Fantasy Football News

Jacory Croskey-Merritt • RB • Commanders

Jacory Croskey-Merritt Entrenched as Commanders' RB1

Even though Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is up after an impressive joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, Bleeding Burgundy & Gold suggests that Jacory Croskey-Merritt is firmly entrenched as the RB1 right now because he is such a great fit in the team's new outside zone scheme. Croskey-Merritt has had some huge runs in the offense, and the Commanders are hoping that the second-year back takes a Year 2 leap in 2026. The 25-year-old has reportedly improved this offseason in the passing game, although White's pass-catching chops most likely will give him a leg up on third downs in his first year in D.C. The seventh-rounder last year out of the University of Arizona had 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries as the team's leading rusher a year ago, adding only nine catches for 68 yards. As long as he keeps improving, JCM is in line to be the Commanders' lead back while also seeing most of the goal-line work, making him the more attractive RB3/flex target in standard-scoring leagues over White.

4 hours ago

Rachaad White • RB • Commanders

Rachaad White's Stock Up After Joint Practice

Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is trending up after Wednesday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, according to Bleeding Burgundy & Gold. The chemistry has been evident between White and quarterback Jayden Daniels, and White has been the QB's "easy button." He had a huge outside zone run where he ran through contact and showed good contact balance on Wednesday. The caveat is that second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is still "firmly entrenched" as the RB1 in Washington right now because he's a great fit in the outside zone scheme. The 27-year-old White averaged just 3.9 yards per carry on the ground in his four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he caught 205 passes for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns as a pass-catcher in 67 games played. The Commanders are giving JCM every opportunity to earn more of a three-down role in their backfield in Year 2, but White isn't going away and should have a key role, at least on third downs. Fantasy managers should be looking to target him as an RB3/flex sleeper in PPR formats.

4 hours ago

J.J. McCarthy • QB • Vikings

J.J. McCarthy Wants to Stay in Minnesota After Losing QB Competition

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy said losing the QB competition to Kyler Murray was "out of my control" and that he wants to stay with the organization, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. With veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz also on the roster, a trade could become a possibility. "This is the place I want to be," McCarthy said. "And I love every single person in this building. I love the state. I love the fanbase. And I'm going to continue to just do whatever I can for this team and this organization." The Vikings drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Michigan. He missed his entire rookie season after having knee surgery, and he started only 10 games last year while dealing with injuries. Murray was the heavy favorite to win the QB job in Minnesota this year after McCarthy threw 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season. If Murray stays healthy and rebounds in the Vikings' offense, McCarthy's best path back to fantasy relevance might be a trade out of town.

5 hours ago

Darren Waller • TE • Panthers

Darren Waller Reaches Agreement With Panthers on One-Year Deal

Former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller and the Carolina Panthers reached an agreement on Wednesday on an undisclosed one-year deal, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Waller, 33, will join a TE room in Carolina that already includes Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, and Mitchell Evans. The former sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech came out of retirement (after not playing in 2024) to play in nine games last year with the Miami Dolphins, catching 24 of 34 targets for 283 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-foot-6 and 238 pounds, Waller has always been a problem for defenses in the red zone, and he has 26 total touchdown catches in his nine years in the NFL. However, injuries were an issue for most of his career, and he missed time in 2025 with hip, groin, and pectoral issues. It's unclear right now how much of a role Waller will have with the Panthers, but his addition cannot be good news for Sanders' fantasy value. At best, Waller will be a touchdown-dependent, TE2 option in two-TE leagues in 2026 if he can actually stay on the field.

5 hours ago

Jadarian Price • RB • Seahawks

Jadarian Price Returns to Team Drills on Wednesday

Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round running back Jadarian Price (lower body) returned to team drills in training camp practice on Wednesday for the first time in five practices, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. It should be noted that Wednesday was a walkthrough session as the team gets ready to face off against the Dallas Cowboys in their preseason opener this Saturday. The 22-year-old is in line for a key role immediately in his first year in the NFL in Seattle as the Seahawks look to replace Kenneth Walker. Along with Price, George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will be involved until Zach Charbonnet (knee) returns from a torn ACL that he suffered last postseason. While Price will certainly have a role early on, fantasy managers will want to be careful not to overvalue the Notre Dame product in a backfield that could change significantly once Charbonnet returns. Price has a wide-open opportunity to become the favorite for early-down work in Seattle, but he likely won't see enough weekly work to be much more than a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex.

