RADIO
Zach Charbonnet Falling Behind in Seahawks' Backfield Competition?
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he works his way back from a torn ACL. The 25-year-old underwent knee surgery in late February, making it likely that he will not be ready for the start of the season. Across 16 games in 2025, Charbonnet recorded 874 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns on 204 touches while splitting carries with former Seahawks back Kenneth Walker III. Walker III departed Seattle for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, which could open up an expanded role for Charbonnet once he makes it back to the field. However, the Seahawks used the 32nd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on running back Jadarian Price, who has turned heads in training camp and appears to be establishing himself as the team's clear RB1 heading into the year. Given Charbonnet's uncertain return timeline and the backfield competition in Seattle, his fantasy value is questionable.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shohei Ohtani Could Pitch Next Week
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) could pitch in a game as early as next week, according to Dylan Hernandez. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the news on Sunday that Ohtani is nearly ready to get back on the mound. The right-hander threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session on Saturday. That marked the first time that Ohtani had pitched since being shut down because of his knee issues last month. Ohtani has pitched in a game since July 3, but he has been incredible on the mound when he was healthy. Ohtani owns a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and a 95/26 K/BB ratio across 85.2 innings of work this season. He'll continue to serve as the designated hitter until he's ready to get back on the mound.
Source: Dylan Hernandez
Source: Dylan Hernandez
Pat Bryant Could Be Working His Way into an Expanded Role in Denver
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant recorded 31 catches for 378 yards and a touchdown on 49 targets across 15 games (seven starts) as a rookie. Entering 2026, Denver has one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the NFL between Bryant, Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Troy Franklin. Still, Bryant has consistently drawn positive reviews for his work in training camp so far this summer. The word out of Denver is also that the team wants to be conservative with the 30-year-old Sutton's workload, which could put Bryant in position to see regular playing time. While fantasy managers should not expect Bryant to put up big stats early in the year, the talented second-year wideout could still be worth targeting as a late-round stash candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Well-Positioned for a 2026 Resurgence
After an impressive rookie season in 2024, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey put together a relatively underwhelming sophomore campaign in 2025. Across 16 games, McConkey recorded 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets. However, the 24-year-old looks to be well-positioned for a bounce-back year in 2026. Former Chargers wideout Keenan Allen is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, which should allow McConkey to play a higher-volume role from the slot. Los Angeles also has a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, who has a proven track record of getting highly productive seasons out of his top wide receivers. Entering 2026, fantasy managers should view McConkey as a high-end WR2 option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hunter Henry Looking More Like a Matchup Play in 2026
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is coming off one of his best seasons, but the setup is tougher this time around. Henry caught 60 of 87 targets for a career-high 768 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, finishing as a top-seven fantasy tight end. The role itself is safe. New England agreed to a two-year extension with him this month, Julian Hill is out for the season, and third-round rookie Eli Raridon is still behind him. The issue is everything the Patriots added outside. A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs joined a receiver room that also has DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, so another 87 targets are harder to bank on. Henry has still been involved in camp and was the offensive standout at the August 3 practice. RotoBaller ranks him TE18 and 150th overall in PPR. He can absolutely have useful weeks with Drake Maye, especially near the goal line, but the weekly volume looks shakier than it did a year ago. He's more of a late TE2 or matchup option than someone to count on every week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joshua Palmer Pushing Hard for a Top-Three Role
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer looks a lot different now that last year's knee and ankle problems are behind him. Palmer managed only 22 catches for 303 yards in 12 games during his first season in Buffalo, then missed the playoffs after never really getting healthy again. This summer has gone much better. He caught two deep balls from Josh Allen on August 11, made a tough back-shoulder grab during the August 18 open practice and stayed hot against Cleveland two days later. Palmer came down with a covered touchdown in the red zone during the joint practice and connected with Allen again in seven-on-seven work. Buffalo has said his camp has put him in good position to earn a top-three receiver role, though there is still competition for those snaps. Palmer hasn't won anything yet. He has at least looked like the healthy downfield threat the Bills thought they were getting a year ago. RotoBaller has him 258th overall in PPR, which leaves him firmly in late-round territory if he carries this momentum into September.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Juwan Johnson Holding Firm as a Redraft Riser
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson hasn't given up much ground after last year's breakout. He caught 77 passes for 889 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets, finishing third among NFL tight ends in receiving yards. New Orleans added Noah Fant, drafted Oscar Delp in the third round and spent the eighth overall pick on Jordyn Tyson, so there was plenty of reason to wonder whether Johnson's volume would take a hit. So far, he's still on top of the tight end depth chart. Johnson has made plays throughout camp, including a fourth-and-1 touchdown from Tyler Shough on August 11 with Kool-Aid McKinstry all over him. The Saints called it one of the best plays of camp. Fant and Delp make another 102 targets tougher to count on, and Tyson adds another talented receiver to the offense. Johnson's role hasn't disappeared, though. RotoBaller has him at TE15 and 131st overall in PPR. After the additions New Orleans made this offseason, holding onto the lead job and continuing to produce in camp has his redraft outlook moving the right way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Browns Expected to Settle Quarterback Competition Monday
The Cleveland Browns could have an answer at quarterback Monday. Jeremy Fowler reports that the team currently expects to settle on its starter after using the first two preseason games to evaluate Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Watson got the first start and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards against Chicago. Sanders started Saturday against Buffalo, throwing for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception while playing the first half. Watson followed him and finished with 35 yards and an interception. Cleveland intentionally gave both quarterbacks a preseason start, and Sanders also split first-team reps during Thursday's joint practice with Buffalo. Now the evaluation period appears to be nearing its end. Monday's decision will be especially important in Superflex leagues, where whichever quarterback wins the job immediately becomes a relevant fantasy option.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Still Belongs Near the Top of Draft Boards
