In a 14-team guillotine league, the first round is all about finding the safest path to survival, and Jahmyr Gibbs sits at the top of that board. The Detroit Lions running back gets the nod over Bijan Robinson, largely because this is Gibbs’ first season without David Montgomery handling the goal-line work. That shift opens the door to more touchdown chances, and in this format, that kind of upside is hard to ignore.
Robinson lands at No. 2, and the case is simple: he’s a touches machine. Over the last two seasons, Robinson averaged 21.5 touches per game, the kind of workload that keeps fantasy managers out of danger early.
Ja’Marr Chase comes next after leading the NFL in targets last season. He averaged 11.5 targets per game, and with a healthy Joe Burrow, that kind of volume should keep rolling. Puka Nacua follows as last season’s WR 1 in all formats, giving managers a dependable option even if his ceiling is trimmed by the growing amount of defensive talent turning more games into blowouts.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba checks in after a WR 2 season and looks ready to keep climbing. He remains the focal point of the Seahawks offense and should continue to rack up targets.
Christian McCaffrey is right behind him after a career-high 413 touches last season. The workload is still massive, though the injury concern is obvious after that much usage.
Jonathan Taylor also fits the early-round survival mold. He led the NFL in rushing attempts last season and should continue carrying the load early, especially with the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver room in disarray.
Amon-Ra St. Brown brings a different kind of safety.
He finished second in targets and second in receiving touchdowns last season, and that blend of volume and red-zone work makes him a strong guillotine pick.
James Cook is next after leading the league in rushing last season, and he should be in line for a similar role with Joe Brady promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach. Justin Jefferson enters with more stability at quarterback, now that Kyler Murray is under center. The expectation is a 2023-esque season from Jefferson with a provider at quarterback.
CeeDee Lamb is another steady option, even if his ceiling is viewed as limited with George Pickens on the opposite side. Still, his 17.0 FPPG career average in PPR leagues makes him a reliable choice for managers trying to survive the opening rounds.
As for Ashton Jeanty, there is some concern about his Week 1 availability after an ankle injury in training camp. Even so, all signs point to him being ready for Week 1, and he should be in line for a heavy workload in his sophomore season.
Chase Brown rounds out the group, and his setup looks strong with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins drawing attention outside. That should leave Brown running into light boxes all season, especially after three straight top-seven weekly finishes to close out his momentum.
De’Von Achane finishes the list as a player who may have to do just about everything for the Dolphins offense. With a heavy role expected in both rushing attempts and receptions, he remains valuable early in guillotine leagues.
In Other News...
Lions Already Have A New Reason To Feel Great About Blake Miller
The Lions came out of the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear priority, and Blake Miller has already started to look like the kind of first-round answer they hoped for. Taken with the No. 17 pick, the offensive tackle has spent preseason turning that investment into something tangible, pushing veteran Larry Borom and winning the starting right tackle job with steady work on both sides of the ball.
Millers early showing has drawn favorable reviews from the coaching staff and the media, and the reasons are easy to see. He has looked comfortable in run blocking and just as dependable in pass protection, which is exactly the kind of early stability Detroit wanted to find on the edge. For a team that has spent years building around line play, getting this kind of start from a rookie tackle is a promising sign. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Add To Crowded O Line Picture With Another Intriguing Move
The Lions kept adding depth to an already busy offensive line room by bringing in Elijah Klein on the practice squad, a move that fits the way this organization has continued to stock the trenches. Klein arrives after being drafted by Tampa Bay in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has already logged 26 games with one start, giving Detroit another young lineman with some pro experience to sort through.
For a team that has plenty of bodies competing for jobs up front, the interesting part now is where Klein fits in and how quickly he can make a case for himself. The Lions have a crowded mix of linemen on the roster and practice squad, so this looks less like a simple depth add and more like another piece in the ongoing evaluation of who can help if the team needs answers during the season. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Have One Notable Opening Week Question To Answer
The Lions trimmed their roster and, in the process, moved on from veteran wide receiver Greg Dortch, a decision that caught some fans and analysts off guard. He has since landed on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, leaving Detroit to sort through the ripple effect of a cut that was about more than just the bottom of the receiver depth chart.
Return duties remain part of the conversation as Detroit weighs other options with some players who have experience in that area. It is the kind of opening-week detail that can end up mattering a lot once the games start, especially for a team trying to make sure every phase is buttoned up while the roster settles in. [Read more 🡒]