The annual FLEX Leagues drafts kicked off this past weekend in New York, and Jamey Eisenberg, a two-time champion looking to reclaim that awesome championship belt, went with a strategy that definitely raised some eyebrows right out of the gate.
Nacua First, RBs Flying Off the Board
This isn’t some casual league, folks. This is the one-quarterback, half-PPR FLEX league, packed with amazing Fantasy analysts, and Jamey had the No. 4 pick. Going into it, he expected Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs to be snatched up already. And what happened? Exactly that, plus Ja’Marr Chase went third. That left Jamey with Puka Nacua, who he was absolutely thrilled to land. I mean, thinking Nacua has a shot to repeat as the No. 1 receiver in 2026? That’s a bold claim for your Round 1 anchor, but you gotta respect the confidence.
But here’s where it got real interesting for Jamey, and where the strategy really had to kick in: Round 2, at pick No. 21. He was eyeing Kenneth Walker III, Saquon Barkley, or Derrick Henry. Guess what? All three were GONE. Twelve running backs had already vanished from the board! Think about that: Robinson, Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, Ashton Jeanty, James Cook, Jonathan Taylor, Barkley, Chase Brown, Omarion Hampton, Walker, De’Von Achane, and Henry,all gone before Jamey’s second turn. Talk about a running back frenzy!
The Zero-RB Pivot Was Real
With those top RBs gone, Jamey had a decision to make. He wasn’t about to grab guys like Jeremiyah Love, Travis Etienne, Kyren Williams, Javonte Williams, or Josh Jacobs in Round 2. So what’d he do? He pivoted hard, snagging Drake London, who Jamey sees as a total value pick with top-five upside at receiver. This is where things felt a little dicey, though, because suddenly that running back corps looked a bit thin.
But Jamey isn’t one to panic, even when Love, Etienne, and Kyren Williams were drafted right before his Round 3 pick at No. 28. This is where the “Zero-RB” approach truly took hold. Instead of forcing a running back, Jamey went with Trey McBride at tight end. Yeah, a tight end in Round 3, even when you don’t *need* one in the starting lineup! He’s banking on McBride producing like a top-12 Fantasy receiver, slotting him right into one of those flex spots. That’s a move that tells you everything about his conviction in this new strategy.
Tight End in Flex, Receivers Still Flying
Right after McBride got picked, the wide receiver run just kept on rolling. We’re talking Malik Nabers, Emeka Egbuka, DeVonta Smith, Ladd McConkey, Chris Olave, and Zay Flowers all going fast in Round 3. Then, heading into Jamey’s next pick at No. 45 in Round 4, Luther Burden III, Tetairoa McMillan, Terry McLaurin, and Jameson Williams were scooped up too. The receiving talent was absolutely flying off the board, proving Jamey’s early Nacua and London picks might be genius if his late-round running back dart throws connect. This whole draft is a masterclass in adapting on the fly.
Jamey’s been part of these FLEX Leagues since they started in 2013, and he’s got two titles already. You know he wants that championship belt back, and he’s clearly willing to go against the grain to get it. Will this bold Nacua-first, Zero-RB strategy pay off and bring the belt home? It’s gonna be wild to watch how this roster stands the test of time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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