RADIO
Mike Vrabel Says Kyle Williams Will be "Large Part" of Offense
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams has seemingly been on the roster bubble during training camp this summer, but not if you ask head coach Mike Vrabel, according to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. The former third-rounder has looked like the team's No. 7 wideout in camp and has seen limited reps with quarterback Drake Maye, but Vrabel, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and receivers coach Todd Downing are planning on finding ways to get the speedy pass-catcher the ball. "I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us," Vrabel said. "His speed is going to help us." Williams had some big plays in 2025 as a rookie, but he only caught 10 passes on 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns. The 23-year-old from Washington State worked in the offseason to become more physical and versatile, and the Patriots have some more of a willingness to use him as a ball-carrier. "His release skills, his speed, his vertical speed, those are all things that we have to continue to take advantage of as we progress," Vrabel added. Time will tell if Vrabel's words hold up, but as things currently stand in New England's crowded WR room, it's hard to envision Williams having a big weekly role while competing for playing time with the likes of A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kayson Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Efton Chism.
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
Franklin Arias Off to Productive Start to August at Triple-A
Boston Red Sox top-rated shortstop prospect Franklin Arias is off to a scorching start since his call-up to Triple-A Worcester, hitting three homers with 12 RBI in his first 10 games at the highest level of the minors. He has started August hitting .444 with a homer and six RBI in just four games. The uber-talented 20-year-old is showing that he belongs at Triple-A but might have a bit of ways to go before a call-up to Boston. Between two levels of the minors, Arias is hitting .319 with 22 homers and 64 RBI to go with 56 runs and five steals. The right-handed hitter from Venezuela looks like a future major league star, but he might need a bit more time at Triple-A while Boston is in the thick of a playoff push. Arias, however, is a name to stash away in dynasty leagues as he looks like a future impact performer.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Utilized Near the Goal Line in Friday's Scrimmage
Sports Illustrated's John Shipley reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars' backfield plans are starting to come into focus during their scrimmage at training camp on Friday. New running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was limited at the start of camp due to a foot injury that required surgery in the spring, but he has been mixing in more this week and shared the backfield with Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. during Friday's scrimmage. Friday only reinforced the notion that head coach Liam Coen is leaning toward a backfield committee with Tuten, Rodriguez, and Allen. Tuten started the first drive and only came off the field on third down for Allen. Then C-Rod started the second drive before rotating with Tuten. Eventually, Tuten started the drives, but he came off the field in favor of Rodriguez when the team got within the 10-yard line, with Allen playing all the third downs. Both Rodriguez and Tuten had some nice runs, with Allen scoring a receiving touchdown. Fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into the team's first training camp scrimmage, but it suggests that Rodriguez and Tuten will split early-down carries, with Rodriguez potentially serving as the goal-line back.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Cam Cannarella Showing Off Elite Speed So Far at Triple-A
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella has produced since being called up to Triple-A Jacksonville. He has shown off his elite speed at Jacksonville with five stolen bases in 14 games with the Jumbo Shrimp. Cannarella is the No. 6 prospect for the Marlins and has a 60-grade run tool with a 55-grade hit tool. Between three levels of the minor leagues this season, Cannarella has 13 homers and 48 RBI in 244 at bats and has added 51 runs and 15 stolen bases while hitting .344. At age 22, the left-handed hitting Cannarella is showing off his skills in the minors, but might need more time at Triple-A before given an opportunity for a shot at Miami. He is okay to leave on the waiver wire at this point but could be useful in dynasty-league formats.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Joshua Baez A Priority Stash Target With Viable Path To Starting Job
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has performed all season at Triple-A Memphis, and it is starting to look like there is a realistic opportunity for him to make his MLB debut. Baez has 32 homers and 84 RBI at Memphis this season and has added 75 runs scored and 18 stolen bases with a .252 batting average. Baez is the No. 3 prospect in the Cardinals organization and is graded out at 60 for his power with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade run tool. St. Louis has an opening in the outfield, Baez's position, and they will likely add Baez to their outfield among Jordan Walker and Nathan Church. A highly productive power-speed combination, Baez makes an elite stash candidate, and given a chance to debut, he could produce in a big way for fantasy managers.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Bhayshul Tuten Splits Backfield, Comes Off the Field Near Goal Line
