Wand And Deliver: Zack conjures the Week 1 crown

Week 1 – Fancy Football IX

Crown recap

Congrats to Zachary Wand, your Week 1 king at 158.5! He rode a perfect blend of value and pop: a one-of-one smash from Quentin Johnston (24.9) was the difference-maker, while chalk that hit—namely Derrick Henry (33.2)—kept the train rolling. Add in sturdy production from Deebo Samuel Sr. (22.6), Saquon Barkley (18.4), and a steady Baker Mayfield (22.6), and Zack’s balanced, low-chalk build did just enough to fend off all challengers.

So close…

Dwayne Richter finished just three points back at 155.5 behind big days from Derrick Henry (33.2), Travis Etienne Jr. (21.6), Deebo Samuel Sr. (22.6), and a sharp Broncos D/ST (14). Giovanni Vincenzo (144.8) grabbed third despite eating the chalk landmine with Ja’Marr Chase (4.6), salvaging the podium via Derrick Henry and a clutch Emeka Egbuka (23.6).

At the cash line, Jake Chrystal snagged the final paid spot in 19th (113.3). Just outside, Kyle Gagnon and Kristyn Morrison both finished at 110.6, a field goal shy of the win column.

Chalk talk: what hit, what hurt

• The right chalk: Derrick Henry (33.2, 26.3% drafted) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (22.6) were week-winners.
• The landmines: Ja’Marr Chase (4.6, 39.5%) sank a lot of builds, while Dolphins D/ST (0.0) and A.J. Brown (1.8) torched a few tickets.
• Quiet duds: Cade Otton (0.0), Christian Kirk (0.0), Jerome Ford (1.5), and Luther Burden III (0.7) added pain at bargain prices.

Sleeper city and single-bullet gems

• Zack’s snipe of Quentin Johnston (24.9 at $4.3k, drafted by one) was the week’s value key.
• Zay Flowers (31.1) popped for Michael Bordes (top-10) and Bryan Daley.
• Emeka Egbuka (23.6) paid off for nine managers and propped up multiple top finishes.
• Lone-wolf QBs delivered: Michael Penix Jr. (24.0) boosted Jack Gagnon, and Caleb Williams (24.2) gave Brian Salisbury a bright spot. Meanwhile, Daniel Jones (29.5) was massive for Casey Oliver’s top-half finish.

Parting notes

• Defenses mattered: value units like Bears D/ST (11) and Colts D/ST (13) kept lineups afloat, while the Broncos D/ST (14) nearly swung the crown.
• Rookie heat was real—hits from Zay Flowers, Emeka Egbuka, Michael Penix Jr., and Brock Bowers (18.3) made Week 1 builds feel fresh.

Zack takes the early lead and the $75 crown. On to Week 2—can anyone out-snipe a single-bullet like Quentin Johnston next time?