Fantasy Football News

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was a high-end RB1 and a dark-horse MVP candidate throughout the first half of the 2025 NFL season. Across his first 10 games of the year, he was averaging 113.9 rushing yards, 3.0 receptions, 26.0 receiving yards, and 1.7 touchdowns per contest. He ranked as the overall RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. Things went downhill from there, though, as the Colts hit their bye week and soon after lost Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles injury. The suboptimal quarterback play of Riley Leonard and Philip Rivers made it challenging for Jonathan Taylor to maintain his superstar role. He averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (23rd-best) the rest of the way. Jones has a strong chance to be healthy in Week 1 of the 2026 season, which would be great news for Taylor. The 27-year-old has proven that he can still be an elite ball-carrier if the offense is in decent shape. He continues to be treated as a top running back option in RotoBaller's latest dynasty football rankings, where he ranks as the overall RB6.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had another spectacular season in 2025, totaling 1,223 rushing yards, 77 catches, 616 receiving yards, and 18 total touchdowns. He scored a career-high 366.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues, but despite this new personal-best mark, he actually dropped in the overall ranking from RB1 in 2024 to RB3 last year. Moving forward, Gibbs is a strong candidate to jump back up to the overall RB1 spot in 2026. The backfield dynamic looks a little different, which has the potential to help his cause. David Montgomery was traded to Houston, leaving behind 908 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. Most -- but perhaps not all -- of that vacated volume will go to Isiah Pacheco, who signed with the Lions in free agency. Pacheco is averaging just 4.25 touchdowns per season throughout his career, though, so we wouldn't be surprised to see some of Montgomery's goal-line volume go to Gibbs. If the 24-year-old can stay healthy for a full 17-game season again, he'll certainly be in the mix to finish as the overall RB1 in 2026 and beyond. Fantasy managers are taking notice, as Gibbs ranks as the RB1 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings. That puts him ahead of Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, who has been a top-three fantasy running back in back-to-back seasons.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba took another substantial step forward in 2025, catching 119 of his 163 targets for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. He set new career-highs in all four categories, and he also had the best fantasy finish of his young career, ranking as the overall WR2 in PPR leagues. He and Puka Nacua were neck-and-neck in the race for the WR1 title, with the Rams' receiver ultimately edging out Smith-Njigba by 16.1 fantasy points. Smith-Njigba has certainly lived up to his hype as a former first-round pick, and he has shown that he can produce regardless of which quarterback is throwing him passes. With that said, he'll certainly appreciate the consistency the Seahawks have at the quarterback position for now, with Sam Darnold under contract through 2027. At just 24 years old, Smith-Njigba's youth, productivity, and role in a high-powered offense make him an elite fantasy football option. But is he the best of the best? As it stands, Smith-Njigba ranks #2 among wide receivers in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings. He's in the top tier, but he ranks one spot behind Ja'Marr Chase and one spot ahead of Nacua.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is coming off another disappointing season in which he caught a modest 38 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns. He didn't live up to his expectations as a former first-round pick, ranking as the WR60 in PPR leagues. He wasn't a worthwhile fantasy starter, and yet that was still the best fantasy finish of his young career. The second-year pass-catcher ended up missing four games due to performance and disciplinary reasons, falling out of favor with former head coach Sean McDermott. While McDermott is no longer in Buffalo, new head coach Joe Brady was the team's offensive coordinator last year and presumably has similar feelings about Coleman as his predecessor. The elephant in the room is the fact that Buffalo went out and traded for DJ Moore this offseason. At best, Coleman is stuck behind Moore and Khalil Shakir on the depth chart. However, he could also end up behind Tyrell Shavers and any potential rookie draft pick. Furthermore, there's a real chance that he could finish with fewer targets than tight end Dawson Knox, tight end Dalton Kincaid, or both. Just two years into his NFL career, it seems like Coleman needs a new chapter and a fresh start. For now, though, he remains a Bill, and his path to any sort of fantasy relevance is highly improbable. He should be stashed in deeper fantasy leagues and dropped in shallower formats.

