RADIO
Will the Buccaneers Lighten Bucky Irving's Workload?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving exploded as the overall RB13 during his rookie season in 2024, but as a result of injuries and workload management, he played in just 10 games last year and fell to RB34 in PPR leagues. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker consistently ate into Irving's workload last year, and while White has since departed for Washington, Tucker remains in the backfield and has been joined by Kenny Gainwell. It's fair to wonder if the Buccaneers are going to use Gainwell similarly to how the Steelers did last year and adopt a true split backfield. In Pittsburgh, Gainwell handled 114 carries and 73 receptions (187 touches) while Jaylen Warren had 211 carries and 40 catches (254 touches). When all was said and done, the two backs combined for 441 touches, but Warren only had 67 more than Gainwell. Presumably, the Bucs will use Gainwell on a variety of downs -- not just third down -- in an attempt to keep Irving fresh for a full season after he missed seven games last year. With that being said, the addition of Gainwell to the backfield isn't necessarily bad news for Irving's fantasy stock. While we may not see him push for 20-25 touches as often, he'll theoretically stay fresh for a bigger portion of the season, perhaps allowing him to stay available for all 17 games. We're still confident in Irving's ability to serve as a mid-range RB2 for fantasy football managers this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Aubrey Remains the Undisputed Top Kicker in Fantasy Football
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has ranked among the top three fantasy scorers at his position in each of the last three years, and we don't expect that to change in 2026. Aubrey has one of the league's most powerful and accurate legs, he kicks in a closed-air stadium, and he plays for a Cowboys team with a high-scoring offense. The 31-year-old routinely finds himself in high-value scenarios for fantasy football, and his accuracy numbers speak for themselves. Last year, he went 36-for-42 on field goals, including 11 makes from 50+ yards, and he also went 47-for-48 on extra points. As it stands, he ranks as the overall K1 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings. With that being said, managers in most leagues should hold off on taking a kicker until the last round or two of the draft.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Breece Hall Exits Practice Early with Potential Groin Injury
New York Jets running back Breece Hall pulled up and fell down after catching a screen pass in Monday's training camp practice, and he has left the field with what NFL reporter Ryan Dunleavy speculates to be a groin injury. Hall tore his ACL as a rookie in 2022 but has played in at least 16 games in each of the past three seasons, even while managing minor lower-body ailments. With the Jets' first game of the 2026 regular season less than a month away, Hall's status will now need to be monitored, as any prolonged absence could threaten his Week 1 availability. The Jets have been praised throughout camp as an offense on the rise, and Hall, who is RotoBaller's RB18, is projected to handle a significant workload. If healthy, he could prove to be one of the more valuable backs found outside the opening rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Ryan Dunleavy
Source: Ryan Dunleavy
Pieces in Place for a Career Year from Christian Watson
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has never topped 41 catches or 620 receiving yards in a season, but he's also never played a full slate of games nor been the team's unquestioned primary receiver. With the team moving on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, reports out of training camp indicate that Watson has a strong chance to be a lynchpin of the Packers' offense, and if he can manage to stay healthy throughout 2026, he could be due for a legitimate breakout. Now more than 19 months removed from the ACL injury that ended his 2024 season, Watson returned for the final 11 weeks of 2025, playing as the fantasy WR9 over that span and catching six touchdown passes over his final seven games. With tight end Tucker Kraft expected back for the start of the year after suffering his own ACL tear in 2025, the Packers are expected to lean heavily on multi-tight-end packages, a personnel grouping from which Watson has historically thrived. Watson has not finished as a top 40 fantasy receiver since his rookie season, but at RotoBaller's WR28, a sizable step forward is expected, and he is capable of flirting with WR1 upside in any given week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Bell Activated from NFI List
The Miami Dolphins have activated rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) from the non-football injury list, and the first-year player could soon begin practicing with the team. Once viewed as a first-round talent, Bell tore his ACL in December and fell to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. His rare combination of size and speed allowed him to dominate in his final collegiate season at Louisville, racking up over 900 yards on 72 receptions, and while he will now be playing catch-up to begin his NFL career, he could find a mid-season role in a wide-open Dolphins receiver room. Fellow rookie and third-round pick Caleb Douglas has been a training camp standout, and Malik Washington led the team with three catches in Friday's preseason opener, but with the third receiver spot currently being held by Jalen Tolbert, there is a path for Bell to crack the starting lineup by season's end, making him a player to at least remember in the closing rounds of deep drafts. UPDATE: Bell was limited to individual drills in his training camp debut on Monday, according to Sports Illustrated's Alain Poupart.
