Fantasy Football News

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins quickly became the team's lead back in 2025 after he was selected with the 36th overall pick in the second round out of Ohio State. Judkins led the Browns' rushing attack with 230 carries for 827 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns in 14 starts while adding 26 receptions (36 targets) for 171 yards as a pass-catcher. "Runs incredibly hard, faster in the open field than you'd think. I think he's going to have a big year," an AFC executive said. Judkins was an honorable mention for ESPN's Jeremy Fowler in his top RB rankings for the 2026 season. The 22-year-old's first year in the NFL was cut short by a season-ending dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16, but he took part in offseason workouts and should be good to go for Week 1 this fall. Judkins looked explosive in OTAs, but we'll get a better idea of his progress in training camp when the pads go on. In new head coach Todd Monken's offense, Judkins could have Year 2 breakout potential, and he'll come at the cost of a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 in fantasy drafts. Of course, the major drawback is Cleveland's less-than-ideal QB situation holding the entire offense hostage.

Free-agent cornerback Rasul Douglas is planning to sign a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders for up to $3.8 million, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 30-year-old veteran signed with the Miami Dolphins last year and played in 15 games, recording 62 tackles (37 solo), one sack, two interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He was moved into the starting lineup in Week 1 after an injury to Storm Duck, and by season's end, he had established himself as Miami's best cornerback. Douglas missed two games with ankle and foot injuries, but he returned in Week 13 and had interceptions in two straight games. He was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week after breaking up five passes and picking off a pass in Week 14 against the division-rival New York Jets. Douglas allowed 54 catches for 515 yards and three TDs on the year. He'll bring plenty of experience to D.C., having started 93 games for five teams during his nine-year NFL career.

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is facing legal issues in Florida, was released by the Lions last week and cleared waivers on Monday to become a free agent, according to ESPN. Arnold was released after he was arrested on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. He's expected to visit NFL teams that have shown an interest in signing him. The 23-year-old defensive back turned himself in on June 24 after authorities accused him of orchestrating the abduction and beating of three men whom prosecutors believe he wrongly suspected of having stolen luxury goods and $100,000 in cash from him. Arnold was a former first-round pick by the Lions in 2024 out of the University of Alabama, and he was scheduled to start outside opposite D.J. Reed this year before his release last week. He had two years and $4.8 million left on his rookie contract. It's unclear at this time if any other NFL team is willing to take on Arnold's baggage and give him another chance.

Despite the offseason acquisition of running back David Montgomery, the Houston Texans still plan on giving second-year RB Woody Marks "lots of opportunities" in 2026, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Marks emerged as Houston's lead back in his first year in the NFL, with Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) missing all year and Nick Chubb fading. He led the team with 703 rushing yards and two touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 208 yards and three more TDs. The 25-year-old former fourth-rounder out of USC is now adapting to what will be a complementary role alongside Montgomery, but the Texans still envision a solid workload for him in Year 2 that includes third-down pass-catching duties and carries, along with a new role on kickoff returns. While Marks may not be Houston's "lead back" now that Monty is in town, he can still be useful for their offense and as an RB4/flex target for fantasy managers in PPR leagues. In dynasty/keeper leagues, Marks is a prime buy-low target after the Texans traded for Montgomery.

Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire writes that the New England Patriots are "desperately clinging to hope" that rookie third-round tight end Eli Raridon "can contribute right out of the gate" in 2026. If Raridon doesn't look like he can handle TE2 duties behind starter Hunter Henry in training camp this summer, it "wouldn't be a surprise" to see the Patriots bring in a veteran at the position to boost the competition. As of right now, McElroy lists Raridon as the No. 2 TE behind Henry, with Tanner Arkin, Jack Westover, and CJ Dippre behind him. Raridon, 22, is a versatile option at the position with the ability to be a solid receiver and blocker. He has a clear path to rookie-year snaps with Julian Hill (knee) going on season-ending Injured Reserve and with Austin Hooper leaving in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder needs to improve his blocking, but if he can do that, he could have a meaningful role in 2026. And if Henry were to go down with an injury, Raridon would gain lots of steam off the waiver wire in all fantasy football leagues.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is heading into the final year of his contract in 2026, are "not close" to reaching a contract extension, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. "It's about finding that middle ground," Mayfield said. There is a lot of work to be done here, and Garafolo adds that the Bucs are in no rush to work something out with the 31-year-old signal-caller. The pressure to get something done before the start of the 2026 season could start to pick up at the start of training camp at the end of this month, but right now, nothing is close to being worked out. In the end, the two sides are expected to find that middle ground and get Mayfield locked up. Mayfield was a Pro Bowler in each of his first two seasons in Tampa, throwing for over 4,000 yards both years, but he took a step back in 2025, throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts. Injuries are a concern, as well as the fact that he lost his No. 1 target in receiver Mike Evans in free agency in the offseason. The hope is that new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can get Mayfield going in the right direction again, but he'll be a low-end QB2 with a lower floor heading into 2026 fantasy drafts.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was one of the biggest surprises in fantasy in 2024, racking up 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns in a season that would earn him a four-year, $33 million extension with the team. Injuries and inconsistency derailed his 2025 campaign, and he finished the year as the clear backup to Rico Dowdle, handling double-digit carries only one time after Week 8. With Dowdle departing in free agency and the Panthers making no significant additions to the position, Hubbard potentially faces a training camp battle with 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks. Reports out of the non-padded setting of minicamp praised Brooks for the explosiveness he's recaptured since an ACL tear ended his rookie season, but it's important to remember the injury was the second of its kind in 13 months, sandwiched around only nine professional carries. It's extremely unlikely that Brooks would step fully into Dowdle's vacated role and inherit the bulk of his 282 opportunities from a season ago. With Hubbard now also nearly ten months removed from the calf injury that landed him on injured reserve and reportedly tested his confidence upon his return, a split backfield in Carolina could lead to one of the league's more ambiguous situations and depressed ADPs for both players. Neither Hubbard nor Brooks is currently being drafted within the top 30 of the position, and with Dave Canales producing a top 16 fantasy back in each of his three seasons calling plays for Carolina and Tampa Bay, the opportunity is there for one or both to return difference-making value in 2026.

New Orleans Saints veteran Juwan Johnson was a top-10 fantasy tight end in 2025, and he heads into his seventh season as one of the more undervalued players at the position. He likely faces significantly stiffer target competition with the Saints spending the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on dynamic wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, but in Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense, there should be no shortage of volume to go around. With second-year quarterback Tyler Shough preparing for his first full year as a starter, the Saints could see an increase to their 34.8 pass attempts per game from a season ago. After taking over as starter in Week 9, Shough faced an expected ramp-up period, but following the team's Week 11 bye, the rookie threw the fourth most passes in the league, and only Trey McBride and Kyle Pitts topped Johnson's 34 catches or 398 yards from the tight end spot. The Saints also spent a third-round pick on tight end Oscar Delp, but as more of a traits-based prospect who never reached 25 receptions or 285 yards across his four seasons at Georgia, he could take time to develop at the next level, and Johnson should remain entrenched at the top of the depth chart for 2026. Currently being drafted as the TE17, Johnson should again see enough volume to greatly exceed ADP, and if he can improve upon his three touchdown grabs from a year ago, he could ultimately prove to be one of the best values at the position.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal led the team in rushing in 2025 and, with very little fanfare, turned in four different performances as the RB8 or better. While the 2024 sixth-round pick was obviously not the first plan in Jim Harbaugh's offense, veteran acquisition Najee Harris and first-round pick Omarion Hampton both succumbed to serious injuries that thrust Vidal into a starting role in which he handled himself admirably. In seven games in 2025, Vidal saw at least 10 carries, and despite playing behind an injury-ravaged offensive line that has been panned as one of the league's worst units, he averaged more than 80 rushing yards in such contests, scoring three touchdowns on the ground and a fourth through the air. While free agent acquisition Keaton Mitchell has rightfully been spotlighted as a natural fit in new coordinator Mike McDaniel's speed-based offense, at only 5'8" and 191 pounds, with a history of significant injuries, he is unlikely to see a substantial uptick in carries should presumed bell cow Hampton again miss extended time. In such a scenario, it would likely be Vidal who handles the bulk of the early-down work, and in what projects to be one of the league's most improved offenses, that could easily translate to continued fantasy success. Vidal is RotoBaller's dynasty RB63, and in deeper redraft leagues, he's worth a look at the end of drafts as one of the more valuable insurance backs in the league.

Veteran running back Joe Mixon (foot) last saw the field in a 2024 Divisional Round loss in which he registered exactly 100 yards on 20 touches and added a touchdown to conclude what had been a successful first season with the Houston Texans. While nobody knew it at the time, that very well could have been his last professional game. Mixon's entire 2025 season was lost to a mysterious foot and ankle injury sustained early in the offseason and barely clarified at any point thereafter. He was released before the start of the 2026 league year with a non-football injury designation, and although he has expressed interest in continuing his career, the soon-to-be-30-year-old back remains unsigned. A training camp or in-season injury could certainly send Mixon's name back into the rumor mill, but he is not a player who should factor into 2026 draft plans, and at RotoBaller's dynasty RB73, he is no longer a player who needs to be rostered.

For Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr., 2025 marked the first time in his four-year career that he was able to suit up for all 17 games, but it was in a seldom-used change-of-pace role behind Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. In one of the stranger careers in recent history, Robinson has yet to top the 205 carries of his rookie season despite playing in only 12 games that year after being shot twice during an attempted robbery and carjacking. Clearly playing at less than full strength, he has since seen better efficiency in each subsequent season, but has never been given a full workload, first ceding carries to veterans Antonio Gibson and Austin Ekeler in Washington before landing as McCaffrey's primary backup in a year when the then-29-year-old led the league in touches. In signing a one-year deal with the Falcons, he finds himself backing up another bell cow running back in Bijan Robinson, who has not missed a game in his three-year career. While the incumbent Robinson has spent enough time split out wide to allow for his previous backup, Tyler Allgeier, to regularly see the field and maintain fantasy relevance, a new coaching regime in Atlanta could turn the backfield over to him entirely. Still, for the second year in a row, Robinson Jr. comes into the season as one of the NFL's most valuable insurance backs, draftable in 2026 leagues for that reason alone, while any standalone value he's able to provide in a new home and a new system should be seen as a bonus. He is currently RotoBaller's RB47.

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is coming off the second 1,000-yard campaign of his career. Despite some changes of scenery, Swift has been one of the more consistent backs in the NFL in recent years. Last season, Swift rushed for 1,087 yards on 223 carries with nine touchdowns on the ground. The nine scores on the ground were a career-high for the 27-year-old back. The only downside here is the emergence of Kyle Monangai. The two backs are likely going to split up the starting reps, which could create a frustrating situation for fantasy managers. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Bears go with the hot-hand method and ride whichever back looks better on that given day. It's worth mentioning that Swift is in the final year of his contract, so the Bears might be more invested in giving Monangai more carries as the possible future back. Dynasty managers who have Swift on their roster might want to consider selling high on him.

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis could be a sneaky addition for dynasty managers ahead of the 2026 season. Davis is entering his third season with the Bills and is currently battling for the primary backup role behind James Cook III. Last season, Davis saw a minimal role in the Bills' rushing attack. He rushed 58 times for 275 yards and didn't find the end zone on the ground. He didn't see a ton of action on the ground, but Davis did rush for nearly five yards per carry. Davis has shown the ability to be a viable option when given the opportunity. There's unlikely to be a ton of chance to do damage on the ground as long as Cook stays healthy. The expectation is that Davis and Ty Johnson are going to split up the reps behind Cook. Davis could be one injury away from being a relevant fantasy contributor, which makes him worth considering stashing as a handcuff in dynasty formats.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is back for at least one more season. The 36-year-old isn't the same top-tier fantasy tight end that he used to be, but that doesn't mean he can't be a reliable contributor. This past season, Kelce hauled in 76 receptions, 851 receiving yards, and five touchdowns across 17 games with the Chiefs. The 76-catch season was his lowest since the 2015 season, but that goes to show how long Kelce has been an elite player in this league. The Chiefs don't have many reliable pass-catchers on offense outside of Rashee Rice, and hopefully Xavier Worthy takes a step forward. The health of quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) also plays a factor in the fantasy value of Kelce. If everything goes right for the Chiefs, Kelce should still be a fringe top-10 fantasy tight end next season. Given his age, fantasy managers needing a tight end might be able to snag Kelce for cheap, with this possibly being his last season.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James is currently projected to be the primary backup this upcoming season. The former fifth-round pick only made three appearances last season and didn't record a single carry as a rookie. Despite the lack of reps, James has drawn praise from head coach Kyle Shanahan during the offseason. The 49ers don't have a clear No. 2 option behind superstar Christian McCaffrey in this backfield. Outside of James, the 49ers have third-round pick Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo, and Sincere McCormick. There's plenty of competition for the No. 2 role, but James wouldn't be a bad player to have as a possible handcuff to McCaffrey. He's an interesting buy-low candidate for dynasty managers looking for help at running back.

