Fantasy Football News

Christian McCaffrey • RB • 49ers

49ers Looking to Spell Christian McCaffrey More in 2026?

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted that the team might try to give star running back Christian McCaffrey more breathers in 2026 to keep him healthy and fresh, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. McCaffrey was the overall RB1 in fantasy football scoring in 2025 and is coming off a career-high 413 touches. The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro will turn 30 this summer, and although CMC is a game-changer when he's on the field, the Niners are being mindful about his workload, especially when considering his lengthy injury history in his nine years in the NFL. "I know that I don't want Christian to have to take all of that. It was amazing that he did and was able to do that. The reason it's so hard to get Christian out is because of how much he affects everything in the pass game, even when he's not getting the ball... But in order for us to be the running team we want to be, in order to have Christian be as good as he can be throughout the whole year, we've got to get someone to help him," Shanahan said. Even with a potential reduction in touches in 2026, McCaffrey will be a no-doubt RB1 target in the first round of fantasy drafts this fall.

5 hours ago

Brandon Aiyuk • WR • 49ers

49ers in No Rush on Brandon Aiyuk Situation

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team is hoping that they can get something in return for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Shanahan is unsure when a potential trade might take place, and he also said, "I know we're in no rush to do that." The 49ers are still holding out hope of trading the disgruntled and injured former first-rounder. Once they've exhausted all those avenues, they are eventually expected to release him after signing him to a four-year, $120 million contract in August of 2024. Aiyuk played in only seven games that year, catching 25 of his 47 targets for 374 yards and no touchdowns before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. The 28-year-old out of Arizona State didn't play at all in 2025. The Niners are expected to eventually release him with a post-June 1 designation, and the Commanders have been the most rumored landing spot for Aiyuk if/when he's released. Aiyuk had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in the Bay Area before his injury in 2024, making him a high-risk, high-reward player going into 2026 fantasy drafts.

5 hours ago

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Falcons Don't Want to Rush Michael Penix Jr.'s Rehab

Atlanta Falcons new head coach Kevin Stefanski said that the team isn't going to rush quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) rehab from a torn ACL that he suffered last season, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. The Falcons aren't putting a timetable on Penix this offseason after his season-ending knee injury in Week 11 of 2025. However, there have been reports that Penix is expected to be ready to return to action at some point in training camp this summer. By then, it could be too late for the former first-rounder out of the University of Washington if Tua Tagovailoa has already impressed the coaching staff in the competition for the starting QB job in 2026. Penix has torn the ACL in his knees already three times, dating back to college, so the Falcons have every reason to take it slow with the lefty signal-caller. Tua probably has the inside edge on the job in his first year in Atlanta, and Penix's lengthy injury history is ruining his dynasty/keeper stock. Depending on how Penix's rehab goes in the coming months, he could open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

5 hours ago

A.J. Brown • WR • Eagles

A.J. Brown is a "Member" of the Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said on Sunday at the league meetings that wide receiver A.J. Brown is a "member" of the team amid trade speculation this offseason, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. In January, Roseman said, "It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player. I think from my perspective, that's what we're going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency, in the draft, just trying to find great players who love football, and he's that guy." It's no secret that Brown was frustrated with the team's offense in 2025, which has fueled speculation that the Eagles would trade him this offseason. The New England Patriots have been the most commonly discussed destination, but Philly's asking price for Brown is very high, and the Pats also signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. Brown could still be traded, though, as the Eagles are financially incentivized to wait until at least June 1 to trade Brown. The 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler had his sixth 1,000-yard season in his seventh year in the league, but he also had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch and was as inconsistent as you can get for fantasy managers for a 1,000-yard wideout.

5 hours ago

Jonathon Brooks • RB • Panthers

Panthers Expect Jonathon Brooks to be Ready for OTAs and Minicamp

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that he expects running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) to be ready for organized team activities and minicamp, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is a major question mark in dynasty/keeper leagues after tearing his right ACL for the second time last year. The 22-year-old got a late start to his rookie campaign in 2024 in Carolina after rehabbing his first torn ACL from college, and he only saw nine carries for 22 yards in three games before tearing his ACL again. He missed all of the 2025 campaign, but he's now ramping up to help the Panthers' backfield in 2026, potentially. And with Rico Dowdle leaving in free agency to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brooks could have a clear path to RB2 duties in Carolina this coming season behind Chuba Hubbard if he can stay on the field. If fully healthy, Brooks will compete with both Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon for complementary work behind Hubbard in 2026.

