Fantasy Football News

Myles Murphy • DE • Bengals | Myles Murphy • DL

Bengals Don't Pick Up Myles Murphy's Fifth-Year Option

The Cincinnati Bengals are not picking up defensive end Myles Murphy's fifth-year option, a source told Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. However, the Bengals are hoping to still work out a long-term deal with Murphy at some point. The 24-year-old former 28th overall pick by Cincy in 2023 out of Clemson had a career-best season in 2025 in his third year in the league, tallying 52 tackles (28 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 17 games played (10 starts). In his first two years with the Bengals, Murphy only had three sacks in 30 games played (zero starts). Murphy will head into the 2026 season in the final year of his rookie deal, but if he plays more like he did last year, the Bengals will surely be more open to a long-term extension for the 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive lineman. He's off the fantasy radar in IDP formats.

9 hours ago

Jack Campbell • LB • Lions

Lions Decline Jack Campbell's Fifth-Year Option

The Detroit Lions declined the fifth-year option for linebacker Jack Campbell this week, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. Ironically, Campbell had the best year of his young career in 2025, when he had 176 tackles (89 solo), five sacks, nine tackles for loss, five QB hits, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 17 starts to earn Pro Bowl honors. But it wasn't enough to convince the Lions, so the former 18th overall pick in 2023 out of Iowa will now head into the final year of his rookie contract this fall. The 25-year-old has 100-plus combined tackles in each of the last two seasons and has contributed 8.5 sacks in 51 games (46 starts) while not missing a game in his first three years in the NFL. If Campbell has another strong season in 2026, look for the Lions to try to extend him before he reaches free agency next March. In IDP fantasy formats, Campbell was the No. 1 overall linebacker, with his 89 solo tackles ranking fourth, behind Jordyn Brooks, Cedric Gray, and Devin White.

10 hours ago

Lukas Van Ness • DL • Packers

Packers Pick Up Fifth-Year Option for Lukas Van Ness

The Green Bay Packers picked up the fifth-year option for edge rusher Lukas Van Ness (foot) on Thursday, a source told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. It will guarantee Van Ness a 2027 salary of around $13.8 million. Despite missing around half of last season with a foot injury, the Packers appear confident that he'll be able to rebound this year and next year. The 24-year-old was taken by Green Bay with the 13th overall pick in 2023 out of Iowa, and he contributed 84 tackles (58 solo), 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 23 QB hits in 43 games (two starts) in his first three NFL seasons. Van Ness played in only nine games in 2025 due to his foot injury, finishing with 19 tackles (12 solo), 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. The Packers will be relying on two edge rushers coming off major injuries last year, as Micah Parsons (knee) attempts to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in late December.

10 hours ago

Calais Campbell • DT • Ravens

Calais Campbell Returning to Ravens on One-Year Deal

Six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell, who played in Baltimore from 2020 to 2022, is returning to the Ravens on Thursday after signing an undisclosed one-year deal, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Campbell will turn 40 years old on Sept. 1, and he'll be heading into his 19th NFL campaign. The 39-year-old was taken by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round back in 2008 out of the University of Miami. He played for the Cardinals again last year, starting 17 games and recording 43 tackles (23 solo), 6.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, two pass breakups, and nine tackles for loss. Campbell has only had two seasons (2017 and 2018 with the Jacksonville Jaguars) where he had double-digit sacks, but despite his advanced age, he's had at least five sacks in each of the last four seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, and Arizona. He's not going to be on the IDP fantasy radar, but Campbell brings plenty of experience and depth to a Ravens defensive line that has some injury question marks with Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and Broderick Washington (Achilles). In his 18 NFL seasons, Campbell has 117 sacks in 278 regular-season games.

10 hours ago

Makai Lemon • WR • Eagles

Makai Lemon Signs Four-Year Rookie Deal With Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon signed his four-year, fully guaranteed rookie contract on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. The Eagles traded up with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys to take Lemon at 20th overall and steal them away from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were reportedly ready to take Lemon at pick No. 21. The selection of Lemon only reinforces the expectation that the Eagles will trade Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots around June 1. Lemon, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 294 pounds, profiles as more of a slot receiver, but he could be moved around the offensive formation alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon plays bigger than his size and has plenty of yards-after-the-catch potential in a Philly offense looking for a spark. As long as Brown ends up heading out of town, Lemon should have immediate value in single-year fantasy formats in 2026. In rookie-only keeper drafts this year, Lemon should be considered a top-five player.

