Fantasy Football News

With the Atlanta Falcons wrapping up the final session of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, it was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leading the first-team offense as the team worked on third-and-goal situations. Following his release from the Dolphins, Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.2 million deal, and as Michael Penix Jr. continues to work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season, the seventh-year veteran has been given an early advantage in a battle expected to carry into training camp. The Falcons spent a first-round pick on Penix in the 2024 NFL Draft and face a critical decision about his fifth-year option following the 2026 season, so there is a belief that he'll be given every opportunity to claim the starting job once healthy, but new head coach Kevin Stefanski has long valued accuracy as one of the most important traits of the position. While Tagovailoa has completed exactly 68% of his passes since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2020, Penix ranked near the bottom of the league in on-target throw percentage in 2025. With a strong supporting cast of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, whoever claims the starting job could have fantasy viability throughout the year, and if that becomes Tagovailoa out of the gates, RotoBaller's QB30 could have early-season appeal as a streaming option.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington averaged only 18.6 receiving yards per game in 2025, but playing in all 17 games, his 317 yards were the most of any receiver currently on the roster. Miami has moved on from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and the team spent five of its 13 draft picks on either receiver or tight end. With the competition for targets wide open heading into 2026, Washington has a strong chance to serve as the team's WR1 in a new-look offense that will undoubtedly still run through running back De'Von Achane and potentially tight end Greg Dulcich. 2025 starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ranked 30th in the league with 6.9 yards per attempt, contributing to Washington's low yardage total despite a respectable 62 targets, whereas new starter Malik Willis has proven to be much more aggressive, leading the league with 12.1 yards per attempt across his four 2025 appearances. With a spot near the top of the depth chart and a downfield passing attack that could take advantage of some of the abilities that allowed him to rack up more than 1,300 yards in his final collegiate season, Washington has a chance to carve out something close to an every-week role for fantasy and could prove to be a steal as a player going in the late double-digit rounds of startup drafts.

In a year that saw 22 tight ends selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Baylor's Michael Trigg was not one of the players to hear his name called, and he ultimately signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. Finishing second in the nation with 694 receiving yards from the tight end position and landing in the top five with his six touchdown grabs, talent has never been a concern for Trigg, but off-field issues are what led him to go undrafted. While the Cowboys organization has a checkered history of character concerns, that reputation has improved immensely in recent years, and if Trigg can keep things focused on football, he could earn his way onto the roster. Dallas is already deep at the position with Jake Ferguson and dedicated blockers Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford, but in a league trending toward heavier 12 and 13-personnel usage, it should come as no surprise if more teams start keeping four tight ends on the roster. Trigg offers a receiving element that neither Schoonmaker nor Spann-Ford would be able to provide should Ferguson miss extended time, and while he'll first need to make the team, RotoBaller's dynasty TE42 could ultimately prove to be a taxi squad stash with long-term fantasy upside.

When the Indianapolis Colts took running back Seth McGowan in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they added to a room in serious need of depth behind three-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Taylor. With Taylor playing in all 17 games and leading the NFL with 323 carries in 2025, there was little work to be split up behind him, and the next three backs on the roster combined for fewer than 50 attempts. Two of those backs, veterans Ameer Abdullah and Tyler Goodson, are no longer on the roster, leaving McGowan to battle it out with 2025 fifth-round pick DJ Giddens for the team's primary backup role. In a disappointing rookie season, Giddens was held out of several games as a healthy scratch while averaging only 3.7 yards per carry. With quarterback Daniel Jones potentially facing a ramp-up period to begin the year as he recovers from the Achilles injury sustained in December, the Colts' running game becomes all the more important, and a balance will need to be struck in preserving Taylor after 2025 marked his first full season since his 2021 breakout. A big, physical back, McGowan will have his chance to make an impression when the pads come on for training camp in late July. Whoever ultimately wins the job between McGowan and Giddens will have little standalone value behind Taylor, but in a run-heavy offense behind a running back with a history of missing time, the role comes with some of the highest insurance upside in the league.

While playing in all 17 games in 2025, Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams finished as the fantasy RB9, but his points per game in half-PPR formats dropped by almost 1.9 points from his RB7 finish of the previous season. While many are quick to point out the growing involvement of 2024 third-round pick Blake Corum, one of the biggest factors working against Williams in 2025 was his red zone usage. Williams was still one of the most efficient goal line players in the league, but with wide receiver Davante Adams scoring an NFL record 11 receiving touchdowns from within the five-yard line, Williams saw his red zone carries drop by more than 20 attempts from the previous season. Adams holds the career record for most receiving touchdowns from the one-yard line, so his goal line usage is not going to suddenly dry up in 2026, but regression will likely prevent him from again hitting double-digit scores from that area, providing Williams more opportunities from a part of the field where he has been one of the league's most successful players over the past three seasons. At RotoBaller's RB14, Williams represents some of the highest odds of a top-five fantasy finish from a player going outside the top 12 of his position and remains a reliable RB1 for drafters loading up on receivers with their first two picks.

Los Angeles Chargers second-year running back Omarion Hampton said that offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel told him he reminds him of Denver Broncos Hall of Fame RB Terrell Davis, according to Alex Insdorf. The Bolts took the 23-year-old with the 22nd overall pick in last year's NFL draft out of the University of North Carolina. He was set up for a major role earlier than expected in L.A. when Najee Harris suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1, but then Hampton missed seven weeks with a fractured ankle, ultimately finishing with 545 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 124 carries (4.4 yards per carry) while adding 32 receptions for 192 yards and another score in nine regular-season games (six starts). Comparing Hampton to Davis is high praise from the new OC, but if healthy, Hampton has clear Year 2 breakout potential. With better health, an improved Chargers' offensive line, and more usage in McDaniel's system, Hampton has obvious RB1 upside going into his sophomore campaign. RotoBaller has Hampton ranked as the No. 11 fantasy RB for the upcoming 2026 season.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been a superstar since entering the league in 2021. Chase has finished with 1,000 receiving yards or more in every season and has over 50 touchdowns in his career. This past season, Chase saw a career-high 185 targets, hauling in 125 receptions for 1,412 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. across 16 games. Chase has finished as the WR5 or higher in three of his first five seasons in the league. The superstar wideout seems to be one of the few players in the league who is bust-proof. The 26-year-old still has a league-winning ceiling and is young enough to still build around even in dynasty start-ups.

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams is coming off a career year this past season. He was an inconsistent option during his first four seasons in Denver, but he took a huge leap forward last season. Williams rushed for 1,201 yards on 252 carries with 11 touchdowns across 16 games with the Cowboys. Williams finished as the RB11, but slots in as the RB21 in the Rotoballer rankings. Williams should once again be the workhorse back in Dallas, but past injuries make it tough to trust him as a long-term option. This past season was the first time that Williams has started 16 games in a single season. He's locked into a long-term deal in Dallas and is expected to remain the lead back going forward. There's RB1 upside here, but can Williams replicate his 1,200-yard campaign, or is it only downhill from here? Dynasty managers could be on the hook for paying top dollar for a running back who only has one year of elite production.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has been undervalued at times because he's playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase. Despite being the No. 2 option, Higgins has been a stud since being drafted by the Bengals in 2020. During his first three seasons, Higgins finished with 1,000-plus receiving yards in two of those first three years. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed down Higgins from putting up elite numbers, but he's hopeful to put those lingering issues behind him. This past season, Higgins finished with 59 receptions, 846 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. Those are fairly impressive numbers given the fact that Higgins is doing that with quarterback Joe Burrow being injured for part of two of the last three seasons. When this offense is healthy, Higgins can put together high-end WR2 numbers with the possibility of being a WR1.

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (elbow) sat out of team drills during minicamp, but he was able to get through individual position drills. Simmons recently confirmed that he underwent a minor elbow procedure this offseason. This is the reason we've seen Simmons wearing a brace in the past. The stud pass rusher has been participating in mandatory minicamp under Robert Saleh's new defensive scheme. This past season, Simmons recorded a career-high 11 sacks with 67 tackles and 17 tackles for loss across 15 games. The 28-year-old will be a significant part of the Titans' defense going forward and should be fine after a minor elbow surgery this offseason.

