May 5, 2026

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) doesn't appear to be planning to retire this offseason, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. "I'm excited to see what we can do together," Kamara said of new RB Travis Etienne Jr. Rumors surfaced earlier this offseason that Kamara was considering hanging up his cleats after a career-worst season in 2025 that ended early due to a knee injury. The 30-year-old veteran and five-time Pro Bowler played in only 11 games and finished with a career-low 471 rushing yards and only one touchdown while catching a career-low 33 passes for 186 yards on 39 targets. The Saints signed Etienne to a four-year, $52 million deal in free agency, signaling that Kamara's eight-year run as the organization's clear-cut RB1 is over. Etienne has a very similar three-down skill set and is nearly four years younger than Kamara, with a lot less wear on his tires. If Kamara remains with the Saints going into the 2026 regular season, his fantasy value is going to take a massive hit in a complementary role.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill

May 5, 2026

The Arizona Cardinals took former University of Miami quarterback Carson Beck with the first pick in the third round of this year's draft because of his big-game experience, arm strength, size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), accuracy, toughness, and intangibles. Beck enters a QB room in Arizona that already includes veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. New head coach Mike LaFleur said that "it won't be the worst thing" for Beck if he "ends up sitting for part or all of his rookie season." That won't be anything new for the 24-year-old, who was a backup at Georgia for his first three seasons, including sitting behind current Los Angeles Rams backup QB Stetson Bennett in 2022. "It benefits anyone in any position to be able to sit back," LaFleur said. "Sometimes, guys don't have the choice because you have to put your best 22 out on the field there." The Cardinals have some maneuvering to do with Brissett's contract this year, but that should be taken care of, and he's fully expected to start under center in 2026 after a career season in 2025 in Arizona. Beck has plenty of long-term upside as a dynasty target in fantasy, but he won't be on the redraft radar at all.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss

May 5, 2026

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele entered this offseason as one of the biggest sleepers in dynasty fantasy football. In his final four games of 2025, Vele had caught 19 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 12.2 points per game in PPR leagues during that span, ranking as the overall WR21. It seemed like he might be a breakout candidate in 2026, but that trajectory came crashing down as the Saints added two receivers in the NFL Draft. Now, Vele is behind Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson on the depth chart, and he could also end up behind rookie Bryce Lance, who has the speed necessary to fill a Rashid Shaheed-esque role in New Orleans. It's a disappointing development for managers who acquired Vele at a low cost this offseason. With that said, he's still worth holding in deeper leagues, as he's proven that he can handle volume. This Saints' offense is quickly trending up, so he could still get onto the WR3/flex radar if Olave or Tyson were to miss any time.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers rookie fourth-round wide receiver Brenen Thompson was compared to speedy former Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill by head coach Jim Harbaugh, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. New Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who coached Hill in Miami, was advocating that the Chargers take the former Mississippi State speedster in this year's draft. He stands at 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds and will be the lightest player on the Chargers' roster, but he'll also be their fastest player after running a 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine -- the third-fastest time by a WR since 2003. Thompson had an SEC-leading 1,054 receiving yards in 2025, which set the single-season school record at Mississippi State. Hill was a first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons with McDaniel, and he had a career-high 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023. Thompson has also been compared to former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson. Thompson's speed is enticing, but he'll be competing for targets in L.A. in a crowded WR room that also includes Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris, and Derius Davis. Most likely, the 22-year-old will operate in a part-time role in specific packages in 2026 in which the Chargers can utilize his game-changing speed.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim

May 5, 2026

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has the potential to bounce back as the overall RB1 in fantasy football during the 2026 season. Taylor was well on his way to the overall RB1 spot during the first half of last season. He ranked as the RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. Unfortunately, a slow second half (largely due to Daniel Jones' season-ending injury) derailed that trajectory. The good news is that Jones (Achilles) is trending toward playing in Week 1, and the Colts could also go a little more run-heavy after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. If Jones and Taylor can both stay healthy for the full year -- which is admittedly far from guaranteed -- then the 27-year-old could certainly be the highest-scoring running back and a league winner in redraft formats. There's a little less upside in dynasty leagues, though, given that Taylor is already 27 years old. Even if he does have a bounce-back year in 2026, he's almost certainly on the back half of his career. Most dynasty managers should hold Taylor for now. However, managers looking to win now in a championship window could consider trading for him this offseason, banking on the fact that last year's RB4 finishes even higher this year.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba solidified himself among the top tier of fantasy football superstars during the 2025 campaign. In his third NFL regular season, Smith-Njigba exploded for 119 catches, 1,793 yards, and 10 touchdowns (all career-high marks). He was the WR2 in PPR leagues, ranking among the top 10 receivers for the second year in a row. As the 2026 season approaches, Smith-Njigba finds himself in Tier 1 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football wide receiver rankings, but he hasn't yet claimed the overall WR1 spot. The latest rankings have Ja'Marr Chase first, Smith-Njigba second, and Puka Nacua third. It's a fair evaluation, especially since Chase's quarterback situation is far more appealing long-term than Smith-Njigba's. Still, it would surprise nobody if Smith-Njigba finished the 2026 season (or any season) as the overall WR1, especially given Joe Burrow's injury history in Cincinnati. All in all, Smith-Njigba is an undisputed top-three dynasty receiver, and any fantasy manager looking to acquire him will have to be comfortable parting with a hefty return package.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar likely would have been among the top QBs drafted in 2025 if he had skipped his senior season, according to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN. However, Allar chose to return to Penn State and had a slower-than-expected start before breaking his ankle in the middle of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers took the 6-foot-5, 228-pounder with the No. 76 overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Big Ten coaches were lukewarm on Allar, but they noted that he "went through multiple systems and wasn't always set up to succeed." "Hopefully [Pittsburgh] will be a coaching staff that can maximize what he's good at," a Big Ten coach said. "I'm not really sure that was the case [at Penn State]." Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy will look to maximize Allar's skill set, but most likely after veteran Aaron Rodgers plays one more season in the Steel City. Allar threw for 49 touchdowns in his sophomore and junior seasons with the Nittany Lions before recording 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions in six games in his senior campaign before getting hurt. Fantasy managers in dynasty formats will need to be patient with the 22-year-old, but the long-term ceiling is high.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Adam Rittenberg

May 5, 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington finally seemed like he was getting closer to fantasy relevance in dynasty leagues last season. However, the chances of him getting on the fantasy radar are now declining based on the Steelers' offseason moves. For starters, the team parted ways with head coach Mike Tomlin and brought in Mike McCarthy, who has no connections to the existing roster and presumably won't have the same patience to wait for a Washington breakout. Additionally, McCarthy started to put his own stamp on the tight end room, selecting Riley Nowakowski in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. That's not elite draft capital by any means, but it's presumably enough to give Nowakowski the chance to earn the No. 2 role by the end of the season. That could be problematic for Washington, who is heading into a contract year and is already behind Pat Freiermuth on the depth chart. As of now, it seems unlikely that Washington will be able to replicate his 2025 finish, which included 31 catches, 364 yards, and one touchdown. Additionally, we wouldn't be shocked if he's on a different team in 2027. He finished last year as the TE39 in PPR leagues, and he has already fallen to TE53 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley's ranking in dynasty fantasy football leagues has started to decline now that he's 29 years old. We don't quite know how many seasons he has remaining in his career, but we do know that there's still enough left in the tank for another big year or two. As a result, Barkley represents an interesting trade target for dynasty managers looking to win now. Since he's getting older, his price tag is dropping in trade talks, but he still has the potential to be the RB1 or RB2 on a championship-winning fantasy roster. After all, he was the overall RB14 in PPR leagues last year, and he was the overall RB2 just two years ago. Barkley is an elite athlete himself, and he should also benefit from the Eagles' top-tier offensive line being healthy in 2026. All signs point to him bouncing back as a potential top-12 fantasy running back. As a result, dynasty managers currently in their championship window should consider sending out an offer for the Eagles' superstar ball-carrier.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the consensus No. 1 overall selection in this year's draft by the Las Vegas Raiders after his near-flawless performance in the College Football Playoff, which was capped by his heroic performance in the national title game to beat Miami. Most analysts believe that Mendoza is one of the more complete QB prospects because of his scarcity of turnovers and his mix of intelligence, size, and movement. However, a coach who had faced Mendoza when he played for Cal doesn't think his skill set will translate well to the next level. "He's a good decision-maker, but I don't think he's got the NFL traits," the coach said. "They're all back-shoulder [throws]. That's not working in the NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws are getting picked off." Mendoza had a knack for delivering on the big stage, in addition to his other impressive physical skills. However, he lacks the experience of playing under center, which is what is going to be asked of him in head coach Klint Kubiak's offense. There will be a learning curve there, which is why the Raiders prefer to have the young QB sit and learn behind veteran Kirk Cousins early in his NFL career. Mendoza should be the No. 2 pick in rookie-only dynasty drafts this year.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Adam Rittenberg

May 5, 2026

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson was one of the lone bright spots for the team last season, delivering 78 catches for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in a breakout campaign. Most of his production came in the second half of the year, too. From Week 11 through Week 18, he averaged 21.2 points per game and ranked as the overall WR2 -- behind Puka Nacua and ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Most of his production came with Jacoby Brissett as the Cardinals' quarterback. While we don't typically think of Brissett as this special playmaker, he was a solid passer for Arizona and supported big production from both Wilson and Trey McBride. The Cardinals could end up finishing last in the NFC West in 2026, as Brissett remains under center but lacks winning upside. Still, he should continue to support fantasy production from Wilson, who gets the best of both worlds. This year, he'll have consistency with Brissett throwing him the football, and next year, he'll presumably get a flashy quarterback upgrade as the Cardinals build out their offense. As long as the Cardinals' new coaching staff is willing to let Wilson prove himself as the alpha receiver over Marvin Harrison Jr., he should continue to rank as a mid-range WR2 option in both redraft and dynasty leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan acknowledged on 680 The Fan that "you just don't know" where quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is "going to be" for the start of training camp in late July. However, Ryan is confident with how Penix has approached his rehab after tearing his ACL in 2025. "Mike's in a good spot right now. As far as expectations, we don't really know what to expect at the beginning of training camp," Ryan said. The Falcons don't plan to rush Penix back to the field, which could give new QB Tua Tagovailoa a leg up in the competition for the starting job under center in Atlanta going into Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. Penix's dynasty stock is dropping quickly after he had surgery for another torn ACL in his knee back in November. It's the third time since college that he's suffered a torn ACL. The 25-year-old lefty signal-caller was mediocre before his injury in his first full year as the Falcons' starter, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine starts. Penix will need to get healthy first, and then he'll need to improve his accuracy to have a chance to beat Tua out. It's looking more likely that Penix is going to enter the start of next season as Atlanta's backup.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 680 The Fan

May 5, 2026

Despite another disappointing season in 2025, the Houston Texans have had nothing but good things to say about quarterback C.J. Stroud this offseason, according to Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle. "C.J.'s done a really good job all offseason just continuing to be locked in, continuing to prepare the right way," head coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Proud of the work that he's putting in right now." When CEO Cal McNair was asked about Stroud, he said, "We're fully committed to C.J." The Texans unsurprisingly picked up Stroud's fifth-year option for the 2027 season, so they now have two seasons to work out a potential long-term extension with the former second overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State. The 24-year-old had career lows in passing yards (3,041) and passing touchdowns (19) in 14 regular-season games in 2025 in his third year in the NFL. It's now been two straight down years after his Pro Bowl season in his rookie campaign, and fantasy managers will be wondering if Stroud can ever get back to his rookie level, when he threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 regular-season starts. He's going to need both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to step up alongside Nico Collins, and having Tank Dell (knee) contribute will be big as well. For fantasy purposes, Stroud's dynasty stock is obviously down, but a bounce-back is entirely possible in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Young

