Week 1 is almost here, and if you haven’t seen Joel Smyth’s latest fantasy football rankings, you’re drafting blind. The man has flipped his script on some serious players, and these shifts could make or break your championship run as we roll into the 2026 NFL season. Forget what you thought you knew; August shook things up, and our opinions should absolutely be moving with it.
Bo Nix: From Sleeper to Must-Draft
Bo Nix? Yeah, *that* Bo Nix. He’s officially vaulted from “plain average” right into the “above average” tier for Week 1. This isn’t some slight tweak either; Joel Smyth has straight-up changed his mind on the Broncos QB. Think about it: this is Year 3 for Nix, and he’s still got a similar setup to last season, but now with a legit WR1 in Jaylen Waddle. The dude was QB7 in ADP last year and is somehow going as QB15 right now. Why the jump in Smyth’s eyes? He’s back strong from that playoffs injury, and even though he underperformed last season, he didn’t play *poorly*. Smyth says every time he mock drafts and waits for the very end to grab Nix, his team build just makes him happy. With incredible passing volume and a solid rushing floor, Nix looks super safe with high potential. What’s not to like for a late-round snag?
Running Backs: Volume and Vets Shifting Value
The running back landscape is, as always, a mystery wrapped in an enigma. But Joel Smyth sees some clarity emerging. **Javonte Williams** from the Cowboys is soaring from “average” to “above average” for Smyth. In a field of so much risk, Williams looks like the safe bet. Those top-12 RBs vanish fast, so Williams near the end of Round 3 for teams needing a back? That’s smart. The best part? Nothing changed around him: offensive line, coaching, QB, RB depth. That stability, plus a new big contract cementing his volume, makes him a solid pick. You won’t find top-five RB upside outside of Round 2, so Williams is a great grab.
Then there’s **Travis Etienne Jr.** with the Saints, who’s climbed from “below average” to “average” in Smyth’s books. Smyth admits he doesn’t believe Etienne is a dominant back and expects heavy regression after six receiving touchdowns last year (he only had one career receiving TD before that!). So what changed? An improved Saints offensive line, an injured Alvin Kamara, and even Jordyn Tyson, plus what sounds like every other running back on that roster. Etienne is set up for massive volume as RB18. Smyth is a big believer in the Saints’ offense for fantasy, and at Etienne’s price, there’s a huge cushion for error. He’d have to completely fall apart to finish outside the top-20 RBs.
Finally, **Bucky Irving** with the Buccaneers moves from “average” to “above average.” Head coach Todd Bowles squashed initial worries back in July, confirming they “we’re not easing [Irving] back from anything.” He’s been full-go for over a month, full pads and all. While volume with Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker is still a concern, Irving is going as the 47th player off the board as RB23. Last season, with Tucker and Rachaad White stealing touches and dealing with injury, Irving saw… well, the source cuts off there, but the implication is he’s looking better now.
Your Draft Day Strategy Just Got an Update
So, what does this mean for your draft prep? Week 1 is staring us down, and these aren’t small tweaks. Bo Nix looks like a potential steal, Javonte Williams is locking in volume, and Etienne is a volume monster despite skill concerns. Bucky Irving is getting the green light from his coach. You gotta make the right moves now before your league mates catch on. Will you follow Smyth’s lead, or fade the noise? Good luck out there, folks, your fantasy championship starts with these crucial early-season decisions!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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