RADIO
Omarion Hampton's Redraft Value in Question Amid Workload Uncertainty
Los Ángeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton had his rookie season in 2025 disrupted by an ankle injury that caused him to miss eight games. Still, the former first-round pick was productive in his time on the field, recording 737 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 156 touches across nine contests. Entering 2026, expectations are high for both Hampton and the Chargers offense as a whole following the team's offseason acquisition of new play-caller Mike McDaniel. With his versatile skill set as both a rusher and a pass-catcher, Hampton has three-down workhorse upside. However, the Chargers signed running back Keaton Mitchell in free agency and also roster running back Kimani Vidal, who filled in admirably for Hampton at times in 2025. McDaniel has already said that the team plans on using all three backs once the regular season begins. Hampton has the highest ceiling of the Chargers' running back options, so he could quickly establish himself as too good to take off the field. At the same time, his redraft value for the 2026 season is trending slightly downwards until the playing time split in Los Angeles becomes more clear.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bijan Robinson Remains an Elite Running Back Option Entering 2026
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson put together an excellent season in 2025, recording a league-high 2,298 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 366 touches across 17 games. Three years into his NFL career, Robinson has yet to miss a single game. He also boosted his receiving production in 2025, recording 79 catches for 820 yards and four touchdowns on 103 targets. Entering 2026, Robinson should once again be the focal point of the Atlanta offense. The Falcons have some question marks at the quarterback position, which could limit the production ceiling of their offense. Still, Robinson has shown he can overcome a subpar offensive environment in the past. Redraft managers should view him as an elite running back option in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Robinson Plays Starter for Falcons in Preseason Opener
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson was the team's starting running back in Friday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos, playing on the team's first two drives in the first quarter, recording two carries for six yards. While it wasn't a stat-stuffing performance, the former third-rounder came out of the game unscathed and solidified his status as the team's RB2 behind Bijan Robinson, who did not play in the contest. That RB2 role was filled by the now-departed Tyler Allgeier last season, but Allgeier was able to rack up 143 carries for 514 yards and eight scores last year behind Bijan. If Robinson Jr. can garner anywhere near those numbers, especially at the goal line, then he'll certainly have fantasy relevance. The 27-year-old is currently ranked as the RB48 in RotoBaller's rankings, coincidentally, right behind the aforementioned Allgeier.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeremiyah Love Out at Least a Week With Sore Ankle
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) will be out this week due to an ankle injury, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Per Weinfuss, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur "would not commit to a long-term prognosis" for Love. The third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love suffered the injury during Arizona's first preseason game on Thursday. The 21-year-old had a strong showing before getting hurt, recording 72 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 14 touches. Love is widely considered to be an elite running back prospect and had a monster year in his final collegiate season at Notre Dame, recording 1,652 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns across just 12 games. The Cardinals have been rotating Love and veteran back Tyler Allgeier with the first-team offense in camp. While Love clearly profiles as the running back of the future in Arizona, this ankle injury threatens to set back his early-season progress. Even if Love is able to return in time for Week 1, the Cardinals may choose to ease him in at the start of the year by splitting his touches more evenly with Allgeier. Fantasy managers should monitor Love's injury status closely in the coming days.
Source: ESPN - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN - Josh Weinfuss
Christian Gonzalez Working Through Ankle Injury
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (ankle) remains sidelined on Saturday as he works through an ankle injury, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Gonzalez has established himself as one of the top corners in the NFL, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2024 and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2025. The 24-year-old is currently agitating for a contract extension in New England, which could be factoring in to his current injury situation. Despite the injury uncertainty, all indications out of New England have been that the team expects Gonzalez to be ready for Week 1. Volin reports that Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that the team and Gonzalez are "absolutely" on the same page. Still, Gonzalez's injury and contract situation will be something for fantasy managers to monitor as the season approaches.
