Fantasy Football News

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is persevering through two torn ACLs in his knee and could have a path to being the Panthers' No. 2 back in 2026 behind Chuba Hubbard, making him an intriguing player to consider targeting in dynasty formats this offseason. The 22-year-old former second-round pick (46th overall) in 2024 out of the University of Texas -- he was the first RB taken that year -- has been fully cleared for the offseason program after missing the entire 2025 campaign in Carolina. Brooks only played in three games in his rookie campaign before re-tearing his right ACL, which at the time was considered potentially career-threatening. Before his knee issues, there was a lot to like about Brooks because of his elite burst, elusiveness, and strong pass-catching skills out of the backfield. It's unlikely that Brooks will ever be a featured back in the NFL, especially after his knee injuries, but if he can stay healthy going forward, there's plenty of reason to believe that he can win the No. 2 job in Carolina over the likes of AJ Dillon and Trevor Etienne now that Rico Dowdle is gone. Brooks should be considered a riser in dynasty/keeper formats, and he's currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 36 back in those formats.

Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier has had one of the most turbulent offseasons in recent memory from a dynasty valuation standpoint. After spending the past three seasons backing up Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, Allgeier hit free agency for the first time in his career with a chance to find a lead back role similar to the one he thrived in as a rookie. With the market not as high on him as some may have expected, his landing spot with Arizona was viewed as lukewarm at best, particularly with Trey Benson and James Conner both returning from injury, and the latter having specifically reworked his deal to stick with the team. As the dust settled, Allgeier again saw his dynasty value slowly creep up as the fit between him and new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett started to make more sense. With the Cardinals spending the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Jeremiyah Love, however, Allgeier saw his consensus dynasty ranking plummet from a high-end RB3 to the low-end RB4 range. With him bottoming out at RotoBaller's dynasty RB47, he again finds himself in a buy window. Even while playing behind arguably the best running back in the league, who has never missed a game in his professional career, Allgeier has had weekly finishes as the RB21 or better 11 times over the past three seasons. At worst, he will spend his time with the Cardinals as one of the most valuable insurance backs in the league, but he will not be without his own standalone value.

Current Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has become one of the most intriguing dynasty evaluations in the league, particularly in ongoing startup drafts. Brown's trade out of Philadelphia on or after June 1st is practically viewed as a foregone conclusion, and even his assumed landing spot with the New England Patriots is already baked into his current price. Brown is coming off two down years with the Eagles, and on the verge of turning 29, his knee issues were reportedly concerning enough to take several teams out of the market for his services. In New England, however, he will be tied to a 23-year-old MVP runner-up in Drake Maye and a Josh McDaniels-led offense that has been in search of a true pass-catching mismatch since the initial retirement of Rob Gronkowski. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR20, Brown still offers immense short-term upside, and for rebuilding managers looking to optimize value, the next strong selling window will likely come shortly after the trade becomes official. Even with the parties and landing spot essentially known, the compensation acquired by Philadelphia could provide an additional boost to Brown's dynasty value, particularly if it involves a first-round pick, as has been heavily rumored.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston has been a frustrating fantasy performer over his first three years in the league. The 24-year-old Johnston has shown flashes of dominance, opening 2025 as the WR4 through the first month of the season before inconsistency, drops, and a crowded depth chart saw him drop to a WR49 pace the rest of the way. New Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel recently made headlines by comparing Johnston to legends like Julio Jones and Andre Johnson, but there's reason to believe he could at least partially back up his words with action. McDaniel has famously used pre-snap motion to create mismatches, and with Los Angeles adding game-breaking speed through both free agency and the draft, Johnston should find himself more commonly playing in space and given the opportunity to take advantage of the unique YAC-abilities that made him a first-round pick in 2023. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR61, Johnston is potentially underpriced as a key piece of what could soon become one of the league's most high-powered offensive units.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has finished as the RB2 and RB4 over the past two seasons, all while running mate David Montgomery continued to average more than 200 opportunities per year. With Montgomery traded to the Texans this offseason and replaced in free agency by downtrending former Chief Isiah Pacheco, expectations are sky high for Gibbs heading into his fourth season. Only Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and De'Von Achane have finished as top six fantasy running backs in each of the past two seasons, and with all three entering their age 24 seasons, team environment becomes one of the most weighted factors in determining the dynasty RB1. Both the Falcons and Dolphins are bringing in new coaching staffs for 2026, while the Lions approach year six under Dan Campbell, coming off four consecutive seasons with a top-five offensive finish. Gibbs should continue to see the most positive game scripts and scoring opportunities. In slotting him in at dynasty RB2, RotoBaller gives the slight edge to Robinson for his unique ability to gain hidden yardage in ways that few players in league history have been capable, but Gibbs is, and will continue to be, one of the most exciting young assets to build around, and is worthy of an early first-round selection, even in superflex startups.

