April 15, 2026

After starting the 2025 season on the practice squad, Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal was not expected to play a significant role in his team's offense. However, early-season injuries to Chargers backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris led to Vidal spending a sizable chunk of the year as his team's lead rusher. Across 13 games, the 24-year-old collected 779 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 171 touches. Los Angeles re-signed Vidal this offseason, so he will be back in the mix for the Chargers in 2026. Still, Hampton is expected to be fully healthy and will likely return to the RB1 role. Additionally, Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell in free agency, which could push Vidal to the Chargers RB3 role. Despite the surprisingly strong year in 2025, Vidal's fantasy value in dynasty formats is questionable heading into 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 77 receptions for 889 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets across 17 games. The 29-year-old's 102 targets were good for second on the team behind only star wide receiver Chris Olave. While New Orleans signed veteran tight end Noah Fant in free agency, Johnson should function as the Saints' lead receiver at the position once again in 2026. Additionally, the outlook for New Orleans' pass game overall is trending up after quarterback Tyler Shough's emergence as a capable signal-caller down the back half of 2025. Johnson may not offer fantasy managers explosive upside, but he should provide a safe production floor, especially in PPR-scoring formats. Johnson's short-term dynasty value is rising after his solid year in 2025.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard opened the 2025 season as his team's RB1. However, an early-season calf injury forced Hubbard to the sidelines and opened the door for Rico Dowdle to emerge as Carolina's new feature back. While Hubbard worked his way back into a more even playing time split down the stretch of the season, he finished the year with just 734 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 164 touches. Luckily for Hubbard, Dowdle signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, reopening the door for Hubbard to get his starting role back. The 26-year-old Hubbard is just one year removed from his breakout 2024 campaign with Carolina, when he racked up 1,366 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 293 touches. Hubbard's dynasty value is firmly trending upwards heading into 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

A fourth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm worked his way into a regular role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 16 games, the 23-year-old recorded 44 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets. Helm split playing time with veteran tight end Chig Okonkwo, which limited the production upside for both players. However, Okonkwo signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency, opening the door for Helm to emerge as the Titans' clear lead tight end. While Tennessee signed wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson over the offseason, the Titans do not have any other clear high-volume target-earners standing in Helm's way. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues may want to consider buying low on Helm ahead of a potential 2026 breakout.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

The Green Bay Packers are "clearing the way" for wide receiver Matthew Golden to move up the depth chart as he heads into his second season in the NFL, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN. The Packers let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency and then recently traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers never made Golden, a first-rounder (23rd overall) in 2025, a focal point of the offense last year, and he finished with just 29 catches for 361 yards and no touchdowns in 14 regular-season games. Golden caught four passes for 84 yards and his first career touchdown reception in the playoff loss to the Chicago Bears. "I think his ceiling is very, very high. We're very, very excited about what he's going to do for our football team moving forward," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. Christian Watson will be the Packers' No. 1 wideout and big-play threat, but he's also been very injury-prone in his career. Jayden Reed is also expected to have a bigger role, but with both Doubs and Wicks out of town, Golden should be much more involved in 2026 after he let his frustration with his rookie role be known. In single-year leagues, Golden will be a WR4/flex option with big-play abilities and still plenty of upside.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky

April 15, 2026

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is on a top-30 pre-draft visit with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday, according to Field Yates of ESPN. It's the final day that draft prospects are allowed to make visits with NFL teams. Arizona released Kyler Murray this offseason and signed Gardner Minshew. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is still on the team, too, and he's fully expected to open the 2026 campaign this fall after putting up career-best numbers in the desert when he took over for the injured Murray in Week 7 of last year. The Cardinals have the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft, although that wouldn't be where they'd target Simpson. The No. 34 overall selection at the top of the second round might be right in the wheelhouse for Simpson, who is viewed as more of a project at the QB position at the next level after starting just one season at Alabama. If Simpson were drafted by the Cardinals, he'd most likely enter his rookie season as the QB3 behind both Brissett and Minshew.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates

April 15, 2026

Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said that running back De'Von Achane is "not available for trade" and that contract talks with the Pro Bowler are progressing this offseason, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. The Dolphins released receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa while also trading away receiver Jaylen Waddle, so many were wondering if they'd also pull the trigger on dealing Achane as part of a full rebuild. The Dolphins continue to say that they want to build around Achane and new quarterback Malik Willis in the upcoming NFL draft, so Achane apparently isn't going anywhere. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Texas A&M was the RB6 in half-PPR fantasy scoring last year, and he's now the clear centerpiece of Miami's offense. As one of the most explosive dual-threat RBs in the NFL, Achane should still have a pretty strong floor as an RB1 in 2026, even if the Dolphins' offense continues to be inefficient and inconsistent.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques

April 15, 2026

Sports Illustrated's John Shipley writes that Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter (knee) will still play wide receiver in his second year in 2026. A TV segment recently expressed disappointment that Hunter will "no longer" play both sides of the ball, which is incorrect. General manager James Gladstone said back in January that the former Heisman Trophy winner will play more cornerback in his sophomore season, but he will still play some receiver. In seven games in his rookie campaign, Hunter caught 28 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets through seven games before suffering a season-ending knee injury that required surgery. The 22-year-old second overall pick had a breakout game in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams with eight catches for 101 yards and his only touchdown before injuring his knee in practice the following week. Hunter's fantasy value is by no means dead going forward, but it will be even more difficult to make a consistent fantasy impact in 2026 if he's playing fewer snaps on offense.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley

April 15, 2026

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Kansas City Chiefs to take Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the ninth overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Tyson is considered the top wideout in this year's draft class by many evaluators, but Ohio State's Carnell Tate doesn't come with the injury concerns that Tyson does, which is why Kiper has Tate projected to go seventh overall to the Washington Commanders. The Chiefs are seeking offensive playmakers as quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) works his way back from a torn left ACL. They still have star tight end Travis Kelce, but he's 36 years old. Speedster Xavier Worthy has shown flashes, but he had only one touchdown in 2025. Tyson would give the Chiefs a solid big-play threat behind Rashee Rice. Durability is the biggest question with Tyson, who missed a third of his possible college games due to injuries. There's lots of playmaking ability, too, as he combined for 1,812 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on 136 catches in 21 games in his final two seasons with the Sun Devils.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Mel Kiper Jr.

