Jul 27, 2026, 1:32 PM ET

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams praised second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III on the Up & Adams Show on Monday, saying that "he makes the first guy miss every time." Williams also said that Burden "catches everything" and is a "friendly receiver." The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) last year out of the University of Missouri started slow in his rookie campaign but became more involved in head coach Ben Johnson's offense down the stretch, ultimately finishing with 47 receptions on 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts). Burden is one of the most popular Year 2 breakout receivers in fantasy football going into the 2026 season, especially since DJ Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Johnson has also been praising Burden for his offseason work, saying that he's "buying Burden stock right now" and that he's been "really happy with him." Burden will cost a pretty penny in fantasy drafts because of all the second-year hype, but he might be worth every penny in an ascending Bears offense. RotoBaller has Burden ranked as the No. 21 overall fantasy WR for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Up & Adams

Jul 27, 2026, 12:13 PM ET

New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams currently looks like the team's WR7, behind A.J. Brown, Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chishm III, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Williams was running with the second- and third-team offense during Monday's training camp practice. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2025 out of Washington State barely contributed in his first NFL season, catching 10 of 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (zero starts), although he did flash some big-play ability deep down the field and averaged 20.9 yards per catch. It's still early in training camp, but fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues who are stashing Williams heading into his second NFL season can't like what they are hearing. If he's in danger of not making the active 53-man roster near the end of camp, the Patriots could consider trading him to a WR-needy team.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan

Jul 27, 2026, 12:07 PM ET

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is still technically a member of the San Francisco 49ers, but he remained absent over the weekend for the start of training camp, and the two sides are eventually expected to part ways. Aiyuk spent much of the summer criticizing general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the organization on social media. Lynch said back in January that Aiyuk would likely never play for the team again, but the Niners haven't found a trade partner and haven't outright released the former first-rounder. Aiyuk has repeatedly said on social media that he plans to sign with the Washington Commanders, and that he's the "final piece" to unlocking their offense, according to Matt Barrows and Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Before all of Aiyuk's social-media comments, sources said that the Commanders likely would have considered a short-term, highly incentivized contract with him if he was released. But the more Aiyuk has posted on social media, "the more he has seemed to jeopardize his hopes of returning to an active NFL roster." According to sources, Aiyuk's behavior changed after he signed a four-year, $120 million deal in August of 2024, and then he played in seven games that season before tearing multiple ligaments in his knee. In addition to being in limbo heading into the 2026 season, it's unclear what kind of shape Aiyuk is in physically. All we know is that his fantasy value has hit rock bottom.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows and Nicki Jhabvala

Jul 27, 2026, 11:37 AM ET

The wife of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was shot at the couple's home in Virginia, sources told Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. The Chiefs said in a statement that they are "aware of the incident involving Eric Bieniemy's family," but they didn't provide further details. Bieniemy's wife was shot by the couple's son on Sunday night. Mia Bieniemy, 57, is hospitalized and in stable condition. Police confirmed that she was being treated for "serious injuries" from multiple gunshot wounds. Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. She was reportedly shot in the chest and arm. Bieniemy was with the Chiefs on Sunday for their second practice of training camp, but he was not in attendance for Monday's practice. He returned to KC for the 2026 season after previously serving as head coach Andy Reid's OC from 2018 to 2022.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor

Jul 27, 2026, 11:00 AM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins was a standout during OTAs and minicamp, and with the team slated to return to the field on Saturday for their first practice of training camp, the second-year wideout will look to continue building momentum. As a rookie in 2025, Higgins finished third on the Texans in targets, receptions, and yards, while his six touchdown grabs tied two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins for the team lead. During spring practices, he looked notably bigger while running more precise routes, raising expectations heading into year two. Fourth-year quarterback C.J. Stroud has his detractors, and Houston returns one of the league's premier defensive units, allowing for questions of how high a ceiling Higgins can truly reach, particularly with Collins still in tow. However, going more than seven rounds behind fellow second-year wideouts Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III, and Emeka Egbuka in 2026 drafts, Higgins is not a cost-prohibitive bet on a year-two breakout, and he is currently RotoBaller's WR55.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 27, 2026, 10:49 AM ET

