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Fernando Mendoza Expected to Get Plenty of Reps in Preseason Opener
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is "expected to get plenty of experience in Thursday's preseason opener against the Cardinals," according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com. Mendoza, who was selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft after winning the NCAA football national championship at Indiana, will have a valuable opportunity to get acclimated to the NFL with meaningful preseason reps. At this time, he's not expected to start Week 1 of the regular season. Still, preseason action will at least give fantasy managers a chance to see Mendoza play alongside Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, Jack Bech, and Jalen Nailor. His redraft stock is a bit iffy given the fact that there's no timetable for the Raiders to turn from Kirk Cousins to Mendoza, but the 22-year-old is much more appealing in dynasty leagues where he ranks as the QB17.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Malik Willis Looking Good in Dolphins' New Offense
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis has been impressive during early glimpses of the team's new-look offense, according to Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Specifically, he wrote that Willis "keeps stacking good days ... doesn't repeat mistakes, shows good leadership and strikes the right chords on and off the field." That's an encouraging sign for fantasy managers, especially after plenty of offseason dialogue about the state of the Dolphins with Willis at quarterback and Jeff Hafley as head coach. We're not saying the Dolphins are a playoff lock, nor is Willis a projected Pro Bowler, but there's at least something here for fantasy managers to get excited about. The former Liberty product put his mobility on display last year in Green Bay, and he could crack the top 24 fantasy quarterbacks if he continues to run well while limiting turnovers in Miami. As it stands, he ranks as the QB21 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings for 2026.
Source: Chris Perkins
Source: Chris Perkins
Raiders Will Play Their Starters in Preseason Opener
The Las Vegas Raiders' starters will play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Klint Kubiak told Sam Warren of The Athletic. While many teams opt to rest their starters in Week 1 of the preseason, we'll see the Raiders mix in everyone as players compete for key roster spots. According to Warren's post on X, "the team has a plan for how much [Kubiak] wants the 1s, 2s and 3s to play." It makes sense that the Raiders will get reps for their starters, especially at the wide receiver position. It's a relatively inexperienced group, and there are a few starting roles up for grabs among a group that features Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Dont'e Thornton Jr., among others. Warren also notes that even though Kirk Cousins is expected to start the regular season opener at quarterback, rookie No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will get plenty of snaps this week.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Jaguars Won't Play Starters in Preseason Opener
The Jacksonville Jaguars will not play any of their starters in Week 1 of the preseason against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Liam Coen told Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union. On the offensive side of the ball, that means we won't see quarterback Trevor Lawrence, tight end Brenton Strange, or wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington. Presumably, we also won't see running backs Bhayshul Tuten or Chris Rodriguez Jr., who are listed as co-starters on the team's first unofficial depth chart. Meanwhile, two-way player Travis Hunter is technically a second-string receiver on the depth chart, but we'd be surprised to see him get any offensive snaps on Saturday, too. Veteran journeyman quarterback Nick Mullens should earn the start, and there will be opportunities for plenty of backups to carve out roles. All eyes are on the tight end position after critics doubted the Jags' decision to draft Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol back in April. Rookie receivers Josh Cameron and CJ Williams should get plenty of snaps, and second-year running back LeQuint Allen will look to strengthen his grasp on a roster spot.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara Listed as Co-Starters
New Orleans Saints running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara have been listed as co-starters on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Fantasy managers shouldn't invest too much stock in unofficial depth charts with the regular season more than a month away, but it's still noteworthy that the Saints aren't declaring a clear-cut No. 1 running back yet. Etienne figures to be the lead ball-carrier after signing a $48 million contract during the offseason, but Kamara is still hanging around ahead of his age-31 season. Last year in Jacksonville, Etienne had 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking as the RB10 in PPR leagues. Meanwhile, injuries limited Kamara to just 11 games, and he turned in the worst season of his career with just 657 scrimmage yards, one touchdown, and a pair of fumbles. He was the overall RB46, marking the first time in his career he finished a season lower than RB46. With all that in mind, we would expect Etienne to claim sole possession of the No. 1 spot on the depth chart by the end of the preseason. As it stands, he ranks as the overall RB17 in RotoBaller's latest half-PPR draft rankings for the 2026 fantasy football season.
Source: Mike Triplett
Source: Mike Triplett
Travis Hunter Listed as Backup WR, Starter at CB
Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter is listed as the backup wide receiver, but a starting defensive back on the first unofficial depth chart, according to Ryan O'Halloran. The Jags have been shy about saying how they plan to deploy Hunter this upcoming season. According to Michael DiRocco of ESPN, Hunter has taken nearly 100 snaps on defense and 61 on offense during 11-on-11 drills. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said Hunter won't need to know the entire offensive playbook this year. This offense does have Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington, so having Hunter is just a plus. Hunter is currently ranked as Rotoballer's WR72, but he could be a difference-maker depending on how the Jags use him.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Eli Raridon Continues to Take More Snaps with the First Team
New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon continues to see action with the first team offense. The Pats are having joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts, and Raridon is still playing with the first team, according to the Boston Herald. The 22-year-old was a third-round pick of the Pats this year out of Notre Dame. He's going to remain behind Hunter Henry to begin the season, but that isn't going to last forever. Given his success early in camp, Raridon is looking like a solid stash in dynasty and keeper leagues, but is someone who can be ignored in redraft formats with Henry ahead of him right now.