5 hours ago

Alvin Kamara • RB • Saints

Saints Going Through "Offseason Process" With Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said on Monday that "they'll go through the whole offseason process" regarding running backs Alvin Kamara (knee) and Travis Etienne Jr., according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Moore added that "you can find a role for everyone" and that if you look around the NFL, "plenty of running backs play." Kamara and Etienne are similar RBs in terms of their explosiveness, but Kamara is 30 years old and has finished the last two seasons on the sidelines due to injuries. Kamara ended the 2025 campaign with a knee injury, and a contract restructure this offseason led many to wonder whether he would retire from professional football. For now, Moore continues to say that Kamara is absolutely on the Saints' roster, but after the team signed Etienne to a four-year, $52 million deal, Kamara's role will certainly shrink if he doesn't hang up his cleats and stays in the Big Easy. The former third-rounder in 2017 out of Tennessee played in a career-low 11 games in 2025 and averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry for 471 rushing yards and just one touchdown. Believe it or not, but Kamara has never had a 1,000-yard rushing season in his nine years in the NFL.

6 hours ago

Alec Pierce • WR • Colts

Can Alec Pierce Perform Like One of the Highest-Paid Receivers in the League?

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce hit free agency at the age of 25 after topping 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. In a free agent class lacking proven studs, Pierce took advantage of his well-timed situation and agreed to a four-year, $116 million deal to return to the Colts. With Indianapolis trading away veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. on the same day, the team removed any questions about who their number one receiver would be moving forward. Pierce's competition for targets will not be insignificant, with tight end Tyler Warren topping 100 targets as a rookie and Josh Downs finishing 2025 with one more target than Pierce (with an additional game played). Where Pierce stands out, both for the Colts and as a potential fantasy league-winner, is through his usage. His 20.0-yard ADoT and 21.3 yards per reception were both second in the NFL behind only Tyquan Thornton, who got there on fewer than half the targets. If Pittman's 100+ vacated targets are divvied up even close to evenly between Pierce, Warren, and Downs, there is little doubt as to who will benefit the most. If Pierce can hit 1,000 yards on 47 receptions, something closer to a 70-catch season could put him among the true fantasy difference makers.

7 hours ago

Michael Pittman Jr. • WR • Steelers

Michael Pittman Jr. a Buy-Low Candidate Following Post-Trade Dip

Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. finished the 2025 season valued as a low-end WR3 in consensus dynasty rankings, but since the offseason trade that moved him from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh, he has fallen to the low WR4 range. Pittman will be viewed by most as the clear second option behind D.K. Metcalf in a Steelers offense whose current quarterback situation would have to be graded as incomplete, so the dip is understandable, but he will still play the entirety of the 2026 season before turning 30, and he has finished as the WR23 or better in four of the past five seasons. He has become a go-to option for a revolving door of Colts quarterbacks by being a big-bodied target who runs precise routes and is rarely out of place against zone coverage. Whether his next signal caller is an unproven first-round rookie or a surly veteran who expects things to be done in a very particular way, nothing about Pittman's game suggests he will not continue to be a reliable target-earner.

7 hours ago

Rhamondre Stevenson • RB • Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson Should Still See Volume in Shared Backfield

New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson was on the field for more than twice as many snaps as rookie TreVeyon Henderson during the Patriots' four-game postseason run, indicating a heightened level of trust from the coaching staff when the games mattered most. Henderson already produced more than any rookie back in Josh McDaniels' system, and the expectation is that improved pass-protection in year two will make him harder to take off the field in critical situations. While that may be true, New England's run game as a whole is primed to take a massive step forward in Mike Vrabel's second season as head coach, resulting in a much larger pie to be split between his two primary backs. Almost every offensive move the team made in free agency signals a commitment to an improved and more physical running game. Alijah Vera-Tucker has struggled with devastating injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, he has been one of the most dominant guards in the league. Fullback Reggie Gilliam and blocking tight end Julian Hill both speak to the hard-nosed identity Vrabel is looking to establish, and in which Stevenson, who is being valued as a low-end RB3 in dynasty startups, should still have sneaky standalone value.

