Fantasy Football News

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson will man the RB2 role against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Johnson has impressed throughout training camp and the preseason and has established himself as the RB2 on the Kansas City depth chart. It remains to be seen how much run he will get behind the presumptive bell-cow Kenneth Walker, but Johnson should be efficient with his opportunities. The rookie back displayed that his tackle-breaking ability has transferred over to the NFL from college as he shed defenders numerous times throughout the preseason. Johnson also showed some of his pass-catching ability, giving even more reason to view him as a desirable handcuff behind Walker. Johnson's opportunities may be few and yards may be hard to come by against the Denver defense on Monday night. The Broncos allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL last season, and that run-stopping ability is likely to carry over to this year. Johnson is ranked RB56 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a very low-end flex option in deep leagues. Fantasy managers should view Johnson as more of a handcuff/bench stash rather than an actual viable starter in his current situation.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will have to face the Denver Broncos on Monday night in Week 1. It will not be a soft landing for the soon-to-be 37-year-old tight end. Kelce will have to face off against arguably the best defensive unit in football to start the 2026 season. It also remains to be seen how involved Kelce will be in the offense given his age and the addition of Kenneth Walker to the backfield. The entire Kansas City offensive game plan could shift toward a more run-heavy approach given the talent they recently acquired. The passing game will also run through Rashee Rice as the primary receiver with Kelce taking a backseat. That said, Kelce is just 45 receiving yards away from passing Jason Witten for the 2nd most receiving yards for a tight end in NFL history. Kelce is ranked TE9 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a low-end TE1 option. Fantasy managers who decided to wait on TE can plug Kelce into their lineups despite the tough matchup.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was listed on the injury report with a shoulder injury but has since been removed after practicing fully all week. Worthy should operate as the WR2 for the Chiefs, behind Rashee Rice in the pecking order. Worthy could be in line for a sneaky good season if the Kansas City offense is able to bounce back. The addition of Kenneth Walker to the backfield could open up things downfield for Worthy to succeed. Defenses will not be able to focus solely on stopping the pass now that the Chiefs have a real threat at running back. Despite being set up to succeed, Worthy could have a hard time producing against the Broncos defense on Monday night. Injuries on the Kansas City offensive line could also make things difficult for Worthy. If Patrick Mahomes does not have time to let plays develop downfield, the passing game may have to focus on the short and intermediate parts of the field where Walker, Rice, and Travis Kelce operate. Worthy is ranked WR53 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a dart throw option in deep leagues given the tough matchup and his shaky role in the offense. Fantasy managers may be better off taking a wait-and-see approach with Worthy in Week 1.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was listed on the injury report with the knee issue he's been dealing with since last season, but he participated fully in practice all week and should be ready to roll. Rice will operate as the Chiefs WR1 again this season after dealing with legal and health issues this offseason. Rice has been nothing but effective for the Chiefs, producing WR1 numbers for fantasy, especially in PPR formats. The matchup this week will be tough given the strength of the Broncos defense, but Rice should be able to produce mainly as a slot receiver. The addition of Kenneth Walker should also help open things up for Rice in the middle of the field, since defenses will need to worry about stopping the run. Given the age of Travis Kelce, Rice should be the undisputed top target for Patrick Mahomes once again. These videos out of camp earlier this offseason were a bit concerning since Rice did not look fully healthy, but his ability to practice in full all week should give fantasy managers some optimism surrounding his health. Head coach Andy Reid also commented on Rice, stating that the wideout should be fine going into the season. Rice is ranked WR14 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a high-end WR2 option against the Denver defense. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable putting Rice in their lineups, but keep in mind that his fantasy output could be diminished this week.

