March 1, 2026
As of Saturday morning, "it doesn't sound close" as far as the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) on a long-term contract extension, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. If the Colts can't get a deal done with Jones by Tuesday's tag deadline, it "sounds like they'll put the transition tag on him." However, that means wide receiver
Alec Pierce could hit free agency, and another team could sign Jones to an offer sheet. Graziano thinks the Colts will still push to get a long-term deal with Jones done. Jones would receive $43.9 million on the franchise tag and $37.8 million on the transition tag. Locking Jones into a long-term deal is also the best way to get Pierce to want to return in 2026 and beyond. Even though the 28-year-old signal-caller suffered a torn Achilles in the second half of last year, he'd be in high demand if he were to reach the open market after having a bounce-back campaign in Indy before his injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
March 1, 2026
The Miami Dolphins would prefer to trade quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, although that would mean picking up a significant portion of his $54 million in fully guaranteed salary this year. ESPN's Dan Graziano expects the Dolphins to release Tagovailoa by the third day of the new league year, when $3 million of his 2027 salary would become fully guaranteed, based on conversations with other teams. Graziano goes on to explain that Miami will "almost certainly designate him as a post-June 1 cut" to help defray some of the $99.2 million in dead money it will cost to release him. If he's traded, the Minnesota Vikings might make the most sense as they look for an insurance policy for
J.J. McCarthy. Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in 2020 out of Alabama, threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a career-high 15 interceptions in 14 starts in 2025 before being benched for
Quinn Ewers. At best, Tagovailoa, who might be one concussion away from retirement, will be competing for a starting gig elsewhere in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
March 1, 2026
There have been "zero indicators" that the Jacksonville Jaguars will use the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back
Travis Etienne Jr., sources with knowledge of the situation told John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. It doesn't mean that the Jaguars aren't open to re-signing him, but it's becoming pretty clear that Etienne is going to test the market this offseason. After the Dallas Cowboys signed RB
Javonte Williams to a deal that guarantees him $16 million over the next two seasons, Etienne's market will "likely be north of $8 million a year." The 27-year-old had arguably the best year of his career in 2025, and he's one of just four players to have over 3,750 rushing yards and 1,300 receiving yards since debuting in 2022. Last year, Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries (4.2 yards per tote), and he added 36 catches for 292 yards and six TDs in the regular season. He could have even more fantasy appeal in 2026, depending on where he lands and what his role will be.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
March 1, 2026
The Miami Dolphins are expected to work on long-term contract extensions for running back
De'Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, and linebacker Jordyn Brooks this offseason, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. The Dolphins have a new general manager and a new coaching staff and are "likely entering something of a rebuild," but they want to build around core players like Achane. Wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle is also viewed as a core player, but he's already signed long-term. The 24-year-old Achane was easily the team's most productive offensive player in 2025 in another disappointing season. He was a first-time Pro Bowler after rushing for a career-high 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries over 16 games. Achane added 67 catches for 488 yards and another four scores on 85 targets. He led the league with 5.7 yards per carry and should firmly be in the RB1 mix in 2026 for the heavy volume as Miami's clear lead back.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
March 1, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings informed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that, barring a trade, he will be released at the start of the league year this month, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hargrave's release will save the Vikings $10.9 million against this year's salary cap. The 33-year-old veteran was set to enter the final year of the two-year, $30 million contract he signed with the team in March of last year. The former third-rounder of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 out of South Carolina State did not live up to expectations in his first year in Minnesota, recording 52 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 sacks, six QB hits, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble in 16 games played. Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowler and had 18 total sacks from 2022 to 2023, so he should be able to latch on pretty quickly with another team that is looking for interior defensive linemen.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 1, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings informed running back
