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        Who is Jared Smola

        Jared was born to be a fantasy analyst.

        By four years old, he could name the starting AND backup QB for every NFL team. He started playing fantasy football at age-9 and won his first championship at 10 on the back of a huge season from Barry Sanders.

        Jared joined the Draft Sharks team in 2007. He's now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly player projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks sixth among 158 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.

        When he's not buried in his spreadsheets, you can find Jared chasing around his two daughters or trying to break 80 on the golf course.

        Articles

        Fantasy Football Draft Guide: 12-Team PPR Draft Strategy

        Ready to crush your fantasy football draft? This strategy guide takes you pick-by-pick through a perfect 12-team PPR draft, arming you with expert insights and battle-tested tactics. We'll also point out the critical mistakes you can’t afford to make.

        16 Jul 2025
        2025 Fantasy Football Tiers: Maximize Value With Every Pick

        Are your rankings lying to you? Anyone can glance at a list of names. But tiers reveal the dropoffs and sweet spots that separate smart drafters from the rest. Study them now, own your draft later.

        16 Jul 2025
        12-Team Non PPR Draft Strategy

        Non-PPR drafts require a different mindset. Fail to adjust and you'll be playing catch-up all season. This strategy guide walks you through the best picks in every round of your 12-team Non-PPR draft.

        16 Jul 2025
        139 Things I Learned Doing 2025 Fantasy Football Projections

        From Baker Mayfield's bloated TD rate to Brian Thomas' historic rookie season, here are 139 things I learned doing 2025 fantasy football projections.

        14 Jul 2025
        Fantasy Football Sleepers 2025: Sneaky Good, Stupid Cheap

        Winning your league rarely comes down to your first few picks. It’s the overlooked breakouts and late-round fliers that turn a good roster into a juggernaut. Here are 14 sleepers ready to tilt your draft in 2025.

        11 Jul 2025
        Best Ball Draft Strategy

        You don’t win best ball leagues by playing it safe. You win by stacking wisely, chasing upside, and pouncing on value before the rest of your draft room sees it. This guide breaks down the tactics you need to build a roster that blows past the field.

        10 Jul 2025
        12-Team Half PPR Draft Strategy

        Don't ruin your fantasy season on draft day. This guide walks you pick-by-pick through the minefield, showing you how to stack value, avoid traps, and build a roster that will wreck your 12-team half PPR league.

        9 Jul 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentWill Liam Coen's Departure Sink The Buccaneers?

        Liam Coen unlocked Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers' offense in 2024. Now he’s gone. So what should fantasy drafters expect in 2025?

        8 Jul 2025
        Guillotine Rankings 2025: The Players Most Likely to Keep You Off the Chopping Block

        In a Guillotine league, one bad week can end your season faster than the blade drops. Survival depends on drafting players who deliver steady production, week after week, without letting you down. These rankings spotlight the safest bets to keep your fantasy season alive.

        7 Jul 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentKellen Moore and Play Volume Could Make the Saints a Sneaky Fantasy Offense

        There's a big QB question in New Orleans. But new HC Kellen Moore and a talented group of skill-position players could make this Saints offense better than you think for fantasy football.

        4 Jul 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentWhy the Panthers Might Finally Matter for Fantasy in 2025

        The Panthers have been a fantasy afterthought for years. But with Bryce Young entering his third season and an upgraded supporting cast, this team might matter in 2025. Here’s what you need to know before buying in.

        2 Jul 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentCould Michael Penix Make The Falcons A Must-Draft Offense?

        A loaded supporting cast, improved QB play, and offensive continuity set the stage for Atlanta to deliver serious fantasy value in 2025.

        30 Jun 2025
        Superflex Mock Draft: The Draft Hack You’ll Want to Copy

        We tested multiple strategies in a superflex mock draft: Two Early QBs, Hero QB, and Wait on QBs. The winner? Maybe not the one you’d expect.

        25 Jun 2025
        2-QB Draft Strategy: What Most Fantasy Managers Get Wrong

        A 2-QB draft can wreck even the savviest fantasy players. Follow these proven strategies and draft like the best.

        19 Jun 2025
        WR Sleepers: Overlooked, Underrated, and Ready to Break Out

        We nailed JSN and Jameson Williams in this space last year. Now you need to jump on Josh Downs and three more key targets before the market catches up.

        12 Jun 2025
        Where Best Ball Tournaments Are Won: Top 2025 Week 17 Game Stacks

        Boost your chances to win best-ball tournaments by targeting these game stacks. We're highlighting top playoff-week stacks and ranking EVERY Week 17 matchup.

        6 Jun 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentTennessee Titans Fantasy Forecast: Can Cam Ward Spark This Offense?

        Cam Ward should be an immediate upgrade for the Titans — and could make this an undervalued offense in 2025 fantasy drafts.

        29 May 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentJacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Forecast: 2025's Breakout Offense?

        The additions of HC Liam Coen and WR Travis Hunter give the Jaguars' offense breakout potential. Here's how to handle the team in 2025 fantasy football drafts.

        27 May 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentIndianapolis Colts Fantasy Forecast: Will QB Play Kill This Team?

        Who will be under center for the Colts this season? And what does the answer to that question mean for the team's skill-position players? Here's your 2025 Colts fantasy preview.

        22 May 2025
        Premium Content Premium ContentHouston Texans Fantasy Forecast: Can C.J. Stroud and Co. Bounce Back?

        A sophomore slump from C.J. Stroud and bad offensive line play made the Texans generally disappointing for fantasy managers last year. Should you bet on a rebound in 2025? Here's your Texans season preview.

        20 May 2025
        NFL Bye Weeks 2025: Beware of Week 8

        The 2025 NFL bye weeks are here — and they could wreak havoc on your fantasy football lineup. Here’s what you need to know.

        16 May 2025
        Yahoo Fantasy Football: 4 Strategies to Win

        What's different about Yahoo fantasy football than other formats? We've got 4 important strategies to help you crush your league mates this season. (Updated 2025)

        8 May 2025
        Fantasy Points | Fantasy Football Points Scoring Systems

        Whether you're new to fantasy football or trying to learn about a specific format, we've got all the info you need on fantasy points scoring systems. (Updated 2025)

        8 May 2025
        Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: The Dynamic Draft War Room

        Rankings get stale in a hurry. You need a dynamic cheat sheet that evolves as you draft. Let this powerful tool be YOUR unfair advantage. (Updated 2025)

        8 May 2025
        Best Auction Draft Cheat Sheet & Fantasy Tools

        You have enough to think about during your auction draft. This set of auction tools will help you focus on simply building the best team. (Updated 2025)

        8 May 2025
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