RADIO
Fernando Mendoza "Living in the Building"
After months of intense scouting, the Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the early returns have been exactly what the team both hoped for and expected, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who reports that the 22-year-old has been "living in the building as a tireless, football-obsessed worker." Mendoza is still working primarily with the second-team offense behind presumed early-season starter Kirk Cousins, but Breer points out both his ability to bounce back from bad plays and his natural feel for picking up the unblocked defender as veteran-like traits that could soon see him folding in more with the ones. How soon Mendoza takes over as a full-time starter will likely come down to his own readiness and how prepared the team is to support him, but early signs indicate that he is more than capable of handling his own end, making him a worthwhile third quarterback target in deep bench superflex leagues.
Source: Albert Breer
Source: Albert Breer
Patriots Still Looking to Move Kayshon Boutte
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was one of the team's most impactful players in 2025 and has been a standout to begin training camp, but that has not quieted speculation of a potential roster move, with beat reporter Alex Barth noting that his request for a trade remains open, and the team is still looking for a potential suitor. Boutte opened camp red-hot, credited by the team beat as the best offensive player through the first three practices of summer, but as expected, that baton has since been passed to Drake Maye and A.J. Brown, with Romeo Doubs and Kyle Williams also showing up more regularly in recent practices. After a number of lean years, receiver has become arguably the Patriots' deepest position group, with seven players currently on the roster who saw at least 128 snaps in 2025, and three-receiver sets have consisted mostly of Brown, Doubs, and DeMario Douglas out of the slot. While Boutte continues to show up and make plays whenever his number is called, an injury anywhere around the league could change his situation in an instant, and he remains an intriguing dart-throw selection at the end of 2026 drafts.
Source: Alex Barth
Source: Alex Barth
Trey Benson Absent from Practice
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson, who has been working primarily with the second-team offense as he works his way back from the torn meniscus that ended his 2025 season, was not spotted during Sunday's practice. The third-year back was not mentioned as an expected absence when head coach Mike LaFleur addressed the media before practice, and he is not a player who can afford to fall any further behind, already battling for a roster spot in a crowded room featuring roster locks Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier, as well as veteran James Conner. The Cardinals open up preseason action with the Hall of Fame Game on August 6, and Benson's participation will need to be monitored, as he may need to prove himself during in-game action to earn a spot on the team.
Source: Theo Mackie - The Arizona Republic
Source: Theo Mackie - The Arizona Republic
Ashton Jeanty Eyeing Big Year 2 Jump
As a rookie in 2025, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty ran for 975 yards while adding 55 receptions and 346 yards through the air, but he understands that the bar will be raised even higher in Year 2. Jeanty recently told reporters, "It's always tough being in the first year trying to figure out so much stuff... But this year, there's a lot of expectations for me, and I think I've got to make a big jump." The sixth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty spent his rookie season operating behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league, gaining only 1.6 yards per attempt before contact, but improvements across the line and a new coaching staff should see him better positioned to make more plays in space. Jeanty is RotoBaller's RB7, but if the Raiders can find themselves in enough positive game scripts, he has a legitimate chance to crack the top five of the position.
Source: Around the NFL
Source: Around the NFL
Isaiah Likely the No. 2 Option in Giants' Passing Attack
Despite a deep room of wide receivers on the New York Giants roster, NFL insider Connor Hughes reports that it is tight end Isaiah Likely standing out as the No. 2 option behind 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers. Hughes calls Likely "more of a utility weapon than a traditional tight end" and points to his early chemistry with Jaxson Dart and the team's willingness to move him across the formation as indicators that a big year could be on the horizon. Likely has made plays at all three levels through the early days of training camp and could be in line for the heaviest target share of his young career after spending four seasons in Baltimore with All-Pro Mark Andrews. Likely is RotoBaller's TE14 and represents the exact type of upside that fantasy managers should be seeking in the later rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Connor Hughes
Source: Connor Hughes
Ben Johnson Compares Luther Burden III to Lions Star WR
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III has been one of the most dramatic risers throughout the 2026 draft season, and the recent comparison made by his head coach Ben Johnson will do nothing to slow the momentum. In an interview with Cassie Carlson of Fox 32, Johnson compared Burden's mindset to those of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jarvis Landry, two receivers he spent time with in Detroit and Miami. Johnson had remarked earlier in the offseason that Burden is destined to become one of the top receivers in the NFL, and when asked to expand, the second-year head coach linked him to two players with nine Pro Bowl selections between them, saying, "He's got that competitive edge and desire to be great. It's carried over into the spring and summer as well. He's been a regular in the building, working with our strength staff. He wants to be the most conditioned player on the team. Wants to be one of the strongest receivers on the team and just continues to soak in all the knowledge." Burden is RotoBaller's WR21, but he has the clear belief of his coach and a ceiling to emerge as a fantasy WR1 in his second season.
Source: Kevin Patra
Source: Kevin Patra
Cam Skattebo the Giants' Clear Lead Back
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has been the first player up in almost every running back drill through the early stages of training camp, and NFL insider Connor Hughes calls him the team's clear lead back. After starting his rookie season in a timeshare, Skattebo's run as the primary ball carrier lasted only a handful of games before a lower leg injury ended his 2025 campaign, but he has handled the majority of work through the opening practices of summer and should see heavy volume in his second season. Skattebo is RotoBaller's RB20, but his ADP could rise throughout the draft season as he distances himself from the gruesome season-ending injury, and he is a legitimate threat to finish as an RB1 in 2026.
