backup Isaac Guerendo, signaling confidence in McCaffrey’s health and projected workload. Strachan expects top-five RB production even if a small slice of touches goes to Guerendo, making McCaffrey a volatile but justifiable swing at 1.05.

Tom Strachan called CeeDee Lamb the “don’t overthink it” pick at 1.05 when Jefferson is gone. Lamb is the only wideout with 150-plus targets in each of the last three seasons, and the arrival of George Pickens should improve coverage dynamics rather than threaten volume. Strachan emphasized that Lamb has previously thrived alongside stronger target competition and that Dallas’ offense funnels through him regardless of surrounding pieces. With a locked-in role and elite PPR profile, Lamb offers the cleanest blend of floor and ceiling among the tier that opens at pick five.

Tom Strachan pushed Jahmyr Gibbs to the front of the first-round queue, noting that respected rankers Evan Silva and Ben Gretch have already elevated him to their RB1. Gibbs finished 2024 as the RB3 in PPR points per game while ranking third in total RB yardage and sixth in targets, posting six 20-plus-point outings—four of which came with David Montgomery active. Detroit beat writers report an expanded workload in Year 2, and injuries behind Gibbs have cleared the depth chart. Montgomery’s goal-line presence caps the floor a bit, but Strachan argued that Gibbs’ explosive receiving role gives him true league-winning upside from the 1.05 slot.

Tom Strachan said Justin Jefferson remains a slam-dunk selection at 1.05 because his production has proven quarterback-proof. Jefferson owns a career average of 96.5 receiving yards per game and has never fallen below 87.5 in any season. He has finished top-5 in PPR points per game every year since 2021 and was the overall WR1 as recently as 2022. Strachan acknowledged the uncertainty of breaking in JJ McCarthy and a mild camp hamstring strain but called those the only real red flags. Given Jefferson’s bankable volume and history of thriving through multiple QB transitions, Strachan labeled him a high-floor, high-ceiling anchor for season-long teams.

Strachan grabbed Tony Pollard as his RB3 and called the pick a value jump after reports that backup Tajie Spears suffered a high-ankle sprain. Strachan expects Spears to "have a difficult start to the season," leaving Pollard with an early-season snap monopoly and goal-line work in Tennessee’s run-first offense. That temporary but significant usage spike makes Pollard a ceiling play in the middle rounds of Best-Ball drafts.

Tom Strachan said he is scooping up Chase Brown in the late-2nd because the Bengal back showed true bell-cow traits after Week 10 last season. Brown averaged "over 20 touches" and "over 23 fantasy points" during that stretch and, in Strachan’s view, the front office did not add anyone capable of challenging that workload. In a hero-WR build Strachan expects Brown to finish as a top-5 running back, making the pick well worth the slight ADP reach in Best-Ball tournaments.

Tom Strachan cautioned drafters against using Amon-Ra St. Brown as their lone hero-WR. While St. Brown has topped 140 targets three straight seasons and spiked his TDs to 12 in 2024, Strachan pointed to rising competition: a healthy Sam LaPorta, Jamison Williams averaging 6.6 targets over last year’s back half, and an expected Year-2 leap from dual-threat back Jahmyr Gibbs. Because St. Brown wins on volume rather than explosive plays, Strachan worries that a diluted target share plus uncertain touchdown volatility could cap his ceiling, making him better as a Round 1 selection in balanced builds than as the single ‘hero’ wideout.

Tom Strachan endorsed Malik Nabers as a swing-for-the-fences hero-WR after his record 109-catch rookie campaign that produced a WR6 finish in 2024. He believes quarterback play can only improve: Russell Wilson and first-round pick Jaxson Dart are battling, both clear upgrades on last year’s foursome of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle, all bottom-20 % in YPA. Nabers still faces minimal target competition (Wan’Dale Robinson the most notable), setting the stage for another top-10 positional finish with even modest QB efficiency. Strachan admitted Nabers sits on the riskier end of Round 1 but loves the potential target avalanche.

Passing on the bigger names, Strachan drafted Tucker Kraft, citing last year’s breakout: seven touchdowns and elite yards-after-catch numbers. He believes those peripheral stats signal a player "ready to ascend to the very highest tier of tight end," especially in a Packers offense lacking an established red-zone target. Kraft is Strachan’s favorite late TE to complete a single-tight-end Best-Ball roster.