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten started the first drive during Friday's scrimmage and only came off the field on third down for LeQuint Allen Jr., according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. Chris Rodriguez Jr. then started the second drive before rotating with Tuten. The team eventually settled into "a rotation where Tuten would start the drives, Rodriguez would come on the field when the Jaguars got within the 10-yard line, and then Allen would play all of the third downs." Tuten and Rodriguez each had some positive runs, and Allen caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence. We're starting to finally get some answers as to how head coach Liam Coen's backfield will shape up for the regular season, but Shipley cautions that it's dangerous to glean too much from a scrimmage in training camp. However, he says it felt meaningful to see all three backs be used in their specific roles. Tuten is still the most explosive and highest-upside fantasy option from this backfield, but with a committee most likely to be utilized, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Tuten as a low-end RB2 in 2026.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Charlie Condon Hits Home Run No. 22 on Thursday As MLB Call-Up Approaches
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon hit a home run on Thursday night for Triple-A Albuquerque as he continues to produce at a high level ahead of a pending promotion to the MLB club. The homer was already Condon's second in August, and he has 22 total this season with 69 RBI while hitting .284. He also has 83 runs scored and six stolen bases. Condon is 23 years old and is the No. 3 prospect in the Rockies' system. The 2024 first-round draft pick is pushing for a chance at an MLB debut, and it's starting to look likely that he will be called up to Colorado, as he has some position flexibility at first base and outfield. He could provide an instant impact bat for the big league team as he has proven himself with a highly productive season at Triple-A. He is a priority name to stash away and add on the waiver wire.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Parker Washington Hype Hits New High
There may not be a player who has garnered more hype this offseason than Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington. During Friday's scrimmage, Washington caught six passes from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, including two third-down grabs and a touchdown. He was Lawrence's favorite target on Friday and throughout camp. The former sixth-round pick had 847 yards and five touchdowns last season, but he emerged down the stretch, averaging 6.5 receptions for 113.5 yards and scoring three touchdowns in his final four games. He should play the slot role in Liam Coen's offense, a position that has been a strength in Coen's scheme. Players like Cooper Kupp and Chris Godwin Jr. have had monster seasons under Coen, and Washington will hope to do the same in 2026.
Source: John Shipley - Sports Illustrated
Source: John Shipley - Sports Illustrated
Walker Jenkins Heating Up at Triple-A Ahead of Potential Promotion
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins is coming off a two-homer game for Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday and has been red-hot so far in August. In four August games, Jenkins has a .421 batting average with those two homers and two RBI with four runs scored. Jenkins missed a lot of action this season in May with an injury but has been solid in his performance for St. Paul. In 209 at-bats with St. Paul, Jenkins has six homers and 17 RBI with 39 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. Jenkins, now 21 years old, is knocking on the door for a promotion to Minnesota. Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, the No. 2 prospect for the Twins behind Jenkins, was recently promoted, and Jenkins might not be far behind. There aren't many better stash candidates than Jenkins right now before the end of the season, and he could make a big impact in five categories for fantasy managers given a call-up.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Colston Loveland Eyeing Second-Year Breakout
After a stellar finish to the 2025 season, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland is aiming for a massive second season in 2026. Loveland hauled in 58 of 82 targets for 713 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, but he really hit his stride after Week 9. He had 41 receptions on 57 targets for 479 yards and four touchdowns in the nine regular-season games after he took over as Chicago's starting tight end. And in two playoff games, Loveland caught 12 of his 25 targets for another 193 receiving yards. Not only is he further cemented in Ben Johnson's offense, but he could also develop a better connection with Caleb Williams. With wide receiver D.J. Moore gone, that should open up more work for Loveland. A 25% target share could be in the making, as Johnson loves featuring tight ends in the passing game, as he did with Sam LaPorta in 2023 and 2024. While Loveland's price is high, going as the TE3 in RotoBaller's rankings, he could contend for the number one tight end in fantasy if Williams improves on last year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Path To MLB Innings Exists for Kade Anderson Following Trade Deadline
