Keegan’s Kegmeisters

Starts Sunday 2026-09-06. Each entry is a date a decision is due: player locks are five minutes before kickoff (starters in bold, bench in gray), waivers process Tuesday–Saturday nights (cutoff time unverified), and add/drop transactions lock before the first Sunday game (Sun Sep 13 12:55 PM EDT; confirm on CBS). Waiver processing and submission cutoff: timing unverified. Trade deadline: December 14, 2026, 11:59 pm ET.

Projection may be stale (not a lineup candidate): Michael Penix Jr.

What the shows said about your injured players

• QBMichael Penix Jr.Knee - ACL: Out for Week 1 at Pittsburgh
  • Expected to be inactive for Week 1 as he is not yet fully healthy.Adam · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 00:10:33 · 2026-09-08 · injury
  • The Falcons plan to have him start eventually.Adam · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 00:20:06 · 2026-09-03 · usage
• WRDe'Zhaun StriblingAnkle: Questionable for Week 2 vs
  • Suffered a non-contact ankle injury during the game; expected to miss time.Daniel Dopp · ESPN Fantasy Focus Football · 00:03:37 · 2026-09-11 · injury
  • Fast-tracked in preseason; could be the primary red zone target and a top fantasy rookie.Dave Richard · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 00:19:12 · 2026-09-08

Bench

Sorted by this week's projection. A bench player tagged as a close call is within 2 points of the starter named.

• RBJonathon BrooksRB · CAR · vs CHI6.5 proj
  Sun Sep 13 12:55 PM EDT
• WRBrian Thomas Jr.close call vs Jaylen Waddle (0.99 pts)WR · JAX · vs CLE6.4 proj
  Sun Sep 13 12:55 PM EDT
• WRJosh Downsclose call vs Jaylen Waddle (1.41 pts)projections 5.2–7.3 across sourcesWR · IND · vs BAL6.0 proj
  Sun Sep 13 12:55 PM EDT
• WRMichael Wilsonclose call vs Jaylen Waddle (1.48 pts)WR · ARI · vs LAC5.9 proj
  Sun Sep 13 04:20 PM EDT
• RBRJ HarveyRB · DEN · vs KC5.7 proj
  Mon Sep 14 08:10 PM EDT
• WRDe'Zhaun StriblingWR · SF · vs LAR · played0.0 actual
  Final · SF 27 - LAR 7
• RBTyler Allgeierprojections 3.9–6.0 across sourcesRB · ARI · vs LAC5.0 proj
  Sun Sep 13 04:20 PM EDT
• QBMichael Penix Jr.QB · ATL · vs PIT · out0.0 proj
  Sun Sep 13 12:55 PM EDT

Offensive projections: 72.01 current → 72.01 proposed (Δ -0.00). K/DST excluded. Distance bonuses are provisional expected values; yardage brackets on projected means are estimates.

Jalen Hurts / Daniel Jones: QB / FLEX → FLEX / QB · expires Sun Sep 13 12:55 PM EDT

Close calls

A close call is a starter whose projection beats the best bench alternative for that slot by less than 2 points. The projections cannot separate them; look at news and matchup before trusting the default.

• Jaylen Waddle over Brian Thomas Jr. (0.99), Josh Downs (1.41), Michael Wilson (1.48)
  Jaylen Waddle — 18 takes across 7 shows (14 positive, 2 negative)
  • He has a massive ceiling in a Denver offense that should pass more frequently and lacks a dominant target hog.JJ Zacharisa · The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast · 00:01:40 · 2026-09-08
  • Part of a small group of high-draft-pick rookies who performed exceptionally well in their Week 1 debuts.Mike Clay · ESPN Fantasy Focus Football · 00:28:18 · 2026-09-11
  Brian Thomas Jr. — 21 takes across 6 shows (11 positive, 5 negative)
  • Expected to run many go routes, which will help open up underneath routes for others.Andrew Erickson · FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast · 00:14:56 · 2026-09-11 · usage
  • Preferred over Cortland Sutton, though it is a close call.Jamie · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 00:48:31 · 2026-09-10
  Josh Downs — 18 takes across 5 shows (13 positive, 2 negative)
  • Expected to be a leading receiver for the Colts and a safer play than Alec Pierce.Jamie · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 00:30:40 · 2026-09-10
  • Jamie prefers Downs over Dowdle in PPR formats.Jamie · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 01:06:41 · 2026-09-10
  Michael Wilson — 11 takes across 5 shows (8 positive, 1 negative)
  • Expected to see high volume, potentially north of seven targets, as the Cardinals' offense looks better under the new scheme.Dave Richard · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 00:27:56 · 2026-09-10
  • Expected to be very involved in the Cardinals' offense.Hayden · Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden · 00:48:49 · 2026-09-09

Sources disagree

Starters where the projection sources differ by more than 2 points. The lineup uses the average; a big gap means at least one source is wrong about this player.