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins is coming off a decent season in 2025. The veteran wideout hauled in 46 receptions, 550 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in 15 games (13 starts) with the Pats. Those were his best numbers since 2022, but Hollins could be headed towards a diminished role. The Pats acquired AJ. Brown during the offseason to be their top wideout in their offense. They also signed Romeo Doubs, who is projected to be the slot receiver to begin the season. The Pats also have Kayshon Boutte and Kyle Williams returning, who are expected to compete for snaps with Hollins. The assumption is that the Patriots are more likely to feed snaps to a younger player, such as Williams over Hollins. The 32-year-old might end up falling into a depth role on this revamped Pats offense, so fantasy managers counting on Hollins might want to look elsewhere for help.

A recent report from NFL Network's James Palmer reveals that free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) had surgery to fix his ACL and multiple other knee ligaments after suffering a torn ACL and dislocated knee in Week 4 of last season with the Miami Dolphins. Palmer described Hill's possibility of playing in 2026 as "wishful thinking." Hill, an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, has built a reputation for extraordinary speed, elite acceleration, and reliable hands, but his career could be in jeopardy after his serious knee injury last season. The Cheetah is no spring chicken at 32 years old, and his elite physical traits could diminish after his knee injury. Fans have floated the idea of the former fifth-rounder returning to the Kansas City Chiefs, but he faces significant questions about his future in the NFL. Hill's focus goal could be shifting to a lengthy rehab process that will have him ready for the 2027 season. He opened his career with eight straight Pro Bowl selections, and he has 819 catches for 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns in his 10 years in the league. As of right now, Hill should be avoided in single-year fantasy leagues.

A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel finished his rookie season with 26 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets across 17 games (three starts). The 23-year-old was largely blocked from playing time in the slot by veteran wideout Christian Kirk. However, Kirk departed Houston in free agency this past spring, which could put Noel in a position to be the Texans' primary slot receiver alongside outside wideouts Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins. Houston also has wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) making his way back from the knee injury that cost him all of 2025, but Dell's outlook remains clouded by health concerns. Noel also drew strong reviews for his play during Texans spring workouts and could be in line for a significantly increased role in the Houston passing game. As the WR84 by current redraft ADP, Noel carries significant sleeper appeal heading into 2026.

Across seven games (one start) in 2025, New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime recorded 301 scrimmage yards and one touchdown on 58 touches. With the Saints backfield decimated by injuries down the stretch of the season, Estime took on a lead role for New Orleans' final two games of the year. While Estime remains on the Saints' roster heading into 2026, his place on the depth chart looks drastically different. New Orleans signed running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency and will also be getting back Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, and Kendre Miller (knee) after all three missed the end of the 2025 season with injuries. Entering 2026, dynasty managers should feel comfortable moving on from Estime in favor of a higher-upside option.

Thanks to a gruesome knee injury that ended his 2024 campaign in Week 16, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) missed the entire 2025 season. Dell has yet to be fully cleared from the injury, but he's expected to contribute to the Texans at some point in 2026. The 26-year-old has been a productive player when healthy for Houston, averaging 67 catches for 936 yards and seven touchdowns on 106 targets per 17 games played. Still, he may now be facing an uphill battle for targets even once healthy, as Houston has a pair of promising young wideouts in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to go with superstar WR1 Nico Collins. Dell's stock in both redraft and dynasty leagues has obviously fallen considerably from his peak value. Still, it's difficult to buy into Dell at any real cost until he proves he can make it back to full health.