Fantasy Football News

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders finished the 2025 season as the team's starter, but that doesn't mean his job is guaranteed for 2026. Sanders is expected to face competition at the quarterback position as Deshaun Watson (Achilles) rejoins the offense. Watson hasn't played since Week 7 of the 2024 season, but he's expected to compete with Sanders for the starting role during training camp. On one hand, the Browns' lofty investment of multiple first-round picks in Watson would presumably give him an advantage in the competition. On the other hand, he's coming off an injury, hasn't played in a season and a half, and didn't play particularly well even when he was healthy. Sanders didn't have a great rookie season by any means, either, posting a measly 56.6% completion rate with just seven passing touchdowns and 11 turnovers. This will be a very interesting position battle to monitor, and Sanders will have to deliver a strong summer to win the job over Watson.

Free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) remains unsigned as the end of March approaches. Hill was cut loose by the Miami Dolphins as the organization underwent a major restructuring. Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa were both released, and the team also fired head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier. Although the move was less about Hill's performance and more about his fit within the organization's vision for the future (plus his salary), it's worth noting that his productivity has declined, and he is past his peak. He dropped to WR18 with 959 yards in 2024, and he totaled just 21 catches, 265 yards, and one touchdown through four games before tearing his ACL last year. On a positive note, Hill's agent recently said that the receiver will be ready for Week 1 iin 2026, so he should be ready to contribute as a play-making perimeter receiver right away. Depending on where he signs, he could still be a valuable fantasy option as a low-end WR2.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is expected to receive a major quarterback upgrade this offseason. The Raiders traded away quarterback Geno Smith, opening the door for them to draft projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. While Mendoza's success in the NFL is far from guaranteed, he offers more upside than any quarterback Bowers has played with before. A potent passer could be exactly what Bowers needs to reclaim the top spot in the dynasty fantasy football rankings. Trey McBride closed the gap on Bowers last year, but Vegas' tight end is still an elite fantasy threat. He had 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns across just 12 games last year, averaging 14.7 fantasy points per game in PPR formats. If he can put up those numbers with Smith as his quarterback, he can easily jump to a tier of his own with Mendoza at quarterback and offensive-minded head coach Klint Kubiak running the show. Given that he's due for improvement in 2026, Bowers might be worth buying in dynasty leagues. However, make no mistake about it -- he's not going to come cheap.

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins had a strong 2025 season, and he remains a key piece of the passing attack ahead of 2026. Hollins has quietly put together back-to-back impressive campaigns. Between 2024 with the Bills and 2025 with the Patriots, he tallied 77 catches, 928 yards, and seven touchdowns. He was the overall WR58 last year, despite missing the final two games of the regular season due to injury. The veteran receiver fended off any sort of rookie breakout for Kyle Williams, and he also leapfrogged DeMario Douglas on the depth chart. Pretty early into the season, Hollins had already established himself as the Patriots' No. 3 receiver behind Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. He remains in a similar role going forward, as the Patriots' only offseason move at the position was releasing Diggs and replacing him with Romeo Doubs. We expect Williams to see more targets next year, but Hollins should still be the clear No. 3 receiver, especially after earning the trust of head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye. He's an intriguing buy-low option in dynasty leagues because he only costs a late-round pick in trades, yet offers potential WR3/flex value on a weekly basis, especially in deeper leagues.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has a real opportunity in 2026 to be a sleeper breakout receiver for fantasy managers in both single-year and keeper leagues as part of the Dolphins' offensive rebuild. Miami has a new front office and coaching staff, and they have gutted their previous offensive regime this offseason by cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) and trading Jaylen Waddle. They signed for Dallas Cowboys wideout Jalen Tolbert, but as of now, Washington projects as the team's WR2 as he heads into his third year in the NFL. Some fantasy managers were hoping the former sixth-rounder would step up in Hill's absence last year, but he only managed 46 catches on 65 targets for 317 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games played. Washington's fantasy arrow is definitely pointing up in dynasty/keeper leagues right now due to the increased volume he's likely to see in 2026, but it remains to be seen if he can take advantage of it and develop solid chemistry with new quarterback Malik Willis.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had a solid showing in 2024 in his first year in Cincinnati, catching 65 of his 83 targets for 665 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games played. The 30-year-old wasn't able to produce at that level in 2025, though, as he finished with 28 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets in just 13 games played. Gesicki missed time with a pectoral injury and was also hurt by quarterback Joe Burrow missing eight games with a turf-toe injury. Gesicki finished as the TE40 in half-PPR scoring. In dynasty/keeper leagues, Gesicki wouldn't be a bad buy-low candidate after a down year in 2025. Burrow typically focuses primarily on his two stud wideouts in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but if healthy, Gesicki could approach his numbers from 2024 in Cincy's pass-happy offense. In redraft fantasy football leagues, Gesicki will be more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 with upside, carrying more appeal in TE-premium formats.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette totaled 35 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns on 64 targets in 15 regular-season games (12 starts) in his second year in the NFL in 2025. It was a disappointing line for the 25-year-old former 32nd overall pick in 2024 out of South Carolina after he had 49 catches (84 targets) for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games in his rookie campaign in Carolina. We knew that things could be difficult for Legette in his sophomore year as soon as the Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of last year's NFL draft. He finished as the third leading receiver in 2025 in Carolina behind McMillan and Jalen Coker, who is really emerging as one of quarterback Bryce Young's favorite targets in the passing game. Between McMillan and Coker, there doesn't figure to be a ton of targets left over for Legette going into the 2026 season this fall. Legette is a buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues, but he might need an injury to McMillan or Coker to become more consistently involved like he was in his rookie year.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman had a career year in 2024 in his fourth year in the league, catching 45 of his 72 targets for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. The Ravens were saying last offseason that they were hoping to get Bateman more involved. It didn't happen, as the 26-year-old former 27th overall pick in 2021 out of Minnesota caught just 19 passes on 38 targets for 224 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. Bateman didn't have much of a chance with quarterback Lamar Jackson struggling with efficiency and multiple lower-body injuries throughout the year. As he looks to bounce back in 2026, Bateman and the rest of Baltimore's offensive skill players will be learning a new offense under a new coaching staff and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The Ravens haven't made any additions to their WR room this offseason, but they could look to add some pass-catchers in the upcoming NFL draft. Even without much added competition, Bateman is a tough sell as a buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues, and it's looking like his 2024 campaign will be an outlier.

Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens was a popular selection in rookie drafts last year because of his role behind Jonathan Taylor. Managers saw that Taylor had missed 16 games over the last three seasons and believed that Giddens could end up starting some games if the star running back missed time. The logic was sound, but Taylor ended up having one of the healthiest and most successful seasons of his career, logging 1,963 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns without missing any games. Giddens had 12 carries for 41 yards in Week 1, but he was limited to just six touches over the next six weeks as Taylor played the vast majority of the snaps. The rookie ended up being a healthy scratch for roughly half the season, as Indianapolis rotated him, Tyler Goodson, and Ameer Abdullah in depth roles. Giddens got back into action in Week 18, rushing for 30 carries on eight yards. In games where he played at least one-quarter of the snaps, Giddens averaged 10 touches and 3.55 yards per carry. He wasn't amazing by any means, but he flashed enough upside to suggest that the Colts could turn to him as Taylor's primary backup in 2026. Now, we're back in a familiar situation, with Giddens' fantasy value hinging on Taylor's availability. The Kansas State product should be viewed as an encouraging buy-low option in dynasty leagues this offseason, especially for managers who roster Taylor and want to also add his handcuff.

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has consistently produced as a low-end TE1 in fantasy football, and he's due for another strong season in 2026 given his prominent role on offense. Henry showcased a strong rapport with quarterback Drake Maye last year, as the two connected for 60 completions, 768 yards, and seven touchdowns. Henry has now been the overall TE12 and TE9 over the last two years, largely thanks to his role as one of the top targets in New England. He could be headed for even more volume in 2026 after the Patriots released Stefon Diggs. Some of Diggs' 102 vacated targets will go to new signing Romeo Doubs, but the rest will be distributed to some of Maye's most trusted pass-catchers, including Henry. We would not be surprised to see him catch another six-plus touchdowns while turning in a top-10 finish next year. His 2026 outlook is too encouraging to sell high, but he's also a little too old to buy in dynasty leagues. At this point, dynasty managers should view him as a firm "hold."

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner took a major step forward in 2025, and he remains atop the depth chart heading into 2026. During his second pro season, Barner caught 52 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Not only did he post new career-highs in all three categories, but he also held off any sort of rookie breakout effort from fellow tight end Elijah Arroyo. Coming into the season, it seemed like Arroyo was destined to ascend into the No. 1 role eventually, but that never came to fruition. From a fantasy perspective, Barner emerged as the overall TE14 in PPR leagues. Still just 23 years old, he's trending up in dynasty leagues and could push for a top-12 finish in 2026. The opportunity to buy low on him is running out, but you might still be able to acquire him at a discount if his current manager expects Arroyo to steal some of his volume going forward.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman has been an appealing long-term dynasty option ever since being drafted in 2023, but given that he still hasn't broken out, managers are starting to lose patience. Tillman had plenty of opportunities to produce when healthy last year, filling the undisputed No. 2 role behind Jerry Jeudy. The quarterback play admittedly wasn't great, but Tillman's overall volume and production were still disappointing, all things considered. He ultimately played in 13 games last year, catching 21 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Across three years in the league, he has ranked as the WR118, WR90, and WR98. Tillman is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and could be worth dropping in dynasty leagues, especially as managers are forced to make tough roster crunch decisions with rookie drafts approaching.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs continues to produce impressive results while handling a large workload. He has been the overall RB6 and RB13 in fantasy football through two seasons in Green Bay, and he shows no signs of slowing down in 2026. Last year, Jacobs totaled 929 rushing yards, 282 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns across 15 games. Injuries were the biggest concern for the veteran, as a lingering knee injury forced him to miss two games and also limited his efficiency near the end of the year. When healthy, though, he looked like a mid-range RB1, consistently posting higher efficiency numbers and getting multiple goal-line opportunities each game. Moving forward, Jacobs remains in a favorable role to produce. The Packers allowed Emanuel Wilson to walk in free agency, leaving minimal competition in this backfield. Green Bay could still add a ball-carrier via a trade or the draft, but for now, Jacobs has the backfield all to himself.

The Seattle Seahawks announced on Friday that they exercised cornerback Devon Witherspoon's fifth-year option, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. The Seahawks have tried to work out an extension this offseason with the former first-rounder from 2023. OverTheCap.com projects Witherspoon's fifth-year option for 2027 to come in at around $21.2 million since he's made the Pro Bowl three times. He has a strong case to be the position's highest-paid player if he reaches an extension with Seattle. The 25-year-old has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons after Seattle took him fifth overall in 2023 out of Illinois. Witherspoon has a total of 249 tackles (170 solo), 4.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, nine QB hits, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), seven pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in his 43 games (42 starts) for the Seahawks. He was a big reason Seattle's defense was one of the best in the league in their run to a Super Bowl championship last season.

Free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (foot), who continues to rehab a foot injury, "fully intends" to play in 2026, his agent, David Mulugheta, told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Twenty-six teams have reached out to Wilkins so far and are waiting for him to be ready to play. The 30-year-old interior defensive lineman played in only five games with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 before being released last year after he signed a five-year, $110 million deal in March of '04. Wilkins ended up filing a grievance against the Raiders, who claim that he refused to get surgery on his foot after they recommended it. It was a messy situation, but he's on the open market and likely to sign with a team sooner than later this offseason so that he can begin preparations to return in 2026 this fall. The former 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019 out of Clemson has 22.5 career sacks in six seasons (86 games) and can provide a team in need of interior D-line help some valuable experience. Wilkins had a career-high nine sacks in 17 games with Miami in his final year with the team in 2023.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Seattle Seahawks restricted free-agent wide receiver Jake Bobo to an offer sheet on Friday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The Seahawks now have five days to decide on whether to match the offer. If they don't match it, Bobo will head to the AFC South. The 27-year-old pass-catcher has 34 catches on 44 targets for 323 yards and three touchdowns in 45 games (three starts) in Seattle in his first three years in the NFL, including a 17-yard touchdown catch in the NFC Championship game win over the Los Angeles Rams. Bobo has also been a key member of the Seahawks' special teams unit and their best blocking receiver. He had a career-low two grabs for 20 yards in 11 regular-season games in 2025 and has yet to be an asset in fantasy football leagues. A move to Jacksonville would not help Bobo's chances of seeing more work on offense in 2026.

The San Francisco 49ers did not pick up All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams' $10 million option bonus on Friday, which would have prorated over four years against the salary cap, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Instead, the money joins Williams' $22 million base salary for the 2026 season, and his new salary cap hit becomes $46.3 million. It's not tied to any guaranteed money, and his cap hit is expected to be reduced while the two sides continue to work on a new contract. The 37-year-old former fourth overall pick remains one of the league's best left tackles despite his age. Williams is a 12-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. The 49ers certainly want to retain him to protect quarterback Brock Purdy's blind side, but they are also aware that he's no spring chicken anymore and is nearing the end of his career.

The Seattle Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on Friday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. As Schefter mentions, this is a precursor to a much larger contract extension that the Seahawks and Smith-Njigba will be working on after the 24-year-old won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 in his second season in the league and helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl LX. The former 20th overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State made his second straight Pro Bowl and led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards during the regular season while adding 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns. JSN displayed excellent chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold in 2025 and was nearly impossible to stop by opposing defenses because of his quickness and yards-after-the-catch ability. After his outstanding season, Smith-Njigba will be one of the first receivers off the board in fantasy football drafts later this year.

Wide receiver DJ Chark announced on his social media on Friday that he is retiring from professional football, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Chark was originally drafted in the second round (61st overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 NFL draft out of LSU. The 29-year-old spent the first four years of his NFL career in Duvall, catching 147 of his 265 targets for 2,042 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 43 games (30 starts). His lone Pro Bowl season came in 2019 with Jacksonville, when he had a career year with 73 catches, 1,008 yards, and eight touchdowns in 15 games played. After his time with the Jags, Chark spent the final three years of his career with the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers, combining for 69 catches for 1,058 yards and nine touchdowns on 128 targets over 33 total games. Chark signed with Atlanta at the start of training camp last year but was released in August. He finishes his seven-year NFL career with 216 catches, 3,100 yards, and 24 total touchdowns in 76 games (51 starts).

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan suspects that tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) will be ready for the offseason program, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Morgan said the third-year tight end is looking good in his rehab. Sanders suffered a broken right fibula in the Week 17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after that. The 22-year-old has made good progress in the offseason, though, so barring a setback, he should be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. Sanders had only 29 catches on 34 targets for 190 yards and one touchdown in his second year in the league for the Panthers. Going into next season, even if fully healthy, Sanders projects as a TE2, at best, in fantasy football. He'll face competition for targets at the TE position with Tommy Tremble, who caught 27 of his 37 targets for 249 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025.