No Joke About NFL Training Camp Hype Impacting Fantasy Football

What dies never stays dead.

Just like your buried hopes of winning your league last December, everything is starting to climb its way out from the grave.

Most recently, training camp reports are bringing old headlines back from the dead.

Sean Payton's Joker

This time last year, everyone was speculating about who would fill the role of "Sean Payton's Joker". Payton had spent the 2025 offseason hinting at a need for a player who could handle multiple roles within the Broncos' offense, and we mistakenly assumed it would be Evan Engram.

Now, with Taysom Hill recently hitting free agency, there are new reports that Denver is ready to "explore" the idea of reuniting Payton and Hill. The joker role lives on …

In Denver's defense, Hill is the only NFL player ever to have 1,000 passing, rushing and receiving yards. So, I understand the allure.

But we are far removed from the days of facetiously wondering if Hill should be labeled as a QB, RB or WR for fantasy purposes. And this might just be another lackluster reunion that only serves to fuel the "Denver Saints" jabs.

Tory Horton Hype

Last season, Tory Horton was quickly picking up steam for sickos who love to take a swing at sleepers with their last-round picks. Notable beat reporters and analysts were buzzing about the rookie. And the fire was only fueled more after his 4-43-1 preseason game against the Raiders.

While Horton didn't make big waves in 2025, playing in only eight games—most through injury—he did manage to score 5 TDs on only 13 receptions. And we sickos who drafted Horton with our last-round picks will never forget his 4-48-2 performance in Week 9 (before never seeing him take the field again).

Now that Horton's tibia is seemingly healed, the hype is rising. And so is something in my pants, because Gregg Bell recently reported that Seattle is "ramping up" with Horton. The hype officially lives on!

Horton is quickly making waves in the "watch one clip and overreact" community, of which I am the self-appointed tribal leader.

So polish off your draft boards, boys and girls. The zombies are back.

MORE ADPs RISING FROM THE DEAD

Get A Little Better Every Day

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Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

🐏 Is Matthew too high on Kyren Williams, or are others too low?

🎯 Should you still draft WRs early? Several good targets in here.

🔋 Want to build your draft around an elite TE? Call it Bowers Power.

😏 This team could sneak in an addition to the RB group. Latest camp updates.

🪓 Want to join a Guillotine League^TM but don’t have 17 friends? We have options.

🤩 Believing the camp hype for this WR? Add him in dynasty.

🤔 Is It CMC or ARSB at the 1.06?

🚀 Sky’s the limit for this sophomore RB, but will backfield competition get in the way?

🧀 High-end TE1 upside at a discount? His return timeline is looking good.

🐣 RB draft strategy keeps evolving. Follow the trends.

😮‍💨 One of the best toe-tappers in the game. Could he do it?!

Unhinged Artifacts Are Universal

People who don't love fantasy football call it "imaginary" or "fake," but our devotion has never been just pretend.

I've got the artifacts to prove it.

Embarrassing videos, strange jersey purchases, and even holiday ornaments act as reminders of the unhinged ways we've participated in the love of fantasy football.

If you look hard enough, you'll find the tangible artifacts of your obsession everywhere. And they're proof that the love, sweat and tears were very real. ⤵️

SANTA’S ORNAMENT FEATURES A VERY NICE LIST

👀 Look Ahead To Week 1 DFS Pricing

FINALLY!

It's not "way, too early" to talk about Week 1 anymore.

We're less than 40 days away from football, which means we can effectively start planning. And Joe Metz has put together a look ahead toward Week 1 DFS prices.

Like I said, it's definitely not "way too early."

And you can tell your spouse I said so.

BUILD AROUND THIS CHEAP QB

Published Aug 3, 2026, 6:00 AM ETUpdated Aug 3, 2026, 9:10 AM ET