Source: Boston Herald
Source: Boston Herald
George Holani is Listed as RB1 on Depth Chart
Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani is listed as the top back on the first unofficial depth chart, according to Field Gulls. This doesn't mean too much considering they haven't played any preseason games yet, but it's an interesting development. The expectation is that Holani and first-round pick Jadarian Price are going to compete for the starting gig during the preseason. It seemed like the team was leaning towards Price as the early down back, but maybe they've changed their tune. Zach Charbonnet (knee) is still recovering from a torn ACL, but he figures to be the lead back once he's healthy again. Holani or Price are likely only placeholders until Charbonnet is ready to go.
Source: Field Gulls
Source: Field Gulls
Luther Burden III Hopeful to Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is hopeful to be ready for the beginning of the regular season, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports. The second-year wideout suffered a groin injury during Saturday's practice. He's expected to miss all of the preseason games while recovering from this injury. The Bears don't have their season opener until Sept. 13, so Burden has plenty of time to recover and get in game shape. The 22-year-old is a potential breakout candidate with DJ Moore no longer in Chicago. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status closely over the next month.
Source: Courtney Cronin
Source: Courtney Cronin
Puka Nacua is Dealing with Groin Soreness
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) left early during Tuesday's practice session, according to Ian Rapoport. Nacua is dealing with minor groin soreness, but it's not expected to be anything serious. The Rams are going to be extremely cautious with their superstar wideout, but fantasy managers shouldn't be worried right now. Fantasy managers should consider Nacua as day-to-day, and expect him to be fine for Week 1. He remains a consensus top-five pick in all fantasy drafts this year.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Mike Vrabel Avoids Question Regarding Offseason Scandal
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel sidestepped a question at training camp practice on Tuesday when asked about the counseling session that caused him to miss the third day of the 2026 NFL draft in April, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "I think we always look at improvement," Vrabel said. "As we talk about getting ready for the next season, we always look at improvement and ways that we can improve individually and how we can improve as a team. It's really critical that we continue to do that on and off the field. I believe in that." It's one of the few questions directed at Vrabel this summer that deals with the aftermath of the offseason controversy involving him and former ESPN/The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. Florio suggests that the controversy is still hovering over Vrabel, and it could move back to the front burner if the Patriots struggle out of the gates in 2026 after reaching the Super Bowl last season.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Malik Benson Models his Game After Offensive Player of the Year
Las Vegas Raiders rookie sixth-round wide receiver Malik Benson said he tries to model his game after reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Not many people are likely to know about Benson just yet, but the 23-year-old from the University of Oregon has made some noise in training camp and could be pushing to secure the WR3 role behind Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker in Vegas in his first year in the NFL. Benson's primary competition for a starting role in three-wide sets in 2026 is Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. The 6-foot, 189-pounder is thin but comes with plenty of pure athleticism, and he could become interesting as a deep-league sleeper at the WR position if he finishes out training camp and the preseason strong, primarily because of the Raiders' lack of depth at the position. In his final collegiate season with the Ducks in 2025, Benson caught 43 passes for 719 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He's an under-the-radar rookie name to keep an eye on.
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Tyler Warren Dominates in Joint Practice on Tuesday
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren dominated in the team's joint practice on Tuesday against the New England Patriots, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. Warren was immediately productive for the Colts in 2025 after they took him 14th overall from Penn State, catching 76 of 112 targets for 817 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games to finish as the TE6 in half-PPR scoring. With quarterback Daniel Jones recovered from an Achilles tear, receiver Michael Pittman Jr. out of town, and receiver Alec Pierce still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, Warren's arrow is pointing firmly up heading into his second year in the NFL as one of the best TE targets in fantasy. The 24-year-old is an obvious candidate to see his role grow in the Colts' offense this year and has been impressive this spring and summer. If you don't pay the high price for the elite tight ends like Trey McBride and Brock Bowers, Warren is a totally acceptable consolation prize in the next tier down.
Source: Indianapolis Star - Joel A. Erickson
Source: Indianapolis Star - Joel A. Erickson
Jadarian Price Back in Pads on Tuesday
Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round running back Jadarian Price (lower body) was back in pads at training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Seahawks reporter Corbin K. Smith. Price missed practice over the weekend with what was deemed a minor lower-body injury, and now he's back in the fold. Despite the 22-year-old's return to the practice field, we would not be surprised if he's held out of the team's preseason opener this Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. George Holani was listed as Seattle's RB1 on their first unofficial depth chart, but Price is expected to have a big role in the Seahawks' backfield in his first year in the NFL, at least until Zach Charbonnet (knee) can return from a torn ACL that he suffered last postseason. The Notre Dame product must also contend with Emanuel Wilson, but the rookie has plenty of explosiveness and big-play ability to quickly become the most exciting option in the team's backfield while Charbonnet is sidelined. Passing-game work probably won't be there, though, which limits Price's fantasy price to more of a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex.
Source: Corbin K. Smith
Source: Corbin K. Smith
Titans Will Play Their Starters in Preseason Opener on Thursday
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh said that everyone will play for the team in their preseason opener on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. With a new coaching staff in place for the Titans in 2026, they want to set the tone by having their starters play for at least a couple of series this week, including second-year quarterback Cam Ward. The 24-year-old first overall pick from the University of Miami predictably struggled in his first NFL season in 2025 without much help in the passing game, throwing for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 17 starts. The Titans made a concerted effort to surround him with better talent in the passing game this offseason, adding receiver Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and rookie wideout Carnell Tate in the first round of April's draft. And with the addition of new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Ward is ripe for a second-year leap in Tennessee. If the Texas native improves on his accuracy and decision-making, he'll be a useful QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues in Year 2.
Source: TitanInsider.com - Terry McCormick
Source: TitanInsider.com - Terry McCormick