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (undisclosed), who missed voluntary organized team activities due to an undisclosed soft-tissue injury, returned to practice on Tuesday, according to John Keim of ESPN. While Croskey-Merritt has the clearest path to the RB1 role in Washington in 2026 in his second year in the NFL, head coach Dan Quinn has mentioned that the former seventh-rounder out of the University of Arizona needs to show what he can do in pass protection, among other areas. The 25-year-old could also stand to improve his ball security going into Year 2 as he looks to hold off Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, rookie Kaytron Allen, and Jeremy McNichols. Croskey-Merritt averaged 4.6 yards per carry for a team-high 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries in 2025 in his rookie campaign, but he barely contributed as a pass-catcher with only nine receptions for 68 yards in 17 games (seven starts). Bill's role as the clear lead back in D.C. isn't solidified yet, but he's the best fantasy target in the Commanders' backfield in 2026 as an RB3/flex with upside, primarily in standard-scoring formats.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (hamstring) was active during the team's mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Franklin appears to be over a hamstring injury that prevented him from playing in the loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game back in January. In his second year in the NFL in 2025 after the Broncos made him a fourth-round pick in 2024 out of the University of Oregon, the 23-year-old took a big step forward with 65 catches for 709 yards and six touchdowns on 104 targets in 17 regular-season games (seven starts). He only had 28 receptions (53 targets) for 263 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games (six starts) as a rookie in 2024. Franklin's fantasy stock is trending down going into his third year in the league, though, primarily because the Broncos gave up a first-round pick this year for veteran wideout Jaylen Waddle. Between Waddle and Courtland Sutton, there may not be many targets left over for Franklin as he competes for the No. 3 role in Denver in 2026. RotoBaller currently has Franklin ranked as the No. 86 fantasy WR in single-year, half-PPR leagues.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) took part in seven-on-seven drills during the team's second mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. On his first throw of the day, Nix hit second-year running back RJ Harvey for a touchdown during a red-zone drill with a well-placed ball. Nix is recovering from offseason surgery for a fractured ankle that he suffered in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills in January, and he had a follow-up procedure in April. Head coach Sean Payton has said that Nix is expected to be a "full-go" for training camp at the end of July, which means that, barring a setback, the former University of Oregon product should be ready for a Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old has been a top-10 fantasy QB in each of his first two years in the NFL, but in what should be a more balanced offense under Payton in 2026, and coming off ankle surgery, fantasy managers are better off targeting the third-year signal-caller as a high-end QB2 with upside in drafts later this year.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (back) was a partial participant on the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and head coach Dan Campbell said he could be cleared for the start of training camp in late July, according to Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press. "We like where he's going," Campbell said. "He's trending the right way." A herniated disc in his back limited the 25-year-old to just nine games in 2025, and he underwent surgery in November. LaPorta didn't take part in full-speed team drills in earlier offseason workouts this spring, but he's getting close to being a full-go for training camp this summer. The former second-round pick (34th overall) in 2023 out of the University of Iowa burst onto the scene in his rookie campaign and led all tight ends with 86 catches on 120 targets for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games. He took a slight step back in Year 2 with a 60-726-7 line in 16 starts before catching just 40 passes for 489 yards and three scores last year. The offensive situation in Detroit hasn't changed much since LaPorta's strong rookie season, and with his price coming down after his injury in 2025, LaPorta is a potential TE1 value play in fantasy drafts as an obvious bounce-back candidate if he stays healthy. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 9 fantasy TE for 2026.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee), who remains limited to seven-on-seven work at mandatory minicamp this week as he continues to rehab from a surgically repaired ACL, said that "the expectation" is for him to be ready for 11-on-11 team drills during training camp this summer, also he added that he'll need clearance from his doctor for that to happen, according to Will McFadden of the team's official website. McFadden writes that in anything movement-related, Penix has "looked sharp and shown no signs of discomfort." But the Falcons are taking a cautious approach with the former first-rounder. "Each and every day I'm trying to get better," Penix said after practice. "Doing whatever I can to help this team win football games, that's the ultimate goal." It sounds like Atlanta's true QB competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa won't come until Penix can do everything in training camp. The 26-year-old Penix is a major durability concern with a lengthy history of torn ACLs, and without a guaranteed starting job, his fantasy stock has fallen considerably heading into 2026 in both dynasty and redraft formats.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that wide receiver Drake London (undisclosed) is dealing with a small injury that the team is being cautious with, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. London could have practiced, but the team is "being careful." The Falcons must protect their investment after giving London a four-year, $141 million contract extension at the beginning of June. The 24-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2022 out of the University of Southern California should be fine for the start of training camp at the end of July, and he's the unquestioned WR1 for either quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. (knee) going into his fifth year in the NFL. London caught 68 of his 112 targets for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 starts in 2025 despite missing five games due to injury. He's a clear WR1 target in fantasy football drafts, and although better play at the QB position could unlock even more from London, managers cannot bank on that from either Tagaovailoa or Penix.

A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson was unable to carve out a meaningful role in his team's offense as a rookie. Johnson spent the season stuck behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell on the Steelers' running back depth chart and finished the year with just 28 carries across 10 games played. While Gainwell departed Pittsburgh in free agency, the team replaced him with former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. As a result, Johnson once again appears likely to be limited to RB3 duties for the Steelers in 2026. However, he'll get a chance to work with a new coaching staff in his second NFL season, which could be the clean slate that Johnson needs to revitalize his pro career. The 22-year-old recorded over 1,500 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns across 12 games in his final collegiate season at Iowa, so he has some untapped rushing potential. For dynasty managers in the midst of a rebuild, Johnson could be worth targeting as a buy-low trade candidate.

Across 16 games in 2025, Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram recorded 50 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown on 76 targets. It was a disappointing output for the veteran tight end, who had averaged just under eight targets per game over the previous two seasons as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. While Denver did not add any significant competition for Engram to its tight end room over the offseason, his target volume could be in line to fall even further in 2026. The Broncos acquired star wideout Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, whom they will add to an already strong wide receiver corps that also includes Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims Jr. Given that Engram is entering his age-32 season and has several players ahead of him in the pecking order for targets in Denver, a significant bounce-back in his fantasy production looks unlikely. Dynasty managers should be looking to sell Engram for whatever they can get ahead of 2026.

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson flashed explosive upside as a rookie in 2025, finishing the year with 1,132 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 215 touches across 17 games (four starts). Henderson averaged over five yards per carry and also excelled as a kick returner, demonstrating his big-play ability in the open field. However, Henderson was unable to fully seize the Patriots' RB1 role away from veteran Rhamondre Stevenson, whom the team trusted more as a downhill runner between the tackles. Stevenson remains under contract with New England through 2028, which brings some degree of uncertainty to Henderson's workload upside with the Patriots. Still, Henderson is clearly the higher-upside back between the two and could have a superstar ceiling if he can make modest improvements as a pass-protector and short-yardage rusher. Henderson is currently valued as a low-end RB2 in redraft formats, which could be a steal for fantasy managers in 2026.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson put together an excellent season in 2025, recording a league-leading 2,298 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 366 touches across 17 games. The 24-year-old reached new heights as a receiver out of the backfield last season, hauling in 79 catches for 820 yards and four scores on 103 targets. Entering 2026, Robinson once again profiles as the focal point of the Falcons' offense. He may even see more chances as a goal-line rusher following the offseason departure of former Atlanta running back Tyler Allgeier, who logged eight rushing touchdowns in 2025. The Falcons' overall offensive ecosystem has major question marks thanks to the underwhelming quarterback quo of Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa. Still, Robinson has shown he can put up monster fantasy production without strong quarterback play in every season of his career to this point. As Robinson enters his age-24 season, dynasty contenders should value him as highly as any player in fantasy football.