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely has long been a popular dynasty breakout candidate, but while playing his first four seasons for John Harbaugh in Baltimore, he was never truly able to get out from under the shadow of three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews. In following Harbaugh from the Ravens to the Giants in the early stages of free agency, his head coach remains the same, but he should have every chance to finally claim the top spot on the depth chart. Second-year tight end Theo Johnson had built a healthy rapport with Jaxson Dart in their first season together, but with the $26 million guaranteed commitment given to Likely as part of his three-year, $40 million deal, the expectation is that he will be heavily involved in New York's new look offense. With Wan'Dale Robinson departing for Tennessee in free agency, Likely could realistically see the second-most targets on the team, with his raw volume potentially increasing should 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers miss any time at the start of the year as he continues to work his way back from the knee injury that ended his sophomore campaign. Likely is RotoBaller's dynasty TE15 and should finally be given a chance to live up to the hype that has followed him for years.

A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III recorded 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. The 22-year-old's production took off down the stretch of the year, as he collected nearly half of his yardage total for the season over his final four games played. Heading into 2026, Burden III could be in line for an expanded role in Chicago following the team's offseason trade of veteran wideout D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills. He also appears to be in an excellent offensive situation in Chicago thanks to the emerging quarterback/play-caller combination of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. Burden III has already proven he can be an explosive player with the ball in his hands, so he could be poised for a full-scale breakout with more consistent target volume in his second season. Burden III's dynasty stock is soaring ahead of 2026.

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd has had a tough time getting his career off the ground since being drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Thanks to myriad injury issues, Lloyd has been active for just one game over the past two seasons and has six career NFL carries. Heading into 2026, veteran back Josh Jacobs remains firmly atop the Packers' running back depth chart. However, the team lost top backup Emanuel Wilson to the Seattle Seahawks over the offseason and did not make any notable additions to the backfield in free agency or the draft. As a result, Lloyd appears to be competing with similarly unproven backs in Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. for the RB2 role in Green Bay. While Jacobs should dominate backfield snaps for the Packers, he's racked up nearly 650 touches over the past two seasons and has a fair bit of mileage on his legs as he enters his age-28 campaign. Should Lloyd win the backup job in Green Bay, he would immediately become one of the higher-end handcuff options in fantasy football. Despite his underwhelming NFL career to this point, Lloyd could be a solid buy-low target for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson is entering his first season with the team in 2026 after spending the first three years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. Wilson has been productive in a backup role behind star Packers back Josh Jacobs, recording 1,145 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns over the past two seasons combined. At the time he signed with Seattle in free agency, Wilson looked to have a chance to lead the team's backfield while incumbent back Zach Charbonnet (knee) worked his way back from a torn ACL. While Wilson could still play a significant role in Seattle early on in 2026, his playing time looks a lot less certain following the Seahawks' selection of running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Once Charbonnet returns from injury, Wilson could easily fall out of the backfield mix in Seattle altogether. RotoBaller ranks Wilson as the 67th-best running back for dynasty formats following the NFL Draft.

A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel played a limited role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 17 games (three starts), the 23-year-old hauled in 26 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets. Noel's path to meaningful playing time out of the slot in Houston was largely blocked off by veteran wideout Christian Kirk, who departed the Texans in free agency for the San Francisco 49ers. However, Houston will likely be getting back wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) from the disastrous knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. With Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins entrenched on the outside, Noel could once again find himself on the outside looking in with the Texans in 2026. With Dell's uncertain health situation, Noel could work his way into a starting role as the team's WR3. Still, his playing time and production outlook remain murky after his underwhelming rookie year. RotoBaller currently ranks Noel as the 75th-best wide receiver for dynasty formats heading into 2026.

