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David Njoku Deserves Waiver Consideration After Five-Catch Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku came to the Chargers in the offseason to little fanfare and was considered the TE3 going into the Bolts' Week 1 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Njoku surprisingly led the Chargers' tight ends in the 26-14 loss by catching all five of his targets for 58 yards in his first game with the team. His 58 receiving yards were second on the team, behind only receiver Ladd McConkey's (rib) 82 yards. The 30-year-old played the same number of offensive snaps (30) as Charlie Kolar, who was talked up all summer during training camp as a potential TE sleeper in his first season in L.A. Njoku fell out of favor with the Cleveland Browns last year due to the immediate emergence of rookie Harold Fannin Jr., catching 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns. The former Pro Bowler will have competition for targets all year from Kolar and Oronde Gadsden, but Njoku has by far the most pass-catching experience in his 10-year NFL career, racking up over 4,000 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns. With McConkey up in the air to play in Week 2 versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, Njoku should definitely be on the waiver-wire radar for fantasy managers in need of depth at the TE position.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
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John Bates on TE Streaming Radar Due to Teammate's Injury
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates only caught two of his three targets for 13 yards in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday while playing just under half of the offensive snaps. The 28-year-old is not currently rostered in any Yahoo leagues, but the former fourth-rounder from Boise State could find himself on the streaming radar in two-TE leagues going into a Week 1 matchup on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, who allowed two touchdowns to Giants TE Isaiah Likely in Week 1, if fellow TE Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) cannot play after suffering a hamstring injury in the season opener. Bates has never had more than 249 receiving yards or one touchdown in any of his previous five seasons with the Commanders, so he is merely a speculative deep-league pickup in two-TE leagues in case Okonkwo's injury is serious enough to keep him from suiting up this weekend in Dallas. For what it is worth, Bates had more than two targets in Week 1 for the first time since Week 9 of last year, although that likely had something to do with Okonkwo getting hurt.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kyle Williams has Opportunity for Bigger Role Going Forward
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams only caught 10 passes after being taken in the third round last year out of Washington State, but he did average 20.9 yards per catch and found the end zone three times in 17 regular-season games. Williams had a forgettable 2026 season debut in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Wednesday, playing only 17% of the offensive snaps while not being targeted at all by quarterback Drake Maye. The 23-year-old is currently not rostered in any Yahoo leagues, but that could change quickly after Week 2 against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers with top pass-catcher A.J. Brown (ankle) potentially out for up to six weeks due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered last Wednesday night. Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas should see more targets from Maye going forward, but Williams will also have a bigger role as a field-stretcher, giving him some deep-league waiver-wire value going into the second game of the season as a boom/bust depth option at WR.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chargers Working Out Marquez Valdes-Scantling Amid WR Injuries
The Los Angeles Chargers are working out free-agent veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Tuesday, sources told Jordan Schultz. The two-time Super Bowl champion was with the Dallas Cowboys during training camp this summer before being released, and he has 219 catches, 3,686 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns in his eight-year NFL career. He played in 10 games (one start) last year with the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers and caught 14 of his 29 targets for only 120 yards and one touchdown. The Chargers are seeking a little more WR depth going into their Week 2 divisional tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday after top wideout Ladd McConkey (rib) suffered a rib injury that has him listed as day-to-day this week. Additionally, Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) is expected to miss some time after getting hurt in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Chargers' top wideouts this Sunday will likely be Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris if McConkey is not cleared to suit up.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Ja'Kobi Lane Expected to Have Wrist Surgery
Baltimore Ravens promising rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) is currently expected to undergo surgery on his fractured wrist in the coming days, potentially as soon as Wednesday, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The current hope is that Lane will be able to return in around a month. The 22-year-old third-rounder from USC caught one of his three targets for 11 yards in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts before fracturing his wrist, but his fantasy stock had been on the rise going into the season opener as Baltimore's No. 2 wideout behind Zay Flowers (hamstring). With Flowers also injured in Week 1, the Ravens could be looking at a top-three pass-catcher group of veteran Rashod Bateman, rookie Elijah Sarratt, and Devontez Walker (groin) for their Week 2 matchup this Sunday at home against the New Orleans Saints. Lane is a viable receiver to stash in deeper fantasy leagues while his fractured wrist heals. He is currently rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Pat Freiermuth Back on Fantasy Radars After Encouraging Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth got his 2026 season started on the right foot, recording five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown on five targets in his team's Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Freiermuth had the least productive season of his career on a per-game basis in 2025, hauling in 42 receptions for 486 yards and four touchdowns on 54 targets across 17 games (eight starts). However, the team enters 2026 with a new play-caller in head coach Mike McCarthy and parted ways with tight ends Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward over the offseason. While Steelers tight end Darnell Washington remains a part of the team's offense, Freiermuth was on the field for 73% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps in Week 1. If Freiermuth's usage ticks back up this season, he could re-emerge as a solid tight end streamer for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jimmy Horn Jr. Waived by Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have waived wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., per ESPN's Adam Schefter. A sixth-round pick out of Colorado in the 2025 NFL Draft, Horn Jr. recorded just 11 catches for 108 yards on 15 targets across 13 games as a rookie. His sophomore campaign got off to a rough start in Week 1, as he muffed a punt in Carolina's blowout loss to the Chicago Bears. Whether or not the special teams mistake is the direct reason for Horn Jr. losing his spot on the Panthers' roster, the 24-year-old will now be looking for his next NFL opportunity. Depending on where Horn Jr. ends up, he could still carry some deep-league dynasty intrigue. For now, he remains firmly off the radar of redraft managers.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Dalton Schultz a Priority Tight End Streamer
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz was a featured piece in his team's passing game in Week 1, recording four catches for 35 yards on eight targets in Houston's 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. While Schultz's lack of downfield ability limits his fantasy upside, he averaged over six targets per game in 2025 and scored double-digit PPR points in eight out of 12 contests after Houston's Week 6 bye. With Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (knee) out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in training camp, Schultz could end up being the number two option in the Houston passing game behind star wideout Nico Collins. The veteran Schultz also has a favorable matchup on paper in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who were one of the worst defenses against tight ends last season. In leagues where he's available on the waiver wire, Schultz profiles as a priority tight end streamer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Browns Add Running Back Jaleel McLaughlin to Active Roster
The Cleveland Browns signed running back Jaleel McLaughlin to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad on Tuesday, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. McLaughlin will take the place of running back Dylan Sampson (knee), who was placed on the Injured Reserve with a significant knee injury. With Sampson out for the foreseeable future, Raheim Sanders will now be the RB2 in Cleveland behind starter Quinshon Judkins, with McLaughlin settling in as the RB3 for the Browns as they head into a Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 26-year-old McLaughlin should remain firmly on the waiver wire in most single-year fantasy football leagues, but he could become intriguing for RB depth in point-per-reception formats if he works his way into a decent chance-of-pace role behind Judkins. The former undrafted free agent from Youngstown State has 226 career carries for 1,093 yards and three touchdowns while adding 59 receptions for 263 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver in his three NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos.