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already expensive in redraft, but his summer has done nothing to knock him off the top tier. He led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards last season, catching a franchise-record 119 passes with 10 touchdowns on 163 targets. Seattle did change offensive coordinators, though Brian Fleury has kept plenty of carryover from Klint Kubiak's system, and Smith-Njigba has continued making plays with Sam Darnold. He beat Devon Witherspoon for a long touchdown in camp earlier this month and remains the clear centerpiece of the receiver room. The volume could come down some. Rashid Shaheed is expected to have a bigger offensive role after a full offseason in Seattle, while Cooper Kupp is still involved. Smith-Njigba was doing all of that damage last year in an offense that attempted the fourth-fewest passes in the league, though, so he does not need another 163 targets to stay elite. RotoBaller moved him from WR4 in its July PPR rankings to WR3 in the latest update. At this point, he still belongs near the top of fantasy draft boards.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mack Hollins Faces a Steeper Climb for Targets
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins still has a role, but it is getting harder to see enough targets for him to matter in redraft. Hollins caught 46 passes for 550 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games last season, then New England added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to an already crowded room. Through the first 10 practices of camp, Brown, Doubs and DeMario Douglas were typically the three receivers around Drake Maye, with Hollins and Kayshon Boutte getting regular work with the second team. Hollins has still made plays. The Patriots have used his size and blocking in heavier personnel, and he has caught multiple camp touchdowns on delayed releases and boot concepts. That makes him useful to the offense without guaranteeing much fantasy volume. There are simply more receivers fighting for Maye's attention now than there were a year ago. RotoBaller ranks Hollins WR86 and 233rd overall in PPR. He can have a role on Sundays and still be difficult to trust in fantasy lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cole Kmet Is Getting Harder to Draft
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is getting harder to make a redraft case for. He caught 30 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns last season, and his offensive snap share fell from 88% in 2024 to 70%. Colston Loveland was the bigger problem. The 2025 first-rounder led Chicago with 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, and nothing this summer suggests the passing-game pecking order is changing. Loveland caught another red-zone touchdown from Caleb Williams during Thursday's joint practice with Cincinnati, then had a 10-yard reception on the starters' only drive Saturday night. Chicago also used the 69th overall pick on Sam Roush, giving an offense that already leans heavily on two- and three-tight-end sets another option. Kmet can still play plenty because of his blocking, but that does not guarantee enough targets for fantasy. RotoBaller has him at TE40 and 285th overall in PPR. Unless Loveland misses time, Kmet looks more like depth than a tight end fantasy managers need to draft.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luke Adams Has Shot at Promotion Now That he's Healthy
Milwaukee Brewers corner infield prospect Luke Adams (shoulder) returned from the injured list and played for Triple-A Nashville on Saturday night. Adams was 0-for-1 with two walks in his return to the lineup for the Sounds after he was out since August 9. The 22-year-old has been solid in the minor leagues this season with 16 homers and 42 RBI in 216 at-bats with Nashville while hitting .259 with 48 runs scored and eight steals. Adams is the No. 13 prospect in the Brewers' system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. He profiles more as a consistent, steady hitter rather than a league-winner in fantasy leagues. If he is called up this season, he doesn't possess the upside to be a difference-maker for fantasy managers. He would be a risky addition to fantasy teams because of this and the fact that he is returning from injury.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
With Injury, Elmer Rodriguez Could Return To Yankees
With the forearm injury to Ryan Weathers, New York Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez could return to the Yankees starting rotation from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Rodriguez is having a great month of August with three starts of two earned runs or fewer at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His last outing on August 18 saw Rodriguez go five innings allowing just one run with six hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. Rodriguez had a stint with the Yankees this season in which he started four games and went 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. The right-hander is the No. 3 prospect in the Yankees organization and has three 55-grade pitches in his fastball, changeup, and curveball. The Yankees could call up Rodriguez to replace Weathers in the rotation. For now they have called up Brendan Beck as a bulk reliever but could turn to Rodriguez eventually.
Source: Yankees PR
Source: Yankees PR
Matthew Golden Has a Much Better Setup in Year 2
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden didn't have much to show for his rookie year until the very end. He caught 29 passes for 361 yards during the regular season, then went for 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown against Chicago in the playoffs. Green Bay has cleared out some of the traffic since then. Romeo Doubs left in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks was traded, leaving Golden in the top three with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. The summer has helped his case, too. Golden caught a 57-yard touchdown from Jordan Love on Family Night, missed a couple of practices with a toe issue, then came right back without much trouble. On Friday against Denver, he was out there with the starters and caught a 19-yard pass from Love on fourth-and-inches during the opening touchdown drive. There are still plenty of mouths to feed once Tucker Kraft is included, so Golden isn't guaranteed a huge target jump. The opportunity is a lot cleaner than it was last year, though. RotoBaller has him 113th overall in PPR, and he's looking more interesting as a bench receiver with upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ethan Salas Brings Great Upside But MLB Debut is Uncertain
In 18 games with Triple-A El Paso, San Diego Padres catcher prospect Ethan Salas is hitting .338 with three homers and 20 RBI in an impressive showing since his July 29 promotion from Double-A San Antonio. The 20-year-old left-handed hitter is the top overall prospect in the Padres' system and is considered one of the top prospects in baseball. Considered an excellent fielder with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade power and the ability to play behind the plate, he is a can't miss prospect for the Padres. San Diego currently has Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin available at catcher and could just close the season out with those two. Salas would bring great upside to fantasy rosters this season, but he is more likely to debut next season and get some more time at Triple-A this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
