April 7, 2026

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech disappointed in his first NFL season in 2025 after being drafted 58th overall in the second round out of TCU. The 23-year-old only caught 20 of his 29 targets for 224 yards and no touchdowns in 16 games played (five starts). Bech didn't have much of a chance to succeed last year, though, in one of the worst offenses in the league. There's a new coaching staff in Vegas, though, and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to start the year under center, eventually giving way to Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. Bech will be considered a deep-league fantasy football sleeper who will be competing for the No. 2/3 role with Jalen Nailor and Dont'e Thornton Jr. Things will become more difficult for Bech if the Raiders address the position early in this month's NFL draft. In dynasty formats, Bech is worth considering as a buy-low candidate as he looks to take a step forward in Year 2.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Pro Football Reference

April 6, 2026

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele assisted three times in a 6-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday. The Canadian center has been playing great lately with 14 points in his last seven games as the Jets try to capture a wild-card playoff spot. Scheifele now has 34 goals and 97 points in 77 games this year and is three points away from reaching 100 for the first time in his 15-year career.--Marko23
Source: NHL.com

April 6, 2026

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that right-hander Jacob deGrom (knee) felt something in his knee before his start on Monday against the division-rival Seattle Mariners, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. The Rangers didn't want to push the oft-injured deGrom too hard, which is why he only went 78 pitches in the 2-1 win in the series opener. deGrom managed to make it five innings but took a no-decision, allowing an earned run on a solo homer while walking one and striking out six. "I feel OK, it's a little tender, but I think we'll be okay," said deGrom. Fantasy managers familiar with deGrom's injury history won't be surprised if his next start is pushed back or if he lands on the 15-day injured list eventually. deGrom will be a much riskier fantasy starter in his next outing after dealing with knee discomfort, as he's set to face the World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The 37-year-old two-time Cy Young winner allowed three earned runs with no walks and seven strikeouts in 4 2/3 frames in his first start of 2026 against the Orioles.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland

April 6, 2026

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced in a tough 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. He got back in the win column after losing his previous start to the Senators and earned his 20th win of the season. Luukkonen now has a 20-9-3 record, 2.52 goals against average, and a .911 save percentage.--Marko23
Source: NHL.com

April 6, 2026

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing helped the Dodgers dismantle the hosting Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on Monday by a score of 14-2 in Monday's series opener. Rushing went 4-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs and three runs scored out of the eight-hole. The 25-year-old backstop was only playing in his third game of the 2026 season, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in his first two games played. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Louisville made his major-league debut in 2025 and hit just .204/.258/.324 with four home runs and 24 RBI in 53 games played. Rushing is already one homer shy of matching his career high, but his fantasy upside in single-year formats remains low as the backup to All-Star Will Smith, who should be back in the starting lineup for the second game of the series in Canada on Tuesday.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

April 6, 2026

Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue had a quiet rookie season in 2025, totaling 39 touches and logging offensive snaps in just five games. The Texas product was a healthy scratch more often than not, but he did make an impact with 16 carries, 64 rushing yards, and one touchdown in the Week 18 regular-season finale. That game showed that Blue is capable of taking on a more substantial role in the backfield, delivering decent efficiency numbers and even boasting touchdown upside. It took a while for Blue to earn the coaches' trust and carve out a role, but his strong Week 18 could be a good indication that he'll hold onto the No. 2 running back role in 2026. The Cowboys re-signed Javonte Williams to be their RB1 and potential every-down back, but they've yet to bring in any sort of competition for Blue in the second-string role. There's still plenty of time left in free agency, but with each passing day, an external signing looks less likely. The NFL Draft does represent an elephant in the room, but this year's running back class is viewed as abnormally weak, so there are very few impact ball-carriers in the mid-to-late rounds. Plus, it's been a while since the Cowboys last drafted a running back who made a real impact as a rookie. Blue, who patiently waited his turn to produce last year, seems to have earned first dibs on the No. 2 running back role for 2026. Barring a surprise during the NFL Draft, it seems like Blue will be the direct backup to Williams. As a result, he has plenty of fantasy appeal as the handcuff behind Williams. Managers who roster Williams in dynasty leagues should consider sending out trade offers for Blue this offseason.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 6, 2026

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) left his start on Monday in the World Series rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers with right-forearm tendinitis, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Matheson also explains that the Blue Jays knew about Scherzer's forearm tendinitis going into his start on Monday, and it didn't get any worse. Manager John Schneider is "fairly confident" that Scherzer will make his next start. The 41-year-old veteran was pulled from the game at the Rogers Centre after just two innings and 36 pitches. Scherzer allowed two runs on two hits while walking one and striking out two over his two innings. Toronto can ill-afford another injury to its decimated starting rotation, but it looks like Scherzer will be allowed to make his next start on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. The aging and no longer dominant future Hall of Famer should be avoided in DFS in that matchup.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson

April 6, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden flashed tremendous upside at various points throughout his rookie season in 2025. He had a four-game stretch with 24 catches, 377 yards, and two touchdowns from Week 6-9, and he added two more double-digit fantasy performances from Week 15-17. Gadsden had some explosive showings, but his lack of consistency prevented him from establishing himself as a surefire TE1. Instead, he finished the year as the overall TE15 in PPR leagues. That's still not bad for a rookie by any means, but we'd like (and expect) to see Gadsden take a significant leap heading into Year 2 of his career. Not only is the second season a common time for tight ends to break out, but Gadsden should also benefit from the Chargers' new-look offensive system. The Bolts hired mastermind Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator, taking the offense to a whole new level. We've seen McDaniel squeeze production from a variety of tight ends. Darren Waller averaged 9.9 fantasy points and 0.7 touchdowns per game with the Dolphins last year; Jonnu Smith was the overall TE4 in fantasy with eight touchdowns in 2024; and, of course, McDaniel oversaw George Kittle's TE4 finish as the 49ers' offensive coordinator in 2021. Managers typically think of McDaniel as a running back and wide receiver whisperer, but his impact on tight ends cannot be overlooked. Gadsden has top-10 upside heading into 2026, making him a low-cost redraft selection and an intriguing buy-low option in dynasty leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 6, 2026

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson picked up his first win of the season on Monday, pitching 6 2/3 scoreless innings and allowing three hits and a walk while striking out four in his team's 2-0 win over the Miami Marlins. The quality start against Miami was a much-needed bounce-back effort for the 28-year-old, who got roughed up for six earned runs in his first start of the year against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Entering 2026, Williamson had pitched just 14 1/3 MLB innings across the past two seasons due to shoulder and elbow injuries. However, with Reds starters Hunter Greene (elbow) and Nick Lodolo (finger) both opening the year on the injured list, Williamson is getting his chance to prove he's worthy of a rotation spot. The left-hander owns just a 19.8% strikeout rate across 136 career big-league innings, so he may not offer fantasy managers much swing-and-miss ability. However, Williamson could be worth monitoring as a potentially cheap source of innings in deep leagues. His next scheduled start is Saturday at home against the Los Angeles Angels.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

April 6, 2026

Before his withdrawal after the first hole of The Players that ruined many bets and DFS lineups, Collin Morikawa was on his way to being the second-highest favorite for the year's first major. He was coming off a win at Pebble Beach and posted two top 10 finishes thereafter. The putter was beginning to come into form, and his ball striking was spot on. Since then, he's been forced to pull his name from the hat in Texas and comes into Augusta National with way more questions than answers. Morikawa's 1.066 strokes gained on approach average still leads the PGA Tour season, but it's hard to keep that level of precision going without reps. Most sportsbooks have plummeted the 29-year-old's odds to 30-1 odds and beyond, while it hasn't affected DFS pricing much. Regardless, his health and hesitancy to even fully commit to being ready to go by Thursday make him entirely too scary to mess with.--Todd McGill
Source: PGA Tour

April 6, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell is embarking on the next chapter of his career after switching teams during free agency. After spending his first three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Mitchell signed with the Chargers. He goes from playing for John Harbaugh in Baltimore to playing for Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. Mitchell had an underwhelming three-year stint with the Ravens, peaking as the overall RB59 as a rookie in 2023. Occupying a depth role has limited his upside, but injury issues have been a greater burden to his development. He missed 21 games over his first two seasons in the league, as well as an additional four games last year. If Mitchell, now 24, can stay healthy with the Bolts, he has the potential to carve out standalone fantasy value as an RB3/flex. The East Carolina product has flashed some of the best burst in the NFL, consistently breaking off huge runs and capitalizing on his limited playing time. A more consistent role -- now behind Omarion Hampton in L.A. -- could be exactly what he needs to finally break out. The scheme represents a great fit, too, as he'll now be playing for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who was able to maximize the potential of similar speedy running backs like Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane in Miami. Mitchell isn't a top-36 running back in dynasty or redraft formats yet, but he's an intriguing buy-low candidate because of his upside.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 6, 2026

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker picked up his first save of 2026 on Monday, allowing a solo home run but striking out two in the ninth inning of his team's 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The 31-year-old has been sharp to open the year, recording six strikeouts while allowing just one hit and zero walks across his first four innings pitched. With Rays reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the injured list, Tampa Bay right-hander Griffin Jax got the first crack at the team's closer role. However, Jax has struggled mightily so far in 2026, opening the door for Baker to get an opportunity. Across 211 2/3 career MLB innings, Baker owns just five total saves. However, he has struck out nearly 28% of the batters he's faced in the big leagues and recorded a stellar 24.1% K-BB rate in 2025. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Baker could be a player for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

April 6, 2026

Regardless of the consensus on Ludvig Aberg's ability to get the job done, no one can argue with his ability to be a part of the conversation. He's gone T3-T5-T5 over his last three starts, and there aren't many statistical metrics where he isn't ranked inside the top 50. On paper, there is no weakness to speak of. However, the back nine on Sunday has made his picture-perfect golf swing produce some odd outcomes. Luckily, Augusta can be an easier place to get off the tee and into a playable area. The Swede will easily be one of the safest DFS picks this week, even if his presence in or near the lead on the final day will be too stressful to watch.--Todd McGill
Source: PGA Tour

April 6, 2026

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan made his second start of 2026 on Monday, pitching four innings and allowing two earned runs, one hit, and four walks while striking out five in his team's 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The talented lefty is trying to revitalize his MLB career after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and the entirety of 2025 due to a nerve issue in his triceps. Thus far, command has been a major issue for McClanahan, as he's issued seven walks across 8 2/3 innings pitched. Before his injury troubles, McClanahan had never recorded a walk rate above 8.7% in any of his three big-league seasons. While his control of the strike zone could return as he gets more reps under his belt in 2026, his current control issues will limit his ability to work deep into games. Fantasy managers may be forced to go in a different direction in their starting rotation, at least in the short term.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

April 6, 2026

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond had a disappointing rookie season in 2025, catching just 18 of 44 targets for 338 yards through 16 games. The speedy pass-catcher out of Texas was unable to develop much of a rapport with a subpar quarterback room featuring Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. On one hand, Year 2 is a common time for receivers to break out, so Bond could be due for a step forward in that regard. On the other hand, he's likely facing even more competition in the future. He spent last season operating behind Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. Next season, he'll likely remain behind both of them, and there's also a growing sense that the Browns will select their WR1 of the future with the sixth overall pick in the draft. That would drop Bond to fourth on the depth chart, as well as fifth in the pass-catching pecking order when you also consider breakout tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Heading into Year 2 is encouraging for Bond, but his reduced role on the depth chart, coupled with poor quarterback play, will make it difficult for him to break out.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 6, 2026

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has been trending up in fantasy football year after year. He opened his career as the RB44 as a rookie in 2022, but he has been a top-12 fantasy running back every season since then. He jumped to the ranking of overall RB6 last year, carrying the Bills' offense with 1,621 rushing yards, 291 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. Before the season, critics forecasted touchdown regression for Cook. While his touchdown total did scale back slightly from 18 to 14, he was still highly productive around the goal line, and he handled a new career-high rushing workload. The Bills underwent a coaching staff shakeup during the offseason, but new head coach Joe Brady was formerly Buffalo's offensive coordinator, so we don't expect the offense to look too different next year. Cook should continue to operate as the every-down back, rarely ceding touches to Ty Johnson and Ray Davis. He continues to have top-five upside in redraft and dynasty formats.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 6, 2026

It will be one of the few "firsts" left of Rory McIlroy's Hall of Fame career, as he will look to become the fourth person in Masters history to run it back at Augusta National. Many are still wondering whether a back issue is still lingering from his premature exit at the API. He returned the following week at TPC Sawgrass, but still wasn't back to the form he began the year with. Still, we haven't seen him in nearly a month, so the state of his game is a bit up in the air. With the limited sample size we have for the 36-year-old, he leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained from tee to green (1.933) and bogey avoidance. He's also one of the best par-5 players and GIR percentage in the game. Look for McIlroy to put up a commendable effort this week.--Todd McGill
Source: PGA Tour

April 6, 2026

Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning and recorded his fourth save of the season in his team's 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday. Pagan's overall numbers for the year don't look pretty, as he's pitched to a 7.11 ERA with three walks and six strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings pitched. However, the 34-year-old's line is tainted by one four-run outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pagan has allowed just one run across his other five appearances combined, and he's converted four of his five save chances. The veteran right-hander picked up 32 saves for Cincinnati in 2025, and he appears to have a firm hold on the team's closer job to begin 2026 as well. As long as that remains the case, Pagan should be in the starting lineup of fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

April 6, 2026

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg picked up his third save of the season on Monday, pitching a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Across 4 2/3 innings pitched in 2026, the 30-year-old has allowed five hits, two earned runs, and two walks while recording three strikeouts. While Erceg's numbers don't scream dominance, he has been effective since taking over the Kansas City closer job from Carlos Estevez (foot). Estevez is currently on the 15-day injured list with a foot injury that is not expected to cause him to miss significant time. However, Estevez struggled mightily in both Spring Training and his lone 2026 regular season appearance before being placed on the IL. Erceg profiles as a must-start reliever in the short term for fantasy managers, and could end up holding the ninth-inning role in Kansas City for the remainder of the year.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

April 6, 2026

While he hasn't received nearly the same recognition he probably deserves, Bryson DeChambeau is playing some really good golf at the moment. He's coming off back-to-back victories on LIV and is arguably the playing favorite coming into the week. The length has been a strength at Augusta National for him, averaging 1.55 strokes gained off the tee over his last three Masters appearances. Wedges and short game seem to be one thing holding him back from holding on down the stretch, but the 32-year-old has become one of the fiercest big-game hunters in the sport, and should have all the confidence in the world ahead of Thursday's opening round.--Todd McGill
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Patrick Cantlay has won eight times in his PGA career. The American golfer has struggled in majors lately missing three straight cuts. At the last Masters Tournament, Cantlay finished T-36. Combine that with three other Top 40 results, that is not too bad. However, the concern with Cantlay is that he always has at least one round at Augusta which goes way south. Last year, it was Round 1 where Cantlay began with a 74. 2023 saw him contending before a final round 75 knocked him outside the Top 10 (T-14). Distance is one concern with Cantlay but another is his Par 5 birdie percentage which ranks 107th (45.65%). While his birdie or better percentage is a solid 70th at 22.45%, Cantlay is a volatile DFS choice and even worse betting wager at Augusta. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

April 6, 2026

Harris English finished tied for 21st at the Texas Children's Houston Open last month and will now start preparing for this week's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. English has one missed cut and five top-25 finishes in eight starts this season. He finished tied for 12th at last year's Masters Tournament and tied for 22nd in 2024. Over the past 12 months, English ranks in the 89th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Master's Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Sam Burns finished tied for 21st at the Texas Children's Houston Open last month and will now turn his focus to preparing for this week's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Burns has three missed cuts and three top-25 finishes in seven starts this season. He finished tied for 46th at last year's Masters Tournament and missed the cut in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Burns ranks in the 69th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Corey Conners finished tied for 14th at the Valspar Championship last month and will now focus on preparing for this week's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Conners has one missed cut and three top-25 finishes in seven starts this season. He finished tied for eighth at the 2025 Masters Tournament and tied for 38th in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Conners ranks in the 97th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Russell Henley missed the cut at last week's Valero Texas Open after being one of the favorites heading into the tournament. Henley will now look to put that behind him as he prepares for this week's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Henley has two missed cuts and five top-25 finishes in seven starts this season. Henley missed the cut at last year's Masters Tournament but finished tied for 38th in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Henley ranks in the 80th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Robert MacIntyre finished tied for second at last week's Valero Texas Open. He will now turn his focus to preparing for this week's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. So far this season, MacIntyre has five top-25 finishes and no missed cuts in seven starts. He missed the cut at the 2025 edition of the Masters Tournament but finished tied for 23rd in 2022. Over the past 12 months, MacIntyre ranks in the 45th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Justin Rose finished second at last year's Masters Tournament, losing in a playoff to Rory McIlroy. Rose has started the 2026 season with one win, three missed cuts, and one top-15 finish in six starts. Rose finished tied for 13th at the PLAYERS Championship last month and will now focus on preparing for this year's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Over the past 12 months, Rose ranks in the 96th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Matt Fitzpatrick walked away as the winner at the Valspar Championship last month to secure his first win of the 2026 season. He'll now focus on preparing for this week's Masters Tournament held at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Fitzpatrick has one win and three top-15 finishes in seven starts this season. He finished tied for 40th at the Masters Tournament in 2025 and tied for 22nd in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Fitzpatrick ranks in the 79th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Xander Schauffele finished tied for fourth at the Valspar Championship three weeks ago and will now focus on preparing for this week's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Schauffele has one missed cut and five top-25 finishes in seven starts this season. Schauffele finished tied for eighth in the 2025 edition of the Masters Tournament and eighth in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Schauffele ranks in the 97th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf

April 6, 2026

Scottie Scheffler finished tied for 22nd at the PLAYERS Championship last month and will now turn his focus to preparing for this week's Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Scheffler has one win and five top-25 finishes in six starts this season. Scheffler finished fourth at last year's Masters Tournament and walked away as the winner in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Scheffler ranks in the 98th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because over 38% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Masters Tournament.--Ian Christenson - RotoBaller
Source: Data Golf