Fantasy Football News

The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade before the start of the new league year next week, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Raiders will open up $8 million in salary cap space this year by releasing Smith while taking on $18.5 million in dead money. Smith had a disastrous season in Vegas in 2025, completing 67.4% of his passes for 3,2025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts. The 35-year-old made back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 and 2023, but that feels like ages ago at this point. The veteran signal-caller will now hit the open market as a bridge option for a QB-needy NFL team. Returning to the New York Jets is a possibility. At best, Smith will be competing for a starting job under center this summer. He'll be avoidable in all single-QB leagues in 2026, even if he wins a starting gig.

The Dallas Cowboys are closely monitoring the situation with Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby and remain "very interested," according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Crosby is "drawing serious interest around the league," and the Baltimore Ravens are another team to watch. General managers believe the Raiders are willing to work on a deal. The Chicago Bears have also been mentioned as a team to keep an eye on in the Crosby sweepstakes. The 28-year-old five-time Pro Bowler hasn't officially requested a trade, but it's believed that he doesn't have the heart to go through another rebuild in Vegas, and he definitely wasn't happy with the front office shutting him down for the final two games in 2025. The Raiders want two first-round picks and a player in a package for Crosby, which is a high asking price, but they just may get it from a team like Dallas that desperately needs to improve its pass rush. Crosby is one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL and has 44.5 sacks in the last four seasons.

The Los Angeles Chargers are "another team keeping tabs on the situation" involving Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown this offseason, sources told Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The Eagles are "holding firm on their steep asking price," though, and Russini also reports that "no team has made an official offer" to the Eagles. The New England Patriots "have poked around on it," and the Baltimore Ravens have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Brown if the Eagles decide to deal him. The Buffalo Bills were another team that could be a fit for Brown, but that may not be the case after they agreed to trade for receiver DJ Moore on Thursday. Despite being unhappy with his role in the offense last year in Philly, Brown still managed 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 regular-season games to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight year. A move out of Philly won't necessarily mean more production for fantasy football managers.

The New York Giants and running back Devin Singletary agreed to a restructured contract on Friday to keep him in New York in 2026, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Singletary has 1,144 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns in his two seasons with the Giants, but he figures to be buried on the RB depth chart going into next season behind Cam Skattebo (ankle) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. The Giants have been rumored to be in the RB market this offseason as well, which can't bode well for the 28-year-old. The former third-rounder in 2019 out of Florida Atlantic by the Buffalo Bills had 119 carries in 2025 for 437 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games played, adding a career-low 18 receptions for 151 yards and no touchdowns as a receiver. Barring an injury to Skattebo or Tracy in 2026, Singletary will be off the fantasy radar in redraft leagues.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) missed all of the 2025 season as he works his way back from a torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus. Dell was the overall WR39 with seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2023, and he maintained similar volume with fewer scoring opportunities in 2024. His chance to make a third-year leap was squashed by the injury, and he'll face an uphill battle to take that jump in 2026. Not only could Dell's recovery push him through some adversity and growing pains when he returns to action, but he could also find himself lower down the pecking order. Jayden Higgins had a big rookie campaign in 2025, while Nico Collins continued to establish himself as a top-10 fantasy receiver. If Higgins is essentially the No. 2 receiver in Houston now, that pushes Dell down to No. 3, which will make it tough for him to produce in fantasy football, especially while operating in a C.J. Stroud-led offense. Managers should hold Dell for now. We've seen that the upside is enormous, but he's also quite risky due to his extended injury absence.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison had an underwhelming 2025 season, largely due to inconsistent and subpar quarterback play. Addison played 14 games last year, amassing 42 catches, 610 yards, and three touchdowns, all of which were career-low marks. The former first-round pick will now head into his final guaranteed year under contract, with the Vikings set to make a key decision on his fifth-year option for 2027 in the near future. Looking even more short-term, Addison's fantasy outlook for 2026 is up in the air. He likely struggled last year due to the poor quarterback play of J.J. McCarthy, and he could be headed down a similar path if things don't change quickly. However, there is a chance the Vikings could make a quarterback upgrade this offseason, which would bode well for Addison's ability to produce as the No. 2 receiver behind Justin Jefferson. The 24-year-old was a top-24 fantasy receiver during his first two years in the league, so managers will hope he can return to that solid form in 2026. He's a decent buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues, but managers should still temper expectations in case it's another year of McCarthy throwing passes in Minnesota.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard lost hold of his lead-back role during the 2025 season, but he has a glaring opportunity to win back the starting job in 2026. Rico Dowdle supplanted Hubbard atop the depth chart for a decent portion of last year, but with Dowdle headed for free agency and unlikely to re-sign, the job appears to be Hubbard's to lose. We can't rule out the Panthers drafting or signing a different running back to work alongside Hubbard, especially as more and more teams trend toward the shared backfield approach. However, it's worth noting that the Panthers have Trevor Etienne and Jonathon Brooks (knee) on the verge of making an impact, so perhaps Carolina will proceed with Hubbard atop the depth chart and Etienne and Brooks gradually taking on larger roles. The Panthers are also motivated to feed plenty of touches to Hubbard, as they signed him to a four-year extension just over a year ago. He was a top-28 fantasy running back in 2023 and 2024, but he dropped to RB38 with 511 rushing yards, 223 receiving yards, and four touchdowns last year. Hubbard's job security and the imminent departure of Dowdle should push him back into the top-25 range. As a result, he's a very appealing buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues this offseason.

Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm is on track to emerge atop the team's depth chart in 2026. Chig Okonkwo is expected to depart in free agency this offseason, which means that Helm will step up as the No. 1 tight end in Tennessee, barring a different signing or draft selection. It's a much-deserved promotion for Helm, who had 44 catches, 357 yards, and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2025. His strong year is likely playing a large role in the Titans' anticipated decision to move on from Okonkwo. Dynasty managers have a terrific opportunity to buy low on Helm before his price soars. His price has settled down a little from his late-season emergence, creating a favorable buy-low opportunity. However, we expect his price to increase significantly if and when Okonkwo signs elsewhere in free agency, as managers will be reminded that this tight end room belongs to Helm. Before that happens, dynasty managers should send out trade offers for the 23-year-old tight end, because he's a projected top-24 option at his position with top-15 upside.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan could be headed for increased opportunities next season due to a teammate's impending departure. Mike Evans is slated for free agency, and all signs point to him signing elsewhere this offseason. Wide receiver depth is one reason why the Buccaneers can feel comfortable letting Evans walk in free agency. McMillan is one of the key pieces of that depth chart, slotting into an impressive wide receiver room alongside Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. An injury sidelined McMillan for most of his second pro season in 2025, but he did return for the final four games of the regular season. He caught seven passes for 114 yards in Week 17, showcasing some of the upside we saw from him as a rookie in 2024 when he caught 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. Evans has produced four double-digit touchdown seasons since 2020, so we can expect McMillan to acquire a large portion of those vacated targets around the goal line. McMillan's price tag in dynasty and redraft leagues could soar when Evans officially signs elsewhere. Dynasty managers are encouraged to beat this rush and buy low on McMillan before NFL free agency begins, as he has legitimate WR3/flex appeal for 2026.

The Seattle Seahawks retained inside linebacker Drake Thomas by signing him to a two-year, $8 million contract on Thursday, a source told Brady Henderson of ESPN. With incentives, Thomas can make up to $9 million. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State became a full-time starter for Seattle in 2025 in his third year in the league and finished the regular season with a career-high 96 tackles (47 solo), 3.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, six QB hits, one interception, eight pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 17 games (14 starts). Thomas finished as the No. 35 linebacker in IDP fantasy formats. He had 18 more tackles (one for loss) in Seattle's three playoff games to help the team win the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. After his breakout 2025 campaign, Thomas will open 2026 as a starter for one of the best defenses in the league.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan will become a free agent when the new league year begins next week, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jordan's contract will automatically void if he doesn't have a new deal in place before Wednesday at 4 pm ET. The 36-year-old veteran has played 15 seasons and became the Saints' franchise sack leader in 2022. He has 132 career sacks, all with the Saints. If Jordan's contract voids, the Saints will absorb $18.76 million in dead money on the 2026 salary cap. If they sign him to a new contract after that deadline, the dead money from the previous contract and any money from the new deal would both count against the salary cap. His 10.5 sacks in 2025 were his most since the 2021 campaign. Jordan has said he would like to finish his career in New Orleans, but if the Saints don't want him back at his price, he may hang up his cleats.

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid had a disappointing finish to the 2025 season due to hamstring and knee injuries, and his dynasty fantasy stock continues to fall after the announcement on Thursday that the Bills traded for receiver DJ Moore. Despite playing in a career-low 12 games last year due to injuries, Kincaid had a career-high five touchdowns. However, he also finished with a career-low 39 receptions for 571 yards on 49 targets. It was revealed after the season that he played through a PCL injury that he initially suffered in 2024. Kincaid didn't play over 50% of the offensive snaps after Week 5 and missed five games down the stretch of the regular season. The 26-year-old has teased upside so far in his three NFL seasons. Kincaid should be better if he's healthier in 2026, but the addition of Moore won't do him any favors.

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland took a little while to get going in his rookie season in 2025 after the Bears took him 10th overall out of Michigan. In his first six NFL games, Loveland caught 11 of 18 targets for 116 yards and no touchdowns. Everything changed when the 21-year-old had six catches for a season-high 118 yards and two touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9, though. Loveland was on the map in 12-team fantasy football leagues, and he was a much bigger part of Chicago's offense the rest of the way, ultimately finishing with a 58-713-6 line on 82 targets to finish as the No. 12 TE in half-PPR scoring. He caught 12 of 25 targets for 193 yards in the team's two playoff games. Following the trade of receiver DJ Moore on Thursday, Loveland should easily be a top-12 fantasy TE in 2026, and his dynasty stock is looking even brighter after his strong first season in the NFL.

