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49ers to Monitor Playing Time for George Kittle in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team will monitor the playing time for tight end George Kittle (Achilles) in the Week 1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. "We got to be smart with that," Shanahan said. Kittle was listed as limited in Tuesday's practice in Australia as he comes back from a torn Achilles tendon in last year's postseason. The 32-year-old veteran traveled with the team and is in line to play on Thursday, but he could be facing limited offensive snaps, which will make him highly volatile in fantasy football to kick things off. It does not mean that Kittle cannot still be valuable for his red-zone prowess, but there will be much more risk. Jake Tonges could be a sneaky deep-league streamer in Week 1 if Kittle's reps are managed against the Rams. Fantasy managers should view Kittle as more of a low-end TE2 option in starting lineups for Week 1.
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Chris Bell to Start Week 1 Without a Pitch Count
After missing most of training camp and the preseason as he worked his way back from the ACL injury that ended his collegiate career, Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell has been listed as a Week 1 starter, and head coach Jeff Hafley told the media on Wednesday that he will not be limited by a pitch count. Bell appeared in the Dolphins' final preseason game and was targeted five times in roughly 10 minutes of game time, and along with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas, he has earned a spot in the season-opening lineup when Miami faces the Raiders on Sunday. "We believe those guys deserve to start, and we're gonna start them," Hafley told reporters. A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, there is a belief Bell would have gone significantly earlier if not for the injury, and in a Dolphins offense in search of playmakers to complement running back De'Von Achane, the 22-year-old wideout has arguably the highest ceiling and should be viewed as the Miami receiver to roster for fantasy.
Source: Marcel Louis-Jacques
Source: Marcel Louis-Jacques
Jaylen Warren Could Handle a Large Week 1 Role
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is no stranger to competition, having spent his first three seasons in a backfield split with Najee Harris before sharing a room with Kenny Gainwell in 2025. Following Gainwell's departure, the Steelers added veteran Rico Dowdle, who has topped 1,000 rushing yards at each of his last two stops, but heading into Week 1, Warren is listed as the RB1 on the team's unofficial depth chart and could see a significant workload against an undermanned Falcons defense. Warren and Dowdle are similarly well-rounded backs who could be used interchangeably throughout the season, and should both find fantasy viability in the right matchups. Against the Falcons, the Steelers are favored at home, presenting Warren with an opportunity to forge a strong start to his 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Washington Jr. Could See a Key Week 1 Role
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. led all qualified runners with a 7.3 yards-per-carry average during the 2026 preseason. Following a dominant effort across all three games, he has positioned himself as not just an important insurance back, but as a player who could see a standalone role as early as Week 1. 2025 sixth overall pick Ashton Jeanty (ankle) handled 334 opportunities as a rookie, but upon his arrival from Seattle, head coach Klint Kubiak immediately espoused the value of a committee running back approach. In Washington, he may have found a player to help lighten Jeanty's workload, particularly with the former first-rounder already dealing with an ankle injury. With the Raiders still holding one of the league's lowest projected win totals, it may be difficult for the team to support two usable fantasy backs, but Washington's preseason push makes him an intriguing end-of-bench stash who would see his value catapult if ever forced into a larger role by injury.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sean Tucker Still Not Practicing on Wednesday
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have taken to the practice field ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Bengals, and according to reporter Greg Auman, the only player not in attendance is running back Sean Tucker (undisclosed). Tucker has been dealing with an undisclosed issue that has held him out of practice since last week, and head coach Todd Bowles has already called him a game-time decision. The Buccaneers will issue their first official practice report on Wednesday, which should help to add clarity to Tucker's season-opening availability. While unlikely to see his own starting role for fantasy, Tucker's presence could have a significant effect on Bucky Irving's Week 1 value, particularly near the goal line after Tucker led the team with seven rushing touchdowns in 2025.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Marvin Mims Jr. Joins Broncos' Starting Receiver Trio
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. joins Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton in the team's starting receiver group, according to Zac Stevens. Mims started only four games last season, finishing with 37 catches for 322 yards and one touchdown while adding 78 yards and another score on 12 carries. He did show more as a receiver during Denver's playoff run, catching 12 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown across two games. The Broncos still have plenty of competition for snaps and targets with Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin in the receiver room, so being listed as a starter doesn't guarantee Mims a major weekly workload. Still, his place alongside Sutton and Waddle is a positive sign for how Denver plans to use the fourth-year receiver when the season begins.