The Jacksonville Jaguars went out and signed running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. to a two-year, $10 million deal this offseason. He replaces Travis Etienne Jr. in the Jags' backfield, but that doesn't mean that we should pencil Rodriguez in to acquire all of Etienne's vacated carries (260) and targets (52). Rather, Rodriguez will compete with Bhayshul Tuten for the lead-back role during training camp, and third-string running back LeQuint Allen should also carve out significant volume as a passing-down specialist. Therefore, Rodriguez's ceiling isn't RB10, where Etienne ranked in 2025, but rather a mid-range RB2. The same can be said for Tuten. The good news is that Rodriguez presumably fills a hole the Jaguars' front office believed they had. Otherwise, they wouldn't have actively gone out and signed him to a multi-year deal. He's not a lock to finish 2026 as a top-36 fantasy running back, but there's RB3/flex value here if the backfield ends up split, and he has RB2 upside if he wins the lead-back role.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington should take over exclusive responsibility of the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Pat Freiermuth, but his lack of ties to the new coaching staff could complicate the situation. Washington was drafted by former head coach Mike Tomlin, and he had the best season of his young career in 2025 under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Both Tomlin and Smith are gone, being replaced by Mike McCarthy and Brian Angelichio. That's not to say that McCarthy and Angelichio won't utilize Washington; the Steelers' lack of tight end moves this offseason suggests they're satisfied with the position. However, the new staff has no attachment to Washington, and they could opt to use him less than Smith did in 2025, when he caught 31 passes for 364 yards and one touchdown. That's just one possibility amidst a large range of possible outcomes, so fantasy managers shouldn't necessarily panic. He's a speculative hold in most dynasty leagues at the moment.

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell was arrested on Friday and charged with possession of a controlled substance and marijuana, according to Collin County jail records. The possession of a controlled substance is a felony, while the marijuana possession is a Class B misdemeanor. Bell is now subject to a penalty from the NFL under its personal-conduct policy. The 27-year-old defensive back is entering the second year of a two-year, three-year, $9 million deal with Dallas. Bell went undrafted out of Florida A&M before joining the Cowboys for his NFL debut in 2022. In his four years with the team, he has 142 tackles (86 solo), one interception, seven pass breakups, and three forced fumbles in 48 games played (11 starts). He played in 17 games (eight starts) last year and had 41 tackles (20 solo), his first career interception, and a forced fumble. Bell could face a short suspension in 2026 to open his fifth year in the NFL.

New York wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was acquired in the mid-season deal that saw the Jets ship cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts, and over eight inconsistent games with his new team, he showed a handful of flashes, scoring twice and topping 100 yards for the first time in his career in a Week 13 win over the Falcons. For the duration of Garrett Wilson's career, the Jets have been trying to pair him with another receiver capable of drawing coverage, something they had briefly with Davante Adams, but Mitchell now represents the most capable option currently on the roster. The Jets have two of the first 16 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including number two overall, and they have been regularly tied to some of the top names in a deep receiver class. However, with three picks in the first round of the 2027 draft, they could opt to continue shoring up the trenches and wait to make their splashier moves in a draft expected to be richer in talent. Should New York choose to ignore the receiving room until later in the draft, Mitchell would have every opportunity to claim the role opposite Wilson in two-receiver sets, clearing a path to a modest year-three breakout.