The Chicago Bears are releasing Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds on Thursday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Edmunds will enter free agency this offseason after being a full-time starter in each of his first eight seasons in the NFL. The 27-year-old former 16th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2018 out of Virginia Tech played in a career-low 13 games for the Chicago Bears in 2025 in his third year with the team. Despite missing four regular-season games, Edmunds still tallied 112 tackles (61 solo), one sack, a career-high four interceptions, nine pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Edmunds has had over 100 combined tackles in all eight of his NFL seasons, and he should generate plenty of interest on the open market. Cutting Edmunds will free up $15 million on this year's salary cap for the Bears. Edmunds has exactly 900 combined tackles as he heads into his ninth year in the league in 2026.

The Houston Texans and five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter agreed to a one-year, $40.1 million contract extension on Thursday that includes a $30.7 million signing bonus, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The extension ties Hunter to the team through the 2027 season. The 31-year-old former third-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 out of LSU had 54 tackles (28 solo), 15 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 17 regular-season starts last year in his second year in Houston. Hunter has recorded double-digit sacks in each of the last four seasons and in seven of his 10 NFL campaigns. Starting opposite pass-rusher Will Anderson, Hunter led the charge for the NFL's top-ranked defense in 2025. Hunter has 27 sacks in his two seasons in Houston and will be a clear top-10 defensive lineman target in IDP fantasy leagues in 2026.

The Washington Commanders will rank in the top five for most salary cap space available this offseason, and ESPN's John Keim writes that they would like to add another tight end. Tennessee Titans impending free-agent tight end Chig Okonkwo is a possibility. Okonkwo led the Titans in receiving in 2025 with 56 catches on 79 targets for a career-high 560 yards and only two touchdowns in 17 games played in his fourth year in the league. However, the 26-year-old only ranked as the No. 22 tight end in half-PPR scoring last year, losing valuable targets and playing time to rookie Gunnar Helm, especially in the second half of the season. The Titans are expected to move forward with Helm as their pass-catching TE in 2026 and into the future, leaving Okonkwo to find a new team. Zach Ertz is a free agent, so if Okonkwo were to land in D.C., he could have a clearer path to TE1 utility in fantasy leagues this fall.

The Washington Commanders could opt to sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), who is expected to be cut by the San Francisco 49ers, according to John Keim of ESPN. Aiyuk is close friends with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and has said he wants to play with him. If the Commanders were to take a chance on Aiyuk, who didn't play at all in 2025, it would be "for a one-year prove-it deal," and they'd still likely go after another receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. It doesn't sound like the Commanders plan to attempt to bring Deebo Samuel Sr. back. Other options that Washington could pursue are Jauan Jennings, Romeo Doubs, Alec Pierce, and Rashid Shaheed. Aiyuk, a former first-rounder in 2020, wore out his welcome in the Bay Area and will have to prove his health and fit with a new organization before most fantasy managers will take a look at him again. He did have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Niners before his season-ending knee injury in 2024, though.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on Seattle Sports on Thursday that Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent outside linebacker Khalil Mack could be a "great fit" with the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks. The nine-time Pro Bowler is an elite run defender and has ranked among the top 10 edge rushers at Pro Football Focus in each of the last three seasons. Mack has a total of 113 sacks and 36 forced fumbles in his 12-year career with the Raiders, Chicago Bears, and Chargers, including a career-high 17 sacks in 2023. The 35-year-old veteran and former fifth overall pick by the Raiders in 2014 out of Buffalo only played in 12 games last year due to an elbow injury and finished with 32 tackles (19 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, and four forced fumbles. Mack recently announced that he plans on playing in 2026, and he's ranked by ESPN as the No. 4 edge rusher and the No. 20 overall player available in free agency this offseason.

The Houston Texans restructured cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.'s contract on Thursday, converting $20.38 million of his $21.59 million salary cap figure into a signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The move will save the Texans around $16 million in 2026, according to a league source. Stingley signed a three-year, $90 million contract with the Texans in March of last year. The 24-year-old former third overall pick in 2022 out of LSU was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler for the second straight year in 2025, finishing with 36 tackles (26 solo), four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 15 pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts. Stingley isn't really on the map in IDP fantasy leagues, but he was a big reason why the Texans had the top overall defense last year.

The Indianapolis Colts are talking with teams about a trade for former Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin as they look to get under the salary cap before the start of the new league year next week, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Franklin led the NFL with 173 total tackles in 2024 and was a first-time Pro Bowler. The former seventh-round pick in 2018 out of Syracuse took a step back in 2025 in his eighth year in the league, but he still had 125 tackles (62 solo), two sacks, seven tackles for loss, six QB hits, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 17 starts. In fantasy scoring, he finished as the No. 27 linebacker in IDP leagues. Franklin has two years left on the three-year, $31.3 million contract that he signed in March of 2024. If he's not traded, the Colts have an out with Franklin for only $2.5 million in dead-cap money.