Tom Strachan said he is ‘okay’ using Puka Nacua as a hero-WR when Matthew Stafford’s elbow checks out. He likes the Rams’ offensive reset that pairs Nacua with Davante Adams, noting Adams ranked 58th in ESPN’s open-score versus Cooper Kupp’s 108th, which should occasionally pull coverage away from Nacua. The second-year wideout has averaged 6.6 receptions per game across two seasons and delivered steady yardage; the lone missing piece is touchdowns (nine career). Strachan believes another step forward in Stafford-led red-zone efficiency can unlock WR1 upside.

Tom Strachan argued that CeeDee Lamb belongs on the Chase/Jefferson tier for 2025 drafts. Lamb has banked 150-plus targets in three straight seasons – the only receiver to hit that mark each year – and Strachan expects the number to rise because the Cowboys’ ground game ‘looks woeful.’ He added that the arrival of George Pickens as an upgrade on Jalen Tolbert should ease coverage and boost offensive efficiency. With Dak Prescott’s unquestioned WR1 role and a likely pass-heavy script, Strachan labeled Lamb one of the ‘very best’ hero-WR selections and a legitimate threat to finish as fantasy’s overall WR1.

Tom Strachan endorsed Justin Jefferson as a hero-WR despite a current hamstring tweak, pointing out that Jefferson has never fallen below 87.5 receiving yards per game in any season and has finished top-5 in PPR points per game every year since 2021 regardless of quarterback play. He highlighted Jefferson’s career 96.5 yards per game average and added that positive reports on rookie JJ McCarthy’s development ease long-term concerns. Strachan acknowledged hamstrings can linger but said Jefferson still offers one of the league’s highest floors and ceilings in Round 1.

Tom Strachan called Ja'Marr Chase the premier hero-WR target, reminding listeners that he finished 2024 as fantasy’s overall WR1 with 117 catches, 1,612 yards and 16 TDs – two PPR points clear of the next-best receiver. Strachan demolished the old split narrative by noting Chase actually averaged more points (24.7) in games where Tee Higgins played than when Higgins was inactive (21.3). With the Bengals defense still projected to struggle, Strachan expects another pass-heavy season from Joe Burrow and labeled Chase the ‘safest elite pick’ on the board.

Tom Strachan urged drafters to scoop Calvin Ridley in the sixth round, labeling him one of 2025’s most overlooked receivers. Ridley has been 'undervalued all offseason,' and Strachan highlighted consistently encouraging training-camp reports with the Titans. Given Ridley’s proven ability to command targets, Strachan views him as an ideal upside swing for teams that opened drafts running-back heavy and need difference-making receiver production at a discount.

Tom Strachan snagged Trey McBride at pick 2.11, forecasting a touchdown surge in 2025. McBride’s target and yardage volume already sits in the top tier of tight ends, yet he scored only three times last season—well below expectation given his red-zone usage. Strachan said 'touchdown regression can finally fall positively' and believes that outcome would propel McBride into a realistic top-three finish at the position while still allowing drafters to avoid first-round tight-end prices.

Tom Strachan dubbed Bijan Robinson the 'big-brains' selection at 1.02 if Chase is gone. Robinson finished third in rushing yards last season, scored just two fewer touchdowns than the league leaders, and posted the lowest stuffed-run rate among 46 qualified backs. His 58 receptions confirm true three-down usage, and Strachan believes that workload could climb even higher in 2025. With locked-in volume, elite efficiency and proven pass-game chops, Strachan would draft Robinson ahead of Justin Jefferson when choosing between the remaining elite options.

Tom Strachan advised passing on Justin Jefferson at 1.02, citing two tiebreaker worries. First, Jefferson is already nursing a 'mild' hamstring strain, and Strachan warned soft-tissue injuries can linger. Second, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is an unknown commodity, making Jefferson’s weekly ceiling less bankable than Ja'Marr Chase’s or Bijan Robinson’s. While Jefferson has been quarterback-proof—never dipping below 87.5 receiving yards per game and finishing top-5 in PPR points per game every year since 2021—Strachan’s concerns push him slightly down the board when splitting hairs among the elite.

