Fantasy Football News

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.

Across 11 games in 2025, Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani recorded just 88 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 24 touches. The 26-year-old spent the year blocked from regular playing time by Seattle's potent running back duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet (knee). Walker III departed Seattle in free agency, and Charbonnet's status for the start of 2026 is in doubt as he works his way back from the torn ACL that he suffered during Seattle's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers in mid-January. However, Holani's place on the depth chart remains uncertain following the Seahawks' use of a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on running back Jadarian Price and their free agent acquisition of running back Emanuel Wilson. With Charbonnet expected to miss the beginning of the upcoming season, Holani could carve out a regular role in Seattle. However, he could also remain limited to RB3 duties if he cannot beat out Wilson and/or Price emerges as a star. Holani could be worth rostering in deeper dynasty leagues, but his profile comes with risk.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby could see an increase in snaps in his second year with the team, according to Geoff Mosher of PhillyVoice. Mosher speculates that Bigsby's one-cut running style may actually be a better fit for new Eagles play-caller Sean Mannion's offensive scheme than star running back Saquon Barkley's "freelance" approach. Philadelphia acquired Bigsby one week into the 2025 season, and he finished the year with 344 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 58 carries across 16 games. In games where Barkley is available, the Eagles have typically leaned on him heavily as a three-down workhorse. However, Bigsby was highly efficient as a rusher (5.9 yards per carry) when given the opportunity in 2025. If he earns more touches in 2026, he could carve out some standalone fantasy value. Either way, he carries significant upside as a high-end handcuff running back option for fantasy managers.

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller has yet to reach 115 offensive snaps, 50 carries, or 200 rushing yards in any of his three seasons in the league. Hampered by injury and inefficiency, he's spent his early career clinging to a roster spot since the Saints selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With New Orleans spending big to acquire Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency, and veteran Alvin Kamara still on the roster through the opening stages of organized team activities, Miller is left battling 2025 sixth-round pick Devin Neal for the third spot in a top-heavy rotation. With Miller still recovering from the torn ACL that ended his third season after only seven games, the early edge could go to Neal, who turned in a serviceable effort in his lead-back duties to finish the year. Still just on the verge of turning 24, Miller's best hopes of finding fantasy relevance are tied squarely to the fate of Kamara. If the 10th-year veteran sticks in New Orleans for one more season, Miller may not even be guaranteed a roster spot in 2026, but if the Saints eventually find a way to move on from their all-time leading rusher, there may still be a slim chance of retribution for RotoBaller's dynasty RB95.

When the Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran wide receiver Hollywood Brown to a one-year deal in mid-March, it was the first of several steps taken to prepare for life without three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. The team has since traded for Dontayvion Wicks and has spent first and second-round picks on Makai Lemon and tight end Eli Stowers. With the latter Brown being dealt to New England on June 1st, incumbents DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert are the last remaining pillars of a receiving core that prepares to play under its fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Himself no stranger to change, the Eagles mark Hollywood Brown's fourth team in six years, but unable to top a WR45 fantasy finish at either of his last two stops, it's unlikely he takes a significant step forward in his new environment. With Smith and Lemon projected to lead the team in targets, Brown could be dealing with a limited workload in what still projects to be a run-first offense, and at 29 years old, he has fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty WR104.

When veteran wide receiver Darnell Mooney signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants in March, he joined what looked to be one of the thinnest receiver rooms in the league. The Giants have since used a third-round pick on big-bodied boundary wideout Malachi Fields and opened June by handing out contracts to Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Braxton Berrios. While the signings were perhaps an indictment of the health of presumed starters Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton, the infusion of depth is enough to make dynasty managers bearish on Mooney after he failed to top 450 receiving yards in his final season in Atlanta despite playing starter's snaps alongside players like David Sills V and Casey Washington, while Drake London missed five games with a sprained PCL. In what projects to be another run-heavy offense under John Harbaugh and Matt Nagy, Mooney already faced an uphill climb to reestablishing fantasy value, but with his situation now considerably murkier than it was at the time of his signing, the undersized 28-year-old has fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty WR98.