Source: Miami Dolphins
Source: Miami Dolphins
D'Andre Swift a Middle-Round Value in an Ascending Offense
Throughout his first six years in the league, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has had his detractors, but he has never finished outside the top 24 of his position, and in reuniting with head coach Ben Johnson in 2025, he turned in a career-best RB15 fantasy finish. Splitting work with rookie Kyle Monangai (knee), Swift topped 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career while tying his high mark of 10 total touchdowns. Monangai left Sunday's practice with a knee injury, and while it's not believed to be overly serious, his absence serves as a reminder that any time missed could lead to a bell-cow role for Swift in what projects to be one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. Currently being drafted as the RB22, Swift can meet expectations simply by performing to the level he always has, but with multiple avenues for further upside, he could prove to be one of the better values in the middle rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emeka Egbuka Missing Practice on Monday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) sprained his toe in a joint practice with the New York Jets, and after sitting out the team's preseason opener on Friday, Egbuka is still not in attendance as the team returns to practice on Monday. The Buccaneers remain optimistic that the injury will not affect Egbuka's regular season availability, and expectations are high for the 2025 first-round pick in an offense in search of a new identity following the departure of the franchise's all-time leading receiver, six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans. Egbuka became the first player in NFL history to record 25 receptions, 400 yards, and five touchdowns in his first five career games, but his connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield trailed off later in the year as the Buccaneers' offense was derailed by injuries. Still working to reestablish chemistry with Mayfield in what should be the team's primary pass-catching role, any missed time is less than ideal, but as RotoBaller's WR19, Egbuka profiles as a high-ceiling WR2 who should only prove to become a better value if the injury pushes down his ADP.
Source: Rick Stroud
Source: Rick Stroud
C.J. Stroud and Texans Offense are Clicking
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has enjoyed a solid training camp, but he reportedly took things to a whole new level on Sunday, at one point connecting on seven straight completions during competitive sessions. Acknowledging the gravity of his assessment, Texans analyst John Harris wrote, "This was one of the best overall offensive practices that I can ever remember, if not the best I've seen." After becoming only the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in 2023, Stroud has had two disappointing seasons, but with a healthy group of dynamic pass-catchers around him, he could surprise in 2026 with an ADP that has fallen to QB22. With the Texans boasting one of the league's premier defenses, Stroud will rarely be tasked with winning a shootout, lowering his potential ceiling. Still, he has the ability to stabilize a roster as a second quarterback in superflex leagues, and his performance against that vaunted defense on Sunday is a reminder of what he can do when everything is clicking.
