Jun 4, 2026, 1:23 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold lacks significant dynasty upside because of his limited mobility, but the presence of superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba does give his outlook a boost. Throwing the ball to the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year last season, Darnold racked up 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, as well as six lost fumbles. He finished the year as the QB13, one year after ranking as the QB9 with the Vikings. Darnold has had the fortune of playing with elite receivers each of the last two seasons, and it has resulted in low-end QB1 or high-end QB2 results. Therefore, as long as he continues to have Smith-Njigba at his disposal, the 28-year-old ranks as a mid-to-high QB2 in fantasy football. Managers would like to see him cut down on turnovers next year, but we do expect to see his touchdown total increase slightly. Darnold currently ranks as the QB23 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 12:49 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Justin Fields remains in the mix to start Week 1 of the 2026 season, giving him some short-term upside in fantasy football. The Chiefs traded for Fields this offseason as a solid backup option to Patrick Mahomes (knee), who might not be ready for the season opener. If that's the case, Fields would draw the start against the Broncos, with potential games to follow in subsequent weeks against the Colts, Dolphins, and Raiders. The former Bears first-round pick was a productive fantasy option in 2024 with the Steelers, but he lost his job to Russell Wilson midseason that year. Likewise, he was a solid fantasy quarterback as a Jet in 2025, but an injury cost him the second half of his season. Across his six healthy games last year, Fields totaled 1,259 passing yards, 325 rushing yards, 11 total touchdowns, and just two turnovers. Fields' rushing upside and ability to protect the football give him high-end QB2 appeal as long as Mahomes is sidelined, even if that's just for a couple of weeks. Dynasty managers with some quarterback uncertainty should look to acquire him at a discount and deploy him as a solid fantasy option for the first few weeks of the 2026 campaign.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 12:41 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert faces new competition within the position group, and yet he still remains a dynasty riser after his career-best finish (TE7) last season. Goedert had never finished higher than TE10 before last year, but he broke out in a huge way with 60 catches, 591 yards, and a whopping 11 touchdowns. We can expect some natural touchdown regression in 2026, and Goedert probably will lose some volume to rookie tight end Eli Stowers. Nevertheless, he remains a candidate for a large target share, especially after the Eagles traded away A.J. Brown and his 121 vacated targets. It's a contract year for Goedert, and at just 31 years old, he should remain an NFL starter for several years to come, regardless of whether he's in Philadelphia or somewhere else. The Stowers addition has lowered Goedert's cost in dynasty trades, making him an appealing buy-low target this offseason.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 12:22 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Christian Watson to a four-year, $110.5 million extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The deal includes a $31 million signing bonus. Watson is a very talented receiver and former first-round pick, but injuries have plagued him over the years. He has missed 20 games in four years since entering the league, including the first six weeks of the 2025 season. With that being said, he's productive when healthy. He caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns across 10 games last year, ranking as the overall WR9 in PPR leagues from Week 9-17. Watson's role is only expected to grow in 2026, now that Romeo Doubs has departed for New England. Watson projects as the Packers' No. 1 receiver ahead of players like Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden. An AAV of $26M+ is a big investment for a receiver with a significant injury history, but when he's healthy, he's worth every penny. As it stands, Watson is the WR42 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Adam Schefter

Jun 4, 2026, 10:19 AM ET

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson caught 45 passes in 2025 for 528 yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating a clear chemistry with quarterback Jaxson Dart and finishing as the TE13 or better in six of their nine games played together. However, calls for a true year-three breakout were largely quieted when the Giants committed $26 million in guaranteed money to free agent Isaiah Likely. With Johnson having since fallen to TE40 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, he could now be seen as a low-cost trade target with multiple paths to outperforming expectations. Head coach John Harbaugh arrives from Baltimore, where the Ravens were the only team in 2025 to run more plays out of 12-personnel than out of 11, and new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's successful ability to run an offense through the tight end position is well documented. Johnson is only 25 years old, and in an offense proven desperate for secondary pass catchers by the recent signings of Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Braxton Berrios, he could hold a legitimate role in 2026 and beyond.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 10:19 AM ET

