Introducing the Big Board: Your Ultimate Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet

The Big Board is here to help you dominate your fantasy football draft. It takes into account past performance, current situation, and expected future gains to determine the top 150 players in fantasy football. Whether you’re a seasoned GM or a newcomer to the game, the Big Board is your go-to resource for making informed draft decisions. We use half-point PPR scoring settings as the baseline for our rankings.

First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to all the readers of The Athletic. Your comments and interactions have been invaluable in shaping this incredible experience. It’s truly surreal for me to be taking over the legendary Big Board from Brandon Funston at such a critical point in the fantasy season. I remember reading this very piece when I was a young fantasy football player in a completely different profession. Now, I have the honor of guiding you through the rankings. Please don’t go easy on me just because it’s my first day on the job – I want to hear your thoughts and will do my best to respond to everyone.

Ranking Factors and Updates

Before we delve into the rankings, let’s discuss some of the main factors driving this latest update:

Injuries: The Game-Changers

Injuries are an unfortunate part of fantasy football and can significantly impact rankings. The season-ending injury to Joe Burrow had a ripple effect on the Bengals’ wide receivers. Ja’Marr Chase dropped out of the top 10, Tee Higgins fell outside the top 75, and Tyler Boyd’s ranking took a hit. Jake Browning, Burrow’s replacement, performed as expected but targeted Chase less frequently. While I’m cautious due to the quality of the Ravens’ defense, a poor performance against the Steelers could further impact the Bengals’ rankings.

The Injury Door Swings Both Ways

While injuries can be devastating, they can also create opportunities for other players to shine. Mark Andrews’ cracked fibula opened the door for Isaiah Likely, the Ravens’ backup tight end. Likely has shown promise in limited action and could potentially step into Andrews’ role. As a potential game-changer in a high-powered offense, I’m confident in his ability to make an impact.

Utilization Trends: Separating Fact from Fiction

Coaches and team officials often manipulate information to gain a competitive edge. However, once the game starts, the truth becomes evident. Monitoring upticks in player utilization is crucial for identifying waiver wire gems. The Texans’ decision to decrease Dameon Pierce’s snaps in favor of Devin Singletary signaled a significant shift in their backfield. Singletary has since emerged as one of the top fantasy running backs, leading the league in rushing yards over the past two weeks. Whether Pierce returns or not, Singletary deserves recognition as a backend RB1.

The Downward Slide: Gabe Davis

Gabe Davis of the Buffalo Bills has experienced a significant decline in performance. As the Bills’ competitive context intensifies under a new coordinator, Davis has struggled to make an impact. On the other hand, Khalil Shakir has emerged as a breakout player, showcasing his ability to create separation and gain yards after the catch. Davis’ recent performance places him far behind Shakir in fantasy rankings.

(Photo of Devin Singletary: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)