Fantasy Football News

Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) is missing his seventh straight training camp practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com. The good news is that Lemon was seen with a helmet on while catching passes from a JUGS machine on a side field on Thursday. Fellow wideout DeVonta Smith is also missing his seventh straight practice with a hamstring injury, and both pass-catchers are unlikely to play in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. With Smith and Lemon sidelined, Dontayvion Wicks has cemented himself as the team's WR2 behind Smith and has displayed strong chemistry with quarterback Jalen Hurts as he heads into his first season with the Eagles after a trade sent Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. The 22-year-old Lemon should have a key role in the Eagles' new offense in 2026 after being taken in the first round, but Wicks' emergence and Lemon's hamstring injury have put a damper on his redraft fantasy stock. Lemon is now ranked as the No. 50 WR at RotoBaller and could get off to a slow start in the NFL.

NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill reports that New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Tyler Shough is "cooking" during training camp practice on Thursday. Shough is apparently picking up where he left off this summer after an impressive rookie campaign in the Big Easy in which he threw for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions in his first 11 games (nine starts) in the NFL. The 26-year-old second-rounder from the University of Louisville immediately connected with WR1 Chris Olave and benefited from head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense to go 5-4 as a starter as a rookie. The Saints added running back Travis Etienne Jr. and rookie first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson to the offense, potentially helping Shough to a breakout in his sophomore season in the NFL. To do so, Shough will need to improve his deep passing game, but he has the rushing ability to be a strong QB2 for fantasy managers in 2026.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua admitted on the "Impaulsive" podcast that he ran into a glass window pane at a party hosted by Fanatics founder Michael Rubin, according to Oliver G. of Rams Wire. Nacua said he got distracted while looking for teammate Davante Adams and didn't see the freshly cleaned glass pane in front of him. Podcast host Mike Majlak, who witnessed the aftermath in person, said that Nacua was "bleeding" from his face. Fortunately for Nacua and the Rams, his injury wasn't serious. The 25-year-old pass-catcher suffered a minor groin injury in Tuesday's training camp practice and could miss a couple of days, but that injury also is nothing serious and shouldn't prevent him from being ready for the Week 1 opener in Australia against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. The former fifth-rounder from BYU has 4,191 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns (10 last year) in his first three NFL seasons to quickly become one of the best receivers in the game. Nacua is ranked as the WR2 at RotoBaller for 2026, behind only the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp and is considered week-to-week, head coach Dave Canales told Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Rico Dowdle is out of town in 2026, which set up Hubbard to lead Carolina's backfield. However, a hamstring injury could potentially threaten the 27-year-old's availability for the start of the 2026 regular season, which means that RB2 Jonathon Brooks, who has played in just three games in the NFL since entering the league in 2024 due to two torn ACLs, will become much more interesting as a breakout candidate in 2026. After his first 1,000-yard season with the Panthers in 2024, Hubbard rushed for only 511 yards and one touchdown on 134 carries last year while losing out on work to Dowdle, who was the much more efficient and explosive back. Hubbard still has time to get ready for Week 1 in September, but his hamstring injury will certainly make him a riskier RB3/flex option in upcoming fantasy football drafts.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) looks set to miss another training camp practice on Thursday, but he was out early getting in some work on a side field, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports. Smith is missing his seventh straight practice due to a hamstring injury that is not considered serious. The Eagles are just playing it really safe with their new WR1 early in camp. Smith will almost certainly sit out Saturday's preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Going into his sixth season in the NFL with the Eagles, the 27-year-old will have the highest fantasy ceiling he's ever had now that he's not sharing targets with Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. Smith's slight 6-foot, 170-pound frame has always been worrisome from a durability standpoint, but he's stayed relatively healthy in his career to this point, and he's already produced three 1,000-yard seasons in five years. With more target volume in a new offense looking to put a disappointing season behind them, Smith has clear WR1 upside in fantasy football in 2026.

Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady said that the plan for Saturday's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers is that if a player is healthy, they will play, according to Maddy Glab of the team's official website. Brady added that he wants quarterback Josh Allen to be competitive but mindful. If Allen actually does play this weekend, it will probably be only for a few offensive series at most. Backups Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele are fully expected to see most of the snaps against Carolina. Allen, a four-time Pro Bowler, is the consensus No. 1 overall fantasy QB again in 2026 despite failing to throw for 4,000 yards for the second straight season in 2025 in his eighth year in the NFL. He still managed to finish as the QB1 in fantasy last year by rushing for a league-high 579 yards and 14 touchdowns on 112 rushing attempts. In Brady's first year as Buffalo's head coach, Allen could return to the 4,000-yard passing mark after the addition of receiver DJ Moore, who should help the Bills succeed more down the field with explosive passing plays. The prospect of bigger chunk gains through the air only raises Allen's already high fantasy floor.

