The keeper deadline has passed, and now our attention turns to the 2026 KAOS Draft scheduled for Monday, September 7, at 8:15 PM. There were fewer players kept this year than in recent seasons, which should add an extra layer of unpredictability—dare I say, KAOS—to the draft. A recap of all players being kept and the draft order for the first six rounds can be found here:
Keeper Deadline One Week Away
Our Keeper deadline is one week away. Please be sure to finalize your selections by next Monday, August 24th @ 4:00 PM EDT. You are allowed to keep up to four players from last year’s roster. If a team chooses to keep fewer than four players, they will be given additional draft picks at the beginning of the draft.
Draft Details
Draft date and time: Monday, September 7, at 8:15 PM. We have been doing this for close to 20 years, and the draft has always taken place on Labor Day at 8:15 PM. It has not changed, and multiple reminders will go out, so forgetting the draft time should not be an excuse for missing it.
On that note, I was considering moving up the Draft next year by a week and thought it made sense… right up until Ashton Jeanty’s injury scare this weekend. Then I remembered why we do it so late, to avoid a preseason injury to a guy you kept/drafted early. But we can put it to a vote:
Confirm your ESPN login before draft night. Try logging in well before 8:14 PM on the day of the draft so you know everything is working. (I’m looking at you, Dan.)
Preparation Resources
Study the most up-to-date rankings and ADPs. A lot changes during preseason football: players get hurt, rookies win starting jobs, veterans get cut, depth charts shift, and suspensions can change draft position quickly.
Use reliable tools such as Fantasy Pros and Rotowire for rankings, projections, draft simulators, and ADP data.
Adjust quarterback rankings for our 2-QB format. In this league, quarterbacks generally move up about 3-4 rounds, so standard rankings will undervalue them.
Strategy Traps to Avoid
Rookie exuberance: Everyone wants to look like a genius for drafting the next breakout rookie, but rookies often need time before becoming reliable fantasy contributors. Draft them if you believe in the talent, but be patient with expectations. (Jeremiyah Love is this year’s Ashton Jeanty.)
Injury optimism: Do not assume an injured player will immediately return to full speed. Even if the long-term upside is still there, it may take several games before the player is ready for a full workload. (i.e. Tucker Kraft and Cam Skattebo)
Repeating last year’s mistakes: Be cautious when the same “can’t-miss” players from last year are repackaged as this year’s sleepers. Make sure the case is based on current role, health, and opportunity—not recycled hype.
Exhibit A:
Finally, if your daughter is planning to get married in Paris, tell her not to schedule the wedding during the first week of September. I mean, she has 51 other weeks to choose from on the calendar!. On that note, mazel tov Jimmy! May the auto-draft gods smile down upon you “on the day…of your daughters…wedding.”
Knicks in Five!