Tom Strachan called Saquon Barkley an 'incredibly strong' choice at 1.02 for managers willing to stomach some mileage risk. Barkley led the league by 330 rushing yards last season, punched in 15 total touchdowns and delivered seven top-5 weekly finishes. The red flag is volume: more than 400 combined touches between regular season and playoffs, a workload that historically dings backs the following year. Because Barkley’s target share is lighter than other elite RBs, Strachan especially likes him in standard or half-PPR formats. The talent, red-zone role and offensive line keep Barkley firmly in the elite-upside conversation.

Tom Strachan said drafters should smash Ja'Marr Chase at pick 1.02 if he slips, calling him the safest play on the board. Chase’s 2024 line of 117 catches, 1,612 yards and 16 touchdowns made him the overall WR1 and two full PPR points per game better than every other receiver. Strachan shot down the idea that Chase only explodes when Tee Higgins is absent, noting Chase actually averaged 24.7 PPR points with Higgins active versus 21.3 without him. With Cincinnati’s defense still 'really shaky,' Strachan expects another pass-heavy year from Joe Burrow and forecasts another monster, league-winning season for Chase.

Tom Strachan highlighted Josh Downs as a screaming value after a sneaky-good 2024 rookie campaign. Downs finished WR39 in half-PPR but actually led the Colts with a 24.8 % target share, narrowly topping Michael Pittman’s 24.2 %. His 66 % catch rate and 2.2 yards per route run also beat Pittman (62 %, 1.7 YPRR). Strachan pulled fantasy-points data showing only 15 receivers with 50-plus catches earned a higher YPRR, and 13 of those cracked the top-24 at season’s end—evidence that Downs’ peripheral profile already resembles a fantasy WR2. Quarterback splits were a non-issue: he averaged 11.0 PPR points with Anthony Richardson and 10.9 without. Despite that, Downs’ ADP sits around 80 in best-ball and 103 in redraft, a range Tom notes is typically "quarterbacks and tight ends" territory. He recommends scooping Downs as a WR4/5 wherever possible, confident the alpha usage and efficiency will pay off even if Indy’s QB situation remains unsettled.

Tom Strachan said he is "putting his money where his mouth is" on Jameson Williams, calling 2025 the year everything clicks. Strachan’s main angle is new coordinator John Morton, who once posted a 4.39 forty at the Combine and, in Tom’s words, will "gravitate toward guys who can run a little." That speed bias plus Detroit’s willingness to push the ball vertically leads Strachan to project roughly 120 targets for Williams. He noted that among all wideouts who saw 120 targets last season, only DJ Moore and Wan’Dale Robinson finished outside the top-15 at the position, underscoring how Williams could smash if he simply earns that volume. While some worry that replacing Ben Johnson might cause overall offensive regression, Strachan believes Morton’s personal affinity for speed adds a new dimension rather than subtracting efficiency. He concluded that Williams’ ADP still bakes in "clear number-four" usage from last season, making him an automatic draft pick in best-ball and season-long formats.

Tom Strachan said Colston Loveland is an easy breakout bet at his current TE13 redraft price. Strachan stressed that Chicago invested top-10 draft capital in Loveland and immediately paired him with new head coach Ben Johnson, the same play-caller who manufactured nine touchdowns and a rookie-record 86 catches for Sam LaPorta. Strachan argued that league-wide perceptions of first-year tight ends are outdated, citing Kyle Pitts’ TE6 rookie finish and Dalton Kincaid’s TE14 stretch run as evidence that high-end prospects can contribute right away. Loveland’s receiver-like play speed plus plus blocking profile should keep him on every down, while shoulder-injury worries temporarily suppressed his ADP and created a buying window. With the Bears lacking proven red-zone finishers—DJ Moore has never topped eight scores and Cole Kmet produces only sporadic spike weeks—Strachan expects Johnson to script goal-line looks for Loveland and views a top-8 seasonal finish as well within range.