Aaron Jones Sr. that, barring a trade, they will release him at the start of the new league year this month, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Jones' release will save the Vikings $7.75 million against the 2026 salary cap. The 31-year-old veteran was scheduled to make $9 million in base salary this year. In his second year in Minnesota in 2025, Jones was limited to 12 games due to injuries and ran for just 548 yards and two touchdowns on 132 carries. He added 28 receptions for 199 yards and another touchdown on 41 targets through the air. If Jones is traded or cut,
Jordan Mason would be in line for RB1 duties, barring any additional offseason additions via free agency or the NFL draft. Jones' days as an RB1 could very well be over, but he should attract interest on either the free-agent or trade market as a versatile veteran back.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 1, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery "wants out." Montgomery is owed only $6 million in 2026 and is still on the right side of 30 years old, which should make him attractive on the trade market. The "word out of Indy" is that the Lions would "want a decent Day 3 pick" (potentially a fifth-rounder) in exchange for Montgomery. Fowler adds that the Seattle Seahawks would make a lot of sense for Monty if they don't re-sign impending free-agent RB
Kenneth Walker III. The 28-year-old has seen his role shrink in Detroit in each of the last two seasons behind do-it-all back
Jahmyr Gibbs. In 17 games in 2025, Montgomery had a career-low 158 carries for a career-low 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while catching 24 passes for 192 yards as a receiver. If he finishes out his contract in Detroit, he'll most likely be a distant No. 2 behind Gibbs again.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 1, 2026
Mississippi State wide receiver
Brenen Thompson showed off his speed at the NFL scouting combine on Saturday by running a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, which is likely to end up being the fastest at this year's combine, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. It was the third-fastest time by a receiver since 2003, matching Jerome Mathis' time in 2005. Only
John Ross and
Xavier Worthy posted faster times. Thompson, who stands at 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds, set a school record in 2025 in his lone season at Mississippi State with 1,054 receiving yards. Before joining Mississippi State, he played two seasons at Oklahoma and one at the University of Texas. Thompson had 12 catches of at least 30 yards last year and averaged 39.8 yards per touchdown in his collegiate career. He's not a consensus top-10 wideout in this year's draft class, but Thompson's performance on Saturday certainly raised some eyebrows.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
March 1, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts have made it clear to impending free-agent wide receiver
Alec Pierce that "he will be a Colt," either through the franchise or transition tag, or via a long-term deal, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Pierce seems to be a logical tag candidate, but multiple people connected to the situation also think quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) is a prime candidate for the tag. It could be an issue for the Colts if they tag Pierce but can't reach a long-term extension with Jones. But tagging Jones ensures the QB will be around in 2026, which would appeal to Pierce. A franchise tag for Pierce would cost around $27 million for 2026. If he reaches free agency, he "would command a massive contract." After a breakout year in which he led the Colts in receiving, Pierce would easily top $20 million per year on the open market. The 25-year-old's fantasy value for the 2026 campaign will be the most stable if he sticks in Indy and continues to build chemistry with Jones.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 1, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals have interest in Los Angeles Rams impending free-agent quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. New head coach Mike LaFleur is considered very close to Garoppolo after they worked together in L.A. "That's his guy," a league source said. Both
Kyler Murray (foot) and
Jacoby Brissett are expendable in Arizona, and LaFleur could decide to "create a clean path to restart his QB room by adding at least one veteran and drafting a QB." Jimmy G might not be in a rush to leave the Rams, though, as Fowler notes he has one of the best backup jobs behind
Matthew Stafford, and the Rams "would welcome him back." If Garoppolo leaves, another option would be the backup job in Green Bay behind
Jordan Love. The 34-year-old veteran appeared in only three games in 2025 and didn't have a single pass attempt.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 1, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that the Minnesota Vikings are considering Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) and Las Vegas Raiders QB
Geno Smith as they outline their plan for a veteran signal-caller this offseason. The Miami Dolphins'
Tua Tagovailoa and Atlanta Falcons'
Kirk Cousins "are also on their radar." None of those four QBs are free agents, but Cousins will be soon, and the others are available via either a trade or, eventually, via free agency if they are released. The Vikings need a contingency plan for
