RADIO
DJ Giddens in an Important Positional Battle Ahead of Training Camp
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens rarely saw the field as a fifth-round rookie in 2025, and when he did, his 26 total carries amounted to only 96 rushing yards. The lack of moves made at the position this offseason indicates that the Colts still believe in his abilities, and he should be given every opportunity to serve as Jonathan Taylor's primary backup in his second season. When the team opens training camp with its first practice on July 29, Giddens will be competing with 2025 seventh-round pick Seth McGowan for a role that carries significant insurance upside for fantasy. Taylor touched the ball 369 times a season ago, and head coach Shane Steichen has spoken this offseason about the importance of taking some of that work off his plate, though the clear talent discrepancy between him and the other backs on the roster makes that an easier conversation to have in theory than in practice. Still, the battle between Giddens and McGowan will be one to watch, as it could dictate how FAAB or waiver priorities are spent down the road should Taylor miss any time in season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Holani Falling Off Fantasy Radars Ahead of Training Camp
Seahawks running back George Holani carried the ball a combined five times for 10 yards in Seattle's Conference Championship and Super Bowl wins. With Zach Charbonnet tearing his ACL in a Divisional Round victory over the 49ers, Holani served as the primary backup to eventual Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who would go on to sign a deal with the Chiefs in free agency. For a brief moment in the offseason, there was speculation that Holani could come into 2026 as the team's lead back, though that buzz has quieted since Seattle spent its first-round pick on Notre Dame's Jadarian Price. With the Seahawks' first practice of training camp scheduled for Saturday, Price will have every opportunity to carve out a primary role while Charbonnet continues the rehabilitation that saw him working on a side field during the final session of mandatory minicamp. Holani is a player who can't be fully ignored at the start of camp, but with an expectation that he will soon be passed over on the depth chart, he is unlikely to hold much of a fantasy-relevant role in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seahawks Working to Make Devon Witherspoon the Highest-Paid Cornerback
With the Seattle Seahawks scheduled to hold their first training camp practice this Saturday, the team is reportedly in discussions with three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon about an extension that would make him the highest-paid defensive back in the league, per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. The four-year extension signed by All-Pro Trent McDuffie following his trade to the Rams pays him an average annual salary of $31 million, and Rapoport believes that number could come in around $32 million per year for Witherspoon. It's important to note that Witherspoon shares an agent with New England Patriots star corner Christian Gonzalez, who is also seeking an extension ahead of his fourth season, so Witherspoon's eventual reign as the league's highest-paid cornerback may not last long.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Deebo Samuel Sr. Believes He Has Three or Four Good Years Left
With training camps opening around the league, teams are likely working through their lists of available free agents in the event an injury opens an unexpected roster spot, and one unsigned player who believes he still has plenty of good football ahead of him is veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. In a recent video posted to his YouTube channel, Samuel touched upon the emotional rollercoaster of the free agent process and stated outright, "[I] still feel like I got a lot, at least like three, four good years left." The 30-year-old former All-Pro spent his 2025 season with the Washington Commanders after six, at times, electric years with the 49ers. While the physical toll on his body has prevented him from matching his star-making performance of 2021, in which he racked up 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns, he did lead the Commanders across all major receiving categories last season and still has the versatility to make him a fantasy-viable player in the right home in 2026.
Source: Kevin Patra - Around the NFL
Source: Kevin Patra - Around the NFL
Parker Washington Continues to Impress His Coaches
In a recent interview with Peter Schrager, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was effusive in his praise of wide receiver Parker Washington. Coen touched on Washington's work ethic, his connection with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and his special ability with the ball in his hands, noting that he's almost built like a running back in his lower half. It is important to note that Coen also pointed to the arrival of Jakobi Meyers, as well as Brian Thomas Jr.'s ability to draw the coverage of the opponent's top defender, as reasons Washington had so much success down the stretch, providing talking points for all permutations of how Jacksonville's receiver room will stack up in 2026. The Jaguars' first practice of training camp is scheduled for July 29, and with one of the most fantasy-relevant positional battles taking place in said receiver room, updates will be pouring regularly out of Duval County.