The Chicago Bears elevated wide receiver Kaden Davis from the practice squad to the game-day roster Saturday, according to Brad Biggs. The move gives Chicago another option at receiver with Rome Odunze (calf) questionable for Sunday's opener against Carolina. Odunze was limited in all three practices this week, although head coach Ben Johnson said Friday that he has looked good. Davis spent the preseason with Chicago and caught five passes for 93 yards before being waived at final cuts and brought back on the practice squad. His NFL experience is limited. Davis has appeared in three regular-season games and has yet to record a reception, with most of his work coming on special teams. Kalif Raymond and Zavion Thomas are already behind Odunze on Chicago's depth chart, so Davis isn't suddenly in line for a major offensive role if Odunze sits. This looks more like added game-day insurance and special-teams depth than a player fantasy managers need to add.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker will make his Chiefs debut against the Denver Broncos on Monday night in Week 1. Walker recently had an injury scare when he missed practice due to a foot issue, but it was stated to be an issue with his cleat that has since been resolved. Walker was not listed on the injury report this week, meaning that he should be a full go to begin the season. Walker was highly effective for the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs as the feature back after playing in a committee for the regular season, and now he will get the opportunity to be a bell-cow for Kansas City. The 25-year-old is in the prime of his career and should handle the vast majority of carries as well as a handful of catches out of the backfield each week. The Chiefs were among the best teams in rushing success rate last season but lacked the explosiveness to make big plays, so Walker should fill that role quite nicely. The season outlook for Walker is better than his Week 1 outlook, mostly due to the tough matchup. The Broncos defense allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in 2025, meaning that Walker could have a hard time getting things going on the ground, but he could get involved in the passing game. The Kansas City offensive line is also dealing with injuries, which could make things even more difficult for the Chiefs running back. Walker is also a home run hitter, meaning that it just takes one play for him to break off a big run and make an impact. There are obstacles in his way, but Walker should get ample opportunity to make something happen. Walker is ranked RB12 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a back-end RB1 option this week. Fantasy managers should be excited by his new situation this season, but temper expectations in Week 1.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was listed on the injury report this week with the same ACL injury that he has been rehabbing this offseason, but he was a full participant in practice all week. Mahomes is now off the injury report and ready to begin his 2026 season against the Denver Broncos on Monday. The Chiefs also listed wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy on the injury report with knee and shoulder injuries, respectively. Still, both will be active and ready to catch passes from Mahomes. Mahomes will also have the benefit of leaning on newly acquired running back Kenneth Walker. Reports out of camp have said that the Chiefs are looking to get Walker involved in the passing game, which should give Mahomes a safe check-down option out of the backfield. The Chiefs quarterback will have to deal with a tough matchup in Week 1 since the Broncos defense is arguably the best unit in the league and the Chiefs offensive line is dealing with injuries, most notably a back injury that will force Josh Simmons to miss the game. Since Mahomes is returning from an ACL injury, it is reasonable to assume that his rushing output will be diminished at least to start the season. Given the difficulty of the matchup, the health of the O-line, and the health of his knee, it is hard to trust Mahomes in Week 1. Mahomes is ranked QB17 in our RotoBaller Week 1 rankings, meaning fantasy managers may want to look elsewhere for a quarterback this week.

New York Jets wide receiver Tim Patrick (groin) is being placed on injured reserve, according to Zack Rosenblatt. Patrick was already ruled out for Sunday's opener against Tennessee after missing practice Thursday and Friday, and now he will be sidelined for at least four games. The veteran signed with New York in May after spending last season with Jacksonville, where he caught 15 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns across 16 games. Patrick was buried on a Jets depth chart that already includes Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith, so there was not much fantasy value here even before the injury. His absence could create a few extra snaps elsewhere in the receiver rotation, but there is no obvious waiver-wire winner from this move. Patrick can be left on waivers in standard leagues while he works his way back.

