January 6, 2026
Buffalo Bills running back
James Cook took two carries for 15 yards in an abbreviated appearance in the team's Week 18 win over the Jets. It was enough to keep distance between him and a surging
Derrick Henry, with Cook ultimately securing his first regular-season rushing crown with 1,621 yards. Heading into the postseason, he should be viewed as one of the highest upside running backs in fantasy playoff leagues. Buffalo currently holds the fourth-highest Super Bowl odds in a wide-open AFC and is a slight road favorite over a 13-4 Jacksonville team that has been a headache for fantasy running backs throughout most of the season. Despite the tough matchup, Cook is RotoBaller's RB2 for the week, and he could be in line for a massive postseason if Buffalo can advance.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen followed up his 2024 MVP campaign with another strong showing, finishing 2025 with 3,668 passing yards, 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and an additional 579 yards and 14 scores on the ground. In a wide-open AFC playoff bracket, he heads into Wild Card Weekend as one of the highest upside plays in fantasy playoff leagues. The Jaguars have been a plus-matchup for fantasy quarterbacks, and surrounded by one of the weaker supporting casts of his career, Allen will be tasked with putting the team on his shoulders if he hopes to take advantage of a field missing
Patrick Mahomes,
Lamar Jackson, and
Joe Burrow. Allen is RotoBaller's QB1 for the week in what will be his first playoff-opening road game since the 2019 season.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen is viewed as a fringe top-five running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class despite overtaking Nicholas Singleton as the top Nittany Lions running back in 2025. After a 1,100-yard, eight-touchdown season as a junior in 16 games, Allen rushed for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior in 12 games. Allen finished his collegiate career with 4,670 scrimmage yards and 43 touchdowns in 54 contests. He's been a big-time producer throughout his career, so his performance at the 2026 NFL Combine could determine whether he's a Day 2 or Day 3 pick. His 70 career receptions demonstrate his ability to play on all three downs at the next level, and in a running back class that is not as deep as last year's, so there is a wide range of outcomes in April's draft at the RB spot.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Sports Reference CFB
January 6, 2026
When asked if quarterback
Justin Fields would be back with the team in 2026, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said, "He's under contract," according to Antwan V. Staley of the New York Daily News. The Jets brought Fields in as a free agent last offseason to be their starter under center, but the plan backfired. Fields, a former first-rounder, went 2-7 as a starter and was eventually benched for veteran backup
Tyrod Taylor late in the season. The 26-year-old ended the season on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. Fields limited turnovers, but he completed 62.7% of his pass attempts for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. He also didn't run very much, carrying the ball 71 times for 383 yards and four TDs. At best, Fields will likely be competing for a starting role if he stays with the Jets in the second year of his two-year, $40 million deal.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Antwan V. Staley
January 6, 2026
Key Washington Commanders offensive players, including quarterback
Jayden Daniels, are disappointed with the team's decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Daniels vouched for Kingsbury during his season-ending press conference on Monday and was among those "blindsided by the move." Commanders players figured the only way Kingsbury would leave is if he got a head-coaching job, and that's what he's seeking to do this offseason. The 25-year-old Daniels was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 under Kingsbury, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while also rushing for 891 yards and six more TDs in 17 regular-season games. While Washington's offense was still efficient in 2025, Daniels' season was a disappointment after playing in only seven games due to injuries. His fantasy stock is now trending down because of his injuries and the fact that he'll be learning a new offense heading into Year 3.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
January 6, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was sentenced to five days in jail after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving without a license on Jan. 6. Taylor-Britt was placed on Injured Reserve in November due to a foot injury that he suffered in the Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he didn't play the rest of the season. In his eight games played for the Bengals in 2025, the 26-year-old defensive back had a career-low 21 tackles (12 solo) and five pass breakups in his fourth year in the league. Marco Wilson took on an expanded role in Cincy's secondary the rest of the way after Taylor-Britt was placed on IR.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Cameron Knight and Kelsey Conway
January 6, 2026
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans for their head-coaching openings in the coming days, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Broncos hold the top seed in the AFC and will have a first-round bye in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs this week, thus freeing Joseph up to talk with teams seeking a new head coach. Joseph went 11-21 as the Broncos head coach in 2017 and 2018 and also has previous head-coaching experience with the Cardinals. He will get another chance at a head-coaching job going into the 2026 season after doing a remarkable job running Denver's stout defense this year. The Broncos allowed the third-fewest points per game (18.3) under Joseph, while also giving up the second-fewest total yards per game (278.2).
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 6, 2026
Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is expected to interview with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, among others, for their open head-coaching positions, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The Commanders and Kingsbury "mutually" agreed to part ways on Tuesday so that Kingsbury can pursue another head-coaching opportunity. After the success that Kingsbury had with quarterback
Jayden Daniels in his impressive rookie season in 2024, it's clear why teams searching for a new head coach who also have young QBs (like the Giants and Titans) would be interested in hiring Kingsbury. Despite all of the injuries to Washington's skill players on offense in 2025, Kingsbury kept the boat afloat with backup QB
Marcus Mariota. QBs
Jaxson Dart and
Cameron Ward would definitely benefit from the addition of Kingsbury.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
January 6, 2026
Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee) had successful surgery on his torn ACL on Tuesday, according to Giana Han of The Baltimore Banner. Buchanan was impressive in his first year in the NFL before injuring his knee, as the fourth-rounder out of California totaled 93 tackles (49 solo), half a sack, five tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble in his 14 games (13 starts). The 23-year-old tore his ACL in the Week 15 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Given the timing of his injury late in the year, Buchanan's recovery could cause him to miss the start of the 2026 season next fall. But when he returns to full health, Buchanan will once again be a key linebacker for Baltimore's defense, and one that will attract attention in fantasy IDP leagues after his strong rookie showing.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Banner - Giana Han
January 6, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons and quarterback
Kirk Cousins agreed to tweak the final two years of the QB's contract on Tuesday, setting the stage for a decision on his future to be made by the third day of the new league year on March 13, a source told ESPN's Field Yates. Cousins now has a guarantee for $67.9 million for the 2027 season that will vest on March 13. The restructure also includes reducing Cousins' 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. Atlanta's front office is in flux following the firing of general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday, but the Falcons could still move on from Cousins before March 13 as a post-June 1 release. A release of that kind would split the dead money on Cousins' contract over 2026 and 2027, as opposed to the team taking on the full amount in 2026. The 37-year-old played in 10 games this season, including starting the final seven following
Michael Penix Jr.'s season-ending knee injury. Cousins was serviceable, throwing 10 TDs and five interceptions, but he probably isn't in the team's long-term plans at the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Field Yates
January 6, 2026
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is projected as a first-round pick if he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, joining former teammates
Marvin Harrison Jr. and
Emeka Egbuka in the long line of Buckeye receivers to hear their names called on Day 1 in recent years. Tate hasn't been as productive as some of the recent Ohio State first-round pass-catchers, but he's been sharing the field with mega-star Jeremiah Smith. As a junior in 2025, Tate set career highs in receiving yards (875), yards per reception (17.2), and receiving touchdowns (nine). The former five-star recruit has been on the NFL radar since the moment he stepped on campus in Columbus, and the 6'3" pass-catcher could be a quarterback's best friend as soon as he steps on an NFL field. While his resume doesn't stack up with some of the Ohio State greats that are dominating the league right now, he's been in a pro-ready system and will likely earn Round 1 draft capital, making him an exciting NFL prospect for dynasty fantasy football managers.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
January 6, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons have requested permission to interview Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for their vacant GM position, a source told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Cunningham is a strong early candidate in Atlanta after the team fired both GM Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris on Sunday. Former Falcons quarterback
Matt Ryan is a prime candidate to become Atlanta's president of football operations, and Ryan is one of Bears GM Ryan Poles' best friends. Cunningham turned down the Cardinals' GM job three years ago before interviewing in Tennessee and Jacksonville last offseason. One of the top orders of business for the Falcons once they get their new front office in place this offseason will be to evaluate the QB position to determine if the oft-injured
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) should really be the franchise signal-caller.
--Keith HernandezSource: CBS Sports - Jonathan Jones
January 6, 2026
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is projected by many to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, only behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The two square off in the College Football Playoff Semifinals on Friday, so neither has officially declared for April's draft just yet. Moore has been excellent in his first season as the Ducks' starter, completing 72.9% of his passes for 3,280 yards, 28 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The UCLA transfer can make all the throws needed from an NFL quarterback, but he has just 19 collegiate starts under his belt. Either way, if he's picked inside the top five, he's a clear early-first-round pick in Superflex dynasty rookie drafts. Based on the current draft order, his most likely landing spot appears to be the New York Jets.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
January 6, 2026
The Carolina Panthers opened offensive guard Chandler Zavala's (calf) 21-day practice window on Tuesday, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Zavala was placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 29 with a calf injury, his second time on IR in 2025 after originally going on IR in Week 5 due to a knee injury. Zavala started three games for the Panthers after recovering from his knee injury before hurting his calf and going back on the shelf. The 26-year-old offensive lineman can be activated from IR at any time, but it remains to be seen if that will happen before the team's Wild-Card playoff game this Saturday against the visiting Los Angeles Rams. Before injuring his calf, Zavala was starting at right guard for Carolina. With Zavala out, Austin Corbett has started the last four games at the position. Zavala hasn't played since Week 12.
--Keith HernandezSource: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
January 6, 2026
New York Giants quarterback
Russell Wilson (hamstring) revealed on Monday that he played part of this past season with an undisclosed torn hamstring, according to Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic. The 37-year-old veteran said he suffered the injury on the final play of the Friday practice before the Week 2 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson said he suffered a Grade 2 tear, but he didn't tell the team. Despite the injury, Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns in the 40-37 overtime loss, also adding 23 rushing yards on three carries. He said he didn't tell the Giants because of the circumstances of knowing that he was trying to hold off rookie QB
Jaxson Dart from taking over the starting duties. Wilson eventually lost the starting gig to Dart. At this point in his career, Wilson profiles as a backup signal-caller as he looks to continue playing into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Charlotte Carroll
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