Jun 13, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Spending time on the practice squads of the Eagles and New Orleans Saints after being released by the Broncos ahead of the 2025 season, second-year running back Audric Estime eventually worked his way onto the Saints' active roster and finished the year with 204 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the final two games of the season. However, any glimmer of hope heading into the 2026 season was dashed when the Saints made Travis Etienne Jr. the highest-paid free agent running back on the open market, relegating Estime to a rotational backup spot at best. With veteran Alvin Kamara still on the roster and 2025 sixth-round pick Devin Neal recovered from the hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve, the running back room is deep, and Estime is by no means a lock to stick on the 53-man roster. It bears noting that Neal was unable to finish the final session of OTAs, so his attendance will need to be monitored when the team returns for minicamp practices on Tuesday. That said, barring injury or a trade that sees the depth chart dramatically thinned ahead of him, Estime is a dynasty cut candidate with no clear path to fantasy relevance.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 13, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard started the final game of his 2025 rookie campaign, throwing for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, and he is now battling for the primary backup role behind Daniel Jones, according to Colts Insider Joel A. Erickson. With Jones still recovering from his December Achilles tear and unable to participate in full team drills, Leonard split minicamp reps with 2023 fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr., and their competition for the number two job is expected to carry into training camp. Indianapolis declined Richardson's fifth-year option, putting him on the final season of his rookie contract, so if Leonard can win the job outright, it could be his to hold for the foreseeable future. With the mobility to provide fantasy viability in any spot-start duties, and potentially available on waivers in many leagues, the 2025 sixth-round pick is worthy of back-of-roster consideration in deep dynasty leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Joel A. Erickson

Jun 12, 2026, 8:22 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington broke out in 2025 in his third year in the league with 58 receptions on 95 targets for 847 yards and five touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (seven starts). He played a backup role in the offense during the first two months of the year before being thrust into a starting role after rookie Travis Hunter's (knee) season-ending injury. According to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley, "all signs from three-day mandatory minicamp are that the Jaguars are set to trust him even more in 2026." The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2023 out of Penn State combined for 48 catches, 522 yards, and five TDs in his first two years in the NFL. Even though Hunter will continue to be used on offense, and Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. are still involved, it is clear that Washington is "set to be a core piece" in the passing game. According to Next Gen Stats, Washington had a team-high 23.7% of the Jaguars' third-down targets last year and averaged 3.1 yards per route run on third down, the most among WRs with at least 75 routes run on third down. With a full season as a starter in 2026, Washington should be able to improve on his numbers from a year ago and potentially have a shot to be a 1,000-yard receiver.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley

Jun 12, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin has "never had a bigger chance to start" going into the 2026 season after the Colts traded veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Alec Pierce (ankle) and Josh Downs are set to slide into the Colts' top two receiver spots in 2026, leaving Dulin to compete with veterans Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Laquon Treadwell, as well as rookie seventh-rounder Deion Burks, for the third WR spot. Boyd suggests that Dulin could have the upper hand because he's entering his fourth year in head coach Shane Steichen's offense. The 29-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Malone College has already been impressing during offseason practices. In his six seasons in the NFL (all with the Colts, Dulin has just 40 receptions on 70 targets for 623 yards and four touchdowns in 82 games played (seven starts). The best thing going for Dulin is his versatility, as he's been a key special teams asset and has also played defensive back. Duliin will be a deep fantasy sleeper going into the 2026 campaign.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd

Jun 12, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

The Houston Texans are still easing wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) in during offseason workouts, but KPRC2 Sports' Aaron Wilson says that Dell's outlook is "becoming more positive," and he plans to increase his practice activity at training camp this summer. Dell has been running and cutting without any setbacks, although he isn't as dynamic as he was before he dislocated his knee and tore his ACL, MCL, and LCL two years ago. There is still a long way to go for the former University of Houston star, but he has already made significant progress. "Looking for him to be Tank," WRs coach and passing-game coordinator Ben McDaniels said. "He's been working really hard to get back to what he knows he is and can be. It's been a long process, and he's still at it." The 26-year-old broke his leg in his rookie season and was also shot in the leg that same offseason, so he has endured no shortage of adversity. The Texans are taking a patient, big-picture approach with the speedster, but they do plan on him being an asset in 2026. At least early on, Dell will probably be facing an uphill battle for consistent targets in a WR corps that already features WR1 Nico Collins and emerging second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.--Keith Hernandez
Source: KPRC Sports - Aaron Wilson