Following a 2024 season in which he topped 2,000 rushing yards and garnered MVP buzz for much of the year, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley saw his yardage and touchdown numbers nearly cut in half in his second season with the team. Barkley ended 2025 as fantasy's RB14, his lowest finish in any season in which he played at least 15 games, and his first time finishing outside the top six under such circumstances. Injuries to the Eagles' offensive line and turmoil between quarterback Jalen Hurts and receiver AJ Brown left the offense as a whole looking out of sorts for much of the season, and Barkley's 378 total touches from the previous season rarely went unmentioned when discussing the struggles of a now 29-year-old running back with a history of durability concerns. The silver lining is that Barkley is a true athletic outlier in every sense of the word. Even at his worst, he still topped 1,400 yards from scrimmage while scoring nine touchdowns. The Eagles' offensive line is another year older, but when healthy, they remain among the top units in the league, and they could benefit from an increase in the zone-blocking schemes that new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is expected to bring from the McVay coaching tree. Additionally, loudening rumors have suggested that the Eagles are prepared to ship out AJ Brown after June 1st, with the recent additions made to their receiver room doing little to dissuade the notion. Barkley will be 30 by Super Bowl LXI, but for contending dynasty managers, he still has the ability to far outperform his current RB10 dynasty ranking.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and despite playing his college ball in Stanford's low-passing-volume offense, he came into the league with a dynamic set of traits that made him a popular dynasty stash. In 2025, he rewarded patient managers with a third-year breakout that saw him top 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and finish as the fantasy WR2 from Week 11 through the end of the season. Opinions are now split as to how targets will be distributed in Arizona, creating an interesting market for Wilson in which he could be viewed as a buy-low in one league or a sell-high in another. Few would argue that tight end Trey McBride will again be the focal point of Arizona's offense, but outside of that, constants are limited in the desert. The Cardinals return Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback after his 41.6 pass attempts per game led the league after taking over at starter in Week 6, putting him on a 17-game pace for the fourth-highest total in NFL history and nearly 250 attempts more than his previous high. Running backs James Conner and Trey Benson are both expected to return to full health after playing in a combined seven games in 2025, and the team added Tyler Allgeier through free agency, which should see that outlier passing rate regress to the mean. Additionally, most of Wilson's best games in 2025 came with Marvin Harrison Jr. either sidelined or playing through injury, and the former led the latter in targets only twice in the 12 games they played together. Wilson's late-season breakout could be a legitimate superstar turn, or it could be the product of circumstance, but it is up to savvy dynasty managers to determine how their own leagues feel about him and act accordingly.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson caught 82 passes for 600 yards on his way to a TE8 finish in 2025, but the path there wasn't always a straight line. Ferguson began the year as the overall TE1 through the first seven weeks, but played out the rest of the season as TE22, catching only two of his eight total touchdowns from that point forward. The 27-year-old former fourth-round pick has shown flashes of week-winning potential, but the biggest hindrance to consistent fantasy production is that he plays on a team with two certified target earners in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, both of whom saw over 7.7 targets per game in their first season together. Despite a recent infusion of youth at the position, the value of tight ends is still a curve that runs relatively flat outside of the true difference makers, so Ferguson managers should continue to feel good about a player who can provide a relatively safe floor while offering the occasional spike week to outperform his current TE12 dynasty ranking.

Former Chiefs and Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) remains unsigned one full month into the new league year, and at this point, it seems extremely unlikely that he will find a new home until after the NFL Draft. Hill's 2025 campaign was limited to only four games after suffering a gruesome knee injury, but his play had fallen off considerably since flirting with a 2,000-yard season in 2023, putting up only 60.8 yards per game over the past two seasons. The Dolphins released him in February, and while there were early rumors of a reunion in Kansas City, nothing has materialized, and most receiver-needy teams will now look to address the position with younger, cheaper options from a deep draft class. The 32-year-old Hill did not dismiss the idea of retirement in the immediate aftermath of the injury, but has since suggested he still has more to give after being cut for the first time in his NFL career.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was a disappointment for his fantasy managers in his second season in the NFL in 2025 after going off for 112 catches on 153 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games in his rookie campaign. A knee injury in his sophomore campaign set Bowers back, as he ultimately played in only 12 games and finished with 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. The 23-year-old former 13th overall pick in 2024 out of Georgia is still considered a top-15 dynasty selection at RotoBaller going into the 2026 season, despite his injury woes a year ago. Michael Mayer is still in town, but there's no debating that Bowers is Vegas' top pass-catching TE option when he's fully healthy. The Raiders' offense was putrid with veteran quarterback Geno Smith running the show in 2025, but Bowers' stock should rise in 2026 with some combination of veteran Kirk Cousins and projected No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. If Mendoza pans out as a solid overall QB prospect, Bowers should be in good hands and in play as the yearly overall TE1 in fantasy for years to come.

The Atlanta Falcons officially picked up running back Bijan Robinson's fifth-year option on Friday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The move will give the Falcons more time to negotiate a deal with the star RB. The 24-year-old has been a Pro Bowler each of the last two seasons, and he had his second straight 1,400-yard rushing season with seven rushing touchdowns on 287 carries in 17 games in 2025 in his third year in the NFL. Robinson also added a career-high 79 receptions on 103 targets for 820 yards and another four scores through the air as a receiver. The former eighth overall pick in the 2023 draft out of the University of Texas is the real deal and a true workhorse for fantasy managers. He finished as the RB3 in 2025 in half-PPR scoring, behind only Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor. Even though the Falcons have a dicey QB competition this summer between the injured Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa, Robinson should have a very high floor because of the heavy volume he should receive. He figures to be a popular choice for the first overall fantasy pick this fall.