May 5, 2026

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger), who has been on the 15-day injured list since a blister on his left index finger ended his final spring training outing on March 22, will make his 2026 season debut on Friday against the Houston Astros. Lodolo threw 45 of his 79 pitches for strikes at Triple-A Louisville in his final minor-league rehab start and mixed in roughly 16 or 17 sliders, the pitch that causes the friction on the pad of his index finger. He expects to throw more when facing big-league hitters for the first time this year on Friday, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "I'm not going to be up here with a limit," said Lodolo. Getting the left-hander from TCU back in the rotation is big for the Reds, who are missing both Hunter Greene (elbow) and Brandon Williamson (shoulder). Lodolo went 9-8 with a 3.33 ERA in 29 games in 2025 and set career-highs in starts (28), innings (156 2/3), and strikeouts (156). Injuries have limited him, but Lodolo deserves to be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues for his strikeout upside. He's currently rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon

May 5, 2026

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) could be out for "several months, if not the whole season," sources told Mike DiGiovanna of Halo Territory. Pitching prospect Caden Dana might not be the immediate replacement for Kikuchi in the Angels' starting rotation, but he could be at some point. The Angels placed Kikuchi on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with left-shoulder inflammation, but it appears his injury is much more serious and could cause him to miss the rest of the 2026 campaign. For now, Sam Aldegheri will replace Kikuchi in the rotation to make the start against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. In single-year fantasy baseball leagues, fantasy managers will obviously want to consider dropping Kikuchi altogether. The 34-year-old Japanese hurler really struggled in his first seven starts of the year, going 0-3 with a 5.81 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and 14 walks in 31 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to consider stashing Dana sooner rather than later.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Halo Territory - Mike DiGiovanna

May 5, 2026

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said the team might wait until Wednesday to activate right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list, but that was also before their bullpen was an issue on Monday night, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Iglesias is eligible to return from the IL on Tuesday after missing the last two weeks with right-shoulder inflammation. The 36-year-old veteran Cuban hurler is expected to immediately return to the team's closer role, which will push right-hander Robert Suarez into the top setup role at the back end of Atlanta's bullpen. Iglesias had some struggles early in 2025, but he corrected them to finish strong, and he threw 8 2/3 scoreless innings for the Braves with five saves in eight appearances to begin 2026 before landing on the shelf. Iglesias needs to be scooped up off the waiver wire if he's available at all. He's rostered in 92% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman

May 5, 2026

The Miami Marlins designated struggling right-hander Chris Paddack for assignment on Tuesday, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The Marlins are calling up pitching prospect William Kempner in a corresponding move as a fresh arm for their bullpen. For Paddack's rotation spot on Friday against the division-rival Washington Nationals, left-handers Robby Snelling and Braxton Garrett are both options at Triple-A Jacksonville. Paddack has not been effective at all this year for the Fish, and the Marlins decided to scrub him from the 40-man roster after he allowed seven runs in just 2 2/3 innings in his most recent start against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 30-year-old appears to be healthy despite a recent drop in velocity. In his seven appearances (six starts) for Miami, Paddack went 0-5 with a 7.63 ERA (5.00 FIP) and 1.66 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and 10 walks in 30 2/3 innings. He currently leads the league with 26 earned runs allowed.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola

May 5, 2026

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has quietly gone about his business since coming into the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He's finished as the TE8 in two of the last three seasons, and following career-highs of eight touchdowns and 82 receptions in 2025, he could still be trending up. Should either CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens miss time, Ferguson is capable of stepping up as a top-two option in one of the league's premier offenses and delivering week-winning performances, evidenced by his TE1 stretch through the first seven weeks of the season, as Lamb missed parts of four games with a high ankle sprain. Dynasty managers who have held onto the 27-year-old tight end to this point are likely aware of his value and potential, so he's not an easy player to acquire through trade, but at RotoBaller's TE13, Ferguson is a smart selection in dynasty startups, as a proven TE1 for managers unwilling to pay up at the position.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Braxton Garrett is one of the team's top options to take over an open spot in their rotation. Struggling starter Chris Paddack was designated for assignment on Tuesday, opening up his scheduled spot on Friday. Garrett made seven starts for the Marlins in 2024 but missed all of 2025 after elbow surgery. He didn't earn a spot in the rotation out of spring training but is still on the 40-man roster, which gives him an advantage over Robbie Snelling, who is also a candidate to join the rotation. Garrett has looked sharp in his five Triple-A starts this season, allowing five earned runs on just six hits in 25 1/3 innings for a 1.71 ERA and 4.57 FIP. While he doesn't offer the elite strikeout upside Snelling brings for fantasy, Garrett seems more likely to get the promotion based on his roster status. Keep a close eye on who moves into Miami's rotation since both lefties have looked good enough to be waiver wire options if they get the call.--Zach Thompson
Source: Christina De Nicola

May 5, 2026

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey cooled off on Monday in Game 1 against the New York Knicks, settling for 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists in a 137-98 blowout loss. He had twice as many turnovers (4) as assists, going 3-for-9 from the field and 0-for-3 from three-point land. If it weren't for Maxey's perfect 7-for-7 effort at the charity stripe, his line could have looked even uglier. Maxey's drop in form was unexpected, as he finished the first-round series against Boston with back-to-back 30-point games and notched two double-doubles in the last three games. During the regular season, Maxey was a menace for the Knicks, averaging 30.0 points per game with 50.0 percent efficiency from deep. If he can get back to that level, this could still turn into a very competitive series.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Robby Snelling is a great stash pickup to consider from the waiver wire after the Marlins designated struggling veteran Chris Paddack for assignment on Tuesday morning. Snelling has impressed this season in Triple-A, going 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA and 2.92 FIP in 29 innings across six starts for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Snelling has 44 strikeouts in those 29 innings, after racking up 166 strikeouts in 136 innings across the minors last season. Per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com, Snelling is considered a top option to replace Paddack in the rotation later this week, along with former MLB starter Braxton Garrett. Snelling last pitched on Friday, May 1, so he would be ready (in theory) for his Major League debut the next time Paddack's spot in the rotation comes around this Friday.--Zach Thompson
Source: Christina De Nicola

May 5, 2026

Free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) remains unsigned, and with the NFL Draft now behind us and teams moving into the final stages of the roster-building process, rumors of potential landing spots could start to pick back up again. One team he has been linked to for months is the Kansas City Chiefs, and on a recent appearance on Kansas City radio station 96.5 The Fan, ESPN Chiefs reporter Nate Taylor gave odds above 50% that Hill would reunite with the team that drafted him in 2016. Hill is 32 years old, has shown signs of decline in each of the past two seasons, and is recovering from a gruesome knee dislocation with multiple torn ligaments, so how much he has left in the tank remains to be seen, but all the way down at WR78 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, he's at least worth inquiring about by depth-seeking contenders.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Nate Taylor - ESPN

May 5, 2026

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid contributed only 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist in Monday's Game 1 blowout loss to the New York Knicks. Coming off a big Game 7 win over Boston on Saturday night, the 76ers lacked energy, and Embiid's performance perfectly summed up the entire team's effort. The former MVP made only three of 11 field-goal attempts and, for the second time in four games, failed to make a three-pointer. Most of Embiid's points came from the free-throw line, where he finished 8-for-9. Embiid leads Philadelphia with 25.2 points per game in the playoffs, but he has been limited to 42.4 percent field-goal efficiency, making just three of 22 attempts from deep. The Knicks could take down the 76ers quickly if Embiid's performance doesn't improve.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers broke the rookie reception record in 2024 and came into 2025 as the TE1 in consensus dynasty rankings. Not to be outdone, Arizona's Trey McBride broke the tight end reception record with 126 grabs in 2025, momentarily pushing Bowers to TE2 in those same rankings. Over the course of the offseason, Bowers has reclaimed the top spot in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, and he projects as a true difference-maker for the foreseeable future. Bowers injured his knee in the first game of the season, but continued playing through a PCL sprain and bone bruise, though he was visibly hampered until the team opted to rest him from Weeks 5 through 8. Upon his return, he scored 14.2 Half-PPR points per game, but with Vegas trending towards the first overall pick, he was eventually put on season-ending injured reserve before Week 17. While the Raiders spent the offseason building around that first overall pick, which officially became Fernando Mendoza in April, they added very few meaningful pass-catchers, with Jalen Nailor representing the biggest addition to a room led by Tre Tucker in 2025. With Bowers just seven targets away from leading the team while missing five games and never playing at full health, the expectation is that he could lap the field in 2026, giving him an extreme positional advantage and making the 23-year-old tight end one of the most valuable players in both redraft and dynasty leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian closed out his team's 3-2 win on Monday night against the Padres. Kilian did give up a leadoff home run to Ramon Laureano in the ninth inning, but he struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado to close out the win. He earned the first save of his MLB career and has an impressive 1.13 ERA through his first 16 innings this season, even though his 4.20 FIP indicates he could be due for some regression. Kilian has looked solid enough to get more work at the end of the game, despite the homer he gave up, so he's worth a speculative pickup in deep leagues in case he secures the job going forward.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson had an explosive start to the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, leading all scorers with 35 points in 31 minutes. This was just nine points fewer than the total Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George combined for Philadelphia. 27 of Brunson's points came in the first half. He finished 12-for-18 from the field and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, while making all eight free-throw attempts. Brunson was busy scoring all night, so he had time for only three assists. He also recorded one rebound and two steals. Philadelphia limited Brunson to 23.0 points per game during the regular season, but he looks set to make a lot more noise in this playoff series, with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto got the call on Sunday in the eighth inning of a scoreless game against the Reds. He got the last out of the eighth inning by striking out TJ Friedl with the potential go-ahead run on 3B, and then the Pirates got him a run in the bottom half of the inning. Soto made it stand up by working a 1-2-3 ninth inning through the heart of the Reds order to get his first win of the season. Soto has an impressive 1.59 ERA and 2.44 FIP in his 17 games this season, with 23 strikeouts in 17 innings. He has six holds but only one save, while Dennis Santana leads the team with only two saves. The Priates haven't generated many save chances this season, but if Soto continues to dominate, he should get a look as the team's top high-leverage arm. The lefty could still move around in the bullpen, but he's thrived in any role he's been asked to fill this season, making him worth a look in deep or NL-only leagues even without the full-time closer job secured.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper led his team with 18 points in Monday's tough 104-102 Game 1 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Stephon Castle battling foul trouble, Harper had a chance to play a prominent role and enjoyed one of the best games of his first postseason. The 20-year-old rookie went 7-for-13 from the field and had a 1-for-4 record from outside. He grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists. While Harper lacks experience, he has handled the pressure and intensity of the playoffs well. In six outings, Harper has amassed 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 26.0 minutes per game.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins was an underrated piece of New England's deep playoff run, proving himself a trusted target to Drake Maye in some of the season's biggest moments. His 46 catches for 550 yards in 2025 were the second-highest totals of his nine-year career. Unfortunately, heading into 2026, his role in the offense is being squeezed in from all sides. The free agent acquisition of Romeo Doubs and a presumed trade for A.J. Brown will likely limit Hollins' opportunities in two-receiver sets, and while he spent nearly a quarter of his time in the slot in 2025, providing a bigger body who can help out in the running game, much of that role could be inherited by 2026 third-round pick Eli Raridon. The incoming rookie spent more time in the slot than as an inline tight end in his final, and most productive, season at Notre Dame. With Hunter Henry and 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams still on the roster, some of the team's new additions finding the field could mean reduced opportunities for Hollins. The soon-to-be 33-year-old veteran will still have his moments, but outside of best ball formats, he will offer little upside from the end of the bench, and his sinking dynasty value is reflected by RotoBaller's WR147 ranking.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle bagged his first double-double of the 2026 postseason on Monday, contributing a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 104-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He also had a pair of assists and one steal. Randle went 8-for-20 from the field, including 2-for-6 from downtown. So far, Randle's offensive efforts have steadily improved in the playoffs, but he's having trouble handling the ball. Monday's game marked the fourth consecutive outing for Randle with four or more turnovers. He accounted for half of the team's 10 turnovers in this game. Still, Randle has picked up positive momentum recently and has a key role to play against Victor Wembanyama's crew.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN