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...
Seahawks Mourn A Respected Coach Who Helped Shape A Super Bowl Unit
Charles Kippy Browns death at 71 brings back a name that still carries weight in Seattle circles, especially for anyone who remembers the Seahawks rise under Pete Carroll. Browns football life stretched from being the first Black quarterback at Memphis State to coaching stops across the NFL and college game, but his years with Seattle stood out as part of a run that helped shape a Super Bowl unit and left a strong impression on the people around it.
Pete Carroll was among those sharing condolences and memories, a reminder that Browns influence went well beyond the playbook. Former players also recalled the positive impact he had, the kind of steady presence that mattered in a building chasing championship standards, and his passing closes the book on a career that connected different eras of football while leaving a lasting mark in Seattle. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks May Face A Tougher Patriots Opener Than Expected
The Patriots backfield looked a little thinner for a moment this week when TreVeyon Henderson went down with a right ankle injury in practice, but the early read is encouraging for New England. He has avoided any major damage and is expected to be ready for Week 1, which matters for a Patriots offense that kept three running backs on the roster, including Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner.
For Seattle, that makes an already tricky opener feel a bit more layered. Henderson has not practiced since the injury, but the expectation is still that he works his way back in time for the matchup, giving New England another option out of the backfield as the Seahawks begin their season trying to sort out a Patriots group that may be healthier than it first appeared. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Tackle Depth Concern Just Got Harder To Ignore
The Seahawks have been looking for any extra stability they can find at tackle, and that led them to veteran Bobby Hart on the practice squad as another layer of insurance for an offensive line that has already been under the microscope. Hart brings plenty of experience, having started 75 games across eight NFL teams, but his path to Seattle has been more about depth than immediate impact after a rough preseason kept him off the 53-man roster.
Seattle is still leaning on its current group, with Abe Lucas and Charles Cross anchoring the tackle spots, but the move underscores how uneasy the team is about its margin for error there. For a unit that needs to stay intact, especially with injury questions hovering over the position, adding Hart keeps the Seahawks covered for now while leaving open the possibility that the issue could get a lot more complicated if the depth chart is tested. [Read more 🡒]