Tom Strachan urged caution on Quentin Johnston, whose ADP is down 24.6 spots to 183.9. Johnston turned multiple broken plays into touchdowns last year, but Strachan called that output 'unsustainable' given a 1.08 yards per route run that ranked 86th among qualifiers. The Chargers’ additions of Keenan Allen and rookie Tre Harris tighten the target funnel, and Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme further caps volume. Strachan said Johnston should be limited to thin game-stack correlations rather than core portfolio exposure.

Joe Mixon’s ADP has cratered 28.4 spots to 76, and Tom Strachan still isn’t buying. Mixon remains on the NFI list with a foot issue, and Week 1 availability is 'very much in doubt'. Even if healthy, Mixon ranked outside the top-35 RBs in rush yards over expectation per carry each of the last two seasons. Strachan added that Houston signaled a philosophical shift by drafting multiple wideouts and letting Laremy Tunsil walk, meaning more shotgun spread looks and fewer grinder carries. He is holding off until Mixon sinks into the triple-digit picks.

Tom Strachan advised fading Quinshon Judkins after his ADP plummeted 38 spots to 121. The back still has unresolved legal issues, has not signed his rookie deal, and missed the entire training-camp install. Strachan sees a realistic chance Judkins is inactive or on the commissioner’s exempt list when the season opens, turning that eighth-round pick into a near-zero. He prefers swinging at healthy veteran backs in the same range.

Tyler Warren’s ADP has climbed 14.7 spots to 73.4, and Tom Strachan is still in. Coaches keep praising his versatility, and the Colts’ depth chart provides a clear path after they moved on from Mo Alie-Cox. Warren checked every box analytically (2.34 college YPRR, 86th-percentile agility) and offers immediate red-zone usage for Anthony Richardson. Strachan recommended mixing Warren into three-TE best ball constructions as a ceiling play who can finish as a weekly top-8 scorer early in the season.

Tom Strachan highlighted Tory Horton’s 22.7-spot ADP jump (217 overall) after the fifth-round rookie scored in his preseason debut and reportedly leapfrogged Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the depth chart. Although Klint Kubiak’s offense skews run-first, Strachan values Horton’s vertical skill set for best ball where one or two long TDs can pay off. He advised sprinkling Horton into late-round Seahawk stacks, especially on builds that already feature DK Metcalf or Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

With Chris Godwin projected to miss 'the first few weeks', Tom Strachan advocated drafting Emeka Egbuka at his new 95.9 ADP (+33). Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans have publicly 'showered him with praise', and camp reports label the Ohio State product a day-one starter in the slot. Strachan likes Egbuka’s profile (4.43 speed and 80th-percentile YPRR in college) to soak up layup targets that fuel spike weeks while Godwin heals. He recommended pairing Egbuka with Evans in Buccaneers stacks to capture Tampa’s condensed target tree.

Tom Strachan called Keenan Allen’s 57-spot ADP surge (now 181) a buying opportunity that still undervalues his chemistry with Justin Herbert. Allen earned a 25.7 % target share in Chicago last season despite DJ Moore’s presence, and Strachan expects a similarly high volume in Kellen Moore’s Chargers offense. Concerns over first-round rookie Ladd McConkey are overblown because Allen routinely commands separation on option routes Herbert already trusts. Strachan advised grabbing Allen now before his price moves into the single-digit rounds.

Tom Strachan warned drafters not to get 'overly expectant' with Kyle Monangai despite an ADP rise to 212 (+18). While Roschon Johnson is currently banged up and D’Andre Swift’s tenure-long durability and coaching-trust issues linger, Monangai was still the 233rd overall pick and profiles as a contingency-only play. Strachan advised limiting Monangai exposure to true hand-cuff builds rather than counting on standalone production.

Tom Strachan pointed out that Braelon Allen’s ADP climb to 151 (+24) still leaves meat on the bone. New York is openly committing to a committee approach, projecting Allen for the bulk of early-down carries while Breece Hall handles most of the targets. Strachan noted the Jets’ rebuilt offensive line 'looks very good' and that Nathaniel Hackett’s unit could lead the league in rushing attempts. In that script, Allen can rack up high-value red-zone touches even without a big receiving role, making him a viable Zero-RB anchor in best ball tournaments.

