Fantasy Football News

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa had a relatively quiet rookie season, propped up by an unreal 23% of his targets resulting in touchdowns. While he did turn himself into a steady contributor by year's end, making at least two catches in four of his final six games, that stretch only occurred after tight end Sam LaPorta was placed on injured reserve with a herniated disc in his back. With LaPorta healthy and participating in organized team activities, there's a chance TeSlaa is pushed outside the margins of fantasy relevance in a new-look Lions offense. Only two current playcallers ran a higher percentage of plays out of multi-tight end sets than new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing did with the Cardinals last year, which could spell trouble for a receiver who already failed to reach a 60% snap share in 13 of 17 games as a rookie. An older prospect coming into the league, TeSlaa is now 24 and RotoBaller's dynasty WR87, but unless he can find a way to sustain his seemingly unsustainable touchdown rate from 2025, even that could prove to be too high a ranking.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin took a sizable step forward in 2025, more than doubling his targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown totals from an underwhelming 2024 rookie campaign. Unfortunately, with changes coming to the Broncos offense in 2026, Franklin's production is likely to plateau or crater following his WR33 finish. Quarterback Bo Nix is at his best when he's spreading the ball around, and following the additions of Jaylen Waddle via trade and capable pass-catching running back Jonah Coleman through the draft, Franklin will have a hard time reaching anything close to his 18% target share from 2025. Veteran Courtland Sutton still profiles as the go-to red zone weapon, and second-year player Pat Bryant showed flashes down the stretch and looked to be a major part of the game plan in two separate playoff outings that he left early with injury. Still only 23 years old and RotoBaller's WR79, Franklin is a dynasty hold coming off a 65-catch, 709-yard season. That said, even though Sutton is already north of 30, he agreed to a four-year extension last season that keeps him under contract through the 2029 season, meaning any eventual takeover by Franklin is likely to be a gradual one with fantasy frustrations along the way.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has taken more than five years to approach anything close to the generational billing that made him the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Now that he finds himself in the best situation of his young career, past fantasy hurts have left him somewhat overlooked and underrated by the dynasty community. A physical specimen at 6'6" and 220 pounds, Lawrence's rushing prowess was unlocked in his first season with Liam Coen, resulting in career-highs of 359 yards and nine rushing scores. Over the final 10 weeks of the 2025 season, he was the fantasy QB1, and while the pecking order of an incredibly deep Jaguars' receiving room is one of the more hotly contested debates in fantasy circles, Lawrence benefits from throwing to all of them. Still only 26 years old, Lawrence is RotoBaller's dynasty QB11, but if Coen and the Jaguars can continue to build upon what they established in 2025, he could soon be viewed as one of the biggest bargains in the game.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has finished as the WR13 or better in back-to-back seasons, proving himself a capable fantasy difference-maker and a favorite target of quarterback Bo Nix, particularly in the red zone. With the Broncos spending up to acquire Jaylen Waddle via trade, and Sutton now on the wrong side of 30, the ninth-year veteran has fallen woefully out of favor with the dynasty community, now sitting at WR48 in RotoBaller's latest rankings. The Broncos offense has found success by spreading the ball around, with Troy Franklin and Evan Engram combining for more than 170 targets in 2025, meaning it's entirely possible for Waddle to step in and lead the receiver room, while others further down the depth chart feel his impact more strongly. Sutton's ceiling has certainly been lowered, but in topping either 1,000 yards or double-digit touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, he's proven he can score points in a variety of ways, and at his lowest cost in years, he can still serve as a quality depth piece on a contending dynasty roster.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion is a versatile playmaker who has a chance to immediately command a team-leading target share in a Todd Monken offense that saw Zay Flowers finish as the fantasy WR7 in 2025. Concepcion played 69% of his collegiate snaps from the slot, but his lone season at Texas A&M showcased his ability to move across the formation, and in handling more than 65% of his snaps on the outside, he turned in his most productive season. Earning first-round capital, he is the most notable addition to a Browns offense that was led by rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in almost all receiving categories in 2025. While the starting quarterback job in Cleveland is still being sorted, low expectations for the offense as a whole are the biggest, but most temporary knock on Concepcion's profile, and with the ability to become an early go-to for either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, he could provide an instantly usable weekly floor even in a bottom-half offense. Concepcion is RotoBaller's rookie WR4 and dynasty WR32.

Veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was arguably his team's most consistent pass-catcher in his first season with the Washington Commanders in 2025, recording 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns on 99 targets across 16 games. Samuel Sr. remained productive as a rusher as well, adding 75 yards and a score on 17 carries. However, the 30-year-old currently remains unsigned with just a few months until the 2026 regular season gets underway. Samuel Sr. has always been reliant on his ability to make plays after the catch, so teams may be wary of his body breaking down. At this point, Samuel Sr. seems ticketed for a complementary role and a short-term contract, leaving his NFL future very much in question. Still, Samuel Sr. remained a useful fantasy wide receiver in 2025 and could be capable of providing similar production in 2026. For win-now dynasty managers, Samuel Sr. may be worth buying low on before he finds a new team.

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor hauled in 41 catches for 515 yards and five touchdowns on 89 targets across 16 games as a rookie. Particularly with veteran Titans wideout Calvin Ridley limited to just seven games played due to injury, Ayomanor saw extended playing time in Tennessee. However, his place on the depth chart is far less certain entering 2026. The Titans signed wideout Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency, drafted Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate fourth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and re-worked Ridley's contract to keep him around for 2026. Ayomanor may even be behind fellow 2025 fourth-rounder Chimere Dike, who impressed with his versatility as a rookie. As a big-bodied ball-winner on the outside, Ayomanor retains some long-term upside. However, his dynasty stock has fallen considerably in the wake of Tennessee's offseason.

The 14th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren hit the ground running and immediately emerged as a key piece of his team's offense as a rookie. Across 17 games, the 24-year-old recorded 76 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns on 112 targets and added a touchdown as a rusher for good measure. Warren's production faded a bit down the stretch of the season, but Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) missed the team's final four games of the year after tearing his Achilles in Week 14. Jones should be ready for 2026, and Warren could be the team's clear number one target in the passing game following Indy's offseason trade of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Between his prospect pedigree, rookie season production, and clear opportunity with the Colts, Warren profiles as an elite dynasty tight end with number one overall tight end upside.

A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) has yet to get his career off the ground. Brooks entered the NFL recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in college, and then re-tore the same ACL just three games after making his pro debut. The 22-year-old missed the entire 2025 season as a result of the injury, but he appears to be on track to be ready for the start of 2026. The Panthers let former running back Rico Dowdle walk in free agency without making any notable additions to their backfield, which could mean that the team has confidence in Brooks assuming the RB2 role behind veteran Chuba Hubbard. The Panthers offense featured two fantasy-relevant running backs in 2025, with Hubbard and Dowdle combining for over 2,100 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. Brooks' injury history obviously brings clear risk, but he could be worth buying low on in dynasty formats ahead of 2026.

After spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, running back Tyler Allgeier signed a two-year, $12.25 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals this past March. At the time of signing, Allgeier looked like the RB1 in Arizona. However, the Cardinals used the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on highly-touted running back prospect Jeremiyah Love. It's an ironic twist of fate for Allgeier, who spent most of his time in Atlanta in a complementary role to Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Still, Allgeier found ways to be productive in Atlanta, collecting 1,851 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 466 carries while playing with Robinson over the past three seasons. If Love needs some time to develop at the NFL level, Allgeier is more than capable of stepping in. Even if Love hits the ground running, Allgeier profiles as one of the best handcuff running back options for dynasty managers. In dynasty leagues, Allgeier may still be worth buying low on heading into 2026.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston looked like he might be on his way to a breakout season early in 2025, recording 22 receptions for 337 yards and four touchdowns on 36 targets across his first four games of the year. However, the 24-year-old's production tailed off the rest of the way, and he finished the season with 51 catches for 735 yards and eight scores on 84 targets across 14 contests. Johnston has been frustratingly inconsistent since being drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Chargers, mixing flashes of brilliance with extended stretches of underperformance. He now has significant target competition around him in Los Angeles entering 2026 in the form of wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Tre' Harris, as well as tight end Oronde Gadsden II. At the same time, Johnston will have a chance to work with a new play-caller in Mike McDaniel, who helped unlock monster fantasy seasons from multiple players during his time as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Johnston's profile remains boom/bust, but he may be slightly undervalued in dynasty formats heading into 2026.

Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated writes that he saw enough eye-popping throws from new Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray in offseason practices that "make it hard to imagine" J.J. McCarthy "having a realistic chance to win this competition." It's still only OTAs, but so far, Murray has looked sharper throwing the football than McCarthy. McCarthy still has plenty of zip on his passes and has shown signs of mechanical improvement from a year ago (his first as a full-time starter in the NFL), but Murray "looks like a veteran quarterback who can make all the throws." "His physical talent throwing the ball has been on display every day," head coach Kevin O'Connell said of Murray. "The ability to throw to all three levels, layer the ball, anticipation that veteran players bring to the position." McCarthy, who was the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Michigan, struggled mightily with accuracy and decision-making, and also struggled to stay healthy, completing 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 10 starts after missing his entire rookie season due to knee surgery. It's still early in McCarthy's career, but it's quickly looking like he's falling out of favor as Minnesota's QB of the future.

After a disappointing sophomore season in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. appears to be developing new chemistry with quarterbackTrevor Lawrence during OTAs this offseason, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. Thomas has been the subject of numerous offseason trade rumors, but instead, he's expected to stick around in Duvall and could be headed for a bounce-back in Year 3. Lawrence missed seven games during Thomas' impressive rookie season, so most of his production came with backup Mac Jones throwing him the football. Then, both players were learning new head coach Liam Coen's offense last year, with Lawrence limited while coming off shoulder surgery. Thomas had five drops in his first seven games in 2025 and also missed four games with ankle and shoulder injuries. The 23-year-old former 23rd overall pick out of LSU finished with a 48-707-2 line in 14 regular-season starts after catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 TDs as a rookie. It hasn't helped Thomas' cause that the Jags acquired Jakobi Meyers in a midseason trade, or that Parker Washington took on an expanded role. Those two receivers are still on the roster, but it doesn't mean that Thomas can't bounce back from his disappointing showing in 2025 with better chemistry with Lawrence. Coen said the coaching staff is "trying to get a true connection" going between Thomas and Lawrence. It's something to watch for fantasy managers with Thomas certainly coming at a discount in 2026 drafts.

New Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis' chemistry with his receivers in Miami is a "work in progress," according to head coach Jeff Hafley. Willis, who spent the past two years as a backup for the Green Bay Packers, needs to build chemistry with all of the Dolphins' wideouts, whom he has never worked with before in his career. "I just think it's going to take time. I think it's improved. It's going to be a work in progress, and it's going to take a lot of reps, just like it would with any new quarterback and new wide receiver group. It's just going to take time with the rhythm," Hafley said. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said it's an "ongoing process" that will go all the way up until the start of the 2026 regular season in September. Willis hasn't exactly been great during OTAs, but he also hasn't had star running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) working out of the backfield. The 27-year-old Willis will be Miami's starter after signing a three-year, $67.5 million deal in March, but at best, he'll be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues in what could again be a frustrating and inefficient Dolphins offense with a lack of established wideouts at Willis' disposal. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 21 signal-caller for the upcoming campaign.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said that current contract talks "are not anywhere close to what we were thinking," but he's "gonna do everything he can to help his team win a Super Bowl," according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Mayfield wants to stay in Tampa long term, but he doesn't want to focus on negotiations once training camp hits at the end of July. The 31-year-old veteran is entering the final year of a three-year, $100 million deal he signed in 2024, and his fantasy stock is on the decline due to mounting nagging injuries and the fact that he lost future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans to free agency this offseason. Mayfield finished as the QB12 in fantasy in 2025, throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts in his third year with the Bucs. It was a big dropoff after Mayfield threw for a career-high 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and a league-leading 16 picks in 17 starts in 2024 to earn his second Pro Bowl berth. The Bucs still have weapons around him, but fantasy managers should be pegging Mayfield as more of a high-end QB2 than a surefire QB1 as he enters what could be his final season in Tampa.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (undisclosed) has not been taking part in OTAs due to an undisclosed reason, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. The Jags' backfield has plenty of uncertainty heading into the 2026 season after Travis Etienne Jr. joined the New Orleans Saints in free agency, and Rodriguez's absence during voluntary offseason workouts adds to the unknown. In addition to C-Rod, the Jags have Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. as their top-three RBs for the upcoming campaign. We should have a better idea of how the RB touches might shake out in Jacksonville this year once the 25-year-old Rodriguez rejoins the team, hopefully for mandatory minicamp this month. Most likely, Rodriguez and Tuten will share the early-down work for head coach Liam Coen's offense, with Allen primarily working on passing downs. In his first three NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders after being a sixth-round pick in 2023 out of the University of Kentucky, Rodriguez averaged 4.6 yards per carry and totaled 920 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 198 carries over 35 games (seven starts). Tuten is the more explosive, higher-upside fantasy target in 2026 with clear RB2 upside, but C-Rod could also carve out a role for fantasy managers as an RB3/flex play.

After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, tight end Isaiah Likely signed a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency with the New York Giants this past March. Likely routinely flashed high upside during his time in Baltimore, but his path to consistent fantasy production was blocked by the presence of fellow Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. In New York, Likely may now be facing another playing time split with incumbent Giants tight end Theo Johnson. However, the team's sizable financial commitment to Likely indicates that he is the Giants' TE1, as does Likely's familiarity with new Giants and former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Additionally, Likely could conceivably open 2026 as the number one target in New York's passing game with star Giants wideout Malik Nabers (knee) facing an uncertain recovery timeline from the serious knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Likely's fantasy profile still lacks certainty, but his dynasty upside is significant as he enters his first season with his new team.

After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, running back Emanuel Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks for the 2026 season in March. The 27-year-old was productive in a backup role behind Josh Jacobs in Green Bay, recording 1,145 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 254 touches across 34 games over the past two seasons. With Seahawks RB1 Zach Charbonnet (knee) expected to miss the start of the 2026 regular season while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in mid-January, Wilson could open the year as Seattle's lead rusher. However, the Seahawks also added Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, likely capping Wilson's production upside. Wilson carries some short-term production upside, but he likely still profiles long-term as a handcuff running back option for dynasty managers.

Across 17 games as a rookie in 2025, Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel hauled in 26 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets. Noel profiles primarily as a slot receiver, so his path to playing time last season was largely blocked by veteran wideout Christian Kirk. While Houston let Kirk walk in free agency, Noel may not be in a better position in 2026 due to the impending return of Texans wideout Tank Dell (knee) from the knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 2025 season. Dell is recovering from a dislocated kneecap and multiple torn ligaments, making both his return and ability to produce uncertain at best. However, if Dell is healthy, Noel could project as the WR4 in Houston behind Dell, Nico Collins, and Jayden Higgins. Noel profiles as a player to hold in dynasty formats for the time being, but his future in Houston is likely largely dependent on Dell's health status going forward.

Across 15 games as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson recorded 446 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 98 touches. While fellow Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins (ankle) emerged as the team's clear lead rusher, Sampson established himself as a pass-catcher out of the backfield by hauling in 33 receptions for 271 yards and two scores on 40 targets. Cleveland did not make any notable additions to its running back room over the offseason and let veteran back Jerome Ford walk in free agency. As a result, Judkins and Sampson appear to be locked in as the Browns' top two rushers for 2026. As long as Judkins fully recovers from the ankle injury that ended his 2025 season and remains healthy in 2026, Sampson's production upside is limited. Still, Sampson carries dynasty handcuff appeal and could offer some standalone value in PPR-scoring formats if he continues to dominate passing-down work. Fantasy managers may want to consider attempting to buy low on Sampson ahead of his second NFL season.