Across 15 games in 2025, New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins recorded 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns on 65 targets. While Hollins has never recorded more than 57 catches or 590 receiving yards in any of his eight NFL seasons, the 32-year-old's ability to contribute as a blocker and downfield threat helped him carve out a key role in New England. Despite missing two regular-season games and two postseason games due to injury, Hollins still finished second among Patriots' wide receivers in total snaps. New England made a big free agent addition by signing former Green Bay Packers wideout Romeo Doubs. However, the team also moved on from wideout Stefon Diggs, who led the team in targets in 2025. All in all, Hollins could end up playing a similar role in his second season with the Patriots in 2026. He might not offer high-end upside, but Hollins could still be worth rostering in dynasty formats due to his steady playing time floor.

Across 17 games in 2025, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington recorded 46 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets. The 25-year-old also played a role as a rusher, collecting 110 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. While Washington's average of 6.9 yards per reception doesn't exactly jump off the page, there may still be reason to believe in him as a breakout candidate in 2026. Miami's pass-catching corps underwent a major overhaul over the offseason, as Jaylen Waddle was traded to the Denver Broncos and Tyreek Hill (knee) is currently a free agent. The Dolphins brought in wide receivers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert as replacements, but neither profiles as a high-volume target-earner. If Washington can develop early chemistry with new Miami quarterback Malik Willis, he has a chance to emerge as a leader in the team's wide receiver room. In dynasty formats, Washington could be a prime buy-low candidate.

In his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, veteran tight end Mike Gesicki recorded just 28 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets across 13 games. The 30-year-old's numbers were down from his first season in Cincinnati in 2024, when he hauled in 65 catches for 665 yards and two scores on 83 targets. Gesicki missed time with a pectoral injury and was also hurt by the absence of star Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who was limited to just eight games played by a toe injury. With improved health, Gesicki could be in line for a bounce-back season in 2026. Additionally, the free agent departure of former Bengals tight end Noah Fant could make Gesicki Cincinnati's undisputed top pass-catching tight end. In deeper dynasty formats, fantasy managers may want to consider buying low on Gesicki.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed suffered through a lost season due to injuries in 2025, as foot and collarbone ailments caused him to miss 10 games. Still, the 25-year-old was a productive player across his first two NFL seasons from 2023 to 2024, recording over 1,900 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns in the two years combined. Despite the production, Reed has always struggled to carve out a high-volume role in Green Bay. Across his last 24 NFL games, Reed is averaging just over four targets per game. However, so far this offseason Green Bay has lost veteran wideout Romeo Doubs to free agency and traded away wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. As a result, Reed currently projects for a prominent role in the team's offense alongside wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. If Reed sees more touches in 2026, he could re-emerge as a solid wide receiver option for fantasy managers.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden had a relatively quiet rookie year in 2025, recording 29 receptions for 361 yards and zero touchdowns on 44 targets across 14 games played. However, offseason movement around the former first-round pick in Green Bay may be clearing a path for Golden to take on a much larger role in 2026. Former Packers wideout Romeo Doubs signed with the New England Patriots in free agency, and Green Bay traded wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. While the Packers still have a pair of talented pass-catchers in wideouts Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, Golden should be in line for more playing time as a result of the moves. In dynasty formats, Golden's value is trending upward despite his underwhelming production as a rookie.

The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers on Friday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Wicks will sign a one-year, $12.5 million extension with the Eagles. The acquisition of Wicks by the Eagles makes it even more likely that the team will trade veteran A.J. Brown after June 1, when it becomes more palatable for them for salary cap purposes. The 24-year-old Wicks, a former fifth-round pick in 2023 out of Virginia, finished the 2025 season on the sidelines due to a concussion. He played in 14 regular-season games and caught a career-low 30 passes for 332 yards and just two touchdowns. Wicks hasn't gone over 39 receptions in any of his first three years in the league, although he could have a path to a much bigger role behind DeVonta Smith in Philly if Brown is indeed traded this offseason. If Brown is traded, Wicks will compete for the WR2 role with Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore, making him slightly more intriguing as a depth WR in dynasty/keeper leagues.