RADIO
Zachariah Branch Not Projected to Start Early in Rookie Season
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch is not listed as a projected starter on the team's initial depth chart, dropping him off the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues. As a third-round rookie, we shouldn't be completely shocked that Branch won't get the start in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, if there were any receiver room where he could make that leap, this would be the one. There are plenty of targets up for grabs behind No. 1 receiver Drake London. While Branch, a Georgia product, spent this summer competing for that No. 2 role, it ended up going to veteran Olamide Zaccheaus. Meanwhile, Jahan Doston projects as the third receiver on the depth chart, leaving Branch buried all the way down in the No. 4 role. This offense has so much uncertainty at the quarterback position that it's hard to envision Branch getting onto the redraft radar at any point during his rookie season. In the meantime, he's expected to operate as the Falcons' punt returner.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jauan Jennings Faces a Tougher Path to Targets in 2026
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings could have trouble carving out a substantial role with his new team. Jennings went from being the de facto No. 1 receiver in San Francisco to the No. 3 receiver in Minnesota, and in doing so, he'll also deal with a quarterback downgrade from Brock Purdy to Kyler Murray. Jennings is a great depth signing for the Vikings, who now have extra insurance in case Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison goes down. However, he faces an uphill climb to achieving fantasy relevance. His path to getting on the fantasy radar would likely require an injury to Jefferson or Addison, and even then, he'd still be the No. 2 receiver in an offense with inconsistent quarterback play. In all likelihood, Jennings is headed for a similar role as Jalen Nailor, who was the Vikings' No. 3 receiver last year and caught 29 passes for 444 yards and four touchdowns while ranking as the WR61 in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jerry Jeudy Losing Ground to the Browns' Youth Movement
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is quickly falling out of favor as some of his younger teammates ascend into substantial roles. Jeudy had a miserable fantasy campaign in 2025, catching 50 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns. While part of his subpar season can be blamed on quarterback play, Jeudy deserves to take on a substantial amount of accountability. He has ranked as the WR47 or lower in four of his six NFL seasons, serving as a major letdown to fantasy managers who trusted him with the Broncos or Browns. Now, Cleveland's front office is losing faith in him, as they drafted KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to be the future of their receiver room. Jeudy may still earn the start in Week 1, but his vastly reduced role and poor quarterback play mean that he belongs on the bench (or even the waiver wire) in most fantasy football leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Hunter's Projected Role Severely Limits His Fantasy Value
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is expected to play more defense than offense this season, which will restrict his upside and lower his floor in fantasy football. This shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise. Hunter excelled on defense at Colorado, and the Jaguars have more need for him in their cornerback unit than their extremely crowded receiver room. Jacksonville will use the first-round pick to lock down opposing receivers, while Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and Brian Thomas handle the bulk of the load at the wide receiver position. That's not to say Hunter won't see any offensive snaps, but there isn't a consistent role here. He'll be tough to start in fantasy football on any given Sunday, so he may not be worth rostering in redraft leagues with 12 or fewer teams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Makai Lemon an Early Fade After Quiet Camp
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon has a bright future in the NFL, but for now, he should be avoided in most redraft leagues. The Eagles spent a first-round pick on Lemon to replace A.J. Brown, and he responded by turning in a very disappointing camp/preseason and also battling a hamstring injury. As a result, he will open the season in the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, rather than the No. 2 role for which he was originally projected when the Eagles drafted him. As Lemon opens the year behind DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Dallas Goedert, he faces an uphill battle to play meaningful snaps right away. This isn't uncommon for rookie receivers, especially those who deal with injuries or a slow acclimation period in their first training camp. We're still optimistic that Lemon will be an every-week fantasy contributor in the future, but for now, he can be left on waivers in all redraft leagues with 12 or fewer teams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DJ Giddens Off the Fantasy Radar Almost Entirely
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens' fantasy value has taken an enormous hit this offseason. He was once projected to be the clear-cut No. 2 running back and an intriguing handcuff behind Jonathan Taylor, but he instead fell to third on the depth chart and is now at risk of playing solely on special teams. In past years, the Colts have shown a willingness to feed Taylor on almost every rushing play, leaving very few carries for the No. 2 or 3 players on the depth chart. This year, Giddens lost his backup role to Seth McGowan after the former had a quiet training camp and the latter made a very positive impression. In the event of an injury to Taylor, Giddens' ceiling is a low-end RB3/flex in deeper leagues, and that's only if McGowan struggles. There's a nearly impossible path to production for Giddens, who can be avoided in all redraft leagues and dropped to waivers in most dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has Uncertain Role Heading into Week 1
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. is expected to split the backup role with Devin Singletary and Najee Harris. After the third-year back fumbled and missed a pass-protection rep that left his starting quarterback, Jaxson Dart, leveled, Tracy appears to have lost ground in the backfield. The Giants' depth chart listed second-year Cam Skattebo as the RB1, with Tracy, Singletary, and Harris all listed as RB2s. In 15 games last season, Tracy had 176 carries for 740 yards and two touchdowns, and added 36 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns. With a new coaching staff in place, Tracy's role appears uncertain for Week 1, and fantasy managers should have low expectations for his outlook against the Dallas Cowboys.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Could Lose Snaps to Backfield Mate in 2026