J.J. McCarthy, who couldn't stay healthy and struggled in his first full season as the starter in 2025. Many QBs view the Vikings as an attractive destination, so they shouldn't have too much trouble finding a veteran to pair with McCarthy for the upcoming season. Fowler thinks Smith going to Minnesota makes a lot of sense. He's due $18.5 million in guarantees in 2026, but has another $8 million that guarantees on the third day of the new league year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 1, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Samuel Basallo (abdomen) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox. Basallo was forced to make an early exit during Thursday's game due to abdominal discomfort. He received a few days off to rest and is ready to return behind the plate on Sunday. The 21-year-old struggled during his 31 games with the Orioles last season. Despite some early struggles, the Orioles have confidence that Basallo can be their catcher of the future. He'll bat cleanup and start behind the plate against the Red Sox on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Weyrich
March 1, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a two-year extension with manager Oliver Marmol on Sunday. This new deal begins after this season and includes the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Marmol also has a club option for the 2029 campaign. This will give Marmol the comfort to manage this team during the rebuild without fear of being fired. Over his first four seasons, Marmol has a 325-323 (.502) record, but he hasn't made the postseason since his first season in St. Louis. The Cardinals are at the beginning of a rebuild, so the expectations probably aren't too high for this team in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Derrick Goold
March 1, 2026
Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Thomas White (oblique) will see his Spring Training come to an end after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain. White will be sidelined for 3-4 weeks, which means we won't see him again in camp. The 21-year-old is arguably the top prospect in the Marlins' farm system right now. He received an invite to Spring Training, but was always expected to begin the season in the minor leagues. He registered a 2.51 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 145/51 K/BB ratio across 21 starts in three different minor league levels last season. White should begin the year in Triple-A, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him in Miami at some point this season.
--Andy WebbSource: Christina De Nicola
March 1, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher
Carmen Mlodzinski will compete for a starting rotation spot during Spring Training. He worked as a starter to begin the 2025 season, but ultimately shifted to the bullpen. Mlodzinski posted a 6.58 ERA, a .330 batting average against and an .858 OPS in six starts in March and April. He was demoted to the minor leagues and returned as an excellent reliever for the Pirates. He registered a 1.89 ERA over 47 2/3 innings in his final 20 appearances. Mlodzinski believes that success as a reliever gave him the confidence that he needed to become a successful starting pitcher. The Pirates do have a spot or two available at the back-end of the rotation, but multiple pitchers are vying for that spot. So far this spring, Mlodzinski has thrown two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
--Andy WebbSource: Kevin Gorman
March 1, 2026
Tyler Reddick is off to a blazing hot start this season, with back-to-back wins at Daytona and Atlanta to start the year, plus a pole win here at COTA this weekend. That is Reddick's second straight (and third overall) pole at the Austin, Texas track, and he used that to finish third in last year's race--his fourth-straight top-five at the track. So if you're asking yourself if Reddick can keep up the hot streak this weekend at COTA, the real question is, how doesn't he? The 23XI Racing driver is one of the best road course racers in the series, and he's starting with the best track position of all when the DURAMax Grand Prix goes green. On DraftKings ($9,500 salary), Reddick has dominator upside and should be able to contend for (at least) a top-five finish. He's a solid pick all around yet again this weekend, as he looks to become the first driver in NASCAR history to win the first three races of a season.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: KXAN
March 1, 2026
All eyes will be on Shane van Gisbergen this weekend at COTA, as the Trackhouse Racing driver will be looking to win his sixth straight road course race in the Cup Series. He's going to have some work to do to accomplish that, though. In practice on Saturday, SVG struggled to put down a super-fast single lap, ranking 20th-fastest in the session. He then went on to qualify in 13th-place for Sunday's DURAMax Grand Prix, which puts him at a slight disadvantage to start the race. With that being said, van Gisbergen looked very strong on the long runs in practice--as we all expected--and that will pay dividends on race day. As far as DFS goes, SVG ranks as an elite pick for this weekend's race despite his sky-high salary ($13,000 on DraftKings). He has Place Differential upside, dominator potential, and race-winning prowess.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Action Network
March 1, 2026
Christopher Bell is the defending race winner at COTA, and should be a contender in this weekend's DURAMax Grand Prix as well. Over the last four races at this track, Bell has three podium finishes, including the aforementioned win in last year's race. This weekend, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver will roll off the starting grid from eighth-place when the race goes green, and makes for an interesting DFS tournament option on DraftKings ($9,800 salary). However, due to Bell's limited dominator upside, he may not be worth the higher salary. Still, if the road course ace ends up in victory lane, then the whole debate is moot, as Bell will definitely be in the optimal DFS lineup for COTA. He's not a must-have in daily fantasy on Sunday, but Christopher Bell is definitely one of those drivers to be overweight on in tournaments.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ifantasyrace
March 1, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jacob Melton (thumb) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves. Melton was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to left thumb soreness. He received a few days off to rest and is now ready to play again. He's currently competing for a spot in the outfield on the Opening Day roster. Melton was acquired by the Rays earlier in the offseason in a three-team trade with the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old struggled during his 32 big league games last season, but has plus speed and is normally someone who can make consistent contact.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Topkin
March 1, 2026
Despite AJ Allmendinger's poor track record at Circuit of the Americas (three finishes of 30th or worse over the last four races), he's actually one of the best here, and at road courses in general. In the two starts at COTA where he hasn't had issues, Allmendinger has walked away with sixth- and fifth-place finishes, so we know what he can do when the stars align. This weekend, Dinger had a solid practice session on Saturday and ranked seventh-fastest in 10-lap average. He also went out and qualified in seventh for Sunday's DURAMax Grand Prix race. On DraftKings, Allmendinger ($8,500 salary) makes for an interesting tournament play, because he's affordable, has race-winning upside, but his Place Differential upside is limited. Still, if the No. 16 Chevrolet doesn't have any issues on race day, you can expect AJ to compete for (at least) a top-10 finish.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ifantasyrace
March 1, 2026
NASCAR Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch will be starting 25th in this week's DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. This is a lower starting position than his only other Cup Series start at the site last season (14th). In last year's race, Zilisch's only Cup start at COTA, Zilisch ran inside the top 15 and was gaining ground before being involved in a crash that relegated him to a finish of 37th. In practice for this week's race, Zilisch ranked fourth in five consecutive lap averages and fifth in overall lap averages among all drivers. Despite his inexperience with the Cup Series, Zilisch does come from a road racing background and is at his best at road courses. Although he is expensive to roster for DFS this week, his upside and equipment make him worth a lineup spot for fantasy players this week.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
March 1, 2026
Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports is starting in fifth position for this week's DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. This is the second consecutive race for Elliott to start in the top five at the Texas road course after he started third in last year's race. In four starts at COTA, Elliott has one win, three top-5 finishes, and an average finish of 6.3. At road and street courses last season, the No. 9 Chevrolet driver placed in the top 10 in four races at the track type. In practice for this week's race, Elliott ranked sixth in five consecutive lap averages and fourth in 10 consecutive lap averages. COTA is one of Elliott's better tracks statistically, and with practice speeds faster than most, he is a driver who is likely to place in the top five.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
March 1, 2026
If there's one thing you can count on at road courses, it's a good finish from Chris Buescher. In the Next Gen era, the Roush-Fenway Keselowski Racing driver has a ridiculous on-track record, with 17 finishes of 11th or better over the last 22 races on this track type, including a win at Watkins Glen in 2024 as well as a couple of top fives to finish off the 2025 season. Here at COTA, where the Cup Series is racing at this weekend, Buescher has been solid as well, posting a finish of seventh last season after coming home eighth in 2024. This weekend, Buescher will roll off the starting grid from 14th-place when the DURAMax Grand Prix goes green, making him an attractive DFS option on DraftKings ($8,300 salary) with both Place Differential and finishing position upside.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Driver Averages
March 1, 2026