• Jalen Hurts: Sleeper 17.6 · ESPN 17.5 · CBS 12.4 (spread 5.22)
  • He is a must-start this week due to a great matchup against Washington and his historical dominance against them.Mike Clay · ESPN Fantasy Focus Football · 00:16:10 · 2026-09-09
  • There are concerns regarding the Eagles' offensive rhythm and a lack of effective passing concepts in the middle of the field.Jim McCormick · Harris Fantasy Football Podcast · 00:53:06 · 2026-09-11
• Drake London: Sleeper 8.8 · ESPN 8.4 · CBS 11.2 (spread 2.84)
  • Should still be started even if Cooper Rush is playing instead of Tua.Jamie · CBS Fantasy Football Today · 00:13:25 · 2026-09-11
  • He has massive target volume that provides a high floor regardless of quarterback play.Chris Welsh · FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast · 00:43:54 · 2026-09-11
• Jaylen Waddle: Sleeper 8.8 · ESPN 7.5 · CBS 5.8 (spread 3.0)
  • He has a massive ceiling in a Denver offense that should pass more frequently and lacks a dominant target hog.JJ Zacharisa · The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast · 00:01:40 · 2026-09-08
  • Part of a small group of high-draft-pick rookies who performed exceptionally well in their Week 1 debuts.Mike Clay · ESPN Fantasy Focus Football · 00:28:18 · 2026-09-11
• Daniel Jones: Sleeper 9.4 · ESPN 12.1 · CBS 7.8 (spread 4.27)
  • Has better talent around him and utilizes his legs, despite recent injury concerns.null · ESPN Fantasy Focus Football · 01:01:14 · 2026-09-11
  • Expected to have a big statement game for the Colts in a matchup against Baltimore.Chris Welsh · FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast · 00:48:34 · 2026-09-08

What would change the call

The lineup was re-solved under alternative assumptions. Each line names a swap the alternative would make; if a swap appears here, the default is a judgment call rather than a clear edge.

• Using CBS projections alone: start Brian Thomas Jr. instead of Jaylen Waddle.

Phase 2; timing unverified. not built.

Dated manual FAAB balance missing. Dollar recommendations withheld.

K/DST: manual guidance only; restore legality first. Numerical league valuation is unavailable.

Ownership: 193 players; complete.

Ordinary vacancies: 0. Injured vacancies: 2 (IR/PUP only).

Computed Fri Sep 11 06:10 PM EDT. Frozen pre-lock projections compared with complete CBS archives. Bias is projected minus actual. Samples below 10 are suppressed. Our roster uses the current roster at this full build.

Cumulative

Sleeper closer than ESPN on 54% of 35 players. 5 ties excluded; 40 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper closer than Consensus on 51% of 35 players. 40 ties excluded; 75 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN closer than Consensus on 46% of 35 players. 5 ties excluded; 40 paired player-weeks.

CBS / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Per week

Week 1 · complete

Sleeper closer than ESPN on 54% of 35 players. 5 ties excluded; 40 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper closer than Consensus on 51% of 35 players. 40 ties excluded; 75 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN closer than Consensus on 46% of 35 players. 5 ties excluded; 40 paired player-weeks.

CBS / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Per position

QB

Sleeper / ESPN: n < 10 (N=4). 1 ties excluded; 5 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / Consensus: n < 10 (N=4). 5 ties excluded; 9 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / Consensus: n < 10 (N=4). 1 ties excluded; 5 paired player-weeks.

CBS / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

RB

Sleeper / ESPN: n < 10 (N=5). 0 ties excluded; 5 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / Consensus: n < 10 (N=5). 10 ties excluded; 15 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / Consensus: n < 10 (N=5). 0 ties excluded; 5 paired player-weeks.

CBS / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

WR

Sleeper closer than ESPN on 57% of 14 players. 3 ties excluded; 17 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper closer than Consensus on 50% of 14 players. 18 ties excluded; 32 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN closer than Consensus on 43% of 14 players. 3 ties excluded; 17 paired player-weeks.

CBS / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

TE

Sleeper closer than ESPN on 33% of 12 players. 1 ties excluded; 13 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper closer than Consensus on 33% of 12 players. 7 ties excluded; 19 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN closer than Consensus on 67% of 12 players. 1 ties excluded; 13 paired player-weeks.

CBS / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Our roster

Sleeper / ESPN: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Sleeper / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / CBS: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

ESPN / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

CBS / Consensus: n < 10 (N=0). 0 ties excluded; 0 paired player-weeks.

Podcast evidence: 3485 takes from 86 episodes across 8 shows in the last 10 days, matched to 15 rostered players. Paraphrases with show, analyst and timestamp; transcripts are not published.

ESPN weekly component projections (projections_espn). Self-check pass rate: 100.0% (524/524).

Each chip is one data source the page was built from: the CBS league endpoints (dates, auth, rules, player pool, one roster per team), Sleeper projections and player spine, ESPN schedule and injuries, and three derived checks (ownership, identity, configuration). The number is minutes since that source was fetched; a chip turns red when the source failed or is older than its allowed age.

No unmatched identities in the scoped roster/DST crosswalk.

Waivers, FAAB decisions, ROS valuation, Scout and evidence drawers are outside this build. Build / snapshot 3a12d74fb3904c44b38f224f3192b80c.