Without the benefit of training camp with the team following an in-season trade from the Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby saw limited offensive work and ran for only 344 yards in 2025. While the raw production is far from staggering, his 5.9 yards per carry were hard to ignore, especially with three-time Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley averaging only 4.1 yards per attempt behind the same banged-up offensive line. In his first training camp with the team, Bigsby has been praised for his physicality, and there is a growing belief that he could see a significant uptick in between-the-tackles work this season in an attempt to keep the 29-year-old Barkley fresh. While no one is reasonably suggesting a 50/50 split, Bigsby could see enough volume in 2026 to hold standalone value in what has been one of the league's run-heaviest offenses since Nick Sirianni took over in 2021. Bigsby is RotoBaller's RB46, and even if he is unable to carve out a flex-worthy role, he remains one of fantasy's most valuable insurance backs.

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason has been lauded throughout training camp as an offensive standout, and on a Wednesday practice in which the running game was clicking, he was once again credited with the play of the day by team writer Rob Kleifield. Taking advantage of perfectly executed blocking against the second-team defense, he showed off some burst and ran untouched for a long score. The 230-pounder also displayed physicality and balance on a big gain against the starting defense. On a day when Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. were listed as co-starters on the Vikings' first unofficial depth chart, both players were credited by Kleifield with productive outings. Ever a standout pass-catcher, Jones is now 31 years old, and there is at least some expectation that the two backs could settle into clearly defined roles for 2026, with Mason the between-the-tackles bruiser and Jones as more of a passing-downs specialist, potentially providing fantasy managers with matchup-based clues on when to lean on either. Gaining steam throughout training camp, Mason has risen to RB36 by current ADP.

In a joint practice with the Jets on Wednesday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton had one of his most productive days of the summer, cluing in onlookers to the role he can serve in this Zac Robinson offense. Buccaneers staff writer Brianna Dix praised Otton for the presence he brings to all three levels of the field and his ability to uncover through savvy route-running and strong spatial understanding. Otton has never boasted the highest ceiling for fantasy, and even with the team's receiving core struck by injury in 2025, he caught only one touchdown in 16 games, but he provides enough of a weekly floor to keep him in the streaming conversation, having caught exactly 59 passes in each of the past two seasons. Otton is RotoBaller's TE28 and profiles as a no-frills TE2 in deeper leagues or a player who will likely provide viability off the waiver wire as injuries and bye weeks start piling up.

The New Orleans Saints spent a 2026 fourth-round pick on wide receiver Bryce Lance, and while earlier in camp it was sixth-round rookie Barion Brown grabbing the majority of headlines with his work downfield, Lance is himself emerging as a vertical threat, coming down with another long touchdown catch on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, Lance connected with Spencer Rattler for a 50-yard touchdown, and on Wednesday he raised the difficulty by working through double coverage to come down with a 40-yarder in the end zone. Lance averaged a ludicrous 21.2 yards per catch in his final season at North Dakota State, and he's capable of providing a field-stretching presence that's likely to open things up for Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson whenever they're on the field together in three-receiver sets. While the younger brother of former third overall pick Trey Lance is not a player to target in lineup leagues, his big-play ability makes him an intriguing dart-throw in best ball formats.

In what was his first competitive work against another team since taking over as the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, Malik Willis showcased some of the highs and lows that fantasy managers will likely need to endure for the 2026 season. In a joint practice with the Commanders on Wednesday, Willis found success, as he has through much of camp, when targeting rookie Caleb Douglas, who was recently named a starter and praised before practice by head coach Jeff Hafley. Willis also threw an interception to Mike Sanristil that was returned for a touchdown. Those types of ups and downs are to be expected from a first-time starter on one of the more talent-depleted offenses in the league, but an area highlighted by team writer Travis Wingfield, and the reason Willis is worthy of a late-round selection in single-quarterback drafts, is his rushing upside. Wingfield notes that Willis broke contain several times and scrambled for what would have been lengthy gains in a real game scenario. Willis provides one of the highest rushing floors in the league, and if he can simply keep things on track offensively while avoiding costly mistakes, he has a chance to far surpass his current ADP of QB21.

Following a disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. could find renewed success as a field-stretcher in 2026. After experimenting with more of an in-traffic role last season, the team wants to make better use of his speed, which NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe described as his superpower. Thomas is expected to be featured in a similar X-role to the one that netted Brandin Cooks 80 receptions and 1,204 yards while working in this offense with the Rams in 2018, and Wolfe has been told that "it's night and day how he's looked in training camp this year compared to last year." Thomas is RotoBaller's WR34, and while his spike weeks will likely prove capable of single-handedly deciding a handful of fantasy matchups, in a crowded Jaguars receiver room, weekly consistency could still be hard to come by.

Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs signed with the Washington Commanders less than a week ago, but already he's making his presence felt as a vital piece of the offense being built around exciting young quarterback Jayden Daniels. During Wednesday's joint practice with the Dolphins, Diggs tormented Miami's defensive backs throughout the day, according to CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles, first looking uncoverable in his one-on-one work and then making plays throughout team sessions with savvy route-running and an innate feel for finding the soft spots against zone coverage. In a rotational role with the Patriots in 2025, Diggs reached 1,013 yards on an impressive 2.42 yards per route run, and after practice Daniels spoke of what he's already brought to the offense. "It's awesome, just his feel for space... He's a dawg. He goes out and makes plays. He brings energy, he's a leader, so I'm super happy to have Stefon in that room, not just for the offense but for the whole team in general." Following a long offseason without a team, Diggs fell to the late rounds of 2026 drafts, and with the market slow to adjust, the four-time Pro Bowler could prove to be one of the year's best values at his current ADP of WR48.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar was one of the first players the team added in free agency, and while his biggest strength has always come as a blocker, he has a chance to thrive in a Mike McDaniel offense projected to see a lot of multiple-tight-end sets. NFL Daily Podcast's Gregg Rosenthal visited Chargers camp on Wednesday and made note of Kolar's heavy usage, adding that the team's unique personnel allows McDaniel to run just about anything he can think of. Kolar was listed as a co-starter on the team's first unofficial depth chart, along with David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden, and it should come as no surprise if all three regularly find the field at the same time and contribute in the passing game, creating a fantasy floor for all, but a much murkier upside case. Kolar is not a player who needs to be drafted in 2026 lineup leagues, but could at least warrant a late-round dart throw in deeper best ball formats.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride's 126 receptions in 2025 were a single-season positional record, while his 252.9 half-PPR fantasy points were almost 90 more than the next closest tight end, but new head coach Mike LaFleur indicated on Wednesday a belief that the first-team All-Pro still has room for growth. "Here was your route tree since you've been here... What can we expand off it?" he recounted to the media. "I think he can have maybe a deeper intermediate route tree." Among 53 tight ends with at least 25 targets in 2025, McBride's 9.8 yards per reception ranked 34th, and while his underneath work allowed him to dominate in PPR leagues, the addition of more explosive plays could raise his ceiling even higher in 2026. The two-time Pro Bowler is RotoBaller's TE2 and a player who rarely escapes the second round of drafts.

An attorney representing Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has informed LSU that the school can no longer use Daniels' name, image, or likeness, as reported by ESPN's Mark Schlabach. The Tigers recently allowed sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear the same number five Daniels wore during his time at LSU. While the number has not been officially retired, Pickett is the first player to wear it since Daniels departed for the NFL in 2024, prompting the letter from his attorney. "Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected," the statement from Daniels' spokesperson said. "His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU." Daniels threw for 3,811 yards and 40 touchdowns in his final season at LSU, adding 1,250 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground before the Commanders made him the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton was listed as a starting WR on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. Slayton was listed alongside star wideout Malik Nabers as the only two wideouts named starters, with Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Odell Beckham Jr., and Malachi Fields listed behind them. In 2025, Slayton was forced to step up after Nabers' knee injury and, despite costly drops, did quite well, averaging about 40 receiving yards per game. While Mooney, Beckham, and Austin have all worked with the first-team offense in recent practice, Slayton's current contract will likely force the team to hold onto him in 2026. The offense under head coach John Harbaugh will use more heavy personnel this season, but any wideout besides Nabers is unlikely to produce fantasy-relevant numbers.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette is having a strong camp as he enters an important 2026 season. After a sophomore season marred by critical mistakes, Legette is in great shape and appears to have sharpened his connection with quarterback Bryce Young. The former 32nd overall pick had 363 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season, but his snap count dropped significantly toward the end of the season. While the team appeared poised to replace him with third-round pick Chris Brazzell III (knee), the Panthers' rookie wideout suffered an LCL injury that required season-ending surgery, opening the door for Legette to play a role in 2026. While he will remain behind 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and emerging wideout Jalen Coker, Legette may still have a role in deeper fantasy leagues this season.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has been dominant at training camp as he enters a "contract year" in 2026. Pickens has put on a clinic on 50/50 balls, leaving Cowboys fans excited about the team's offense with him and a healthy CeeDee Lamb. In his first year with the Cowboys in 2025, Pickens had a career year, hauling in 93 of 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, finishing as the WR5 in half PPR formats. While a holdout loomed for Pickens in 2025, he will play under the franchise tag as he awaits his extension. With the way he's been practicing and entering his second season with the offense, he could be in line for a monster contract if he has another great showing in 2026.

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was a top target during the team's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Brown remained the top option in team drills, finding the ball early and often, and led the team with five receptions, including one that would've been a touchdown. The former Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles wideout was traded to the AFC Champions in early June and initially struggled to connect with quarterback Drake Maye. Now, both appear to be on the same page, and Brown looks poised for a massive year in New England. The seven-year wideout has had six 1,000-yard seasons and might have his best quarterback yet in Maye, while Maye has yet to play with a talent like Brown. This connection could break fantasy in 2026, and fantasy managers should look to buy into this duo.