RADIO
Grant Taylor a Worthy Waiver Wire Target Even Without Full-Time Closer Role
Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, recording a 7-2 record with a 2.16 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts across 75 innings (55 games). The 24-year-old is averaging 98.1 miles per hour on his fastball and has paired an excellent 32.4% strikeout rate with a manageable 8.7% walk rate. Given Taylor's utility to the White Sox as a high-leverage fireman who can work more than one inning, the team has not deployed him as a traditional closer. Still, he's racked up eight saves this season and remains a threat to take over the full-time closer role in Chicago at any point. Even if Taylor's usage remains the same down the stretch, he provides value to fantasy managers as a high-end source of ratios and a better source of strikeouts and wins than most relievers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ray Davis Offers Late-Round Value
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis doesn't offer much standalone value, but is an intriguing handcuff option. Davis hasn't seen a ton of work on the ground due to the fact that James Cook has been mostly healthy. However, Davis remains one of the more popular handcuff options because of the way the Bills love to pound the ball on the ground. The 26-year-old only rushed the ball 58 times last season, but averaged 4.74 yards per carry. Davis is successful when he gets an opportunity, but his chances have been limited so far during his two years in the league. Davis isn't a must-roster player, but is someone worth considering during the final round on Draft Day due to his potential upside if Cook ever goes down.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
George Kittle's Week 1 Workload is Undecided
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was seen participating in practice on Monday. 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak says Kittle looks good for the season opener, but his workload is still to be determined, Cam Inman reports. Kittle still needs to get through a few more practices, but is trending towards playing on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Rams. The 32-year-old made an incredibly quick recovery from a torn right Achilles that he suffered during a playoff game in January. When healthy, Kittle is a top-tier tight end, but fantasy managers might need to be patient with him for a game or two.
Source: Cam Inman
Source: Cam Inman
Cal Quantrill a Priority Starting Pitcher Streamer Amidst Recent Hot Streak
Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill has had a resurgent 2026 season, recording a 7-5 record with a 2.79 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts across 96 2/3 innings (29 games). The 31-year-old opened the 2026 season working exclusively as a reliever before moving into a hybrid bulk role through the middle part of the year. However, Quantrill has been lights-out since transitioning into a full-time starting role in mid-August. Across five starts since August 12, Quantrill has posted a 3-1 record with a 1.16 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts across 31 innings. In Quantrill's most recent start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, he recorded seven shutout innings with five strikeouts. Given his recent success, Quantrill profiles as a must-roster starting pitcher for fantasy managers ahead of his appealing matchup in Seattle against the Mariners on Wednesday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Andy Pages Starts Swing Progression, Hitting Off a Tee
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (hand) said he has been hitting off a tee the last two days as he starts his swing progression from a broken left hand, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Pages says he is pain-free. When Pages was placed on the 10-day injured list, the Dodgers gave him an estimated timetable of four to five weeks before a potential return. He is just over two weeks removed from the injury and appears to be making progress, but he obviously still has a way to go and probably will not be an option for the Dodgers' lineup again until the postseason in October. With Pages out, utility man Tommy Edman has seen most of the action in center field, with veteran Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland splitting time at the keystone. Pages was a first-time All-Star in 2026 in his third year in the big leagues with the Dodgers, slashing .272/.338/.458 with a .797 OPS, 21 home runs, 80 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 72 runs scored in 128 games across 550 plate appearances. If not for his hand injury, Pages likely would have set career highs in most of the major counting-stat categories.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Rashod Bateman is Avoidable in Redraft Formats
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is trending in the wrong direction heading into the regular season. Bateman could be facing a suspension by the league after getting arrested on violence charges in June. The investigation is not over yet, but a potential suspension does significantly hurt Bateman's value. Bateman is currently the No. 2 option behind Zay Flowers on the depth chart. Rookie Ja'Kobi Lane appears to be quickly gaining ground and could jump Bateman for that spot soon. The 26-year-old finished with 19 receptions for 224 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 13 games with the Ravens last season. Fantasy managers in redraft formats can find a much more reliable option than Bateman.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Zebby Matthews Emerging as an Appealing Starting Pitcher Streamer
Across 117 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has recorded a 9-9 record with a 4.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. While Matthews' season-long numbers may not stand out as particularly impressive, he's been much better in recent appearances. Across his last 47 innings (eight starts), the 26-year-old has posted a 5-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. Matthews' lack of strikeout ability limits his fantasy upside, but he profiles as a potential WHIP asset due to his stellar command (6.8% walk rate). As a matchup-dependent streaming option, Matthews profiles as a quality option for fantasy managers. His next scheduled start will come on Wednesday in Detroit against the Tigers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Donald Non-Committal on Week 1 Status
Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been non-committal on whether he will play in the Week 1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, according to Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post. "We're taking it day by day," Donald said on Monday. The 35-year-old veteran was already believed to have traveled with the Rams to Australia, but that is uncertain now. After coming out of retirement to join All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett in L.A. in 2026, Donald is expected to be more of a situational pass-rusher to maximize his effectiveness, and he might not make his season debut until Week 2 or 3 as he continues to work his way back into football shape. The former 13th overall pick in 2014 from Pittsburgh is a future Hall of Famer and has been a Pro Bowler in all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Rams, racking up 111 sacks in his 154 regular-season games played. With more of a limited role in his return in 2026, though, Donald will be more of a boom/bust fantasy asset in IDP formats.
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Chig Okonkwo Could be Headed Towards Breakout Campaign
Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo is likely an afterthought for most fantasy managers, but he deserves a serious look this upcoming season. The Commanders signed Okonkwo to a three-year deal this past offseason. The assumption is that they gave him a long-term deal with the intention of him operating as the top pass-catching tight end. The 27-year-old was recently listed as the starter on the unofficial depth chart. Okonkwo has posted three straight seasons with 50 receptions or more. He'll now be in a better offense led by quarterback Jayden Daniels. If everything goes right, Okonkwo has legitimate top-12 upside with his new organization.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Henry Bolte Has Emerged as a Must-Roster Outfielder
Entering play on Monday, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte was hitting .274/.352/.386 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases across 394 big-league plate appearances in 2026. Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Bolte has established himself as an everyday piece of the Athletics outfield. Since early August, the 23-year-old has also emerged as the team's everyday leadoff hitter. While Bolte has consistently hit the ball hard (47.5% hard-hit rate), his power upside is limited by his 0.8-degree average launch angle and his 62.6% ground-ball rate. However, between his penchant for hitting it on the ground and his elite speed, Bolte should be able to maintain a solid batting average and on-base percentage. If he can start to put the ball in the air a bit more while maintaining his hard contact, Bolte could break out as a five-category performer. In leagues where he's currently unrostered, Bolte profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nick Bosa Will Play in Week 1
According to Nick Wagoner, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) will be available for the Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The return of Bosa is a significant boost for the 49ers' defense heading into Thursday's game in Australia. Bosa has been working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 of last season. 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is confident that Bosa is going to be out there for the season opener. IDP managers should manage their expectations with this being his first game back since surgery. It wouldn't be shocking to see the 49ers be careful with Bosa during his first game since September of last year.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Kodai Senga a Must-Roster Saves Source Across All League Formats
After a brutal beginning to the season while working as a starter, New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga has salvaged his season since being moved into the bullpen. Since becoming a full-time high-leverage reliever in early August, Senga has allowed just two earned runs while recording 13 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings (13 games). With Mets closer Devin Williams (shoulder) on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, Senga has also taken over as the team's preferred ninth-inning option and is a perfect six-for-six on save chances for the season. While the 33-year-old struggled with health and command while working as a starter, his high-end stuff makes him a solid bet to continue performing in a bullpen role. In any league where he's not already rostered, Senga should be a waiver wire priority for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Remains a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target
Across 134 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in late July, Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark is hitting .258/.326/.417 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 21-year-old has not demonstrated much power at the big-league level just yet, posting just a 1.1% barrel rate and a 38.9% hard-hit rate. However, Clark has established himself as Detroit's everyday center fielder with his high-end defense, which should keep him in the lineup on an everyday basis. The young outfielder showed off some five-category upside in the minor leagues this season before his promotion, hitting .276 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases at Triple-A. Clark posted a 12% walk rate in the minors in 2026 and a 17.6% walk rate in the minors in 2025. If he can get on base a bit more consistently down the stretch this season, Clark's speed could start to show up at the big-league level as well. Fantasy managers looking for upside on the waiver wire should consider adding Clark.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hunter Henry Remains a High-Floor Deep-League Tight End Option
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry put together a quietly productive season in 2025, recording 60 catches for 768 yards and seven touchdowns on 87 targets across 17 games. The 31-year-old finished second on the Patriots in targets and first in touchdown receptions. New England added some significant pass-catching talent over the offseason, trading for star wide receiver A.J. Brown and signing veteran wideout Romeo Doubs in free agency. Still, Henry remains atop the team's tight end depth chart entering 2026, and he proved last season that he has the trust of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the red zone. Particularly in deeper league formats, Henry profiles as a high-floor tight end option who should be a worthy streamer in the right matchups for fantasy managers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Baylor Scheierman Positioned for a Leap in Boston
Boston Celtics guard/forward Baylor Scheierman was identified by John Karalis of the Celtics for Sports Illustrated as the roster's best candidate to make the biggest leap this season. Scheierman averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.6 minutes across 77 games in 2025-26, but his 20 starts were more useful: 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 28.3 minutes. Karalis pointed to Scheierman's 49.4 percent mark from the corners, behind only Payton Pritchard on Boston, as his edge over Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh. Karalis also framed Paul George's projected missed games as part of the opportunity, giving Scheierman a path to spot starts if his shooting carries over.
Source: John Karalis
Source: John Karalis