6 hours ago

Terrance Ferguson • TE • Rams

Terrance Ferguson Stands Out in Joint Practice With Cowboys

Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson is gaining hype heading into the 2026 season, and that continued with a strong day in Tuesday's joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed multiple passes to Ferguson, including a big gain on a deep crosser on what looked to be a busted coverage. Ferguson also shook defender Donovan Ezeiruaku in drop coverage on a wheel route for a big gain. The 23-year-old second-rounder from the University of Oregon last year had a big day, but it should be noted that star receiver Puka Nacua left early with a groin injury, which opened up additional targets. Still, Ferguson is a rising young TE who averaged 21 yards per catch on his 11 catches over 14 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie. Even though L.A.'s TE room is crowded, Ferguson might have the most long-term upside of the group, and he should have an expanded role in an explosive Rams offense in Year 2. Target Ferguson as an upside TE2 in upcoming drafts.

6 hours ago

Travis Kelce • TE • Chiefs

Travis Kelce Says he Can Still "Play at a High Level"

In what could be his final NFL season in 2026, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce thinks he can still "play at a high level," according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "I've still got a lot of love for this game," Kelce said Wednesday. "I want to go out there and prove to myself that I can play at a better level than I did last year. That's probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I'm accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I'm out there." The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $12 million deal to return to KC back in March after leading the team in targets (108), receptions (76), yards (851), touchdowns (five), and receiving first downs (45) in 2025. Despite his age, Kelce still managed to finish as a top-five fantasy football TE in half-PPR scoring last year. Kelce will still have fantasy value in 2026 in what could be his last season in the league, but he's no longer a top-flight TE1 and is ranked as the No. 12 TE at RotoBaller.

7 hours ago

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns

Deshaun Watson to Start Browns' First Preseason Game

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken informed the QBs on Wednesday afternoon that quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Monken plans to start Shedeur Sanders in the team's second preseason game at home against the Buffalo Bills next Saturday. While Watson starting the team's first preseason game could mean he's in the lead over Sanders in Cleveland's QB competition this summer, it also might mean absolutely nothing. Watson and Sanders have been splitting first-team work during training camp, with no clear leader having emerged yet. How the two signal-callers perform in preseason action could be the deciding factor for who will start in Week 1 of the regular season in September. Regardless of who wins the competition for the Browns' starting QB job, they should be avoided in all single-QB formats and considered a low-end QB2 with limited upside and a short leash in two-QB superflex formats.

7 hours ago

Bo Nix • QB • Broncos

Bo Nix to Sit Out of Preseason Opener on Friday

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday that quarterback Bo Nix's recovery from multiple surgeries on his right ankle continues to go well this summer, but he will not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday versus the Atlanta Falcons, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. Payton said that Nix will play in the team's final two preseason games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, which will both be in Denver. Although Payton didn't specifically mention the artificial turf playing surface in Atlanta, it could be a reason as to why the Broncos will hold out their QB on Friday. Nix fractured his right ankle in the closing moments of the AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills in January, with his initial surgery coming days after, before needing a follow-up procedure in April to treat bone spurs in the same ankle. The 26-year-old missed most of the on-field work during the offseason program, but he's been a full-go since the start of training camp in late July and should be 100% healthy for a Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Nix said he has felt "completely normal" during camp, and his ankle surgeries won't make him hesitant to run in 2026.

7 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Needs an Invite to Return to Lambeau Field

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said that the 2026 season will be his last in the NFL. If he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is expected, his name would go up on the Lambeau Field facade in five years with the other former Packers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rodgers' No. 12 would likely be retired, and he could be inducted into the Packers' Hall of Fame after four seasons of retirement. "Well, there first has to be an invite back," Rodgers told ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "We'll see about that, but yeah, I'm always going to have such a strong tie to Green Bay and the organization. If that comes to fruition, that could be a cool deal." Rodgers spent 18 years with the Packers before he was traded to the New York Jets in 2023. The Jets didn't play the Packers in either of his two seasons with the Jets, and the Steelers faced the Packers at Acrisure Stadium in 2025. The 42-year-old was hoping that the Steelers' preseason game this year was in Green Bay, but it, too, will be held in Pittsburgh. "When I heard it was possible to play both my former teams, I was really hoping this one was going to be in Green Bay," Rodgers said. If 2026 is indeed Rodgers' final NFL season, he will end his career without playing at Lambeau Field as a visitor.