Source: Peter Schrager
Source: Peter Schrager
Jaguars Expecting Big Year from Bhayshul Tuten
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten averaged only 3.7 yards per carry while seeing sporadic usage as a fourth-round rookie in 2025, but head coach Liam Coen believes big things are coming for him in year two. In a recent interview with Peter Schrager, Coen spoke of the improvements he's seen heading into year two, pointing to Tuten's 4.28-second 40 time and his ability to rack up yards when he gets a head of steam, putting a dot on the topic by saying, "We're definitely expecting Tuten to have a big year for us." The Jaguars signed veteran running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in free agency, a player with whom Coen has familiarity from his time as offensive coordinator at Kentucky, and when Jacksonville holds its first training camp practice on July 29, both backs are expected to be in attendance and battling for their share of the 307 opportunities left vacated by the departure of Travis Etienne Jr.
Source: Peter Schrager
Source: Peter Schrager
Spencer Shrader, Blake Grupe Competing for Colts Kicking Job
Indianapolis Colts kickers Spencer Shrader (knee) and Blake Grupe will compete for the place-kicking job in Indy in training camp this summer, per Paul Bretl of Colts Wire. Shrader was 13-for-14 on field goals and a perfect 14-for-14 on extra points in five games last year before suffering an ACL injury in his knee. He was replaced by Grupe in Week 14, and he went a perfect 10-for-10 on field goals and 11-for-11 on his extra-point tries to close out the year before being re-signed in the offseason. Bretl thinks that Grupe should have the advantage going into the 2026 season because he has 105 career attempts under his belt compared to Shrader's 19, and he's also not coming off a significant knee injury. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame has made 81.9% of his 105 field-goal attempts (19-for-27 from 50-plus yards) and 98% of his extra points in his three years in the NFL. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can avoid the Colts' kicking situation to begin the year.
Source: Colts Wire - Paul Bretl
Source: Colts Wire - Paul Bretl
Olamide Zaccheaus Battling for WR2 Job in Atlanta This Summer
Tim Weaver of Falcons Wire writes that Atlanta Falcons wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus, Jahan Dotson, and rookie Zachariah Branch will battle for the WR2 job in training camp this summer behind Drake London. Dotson, a former first-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles, is the most logical option, but he hasn't been anything special in the NFL since he caught 35 passes for 523 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games as a rookie in 2022. Weaver points out that Zaccheaus has the upper hand in terms of experience, having played in 105 games (35 starts), catching 188 passes for 2,311 yards and 15 touchdowns in seven years with four different teams. Branch, meanwhile, has the most pure upside thanks to his speed and playmaking ability in space. Weaver writes that it's "truly a wide-open competition." Zaccheaus is returning to Atlanta after starting his career with the Falcons in 2019 and playing with them through the 2022 campaign. He has only topped 500 receiving yards once in his seven seasons, but given the lack of depth and experience behind London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., Zaccheaus could be worth a late-round dart throw in deep leagues for the opportunity.