Seattle Seahawks veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp made a diving, one-handed catch on Sunday that drew a huge reaction from the gathered crowd, and it will take some serious work to unseat as the reigning play of the summer in the early days of training camp. In his first year with the team, Kupp caught only 47 passes for 593 yards and a career-low two touchdowns, but he told reporters during minicamp that he never considered retirement, and Seahawks beat writer Gregg Bell pointed to his most recent display of athleticism as evidence that he made the right decision. At 33 years old, the two-time Super Bowl champion and former Offensive Player of the Year no longer has the consistency to earn every-week consideration in lineup fantasy leagues. However, his catch on Sunday serves as a reminder that RotoBaller's WR71 could still have a place in best ball leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Gregg Bell

Jul 27, 2026, 10:39 AM ET

While entirely too early to be raising any red flags, New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs has failed to stand out through the team's first two practices of training camp, with senior team reporter Evan Lazar pointing out a lack of consistent separation. Doubs is still learning a new playbook, which he has publicly admitted is nothing like the offense he was a part of for four years in Green Bay, and as a more physical receiver, the non-padded practices to begin camp simply may not be the setting for him to showcase all of his abilities. Still, after signing a four-year, $68 million contract in free agency, he has yet to be singled out by the team beat. By contrast, incumbent X-receiver Kayshon Boutte has been praised for making highlight-worthy catches in each of the team's first two practices following an offseason of trade speculation. Still early, the battle for primary reps opposite A.J. Brown in two-receiver sets could become an intriguing storyline of Patriots camp and one that could reshape late-round draft plans, as Doubs is currently RotoBaller's WR53 while Boutte sits at WR77.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Evan Lazar

Jul 27, 2026, 10:27 AM ET

Days before the start of training camp, the Washington Commanders have announced they are parting ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele after he was hired this offseason following three years in the same position with the Cardinals. Steele was reportedly arrested in June on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and faces additional charges for refusing a breathalyzer test and refusing or resisting an officer without force. The Commanders do not have an assistant tight ends coach on staff, and as of now it is unknown who will fill the role under first-time offensive coordinator David Blough. Tight end Chig Okonkwo was one of the team's most notable offensive additions this offseason, and despite the murky situation, he remains a late-round sleeper candidate as RotoBaller's TE19.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Adam Schefter

Jul 27, 2026, 10:14 AM ET

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has not come close to matching his fantasy QB5 finish from 2023, but advanced metrics still point to him as one of the league's most efficient players at the position. His EPA/play trailed only Drake Maye in 2025, and an unfamiliar conglomeration of familiar faces could lead to sustained success in 2026. The Packers return a top pass-catching trio of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft, but that grouping did not take a single snap together in 2025, with each missing at least six games due to injury. With Kraft's availability the biggest lingering question for the start of the year as he continues to recover from a season-ending ACL tear, there is still an expectation that Love should have his full complement of pass-catchers early in the season. With running back Josh Jacobs also coming into the year healthy after wearing down late in 2025, the Packers offense could rank among the highest-scoring in 2026, with Love looking like an obvious benefactor. At RotoBaller's QB16, the 27-year-old veteran represents tremendous potential value heading into his fourth season as a starter.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 27, 2026, 10:03 AM ET

For the second straight day, New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte stood out in a newly weaponized receiver room, making an early push to stick around after an offseason of trade rumors. ESPN's Mike Reiss highlighted Boutte's back-shoulder catch in tight coverage as a standout moment and one that caught the attention of new teammate, All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, who later told reporters, "He's a guy that does a very good job tracking the ball down the field." The fourth-year receiver continues to stack plays and was one of the few offensive bright spots on a day in which the defense reportedly dominated. Both of Boutte's highlight catches came while lined up across from A.J. Brown, which is of particular note considering the arrivals of Brown and Romeo Doubs had many speculating about his potential fit after serving as the team's most reliable outside threat in 2025. Boutte is RotoBaller's WR77, and whether he makes a push to stick with the Patriots or eventually winds up on another team, he could prove to be an undervalued fantasy difference-maker in 2026.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Mike Reiss

