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Who is Jared Smola

You might say 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 has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He is now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.

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

Articles

2025 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Sneaky Good, Stupid Cheap

Build an unbeatable team with these seven fantasy football sleepers. A first-time starter with QB1 upside, an under-the-radar RB with 200+ carry potential, an exciting second-year breakout WR, and more!

25 Mar 2025
Fantasy Football Draft Guide: 12-Team PPR Draft Strategy

Want to dominate your fantasy football draft? This detailed strategy guide walks you pick-by-pick through a perfect 12-team PPR draft. You'll get expert insights, key draft strategies, and the biggest mistakes to avoid.

19 Mar 2025
Draft Sharks 2025 Rookie Prospect Guide

Get the info you need on the 2025 rookie class. Rankings, scouting reports, advanced metrics, player comps, and more. Key info for dynasty and redraft players.

7 Mar 2025
NFL Target Leaders in 2024

Let's take a look at 2024's leaders in targets, target share, and targets per route ... and what we can learn as we start prepping for 2025 fantasy drafts.

13 Feb 2025
135 Things I Learned Doing 2025 Fantasy Football Projections

From Baker Mayfield's bloated TD rate to Brian Thomas' historic rookie season, here are 135 things I learned doing 2025 fantasy football projections.

11 Feb 2025
Premium Content Premium ContentWild Card Round DraftKings Tournament Picks

Commanders-Buccaneers looks like a prime spot for tournament-winning scores on this Wild Card slate. Here are some more high-upside targets at every position ...

10 Jan 2025
2025 FFPC Playoff Challenge: Data To Build A Winning Lineup

Team strength, matchup, and fantasy production data to help you build a winning lineup in the 2025 FFPC Playoff Challenge.

8 Jan 2025
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 18 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

Week 18 is the trickiest cash-game slate of the season -- but also potentially the most profitable if you're paying attention. Here are the players to build around.

3 Jan 2025
Week 18 Fantasy Football Tight End Preview

Key stats and matchup analysis to help with your Week 18 TE start/sit questions.

2 Jan 2025
Fantasy Football Week 18: Who's Playing and Who's Resting?

Which teams will be going all out to win in Week 18? Which teams are resting starters? Let's dive into the motivation levels for all 32 teams to help with Week 18 fantasy football lineup decisions.

2 Jan 2025
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 17 DraftKings Tournament Picks

The Packers-Vikings showdown looks like a good spot to attack in tournaments. Thoughts on that game and other top Week 17 DraftKings tournament plays.

28 Dec 2024
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 17 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

Value is tougher to find on this eight-game main slate. Here are the top picks for DraftKings Week 17 cash games.

27 Dec 2024
Week 17 Fantasy Football Tight End Preview

Key stats and matchup analysis to help with your Week 17 TE start/sit questions.

27 Dec 2024
Pass Rate Over Expected Data - Week 16

Pass rate over expected for and against data for all 32 teams. Find out which teams want to air it out and which want to run the rock. Useful information when making start/sit decisions, waiver-wire moves, and trades.

24 Dec 2024
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 16 DraftKings Tournament Picks

Is paying up at TE the key to winning DraftKings tournaments this week? Here are the top stacks and positional plays for Week 16.

21 Dec 2024
Week 16 Fantasy Football Tight End Preview

Key stats and matchup analysis to help with your Week 16 TE start/sit questions.

20 Dec 2024
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 16 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

Jahmyr Gibbs and then what in Week 16 DraftKings cash games? Here are the top values at every position ...

20 Dec 2024
Fantasy Football Matchups That Matter - Week 16

A quick look at the most important matchup data to consider when making Week 16 start/sit decisions, including implied points, projected plays, WR/CB matchups, and adjusted fantasy points allowed.

18 Dec 2024
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 15 DraftKings Tournament Picks

Are we actually going to get the Lions RBs at low ownership in a smash spot? Thoughts on that and other top plays for Week 15 DraftKings tournaments.

14 Dec 2024
Week 15 Fantasy Football Tight End Preview

Key stats and matchup analysis to help with your Week 15 TE start/sit questions.

13 Dec 2024
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 15 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

Chuba Hubbard leads a slew of strong RB values in the $6K range on DraftKings this week. Here are the top picks at every position for Week 15 cash games.

13 Dec 2024
Fantasy Football Matchups That Matter - Week 15

A quick look at the most important matchup data to consider when making Week 15 start/sit decisions, including implied points, projected plays, WR/CB matchups, and adjusted fantasy points allowed.

11 Dec 2024
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 14 DraftKings Tournament Picks

Week 14 DraftKings tournament builds start with deciding whether to pay up for Saquon Barkley. Let's dig into that situation -- and break down the top stacks and positional plays.

7 Dec 2024
Week 14 Fantasy Football Tight End Preview

Key stats and matchup analysis to help with your Week 14 TE start/sit questions.

6 Dec 2024
Premium Content Premium ContentWeek 14 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

Can we fit Saquon Barkley and Alvin Kamara into Week 14 DraftKings cash-game lineups? Yes ... if you're willing to play a cheap QB.

6 Dec 2024
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