11 hours ago

George Kittle • TE • 49ers

George Kittle Trying to Return in Week 1

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told ESPN that tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is "shooting to return" Week 1 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs against the Philadelphia Eagles in January, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. It's unclear if Kittle is actually on track to be ready for the season opener, but it's where he's aiming. Kittle suffered a clean tear of his Achilles, which is expected to allow him to return quicker than usual for someone with a torn Achilles. While Kittle is hoping to be ready for Week 1, there's still a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the 2026 season, which will make him a pretty risky and volatile high-end TE1 target in fantasy football drafts. If Kittle is not ready to go by Week 1, Jake Tonges will be in play as a streaming option at the position early on. The 32-year-old Kittle only played in 11 games last year due to injuries and finished as the TE13 in half-PPR scoring. When healthy, he's been one of the top TEs in the league, though, catching at least six touchdown passes in five straight seasons.

11 hours ago

Chris Rodriguez Jr. • RB • Jaguars

Chris Rodriguez Jr. to Lead the Jaguars in Carries?

John Shipley of Sports Illustrated has Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. listed atop the team's RB depth chart ahead of training camp. His gut feeling says that Rodriguez will lead the team in carries, but then writes that he doesn't know if there will be "enough of a difference between his workload" and Bhayshul Tuten's. LeQuint Allen Jr. projects as the RB3 as the top passing-down back, while DeeJay Dallas and undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor will battle for the RB4 spot. Travis Etienne Jr. is now in New Orleans, which was paving the way for Tuten to be an easy breakout candidate in fantasy football in 2026, until the Jags signed C-Rod. The 25-year-old got a two-year, $10 million deal from Jacksonville, and he has familiarity with head coach Liam Coen from their time at Kentucky. Tuten surely has plenty of explosive potential, but the team also likes Rodriguez's abilities as a tough inside runner. Rodriguez averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his three seasons with the Commanders, and he added seven total touchdowns in 13 games in 2025. Right now, both Rodriguez and Tuten are shaping up to be WR3/flex options every week in fantasy if their workload is split mostly down the middle.

11 hours ago

Diego Pavia • QB • Ravens

Ravens Sign Former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia

The Baltimore Ravens signed former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to a three-year deal earlier this week, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Pavia was scheduled to try out during the team's rookie minicamp this weekend, but the Ravens scooped him up before that could happen. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent will compete with fellow rookie Joe Fagnano in training camp this summer for the Ravens to see who will enter the 2026 season as the QB3 behind starter Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley. Surprisingly, the Heisman Trophy finalist in college did not attract the interest from a single team during seven rounds of the NFL draft. Pavia produced in college, but he lacks size (5-foot-10), and he's old for a rookie at 24 years of age. At the very least, he should be on Baltimore's practice squad this year, but he lacks the measurables to be a very exciting stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues. Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns at Vandy last year while also adding 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

11 hours ago

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Chiefs "Super High" on Emmett Johnson

The Kansas City Chiefs were "super high" on former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson before selecting him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft, and vice president of player personnel Ryne Nutt said the team was surprised he was still available in the fifth round when they traded up to take him. Johnson was the only player in college football to average more than 150 scrimmage yards per game last year, and he led the Big 10 with 1,451 rushing yards and finished second among all RBs in catches (46) while also scoring 15 touchdowns. He was graded as high as a third-round pick by some analysts. "He's a juke button, he has very good feet, vision, feel, and he's very good out of the backfield," Nutt described. The Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in free agency, but they signed former Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III. Johnson is projected to be the immediate backup to Walker in the lead-back role, and Arrowhead Pride's Ron Kopp Jr. doesn't think we should be surprised if he earns his way onto the field on passing downs. At the very least, Johnson will be a handcuff option as a late-round flier in fantasy football redraft leagues in 2026.

12 hours ago

Ty Simpson • QB • Rams

Ty Simpson Met With Sean McVay Before the Draft

Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said on ESPN Radio that he had secret meetings with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay before the Rams took Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. It was a bit of a surprise that the win-now Rams took Simpson with their first-round pick, a year after Matthew Stafford won the MVP. McVay said that he and general manager Les Snead were in lockstep and in agreement to take Simpson as the QB of the future in L.A., while also making sure to notify Stafford beforehand that they would select Simpson in the draft. McVay made it clear that this is still Stafford's team as they seek another Super Bowl championship in 2026 and beyond. Without much of a collegiate resume (Simpson started just one year at Alabama), the 23-year-old is expected to compete with Stetson Bennett for the backup role this year. The Rams think Stafford is capable of playing beyond 2026, too, so fantasy managers in dynasty leagues must be prepared to play the long game with him as he develops behind Stafford.