Tom Strachan pushed Woody Marks as the primary beneficiary of Houston’s banged-up backfield. Joe Mixon (foot, NFI) and Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) remain sidelined while reports say Nick Chubb 'doesn’t look great'. Marks, a fourth-round pick who averaged 50+ receptions per college season, has drawn praise from DeMeco Ryans for handling a heavy install. Because Houston’s offensive line projects as a bottom-five unit after trading Laremy Tunsil, Strachan expects C.J. Stroud to lean on quick-game dump-offs, giving Marks immediate PPR juice. With an ADP of 188 (+39), Strachan recommended loading him into RB4/RB5 slots on pass-heavy Houston stacks.

Tom Strachan said Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s meteoric ADP jump to 184 (+47.7) is still lagging behind his upside. With only Brian Robinson Jr. cemented as the early-down starter and Austin Ekeler locked into passing-downs, Croskey-Merritt can carve out the breather/goal-line role as early as Week 1. Strachan highlighted that Croskey-Merritt ranked 19th in yards after contact per attempt and 12th in elusive rating in 2023 (PFF) and noted Washington spent a seventh-round pick after eligibility issues depressed his 2024 tape, meaning he comes with virtually no sunk-cost bias. At a sub-200 price tag in FFPC best ball rooms, Strachan advised scooping him as a final-round dart in builds that fade the RB dead zone.

Tom Strachan called James Conner one of the best board values, noting the veteran has logged eight or more touchdowns in three straight seasons. Conner’s dependable goal-line usage and weekly floor make him an ideal RB2 in managed leagues.

Tom Strachan likes Kyren Williams as an early-round anchor after Los Angeles extended him, signalling a locked-in lead role. If the Rams meet playoff expectations, Williams benefits from positive game scripts; if Matthew Stafford’s health falters, the back could absorb even more touches. Strachan said the contract plus likely heavy workload make Williams worth the price despite lukewarm public sentiment.

Tom Strachan labeled Bijan Robinson the "swing-for-the-fences" alternative to Barkley at 1.01. Robinson ranked third in rushing yards (1,456) while finishing just two TDs behind Derrick Henry and James Cook. Per FantasyPoints, he owned the league’s lowest stuffed-run rate and placed top-two in success rate versus both man and zone schemes, demonstrating scheme-proof efficiency. Add in 58 receptions and borderline unstoppable goal-line work, and Strachan sees every-down dominance without the 400-touch baggage Barkley carries.

Tom Strachan framed Justin Jefferson as the league’s most reliable wideout, averaging 96.5 receiving yards per game for his career and never dipping below 87.5. Jefferson has finished top-5 in PPR points per game every season since 2021. Strachan’s only hesitations are a mild hamstring strain and the fact that new starter JJ McCarthy has yet to take an NFL snap. Reports from camp are encouraging on both fronts, so Strachan said that if Jefferson is fully healthy by Week 1 he is as strong a bet as anyone to reclaim overall WR1 honors—though Chase gets a slight tiebreaker.

Tom Strachan argued Saquon Barkley remains a viable 1.01 in non-PPR and half-PPR formats despite durability concerns. Barkley rushed for 330 more yards than any other back in 2024, punched in 15 TDs and produced seven top-5 weekly finishes, giving managers weekly leverage in head-to-head play. The red flag is volume: 400+ touches including playoffs is historically dangerous, but Strachan noted Barkley’s 2024 efficiency stayed elite and his receiving involvement insulates him even if overall rushing dips. Because the Eagles’ offense still funnels through him, Strachan believes Barkley can repeat RB1 overall if he stays upright.

Tom Strachan said Ja'Marr Chase should be the first overall pick in 2025 redraft leagues. Chase posted 117 catches, 1,612 yards and 16 TDs last year, out-scoring Justin Jefferson by two PPR points per game. Strachan highlighted that Chase’s efficiency actually increased when Tee Higgins played (24.7 PPR points with Higgins vs 21.3 without), showing game-plan proof production. With Cincinnati’s defense still projected to struggle, Joe Burrow is expected to remain among the league leaders in drop-backs, keeping Chase’s volume elite. Chase has topped 1,200 yards in three of four seasons and logged back-to-back 100-catch campaigns, leaving injury as the only real risk. Strachan called the combination of unmatched ceiling and bankable floor “about as safe as a WR1 can get.”