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Raheim Sanders Emerging as a Handcuff Option Amid Backfield Injury
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders began the 2026 season as his team's RB3 behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson (knee). However, Sampson suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of Cleveland's Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and is now set to miss at least four games after being placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. As a result, Sanders now looks to be the Browns' primary backup running back. If Judkins were to also go down with an injury, Sanders would immediately become fantasy relevant. The 24-year-old may have some deep-league standalone appeal even if Judkins stays healthy, as he recorded three catches for 25 yards on three targets after replacing Sampson against Jacksonville. As a handcuff running back option with some pass-catching upside, Sanders could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seth McGowan Remains a Worthy Deep-League Handcuff Running Back
A seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan has begun his first NFL season in a reserve role behind superstar Colts back Jonathan Taylor. As long as Taylor remains healthy, McGowan is highly unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload. In the Colts' 41-23 Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the 23-year-old recorded zero carries and one catch for zero yards on one target. Still, McGowan cemented his status as the Colts' RB2, as he was the only back besides Taylor to see the field against Baltimore. Taylor has recorded over 700 touches since the start of the 2024 season, and he appears to be on his way to another massive workload in 2026. If he were to go down with an injury at any point, McGowan could immediately vault into fantasy relevance. In deeper leagues, McGowan could be worth targeting on the waiver wire for his handcuff appeal.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Option
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington was heavily involved in his team's passing game in Week 1, recording three catches for 53 yards on a team-high eight targets in Miami's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Washington emerged as the Dolphins' primary slot receiver in 2025, hauling in 46 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets across 17 games. While Miami has a pair of exiting rookie wideouts in Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell in 2026, both young pass-catchers profile more as outside receivers. Washington could end up playing a high-volume role as a short-area safety blanket for new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis. After averaging just 4.9 yards per target in 2025, Washington may not offer high-end production upside for fantasy managers. Still, he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in deeper leagues for his stable PPR floor.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ted Hurst III Already Playing Too Much to Ignore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ted Hurst III didn't see much of the ball in his NFL debut, but he was on the field plenty. Hurst caught all three of his targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 33-27 loss to Cincinnati, with all three receptions coming on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter. He also started and played 43 of Tampa Bay's 57 offensive snaps, a 75.4% share. That is enough to keep the third-round rookie on the waiver radar even with the limited volume. Jalen McMillan was inactive with a knee injury, and the Buccaneers still list him ahead of Hurst on the depth chart, so the Week 1 playing time is not guaranteed to stick once McMillan returns. Hurst did make something of his opportunity, though, and Tampa Bay leaned heavily on three-receiver personnel in the opener. He is not a priority claim in 10- or 12-team leagues, but the snap share makes him a worthwhile stash in deeper formats ahead of Week 2 against Cleveland.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dylan Sampson Placed on Injured Reserve With Knee Injury
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (knee) is being placed on injured reserve, according to Zac Jackson. The Browns are promoting Jaleel McLaughlin from the practice squad to take his roster spot. Sampson hurt his knee in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to Jacksonville and never returned, finishing the day with two kickoff returns for 64 yards and no offensive touches. Reports Monday indicated he was going to miss significant time, and the move to IR will keep him out for at least four games. Sampson was Cleveland's No. 2 back behind Quinshon Judkins after recording 175 rushing yards and adding 33 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Raheim Sanders was already next on the depth chart, while McLaughlin now gives the Browns another option behind Judkins. Sampson can be moved into an IR spot in fantasy leagues while Cleveland sorts out the backup work in his absence.
Source: Zac Jackson
Source: Zac Jackson
Sterling Shepard Joining Jets' Practice Squad
The New York Jets are signing veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard to their practice squad, according to Mike Garafolo. Shepard had a brief stint with Houston late in the preseason before being released at final cuts, and now he's heading back to New Jersey after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Giants. The timing makes sense for a Jets team dealing with some receiver injuries. Omar Cooper Jr. is week-to-week with an ankle sprain, while Tim Patrick was placed on injured reserve over the weekend. Shepard caught 39 passes for 371 yards and one touchdown in 13 games with Tampa Bay last season, so there is still some experience here if New York needs it. For now, though, this is only a practice-squad move. Shepard would need to be elevated before he can help on game day, and there is no reason for fantasy managers to add him in standard leagues yet.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
Jordan Love Should Be the Top QB Addition Where Available
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love opened 2026 with 387 passing yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 39-22 loss to Minnesota. He completed only 21 of 42 attempts, threw one interception and lost a fumble, so the day was hardly clean. The volume and downfield production still stand out. Christian Watson finished with 147 yards and two scores, Matthew Golden added 95 yards, and Love averaged 9.2 yards per attempt despite completing only half his passes. He offered nothing as a runner, which keeps his fantasy ceiling tied closely to what Green Bay can generate through the air. That is a real limitation, but Love still sits atop RotoBaller's Week 2 quarterback waiver rankings and is worth adding in 12-team leagues where he remains available. He also has immediate streaming appeal for Sunday's road game against the Jets. After throwing 42 times in the opener, Love has enough passing upside to be more than a one-week rental if this volume sticks.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Emerging as Detroit's No. 2 Back
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki only had three touches in Sunday's 31-30 overtime win over New Orleans, but his playing time made the bigger statement. Vaki carried twice for seven yards and caught his only target for 11 more while logging 22 offensive snaps. Jacob Saylors did not play an offensive snap, and Detroit's current depth chart now lists Vaki second behind Jahmyr Gibbs. That matters even more after Isiah Pacheco underwent back surgery and was given an estimated 12-week recovery timeline. Gibbs is still going to dominate this backfield after handling 34 touches in the opener, so Vaki has little immediate starting value. The path behind him is much cleaner than it looked a week ago, though. Vaki still needs to improve after an uneven opener, particularly in pass protection, but he has the first crack at the reserve role while Pacheco is sidelined. He is worth stashing in 14-team PPR leagues and deeper formats before Detroit's backfield hierarchy becomes more settled.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ray Davis' Week 1 Usage Hurts His Handcuff Appeal
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis opened the season with one carry for three yards in Sunday's 36-31 win over Houston, but the bigger concern was how little he played. Davis logged only five offensive snaps, while practice-squad call-up Frank Gore Jr. saw 11 and also carried once for three yards. Buffalo still lists Davis second behind James Cook III on the depth chart, so this is not enough to say he has lost the backup job. It does make his handcuff value much shakier than it looked entering the season. Davis has shown he can handle volume when needed, including 21 carries for 151 yards in last year's regular-season finale, but Week 1 did not suggest Buffalo is eager to give him much work right now. He remains worth holding in deeper leagues, especially with Cook managers looking for insurance, but Davis should not be a priority add in standard 10- or 12-team formats ahead of Thursday's game against Detroit.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cowboys Signing Running Back Tyler Goodson
The Dallas Cowboys are signing running back Tyler Goodson off the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad to their 53-man roster on Tuesday, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Goodson will join Emari Demercado and Israel Abanikanda as RB depth behind starter Javonte Williams after the Cowboys placed Malik Davis (hip) on Injured Reserve this week. The 25-year-old Goodson is a former undrafted free agent from Iowa who has 54 career carries for 264 yards and just one touchdown in his three NFL seasons (all with the Indianapolis Colts). He has added 19 career receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown as a receiver. The 5-foot-, 200-pounder had 1,151 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his final collegiate season with the Hawkeyes and was an All-Big Ten selection that year. Goodson must now learn a completely new offense, and he should be considered the RB4 in Dallas for now.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Attorneys File Motion to Seal Evidence in Josh Jacobs' Criminal Case
Attorneys for Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs' ex-girlfriend on Tuesday filed a motion to seal evidence and discovery materials in the criminal case involving Jacobs, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Jacobs' ex-girlfriend wishes to protect her privacy in light of Jacobs taking responsibility for his actions in the criminal proceeding. The NFL is attempting to obtain the alleged video from the incident that led to Jacobs being charged with battery and criminal damage to property, and they want to interview Jacobs before they potentially hand down a suspension. The 28-year-old is currently on the commissioner's exempt list and missed the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings. If the NFL suspends Jacobs, it likely will not be for longer than four to six games, including the game he already missed. In Sunday's loss to Minnesota, MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks were the Packers' primary RBs, but they could involve Kaleb Johnson eventually as well. While Jacobs' legal situation plays out, he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues as Green Bay's clear lead back when he returns.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Kaelon Black has the Trust of the Coaching Staff
The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black has the trust of head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner. In his NFL debut in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia last Thursday, Black played 43% of the offensive snaps behind Christian McCaffrey (55%) and was awarded 14 carries for 65 yards (4.6 yards per carry). The 24-year-old third-rounder from Indiana caught his only target for a pickup of five yards as a receiver. The Niners did not put too much on McCaffrey's plate in the season opener, especially in a blowout of the Rams, but they could be looking to dial back the All-Pro's touches throughout the year, which would obviously benefit Black. Given CMC's lengthy injury history and the coaching staff's trust in Black, he is a valuable RB stash in 12-team leagues, even if you do not have McCaffrey rostered. Right now, Black is rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues. If McCaffrey were to go down with an injury, Black would become a weekly must-start in fantasy leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
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