8 hours ago

Puka Nacua • WR • Rams

Puka Nacua Could be Out a "Few Days" With Groin Injury

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) left Tuesday's training camp practice early with a minor groin injury and could miss a "few days," according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Rams have yet to even play their first preseason game this summer, so it's still very early in camp, and Nacua should be just fine for the start of the 2026 regular season in Week 1 in an international affair in Australia against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. The Rams are going to be extra cautious with the best wide receiver in the game, as they should. The 25-year-old will not suit up for the Rams' preseason opener this Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, unsurprisingly. In a Rams offense largely unchanged with reigning MVP QB Matthew Stafford running the show, Nacua is the consensus No. 2 fantasy WR in 2026, behind only the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase. Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions and 107.2 yards per game while recording a career-high 1,715 receiving yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games.

9 hours ago

J.K. Dobbins • RB • Broncos

J.K. Dobbins Practices Again on Wednesday

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (undisclosed) was seen taking part in training camp practice again on Wednesday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. There was some concern surrounding Dobbins when he left Monday's practice session with an undisclosed soft-tissue injury, but he was able to return to individual drills a day later on Tuesday. The 27-year-old's presence on the field for a second straight day likely means he's avoided any kind of serious injury, but he still might not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. Dobbins was on his way to a career year in 2025 in his first year in Denver, producing 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries while adding 11 receptions for 37 yards through the air in 10 games before suffering a season-ending foot injury. The former second-rounder in 2020 from Ohio State has a 5.2-yard-per-carry average in his five NFL seasons, but he's never played a full year due to injuries. Dobbins enters 2026 as a key piece of the Broncos' backfield, but it's shaping up as a committee approach that also involves second-year back RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman. The entire situation gives Dobbins a limited ceiling as an RB3/flex target with durability concerns.

9 hours ago

Malik Nabers • WR • Giants

Malik Nabers Could Join Team Drills as Early as Next Week

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said on Wednesday that wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) could join team periods in training camp as soon as next week, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Nabers didn't do much in Wednesday's practice, but he has looked good when doing individual drills and running routes. The Giants will continue to monitor the former first-rounder from LSU after he tore his ACL and meniscus early in Week 4 of his second year in the NFL. Nabers has missed just one practice in camp to this point, and the Giants remain optimistic that he'll be ready to play in Week 1 in September on Sunday night against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The 23-year-old proved as a rookie that he has high-end WR1 upside in fantasy by catching 109 of 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games played. Harbaugh's offense in 2026 might not afford Nabers as much volume, but he's the clear WR1 in New York and has obvious WR1 upside when he's at full health. RotoBaller currently has Nabers ranked as the No. 12 fantasy WR.

9 hours ago

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

ACL Issues Behind Michael Penix Jr.?

Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was told by a doctor that he has "an amazing ACL" and that he shouldn't "have any more knee problems for the rest of your career." It seems like a pretty optimistic statement for a player who has already torn his right ACL twice (in college) and who suffered a partial tear of his left ACL last year while playing for the Falcons. Penix has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team drills in training camp this summer, but after this glowing report on his left knee, that could change sooner rather than later. Still, the former first-rounder from the University of Washington has lost valuable time in the QB competition with Tua Tagovailoa. Head coach Kevin Stefanski refuses to name a starter for the start of the 2026 regular season, but it would be a big surprise if Tua wasn't the guy. Penix could get another opportunity under center as the starter in Atlanta in 2026, but it might take an injury or poor performance from Tagovailoa for it to happen.

10 hours ago

Harold Fannin Jr. • TE • Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. Keeps Making a Strong TE1 Case

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. already showed he could handle plenty as a rookie. He caught 72 passes for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets last season, finishing as the TE5 in half-PPR. David Njoku is with the Chargers now, and Fannin sits alone at the top of Cleveland's tight end depth chart. The groin injury that cost him Week 18 required offseason surgery, but he was cleared before camp and has looked active since. Fannin caught four passes in the Browns' first padded practice, then grabbed two red-zone touchdowns from Shedeur Sanders on Aug. 10. Cleveland did add more competition by drafting KC Concepcion 24th overall and Denzel Boston 39th, so another 107 targets can't just be penciled in. The quarterback job is still unsettled, too. Even with all of that, Fannin already produced in a bad passing environment and now has the tight end job to himself. RotoBaller has him at TE8. That isn't a bargain-basement ranking, but there is still room for Fannin to beat it if Cleveland's offense takes even a small step forward.

