Pretend GM Fantasy Football Show

Optimize your roster with these Week 1 waiver wire targets for the 2026 season. Get the best players to stash or start now. Alfredo Brown breaks down the top fantasy football waiver wire options to help you improve your team immediately. We examine key players like Emmett Johnson, Ja'Kobi Lane, Dontayvion Wicks, Terrance Ferguson, Adonai Mitchell, Keenan Allen, and Greg Dulcich, providing specific draft ranks and projections to guide your roster decisions. Whether you are looking for immediate starters or long-term stashes, this breakdown covers the essential stats you need for your fantasy football 2026 league. Use these week 1 waiver wire insights to gain an edge over your competition and ensure your lineup is ready for the challenges ahead. Subscribe for weekly fantasy football rankings and analysis, and let us know which player you are prioritizing this week in the comments. Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a re-release of the first episode of The Pretend GM. On this episode, Alfredo Brown is joined by Sigmund Bloom, who discusses his favorite strategies in fantasy football, the biggest mistakes he sees, and how to find the next fantasy breakouts. 00:00 - How Sigmund Bloom got his start in Fantasy Football 05:20 - Using Law School Experiences in Fantasy Football 09:59 - The Most Misused Concept in Fantasy Football 16:49 - Sigmund Bloom's Golden Rule for Fantasy Football 21:04 - Why You Need to Go Against the Consensus 31:16 - What Has Changed the Most in Fantasy Football 34:54 - Using A.I. for Fantasy Football 45:02 - Be Willing to Embrace New Information 48:04 - Gratitude & Optimism in Fantasy Football 01:00:24 - How to Hit Refresh on Your Life 01:12:29 - Audience Questions for Sigmund Bloom Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/footballguys-fantasy-football-show/id1615143637 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Vx0kjA5n4d4wdMspVmoKo?si=c7e15989ff8d4f48 Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasy football #dynastyfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alfredo Brown gives you his best and worst picks in every round of fantasy football drafts for 2026. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM Podcast, I was joined by Pat Fitzmaurice to discuss the best way to make trades, how analytics shape his rankings every year, and why he loves to build his team around big athletic wide receivers. Just like you and I, Pat Fitzmaurice is a Pretend GM. 00:00 - How Analytics Shape Rankings 08:40 - How Pat Fitzmaurice Makes the Best Trades 19:00 - Most Common Mistakes in Fantasy Football 21:43 - Why Pat Tends to Choose WR Over RB 29:20 - How Pat Evaluates Rookies in Dynasty 33:50 - Learning From the Busts 39:53 - What Has Changed Pat's Opinion the Most 44:50 - The Importance of ADP vs Rankings 49:00 - We Need More (BLANK) in Fantasy Football 52:08 - Audience Q&A Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/footballguys-fantasy-football-show/id1615143637 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Vx0kjA5n4d4wdMspVmoKo?si=c7e15989ff8d4f48 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pretendgm Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #dynastyfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alfredo Brown is joined by Dr. Vignesh Doraiswamy to go over some of the biggest injury-risk players in fantasy football and answer the question: Can you trust them? Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this re-release episode of The Pretend GM Podcast, Alfredo Brown is joined by Heath Cummings of CBS' Fantasy Football Today to discuss the biggest mistakes he sees fantasy managers making, why you should embrace volatility over consistency, and when to get out of your comfort zone and take some risks. 00:00 - How Heath Cummings Became a Fantasy Football Analyst 05:58 - Being Skeptical of Outliers and Data 10:28 - The Importance of Disagreement in Fantasy 15:21 - Why Fantasy Football Needs to be Fun 19:42 - The Biggest Mistakes Fantasy Managers Keep Making 22:11 - How to Utilize Projections vs Rankings 27:30 - The Dangers of Using Projected Volume with Bad Players 31:59 - Why You Need to Take More Risks in Fantasy 36:42 - How AI is Being Used in Fantasy Football 41:55 - Why Fantasy Football Needs More Kindness 45:55 - Audience Questions for Heath Cummings Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alfredo Brown gives you the 19 sleepers & breakouts that he believes will win you your fantasy football leagues in 2026. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamey Eisenberg of CBS Fantasy Football Today is one of the best minds in the fantasy football industry, but he has a secret weapon that helps him win his fantasy football leagues and crush his drafts - the latest NFL news! He breaks down how to follow the latest headlines, how he "reads through the BS," and the best way to approach your fantasy draft. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alfredo Brown gives you the 17 players that he believes will win you your fantasy football leagues in 2026. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I was joined by Matt Harmon of  @YahooFantasy  and Reception Perception to discuss fantasy football draft strategy, how he finds upside players, and how you can too. Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/footballguys-fantasy-football-show/id1615143637 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Vx0kjA5n4d4wdMspVmoKo?si=c7e15989ff8d4f48 Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #dynastyfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the best strategy to win fantasy football this season. In this episode of The Pretend GM Fantasy Football Show, Alfredo Brown breaks down his round-by-round strategy and puts it to the test in a full 18-round mock draft. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Stop Wasting Your Bench!" Jake Ciely ( @TheAthletic ) joins the Pretend GM podcast to give his strategy on finding late-round sleepers in fantasy football. 00:00 - The Most Common Mistakes Fantasy Managers Make 17:30 - Data That Is Being Misused in Fantasy Football 24:30 - Understanding Rankings & Projections That Go Against Consensus 31:40 - The Future of Fantasy Football Tools and Using A.I. 43:00 - Who is Jake Ciely? Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM Fantasy Football Show, Alfredo Brown tries to use his fantasy football draft roadmap at the 6th pick of a mock draft. Can you really start the first few rounds without a running back? His first pick sets off a chain reaction that had him questioning his entire draft by the end. To fix his draft, Alfredo used the FantasyPros Draft Wizard to save his later picks. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lean into uncertainty!" Alfredo is joined by JJ Zachariason to discuss why you should be looking at fantasy rankings differently, his favorite fantasy football draft strategies, and how his background in marketing shaped his perspective as an analyst. Just like you and I, JJ Zachariason is a Pretend GM. 00:00 - What Shapes JJ Zachariason’s Perspective 31:00 - How JJ’s Contextualizes Analytics 48:02 - How JJ Looks at Fantasy Rankings 53:55 - JJ’s Advice on Trades and Waivers 01:12:45 - JJ’s Golden Rule of Fantasy Football 01:23:00 - Audience Q&A Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM, Alfredo Brown dives into the latest preseason snaps and updates, including who looks good, which players are hurt, and which players you might want to target this season. Pre-Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Players Mentioned: - Jonathon Brooks - Jeremiyah Love - Cam Skattebo - Emmett Johnson - Mike Washington jr - Caleb Douglas - Isaiah Likely - De'Zhaun Stribling Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM, Alfredo Brown takes a look at his biggest positive regression candidates set to bounce back and potentially win you your fantasy league. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide 00:00 - Understanding Positive Regression in Fantasy 01:04 - Jalen Hurts 02:11 - Lamar Jackson 04:13 - Saquon Barkley 05:52 - Ashton Jeanty 07:35 - Ken Walker III 10:23 - Justin Jefferson 12:40 - CeeDee Lamb 14:27 - Emeka Egbuka 17:24 - Brian Thomas Jr 20:32 - Tyler Warren Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM, Alfredo Brown dives into the latest Training Camp news and updates, including who looks good, which players are hurt, and which players you might want to avoid this season. Pre-Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Players Mentioned: - Luther Burden - Zay Flowers - Malik Nabers - Josh Downs - Tucker Kraft - George Kittle - Isiah Pacheco - Drake London - Jalen Hurts - Ken Walker III - Jayden Daniels - Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM, Alfredo Brown takes a look at his biggest negative regression candidates and whether or not you should consider them in fantasy drafts Pre-Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM, Alfredo Brown dives into the latest Training Camp news and updates, including who looks good, which players are hurt, and which players you might want to avoid this season. Pre-Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Pretend GM Fantasy Football Show, Alfredo Brown talks about seven running back values who are set to have major opportunities in 2026 for fantasy football. Order the Pretend GM Fantasy Draft Guide: https://www.pretendgm.com/product-page/2026-fantasy-football-draft-guide Subscribe to the Podcast: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-gm-fantasy-football-show/id1875407186 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edJgRCyzL14fb6MNBy1LH?si=30f73208e949413a Follow Alfredo Brown on Socials: - Twitter: https://x.com/AlfredoABrown - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alfredoabrown.bsky.social - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredoabrown/ #fantasyfootball #fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootball2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices