RADIO
James Conner is Avoidable in Redraft Formats
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) was placed on the Injured Reserve to begin the season. He continues to have issues with a foot injury that ended his 2025 season. Conner will miss at least the first four games of the season while he recovers from that. Once he's back, there might not be a significant role in the backfield for Conner. Rookie Jeremiah Love (ankle) figures to play a big part in the running back once he's back to full speed. The Cardinals also signed Tyler Allgeier to a two-year deal during the offseason. Conner figures to have some kind of role once he's healthy, but he isn't someone who needs to be selected in redraft formats to begin the season. He could be worth stashing on the IR, but who knows what kind of role he'll have in the mess of this backfield.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kimani Vidal Gets Praised for his Pass Protection
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has reportedly been the best pass-protector in the backfield during camp, according to Alexander Insdorf. Vidal won't be the starter, but that doesn't mean that he won't have a significant role in the offense this season. His above-average pass-blocking abilities could get him on the field more frequently than fantasy managers might think. Omarion Hampton is the starter, but Vidal could have an advantage over Keaton Mitchell (knee) for the No. 2 role in the backfield. Vidal might be fantasy relevant outside of being the handcuff to Hampton. He's worth stashing for fantasy managers seeking additional depth in the backfield.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Demond Claiborne Unlikely to See Significant Action
Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne was unlikely to make a legitimate push for playing time this summer. The 22-year-old was likely always going to be a depth option after being taken in the sixth-round by the Vikings during this year's draft. Claiborne did little to impress during the preseason, and he appears to have himself locked into the RB3 role in Minnesota. There probably won't be room for much action with Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason leading the way in the running game. His only chance at seeing serious playing time would be if one of the backs goes down with an injury. He is best left on the waiver wire in redraft formats to begin the year.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Marvin Mims Jr. Could See Reduced Role
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. might have taken a step back on the depth chart. The 24-year-old appears to have lost the No. 3 wideout battle to Pat Bryant during the summer. Bryant posted a decent rookie campaign and appears to have secured himself a starting gig to begin the season. Mims will likely take a step back and play more of a reserve role to start the season, which makes him a shaky option in redrafts. The Broncos already have Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton as their primary passing options. There might not be enough room for Mims to be a serious threat this upcoming season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tutu Atwell has Path to WR3 Role
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell has a path to being a starter to begin the season. The Rams recently acquired Atwell in a deal that sent running back Jarquez Hunter to the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old will return to Los Angeles after spending the first five years of his career with the team. He signed with the Dolphins over the offseason, but was traded to the Rams because he likely wasn't going to make the 53-man roster. Now, Atwell has a chance to be the third wideout in this offense. However, that role might not mean too much with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams ahead of him on the depth chart. Atwell did very little as a receiver last season, so he's probably best left on the waiver wire until he proves he can do something consistently.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Nate Boerkircher is Best Left as a Dynasty Stash
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Nate Boerkircher is unlikely to see a significant role in the offense to begin the season. The Jaguars selected Boerkircher in the second-round of this year's draft out of Texas A&M. He didn't see a ton of action during the preseason, but the Jags do like his offensive upside. The downside is that Boerkircher is the clear No. 2 option behind Brenton Strange to begin the season. Barring any injuries, Boerkircher is unlikely to see a ton of action during his rookie campaign. The 25-year-old could be worth stashing in dynasty leagues for fantasy managers who are willing to wait on his development. The Jaguars spent a second-round pick on Boerkircher, so they do believe he can be a contributor at some point.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tyler Higbee Could Get Lost in the Shuffle
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is likely to see reduced playing time this upcoming season. He signed a two-year deal with the Rams in March, but that doesn't guarantee that he's going to be a significant part of the offense. The Rams have Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, and rookie Max Klare all fighting for playing time as well. Higbee hasn't exactly been much of a threat in the offense since his 2022 season. The 33-year-old was likely just brought back as depth, but he'll probably struggle to remain relevant in the passing attack. It's probably best to leave Higbee on the waiver wire to begin the season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ja'Tavion Sanders Likely to Lose Playing Time
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders might not be as appealing of a fantasy option as he was earlier in the summer. The Panthers recently signed veteran tight end Darren Waller to a deal for the 2026 season. He has been taking first-time reps, which pushes the rest of the tight ends down a spot. The latest unofficial depth chart has Sanders listed as third behind Waller and Tommy Tremble. The presence of Waller is certainly going to hurt Sanders' path to playing time. The 23-year-old still has decent upside as a dynasty stash, but he isn't someone who should be rostered in redraft formats to begin the season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Olamide Zaccheaus has Interesting Upside as Starter
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has been quietly moving up draft boards recently. In the latest unofficial depth chart, Zaccheaus is listed as a starter ahead of rookie Zachariah Branch. The expectation is that Zaccheaus will remain a starter to begin the season while Branch gets more comfortable as a pro. Down the road, Zaccheaus could lose playing time, but he might be a deep league option to begin the season. The Falcons are going to lean on Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. as their focal points in the passing game. They also have stud running back leading the charge on the ground. There might not be a ton of work for Zaccheaus, but he could be worth stashing in deep leagues to begin the year.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Zach LaVine Optimistic About Kings' Season
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine said his offseason is going well and that he is excited about the team's younger group, according to Logan Struck of Sports Illustrated. LaVine also touched on his leadership role, saying he already texted rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. and plans to connect with more of Sacramento's young players closer to camp. The two-time All-Star picked up his $49 million player option this summer after hand surgery ended his season at 39 games. LaVine averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from three. He should have scoring volume if healthy, but Acuff's arrival and Domantas Sabonis' playmaking keep LaVine more valuable for points and threes than assists.