12 hours ago

Jonah Coleman • RB • Broncos

Jonah Coleman has Clear "Three-Down Potential" in Denver's Offense

Denver Broncos rookie fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman has clear "three-down potential" in the team's offense, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. However, with the Broncos already having second-year back RJ Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins, his first task in his rookie season might be giving the Broncos a "more complete presence in the third-down role." "The thing I would say is he's very physical," head coach Sean Payton said. "He can play on third down." The Broncos lost that physical rushing presence when Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury midway through last season. Denver struggled to run the football consistently with mostly Harvey after that, including into the playoffs. The 22-year-old Coleman is a bruising back (5-foot-8, 220 pounds) who has drawn comparisons to Dobbins for his tough rushing style between the tackles. He has clear three-down potential long-term, but in the short-term, he'll be a short-yardage asset for the Broncos while also helping in pass protection on third downs. Because of Dobbins' lengthy injury history, Coleman could become a weekly fantasy option quickly in 2026 if Dobbins misses more time with an injury.

12 hours ago

Austin Ekeler • RB • Packers

Austin Ekeler 100 Percent Medically Cleared for Football Activities

Veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) is 100% fully medically cleared for all football activities after suffering a torn right Achilles last September against the Green Bay Packers, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Ekeler intends to play in 2026 and is expected to draw plenty of interest. The 30-year-old was one of the premier pass-catching backs in the NFL in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before he signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season. He appeared in 12 games (six starts) for Washington in 2024, carrying the ball 77 times for 367 yards and four touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 366 receiving yards. Ekeler missed some time due to a concussion that year before playing in just two games in 2025 before tearing his Achilles. Ekeler might not be the same shifty back in space after his season-ending injury, but he could still give a team some solid pass-catching depth out of the backfield as he nears the end of his career.

13 hours ago

Darius Slayton • WR • Giants

Darius Slayton Undergoes Core-Muscle Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Camp

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (abdomen) recently had core-muscle surgery, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Slayton will miss spring workouts, but he's expected to be a full-go for training camp this summer. Barring a setback in his recovery, Slayton should be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. Top wideout Malik Nabers (knee) is also recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered early last season, so there are some definite question marks for New York's receiving room heading into the upcoming campaign. Wan'Dale Robinson departed in free agency, but the G-Men added Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III in free agency, and drafted Malachi Fields in the third round. The 29-year-old Slayton has seven years of experience in the NFL (all with the Giants), but he's never cleared 770 receiving yards, and he hasn't had more than four touchdowns in a single season since his rookie year, when he had eight. Slayton's roster spot in New York should be secure, but he'll be battling for targets with Mooney, Austin, and Fields, and he won't be a very intriguing late-round flier in standard 12-team fantasy leagues going into his eighth year in the league.

13 hours ago

Keaton Mitchell • RB • Chargers

Keaton Mitchell's Dynasty Value Rising Heading into 2026

After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, running back Keaton Mitchell landed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this offseason. Mitchell's playing time in Baltimore was limited by injury issues and the presence of star Ravens running back Derrick Henry. However, Mitchell has averaged a highly efficient 6.8 yards per touch across a limited sample size of 140 career touches. 2025 first-round running back Omarion Hampton profiles as the clear RB1 in Los Angeles ahead of Mitchell. Still, Mitchell should have a chance to carve out a consistent RB2 and pass-catching role behind Hampton. He also has the benefit of working with new Chargers play-caller Mike McDaniel, who has proven the ability to produce offenses with multiple fantasy-relevant running backs during his time as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Dynasty managers should approach Mitchell with cautious optimism following his offseason move to Los Angeles.

13 hours ago

Jadarian Price • RB • Seahawks

Jadarian Price Not Expected to Lead Seahawks' Backfield Right Away

The Seattle Seahawks made a major addition to their backfield on draft night, selecting University of Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the final pick of the first round. Given that Seattle lost star running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs, Price should eventually have a chance to take over as the Seahawks' RB1. However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the sense around the Seahawks is that Price "won't have to be a bell cow right away." Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) suffered a torn ACL in January, but should be able to make an impact once healthy. The Seahawks also signed former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson in free agency. While Price is unquestionably the highest-upside running back in Seattle, it appears as though the team may look to bring him along slowly in his rookie season.