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson collected 446 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 98 touches across 15 games as a rookie. The 21-year-old carved out a consistent role as a receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 33 receptions for 271 yards and two scores on 40 targets. Heading into 2026, Quinshon Judkins profiles as the clear lead back in Cleveland. However, the Browns did not make any notable additions to the backfield and let veteran back Jerome Ford walk in free agency. As a result, Sampson currently projects as the team's RB2 and should see the majority of the third and obvious passing-down snaps. He also carries value as a handcuff option behind Judkins, who is recovering from a dislocated ankle that ended his 2025 campaign. In dynasty formats, Sampson could be a worthy low-cost target for fantasy managers ahead of 2026.

After being released by the Atlanta Falcons in March, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins signed a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Cousins opened 2026 as the backup in Atlanta, but took over as the QB1 midseason and finished the year with 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 10 games (eight starts). Long term, Cousins projects as the backup in Las Vegas following the team's selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Cousins could open 2026 as the starter should the Raiders choose to bring Mendoza along slowly. Still, Cousins averaged just 6.4 yards per pass attempt in 2025 and is joining a Raiders offense that has serious questions in its pass-catcher group outside of star tight end Brock Bowers. Cousins could have some short-term fantasy value in two-quarterback leagues, but his dynasty value is fading as he enters his age-38 season.

Even though the Seattle Seahawks let Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency, George Holani's dynasty outlook going into his third year in the NFL isn't much clearer. To help replace Walker and the injured Zach Charbonnet (knee), Seattle drafted Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price and signed Emanuel Wilson in free agency. Charbonnet is fully expected to miss the beginning of the 2026 season after tearing his ACL in the postseason, so Holani should have a backfield role with the Seahawks as a short-yardage/goal-line option while competing with Wilson. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Boise State has had a very limited role in Seattle in his first two seasons with the team, combining for just 25 carries, 83 rushing yards, and one touchdown in his 16 regular-season games played, adding only three catches for 14 yards. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound power back has some sneaky speed for his size, and he could add some pass-game reps if he can prove to the coaching staff this summer that he's up to the task. Holani's long-term upside with the organization still looks bleak, though, after the addition of Price, and he's currently RotoBaller's No. 94 RB in dynasty formats.

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller's (knee) dynasty value is on life support after another lost season due to a torn ACL suffered in October of 2025. The 23-year-old former 71st overall pick in the third round in 2023 out of TCU has barely made a mark in New Orleans' backfield in his three years in the NFL due to injuries, as he's played a grand total of just 21 games (two starts). Over that span, Miller has accumulated only 127 rushing attempts for 497 yards (3.9 yards per tote) and three rushing touchdowns, adding 20 receptions on 24 targets for 180 yards and no scores as a pass-catcher. It's unclear if Miller will even be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season this fall, and he's currently listed as the team's RB4 behind big free-agent pickup Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, and Devin Neal. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should be ready to move on from Miller, who has plummeted to the No. 96 RB in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman has been a bust both on the field and off of it since the Bills took him with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Florida State. Despite a lack of talent around him in Buffalo's WR room, the 22-year-old has only produced 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns on 116 targets in his two seasons in the NFL. It was looking like Buffalo was ready to move on at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, but instead, general manager Brandon Beane said the organization "has hit the reset button," and they aren't giving up on him just yet. That's good news for fantasy managers holding Coleman in dynasty leagues, but the additions of DJ Moore and rookie Skyler Bell (fourth round) won't help his cause as he attempts to put himself in the good graces of the front office and coaching staff in Buffalo. With Khalil Shakir and tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox still staples in the passing attack, target volume figures to be an issue in Year 3 for Coleman, and any more maturity issues could be the last straw for him in Western New York. Coleman has fallen to WR No. 88 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, which could present an interesting buy-low opportunity.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. came into the NFL with sky-high expectations as the son of former NFL stud Marvin Harrison Sr. and as the fourth overall pick in 2024 out of Ohio State. Through his first two years in the league, the 23-year-old has failed to live up to those expectations, catching 103 of 189 targets for 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns in 29 games played. He never really developed the necessary chemistry with former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to take off, and a heel/foot injury limited him to just 12 games in his sophomore campaign in 2025. When he was on the field last year, Harrison was slightly more efficient on a per-target basis, but overall, he was still a huge disappointment as the WR49 in half-PPR scoring relative to his ADP. As a result, Harrison has fallen to No. 19 in RotoBaller's WR dynasty rankings. Long-term concerns at the QB position and with a new coaching staff in town that is expected to place more of an emphasis on the running game. There's still time for Harrison's pure talent to take over, though, making him absolutely worth buying low on in dynasty/keeper formats.