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. should still be in fantasy lineups Sunday against Detroit, even with Alvin Kamara expected to return. Kamara practiced fully Friday after missing most of camp with an MCL sprain, but he is still listed as questionable and is not expected to handle a big role right away. Audric Estime is also out, which leaves Etienne in a good spot for volume. He is coming off 1,107 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries with Jacksonville, plus 36 catches for 292 yards and six more scores. The matchup is tougher than it first looks. Detroit allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points and 12th-fewest rushing yards to running backs last season. RotoBaller has Etienne at RB17 for Week 1 and still recommends keeping him in most lineups. He is better viewed as a high-end RB2 than a locked-in RB1, but the workload should keep him firmly in starting range.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is one of the more interesting streaming options for Week 1 against Detroit. He settled in after taking over last season, throwing for 2,256 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions across nine starts. The finish was especially encouraging. Over his final five games, Shough threw for 1,316 yards and five touchdowns while adding 135 yards and three scores on the ground. Detroit gave up 4,027 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns in 2025, and starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph will both miss the opener. That gives Shough a favorable spot with Chris Olave leading the passing game, even with rookie Jordyn Tyson on injured reserve. RotoBaller has Shough at QB16 for Week 1. He is not a locked-in QB1, but managers looking for a streamer can use him with real top-12 upside if this game turns into a shootout.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) is expected to play Monday night against the Denver Broncos, according to Jesse Newell. Head coach Andy Reid gave the encouraging update Saturday after Jones was added to the injury report a day earlier. He was limited Friday with the calf issue after not appearing on Thursday's report, so his status suddenly became something to watch. Reid does not seem overly concerned. Jones started all 17 games last season and finished with 29 tackles, seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 25 quarterback hits. Kansas City's final injury report will still provide the official word on whether he carries a designation into Monday, but this is a good sign for a Chiefs defense that badly needs its best interior pass rusher on the field. IDP managers can continue planning on Jones being available unless something changes before kickoff.

New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime (thigh) has been placed on injured reserve, according to Ross Jackson. The Saints later announced the move Saturday. Estime did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and had already been ruled out for Sunday's opener against Detroit. Now he will miss at least four games. His path to touches was already pretty narrow. New Orleans lists Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara together atop the backfield, with Kendre Miller ahead of Estime as well. Estime did get a chance late last season, finishing 2025 with 301 scrimmage yards and one touchdown on 58 touches across seven games. The Saints elevated rookie CJ Donaldson from the practice squad for Sunday, giving them another option while Estime is out. There wasn't much redraft value here before the move, and the IR stint makes Estime a player who can be left on waivers outside deeper dynasty leagues.

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. should be in fantasy lineups Sunday against Jacksonville. He was one of the few reliable pieces in Cleveland's passing game as a rookie, leading the team with 107 targets and 731 receiving yards while catching 72 passes and scoring six times in 16 games. The matchup gives him another reason to trust the volume. Jacksonville allowed the seventh-most fantasy points, fifth-most receptions and 10th-most receiving yards to tight ends last season. Cleveland also lists Fannin first on the depth chart, with Blake Whiteheart and Carsen Ryan behind him. Deshaun Watson returning adds some uncertainty to the offense, but Fannin does not need a huge day through the air to pay off if he gets anything close to last year's target share. RotoBaller has him at TE6 for Week 1 and calls him a solid TE1 play in this matchup. Fantasy managers can start him with confidence.