Source: Logan Struck
Source: Logan Struck
Davion Mitchell Enters Camp with a Clear Path to Starter Minutes
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell is deserving of the starting point guard job, but Miami's depth behind him remains a question, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote in his latest mailbag. Dru Smith projects as the backup, while two-way rookie Tre Donaldson is the next internal option if injuries hit. That setup helps Mitchell's minutes outlook after he started all 70 of his appearances last season, averaging 9.3 points, 6.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 28.6 minutes while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three. He will not carry fantasy teams with scoring, but the assists, steals, and secure role keep him useful if Miami does not add another veteran guard.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Darius Garland Set to Run Clippers Offense
Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland enters 2026-27 positioned to run the offense for a full season, with Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko writing that whatever optimism remains around the team starts there. Garland was still managing a lingering toe issue when he arrived from Cleveland in February, but he averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in 19 games while helping L.A. reach the play-in tournament. Kawhi Leonard's expected move to Toronto leaves Garland with a clearer on-ball role, though Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick are expected back in the deal. Iko noted the Clippers ranked 23rd in three-point attempts last season, so Garland's creation should help shooters like Max Strus and Dick. If the toe cooperates, Garland has a strong fantasy setup built around points, assists, and threes.
Source: Kelly Iko
Source: Kelly Iko
Collin Sexton Cites Winning in Lakers Free-Agent Decision
Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton said the chance to win and make an impact on a big stage drove his free-agent decision, according to ESPN LA. "I feel like I just fit right in," the former No. 8 pick said. Sexton signed a two-year, $19 million deal with a player option after averaging 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 26 games with Chicago last season while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from three. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves still control the offense, leaving Sexton as a bench scorer whose fantasy value depends on minutes, efficiency, and whether his defensive stats hold.
Source: ESPN LA
Source: ESPN LA
Ben Simmons Open to Long-Term Stay in Sacramento
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Ben Simmons could be open to staying beyond his one-year deal if the fit works, ESPN's Marc J. Spears told Sactown Sports 1140. Spears described Simmons as a loyal player and said, "I think he'd want to stay" if both sides are happy after this season. Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract Friday after sitting out all of 2025-26 while working back from chronic back issues. He last played in 2024-25, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.7 steals in 22.0 minutes across 51 games with Brooklyn and the Clippers. His fantasy value depends on whether Doug Christie gives him real second-unit ball-handling work behind Darius Acuff Jr. The assists, rebounds, and steals still help, but the absent jumper and year away keep the risk high.
Source: Sactown Sports 1140
Source: Sactown Sports 1140
Jadarian Price Unlikely to Occupy Every-Down Role in Seattle
Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price will be a major part of the team's offense this season, but he's not expected to occupy an every-down role, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "I don't know if he's going to be that huge 20-carry-per-game workload, because Seattle likes to use two or three backs," Fowler said. "That's their plan this season." Hype had been growing for Price in recent weeks, especially after the Seahawks officially placed Zach Charbonnet (knee) on the PUP list. However, this latest update shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Indeed, Seattle is known for sharing the running back workload, and Price's track record suggested he isn't ready for an every-down role. During his final season at Notre Dame, he averaged just 9.4 carries per game, albeit in a role behind fellow first-round pick Jeremiyah Love. We do imagine that Price will be the preferred ball-carrier while Charbonnet is sidelined, but we fully expect George Holani and Emanuel Wilson to carve out sizable roles, too.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
