January 9, 2026
Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston is one of the top prospects at the position in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and at this point in the offseason, he's a projected first-round pick. The 22-year-old was buried behind
Rome Odunze,
Jalen McMillan, and
Ja'Lynn Polk during his first two collegiate seasons. However, he's been the Huskies' top wideout in each of the last two seasons. In 25 games since the start of the 2024 campaign, he's hauled in 125 receptions for 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns. Listed at 6'4", Boston has excellent body control and quickness, traits coveted by the NFL among big-bodied wide receivers. Assuming Boston performs well in the pre-draft process, it would be no surprise to hear his name called on Day 1 of April's draft. His landing spot will determine his rookie upside, but either way, he should be a valuable dynasty rookie draft asset in Round 1.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Sports Reference CFB
January 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III had an inconsistent 2025 season, but finished the year with 1,027 rushing yards on 221 carries (4.65 YPC) and five touchdowns. He also contributed 282 yards through the air on 31 receptions as well. The inconsistencies came on a week-to-week basis, as he split snaps and lost most of the goal-line work to
Zach Charbonnet, the five touchdowns he scored were scattered across four weeks of the season, and his carries per game fluctuated between 10 and 17 weekly, which resulted in him being a risky RB2 start all season long, even with the final numbers being decent. Heading into the NFL playoffs and managers drafting in fantasy playoff formats, Walker will remain a high-risk, high-reward running back option. The Seahawks are locked into the No. 1 seed in the NFC, meaning they will not play in Wild Card Weekend and will likely face a somewhat difficult matchup the rest of the way, as most NFC teams have fairly good run defenses. Combine that with Charbonnet's involvement in the offense and quarterback
Sam Darnold's inexperience in the playoffs, and it may be tough sledding for Walker and the Seahawks offense from a fantasy standpoint.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
The Denver Broncos finished the 2025 season with the No. 1 seed in the AFC, going 14-3, largely thanks to an elite defense and wide receiver
Courtland Sutton on the offensive side of the football. Sutton finished the 2025 regular season with 1,017 receiving yards on 74 receptions (13.74 YPC) and seven touchdowns in 17 games played. Sutton hit a bit of a cold streak in the middle of the season when second-year player
Troy Franklin burst onto the scene, but for the most part, Sutton has operated as the team's No. 1 receiver and will rest with his teammates during the Wild Card weekend, while they wait to see who they play in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Sutton will likely be drafted lower in fantasy playoff leagues due to the first-round bye, and him being a middling option, however, if the Broncos are going to make a run in the AFC, they are going to need their top receiver to perform, and second-year starter
Bo Nix will likely be looking the eight year vets way a lot when they do throw the football.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
Green Bay Packers running back
Emanuel Wilson has had a nice 2025 season, rushing for 496 yards on 125 attempts (3.97 YPC) and scoring three touchdowns across 17 games. His involvement in the Packers offense increased this season, as he has played a complementary role to starter
Josh Jacobs, and he has also filled in for Jacobs a handful of times throughout the 2025 season, providing fantasy managers with a plug-and-play RB2 option during those weeks. With the Packers resting their starters in Week 18, and Jacobs coming out and saying on Wednesday that "this is the best he's felt in six weeks," after dealing with a knee injury for the majority of the second half of the season, it appears likely that the Packers will lean on the veteran in this situation. This would make it difficult to justify rostering Wilson in fantasy playoff leagues as anything more than a bench spot should Jacobs get hurt, and Wilson would step in.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Kendrick Bourne recorded 37 receptions for 551 yards (14.89 YPC) and zero touchdowns on 53 targets in 16 games in 2025. The majority of Bourne's production came in early October, when he stepped in as the team's main pass-catcher, with
George Kittle,
Jauan Jennings, and
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) all ruled out for a brief time. Bourne's role faded as the team continued to get healthy; however, should Pearsall miss Sunday's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, Bourne could find himself playing more often and would likely be elevated to the team's No. 2 wide receiver alongside Jennings. Additionally, according to Novig, the Niners are underdogs (+4.5) and should be in a game flow that favors a pass-happy approach, which would result in more target opportunities for Bourne should he get more playing time.
Demarcus Robinson would likely be operating more in three-wide receiver sets. Pending Pearsall's availability, Bourne would be a bit of a dart throw in fantasy playoff leagues, but would be worth a roster as a long-shot option.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
January 9, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs have issued a statement regarding domestic allegations against wide receiver
Rashee Rice, which came up because his former girlfriend had posted pictures on social media. "The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League. We have no further comment at this time", David K. Li of NBC News reports. These allegations could result in a second significant off-field suspension for Rice, who was already suspended six games during the 2025 season following a hit-and-run incident in April of 2024. This is not the first time Rice's behavior has resulted in a potential suspension. Dynasty managers will want to keep tabs on this situation to know whether or not they will be without the Chiefs' No. 1 wide receiver at any point in the 2026 season. Rice racked up 571 receiving yards (10.77 YPC) on 53 receptions and five touchdowns during the 2025 season, in which he played in eight games.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: NBC News - David K. Li and Joe Kottke
January 8, 2026
The Detroit Lions have reached out to former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel about their vacant offensive-coordinator position, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. After being fired by Miami on Thursday morning, McDaniel is now a top candidate for any of the open offensive-coordinator positions around the league. The Lions fired Johnny Morton after one season with the team, and head coach Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties late in the year. McDaniel would be a strong fit for an already strong offense in Motown, with the Lions ranking fifth in points per game (28.3), fifth in total yards per game (373.2), third in passing yards per game (253.1), and 14th in rushing yards per game (120.1). Before joining the Dolphins as the head coach in 2022, McDaniel served as the OC for the 49ers. McDaniel would likely call plays if he were to be hired by the Lions for next season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 8, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans have requested to interview Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley for their head-coaching jobs, sources told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Hafley cannot interview with those three teams until next week, with the Packers facing the division-rival Chicago Bears this Saturday night in the Wild-Card round. He's done a great job building up Green Bay's defense the last two seasons, and it was definitely boosted in 2025 with the trade to acquire All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys right before the start of the regular season. Before becoming a defensive coordinator, Hafley spent seven years in the NFL coaching defensive backs, and he was also a head coach for four years at Boston College.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
January 8, 2026
Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was requested to interview for the head-coaching positions for the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach is a popular head-coaching candidate this cycle after he and the Commanders "mutually" agreed to part ways following the 2025 regular season. The 46-year-old went 28-37-1 in the regular season and 0-1 in the playoffs in his four years as the head coach in Arizona. He is one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL, though, and he'd be a nice addition for either Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson or Titans QB
Cameron Ward because of his extensive experience with dual-threat QBs. In addition to helping
Jayden Daniels to an outstanding rookie year in 2024, Kingsbury worked with QBs
Patrick Mahomes and
Baker Mayfield in college at Texas Tech.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 8, 2026
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) will not play in the Wild-Card matchup on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he was seen running on a side field during practice on Thursday, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The 29-year-old has been on Injured Reserve since injuring his ankle in Week 6, but if the 49ers pull the upset and beat Philadelphia this weekend, it's possible that Warner could return to provide a big boost to a depleted defensive unit. He could be an option to return as soon as the NFC Divisional Round next weekend, depending on whether the Niners advance, and how much progress he makes in practice next week. The 49ers' defense is down to its fourth middle linebacker after Tatum Bethune (groin) suffered a season-ending injury in last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Week 18 regular-season finale. San Fran's defense/special teams unit will be one to fade in fantasy on Wild-Card weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
January 8, 2026
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery is under contract through the 2027 season, but his future with the team could be up in the air this offseason. "Those are discussions that we're gonna have to have in-depth. We love David Montgomery. He's a good football player. ...He deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized," general manager Brad Holmes said when asked if Montgomery will remain with the team. If the Lions cut the 28-year-old in the offseason, they'll save $11.26 million but will also take on $8.6 million in dead money. Monty took a clear back seat to
Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit's backfield in 2025. He was still a weekly RB3/flex consideration in fantasy football, though, and finished with a career-low 158 carries for 716 yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 17 games, adding 24 catches for 192 yards. Monty's 2026 fantasy value could look drastically different if he's playing in another city.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
January 8, 2026
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the team plans to re-sign quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) this offseason, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. "I'm looking at him both near and long [term]," Ballard said of Jones, adding, "When you're chasing the quarterback all the time, it makes it very hard. Your margin for error really shrinks down. And I feel very good about Daniel Jones and where he's at, where he's going. Yes, he's got the Achilles. But I think Daniel Jones has got a really bright future here in Indianapolis." The 28-year-old tore his Achilles in Week 14, and the Colts ended up missing the playoffs after starting 8-2. Meanwhile, former first-rounder
Anthony Richardson Sr.'s future in Indy is in question after losing the starting job to Jones and then suffering a season-ending orbital fracture in October. Jones threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight picks in 13 starts before his season-ending Achilles tear. He proved in 2025 that he has QB1 upside in the Colts' offense, but his lengthy injury history makes him more of a QB2 target in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
January 8, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) was added to the injury report on Thursday and was listed as a limited participant in practice due to a hamstring injury. Mid-week additions to the injury report can be a bad sign, but it's unclear if the 23-year-old suffered a new injury in practice on Thursday. Boutte's status on Friday will give us a little more clarity on whether he can play on Sunday night in the Wild-Card tilt against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. If he's active, Boutte should be considered a low-end, low-ceiling WR2 for fantasy football playoff lineups. The Patriots' offense was one of the most efficient units in the NFL this year, but Boutte was outside the top-50 receivers in half-PPR points per game with 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games. If Boutte is limited or out this weekend, it would open the door for both
DeMario Douglas and rookie
Kyle Williams for more targets behind
Stefon Diggs.
--Keith HernandezSource: New England Patriots
January 8, 2026
The Tennessee Titans will interview former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy next Saturday, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. McCarthy also has an interview lined up for the New York Giants' head-coaching vacancy. The veteran head coach knows Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker well from their time together in Green Bay. After being fired by the Cowboys following the 2024 season, McCarthy took the year off from coaching in 2025, but he's ready to return to a head-coaching gig. It remains to be seen if McCarthy's relationship with Brinker will give him a leg up in Tennessee, but general manager Mike Borgonzi will lead the team's search for a new coach after firing Brian Callahan during the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 8, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal could have a significant role on offense on Wild-Card weekend when the Bolts face off against the New England Patriots on Sunday night, as rookie RB
Omarion Hampton (ankle) has yet to practice this week due to an ankle injury. Hampton was rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the Denver Broncos, but he may have aggravated an ankle injury that landed him on Injured Reserve earlier this year. When Hampton was on the shelf, Vidal filled in nicely as a replacement RB1 for L.A., reaching the 100-yard mark three times while also scoring double-digit half-PPR fantasy points five times. The matchup against New England on the road is not a good one for the Chargers' running game behind a patchwork offensive line, but Vidal's increased volume alone as the RB1 would boost him to high-end RB2 territory in fantasy if Hampton isn't cleared to play.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Chargers
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