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. is expected to split the backfield with Jordan Mason this season. Last season, Jones had 160 touches for 747 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games, while Mason had 173 touches for 809 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Mason has reportedly had a strong training camp, looks fast and explosive, and has a shot at the starting role in Minnesota. With Kyler Murray under center and a favorable schedule for running backs, both players can produce, but Mason has more workhorse upside. Jones has also missed 11 games over the last three seasons, making him a riskier option. Both will limit each other's fantasy value in a committee, but Mason's strong training camp and career efficiency give him the best chance to eventually take over this backfield.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan James Off Fantasy Radar After Losing RB2 Role
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James was a healthy scratch in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. After battling rookie Kaelon Black in training camp, James appeared to lose the backup role and was inactive for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia. James has played only three games in his NFL career and has yet to record a stat. With him as the clear RB3 and the team's ability to use fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Deebo Samuel Sr. as emergency running backs, James does not appear likely to have a role this season unless both Black and star Christian McCaffrey are injured. Fantasy managers can safely drop the second-year back, with Black the clear backup in San Francisco.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
De'Zhaun Stribling Likely to Miss Time
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) will likely miss time, according to Ian Rapoport. Stribling limped off the field, went to the medical tent, returned, and then went down with a non-contact injury that appeared to be significant. The good news is that head coach Kyle Shanahan deemed it an ankle injury and that his Achilles tendon was intact. The rookie receiver was held without a target against the Los Angeles Rams but led the 49ers wideouts in snaps after three drives, playing more than Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Demarcus Robinson, all of whom scored touchdowns in Week 1. While we won't know the full diagnosis until the team returns to the States, fantasy managers shouldn't drop the young, talented receiver.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Isiah Pacheco Droppable After Landing on Injured Reserve
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee/back) will enter the 2026 season on injured reserve. After a sprained MCL in early August, Pacheco dealt with a back injury that head coach Dan Campbell said was more concerning than the knee. With the former Chiefs' back set to miss at least the first four games of the season, fantasy managers in 10- or 12-team leagues should consider dropping him. He had 118 carries for 462 yards and one touchdown last season, averaging six half-PPR fantasy points per game. Once healthy, Pacheco will compete for a backup role behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Even if he suffers an injury, a committee with Sione Vaki or Jacob Saylors, or a free-agency move by the Lions, would be considered as well. There are more high-upside running backs on the waiver wire, and the injuries have set him back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Demarcus Robinson Gets TD Grab In Season Opener
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson had two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown on Thursday night against the Rams. Even though he saw only three targets, Robinson spent a surprising amount of time on the field, finishing second behind Mike Evans in snap count and routes run. With Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) thought to be ahead of him on the depth chart, little was expected of Robinson before the season began. Depending on Stribling's injury status, Robinson may continue to see regular work, though his production relative to his snap share in Week 1 suggests he won't be a focal point on the offense. Robinson is capable of the occasional splash play, but it is hard to see him as a consistent source of fantasy points, even with the Dolphins on deck for Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Deebo Samuel Sr. Catches TD In Reunion With 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was productive in his first game back with the team in their season opener against the Rams despite his limited role. Samuel entered the game from the bench and finished with six catches for 48 yards and one touchdown on seven targets. The versatile veteran also handled one carry for 12 rushing yards and two kickoffs for 74 return yards. Samuel ranked third in snap share among the 49ers' wide receivers behind Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson, and likely would have finished behind De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) had the rookie not exited the game due to an injury in the second quarter. The vague receiver roles and frequent rotations make it hard to predict how and when Samuel will be used, but if Stribling misses time, he should see greater involvement. Samuel might be a flex play in Week 2, when the 49ers face off against the Miami Dolphins.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Mike Evans Scores TD In 49ers Debut
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans made good on the hype surrounding his signing in Thursday night's 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Evans brought in six of his seven targets for 49 yards and one touchdown in the season opener. Evans was involved early and often on pivotal plays, converting four third downs in the first half (three on the first drive alone). His lone missed target came on a third-and-three just before halftime. Evans' lone catch in the second half was a two-yard touchdown that helped the 49ers pull away. With his size and abilities as a receiver, it is easy to see Evans becoming a preferred target for quarterback Brock Purdy in the weeks to come. In Week 2, Evans will get a plum matchup against the Miami Dolphins at home.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Christian McCaffrey Has Modest Production In Lopsided Victory
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey led the team in rushing yards on Thursday night, gaining 68 on 10 carries. The versatile back also led the team in targets with eight, converting them into five receptions for 20 yards through the air. McCaffrey's 55% snap share on Thursday paled in comparison to his heavy usage in 2025. The 49ers involved second-stringer Kaelon Black early and often to spell McCaffrey, and the duo ended the game with the same amount of total touches. San Francisco scored 24 unanswered points following the Rams' second-quarter touchdown, providing the team the right script to be conservative with McCaffrey. Even if the 49ers make good on their talk of finding ways to preserve their star running back, McCaffrey's effectiveness when on the field will keep him in contention as one of the best at his position every week. In Week 2, McCaffrey will face the Miami Dolphins in the 49ers' home opener.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
