Fantasy Football News

John Shipley of Sports Illustrated writes that Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence "just had the best offseason he's had with the Jaguars ever." Lawrence looked "as confident and in command" of head coach Liam Coen's offense as ever, displaying "improved accuracy to each level of the field" while also improving as a vertical passer and gaining chemistry with receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who disappointed in Year 2 in 2025 after an impressive rookie showing. It's now time to see if Lawrence's improvements in the spring can carry over to training camp this summer as he heads into the sixth year of his NFL career. The 26-year-old former first overall pick out of Clemson in 2021 hit the 4,000-yard passing mark in 17 regular-season starts in 2025 for the third time in his career, delivering a career-best 29 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. After rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery last year, Lawrence is at full health and could be on the verge of a career year in his second season in Coen's offense. Not only is Lawrence looking great, but this is perhaps the best offense he's had yet in the NFL in terms of weapons around him. RotoBaller has Lawrence ranked as the No. 9 fantasy QB in 2026.

Running back Nathan Carter operated as the Atlanta Falcons' No. 3 back in 2025 behind starter Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, and he will once again compete for the same role in training camp this summer behind Robinson and newcomer Brian Robinson Jr., according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Michigan State only had nine carries for 60 yards over seven games in his first year in the NFL, though, so he's still well off the fantasy radar going into his sophomore campaign. The majority of Carter's snaps in 2025 came on special teams. He'll have more competition for the No. 3 job in the form of Tyler Goodson and Cash Jones. McFadden writes that the Falcons' RB3 battle could be one of the more underrated competitions of camp. Carter will only pop up as a waiver-wire consideration in fantasy football in 2026 if one or both of the Robinsons miss time with injury in Atlanta.

The Tennessee Titans signed veteran running back Michael Carter this offseason, and he could have the inside track to the final RB spot on the 53-man roster due to his history with new head coach Robert Saleh with the New York Jets, according to Mark Mihalko of Titans Wire. However, Kalel Mullings was drafted by general manager Mike Borgonzi, and when healthy, he gives the Titans backfield a different skill set. The 27-year-old Carter spent the last two seasons in the desert with the Arizona Cardinals and had 92 carries for 333 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and one rushing touchdown in 13 games (five starts) in 2025 in his fifth year in the league. Carter added 33 receptions on 45 targets for 267 yards and no touchdowns as a pass-catcher. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are the Titans' unquestioned top-two RBs heading into the 2026 campaign, so Carter will be competing for a depth role with Mullings and rookie Nicholas Singleton this year. Most likely, Carter will not be fantasy relevant unless injuries hit Tennessee's backfield hard.

Jack Markowski of Sports Illustrated writes that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson has a lot to prove this summer in training camp after failing to take advantage of his opportunity in the passing game in 2025, finishing with just 12 catches on 21 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 regular-season games (four starts). The key for Wilson is to build up his chemistry with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in new head coach Mike McCarthy's offense. But even if Wilson can do that, he won't be guaranteed a regular role on offense after the offseason additions of veteran Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard. The only advantage Wilson has is the fact that he played with Rodgers last year, which could give him a leg up over the polished Bernard going into Week 1 of the 2026 season. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Michigan is blessed with quickness and the ability to play inside and outside, but he's currently outside of RotoBaller's top-100 WR rankings after his disappointing 2025 finish.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is one of the league's top pass-catchers and is the top target for quarterback Lamar Jackson after two straight Pro Bowl seasons in 2024 and 2025. Clifton Brown of the team's official website writes that Flowers is a threat to break the franchise record for most receiving yards in a season, which was set by tight end Mark Andrews in 2021 with 1,361 yards. The 25-year-old former 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Boston College has had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons with nine total touchdowns in 34 regular-season games for the Ravens. There isn't much depth behind Flowers in Baltimore's passing attack, which gives Flowers a pretty safe volume floor as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 target in fantasy football drafts, even with the Ravens implementing a new offense under head coach Jesse Minter. General manager Eric DeCosta said on 105.7 The Fan on Thursday that the team "definitely" wants to sign Flowers to a contract extension before the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. With a bounce-back season likely coming for QB Lamar Jackson if he can stay healthy, Flowers is a fine target in the early rounds of fantasy drafts, especially in PPR formats.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is already the franchise's leader in rushing touchdowns (69) and needs just 1,629 more rushing yards to pass Hall of Famer Edgerrin James (9,226) for the franchise lead. Taylor's immediate future with the Colts is uncertain, however, as he enters the final year of an extension that he signed in 2023. When asked about his contract status, Taylor said he wants to be "a Colt for life," according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Boyd thinks that the 27-year-old former second-rounder in 2020 out of the University of Wisconsin should be a hold-in during training camp this summer as he negotiates a potential extension to remain in Indy beyond the 2026 season. Despite being three years older, Taylor might have more leverage in contract negotiations with franchise QB Daniel Jones rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon. The three-time Pro Bowl RB led the NFL in carries (323) and rushing touchdowns (18) while rushing for 1,585 yards in 17 starts. The Colts are mindful that they might need to limit Taylor's touches as he heads into his seventh year, but at least early on with Jones being eased back in, the Colts figure to lean on Taylor out of the backfield. Taylor should still be considered a top-five fantasy RB, albeit one with mild bust potential due to all the tread already on his tires.

The New Orleans Saints added to the tight end position this offseason, even after Juwan Johnson had a career year in 2025. The Saints signed Noah Fant in free agency and used a third-round pick to take former University of Georgia TE Oscar Delp. However, Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes that Johnson should remain atop the depth chart at the position for the Saints entering the 2026 campaign. The Saints' moves at the position could signal a move to a vastly different-looking offense this year that will feature more two-tight end sets. The 29-year-old Johnson set career highs in catches (77), targets (102), and receiving yards (889) last year while catching three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in his sixth year in New Orleans. Only Arizona's Trey McBride and Atlanta's Kyle Pitts Sr. had more receiving yards in 2025, and Johnson's 889 yards were the fourth-most in a single season by a TE in Saints history. Most of his production came after rookie Tyler Shough took over as the starting QB. Johnson has established himself as an excellent size-speed athlete, but with more competition for targets coming from Fant, Delp, and rookie first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson, regression figures to be coming in 2026. Fantasy managers should target Johnson as a low-end TE2 after his career year in 2025.

New Orleans Saints rookie first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (undisclosed) was held out of organized team activities this spring due to an undisclosed issue, but head coach Kellen Moore suggested it wasn't related to a hamstring injury that ended Tyson's final collegiate season at Arizona State in 2025 prematurely. Tyson has been doing more the last couple of months, and second-year quarterback Tyler Shough hinted that the 21-year-old could be a full-go this summer, saying that the rookie pass-catcher "is going to be firing on all cylinders, so I can't wait to get going with him," according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Top wideout Chris Olave has also been held back this offseason due to blood-clot issues that surfaced at the end of last season. Both Tyson and Olave should be good for training camp and the start of the 2026 regular season, though, giving New Orleans a potentially dangerous 1-2 punch at WR. Tyson's after-the-catch skills in a pass-happy offense will give him immediate WR3 upside in his first year in the NFL in 2026 if he can stay healthy.

The New Orleans Saints and veteran running back Alvin Kamara agreed to terms on a deal on Thursday that will pay him a base salary of $6 million for the 2026 season, with a chance to make $8.5 million with incentives, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. It's a win-win for both sides that almost certainly means that Kamara will finish his career in the Big Easy. It's not great news for new RB Travis Etienne Jr., but the former Jacksonville Jaguar will almost certainly take over RB1 duties in 2026 in his first year with the Saints after they signed him to a four-year, $52 million deal in free agency in March. Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowler and dual threat out of the backfield, will surely see his volume decrease dramatically, but he could still be a flex play in point-per-reception fantasy football leagues in 2026 now that he's officially locked in to return to New Orleans. Durability has been a concern for the aging Kamara in recent seasons, but he's had at least 47 receptions in eight of his nine seasons, with the only exception coming in 2025 when he played in a career-low 11 games. Kamara should be the unquestioned No. 2 RB behind Etienne, mostly factoring in on passing downs in 2026.

Pittsburgh Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy said he views wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. as a "versatile pass-catcher who can run all routes," which is a preference for receivers in McCarthy's offense, according to Chris Harlan of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Live. In his final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, Pittman played 283 of his 615 snaps in the slot. In his six seasons with the Colts, the 28-year-old former second-rounder out of USC caught 485 passes for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns, but he regressed in 2025, finishing with an 80-784-7 line in 17 games. His 784 receiving yards were his fewest since his rookie year in 2020. Pittsburgh made an aggressive move to acquire Pittman from the Colts in a March trade, then signed him to a three-year, $59 million contract to give DK Metcalf some help. Last year, Metcalf led the Steelers with 59 catches on 99 targets, but the team lacked a reliable option to complement him. McCarthy is hoping Pittman is that man. A bounce-back campaign could be coming for Pittman, but with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers in the last season of his storied career, fantasy managers shouldn't just assume that Pittman will bounce back as a reliable weekly fantasy starter. RotoBaller currently has the former Colts wideout ranked as the No. 41 fantasy WR for 2026.

For a four-week stretch early into his rookie season, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had the appearance of the league's next young superstar. From Weeks 6 through 9, the 2025 fifth-round pick caught 24 of 27 targets for 377 yards and two scores, essentially a full-season pace of 100-1,600-8 that, unsurprisingly, made him the fantasy TE1 over that stretch. While he was unable to maintain that torrid pace the rest of the way, catching only 17 passes for 211 yards and one score over his final eight games, there is plenty to be excited about heading into his second season, especially now that he finds himself in Mike McDaniel's quick-game-heavy offense. While the free agent acquisitions of David Njoku and Charlie Kolar add a level of competition that was not present in 2025, Gadsden is still the safest bet to lead the position group in targets, and with veteran receiver Keenan Allen no longer under contract, he could step into an important role as one of the team's primary chain-movers. Currently ranked as RotoBaller's TE16, Gadsden is the exact type of high-upside swing that redraft managers should be looking to target in the closing rounds of drafts if they missed out or were unwilling to spend up on the elite tier of the position.

With Los Angeles Chargers veterans reporting for training camp on July 28, one of the most interesting position battles to pay attention to will be at tight end, after the late free agent signing of 10th-year professional David Njoku helped to make theirs one of the more well-rounded tight end rooms in the league. The Chargers return 2025 fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden II after he reached some historic highs as a rookie, and the team made an early commitment to free agent Charlie Kolar, one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. It was the addition of Njoku in mid-May, though, that brought true multi-functionality to the room in Mike McDaniel's new offense. A first-round pick in 2017, Njoku had fallen clearly behind rookie Harold Fannin Jr. in his final season with the Browns, but given a fresh start with one of the most creative playcallers in the league, he could again find sporadic fantasy relevance in 2026. At RotoBaller's TE32, he is not a player worth targeting in redraft leagues, but he is a low-cost depth piece for contending dynasty managers and is worthy of the occasional late-round swing in best ball drafts.

A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal found himself starting games late in the year for an injury-stricken Saints squad before he himself was put on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury. Early in the offseason, there remained some hope that he could return to a fantasy-relevant role in his second season, but those hopes have since been all but dashed. The Saints spent big in free agency to acquire former first-round pick Travis Etienne Jr., and with veteran Alvin Kamara agreeing to a restructured deal to stick in New Orleans for at least one more season, few opportunities could remain for Neal, who will still need to beat out Kendre Miller and Audric Estime for the team's third running back spot. Ranked outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players, Neal is not a player who should factor into 2026 redraft plans, and outside of the deepest dynasty leagues, he is no longer a player who must be held through roster cuts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker has rarely seen anything close to a featured role through his first three seasons in the league, but when entrusted with an expanded workload, he has tended to deliver. With Buccaneers starter Bucky Irving missing seven games in 2025 with foot and shoulder injuries, Tucker split time with Rachaad White, carving out a larger role along the way. From Weeks 8 through 12, he led the team with 52 carries for 243 yards and three touchdowns, but with Irving's eventual return in Week 13, Tucker averaged fewer than four carries per game the rest of the way. Heading into 2026, a healthier Irving is expected to head the Buccaneers' backfield once more, while free agent acquisition Kenneth Gainwell was brought in as a direct replacement for White after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in 2025. Again relegated to third-string duties, Tucker maintains some value as a dynasty stash, having proven capable of delivering fantasy-relevant performances in a pinch, but as RotoBaller's RB51, he is unlikely to factor into 2026 drafts.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions in 2025, but it's what he's been able to do once the ball is in his hands that makes him such a dynamic player and one of the game's truly elite fantasy assets. His incredible contact balance and willingness to fight through every tackle helped him to accrue more yards after catch than any other receiver in the league, and he also ranked first in 20+ yard receptions and receiving first downs. A standout player in all the areas that translate to fantasy success and surrounded by one of the league's best offensive infrastructures, it's no surprise that he is again ranked at the top of draft boards. Despite his recent off-field concerns, which have included an offseason stint in rehab, Nacua shows no signs of slowing between the white lines and is RotoBaller's WR1, the third overall player in half-PPR formats, and one of the strongest picks at the start of 2026 drafts.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) told Caroline Fenton on Yahoo Sports Daily on Wednesday that he's still aiming to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sept. 14. "That's my goal," Mahomes said. "I've said that since the beginning is being ready to go Week 1. I can't predict the future, and I know that it's a long process. It's not just my decision, but at the same time I'm going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1." The 30-year-old two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler tore his ACL in Week 15 of last year, but he remains on schedule to be ready for the start of the 2026 season and took part in the offseason program on a limited basis. We should get a better read on Mahomes' availability for the start of the regular season when training camp kicks off in a couple of weeks. Even if Mahomes is ready to roll for Week 1, fantasy managers should temper expectations for a signal-caller entering his age-31 season coming off a major knee injury. RotoBaller has Mahomes ranked as the QB13 as he heads into his 10th year in the league.