Jul 27, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

As a first-round rookie in 2025, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden was never able to build any consistency, six times being held beneath 10 receiving yards in a game, but his performance in a wild-card playoff loss to the Bears provided a glimpse of bigger things to come in Year 2. The Packers traded away Dontayvion Wicks and allowed Romeo Doubs to depart in free agency, so when the team kicks off its first practice of training camp on Wednesday, Golden will be penciled in to the starting outside spot opposite Christian Watson. Jayden Reed's usual role out of the slot could expand in 2026 out of necessity, but Golden will have every opportunity to prove he belongs on the field in two-receiver sets, and his breakout candidacy is gaining steam. After dealing with a nagging ankle injury throughout his rookie season, better health and increased opportunity could lead to notable growth in year two, making Golden a potential bargain at RotoBaller's WR50.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 27, 2026, 9:38 AM ET

Following an impressive spring with the team, veteran wide receiver Mike Evans was named an early standout in his first training camp practice with the San Francisco 49ers, with The Athletic's Matt Barrows pointing to a pair of long connections from quarterback Brock Purdy. Evans signed a three-year, $42 million deal this offseason after 12 Hall of Fame-level seasons with the Buccaneers, and big things are expected in a Kyle Shanahan offense that should frequently see him deployed out of two-receiver sets. An injury-marred 2025 campaign marked Evans' first season without reaching 1,000 receiving yards, but he's looking to bounce back in a big way, and it looks as if his chemistry with Purdy is already being established. Evans is RotoBaller's WR26 and a sleeper candidate for a WR1 finish with a bit of touchdown luck in his age-33 season.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Matt Barrows - The Athletic

Jul 27, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Washington Commanders veterans report to training camp on Tuesday, and a player looking to put a forgettable 2025 season behind him is quarterback Jayden Daniels. Fighting through injuries, both his own and to his supporting cast, Daniels was limited to only 1,540 combined rushing and passing yards and 10 total touchdowns in his seven games played. By contrast, he threw 12 touchdowns to Terry McLaurin alone during a historical rookie campaign, and with both coming into camp healthy after reportedly working together throughout the offseason, expectations are high that they can recapture some of that magic from 2024. Increased under-center usage in David Blough's system could lead to more big plays in 2026, giving Daniels one of fantasy's highest potential ceilings to go with the rock-solid floor provided by his elite scrambling ability. As RotoBaller's QB3, drafters would do well to treat his disappointing 2025 campaign as more of an outlier than a sign of things to come.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 27, 2026, 9:12 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) made an appearance in the booth of the NFL Flag Championships held over the weekend in Indiana, and when asked how his body feels, he told Kyle Brandt, "I feel good, really good. I'm excited to get going." Colts veterans report for training camp on Monday with the first practice scheduled for Wednesday, and as Jones continues to recover from the torn Achilles that ended his first year with the team, he could soon find himself participating in 11-on-11 action. Jones saw his involvement ramped up throughout OTAs and minicamp, eventually taking part in 7-on-7 drills, and it sounds as if he won't be limited for long, if at all, to begin training camp. Jones is RotoBaller's QB24 and represents tremendous potential value after playing as the QB7 through the first 13 weeks of 2025 despite adding a career-low 13.3 rushing yards per game.--Patrick McGrath
Source: NFL on ESPN

Jul 26, 2026, 10:59 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk (undisclosed) exited the team's training camp practice on Sunday due to an undisclosed injury, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Kirk is entering his first year in San Francisco after recording 28 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown on 52 targets across 13 games with the Houston Texans in 2025. Entering training camp, Kirk is likely atop the 49ers' depth chart at slot receiver. However, injuries have been a major problem for the 29-year-old in recent years, as he's missed 18 games over the last three seasons. While the extent of Kirk's current ailment is unclear, it's not a great sign that he's already battling health injuries this early in the summer. If Kirk is unable to establish himself as a key piece in San Francisco, it could open up more opportunities early on for rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling.--Will Brady
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows