Fantasy Football News

DK Pittsburgh Sports reports that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle got reps ahead of Jaylen Warren in training camp practice on Thursday, which was the opposite of Wednesday. However, both RBs took reps with the first-team offense. Warren lost considerable pass-catching work to Kenny Gainwell in 2025, but he still managed a career-high 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 211 carries while adding 40 receptions for 333 yards and another two TDs as a receiver in 16 regular-season games in his fourth year in the NFL. Gainwell is gone, with Dowdle taking his place in Pittsburgh's backfield alongside Warren. With Dowdle now in the picture, Warren's rushing workload will likely take a hit, but he could replace that volume with more work as a pass-catcher, and we all know how veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers loves to dump off the football late in his career. This could be a true even split between Warren and Dowdle in 2026, with RotoBaller ranking Dowdle as the No. 30 overall fantasy RB, and Warren at No. 31. Warren should have slightly more upside as an RB3/flex option in PPR formats.

Green Bay Packers second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden is flashing big-play upside early in training camp, and he had another 20-plus-yard catch in practice on Thursday, per Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports. Golden, who was the 23rd overall pick last year from the University of Texas, failed to stand out in his rookie campaign in the team's crowded WR picture, ultimately finishing with 29 receptions on 44 targets for 361 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (five starts). But with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks no longer on the team, the 22-year-old is primed for a much larger role in the Packers' passing attack in 2026. Golden was the team's most productive pass-catcher late last year as well, so fantasy managers targeting him are banking on a Year 2 breakout. He caught four passes for 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown in the playoff loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears. Given his current ADP, Golden is undervalued and profiles as an excellent value pick later in fantasy drafts in 2026.

Penn Live's Nick Farabaugh writes that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson is getting a lot of looks from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in training camp practice on Thursday, and he's "easily been the most targeted player" through two days. The Rodgers-Wilson connection has already looked a lot better on Thursday after the two had two miscommunications on Wednesday. The 25-year-old saw the majority of the reps as the WR3 on Wednesday in three-receiver sets alongside DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., and he's looking to get more involved in 2026 after catching just 12 of 21 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played in 2025 in his second year in the NFL. Wilson's main competition for the WR3 role this summer is rookie second-rounder Germie Bernard, but so far, it looks like Wilson's job to lose. The former third-rounder is a name to watch in Steelers camp, but the WR3 role in Pittsburgh with Rodgers leading the show in his final NFL season probably won't amount to much volume to make him all that intriguing in 12-team fantasy leagues.

Carolina Panthers rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (knee) will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee, a league source with knowledge of the situation told Joseph Person of The Athletic. The Panthers initially planned to go with a non-surgical path for Brazzell's moderate LCL tear, which would have kept him out for two months. But after receiving a second opinion, they have decided to do what's best for the young wideout's long-term health. The University of Tennessee product injured his knee during 7-on-7 drills in training camp practice on Wednesday. It's a tough break for the 6-foot-4 pass-catcher, as he entered camp with a realistic chance to unseat Xavier Legette for WR3 duties in 2026 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Legette will now obviously be the favorite for the No. 3 receiver job, although he could face competition from David Moore and John Metchie III, who played with quarterback Bryce Young at Alabama. Fantasy managers can avoid Brazzell now in all single-year leagues.

Sports Illustrated's John Shipley writes that Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten was the player of the day in training camp practice on Wednesday, and his "terrific practice performances" have been "a consistent part of the Jaguars' practices." It has helped that Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot) missed the entire offseason program due to a foot injury that required surgery, and he was held to individual drills in the first camp practice on Wednesday. Tuten continues to get reps as the RB1, but for as good as he has looked, Shipley cautions that Rodriguez has yet to play, and the pads have not come on yet. Jacksonville's backfield could look a lot different once Rodriguez is added to the fold, but for now, Tuten has taken the early lead in the RB competition in Duval. And with Travis Etienne Jr. now in New Orleans, the second-year back has Year 2 breakout potential after carrying the ball 83 times for 307 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie. Tuten caught only 10 passes for 79 yards and another two scores, but LeQuint Allen Jr. figures to see most of the pass-catching reps out of the Jags' backfield. Tuten's lack of pass-catching skills could be the only thing holding him back from a sophomore breakout. Target him as a low-end RB2 with upside in upcoming fantasy drafts.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington was the team's most impressive player in training camp practice on Thursday, per John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. Washington had multiple big catches and was a tough cover for anyone in the secondary who was put up against him. Shipley wrote that Brian Thomas Jr. also had a couple of chunk gains on passes, but it was Washington "who stood out and stole the show." Even in a crowded WR corps that includes Thomas, Jakobi Meyers, and Travis Hunter, the 24-year-old Washington appears ready to be an even bigger part of the Jaguars' passing attack in 2026 after he broke out with 58 catches, 847 yards, and five touchdowns (all career highs) in 16 regular-season games a year ago. He's not big at 5-foot-10, 204 pounds or extremely fast, but Washington is an excellent route-runner and averaged a career-best 14.6 yards per reception in 2025. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence could spread the wealth with all his options, which will limit Washington's fantasy upside, but at this point, he's been hard to ignore and has clear WR2 upside going into his fourth NFL season. RotoBaller has Washington ranked as the No. 32 WR.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot) suffered a foot injury on the first day of the offseason program in the spring, keeping him out for all of organized team activities and minicamp after he required surgery. Rodriguez was cleared for the start of training camp, but he only took part in individual drills on Wednesday and was held out of team work. Sports Illustrated's John Shipley writes that the Jaguars are taking things "nice and slow" with their big offseason addition to the backfield. The plan is for the Jaguars to ease C-Rod back in and have him ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns. His absence has allowed Bhayshul Tuten to get all the work with the first-team offense, and he's looked great. Still, the Jags plan is for Rodriguez to be a key piece of their ground game in 2026, and it helps his cause that he has history with head coach Liam Coen from his days at Kentucky in college. He's coming off a strong season in Washington -- 112 rushes for career highs in rushing yards (500) and rushing touchdowns (six) in 13 games -- but he's never been a true lead back in the NFL, and that won't happen in Jacksonville, either. Tuten has a leg up to lead the backfield in touches, with C-Rod competing for a change-of-pace role with third-down pass-catcher LeQuint Allen Jr. Rodriguez should be considered more of an RB3/flex going into his first year in Duval.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy is already showing deep-play upside early in training camp, with Chiefs.com's Matt McMullen noting that quarterback Patrick Mahomes found Worthy for a deep touchdown down the middle of the field during 11-on-11 team drills in practice on Thursday. It was a "beautiful throw and catch." Worthy suffered a torn labrum in Week 1 of last year that required offseason surgery in January. The 23-year-old speedster played in only 14 games in 2025 and had a disappointing 42-532-1 final line after catching 59 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games as a rookie. Now fully healthy and ready for a full route tree again, the former 28th overall pick from the University of Texas should be a big mover on fantasy draft boards as the Chiefs' offense looks to bounce back and return to the playoffs. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder is naturally a bigger injury risk because of his slight frame, but he makes up for it with elite speed. RotoBaller has Worthy ranked as the No. 43 fantasy WR right now, and he's shaping up as a potential great value pick in upcoming drafts.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks made the play of the day in training camp practice on Thursday and is quickly emerging as the team's No. 2 wideout behind DeVonta Smith now that A.J. Brown is gone, according to Jeff Neiburg of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Quarterback Jalen Hurts made an impressive throw across his body deep down the field to Wicks, who jumped over defensive backs Cole Wisniewski and Jakorian Bennett to make the 40-plus-yard catch. Wicks is among the early camp risers in terms of fantasy football stock after the Eagles acquired him from the Green Bay Packers in the offseason. The 25-year-old former fifth-rounder from Virginia never had more than 581 receiving yards or 39 receptions in his three years in Green Bay, although he has averaged 12.3 yards per catch and had nine total touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL. Wicks was also always part of a jumbled WR room with the Packers. In Philly, it appears he could be locked into the WR2 role, which would afford him a much better target rate while seeing the field more often in a new offense that is looking to rebound in a major way. Wicks is shaping up as an interesting late-round fantasy sleeper at WR in 2026.

Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins has been seeing early targets in training camp practice from quarterback C.J. Stroud, and head coach DeMeco Ryans said he's seen Higgins take a Year 2 jump, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Ryans envisions Higgins becoming a weapon opposite WR1 Nico Collins. All signs have been pointing to the 23-year-old pass-catcher taking a leap in Year 2 after he caught 41 of his 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts) as a rookie. The former second-rounder from Iowa State could really take the next step if Collins, who is no stranger to injuries, misses more time with an injury in 2026. Higgins has consistently drawn praise this year, dating back to offseason workouts. He could really benefit from the Texans' upgrades on their offensive line and the departure of veteran wideout Christian Kirk. Higgins is ranked at No. 55 among WRs by RotoBaller, but his draft stock should continue to rise if he keeps standing out in training camp this summer.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was limited to 10 games in 2025 in his sophomore season while dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries, but he is fully healthy for training camp this summer and has been taking first-team reps, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Not only was he taking first-team reps, but Smith reports that Irving was running at full speed and looked like the back he was during his remarkable rookie campaign in 2024, in which he had 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a receiver in 17 games. "He feels fine, he's great," said head coach Todd Bowles. "He's full speed. He's full-go right now. Obviously, when we get in pads, we're not easing him back from anything. So, we feel pretty good right now." Coming off injuries and with the addition of pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell, Irving has fallen in the fantasy rankings and should be targeted as more of a low-end RB2. It certainly feels like the Bucs plan to give Irving more help with Gainwell and Sean Tucker to keep him healthy all year.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby ran for a touchdown and caught a pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts over the middle during training camp practice on Thursday, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. Bigsby is getting "a lot of action" during the first couple of days of training camp in Philly. Before training camp started, the expectation was that Bigsby would be locked in as the team's RB2 behind starter Saquon Barkley, and after the first couple of practices, that is firmly the case. The 24-year-old was acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars last year just before Week 2 of the season, and he finished the year with 58 carries for 344 yards (5.9 yards per tote) and two touchdowns in 16 games with the Eagles. The former third-rounder from Auburn is a rugged runner with plenty of big-play potential, giving Philly a nice complement to Barkley's finesse style. At the very worst, Bigsby should be considered one of the top handcuff backs in the league going into the 2026 campaign. RotoBaller has the fourth-year player ranked just inside the top-50 fantasy RBs this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said he feels "disrespected" by his contract situation after trying to work out an extension with the team before the start of training camp, according to Pewter Report. The 31-year-old will head into the final year of the three-year, $100 million deal he signed with the Bucs in March of 2024 and looks set to hit free agency in 2027, unless the two sides can work something out during their exclusive negotiating window early next year. The Buccaneers will have the option to place the franchise tag on Mayfield, but that seems unlikely, especially if he takes another step back in 2026. Mayfield was a back-to-back Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024 in his first two years with the team, but he threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts in 2025 as the team failed to make the playoffs. He was reportedly playing hurt for most of the year with various ailments. Mayfield will surely be motivated to step up this year, but without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans and in a new offense, fantasy managers certainly have their doubts, as do the Bucs. RotoBaller has Mayfield ranked as the No. 20 fantasy QB in 2026. UPDATE: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Mayfield said the Bucs offered him a two-year contract.

After missing spring workouts while recovering from offseason core-muscle surgery, New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton was in attendance for the team's first practice of training camp. While the Giants have 14 wide receivers listed on their 90-man roster, few roles, if any, have been secured behind 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers, so the team will be looking for players who can consistently make plays in a game-like setting, and Slayton reportedly connected with quarterback Jaxson Dart on a deep out over starting cornerback Paulson Adebo. Barely clinging to fantasy relevance, Slayton is RotoBaller's WR104 ahead of the 2026 season. Still, if he can continue to string plays together throughout camp, he could prove to be a necessary piece of the Giants' new-look offense and see his fantasy value rise.