10 hours ago

Eli Stowers • TE • Eagles

Eli Stowers Listed as TE3 on Eagles' First Unofficial Depth Chart

Philadelphia Eagles rookie tight end Eli Stowers is listed as the TE3 on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. Dallas Goedert sits at the top, with veteran Johnny Mundt second and Stowers third. The order is notable after Philadelphia used the 54th overall pick on Stowers in April, but it should not be treated as a final call on his role. The Eagles state that the depth chart is compiled by their communications department, and there is still plenty of preseason left for things to move around. Stowers caught 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns at Vanderbilt last season and won the Mackey Award. He has also had a relatively quiet start to his first NFL camp, while Mundt has drawn praise for his blocking and familiarity with the offense. Stowers remains an intriguing long-term receiving talent, but he has some ground to make up before Week 1.

10 hours ago

Caleb Williams • QB • Bears

Caleb Williams Looks Ready to Build on QB6 Finish

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams already made a pretty big jump last season, and there is still plenty he can clean up. He threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions, added 388 yards and three scores as a runner, and finished as the QB6. Williams also took only 24 sacks after being dropped 68 times as a rookie. The funny part is that he did all of that while completing just 58.1% of his passes. Another year in Ben Johnson's offense should help there, especially with Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet all back. Williams has had some sharp stretches in camp, too, including a 9-for-10 red-zone period with five touchdowns and a perfect 6-for-6 two-minute drive the following day. RotoBaller has him at QB8 entering 2026, so he is already being drafted as an every-week starter. There is still room above that, though. If the accuracy ticks up or Williams gives fantasy managers a little more with his legs, another top-six season is hardly asking for a huge leap.

10 hours ago

Emeka Egbuka • WR • Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka Dealing With Minor Toe Injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) appears to have avoided a significant injury after leaving Wednesday's practice early. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Egbuka is dealing with a toe issue that is considered minor. The second-year receiver limped off with athletic trainers and spent time being examined on the sideline before failing to return to practice. No timetable for his return has been reported yet. Egbuka is coming off an excellent rookie season, catching 63 passes for a team-high 938 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games. Tampa Bay has him settling into the Z receiver role this year after the departure of Mike Evans, so even a minor issue is worth tracking this close to the season. For now, the encouraging part is the early description of the injury. His practice participation over the next few days should tell us more about how much time, if any, he will miss.

10 hours ago

TreVeyon Henderson • RB • Patriots

TreVeyon Henderson Still Has Work to Do in Patriots Backfield

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson still has some details to clean up as he enters his second season. Boston Sports Journal believes Rhamondre Stevenson has been the more dependable option between the tackles and on passing downs this summer, specifically pointing to Henderson's blitz pickup, vision and patience. Head coach Mike Vrabel offered a more encouraging assessment, saying some of those reads are starting to slow down for Henderson as he gets better at understanding what a run could look like a few strides after the snap. Henderson was explosive as a rookie, rushing for 911 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries while adding 35 catches for 221 yards and another score. His role did shrink during New England's playoff run, when Stevenson handled considerably more of the offensive snaps. Henderson's speed and big-play ability aren't the issue. If the processing and protection continue to improve, there should be more ways for the Patriots to keep him on the field in 2026.

11 hours ago

Marvin Mims Jr. • WR • Broncos

Marvin Mims Jr. Listed as Starter on First Unofficial Depth Chart

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is listed as one of the three starting receivers, along with Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, according to Mike Klis of 9 News. Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Lil'Jordan Humphrey are listed with the No. 2 offense. Additionally, Mims is listed as the team's top kick and punt returner on special teams. Fantasy managers always must take unofficial preseason depth charts with a grain of salt, and this one is no different. The 24-year-old Mims is trending down going into the 2026 campaign after a disappointing 2025 season in Denver, and because of the addition of Waddle. Bryant, not Mims, appears to be the current favorite for WR3 duties in Denver this year while having a strong training camp, while Mims has missed time recently with an undisclosed minor injury. The former second-rounder from the University of Oklahoma had 503 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2024 in Year 2, but dropped to a 37-322-1 line in 15 regular-season games in his third season. Most likely, Mims will factor in more for the Broncos on special teams than as a regular contributor on offense.

11 hours ago

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