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai was a fantasy difference-maker whenever given volume as a seventh-round rookie in 2025. Twice in his debut season, he handled more than 15 carries in a game, and in those two outings, he averaged 153 rushing yards while scoring 22.2 half-PPR fantasy points per game. He still projects as the 1B to seventh-year veteran D'Andre Swift in what should again be a well-run Bears offense, providing him with a usable floor from the flex spot, while his proven ability to capitalize on an increased workload makes him one of the more attractive handcuffs in the league. That said, there's a chance he's now being overvalued in dynasty leagues, coming into 2026 as RotoBaller's RB27, ranking ahead of several current starters. His rookie season sample size was small, and his best game came against a Bengals defense that allowed a league-worst 2,500 rushing yards. While ultimately unsuccessful, the Bears have been active in trying to acquire top running back talent in each of the past two offseasons, and as a late-Day 3 pick, Monangai is by no means irreplaceable even if he does carve out a larger role in his second season. Monangai is fully capable of taking a sizable step forward in year two, but with his long-term viability less clear, rebuilding dynasty managers would be wise to sell on the back of any growing training camp hype or an early-season boom game.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught at least 115 passes and double-digit touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, never falling below 1,250 receiving yards and finishing as the fantasy WR3 in all three seasons. In 2026, it's possible his ceiling could be even higher under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. The buzz out of Detroit through OTAs has been around Petzing's ability to bring balance to an offense that became too reliant on explosive plays in 2025. With St. Brown healthy after sitting out this time last year following an offseason knee surgery, he's been one of several Lions players to express excitement about the new direction of the offense. As the coordinator for the Cardinals in 2025, Petzing helped to transform third-year receiver Michael Wilson into a fantasy league-winner in an offense that also saw Trey McBride set the single-season tight end reception record. While former Pro Bowler Sam LaPorta is expected back in the fold after missing eight games in 2025 with a herniated disc in his back, he is no threat to earn a McBride-level of volume, and St. Brown should be the biggest benefactor of an offense designed to exploit the weaknesses of opposing teams. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR6, the 26-year-old St. Brown continues to be undervalued, but he should remain one of the most reliable fantasy contributors in one of the league's most high-powered offenses for the foreseeable future.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 9:31 AM ET

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy led the team in 2025 with 105 targets, but inconsistency, drops, and a disconnect with all three starting quarterbacks translated to only 50 receptions, 602 yards, and two scores. The Browns have since spent first and second round picks to bolster the receiver room, adding KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the 2026 NFL Draft, but for at least one more season, Jeudy should still have a role in two-receiver sets in a Todd Monken offense built around putting his playmakers in the best position to succeed. As the offensive coordinator in Baltimore, Monken used space and motion to help scheme Zay Flowers to more than 1,200 yards and a WR7 fantasy finish in 2025. In Cleveland, both Jeudy and Concepcion have the versatility to adopt a similar role, and it remains to be seen if one or both will be used comparably, but with Jeudy all but written off after a down year, he's fallen to RotoBaller's WR85. With an opportunity to handle a larger-than-expected workload, he has become a low-cost dynasty depth piece who is still just 27 years old and only one season removed from a career-high 90 receptions for 1,229 yards in 2024.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

Buffalo wide receiver Skyler Bell is a versatile prospect who has drawn lofty comparisons since the Bills selected him with the 125th pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He caught over 100 passes in his final season at Connecticut for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns, and by most accounts, he has put a shaky rookie minicamp behind him and was seen making plays during Buffalo's final open practice of OTAs on Tuesday. With third-year receiver Keon Coleman absent from the session, Bell reportedly proved a reliable target for Josh Allen in 11-on-11s. The step up in competition from Connecticut to the NFL is a significant one, but Bell's ability to play both inside and outside will help to create multiple paths to playing time. If he can continue to develop chemistry with the perennial MVP-contender under center, then he has a good chance to emerge from the third round of rookie-only drafts as a steady fantasy contributor.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 3, 2026, 11:07 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat will not be traded, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Sweat is reportedly unhappy with his contract after signing a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Cardinals in March of last year after the 29-year-old outside linebacker set a new career high with 12 sacks in 17 starts in 2025 in his first year with the team. In addition to his 12 sacks, the former fourth-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 out of Florida State racked up 30 tackles (20 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery out in the desert. Sweat has 55 sacks in his first eight years in the NFL over 121 games (81 starts), with his first seven years coming in Philly. The Cardinals need Sweat to be at his best again if he sticks around in 2026 after they were near the bottom of the NFL in QB pressures and sacks.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Jun 3, 2026, 11:07 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (undisclosed) hasn't thrown in OTA practices last week or this week due to undisclosed "soreness," according to Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. There isn't really any concern that Jones won't be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of July. The 27-year-old went 5-3 as the Niners' starter last year in place of the injured Brock Purdy, completing a career-best 69.6% of his pass attempts for 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 games played (eight starts). Jones more than kept the 49ers afloat as injuries decimated both sides of the ball. Purdy is fully healthy heading into the start of the 2026 campaign, which leaves very little fantasy value for Jones in single-year leagues. He'll once again be a valuable insurance policy for Purdy as he heads into his sixth year in the NFL. Jones thrived in head coach Kyle Shanahan's QB-friendly offense last year, but it still didn't make him much more than a QB2 streamer in superflex fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Cam Inman

Jun 3, 2026, 10:30 PM ET

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that Adonai Mitchell and Geno Smith "feel like a wide receiver-quarterback pairing built to play together." Mitchell, who has the size at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds to win jump balls all over the field, could work well with the veteran Smith, who has the arm strength and confidence to test any area of the field. Mitchell and Smith's chemistry "appears to be growing" in the early days of the offseason program. The 23-year-old pass-catcher said that Smith is "a baller," and added, "He's a natural leader. He's the alpha of the room, that's the best way I could put it. He takes initiative, he communicates very well." After being acquired from the Indianapolis Colts in a midseason trade last year, Mitchell caught 24 of his 58 targets for 301 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with the Jets. The former second-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Texas made an immediate impact for Gang Green, despite terrible QB play. However, that also came with Garrett Wilson out of action due to a knee injury. Smith was one of the worst signal-callers in the league in 2025 with the Raiders, but if he takes a liking to Mitchell in the Big Apple this year, Mitchell has the athleticism, size, and speed to become a threat over a full season. Right now, he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 76 fantasy wideout for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt

Jun 3, 2026, 10:07 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers and tight end Darnell Washington agreed to a four-year, $42 million contract extension on Wednesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The hulking 6-foot-7, 264-pounder has developed into a key piece of Pittsburgh's offense after they selected him in the third round (93rd overall) in 2023 out of the University of Georgia. Although the 24-year-old hasn't been on the fantasy football radar, outside of dynasty/keeper leagues, he could have an even bigger role with the Steelers in 2026 after both Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward left in free agency this offseason. Washington had his best year as a pro in 2025 in Year 3 in the Steel City, catching 31 of his 43 targets for 364 yards and just one touchdown in 16 regular-season games (13 starts). Pat Freiermuth remains the better fantasy target in single-year leagues, but Washington could be a Freiermuth injury away from becoming a weekly TE option for fantasy managers.--Keith Hernandez
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz

Jun 3, 2026, 9:06 PM ET

In addition to having surgery to fix his torn ACL, Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) said he had a procedure to "clean up" his meniscus, according to Packers beat writer Ryan Wood. Parsons said it's a hard nine-month rule before he even considers coming back, prioritizing longevity of his career. In a best-case scenario, Parsons could return to Green Bay to make his 2026 season debut in the middle of October, which means he will more than likely open the campaign on the Physically Unable to Perform list and be forced to miss at least the first four games. The 27-year-old had surgery to fix his torn ACL on Dec. 29. He could return for Week 5 against the division-rival Chicago Bears or Week 6 against his old team, the Dallas Cowboys, but he's emphasizing patience. The Packers also won't rush him back. The five-time Pro Bowler is a game-changer on Green Bay's D-line when healthy, as he had 12.5 sacks in his 14 games in his first year with the team in 2025 before tearing his ACL late in December versus the Denver Broncos.--Keith Hernandez
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood

Jun 3, 2026, 8:44 PM ET

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) had a somewhat alarming answer on Wednesday when he was asked when his injured foot from last season felt normal again, saying, "This is my new normal. And it's not from a standpoint that I'm always in pain, but the way my foot broke there's callouses in there that create a different type of foot structure with those bones -- different types of things that kind of shift things around. So my new normal is kind of what I am going into." It's not exactly what you want to hear from a third-year player and former first-rounder who played in just 12 regular-season games in 2025 due to his foot injury. The former ninth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Washington looked to be on his way to a Year 2 breakout last season after catching 20 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns in his first four games, but he only had one 100-yard game and one touchdown the rest of the way while missing five games. There is less competition for targets in Chicago now that DJ Moore is in Buffalo, but second-year wideout Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland are both capable of much larger roles. Odunze may never live up to his draft capital as a top-10 pick, and he's most definitely a faller heading into his third NFL season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Wiederer