Source: John Harris
Source: John Harris
Drake Maye Taking Advantage of Surrounding Talent
As a rookie in 2024, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw to a group of receivers consisting of Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, and the recently retired Ja'Lynn Polk. Just two short years later, his receiver room has transformed into one of the strongest in the league, and in the team's first practice since a preseason opening tie with the Colts, his pass-catchers were putting on a show. In a Saturday session working primarily out of the low red zone, Maye went 10-of-16, while receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams combined for seven touchdown grabs. Tight end Hunter Henry added two of his own, while Kayshon Boutte continued to make highlight plays, as he has throughout training camp. Maye was the MVP runner-up and the fantasy QB2 in 2025, and in an offense that by most accounts has gotten significantly better in its second season under Josh McDaniels, he's now being drafted as a top-three quarterback and could realistically push for an overall QB1 finish.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
TreVeyon Henderson Deployed in Rotational Role in the Red Zone
The New England Patriots put in heavy work out of the short area of the field over the weekend, and in all low red zone periods, second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson was the second back to see work with the first-team offense, rotating in behind veteran Rhamondre Stevenson. Neither back played in Thursday's preseason opener, but they both took carries in Saturday's red zone sessions, working behind fullback Reggie Gilliam, who was signed in free agency and should help a Patriots' rushing attack that too frequently came up short in critical situations in 2025. As a rookie, Henderson led the team in red zone opportunities, and he found some success as both a runner and receiver. However, with few signs throughout training camp that he's set for an expanded role in year two, another split with Stevenson is likely in 2026. With a current ADP of RB24, drafters are betting on upside and an eventual backfield takeover, but even in what projects to be a high-powered offense, there could again be early-season frustrations.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Jalen Nailor "Will Thrive" in Klint Kubiak's System
After four years in a depth role with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Jalen Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and former All-Pro Steve Smith Sr. believes a 1,000-yard season is well within his realm of possibilities. In speaking with NFL Insider James Palmer, Smith indicated that Nailor would not leave the field in Klint Kubiak's offense and will be the team's clear-cut number one receiver. With All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers in and out of the lineup, Tre Tucker led the Raiders with 696 receiving yards in 2025, but Smith points to his limited vertical route tree as an area where Nailor can step in and add significant improvement. Both Smith and Palmer were in agreement that the free agent addition can thrive in Kubiak's system, and with Nailor being drafted as the WR61, he is the exact type of upside swing that drafters should be targeting in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: James Palmer
Source: James Palmer
Rhamondre Stevenson Sees First-Team Reps in Red Zone
The New England Patriots spent Sunday's walkthrough practice in T-shirts and bucket hats, but in their latest competitive session on Saturday, the team worked heavily out of the low red zone, and it was veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson who led off all periods with the first-team offense. Second-year player TreVeyon Henderson, who actually led the Patriots in red zone carries as a rookie, rotated in, and both backs took carries behind fullback Reggie Gilliam. Stevenson and Henderson each scored five rushing touchdowns from within the 10-yard line in 2025, and they project to see another fairly even split, though they could both see their efficiency rise in that area of the field with Gilliam ahead of them. Stevenson is RotoBaller's RB26 and a player who should add significant value from the middle rounds of drafts with his underrated work in the receiving game and his share of high-value touches near the goal line.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Jayden Higgins Looking to Build Off Strong Finish to 2025 Season
After a solid finish to his rookie season, Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins is poised for a strong second season in 2026. Higgins hauled in 41 of 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games last season, finishing as the WR46 in half-PPR formats. The 34th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft started slowly, totaling just 159 yards in the first eight games, but finished strong, averaging over 40 receiving yards per game and scoring four touchdowns in nine games. Amid quarterback C.J. Stroud's struggles toward the end of the season, Higgins was fantasy-relevant as the WR2 in this offense. While Nico Collins remains the lead receiver in this offense, Higgins should continue to be a factor and could have a big year if Stroud returns to the level of play he showed during his rookie season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isiah Pacheco Will Not Practice Next Week
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will not practice this week, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain during last week's practice, and it reportedly won't affect his Week 1 status. However, with Pacheco's injury and Jacob Saylors (ankle) dealing with a minor injury, the team signed running back Trayveon Williams to a one-year contract. If this knee sprain lingers as the season approaches, Pacheco could lose reps to star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has proven he can be a full workhorse back. Fantasy managers of Gibbs and Pacheco should monitor the former Kansas City Chiefs back's status closely, since missed time could impact both players in fantasy.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Jahmyr Gibbs to See Heavy Workload Early in Season?
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs could see a heavy workload early in the season due to backup Isiah Pacheco's injury. Gibbs recorded over 1,800 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, though he lost significant snaps to running back David Montgomery, who will start in Houston this season. The team signed former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who was expected to spell Gibbs in 2026. However, Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in practice last week, which could affect his Week 1 status. Even if Pacheco is active in Week 1, he is losing valuable practice reps and may need to be eased in. When Montgomery missed time in Detroit, Gibbs averaged 22.7 attempts per game, 143 scrimmage yards, and 10 touchdowns over seven games. In one of the league's most potent offenses, Gibbs is the favorite to be the first-overall pick in fantasy drafts this season.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
