Issue #259: Reaction Sunday

By Derrick Ernst

March 15, 2026

That Was Fun

Much like everything else, I’m beginning to realize I’m about 50/50 when it comes to liking what ESPN does. If you didn’t see it, ESPN embraced the free agency frenzy by giving Adam Schefter his own setup. I know there were some things said about the layout, and I agree, but I digged the concept. Schefter is one of very few NFL personalities I follow and for ESPN to give him the airtime he deserves to bring his tweets to life I thought was a good move. The guy breaks the most news of any reporter in sports. You don’t need someone playing middle man in relaying his insights to us, the audience, when he’s just as capable holding his own. I’m for it.

What I’m not for is this next wave of reporters/personalities ESPN is pushing out. This has everything to do about age and me getting older. Something about getting momentous information from someone younger than you feels unnatural. We’re supposed to be wiser with age and the fact that you have these people in their early-20’s dishing out their opinions thanks to platforms like ESPN feels to me like wasted time and space. What this really boils down to is seriousness and me unable to take them that way. I’m all for people getting their shot and earning what is given to them, but when you have an industry like the NFL that is filled with experienced personalities, layering in others who are in a lot of instances more than half the age of their peers dilutes the messaging given the pool it’s in. At the end of the day, it’s one’s opinion that matters most. The news can be reported by anyone. It’s how that news is dissected and drawn upon that is the difference.

A few more headlines before we dive into the week that was.

I’m going to try not to get too carried away. Let’s start with this bunch.

Rachaad White, WAS: Love the signing. Ekeler is no longer with the team, leaving JCM the only other RB in the room. I prefer White’s game to JCM. We’ll keep a close eye on their ADP’s. If Daniels’ ground game is going to be limited, that’s an upgrade for both White and JCM.

Kyler Murray, MIN: Speaking as a Vikings fan, anything is better than what we had. This will be the first time in as long as I can remember that MIN has a QB who is an effective runner. KOC is thought to be this QB wizard, and I don’t disagree, but how does that wizardry translate to QB’s who may be more effective runners than passers? TDB.

JK Dobbins, DEN: I was hoping there would be nothing in RJ Harvey’s way this season. Unless something happens to him, Dobbins re-signing isn’t going to scare me from wanting to roster Harvey. He was the more dynamic player and if anything, there’s a very small chance Dobbins plays an entire season based on his track record (courtesy of Fantasy Footballers):

Isiah Pacheco, DET: The reason Gibbs and Montgomery were great together is because their games complimented each others. Pacheco’s game is effectively the same as Gibbs, but to a lesser degree. This signing should be viewed as nothing more than a handcuff to Gibbs.

Daniel Jones & Alec Pierce, IND: I’m just going to be blunt, for a QB/WR duo, I think these were some of the worst signings in FA history:

• D. Jones: 2 yrs/$88M ($44M AAV)

• A. Pierce: 4 yrs/$116M ($29M AAV)

$29M for who? That’s 11th highest in the league for a WR. Pierce has averaged 40 catches a season throughout his career. That’s $725k per catch! That’s absurd, especially with the ?’s at QB (I’m not convinced Jones has completely turned anew). Get this: “The early projection is ‘eight to 10’ targets a game for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce in 2026, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN.” Prove every bit of it.

Mike Evans, SF: I need to be careful to not have may fandom impact my thought process, but this signing is huge for SF. Aiyuk is set to be released, Jennings is a FA, Pearsall hasn’t done anything in his short career, and Kittle is recovering from a torn achilles. I know he’s up there in age and a new team + veteran WR don’t particularly = success, but if there’s a player to buck the trend, it’s Big Mike.

Isaiah Likely, NYG: Will this finally be the year we see his breakout? I hope so! I think it’ll take some time for NYG to find their flow, but when they do, it’s going to be special. I’ll say it again, my prediction for the ’26 Giants may go down as the best one in TDF’s history.

Aaron Jones, MIN: The MIN RB you’ll want this season is Jordan Mason. This is kind of a carry-forward from last season, but I think his play on the field will be more pronounced. It actually wouldn’t surprise me if Kyler and Mason have similar rushing stats by the end of the year. The most rushing yards Kyler has had in a season is 819. The most Mason has had is 789.

Malik Willis, MIA: My second least favorite signing: 3 yrs/$67.5M ($22.5M AAV)

$22.5M for who? This signing reminds me a lot of when Matt Flynn signed with SEA following a stint with GB. He has started two games, showed some flashes, and was rewarded with 3 yrs/$26M which at the time was pretty outrageous.

This could prove to be just as outlandish. Every year there are teams that should be avoided from a fantasy perspective and in ’26 MIA is one of them, including D. Achane. You tell me if Willis is worth it (courtesy of Fantasy Footballers):

Romeo Doubs, NE: With Diggs gone, 100+ targets are up for grabs. I’d have to imagine a good chunk of those will go to Doubs, but K. Boutte will likely see an uptick. Doubs had the best season of his career in ’25 finishing as WR36 with 725 yds and 6 TDs. That’s probably right around his upside with NE. Remember, NE’s tendency to target TE’s is near tops in the league. For as long as NE staff/team remains intact, that’s not going to change. H. Henry will continue being perhaps the most underrated option at the position.

Michael Pittman, PIT: Assuming Rodgers returns, I lean Pittman > DK. Rodgers avg 6.7 yds/att in ’25, tied for lowest in his career. For their career, Pittman avg 10 yds/rep vs. DK's 15 yds/rep. Being that under-neath option for Rodgers should pay off handsomely.

Rather than pump out a fourth page, we’re going to cut things at three as usual. I have few more players to touch on come Thursday. See you then!