Source: Connor Hughes
Source: Connor Hughes
Kyle Monangai's Injury "Status Quo"
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (undisclosed) has missed multiple training camp practices with an undisclosed ailment, but head coach Ben Johnson does not seem overly concerned, referring to the soft-tissue injury as "status quo." Monangai has been tabbed as a popular breakout candidate after flashing whenever seeing an expanded role as a rookie, averaging 153 rushing yards in the two games in which he saw more than 20 carries. His recent absence has created an opportunity for veteran Salvon Ahmed to work behind starter D'Andre Swift, who led the team with 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. Still, with Monangai sounding as if he may soon return to practice, he'll look to force more of a committee in 2026. Monangai is RotoBaller's RB35, and on standalone value alone, he should be able to meet ADP expectations, while his insurance upside is what makes him an attractive pick in the later rounds of drafts.
Source: Sean Hammond
Source: Sean Hammond
Bryce Young Turning Heads at Panthers' Camp
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has gotten off to a strong start at training camp and has taken full command of the Panthers' offense. Young had his best practice of the summer during the Panthers' second padded practice last week, and there is a completely different feel at their camp this season. The former first overall pick led the Panthers to their first postseason appearance since 2017, totaling 3,011 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in 16 games last season. Young is entering a contract year and his third season under head coach Dave Canales as the Panthers look to take another step in 2026. While Young is currently outside the range to be drafted in single-quarterback leagues, he remains an option in Superflex or deeper leagues.
Source: Dean Jones - Cat Crave
Source: Dean Jones - Cat Crave
Jeremiyah Love Handles First-Team Snaps in Practice on Sunday
For the first time in training camp, rookie running back Jeremiyah Love took the first snap of the day with the Arizona Cardinals' first-team offense during 11-on-11 work. Love has spent time with the second-team offense, behind Tyler Allgeier, who signed a two-year, $12.25 million contract with the Cardinals this offseason. Reports indicate that Allgeier and Love have split touches so far in training camp, even though veteran James Conner has yet to practice. The Notre Dame prodigy was drafted third overall by the team and is currently among the NFL's highest-paid running backs this season. While the talent gap should push Love to the top of the depth chart, there are plenty of red flags surrounding this situation.
Source: Theo Mackie - AZC Sports
Source: Theo Mackie - AZC Sports
Matthew Golden to Operate as X Receiver in 2026
In an interview with NFL Network's Stacey Dales, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said he's looking forward to seeing wide receiver Matthew Golden as the "X receiver" in 2026. Love said, "[Golden] is locked in over there now at X, so I'm expecting big things. He's had a great training camp so far." With Romeo Doubs now in New England, Golden appears set to take over Doubs' role in the offense, while Christian Watson handles the Z and Jayden Reed will continue to operate as the slot receiver. The 2025 first-round pick had 361 yards on 29 receptions in 14 games last season, while playing just 53% of the snaps. With a larger workload coming for the former Texas Longhorn receiver, fantasy managers should be monitoring Golden in the late rounds of drafts.
Source: NFL Network
Source: NFL Network
Myles Garrett Not Participating in Practice, Expected Back Next Week
Los Angeles Rams superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett (lower-body soreness) has not practiced for three straight days, though head coach Sean McVay did not seem concerned about his status. McVay said, "It's nothing to worry about," and added that he "expects [Garrett] to be back for the next practice block." The reigning Defensive Player of the Year was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in June after a record-breaking 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns. With McVay not concerned about his overall outlook, Garrett should be ready to help the Rams get over the hump in 2026, potentially alongside Aaron Donald.
Source: Sarah Barshop - ESPN
Source: Sarah Barshop - ESPN
Saints Place Ja'Lynn Polk on Retired List
The New Orleans Saints have placed wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list after he was excused from the last two practices, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN. The Saints acquired Polk from the New England Patriots last season after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that ended his 2025 season before it began. The 2024 second-round pick played just 15 games with the Patriots, totaling 87 yards and two touchdowns, before being traded to New Orleans. Polk helped the University of Washington reach the National Championship game alongside quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Bears receiver Rome Odunze. With Polk out of the picture in New Orleans, rookie wide receiver Bryce Lance should see an uptick in work as the WR4, behind Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, and Devaughn Vele.
Source: Kat Terrell - ESPN
Source: Kat Terrell - ESPN
49ers Sign Running Back Khalil Herbert
With injuries mounting in the San Francisco 49ers' backfield, the team has signed veteran running back Khalil Herbert to a one-year, $1.2 million contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Herbert worked out with the team last week alongside two other backs and was subsequently signed. Second-year running back Jordan James suffered a rib fracture and is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks. Herbert is likely to serve as a camp body at running back, but he hopes to compete with rookie Kaelon Black and James for the RB2 spot behind star Christian McCaffrey once James returns from injury. McCaffrey appears likely to handle a heavy workload again, though the head coach, Kyle Shanahan, has said they are looking to manage his volume in 2026.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Texans Sign Pass-Rusher Jadeveon Clowney
The Houston Texans have signed veteran pass rusher and three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year, $5.5 million contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Clowney was drafted first overall by the Texans in the 2014 NFL Draft and spent the first five seasons of his career with the team, totaling 29 sacks in 47 games. The former first overall pick spent the 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys, where he had a career resurgence, totaling 8.5 sacks in 13 games. Clowney will rotate behind star pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who combined for 27 sacks last season. Clowney's homecoming should help the Texans' pass-rushing duo stay fresh as they hope to build on a dominant defensive season.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