Source: Falcons Wire - Tim Weaver
Source: Falcons Wire - Tim Weaver
Eli Stowers is an Intriguing Dynasty Stash
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eli Stowers could be a sneaky target for dynasty managers. The Eagles selected Stowers in the second-round out of Vanderbilt. He put together an impressive performance during the NFL Scouting Combine. There's some good long-term potential here, even if Stowers isn't going to be heavily involved right away. Dallas Goedert is the TE1 in Philly, with Johnny Mundt and Grant Calcaterra fighting for the TE2 job. Fantasy managers in redraft formats are probably safe to avoid Stowers. It could take some time before he's a consistent contributor. Dynasty managers looking for help at tight end should certainly consider Stowers as a stash option. It might take some time, but Stowers has the skillset to be a top-tier option at his position in the future.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Braelon Allen Offers Handcuff Potential
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Due to injuries, Allen was limited to four games this past season. The 22-year-old has worked hard this offseason to get his body right and get himself ready for a bounce-back campaign in 2026. Even if he's in great shape, Allen isn't going to be the No. 1 option on this team. Breece Hall signed a new extension and remains the workhorse back on this roster. At best, Allen can surpass Isaiah Davis on the depth chart and become a useful change-of-pace back. Fantasy managers should consider stashing Allen as a handcuff.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Colston Loveland has Top-50 Potential
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland is looking to build off a strong rookie campaign. The 22-year-old registered 58 receptions, 713 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in 16 games with the Bears last season. Like many rookies, Loveland was eased into the mix, but it didn't take him long to surpass Cole Kmet on the depth chart. He's now expected to take on a larger workload with D.J. Moore out of the picture and a full season with Caleb Williams already under his belt. Loveland finished as the TE12 and outside the top-100 last season, but the sky is the limit for him. Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are likely going to be selected ahead of him, but Loveland as the TE3 isn't crazy. The departure of Moore should free up more chances for him in 2026. A finish inside the top-50 seems possible if everything goes right for Loveland next season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Alec Pierce Should Surpass Current ADP
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) put together a career year this past season. Pierce posted career highs in both receptions (47) and receiving yards (1,003) across 15 games with the Colts last season. He was rewarded with a hefty $114 million contract. Now the expectations are much higher with Pierce being one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. The good news for Pierce is that Michael Pittman Jr. is no longer on the Colts roster. Pierce is now the No. 1 wideout and should be a focal point in the passing game alongside tight end Tyler Warren. Pierce saw a career-high 84 targets last season, and that was with Pittman on the roster. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if that number rises to triple digits in 2026. Due to offseason ankle surgery, Pierce's ADP has fallen to WR38. There's enough potential here that Pierce should easily surpass that current ADP.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chase McLaughlin has Plenty of Motivation Going into Contract Year
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin has had a strong run in his three seasons with the Bucs, but he'll likely be kicking for his job in a contract year in 2026, according to Logan Robinson and River Wells of Sports Illustrated. McLaughlin has made 90.1% of his 101 field-goal attempts (26-for-30 from 50-plus yards) while connecting on 97.5% of his 122 extra-point attempts in 51 regular-season games in the last three years in Tampa. However, the 30-year-old former undrafted free agent out of the University of Illinois made only 84.2% of his 38 field-goal tries (11-for-12 from 50-plus yards) in 17 games last year, which was his worst field-goal percentage of his Bucs tenure. In his defense, blocked kicks and special teams woes were partly to blame in 2025. If McLaughlin bounces back in 2026, he should be paid as one of the top kickers in the league. But if he struggles, he could be cut midway through the season. In a new offense this year, McLaughlin should be viewed as a fringy starter at the position in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Logan Robinson, River Wells
Source: Sports Illustrated - Logan Robinson, River Wells
Jordan Whittington Competing for WR3 Role in 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington will be competing for the WR3 role in training camp this summer behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic. Whittington was on the field more for the Rams in Year 2 in 2025, but his production dropped from his rookie campaign, as he caught just 18 of 25 targets for 171 yards and zero touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (six starts). The 25-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Texas had 22 catches for 293 yards and zero TDs in 15 games (three starts) as a rookie in 2024. Even if he wins the WR3 job this summer over the likes of Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield, CJ Daniels, and Tyler Scott, Whittington will be off the fantasy football radar in most single-year formats as long as both Nacua and Adams stay healthy.
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Terrell Jennings Starting Camp on the NFI List
New England Patriots running back Terrell Jennings (undisclosed) will open training camp on the Non-Football Injury list, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. It means that Jennings will not be cleared to practice early in camp, but he can be activated at any time. It's not great news for Jennings, who will be competing with rookies Jam Miller and Myles Montgomery, and Lan Larison for the RB3 role this summer behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M has had a small role in New England's backfield in his first two years in the league, combining for 36 rushing attempts, 106 yards, and one touchdown in just 10 games played in 2024 and 2025, adding one reception for nine yards last year. The longer Jennings takes to get cleared for camp and the preseason, the more of a long shot he'll be to win RB3 duties in the Patriots' backfield in 2026.
Source: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
Source: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