Source: Zac Stevens
Source: Zac Stevens
Luther Burden III Appears Healthy Ahead of Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) was one of the most talked-about players in the early stages of training camp, seemingly making a highlight play every time he took the field. A groin injury suffered in early August caused him to miss a significant portion of camp, but by most accounts he has looked like the same explosive player since returning to practice more than a week ago, and all indications point to a full workload in the Bears' season opener against the Panthers on Sunday. Following the departure of veteran DJ Moore, Burden will compete with Rome Odunze and tight end Colston Loveland to see the most targets in what profiles as a high-ceiling Chicago offense, and after dominating on a per-route basis late in his rookie season, the second-year wideout with WR1 upside could see a hot start to the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tank Bigsby Belongs Among Fantasy's Elite Handcuffs
Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby belongs on the short list of backups who could become weekly fantasy starters with one depth-chart change. He is officially listed second behind Saquon Barkley, and we already got a look at what a bigger role can produce. When Barkley sat the 2025 regular-season finale, Bigsby ran 16 times for 75 yards and a touchdown and added a 31-yard catch. He was efficient throughout his first season in Philadelphia too, averaging 5.9 yards per carry on 58 attempts. There is more workload evidence from Jacksonville, where Bigsby handled 168 carries for 766 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. None of this gives him much standalone value while Barkley is healthy. That's fine. The appeal is what happens if the opportunity changes. Bigsby has the size, efficiency and prior volume to step into a much larger role, and the current depth chart confirms he is the next man up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Parker Washington's Breakout May Be Just Getting Started
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington was already starting to look like a breakout late last season, and nothing that happened this summer cooled it off. Washington led Jacksonville with 95 targets, 58 catches and 847 receiving yards in 2025, then went for 454 yards and three touchdowns over his final four games including the playoffs. He kept showing up in training camp too. Jacksonville's own observers repeatedly singled Washington out, while his chemistry with Trevor Lawrence looked noticeably stronger throughout the summer. There are still a lot of mouths to feed here. Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers are starting alongside him, with Travis Hunter still part of the offensive mix. Washington has already shown he can earn targets in that kind of environment, though. He enters Week 1 at WR27 in the current rankings and can be started against Cleveland, but the more interesting part is where his value goes from here. Washington has a legitimate chance to emerge as Jacksonville's top fantasy receiver if last year's finish carries over.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rams Kept Tabs on Maxx Crosby This Offseason
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby drew interest from the Los Angeles Rams during the offseason, according to Tom Pelissero of The Sweep. The Rams called about Crosby and kept tabs on the situation after his proposed trade to Baltimore fell apart in March because of concerns over his surgically repaired knee. Crosby ultimately remained in Las Vegas and has repeatedly said he wants to stay with the Raiders. He finished 2025 with 10 sacks and 28 tackles for loss despite missing the final two games, and Pelissero reports that Crosby has looked great heading into the season. That could bring the trade conversation back eventually. If Crosby looks like himself once the games begin, Pelissero expects teams to call Las Vegas again before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Matthew Golden Steps Into Bigger Role in Year 2
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden has a much clearer path to playing time entering his second season. Golden was the top breakout choice in a poll of NFL executives and scouts conducted by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler after a quiet rookie year in which he caught 29 passes for 361 yards on 44 targets. One AFC executive questioned why Green Bay didn't use the former first-round pick more and pointed to his speed as a reason for optimism. The opportunity looks different now. Romeo Doubs left in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks was traded to Philadelphia, while Golden is listed with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed among Green Bay's starting receivers. He also flashed in the playoffs, catching four passes for 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown against Chicago. Golden still has to turn the opportunity into production, but the path to a much larger Year 2 role is there.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
LeQuint Allen Jr. Will Be Game-Time Decision in Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's opener against Cleveland, head coach Liam Coen said, according to Ryan O'Halloran. Allen has been dealing with a soft-tissue injury since August and missed the remainder of training camp after going down. The second-year back had 23 carries for 94 yards and caught 10 passes for 54 yards across 17 games as a rookie, but his value to Jacksonville goes beyond the touches. Allen has earned trust on third downs and in pass protection. Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are listed as co-starters on Jacksonville's first regular-season depth chart, with Allen behind them. If Allen cannot go Sunday, the Jaguars will have to redistribute some of that passing-down work elsewhere in the backfield.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Jonah Coleman Could be a Late-Season League-Winner
Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman has consistently earned the praise of coaches, teammates, and media throughout his first preseason in the NFL. The fourth-round pick out of Washington was already trending up as soon as the Broncos drafted him, and nothing has changed in the last few months. He continues to have massive upside in dynasty leagues after posting 3,496 scrimmage yards and 33 touchdowns over his last three years of school, and he's even rising up the rankings in redraft leagues. As it stands, Coleman is worthy of a roster spot in 12+ team leagues, despite the fact that he's third on the depth chart behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. After the first few weeks of the season go by and Coleman gets more acclimated to the NFL, we fully expect him to carve out a meaningful role alongside Dobbins and Harvey. Just like we saw Harvey emerge as a fantasy league winner in the second half of the 2025 season, Coleman could do the same in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Barion Brown Could Operate as a Starter After Strong Camp
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Barion Brown could get into the starting lineup for Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. Brown had a strong camp, and he's in the mix for the No. 3 receiver role (and a starting job) after the Saints placed rookie Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on injured reserve. As it stands, Brown projects as the third receiver behind Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, although he's also likely behind Juwan Johnson in the pecking order. Nevertheless, the rookie out of LSU caught four passes for 53 yards during the preseason, and he proved that he deserves more opportunities than fellow rookie Bryce Lance. Whether or not Brown's No. 3 receiver role is enough to get him on the fantasy radar remains to be seen, but he is definitely trending up as the Saints look to distribute Tyson's temporarily vacated targets. He's an intriguing player to stash for the first few weeks in 14+ team leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
AJ Barner Could Have a Larger Role After Strong Camp
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner put together a strong camp, and he could be headed for a larger role during the 2026 season. Barner has impressed with 10 touchdowns over his two NFL seasons, and he finished last year as the overall TE14 in PPR leagues. He was able to maintain his fantasy relevance despite facing competition from Elijah Arroyo, who had second-round draft capital last year. This season, we expect Barner to get a similar amount of playing time, and that could actually lead to more volume. Now that he has established himself on offense for two years in a row, he should see his target share increase. Additionally, he should benefit from playing for new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. Fleury was the tight ends coach in San Francisco, so he brings a strong background in the position to his new job with the Seahawks. In fact, it has already been reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Fleury plans to use a lot of two-tight-end sets in Seattle. That bodes well for Barner, who has a very strong chance to emerge as a top-12 fantasy tight end in Year 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