Trackhouse Racing's Ross Chastain will start second for the DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. It will be Chastain's first front-row start at COTA in his Cup career. In five races at the Texas road course, Chastain has one win, four top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 5.6, which is third-best among all drivers. The No. 1 Chevrolet driver also never finished worse than 12th and led in three different Cup events at COTA. Last year at road and street courses, Chastain had four finishes of 16th or better, including two top-10 finishes. In practice for this week's race, Chastain ranked eighth in five consecutive lap averages and second in both 10 and overall lap averages. Although Chastain has no upside from his starting position, he is well-positioned to lead laps early and compete for the win. Fantasy players should not underestimate Chastain as a driver who has won at COTA in the past.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
March 1, 2026
William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports will start 10th for this Sunday's DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. It will be the fourth time in his Cup career that Byron will start inside the top 10 at the Texas road course. In five previous starts at COTA, Byron has one win, three top-5 finishes, and an average finish of 6.2, which ranks fourth among all drivers. The No. 24 Chevrolet driver also led more laps than anyone else at COTA (72) and has never finished worse than 12th in his Cup career at the site. In practice for this week's race, Byron ranked 14th in overall lap averages, 16th in five consecutive lap averages, and 18th in 10 consecutive lap averages. Considering Byron's great track history at COTA despite his underwhelming practice speeds, he is a driver who is a solid DFS option for all formats, especially with some of the best equipment in the field.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
March 1, 2026
Carson Hocevar is one of the most aggressive drivers in the Cup Series garage, and that aggression has caused issues at many race tracks, including the various road course venues. With the tight turns and on-track space at the road courses, Hocevar has been seen as a wrecking ball in several events, taking out competitors in turns. However, this aggression has turned into some good finishes for Hocevar, including a third-place run at Watkins Glen in 2024, as well as 12th- and 13th-place finishes at the Charlotte Roval and COTA (respectively) that year. This weekend at COTA, Hocevar qualified 12th, but wasn't overly impressive in practice. Still, a top-15 finish is well within reach for Hocevar on Sunday--if he can keep his fenders clean. In DFS lineups, he's a risky play with more downside than upside, but you shouldn't avoid Hocevar entirely for the DURAMax Grand Prix.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: YardBarker
March 1, 2026
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki finished Saturday's 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals with one goal and two assists. He helped his linemates, Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach, get on the scoreboard before lighting the lamp himself late in the game with Washington's net empty. Suzuki finished the contest with a season-high plus-four rating. He has now recorded multiple points in eight of his last 12 appearances. Thanks to this scoring surge, Suzuki is on pace for a career-high 95 points. He leads Montreal with 68 points (19 goals, 49 assists) in 59 games. Only Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have more power-play points than Suzuki's 31.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 1, 2026
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin recorded a goal and two assists in Saturday's 6-2 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dahlin scored the game's first goal and helped Buffalo get a 5-0 lead. His second assist came on the power play in the third period. This was Dahlin's 15th career three-point game, tying him for the 10th most all-time among Swedish defensemen. Three of those performances have come this season as Dahlin has been among the most productive blue-liners in the league. 51 points (12 goals, 39 assists) in 56 games puts Dahlin seventh among defensemen in scoring. He has been held off the score sheet just three times in his last 17 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 1, 2026
Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson is starting 15th for Sunday's DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. The No. 5 Chevrolet driver matched the lowest starting position of his Cup career at the site after qualifying. In five previous races at COTA, Larson has one top-5 finish, a second-place run back in 2021 with the previous-generation car. At road and street courses last season, Larson had two top-15 finishes with a runner-up result at the Charlotte Roval. In practice for this week's race, Larson ranked third in overall lap averages and 10th in five consecutive lap averages. With favorable practice speeds despite underwhelming track history, Larson is a decent DFS option for this week, especially with his starting position providing favorable upside for a driver who can compete for a top-10 finish.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
March 1, 2026
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta is in concussion protocol, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. He was hurt in Thursday's loss to Minnesota and didn't play on Saturday night against Chicago. It's unclear when Kiviranta can return. The Finnish veteran has appeared in 30 games this season, recording seven points (two goals, five assists), 25 shots, and 45 hits. On Saturday, Zakhar Bardakov filled in for Kiviranta on the fourth line but logged only 4:13 of action across four shifts.
--Taavi PailkSource: Corey Masisak
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