April 15, 2026

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland finished his rookie season as the TE12 after taking over as a full-time starter midway through the year. From Week 9 through the end of the season, he trailed only Trey McBride in total fantasy points at the position, but it was his performance in the playoffs that has many calling for a superstar turn. After earning an already obscene 22 targets across his final two regular-season games, Loveland saw 25 looks in the Bears' two playoff games, accounting for nearly a 30% postseason target share on a team with three highly regarded wide receivers. DJ Moore has since been traded to the Bills, leaving Loveland to battle for opportunities with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III in what should be a pass-heavy Chicago offense. While McBride and Brock Bowers each face considerably less competition, neither is attached to a quarterback with the upside of Caleb Williams, and as an early-declare in 2025, Loveland enters his second season at only 22 years old and has the most room for improvement.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Buffalo wide receiver Khalil Shakir has finished each of the past two seasons as a low-end WR3 in PPR formats, but following the Bills' acquisition of DJ Moore via trade, he has fallen to WR56 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. While Shakir is likely to see a decline in volume, the drawn converge and space created by Moore could further open up one of the strongest elements of his game. Shakir's 7.7 yards after catch per reception since entering the league in 2022 is an elite number, aided by his connection with Josh Allen in off-schedule moments. That chemistry could still make him a trusted target when plays break down, allowing Shakir to supplement some of his volume-based production with big plays. While his overall profile could shift from a high-floor, low-ceiling safety net to more of a boom-or-bust option, the 26-year-old Shakir should still find his way to fantasy relevance in 2026 and beyond, and is likely undervalued in dynasty circles.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Injuries have forced Packers wide receiver Christian Watson to miss 21 games across his first four seasons, but when healthy, he's shown continued flashes of game-breaking ability, and with Green Bay recently thinning its receiver ranks, he could have a path to fantasy greatness. After tearing his ACL in the final week of the 2024 season, Watson missed the first seven games of 2025, but upon his return, it didn't take long for him to endear himself to his fantasy managers. From Weeks 8 through 17, Watson was the WR9 in Half-PPR formats, finding the end zone six times across his final seven outings and once more in a Wild Card playoff loss to the Bears. Green Bay has since allowed Romeo Doubs to leave in free agency and has traded away Dontayvion Wicks, opening up a combined 127 targets from 2025. Health and a competing cluster of talent at wide receiver have been the biggest obstacles to Watson's sustained fantasy success, but with at least one hurdle seemingly cleared, he will enter the season 20 months removed from his ACL tear and atop the depth chart. Tight end Tucker Kraft, who was the team's best pass-catcher through the first half of the 2025 season is rehabbing his own ACL injury and could be limited to start the year, leaving Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed as Watson's greatest target competition one year after combining for 539 receiving yards and one touchdown, numbers exceeded by Watson in fewer than half the games played.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth finished his second season as the TE8 and was widely viewed as a top five dynasty player at the position. In the years since, injuries and inconsistent play from both him and his quarterbacks have led him to finish as the TE24 or lower in two of his last three seasons. His 5.7 Half-PPR points per game in 2025 marked a career-low on a Steelers team with scarcely any target competition. Only two wide receivers on the team saw more than 25 targets, creating an environment for tight ends and running backs to thrive in the passing game, but most of the heavy lifting was done by Kenneth Gainwell, while the distribution of looks among tight ends was split nearly evenly between Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington. Neither Gainwell nor Smith are back with the team in 2026, but the Steelers did acquire Michael Pittman Jr. via trade, and he has not earned fewer than 106 targets since 2020. The quarterback situation remains unsettled, with Pittsburgh backed into a corner: either running things back with a now-42-year-old Aaron Rodgers or turning the huddle over to Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, or an as-yet-unknown rookie. Pittsburgh's offense could ultimately go in any number of directions under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but it seems unlikely that Freiermuth will suddenly emerge as a focal point after averaging 6.5 fantasy points per game over the past three seasons.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with Atlanta after being released by the Miami Dolphins, and he is now in a position to compete with 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the team's starting job. Penix, whose professional and collegiate career has largely been defined by injury, suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 11, but there are exceptions that he could return by the start of training camp. Tagovailoa, no stranger to injury himself, has missed a total of 17 games since taking over as a starter in 2020, and in the wake of a number of career-threatening concussion scares, his fantasy production has seen a significant decline over the past two seasons. Since posting 16.7 points per game in a career-best QB9 finish in 2023, he's fallen to an 11.8-point pace across his last 25 starts. New head coach Kevin Stefanski has not seen a quarterback finish higher than QB25 in his run-heavy West Coast offense since Baker Mayfield in 2020, so even if Tagovailoa should win the job cleanly out of camp, his ceiling remains low, and with two years of guaranteed money remaining on Penix's rookie contract, the team could look for the first opportunity to work him back into the starting lineup. Tagovailoa is RotoBaller's dynasty QB34, though after six seasons as a starter, anything hinting toward a backup path would see that ranking tumble precipitously.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is coming off the best individual fantasy season of his young career. He was the overall WR7 last year, catching 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. He had not previously ranked higher than WR25 in a single season, so jumping to the seventh spot was a major leap. It certainly helped that he set new career-highs in targets, receptions, and yards. While Flowers is a major offseason riser in dynasty fantasy football rankings, there are a couple of factors for fantasy managers to consider. First of all, the Ravens could have a different-looking offense next season after replacing head coach John Harbaugh with Jesse Minter and replacing offensive coordinator Todd Monken with Declan Doyle. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, it has been rumored that the Ravens are considering selecting a receiver in the first round of this month's NFL Draft. On one hand, that's good news, because it means that the Ravens want to place more emphasis on the passing game after being run-heavy in the past. On the other hand, adding a rookie receiver could lead to a reduction in targets for Flowers. Lamar Jackson averaged a modest 23.2 pass attempts per game last season, so Flowers needs all the volume that he can get. The Ravens' wide receiver room is certainly worth monitoring as the 2026 NFL Draft gets underway on April 23.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller