March 29, 2026
Denny Hamlin is on the pole for this weekend's Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway, and it should be no surprise that he is also the pre-race favorite to win on Sunday. Hamlin has been masterful at Martinsville over the course of his career, notching six wins over 40 career starts with an average finish of 10.4, which is second-best among active drivers. He's also posted top-five finishes in over half (21) of his 40 career starts. This weekend, Hamlin will be looking for win number seven at "The Paperclip," and his second of the young 2026 Cup Series season. The No. 11 Toyota wasn't the absolute fastest in practice on Saturday, but Hamlin's car had good long-run speed after the initial short run of laps. As long as Denny is able to get the lead on the start of the race, he should lead early and often this weekend--and contend for another win.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ESPN
March 29, 2026
Look for Ryan Blaney to contend at Martinsville Speedway yet again this weekend. The Team Penske driver has won two of the last five races at "The Paperclip" and has post top-five results in six of the eight Next Gen races at this track. He also just finished second here last fall after leading 177 laps. This weekend, Ryan Blaney has been shown good long-run speed yet again, which is what his No. 12 Ford is known for at this track. In practice on Saturday, Blaney ranked second-best in 25- and 30-lap average, which is a good sign for this team's race on Sunday. They'll roll off the starting grid from 12th-place when the Cook Out 400 goes green, which makes Ryan Blaney an ideal DFS target with some Place Differential upside as well as dominator ability.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ifantasyrace
March 29, 2026
Tyler Reddick is on a hot streak like no other. Through the first six races of the 2026 Cup Series season, Reddick has gone to victory lane four times and has just one result worse than eighth: a 13th-place effort at Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. This weekend will be a true test of the hot streak, though. The Cup Series is at Martinsville Speedway for the Cook Out 400, and Martinsville has been a weak link for Reddick throughout his career. He does have two top-10 finishes here (in 2024 and in 2021), but his career average finish of 19.4 over 12 total starts makes Martinsville one of the worst tracks on the schedule for Reddick. This is a good week to lay off of him in fantasy and go a different route, although Reddick did qualify eighth this weekend (his second-best start ever at this track).
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Driver Averages
March 29, 2026
Look for Joey Logano to be strong in Sunday's Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. The Team Penske driver is a previous winner at this race track (back in 2018) and is currently on a 13-race streak of top-10 finishes at this track. Logano will be looking to make it 14 in a row here on Sunday, and should have a very good chance to do that. The No. 22 Ford qualified in ninth-place for this weekend's race, and Logano had one of the most stable long-run cars in practice when it came to speed for the race. The only downside is that Logano hasn't had that great of a start to the 2026 Cup Series season, and has just one top-10 finish through the first six races. However, Martinsville is a great place for Joey to turn that around. As far as DFS goes, Logano at $9,000 on DraftKings is a very solid fantasy choice on Sunday.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Frontstretch
March 29, 2026
The NFL Network's Mike Garafolo thinks that Cleveland Browns quarterback
Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is in the "pole position" to be the team's starter for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season.
Shedeur Sanders finished his rookie season as the Browns' starter under center, but he was very inconsistent down the stretch and has plenty to prove after dropping into the fifth round in the 2025 NFL draft. On the flip side, Watson, 30, missed all of last year while recovering from multiple surgeries to fix a torn Achilles tendon. Due to injury and suspension, the three-time Pro Bowler has played in just 19 games since he joined Cleveland in 2022. Watson will be competing with Sanders in training camp this summer, but there's still the possibility the Browns add another signal-caller in the draft or via trade/free agency. If Watson were to enter training camp fully healthy and win the starting job outright, he'd be a low-end QB2 with upside and plenty to prove to fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
March 29, 2026
After his first bad finish of the year last weekend at Darlington (where he ended up finishing 34th after a mid-race incident), Bubba Wallace will be looking to get his 2026 Cup Series season back on track at Martinsville Speedway this weekend in the Cook Out 400. Martinsville has been a solid race track for the 23XI Racing driver over his NASCAR career, and in the last two spring races here, Bubba has finished inside the top five each time. Over his last seven starts here, he's ended up 11th or better each time. This weekend, Bubba qualified in 15th-place for the Cook Out 400, but his No. 23 Toyota looks stronger than that in race trim, as Wallace was third-fastest in 20-, 25-, and 30-lap average in practice. As far as DFS goes, Bubba Wallace looks like a very strong pick this weekend at Martinsville, especially with his affordable $8,300 salary on DraftKings.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ifantasyrace
March 29, 2026
Shane van Gisbergen has continued to show progress on the oval race tracks throughout his young NASCAR Cup Series career, and this weekend has been no different. After a slow start in practice on Saturday (where he wound up 34th-fastest), SVG rebounded with a solid top-five qualifying effort later that day and will start from fifth-place when the Cook Out 400 from Martinsville goes green. It's his career-best qualifying effort (so far) on an oval in the Cup Series. Martinsville is a track that, historically, has been a good venue for road course racers, like SVG. In three career starts at "The Paperclip," van Gisbergen has already notched two top-15 finishes, as he looks to get his first top-10 result this weekend.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Jayski
March 29, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever
Edwin Uceta (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session on Friday and has another one scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, according to MLB.com. If he gets through those unscathed, Uceta should start a minor-league rehab assignment soon after that. The 28-year-old was put on the 15-day injured list on March 22 with right-shoulder soreness. He reported not feeling great in spring training when playing catch on Feb. 19 and received a cortisone injection on Feb. 20. Uceta had a 1.51 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 41 2/3 relief innings for the Rays in 2024 and was one of only five relievers in 2025 to have over 100 strikeouts in 76 innings in 2025. Right-hander
Griffin Jax entered the 2026 season as the Rays' favorite for saves, but he has blown his first two opportunities. When Uceta is activated from the IL, he could quickly become manager Kevin Cash's go-to man in the ninth inning. He has the most upside of Tampa's high-leverage arms, not only for saves, but also for strikeout potential.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 29, 2026
Kansas City Royals right-handed closer
Carlos Estevez had a rough night on Saturday in the 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Estevez was hit with a blown save and his first loss of the 2026 season after surrendering six runs on four hits (one home run) while walking two in one-third of an inning. The 33-year-old entered the ninth inning in Atlanta with a 2-0 lead in his season debut, but he imploded and continued to exhibit the diminished velocity that we also observed during spring training. Estevez will likely get some more chances to redeem himself early in the season, but this could become a real problem for his fantasy managers. The Dominican reliever was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2025 and had a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, a league- and career-high 42 saves, 54 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 66 innings pitched. Estevez's drop in velocity and strikeout rate have definitely made him more susceptible to outings like this. If it continues,
Lucas Erceg would likely be next in line for save situations in KC.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 29, 2026
Seattle Mariners shortstop
J.P. Crawford (shoulder) went through a light workout under the eye of infield coach Perry Hill and the team's athletic training staff before the game on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Crawford is scheduled to remain with the team through the weekend, and if all goes well, he'll begin a minor-league rehab assignment. His rehab assignment would likely come at Triple-A Tacoma. Crawford will likely be back from the 10-day injured list during the team's road trip, which begins on Friday and runs through Anaheim and Arlington. The 31-year-old received a cortisone shot for his ailing right shoulder last week for an injury that has been bothering him from early on in spring training. He's expected to go through a more vigorous workout on Sunday. Crawford only played in seven Cactus League games, but he's been receiving at-bats in minor-league games in camp for over a week. He should be ready to hit the ground running next weekend, barring a setback, but Crawford doesn't offer a ton of fantasy upside with very modest power and speed abilities in a pitcher-friendly home ballpark.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
March 29, 2026
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Tanner Bibee (shoulder) threw a 26-pitch bullpen session on Saturday and felt good, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Manager
Stephen Vogt said that Bibee is still day-to-day, but said that "today was a really good day for Tanner." Bibee was pulled from his Opening Day start on Thursday night against the Seattle Mariners due to right-shoulder inflammation, but the Guardians never believed it was a serious situation. The 27-year-old allowed three solo runs to the Mariners on Thursday in the 6-4 win while also walking two and striking out seven in a no-decision in five innings pitched. Bibee could make his next scheduled start in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but if the Guards play it safe and push him back, the best bet is that left-hander
Logan Allen makes a spot start. Bibee would be a pretty risky fantasy starter on Tuesday if he makes his next start against the back-to-back World Series champions.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
March 28, 2026
Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi had one goal and one assist in a 4-2 victory over the best team in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche, on Saturday. He got the scoring started just 3:51 into the first period, and then assisted on Cole Perfetti's goal later in the third period. The Canadian forward is currently riding a four-game point streak and has 28 goals and 62 points this year.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 28, 2026
Montreal Canadiens right winger Ivan Demidov scored and assisted one time each in a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The rookie had his second multi-point game in his last three games and now has 16 goals and 40 assists in 72 games played this season. Demidov is having a great year and is battling for the Calder trophy with Matthew Schaefer and Beckett Sennecke.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 28, 2026
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (toe) will not play Sunday against Portland as the second-year big man gets injury management on the first leg of a back-to-back. His absence could open short-term opportunities for
Tristan Vukcevic and
Anthony Gill in deeper formats. Gill logged 14 points, three assists, two steals, and one block in 25 minutes his last time out, while Vukcevic has flashed scoring upside in prior spot starts.
Julian Reese remains a risky option due to his two-way status.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 28, 2026
Boston Celtics forward/center
Neemias Queta (thumb) is questionable for Sunday's game against Charlotte as he continues to deal with a right thumb sprain he has recently played through. If he is unable to go,
Luka Garza could step into a larger role after posting 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 15 minutes off the bench Friday, giving him some deep-league streaming appeal for rebounds and efficient scoring.
Payton Pritchard and
Sam Hauser could also see more consistent minutes and opportunities with the second unit.
--Brian DailisanSource: Bobby Krivitsky
March 28, 2026
Boston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) is questionable for Sunday's game against Charlotte and could sit for maintenance on the first night of a back-to-back. If he rests,
Payton Pritchard would again profile as a strong DFS target after logging 35 minutes with 36 points, six three-pointers, seven rebounds, and four assists Friday, while
Sam Hauser and
Baylor Scheierman could see expanded scoring roles.
Jaylen Brown (Achilles) and
Derrick White also (knee) carry injury tags, which could further thin the rotation.
--Brian DailisanSource: Bobby Krivitsky
March 28, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever
Griffin Jax has put himself on the closer hot seat early in 2026 after blowing each of his first two save opportunities as he begins his first full year with the team. In Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, Jax blew the save and took his first loss of the year after allowing two runs (one earned) on a hit while walking one in just one-third of an inning. The 31-year-old blew the save on Opening Day at Busch Stadium on Thursday and could not get it done on Saturday in the bottom of the 10th inning. Infield prospect
JJ Wetherholt delivered the dagger against Jax. The former third-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 out of Air Force has been manager Kevin Cash's first choice for saves to begin the year, but that could be changing the next time a save situation comes up, with
Bryan Baker and
Garrett Cleavinger both being options.
Edwin Uceta (shoulder) should get ninth-inning duties when he returns from the injured list, and he has the most upside of any Rays high-leverage arm.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Boston Celtics guard
Derrick White (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against Charlotte after managing a right knee contusion that has recently appeared on the injury report. If he is held out, Pritchard would likely take on more ballhandling duties after finishing with 36 points, six three-pointers, seven rebounds, and four assists in his last outing, reinforcing his value as a strong DFS and daily-lineup option.
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and
Jaylen Brown (Achilles) could also see slight usage bumps if available.
--Brian DailisanSource: Bobby Krivitsky
March 28, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (foot) will remain sidelined Sunday against Orlando due to plantar fasciitis, extending his recent absence and keeping the backcourt rotation thin.
Jamal Shead should continue to see streaming appeal after posting eight assists and two steals in 25 minutes Friday, while
Ja'Kobe Walter could also maintain a steady role.
Scottie Barnes and
RJ Barrett may absorb more playmaking duties. With the regular season nearly over, Quickley can be held if you have IL flexibility, but managers in tighter playoff matchups may need to look elsewhere. Shead profiles as a short-term assist streamer while Quickley remains out.
--Brian DailisanSource: Blake Murphy
March 28, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Brandon Ingram (heel) is questionable for Sunday's game against Orlando as he continues to manage a lingering foot concern. If he sits,
Ja'Kobe Walter and
Jamal Shead could be worth a look as deep-league streamers after both saw increased roles recently. Walter logged 18 points, four three-pointers, four assists, and one rebound in 34 minutes Friday, while Shead produced eight assists and two steals in 25 minutes off the bench.
Scottie Barnes and
RJ Barrett would also be positioned for more offensive responsibility.
--Brian DailisanSource: Blake Murphy
March 28, 2026
Athletics catcher
Shea Langeliers is showing his high-end power early in 2026, homering for the third time in just the second game in Saturday's extra-inning loss to the hosting Toronto Blue Jays. Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, one walk, and a strikeout in the team's 8-7 loss at the Rogers Centre. In Friday night's 3-2 loss to Toronto, Langeliers hit two solo homers to carry the A's offense. He's feeling it at the plate early on this year after hitting a career-high 31 long balls and driving in 72 in 123 games in 2025 in his third full season in the majors. The 28-year-old also had seven stolen bases and a .277/.325/.536 slash line with an .861 OPS in 523 plate appearances. Langeliers hit 82 home runs and drove in 215 runs from 2023 to 2025 and appears headed for a possible second straight 30-home run season for the A's.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic (suspension) will miss Monday's game against Washington after drawing his 16th technical foul, triggering an automatic one-game ban. His absence should funnel more usage to
Austin Reaves, who posted 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four three-pointers in 40 minutes during Friday's win, making him a strong DFS and category-league play.
Luke Kennard and
Jake LaRavia could see deeper-league streaming appeal if
Marcus Smart (ankle) sits.
LeBron James also gets a slight playmaking bump. Doncic remains a must-hold elite option and should return Tuesday.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
March 28, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Walter Clayton Jr. (ankle) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Chicago Bulls. Clayton will shed the questionable tag and suit up for the second leg of this back-to-back set. The rookie guard should continue playing a larger role in the rotation with
Ty Jerome (ankle) and
Cam Spencer (back) still sidelined. Over the last seven games, Clayton is averaging 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 23.9 minutes per game. Clayton is playing well enough right now to warrant a look in deep leagues right now.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 28, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Dylan Cease looked excellent in his debut for the team in Saturday's 8-7 win in 11 innings over the Athletics for their second walk-off win in the first two games of the 2026 season. Cease was on point for a great first impression for the home faithful, allowing just one earned run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched while walking only two and striking out 12. Fantasy managers would have loved the win on top of it, but they don't really have anything to complain about in Cease's first outing of the year in his new digs at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. He threw 61 of his 90 pitches for strikes, and his fastball velocity was up a tad from last year. At one point in the game, Cease struck out seven straight batters. Cease could be money once again for his fantasy managers in his second start with Toronto, which is scheduled to come next Sunday against his former team, the Chicago White Sox. It's a very encouraging start for Cease in his move back to the American League.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Jahmai Mashack (ankle, nose) is returning to the court ahead of Saturday's game against the Chicago Bulls. Mashack is back following a six-game absence due to a left ankle sprain and nasal fracture. Before the injury, Mashack was actually playing significant minutes in the rotation. It's unclear if that will remain the case with the Grizzlies getting healthy at the guard spot. There's some deep league value here, but Mashack remains far from a must-add fantasy player.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 28, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Guerschon Yabusele (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Yabusele drew the start on Friday with
Nick Richards (elbow) unavailable. Now, both big men are sitting out for Saturday's contest, which puts the Bulls in a bad spot. Possibly,
Lachlan Olbrich draws the start, but
Patrick Williams and
Leonard Miller should absorb most of the extra playing time. Miller is bringing enough to the table right now to warrant a look as a streaming option on Saturday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 28, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Malik Monk will move into the starting five ahead of Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Fellow guard
Nique Clifford (foot) is available following a two-game absence. However, the Kings have elected to ease him back into action and start Monk on Saturday. Possibly, Clifford is going to be limited, but the team hasn't said anything about a minutes limit. Monk should play his normal role in the rotation on Saturday. This season, Monk is averaging 12.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across 22.3 minutes per game. The veteran guard has played 30 minutes or more over the last three games, but could see a reduced role with Clifford back in the mix. Regardless, Monk is worth starting in most 12-team fantasy leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: James Ham
March 28, 2026
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray's (foot) fantasy football value in dynasty/keeper leagues was trending down in recent years and fell to a low point in 2025, when he appeared in just five games due to a sprained foot. The 28-year-old former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma threw for just 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 173 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Despite injury-riddled seasons in two of the last three years, Murray should enter training camp this summer as the slight favorite to win the starting duties in Minnesota over
J.J. McCarthy. If Murray stays healthy and plays up to his abilities (primarily as a rusher for fantasy purposes), he will have the weapons in Minnesota to become a favorite for Comeback Player of the Year in 2026. A fresh start in a new city could be just what the doctor ordered for Murray, a two-time Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2021, especially with a QB guru as head coach in Kevin O'Connell. If Murray ends up winning the QB job, he'll have QB1 upside in single-year fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 28, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jonathan Kuminga (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Unsurprisingly, Kuminga will take a seat in the second leg of this back-to-back set while he continues to deal with lingering knee issues. The Hawks are also without
Dyson Daniels (toe) on Saturday, so the depth of this team is going to be tested. Without them available,
Corey Kispert and
Zaccharie Risacher will be asked to take on larger roles. Neither player has great streaming value, but Risacher could be worth a look as a low-end option with big minutes likely coming his way on Saturday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 28, 2026
Atlanta Hawks center
Onyeka Okongwu (finger) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings. The big man appears to have suffered a finger injury that will keep him sidelined for this game. Luckily, fellow big man
Jock Landale (shoulder) is back in the mix following a one-game absence. Landale should move into the starting five and have increased fantasy value on Saturday.
Mouhamed Gueye should take over as the primary backup, but Landale is the better fantasy choice between the two. Fantasy managers should check back on Monday for another update on Okongwu ahead of their game against the Boston Celtics.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
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