8 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Steelers Expect Decision From Aaron Rodgers Before the Draft

Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II said on Sunday that he expects veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide on whether he wants to re-sign with the team before next month's NFL draft, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Although the future Hall of Famer hasn't been rumored to be talking to any other teams since the start of the new league year in March, it remains unclear whether he wants to return for a 22nd NFL season under old head coach Mike McCarthy. The 42-year-old four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season starts to help lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs, but he was demolished in the Wild-Card round of the postseason and finished as the QB19 in fantasy scoring. If Rodgers returns to run it back with McCarthy, he'll have more receiving help in Michael Pittman Jr., but he'd still be more of a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues with limited upside at the end of his illustrious career. The risk of injury is as high as ever with Rodgers, although he missed just one game in the last two seasons after tearing his Achilles in 2023 with the Jets.

18 hours ago

Graham Gano • K • Giants

Giants Releasing Graham Gano

The New York Giants are releasing kicker Graham Gano (neck) on Sunday, sources told Connor Hughes of SNY. Gano will hit the open market after kicking in just six games for the Giants in 2025 due to groin and neck injuries. When the 38-year-old veteran was available, he made nine of his 10 field-goal tries (1-for-1 from 50-plus yards) and was a perfect 9-of-9 on his extra points. He will now hit the open market after being with the G-Men for each of the last six seasons. Before that, he spent three years in Washington and another seven with the Carolina Panthers. With the move, the Giants will save $4.5 million in salary cap space in 2026. Former Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is now in line to serve as New York's primary placekicker next year with Gano gone. In his 16-year career, Gano has made 83.8% of his field-goal tries, including going 46-for-67 from 50-plus yards. It's possible that Gano will consider hanging up his cleats as he nears 40 years old.

19 hours ago

Trent Williams • OT • 49ers

49ers Making Headway With Trent Williams on Potential Extension

A contract extension for San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams could be imminent, according to general manager John Lynch. "I would say in the last week, it's kind of intensified," Lynch said at the NFL owners' meetings. "And feel like we're on the precipice of something good happening." There were several reports in the last month that the 49ers could end up trading or releasing Williams if they couldn't agree to terms on a new deal. Lynch hasn't qualified the negotiations with Williams' camp as contentious at all, but said the situation required "nuance" because of his age (37). Despite his age, the former first-rounder (fourth overall) by Washington in 2010 out of Oklahoma has been a 12-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro in his 15 years in the league. Williams is still a high-end left tackle, so locking him up for what will likely be his final contract in the NFL will be a big boost for quarterback Brock Purdy and the rest of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.

21 hours ago

Mykel Williams • DL • 49ers

Mykel Williams Expected to be Back for Training Camp

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch expects defensive lineman Mykel Williams (knee) to be back from his ACL tear for training camp this summer, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. However, Lynch acknowledged that Williams' recovery could take a little longer since he tore his ACL a month and a half into the season after pass-rusher Nick Bosa did. Williams also tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee in Week 9. The 21-year-old pass-rusher was the 11th overall pick last year out of Georgia. He played in nine games in his rookie campaign and had 20 tackles (11 solo), four tackles for loss, three QB hits, one sack, and a fumble recovery. We won't be surprised if the Niners play it very safe with Williams during training camp, but barring a setback, he will have a shot to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2026 season.

21 hours ago

Nick Bosa • DL • 49ers

49ers Expect Nick Bosa Back for Training Camp

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that he expects defensive lineman Nick Bosa (knee) to be back from his ACL tear for training camp this summer, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Bosa had surgery last September for a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 3. Since the injury occurred so early in the year in 2025, the 28-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher has a shot to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, depending on how he looks in training camp and the preseason. Getting Bosa back will be a massive boost to what was a totally banged-up defensive unit last year. The five-time Pro Bowler is a high-end IDP fantasy pass-rushing option when fully healthy, but he's high-risk, high-reward because of his lengthy injury history. Bosa led the league in sacks with 18.5 in 2022, and he has 64.5 sacks in his 85 games played over his seven NFL seasons. Twice in his career, though, Bosa has played in fewer than five games in a single season due to injuries.

21 hours ago

Myles Garrett • DE • Browns

Browns GM Confirms Myles Garrett isn't Being Traded

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on Sunday that the team isn't trading All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier this week on the Pat McAfee Show that the Browns have been "adamant" that they aren't trying to move Garrett, who set the single-season NFL sack record in 2025 with 23 sacks in 17 starts, after modifying his contract to save some salary cap space. It would send a pretty bad message to Browns fans if they traded one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL the year after breaking the all-time sack record. The 30-year-old former first-rounder in 2017 out of Texas A&M will be back with the Browns this coming season to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks across the league. Garrett is a physical freak and a beast on the football field with 125.5 career sacks in his nine NFL seasons. Unsurprisingly, Garrett will come off the board fast as a defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.

22 hours ago

Quinshon Judkins • RB • Browns

Browns Hopeful Quinshon Judkins Will be on the Field "in Some Form" This Spring

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that he's hopeful that running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) will be on the field "in some form or fashion" this spring, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Judkins suffered a dislocated right ankle late in his rookie season in 2025 and had surgery. The 22-year-old former second-rounder in 2025 out of Ohio State should be ready in time for training camp this summer and the start of the 2026 regular season. There is no doubt heading into his sophomore campaign that Judkins will lead Cleveland's backfield, which also consists of Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders. In his first NFL season, Judkins had 827 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 230 carries over 14 starts, adding 26 catches for 171 yards through the air. The only thing holding Judkins back from being a strong RB1 for fantasy managers might be the Browns' offense, which figures to be led by either Deshaun Watson (Achilles) or second-year QB Shedeur Sanders.

22 hours ago

Geno Smith • QB • Jets

"No Doubt" That Geno Smith is Jets' Starting Quarterback

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told Judy Battista of the NFL Network that there is "no doubt about it" that Geno Smith will be the team's starting quarterback in 2026. "Listen, he's done it. I mean, those years in Seattle, when he was, I think, Comeback Player of the Year. Man, he was up for MVP early in the season. There's no doubt in my mind that we brought a competent starter here to this team," Glenn said. The 35-year-old veteran signal-caller was a Pro Bowler in back-to-back seasons with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 and 2023, but in his lone season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, it was ugly for Smith. He completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts. The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft thanks to Smith, and the Jets might be hoping he can do the same for them going into the 2027 NFL draft as they search for their next franchise QB. Smith is merely a bridge option under center and should be considered a low-end QB2 in fantasy this fall with little upside.

Yesterday

George Kittle • TE • 49ers

49ers Hopeful George Kittle Will be Ready for Week 1

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is doing "very good" in his recovery from a torn Achilles in the postseason and that the team is hopeful that he'll be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2026 season, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Kittle will be managed carefully during training camp this summer, but "he's progressing at a good rate." The 32-year-old veteran tore his Achilles tendon in the team's Wild-Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11 and went under the knife a week later. Fantasy managers shouldn't take this as gospel that Kittle will be ready for the start of the regular season, as ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported over a month ago that the Pro Bowl tight end might not return until around Week 5. Kittle is a high-end TE1 option for fantasy managers when he's healthy, but the uncertainty around his injury going into 2026 will cause his price to drop. He finished as the TE11 in half-PPR scoring in 2025 with 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in only 11 regular-season games played.

Yesterday

Zach Charbonnet • RB • Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet Could Return to a Wide-Open Backfield

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore his ACL in a Divisional Round playoff win over the 49ers, making him extremely unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. The Seahawks watched Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III take a top-of-market deal with the Chiefs in free agency and have done little to address the running back position, heading into April's NFL Draft with Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, and Kenny McIntosh as the top healthy backs on the roster. Seattle holds the 32nd overall pick and has become a buzzy landing spot for whoever becomes the second running back drafted behind top prospect Jeremiyah Love. The team has reportedly hosted Jonah Coleman and Chip Trayanum on official visits, and depending on exactly how early they make a move at the position, Charbonnet could see a mid-season return to one of the most wide-open backfields in the league.

Yesterday

Brian Thomas Jr. • WR • Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr.'s Uncertain Future Could Make Him a Buy-Low Candidate

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has seen his name floated in trade rumors since last season's trade deadline, despite repeated claims from the front office that they are not shopping their former first-round pick following a disappointing second season. After making 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, Thomas was held to 707 yards and two scores on only 48 receptions in 2025. Regardless of where he plays in 2026, he could be viewed as a buy-low candidate. Stuck in a muddled receiver room after a down year, he is currently being drafted as a low-end WR2 in dynasty startups, less than a year after topping out as a top-five receiver in most dynasty circles. The talent he displayed both in college and as a rookie is real, though motivation issues have hounded him since his time at LSU. Should he remain in Jacksonville, Thomas has the explosive playmaking abilities to regain the most fantasy-relevant role on the team, while a new home and a fresh start would likely also see his value spike.

Yesterday

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