Following two disappointing seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 and 2025, wide receiver Hollywood Brown linked up with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason on a one-year, $5 million deal. Hollywood played in just two games in his first year in KC due to an injury and combined for 58 receptions on 89 targets for 678 yards and five touchdowns in 18 regular-season games (seven starts) in his two seasons with the Chiefs. The 28-year-old failed to stand out when fully healthy in his final season in KC, posting a 49-587-5 line in 16 games, and even with the Eagles expected to move on from A.J. Brown after June 1, it's hard to imagine the former first-rounder in 2019 out of Oklahoma having a career resurgence in his return to the NFC. Brown seems likely to be subtracted from Philly's WR room soon, but the Eagles also added Dontayvion Wicks in a trade and took former USC pass-catcher Makai Lemon in the first round of April's draft. While Brown could pop for some big plays here and there with the Eagles, target volume is going to be an issue. The once-dangerous and speedy deep threat has now fallen outside of RotoBaller's top-100 dynasty rankings at WR.

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney surprised with 992 receiving yards in his first year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, but he could not live up to those standards with the team in 2024, catching just 32 passes for 443 yards and one touchdown in 2025. The 28-year-old signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the New York Giants in March. Mooney's best path to fantasy relevance in the Big Apple in 2026 is with fellow wideout Malik Nabers (knee) having a setback in his ACL recovery and not being ready for the start of the regular season. Otherwise, he figures to be in a low-volume role as the WR3 behind Nabers and Darius Slayton. After his disappointing 2025 season, Mooney's dynasty stock has fallen, and he's now barely inside RotoBaller's top-100 dynasty wideouts (No. 98). With the addition of tight end Isaiah Likely, too, Mooney may be quarterback Jaxson Dart's No. 4 target in the passing game this year. Mooney is shifty in the open field, but he lacks the blocking prowess that new head coach John Harbaugh likes in his receivers. Expecting Mooney to have another resurgent season like he had in 2024 would be foolish.

After another disappointing season in 2025 with the Houston Texans in which he missed more time with injuries, wide receiver Christian Kirk signed a one-year, $8 million deal to play with the San Francisco 49ers as they rebuild their WR room this offseason. The 29-year-old former second-round pick in 2018 out of Texas A&M has faded in fantasy football circles in each of the last three years, totaling just 33 games played with the Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars while catching 112 passes on 184 targets for 1,405 yards and five touchdowns. Although Kirk had over 100 yards in a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, he had a weak 28-239-1 line in 13 regular-season games with Houston and failed to stand out. In San Fran, he will most likely be competing with rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling for WR3 duties for the Niners behind Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall in 2026. Kirk is unlikely to see much volume, especially once tight end George Kittle (Achilles) returns. The move to the 49ers is an upgrade in offense with offensive mastermind Kyle Shanahan, but Kirk's path to a resurgence will be a difficult one, and he's fallen all the way to No. 97 in RotoBaller's WR dynasty rankings.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith is currently listed as No. 2 on the RB depth chart for the Chiefs behind new starter Kenneth Walker III, but the 23-year-old has fallen all the way to No. 74 in RotoBaller's dynasty RB rankings despite Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both departing in free agency in the offseason. In addition to Walker, the Chiefs signed Emarci Demercado in free agency and selected Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of this year's draft. Smith, who was a receiver in college at SMU, is elusive and can obviously catch the ball out of the backfied, but at just 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, he lacks the size to challenge for a true workhorse RB1 role in the NFL, and he could be destined to see most of his snaps on special teams in KC if Johnson emerges as the team's best change-of-pace back behind Walker. In his rookie campaign in 2025 after the Chiefs took him in the seventh round, Smith saw 44 carries for 151 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and no touchdowns, although he added 25 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown through the air in 17 games (one start). Smith has PPR upside, but his dynasty stock has taken a hit due to the additions of Walker, Demercado, and Johnson.