Jun 12, 2026, 2:15 PM ET

The NFL closed its review of the matter involving free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs and his former chef, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The league said there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a personal-conduct policy violation. Diggs was found not guilty a month ago on charges that he assaulted his private chef during a dispute. The 32-year-old four-time Pro Bowler had his seventh 1,000-yard season in 2025 and led the New England Patriots in receiving as they marched to the Super Bowl. Despite his solid year in New England, the Pats released Diggs in the offseason for salary cap reasons, and he remains on the open market. With no potential suspension hanging over his head for the 2026 season, interest in Diggs on the free-agent market should increase as the start of training camps around the league approaches in late July. The Patriots are unlikely to re-sign him, leaving the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens as the most likely landing spots for the 11-year veteran. In dynasty leagues, Diggs isn't a bad buy-low candidate for managers in win-now mode.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Jun 12, 2026, 2:05 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange said this week that he's being asked to line up in "a lot more positions," but despite the added responsibilities, he feels that his second year in head coach Liam Coen's offense is "a lot less chaotic," per Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie deal after catching 91 passes on 122 targets for 986 yards and six touchdowns in 43 games (26 starts) for the Jags over his first three years in the NFL. The former second-rounder (61st overall) out of Penn State in 2023 is the team's clear No. 1 pass-catching tight end going into the 2026 season, even though Jacksonville added rookies Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol in the NFL draft in April. Strange had career highs across the board in catches (46), targets (60), receiving yards (540), and touchdowns (three) in his 12 regular-season starts a year ago, and even though the offense is expected to feature plenty of two-TE sets this year, his production should improve because of his versatility. In a contract year, Strange could be an excellent value pick in fantasy as a TE2 with upside in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Jacksonville Florida Times-Union - Garry Smits

Jun 12, 2026, 1:56 PM ET

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, who followed head coach John Harbaugh over from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, was quarterback Jaxson Dart's "favorite target in open practices this spring," according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The athletic tight end was dangerous on crossing routes, and his needle is pointing firmly up in fantasy football as the 2026 season nears. The 26-year-old former fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2022 out of Coastal Carolina never had more than 477 yards in his four seasons in Baltimore, but he should be a featured piece of the Giants' offense after he saw a career-low 36 targets in 2025. Duggan writes that the G-Men gave Likely a three-year, $40 million contract based on the projection that he "will thrive" after spending the last four years in Mark Andrews' shadow. We should expect the Giants to "manufacture touches for Likely on screens." RotoBaller has likely ranked as the No. 12 fantasy TE right now, and if receiver Malik Nabers (knee) isn't ready for the start of the season, Likely's role will be even bigger early on.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan

Jun 12, 2026, 1:47 PM ET

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on 92.3 The Fan that "everything is on the table" with regards to quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) this year. "Honestly, the public discourse doesn't really have a factor in terms of how we think about putting together the team or Todd in terms of putting together the best lineup...that really doesn't play a factor into it," Berry said when asked how past comments about the Watson trade play into the future. Watson, who missed all of last season with a twice-torn Achilles tendon, is competing with second-year QB Shedeur Sanders for the starting job in new head coach Todd Monken's offense. Last spring, owner Jimmy Haslam said that the trade for Watson was "a big swing and a miss." The Browns have acknowledged that the trade for the 30-year-old was a disaster after they signed him to a five-year, $230 million deal in March of 2022. Watson has played in just 19 games for the team since he joined them in 2022, but all of that is history now, and Berry isn't ruling anything out, including a potential new deal for the QB as he heads into his final year under contract with the organization. For fantasy purposes, Watson will be a low-end QB2 target in superflex leagues if he wins the job over Sanders. He hasn't played a full season since 2020 with the Houston Texans, and he's completed 61% of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his 19 games with Cleveland.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 92.3 The Fan

Jun 12, 2026, 1:39 PM ET

The Athletic's Jesse Newell writes that if the Kansas City Chiefs handed out an MVP award for their organized team activities this offseason, the recipient would have been wide receiver Xavier Worthy. And Worthy did it all while wearing a no-contact jersey while in the final stages of his recovery from a torn labrum that he suffered in 2025. "Xavier really had a nice camp," head coach Andy Reid said. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder and former first-rounder in 2024 added strength in the offseason as part of the process while rehabbing from surgery in January to fix the torn labrum in his shoulder. Newell thinks there are plenty of reasons for optimism around Worthy in 2026 after he caught just 42 passes for 532 yards and one touchdown in 13 games a year ago. The 23-year-old tore his labrum on the first drive of Week 1, and he wasn't the same weapon afterward. Reid admitted in March that the coaches changed Worthy's role late in the year to shield him from further injury. His shoulder is close to 100% and is improving daily. RotoBaller currently has Worthy ranked as the No. 45 WR for 2026, but if Rashee Rice (knee) faces another suspension, his draft stock will receive a huge boost.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell

Jun 12, 2026, 1:26 PM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Thursday that there is "absolutely no question" he wants veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield around long term, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Mayfield said just last week that he and the team are "not anywhere close to what we were thinking" as he seeks a new deal going into the final year of his three-year, $100 million deal. The 31-year-old wants a new deal done before the start of training camp at the end of July. If a deal isn't reached by then, Mayfield and his agent, Tom Mills, plan to shut down negotiations and focus on the 2026 season. If no deal is struck during or after the season, Mayfield would become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Mayfield led Tampa to back-to-back NFC South titles in 2023 and 2024 immediately after Tom Brady retired. The team has gone 27-24 with Mayfield as their starter, and he was a Pro Bowler in both 2023 and 2024 while throwing for over 4,000 yards in both seasons. He took a step back last year, though, throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 picks in 17 starts. Mayfield's fantasy stock is down entering his ninth NFL season due to durability concerns and the fact that he lost his top wideout, future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, in free agency. RotoBaller currently has Mayfield ranked as the No. 20 QB for the 2026 campaign.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine

Jun 12, 2026, 1:18 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell plans to have quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy compete for the starting job in training camp, but The Athletic's Alec Lewis reports that O'Connell said he "doesn't plan to take the competition until the end of training camp." Over the five practices open to the media in recent weeks, neither Murray nor McCarthy "performed drastically better than the other." Both players split reps evenly. O'Connell suggested both QBs will play in the preseason, but he cautioned against reading too much into circumstances and reps. Murray's "arm talent surfaced early," and McCarthy's "experience in the offense showed itself" in seven-on-seven situations. O'Connell acknowledged the hurdle that Murray faces in "absorbing the most complex scheme of his career in a confined period of time." None of Minnesota's players have hinted at a favorite, but Murray feels like the favorite before the start of training camp, especially when considering McCarthy's injuries and inconsistency as the Vikings' starter a year ago. Right now, Murray is the more attractive low-end QB2 target in best-ball drafts with upside for plenty more because of his scrambling ability if he ends up being named the starter.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis

Jun 12, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, finished his rookie year with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 17 games. While the 24-year-old mostly struggled in his first season, he remains the unquestioned starter in Tennessee heading into 2026 and should have a vastly improved offensive ecosystem around him. The Titans brought in a new play-caller in Brian Daboll, selected wide receiver Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and signed veteran slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency. Ward also reportedly showed up to OTAs looking noticeably slimmer, which could help improve his rushing production after he logged 159 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries in 2025. Ward's underwhelming rookie season brings some risk to his dynasty profile, as it may become clear that he's not the long-term answer in Tennessee if he disappoints again in 2026. However, the dysfunctional nature of the environment around him last season cannot be discounted. Dynasty managers may be wise to try to buy low on Ward ahead of 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 12:48 PM ET

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman saw his production drop off across the board in 2025, as he finished the year with 21 receptions for 270 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. The 26-year-old suffered an early-season hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve and may have ultimately derailed his campaign. However, injuries have been a persistent issue for Tillman, as he's missed 13 games over the first three years of his NFL career. As he enters the final season on his rookie contract with the Browns, Tillman may no longer be a part of the team's long-term plans. Cleveland enters 2026 with a new coaching staff in place and used a pair of top-40 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. A change of scenery could be what Tillman needs to get his career off the ground, but he's done little to this point to prove he's worthy of a spot on dynasty rosters.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 12:39 PM ET

After a highly productive career at the University of Nebraska, running back Emmett Johnson was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson dominated the Big Ten in 2025, recording 1,821 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns on 297 touches across 12 games. His path to the starting job with the Chiefs is blocked by running back Kenneth Walker III, whom Kansas City signed to a big-money deal in free agency in March. However, Johnson could emerge as the team's RB2 in 2026 if he can beat out fellow Kansas City backs Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith. Walker III was fully healthy in 2025, but he missed 10 games over the first three seasons of his NFL career from 2022 to 2024. If Johnson establishes himself as the primary backup running back for the Chiefs, his three-down skill set makes him a high-end handcuff option for fantasy managers. In dynasty formats, Johnson's stock is rising entering his rookie campaign.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller