Fantasy Football News

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd could see his short-term fantasy value soar going into drafts this summer after the news broke on Tuesday that starting RB Josh Jacobs has been arrested and booked into jail on five charges, including domestic abuse. Lloyd has been a bust so far in his NFL career after the Packers selected him in the third round of the 2024 draft out of USC. Due to injuries, the 25-year-old has played in just one game in Green Bay back in his rookie campaign. But with Jacobs now potentially facing a lengthy suspension to begin the 2026 season, depending on how the legal process plays out, both Lloyd and Chris Brooks could be elevated to much bigger roles in the Packers' backfield. RotoBaller currently has Lloyd ranked as the No. 76 RB in half-PPR formats for the 2026 season, but his ranking could rise dramatically if Jacobs is eventually suspended by the NFL. Stay tuned for more on this situation and how it might affect the Packers' RB pecking order.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) continues to recover from offseason surgery but is not expected to face many limitations during training camp. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the lead running back is not expected to participate in the upcoming min-camp but will "likely" be ready for training camp at some point. While this report does not suggest the former Oregon standout will enter camp with a clean bill of health, he is trending in the right direction. Last season, Irving had a disappointing sophomore season, appearing in just 10 games, and saw his production decline sharply after suffering this injury. Over his last six contests, he averaged a mere 11.2 PPR points per game, a stark decline from the 18.5 PPR points per game he averaged from Weeks 1 through 4. Managers should continue to monitor his status over the summer, but he should be at full strength come the start of the season. If his workload were to be limited, newly signed Kenneth Gainwell will likely take on RB1 duties.

According to Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, the team believes wide receiver Parker Washington is capable of replicating his dominant second-half production. Coach Udinski also noted that the staff believes the young wideout could take another step forward in 2026. After a quiet start to the season where he averaged just 6.4 PPR points over his first seven contests, the 24-year-old emerged as a legit league-winner in the second half, averaging an elite 14.2 PPR points per game over his last nine games. During this stretch, Washington found the back of the end zone four times and drew an impressive 6.8 targets per game despite sharing the field with Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. While Washington will face similar target competition once again in 2026, he began to establish a true connection with Trevor Lawrence. Managers should continue to monitor his usage in training camp, as he could be set up for a complete breakout campaign if he can carry this momentum into the new season.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been arrested on five charges and booked into the Brown County Jail earlier on Tuesday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. According to the report, the running back has been charged with battery, criminal damage of property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. While the league has yet to issue an official statement on the event, fantasy managers should closely monitor the situation, as he may be handed some form of punishment. Last season, Jacobs continued to operate as Green Bay's lead running back, punching in 13 scores on the ground while totaling 929 rushing yards. In the event Jacobs is forced to miss time due to a suspension, MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks will likely operate as the lead backs on the roster.

The Arizona Cardinals have received trade calls on Pro Bowl defensive end Josh Sweat, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Sweat recorded a career-high 12 sacks in his first year in the desert in 2025 and had a close relationship with former head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was fired following last season. The 29-year-old pass-rusher also had 30 tackles (20 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 17 starts for the Cardinals in his eighth year in the NFL. The Cardinals gave Sweat a four-year, $76.4 million deal in free agency last March after he spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, but they could be moving on from him after just one season. Sweat finished tied for eighth in the NFL in sacks in 2025 and finished as the No. 20 defensive lineman in IDP fantasy formats.

Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (undisclosed) is not practicing with the rest of the team during OTA practice on Tuesday and is working with the training staff, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers haven't announced a specific injury for McMillan, but it's expected to be a minor ailment as the club begins their OTAs this week. The 23-year-old impressed in his first year in the NFL in 2025 after Carolina selected him with the eighth overall pick out of the University of Arizona. McMillan quickly developed a strong relationship with quarterback Bryce Young and was his go-to target all year, leading the team with 70 receptions, 1,014 yards, and seven touchdowns on 122 targets across 17 regular-season starts. He finished as the WR15 in half-PPR scoring and will be a high-end WR2 target in fantasy drafts this fall with upside to become a true WR1 in his sophomore season for the Panthers. The arrow is pointing directly up after McMillan was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.

After spending the first four years of his career with the Cleveland Browns, veteran running back Jerome Ford signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 season. Ford is coming off a down year in Cleveland, as he collected just 176 yards from scrimmage on 50 touches across 13 games played. The Commanders' backfield is unsettled at the top entering 2026, and could offer Ford a chance to reclaim significant playing time. However, Washington has several capable backs between Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, and 2026 sixth-rounder Kaytron Allen. Given the crowded depth chart around him, Ford could completely fall out of the mix for backfield touches early on in 2026. In dynasty formats, fantasy managers should consider moving on from Ford as he enters his age-27 season.

Entering 2026, Carolina Panthers wide receiver John Metchie III will be playing for his fourth team in four NFL seasons. The 25-year-old started 2025 with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning just four targets across seven games with the team. A midseason trade to the New York Jets allowed him more playing time, and he hauled in 29 catches for 256 yards and two scores on 44 targets across nine games with New York. With the Panthers, Metchie III's playing time is far from guaranteed. However, outside of 2025 first-round wideout Tetairoa McMillan, no Carolina wideout has ever recorded 50 receptions in a season. Metchie III should also have existing chemistry with Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, as the two of them played their college football together at the University of Alabama. In deeper dynasty formats, Metchie III could be a worthy buy-low dart throw for fantasy managers entering 2026.

A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe appeared in just three games and did not record a pass attempt in his rookie season. With Sam Darnold locked in atop the Seattle QB depth chart, Milroe enters 2026 in a competition with Drew Lock for the team's backup job. Without an injury to Darnold, Milroe's path to immediate fantasy production is blocked off. However, the 23-year-old remains a solid stash candidate in dynasty formats because of his profile as a dual-threat quarterback. In his final collegiate season at the University of Alabama in 2024, Milroe threw for 2,844 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 726 yards and 20 scores. In deeper leagues, Milroe could profile as a solid buy-low target for dynasty managers.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. had arguably the best season of his NFL career in 2025, recording 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets across 17 games. Given that he is still just entering his age-26 season in 2026, Pitts Sr. could be poised for the superstar breakout that many projected when he entered the league as the number four overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, Pitts Sr. has largely been an inconsistent producer to this point in his career, failing to record more than 53 catches, 667 receiving yards, or four touchdowns in any season between 2022 and 2024. The Falcons are also seemingly unwilling to commit to Pitts Sr. long term, as he enters 2026 playing on the one-year, $15 million franchise tag. In dynasty formats, managers may want to consider selling high on Pitts Sr. just in case he regresses back to previous levels of production in 2026.

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has reached an agreement on an adjustment to his current contract with the team, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that the adjustment will guarantee Collins' salary for the next two seasons and also includes $17 million in cash increases. While Collins was already under contract with Houston, this new agreement should help ensure that fantasy managers do not have to worry about any contract-related disputes that result in Collins holding out. The 27-year-old recorded 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets across 15 games in 2025 and has hauled in 21 touchdown receptions over the past three years with the Texans. As long as Collins stays healthy, he profiles as a low-end fantasy WR1 heading into 2026.

Three years into his NFL career, Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks has recorded just 106 touches across 41 games played. The 26-year-old appeared in 17 games for the Packers in 2025 and recorded 197 yards from scrimmage on 40 total touches. However, Brooks enters 2026 with a chance to take over the RB2 role in Green Bay behind Josh Jacobs following the departure of former Packers backup running back Emanuel Wilson in free agency. Brooks' main competition for the role appears to be 2024 third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd, who has been limited by injuries to just six carries across the first two years of his career. As long as Jacobs is healthy, he should continue to play a three-down role and dominate backfield touches in Green Bay. Still, Brooks would immediately emerge as one of the better handcuff options in the league if he becomes his team's primary backup. Brooks profiles as an appealing buy-low candidate for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is in attendance for the team's second week of voluntary OTA practices, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Jackson was absent from OTAs last week, but it had nothing to do with him angling for a new contract. Reports have suggested that the 29-year-old two-time MVP is committed to learning a new offense this offseason after an injury-plagued and disappointing 2025 campaign in which he made just 13 starts and finished with 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Jackson also had 67 rushing attempts for 349 yards and two scores on the ground to finish as the QB20 in fantasy scoring. Despite the down year, the elite dual-threat signal-caller led the league with 13.3 yards per completion when he was on the field, and he's an easy bounce-back candidate in 2026 in a new offense if he can stay on the field. Jackson will be a high-risk/high-reward target as RotoBaller's QB2 going into his ninth year in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is recovering well and is expected back sometime during the summer or fall, according to Pewter Report. Bowles also noted that Irving was working on the side on Tuesday with a trainer during the team's offseason program. The 23-year-old is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and it sounds like his availability for training camp and the preseason is a bit up in the air at the moment. It will allow both Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker more reps during offseason workouts. Even if Irving is fully cleared for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September, it's notable that he's going to miss pretty much the entire offseason program while the Bucs are implementing a new scheme under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The 23-year-old had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024 in his first year in the league and added eight rushing touchdowns, but he played in only 10 games last year due to injury and is a durability concern as an RB2 target in 2026 fantasy leagues. If Irving were to miss more time this year, Sean Tucker could be Tampa's early-down back, with Gainwell operating primarily as a pass-catcher.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jalen Tolbert finds himself in a very unique and confusing situation. The Dolphins completely overhauled their offense this offseason by parting with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle (as well as head coach Mike McDaniel). They brought in Malik Willis to be their starting quarterback, signaling the new coaching staff's desire to operate a run-heavy offense. Willis wasn't the greatest passer last year in Green Bay, so it's fair to question whether any of the Dolphins' new receivers will be able to produce at a high level in fantasy football. One of the players in the mix is Tolbert, who went from commanding 79 targets with the Cowboys in 2024 to just 34 targets (and 18 catches) in 2025. He's looking for a fresh start in Miami, and the good news is that he's currently near the top of the depth chart. Tolbert seems to be penciled into the No. 2 receiver role behind Malik Washington for now, although he'll also face competition from veteran Tutu Atwell and rookies Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell (knee), and Kevin Coleman. Early in the year, Atwell could carve out some low-end WR3/flex appeal, especially if Willis throws the ball better (and more often) than expected. However, as the rookies develop and the Dolphins continue to feed De'Von Achane on the ground, Tolbert's value will slip. As it stands, he's the WR126 in RotoBaller's dynasty leagues, indicating that he doesn't have much long-term appeal despite the short-term relevance.

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. kicks off the next chapter of his career in the coming months. After five years in Jacksonville, Etienne leveraged a terrific 2025 season into a nice payday with the Saints, not to mention the added security of a four-year contract. The Clemson product missed his rookie campaign in 2021, but he followed up that up with 1,000 rushing yards in three of his next four seasons. In 2025, he was the RB10 in PPR leagues with 1,107 rushing yards, 36 catches, 292 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. While the Saints still have Alvin Kamara on the roster, their $48 million investment in Etienne suggests that the former Jaguar will be their every-down back going forward. His arrival is timed nicely with the trajectory of the Saints' offense. New Orleans' offense is trending upward after Tyler Shough had a terrific rookie season, Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson both had the best years of their career, and Jordyn Tyson was selected in the first round of the draft. Etienne is another piece in that puzzle, and while it's admittedly a crowded offense, the Saints should be competitive enough to offer plenty of volume (and goal-line opportunities) to their primary running back. Etienne remains a top-10 running back in redraft leagues, although he's a bit lower in dynasty formats. He ranks 18th among running backs in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

New York Jets running back Breece Hall signed a three-year extension, solidifying his position atop the depth chart going forward. There had been some questions about whether there was really a future for Hall in New York, especially after the team explored trading him last fall and gave him the franchise tag this past offseason. This new $45.75 million extension confirms their commitment to keeping him in an every-down role for years to come, taking advantage of his versatile skill set. His production dipped slightly in a subpar Jets offense last year, but he still managed to produce on the ground and through the air with 243 carries, 1,065 rushing yards, 36 catches, 350 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns. The state of New York's offense is holding him back from reaching his full potential, as he's never scored more than nine touchdowns in a single season. We expect more of the same in 2026 with Geno Smith at quarterback, but Hall (and the offense in general) could trend upward in 2027 with the anticipated arrival of a flashy rookie quarterback. A healthy Hall provides weekly RB2 stability with RB1 upside, and his price has softened in dynasty trade talks recently. Managers should consider sending out trade offers to acquire Hall at a discount, since he could return to the top-10 running back range in 2027 and 2027.

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary produced when his number was called last year, but he faces an uphill battle to earn meaningful playing time in 2026. Cam Skattebo (ankle) should be healthy for Week 1, leaving Singletary in a depth role behind Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. The 28-year-old managed to finish last year as the RB45 in PPR leagues, mostly because Skattebo missed time and Tracy couldn't handle an every-down role. Singletary's stat lines the last two years in New York have been nearly identical, and he finished those seasons as the RB46 and RB45, respectively. However, we question whether he can repeat that level of production if Skattebo and Tracy remain healthy for most of the 2026 season. The best path to production for Singletary could be a post-training camp trade or release, but even that creates some uncertainty. Singletary is likely in the final stages of his career, and he can be dropped to waivers as long as he remains stuck in the third-string role.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington had an underwhelming 2025 season. Even when Davante Adams or Puka Nacua missed time due to injury, Whittington struggled to emerge as a weekly fantasy threat. Instead, he finished his second NFL season with 18 catches, 171 yards, and zero touchdowns. He had fewer catches and yards in his second season than in his first, despite playing more games. Additionally, through 32 career games, he has yet to catch a touchdown pass. We understand it's tough to cut bait on the No. 3 receiver in such a prominent offense like the Rams, but Whittington has struggled to produce, and the Rams have made an effort to bring in competition. Konata Mumpfield is trending up in this offense, and Los Angeles recently drafted CJ Daniels out of Miami. Managers in deeper leagues can stash Whittington if they have the space, but we also believe managers can justify dropping Whittington in the post-rookie draft roster crunch.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has become known for making spectacular plays outside the pocket deep down the field, but in the eyes of the coaches, it is a bit much, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. One of the main messages to Williams this offseason is to "do less," according to QBs coach J.T. Barrett. It's great that Williams can manufacture big plays when needed late in games, but the Bears' coaching staff wants to see more of the simple throws to build 300-yard passing performances on a more consistent basis. "We don't have to work as hard for our money," Barrett explained. "There's times where we could just work through our progression and get the ball out on time instead of having to create and extend plays." The 24-year-old former first overall pick out of USC took a step forward overall in Year 2 in 2025, but he finished last in the league with a 58.1% completion percentage, and he had 6.9 yards per pass attempt. Williams is already considered a clear top-10 fantasy QB going into Year 3, but if he can improve his efficiency, he has high-end QB1 potential in head coach Ben Johnson's offense in 2026 and beyond.