The Detroit Lions concluded their second practice of training camp, and three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs has still yet to take part in any individual or team drills. A first-round pick in 2023, Gibbs had his fifth-year option exercised, giving the Lions contract control through the 2027 season with the potential to use the franchise tag after that, but there were reportedly talks this offseason about a long-term extension. With a potential hold-in looming, the situation bears monitoring, as expectations could not be higher for Gibbs in his first season without David Montgomery sharing the backfield. The fourth-year back is RotoBaller's RB1 and the top overall player for 2026.

After their first off day of training camp, the New England Patriots are back to work on Thursday for their first padded practice of the summer, presenting second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson with an opportunity to show growth as a pass protector. Ahead of the session, head coach Mike Vrabel praised veteran Rhamondre Stevenson for his blitz pickup and noted that Henderson continues to develop in that area. Henderson led the Patriots with 987 rushing yards as a rookie, but during the team's four-game post-season run to the Super Bowl, Stevenson saw more than twice as many total snaps, with the coaching staff valuing his reliability in pass protection. If Henderson can show meaningful improvement in that area in year two, he could make himself difficult to remove from the field, with his big-play ability then giving him as high a fantasy ceiling as any player going outside the opening rounds of 2026 drafts.

A day after it was reported that he entered training camp with back tightness, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on the practice field taking part in some individual drills. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year veteran minimum deal following his release from the Miami Dolphins, and while the expectation is that he will compete with 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job, neither player has taken part in team drills through the first two practices of training camp as the latter continues his recovery from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Neither Tagovailoa nor Penix is a sought-after fantasy asset in 2026, but their eventual battle could have major ramifications on the more high-value pieces of the Falcons offense, with running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. all ranked by RotoBaller within the top seven of their respective position groups.

After a minor undisclosed injury kept him out of the final sessions of mandatory minicamp, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London was a full participant during Wednesday's first practice of training camp. London missed five games in 2025 with a PCL sprain in his left knee, and while the team opted to take an overly cautious approach with him during spring practices, he had no limitations on Wednesday, taking part in all individual and team drills. Despite the significant time missed, London finished as the WR17 last season while scoring 14.0 half-PPR points per game, and expectations are high heading into 2026. The 2022 first-round pick is RotoBaller's WR7 and a sleeper candidate to finish as the overall WR1 in an offense with few other options in the passing game.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters spoke to reporters on Tuesday to kick off training camp, and one of the takeaways was the praise lavished on new tight end Chig Okonkwo, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal after four seasons with the Titans. "He's an outstanding receiver," Peters told the gathered media. "He's outstanding in the pass game. He's great after the catch, and he's also a really good blocker." Outside of veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin, the Commanders lack proven pass-catchers, allowing Okonkwo to step into an important role and earn early targets, with Peters emphasizing some of the unique abilities he brings to the offense. "He provides a lot of versatility in where he can line up and what he can do for us and when he gets the ball in his hands. And then he's pretty magical." Okonkwo has caught at least 50 passes in each of the past three seasons, and with a chance to see the highest target total of his young career, he could prove to be one of the best values at the position as RotoBaller's TE19.

In speaking with Bryant McFadden of NFL on CBS, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty shared that he's cut candy and sugar from his diet while working to build up his cardio ahead of his second season. The 2025 first-round pick told McFadden, "I didn't feel like I was in good enough shape last year." As a rookie, Jeanty handled an impressive 86.6% of the Raiders' running back rush share, having to fight for every inch behind a porous offensive line that allowed first contact after only 1.6 yards on average. Again expected to handle the bulk of the team's running back workload, now with an upgraded and healthier offensive line in front of him, an improved diet and better cardio could pay immense dividends, and Jeanty is potentially undervalued as RotoBaller's RB7.