ESPN's Adam Schefter "honestly believes" that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) "has scared off teams" like the Washington Commanders. Aiyuk hasn't helped his case for finding a new team if the 49ers inevitably release him with social-media posts blasting the 49ers organization. It sounds like teams are concerned about the former first-rounder and whether he realistically wants to continue playing in the NFL after a season-ending knee injury in 2024 kept him sidelined for all of last year. Aiyuk has been repeatedly mentioned as a good fit for the Commanders this offseason because of his connection to quarterback Jayden Daniels from their college days at Arizona State, but even with questionable depth behind Terry McLaurin, the Commanders may not want Aiyuk's baggage, not to mention questions about how he'll bounce back from his knee injury. Schefter says that things can change quickly in training camp and other teams could become interested in Aiyuk, but as of right now, there doesn't seem to be much of a market for the 28-year-old. The longer Aiyuk remains without a team for the 2026 season, the less likely it will be that he emerges as a fantasy football asset in 2026.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens will officially play the 2026 season on his $27.3 million franchise tender after the deadline for tagged players to agree on long-term contracts passed on Wednesday, per ESPN. The Cowboys announced before the NFL draft in April that they didn't plan to engage Pickens in long-term extension talks, so this was the expected outcome. The last time Dallas signed a tagged player to an extension was receiver Dez Bryant in 2015. Pickens has signed his tender, which puts him under contract for 2026. Since reaching an extension with Bryant in 2015, quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, tight end Dalton Schultz, running back Tony Pollard, and now Pickens have played on the franchise tag. Pickens, 25, was a first-time Pro Bowler and broke out for a career year in 2025 in his first year in Dallas after they acquired him in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching 93 of 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. He'll be pricey in fantasy drafts going into his second year in Dallas, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 9 fantasy WR for 2026.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond flashed enough as a rookie to stay on the dynasty radar, but the roster got a lot less forgiving this spring. He turned 44 targets into 18 catches for 338 yards, an 18.8-yard average, without finding the end zone. Cleveland then used the 24th and 39th picks on KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman are still here, too. Bond did help himself during offseason work. He added roughly 15 pounds, looked stronger through contact, and made plays at every level of the field. The Browns praised the progress, though none of it guarantees him a regular role once camp begins. Cleveland also has an unsettled quarterback competition, which does not help a receiver fighting for the back end of the rotation. RotoBaller has Bond 269th overall in its latest dynasty rankings. That is deep-league territory. He is worth tracking through August, not forcing onto ordinary dynasty rosters before the depth chart starts to clear.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges gave fantasy managers a useful preview of what he can do when George Kittle is missing. In the six games Kittle sat last season, Tonges caught 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The other 11 games produced five catches for 24 yards. That is about as clean as it gets. San Francisco brought Tonges back on a two-year deal, so he should again handle most of the receiving work if Kittle is not ready. Kittle is targeting Week 1 after tearing his right Achilles in the playoffs, but no return date is locked in. Tonges could have some early streaming value if the recovery stretches into September. Once Kittle is back, though, the role can vanish in a hurry. At 27 and TE38 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, Tonges makes sense for contenders that need Kittle insurance or short-term depth. Rebuilders do not need to chase a player whose value depends almost entirely on someone else's rehab.