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson has been lights-out all season long at Double-A Arkansas, and following the big-league club's trade of Luis Castillo at the deadline, there could be room for the talented left-hander in Seattle. Anderson has a 9-1 record this season with Arkansas and a 1.20 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. He also has 119 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings for an extremely enticing strikeout rate. Anderson, now 22 years old, is the No. 1 prospect in the Mariners' system and boasts a 60-grade fastball and changeup with a 55-grade curveball and slider. Anderson looks like a great late-season stash in all fantasy leagues, and his upside is extremely high with his minimal ERA and WHIP coupled with his elite strikeout rate. The only question is whether the Mariners take a chance and call up Anderson to the big leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Terry McLaurin Still a Good Value Despite WR Addition
The Washington Commanders officially signed veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Thursday, finally cementing Diggs as their WR2 opposite Terry McLaurin. While Diggs should see substantial volume in 2026, McLaurin is still set up for a big year. After a wasted 2025 season, during which McLaurin dealt with a nagging groin/hip injury, he is looking to replicate his 2024 season, when he had just under 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns with quarterback Jayden Daniels. The offensive coordinator change should also benefit McLaurin, as former OC Kliff Kingsbury used him as a primary X receiver. In 2025, he scored 96% of his fantasy points on the outside, the most of any receiver in the NFL. New coordinator David Blough publicly said he wants to get McLaurin "10 targets a game" in 2026 and should be used in motion and in different spots across the formation. McLaurin remains the WR1 on this offense. With both him and Daniels healthy, he is in position to finish among the top 10 wide receivers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elic Ayomanor Good to Go After Suffering Shoulder Injury on Thursday
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (shoulder) will participate in Friday night's scrimmage after leaving practice early Thursday. Ayomanor walked off with a trainer during practice Thursday, holding his left shoulder. Head coach Robert Saleh said, "It feels stable, but we'll get more information later." Now that he's good to go, the rising star hopes to remain a key part of the Titans' camp. The second-year receiver had 515 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie year and is currently competing with veteran Calvin Ridley for the WR3 role. If Ayomanor can win that battle against Ridley, he could flirt with being a late-round draft pick in most fantasy formats.
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Texans Taking Their Time With Tank Dell
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to be eased in during this training camp and season, despite looking strong in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was excited about Dell's return to the field, saying, "You want to see that comeback story. Tank (Dell) looks real nice out there. We're taking our time with Tank, allowing him to come along. Outstanding job, nice crisp in routes. It's exciting." Dell suffered a significant knee/leg injury, including torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, a patellar tendon injury, and a vascular injury that required emergency surgery. This comeback is nothing short of legendary, as Dell hopes to regain his previous form, in which he averaged over 55 receiving yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns in 25 games. While the risk is evident when drafting Dell, the upside remains for him to be a late-round sleeper.
Source: Aaron Wilson - KPRC2
Source: Aaron Wilson - KPRC2
Chris Bell Could Play in Preseason
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley suggested that rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) could play in the preseason. When asked about Bell's current status, Hafley said, "He's progressing nicely. He's accelerating, decelerating; he's able to cut. It would be a huge benefit if we can get him some work in the preseason." Bell is currently on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in November 2025. While it seemed likely the rookie receiver would miss time in the regular season, Hafley appeared optimistic that he's improving, and fantasy managers could take advantage of a great value if Bell is healthy enough to start the season.
Source: Dave Furones - Sun Sentinel
Source: Dave Furones - Sun Sentinel