Source: The Boston Globe - Ben Volin
Source: The Boston Globe - Ben Volin
Devon Witherspoon Agrees to Record-Setting Extension with Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks and cornerback Devon Witherspoon have agreed to a record-setting four-year, $132 million contract extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Per Schefter, the contract includes over $101 million guaranteed and will make Witherspoon the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Witherspoon has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league and was a critical part of the Seahawks' run to the Super Bowl in 2025. The 25-year-old has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three NFL seasons and was named second-team All-Pro in 2025. Across 12 games last season, he recorded 48 solo tackles, seven passes defensed, and one interception. With this new extension agreement, Witherspoon will continue to lead Seattle's secondary for the foreseeable future.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Kyle Pitts Sr. Targeted Early and Often in First Preseason Game
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. caught three of his four targets for 22 yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos. All four of Pitts' targets came on the first two drives from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to open the season as the starter, at least until Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is able to return. It was a reassuring performance from the 6-foot-6 tight end who is coming off a season in which he set career highs in targets (118), receptions (88), and touchdowns (five) while racking up 928 yards receiving, which has pushed his fantasy value upward. The former fourth-overall draft pick has an ADP of 78 and currently sits at TE7 in RotoBaller's latest tight end ranks. Though Drake London did not play in this contest, to see the 25-year-old tight end that involved from the outset is encouraging for his potential to put up big numbers again this year as Atlanta's likely No. 2 option in the passing attack.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tua Tagovailoa Plays Two Series, Eyes TE Often in Preseason Opener
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earned the start in Friday's 27-7 preseason home loss to the Broncos, playing two series in the first quarter before giving way to backup QB Cooper Rush. Tagovailoa was 3-of-5 passing for 22 yards, with four of his five passes being directed to tight end Kyle Pitts, and he was credited with one rush for no gain after the left-handed signal caller fumbled a snap but was able to recover the ball. It was reported on Saturday by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the former first-round draft pick has the "inside track " for the starting job in Atlanta while Michael Penix Jr. (knee) finishes up rehabbing his knee, and this performance likely does nothing to change that, with his next chance to secure the gig coming next Saturday against the Colts in a preseason contest on the road. Assuming he does secure it, it does little for his fantasy prospects, with the Alabama product currently sitting at No. 30 in RotoBaller's latest QB rankings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dalton Kincaid "Going to Be a Problem"
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid's efficiency numbers were practically off the chart in 2025, with his 2.8 yards per route run topped only by Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Unfortunately, with a lingering knee issue limiting him to a part-time role in 2025, he was a fantasy non-factor as the TE18. Now, by all accounts, as healthy as he's been since entering the league, the fourth-year tight end could be in line for a career year, and following a recent training camp visit to Orchard Park, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer predicts that "he's going to be a problem." Breer points to the arrival of veteran receiver DJ Moore as someone who can unlock the Bills offense and allow complementary pieces such as Kincaid to thrive. Kincaid spent the offseason getting stronger and sturdier, and if he's able to stay healthy and handle anything close to an every-down workload, he could shatter ADP expectations as the current 10th tight end off the board.
Source: Albert Breer
Source: Albert Breer
Luther Burden III Putting in Pre-Game Work
The Chicago Bears face the Cleveland Browns in a Saturday afternoon tilt to open their preseason slate, and while second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) will not take part as he recovers from the groin injury that has held him out of the last week of practices, he was spotted putting in some light work before the game. Without overexerting himself, Burden was seen jogging about 30 yards before slowing to a walk into the end zone. The 22-year-old is not expected to make any preseason appearances, but the team remains hopeful he will be available for the regular-season opener against the Panthers on September 13. Prior to the injury, Burden had generated significant training camp buzz and projects to be a focal point of the Bears' offense in 2026.
Source: Chris Kwiecinski
Source: Chris Kwiecinski
Jaxson Dart and Giants Starters Expected to Play in Preseason Opener
The New York Giants open their preseason schedule with a Saturday afternoon matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, and ESPN's Jordan Raanan reports that quarterback Jaxson Dart and most of the team's starters are expected to see action. New head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that he values game experience in the preseason, and with Dart having only 12 career starts under his belt and the Giants offense reportedly sputtering through much of training camp, he could use the opportunity against an unfamiliar opponent to help build momentum. Priority number one for Dart will be to keep himself protected, as he has developed a reputation for playing somewhat recklessly, but that fight-for-every-yard approach has also made him a valuable fantasy asset. If the Giants offense can get on track, and Dart can stay healthy for the duration of the 2026 season, he could prove to be this season's late-round quarterback steal, currently coming off the board as the QB9.
Source: Jordan Raanan
Source: Jordan Raanan
Jerry Jeudy Could Still Offer Fantasy Value in a More Fitting Role
The Cleveland Browns open their preseason slate on Saturday in a matchup with the Bears, and while the question of who gets the first start at quarterback has already been answered, there is still much to be gleaned from the usage of a new-look receiving room. Jerry Jeudy finds himself surrounded by a dynamic group of young playmakers, but the at-times overlooked veteran could still be a bigger piece of the offense than some are expecting. Always a strong route runner, Jeudy has been most successful when playing out of the slot, but with more than 80% of his snaps coming on the outside in 2025, he caught fewer than half his targets and barely cracked 600 yards. With second-round rookie Denzel Boston drawing rave reviews for the work he's done on the perimeter, new head coach Todd Monken has the luxury of using Jeudy more creatively than his predecessors. With Deshaun Watson under center to begin the preseason, Saturday's contest could provide a glimpse of what that might look like, if even for just one series, and at RotoBaller's WR79, Jeudy has deep sleeper potential in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DJ Moore Makes Bills "More Dangerous"
The Buffalo Bills sent a second-round pick to the Bears this offseason to acquire wide receiver DJ Moore, and with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer recently visiting Bills' training camp, he notes that the eighth-year veteran "has the look of a real difference-maker." Moore has brought his advertised speed and physicality to Buffalo, and in slotting in as the true number one receiver that Josh Allen and this offense have been missing in recent years, Breer believes he will allow other players on the roster to move into the complementary roles they are perhaps better suited for, making the offense more dangerous as a whole. Moore faced serious target competition in his final season in Chicago, resulting in a career-low 682 yards, but he has four 1,100-yard seasons under his belt and has shown an ability to thrive in an Alpha receiver role. Breer's assessment suggests that's the version of Moore that the Bills will be getting, and at RotoBaller's WR27, he could prove to be one of the better values in the middle rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Albert Breer
Source: Albert Breer
Darnell Washington Unlikely to Factor into Fantasy Plans for 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington caught a career-high 31 passes for 364 yards in 2025, but his activity in Thursday's preseason opener, while many of the team's starters were given the night off, is an indication that he is not viewed as a critical piece of the team's passing attack. Both Washington and sixth-year veteran Pat Freiermuth started the game with Mason Rudolph under center, with the latter catching one of his two targets for two yards while Washington was kept off the stat sheet. One of the most physically imposing players in the league, Washington is a dominant blocker at 6'7" and 264 pounds, but in a Mike McCarthy offense that favors three-receiver sets, he may see his receiving work limited after taking steps forward in that regard under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. At RotoBaller's TE37, Washington should not factor into 2026 draft plans, and with the position as deep as it's ever been, he may not even enter into the streaming conversation as he might have in past seasons.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Nailor Could Deliver Spike Weeks from the Flex Spot in 2026
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor played only eight snaps in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night, coming off the field with the rest of the starters after a successful scoring drive led by quarterback Kirk Cousins. Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal in free agency, and while there has been little doubt about how the team views him as part of the offense, his usage on Thursday all but cemented his status as a top receiver along with Tre Tucker. A sixth-round pick of the Vikings in 2022, Nailor spent the past two seasons as Minnesota's WR3 behind Jordan Addison and four-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. While he's never reached 450 receiving yards in a season, he posted an impressive 15.3 yards per reception in 2025, and he should find production as a perimeter player in Klint Kubiak's play-action-heavy system. The presence of All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers will help to create spacing on the outside, but will also cap Nailor's target share, and consistency could be an issue in 2026, particularly with the expectation of a quarterback change at some point in the season. That said, Nailor has the potential to bring spike weeks to the flex spot and is practically free in drafts as RotoBaller's WR64.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