New York Giants wide receiver Dalen Cambre is being signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, according to Art Stapleton. Cambre was waived at final cuts before returning to the practice squad and now fills the spot opened by Darius Slayton's release. Whether he actually dresses Sunday against Dallas is still up in the air. Stapleton noted that the Giants are still working through their game-day combinations, with Malik Nabers' status part of that process. Nabers is officially questionable with a knee designation despite practicing in full all three days this week. Cambre appeared in seven games as an undrafted rookie last season, working almost entirely on special teams. He did not record an offensive touch and finished with three tackles. Even if Cambre is active Sunday, there isn't much fantasy value here. His promotion gives New York another receiver and special-teams option while the final Week 1 roster takes shape.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy enters Week 1 with a starting job, but not much fantasy security. He drew 106 targets last season and turned them into 50 catches for 602 yards and two touchdowns. Harold Fannin Jr. actually led Cleveland with 107 targets, and now first-round rookie KC Concepcion Jr. and second-rounder Denzel Boston are both starting too. That leaves Jeudy fighting for work in an offense led by Deshaun Watson, which is enough to make Sunday's matchup with Jacksonville hard to trust. The Jaguars allowed 3,707 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns last season, but they also picked off 22 passes. RotoBaller has Jeudy at WR77 for Week 1, and its current start-sit guidance recommends Cleveland's receivers only in deeper leagues with multiple flex spots. Jeudy may still see enough snaps to matter, but there are too many questions about the target split and quarterback play. He should stay on the bench in most leagues.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion has a little more Week 1 appeal than the usual rookie making his NFL debut. Concepcion is already listed as a starter, and the Browns have spent much of the summer finding ways to get the ball in his hands. He only played once in the preseason, catching three passes for 27 yards while adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown and a 31-yard punt return. Head coach Todd Monken said Friday that Concepcion will handle all of Cleveland's punt returns against Jacksonville and made it clear the rookie has earned the coaching staff's trust. Cleveland took Concepcion 24th overall after he caught 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas A&M last season. There is still risk with Deshaun Watson under center and Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Boston and Harold Fannin Jr. also competing for touches. RotoBaller has Concepcion at WR61 for Week 1. He is not a must-start yet, but managers in deeper leagues can use him as an upside WR4 or flex.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston will make his NFL debut Sunday against Jacksonville with a starting spot already in hand. The rookie is listed alongside Jerry Jeudy and KC Concepcion Jr., and Cleveland liked him enough to take him 39th overall after a 62-catch, 881-yard, 11-touchdown final season at Washington. Boston also made plenty of contested catches during camp. The preseason did not give us much to work with, though. He caught one pass for 15 yards across three games. Jacksonville allowed 25 passing touchdowns last season, but the Jaguars also picked off 22 passes, and Deshaun Watson is not exactly lifting the outlook for Cleveland's receivers right now. RotoBaller has Boston at WR70 for Week 1, while its current start-sit guidance recommends keeping the Browns' wideouts to deeper leagues with multiple flex spots. Boston is worth rostering because the role could grow quickly. For Sunday, fantasy managers should keep him on the bench unless they are digging deep for a flex.

Los Angeles Chargers placekicker Cameron Dicker will be a strong fantasy asset on Sunday in a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The 26-year-old was the K4 overall and averaged 10 points per game last season. Dicker will now be tied to an explosive offense with a new offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel. McDaniel has orchestrated some of the league's best offenses in recent years that have translated to big numbers on scoreboards at times. With a revamped offense, Dicker could see an uptick in production this season. He rolls into Week 1 as RotoBaller's K2 with a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Dicker could find himself trotting on the field often if the offense gets in a rhythm early.

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins opens the season in a rough spot against Jacksonville. Judkins is first on Cleveland's depth chart after running 230 times for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games as a rookie, so the early-down work should still be there. The matchup is the problem. Jacksonville led the NFL by allowing only 85.6 rushing yards per game last season and did not allow any opposing player to run for more than 75 yards. Cleveland is also a sizable road underdog, which could work against Judkins if the Browns have to throw. Dylan Sampson handled more of the obvious passing-down work last season, and that matters in this kind of game script. The Browns will also start five new offensive linemen, with rookie Austin Barber replacing the injured Teven Jenkins at right guard. RotoBaller has Judkins at RB23 for Week 1, but this is a week to look elsewhere if a solid alternative is available. His volume keeps him usable in deeper leagues, but the ceiling looks limited.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson will be Atlanta's No. 2 receiver on Sunday for the team's Week 1 road matchup against the Steelers. While that can be a potentially fantasy-friendly role on many teams, the former first-rounder could realistically be the fourth option, likely behind Drake London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson in the receiving hierarchy. Additionally, with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush under center in Week 1 for Atlanta, that could mean that a very quiet game could be in store for the Penn State product. The 26-year-old projects as the No. 90 wide receiver overall this week at RotoBaller, and with the Falcons having one of the lowest implied point totals in Week 1 (17.5), he's off of the Flex radar altogether.