Biggest RISERS & FALLERS + Jamey Eisenberg's RB & WR Strategy (08/09 Fantasy Football Podcast)

This episode is a rankings-update and strategy deep dive from CBS's Adam, Dave, and returning co-host Jamey Eisenberg, built around fresh training-camp news (Stephon Diggs to Washington, Laramie Tunsil's triceps injury, rookie WR camp buzz) and Jamey's positional philosophy for running back and wide receiver. The central argument: this is an unusually strong year to prioritize running back early, but the wide receiver pool is deeper and safer once you get past the true elite tier, and roster construction should stay flexible rather than forcing a position.

The arguments

Stephon Diggs' arrival meaningfully dents Terry McLaurin and Chick Okonkwo's target shares. Dave dropped McLaurin from WR17-18 to WR23 and Okonkwo from TE12 to TE15, reasoning that while McLaurin remains talented, a receiver of Diggs' caliber coming off a strong season is impactful enough to worry about target competition, even with reports that Washington still intends to funnel plenty of volume to McLaurin.

Rasheed Rice's ranking slide reflects lingering knee concerns, not just a crowded receiver room. Dave moved Rice behind Drake London and AJ Brown, citing Rice looking "sluggish" in camp and walking off with a trainer, plus a suddenly deeper Chiefs receiving corps (Cyrus Allen, Xavier Worthy) and a run-heavier offense with Ken Walker now in the backfield. Jamey pushed back that Rice has been elite and consistent since his rookie breakout, and Dave clarified he isn't fading Rice long-term — it's a "is he back yet" question, not abandonment.

Laramie Tunsil's extended absence hurts Jaden Daniels and the Commanders' run game more than the receivers. Dave argued the hit is real (citing similar drop-offs for the Chargers, Giants, 49ers, and Eagles when losing star tackles) but not season-crushing since Tunsil should return for roughly the second half. The practical impact: it's a tiebreaker pushing Joe Burrow ahead of Daniels at QB and Jacory Croskey-Merritt/Brian Robinson down to high-end flex territory rather than locked-in starters.

Bejal Tootin faces real touchdown-vacuum risk as Jaguars trap-back comps show a low ceiling. Dave built a multi-year data case: running backs who get 150+ carries but fewer than five inside the five-yard line have rarely finished better than RB18, with Devon Achane the lone recent exception. Jamey countered that Tootin's price already reflects this range (RB23-26 consensus) and that a strong camp could still expand his role beyond pure trap-back duty; both agreed the return-on-investment is fine if he lands RB18-27, but Jamey noted the smarter dollar value right now may be Chris Rodriguez as a cheaper bet on the goal-line role.

Jamey advocates running back-running back to open drafts this year, especially from the front of round one. His reasoning: round two offers legitimate RB1 talent (Chase Brown, Ken Walker, Bijan Robinson-tier, Derrick Henry, Barkley) at value relative to ADP, and the drop-off after Josh Jacobs, Jeremiah Love, and Kyren Williams is steep, with only Jonathan Brooks-type fliers below. Dave agreed the strategy is sound but stressed not forcing it — he prefers staying flexible enough to take the best player available (he took Drake London at pick four in his own flex draft) rather than pigeonholing into a running back-only build.

Wide receiver is the deeper, safer position once past the first four or five true difference-makers. Jamey's data: over the last two years, 11 of the top-6 running backs came from rounds one and two, versus only 7 of the top-6 receivers — meaning receiver value extends further into drafts. Both hosts like the receiver tier in rounds three through six (Tee Higgins, DJ Moore, Devonta Smith, Christian Watson) but Dave noted he'd rather grab one of the four remaining top-five quarterbacks (Burrow, Daniels, Drake Maye, Lamar) if one slides to round five than reach for a receiver or running back there.

What it means for your roster

• Drop or discount Terry McLaurin relative to comparable WR2s (DJ Moore, Jalen Waddle) given Diggs' arrival and the Tunsil injury; both hosts see him more appropriately valued in the low-20s at WR now.
• Buy the Rasheed Rice dip cautiously — he's not being faded outright, but if you're choosing between him and London/Brown early in a draft, both hosts lean the other direction right now.
• Target Jonathan Brooks over Chuba Hubbard in Carolina; three hosts now have Brooks ranked ahead based on camp buzz and offseason roster signals.
• Late-round WR flier priority list: Caleb Douglas (ahead of Malik Washington in Miami), Cyrus Allen, Jacoby Lane, Jalen McMillan-type role players, plus Carnell Tate and Jordan Tyson as the top two rookies to chase around rounds 6-8.
• Build RB depth via ceiling swings, not floor plays — prioritize Blake Corum and Kyle Monangai (three to four rounds cheaper) over Trevion Henderson; both hosts agree the discount doesn't match the risk gap.
• In non-QB-premium leagues, take a top-five quarterback in round five if one falls rather than reaching for a shakier running back or receiver — Jamey and Dave both flagged Burrow/Daniels/Maye/Lamar as better value there than the Tootin/Montgomery/Irving running back tier.