13 hours ago

Isaiah Bond • WR • Browns

Isaiah Bond's Dynasty Value Fading Following NFL Draft

Across 16 games as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond recorded 18 receptions for 338 yards on 44 targets. While the 23-year-old's numbers don't necessarily leap off the page, he flashed some intriguing big-play upside while working with less-than-ideal quarterback play in Cleveland. Heading into his second NFL season in 2026, Bond could be in the mix for a prominent role with the Browns. Unfortunately for Bond and his dynasty value, Cleveland added a pair of well-regarded wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Browns used a first-round pick on Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion and a second-round pick on University of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, both of whom could easily leapfrog Bond on the team's wide receiver depth chart. The Browns quarterback situation also remains as unsettled as ever, which throws the team's overall offensive environment into question. Bond still carries some fantasy upside, but his dynasty value has taken a hit following the NFL Draft.

14 hours ago

James Cook • RB • Bills

Can James Cook Continue to Ascend in 2026 and Beyond?

Although Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was a highly productive player in his first three NFL seasons, he took his game to a new level in 2025. Across 17 games, the 26-year-old recorded 1,912 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns on 342 touches. Cook has always been an extremely efficient rusher, but the Bills coaching staff finally entrusted him with a true RB1 workload in 2025. Cook averaged 20.1 touches per game last season, well beyond his previous career-high of 16.5 touches per game in 2023. While the Bills shook up their coaching staff heading into 2026, former offensive coordinator Joe Brady is now the head coach in Buffalo and appears unlikely to drastically alter Cook's usage. Entering his age-27 season with an excellent offensive environment around him in Buffalo, Cook profiles as an elite dynasty running back.

14 hours ago

Lamar Jackson • QB • Ravens

Lamar Jackson Remains an Elite Dynasty Quarterback Despite Injury-Marred 2025

After back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson battled through a down year due to injuries in 2025. Back and hamstring injuries forced Jackson to miss four games, and he set career lows in both single-season rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (two). The 29-year-old Jackson is currently in the midst of contract extension negotiations with the Ravens, but he was reportedly in attendance for the start of the team's offseason program in early April. In 2026, Jackson will be working with a new head coach for the first time in his career and will have to adjust to a new play-caller in former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. While the new offense could lead to some early-season struggles, it could also help Jackson get back to his MVP form. As long as he stays healthy, Jackson remains the best dual-threat quarterback in fantasy football and still offers dynasty QB1 upside.

14 hours ago

Kyle Williams • WR • Patriots

Kyle Williams' Dynasty Value Limited by Uncertain Role in New England

A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams struggled to carve out a consistent role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 17 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 10 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 21 targets. Heading into 2026, Williams still projects to be behind Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kayshon Boutte on the Patriots' wide receiver depth chart. Boutte's name has come up in trade rumors, which could clear a path for Williams to step in as New England's primary deep-ball threat. However, the Patriots are also widely considered the favorites to land current Philadelphia Eagles superstar wideout A.J. Brown. If Brown does eventually end up in New England, it's difficult to imagine a world where Williams sees a significant playing time increase in his second season. Williams retains some dynasty upside due to his big-play ability, but his overall value is limited by his uncertain role with the Patriots.

14 hours ago

Isaac TeSlaa • WR • Lions

Isaac TeSlaa Still a Dynasty Depth Piece Worth Holding

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa put himself onto fantasy radars by scoring six touchdowns on only 16 receptions as a rookie, and while that rate is wholly unsustainable, he offers a different archetype to the Lions' receiver room and should see continued scoring opportunities in his second season. Over 38% of TeSlaa's targets came within the 20-yard line in 2025, and while some of that was a byproduct of tight end Sam LaPorta missing eight games, at 6'4" and 217 pounds with a verified 39.5" vertical, the 2025 third-round pick offers an enormous mismatch over smaller DBs and could continue to carve out a role as a jump ball specialist. While touchdowns alone will never match the fantasy predictability of sheer volume, TeSlaa's opportunities will be foreseeably capped in an offense with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and a healthy LaPorta, but if he can continue to convert targets into touchdowns at an above-average rate, he'll have his usable moments and is worth a dynasty stash as RotoBaller's WR86.

16 hours ago

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