RADIO
Colston Loveland Set for Monster First Outing
Chicago Bears second-year tight end Colston Loveland is primed for a strong outing this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers on the road. Loveland's rookie campaign may have started slowly, but he made an impact on an offense loaded with talent and erupted down the stretch. From Week 17 through the divisional round, the former Michigan Wolverine racked up 28 receptions, 378 yards, and two touchdowns on a ludicrous 48 targets (29.1%), notching no fewer than 10 looks in any appearance. Now, heading into his second year, Loveland is the clear leader of Chicago's tight end room and poised to handle a heavy workload in an ascending offense. Even in a unit brimming with capable playmakers, the 22-year-old is a locked-in, high-end asset at his position. Additionally, he could see a bump in volume with several of his teammates dealing with preseason injuries. He's RotoBaller's PPR TE2 for Sunday's opening bout.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Oscar Delp May Open the Year at Bottom of Depth Chart
New Orleans Saints tight end Oscar Delp (hamstring) has modest draft capital as a Day 2 pick, but he may still open the season as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. Juwan Johnson is the undisputed starter at tight end, offering legitimate top-10 upside. Noah Fant is also a candidate to emerge ahead of Delp in the pecking order. While that's far less of a sure thing, it seems somewhat reasonable given Fant's experience as a productive tight end in the NFL. On the other hand, Delp is still just a rookie, and at the moment, he's having trouble even staying on the field. The Georgia product still has some low-end upside in dynasty leagues long-term, but he can be dropped to waivers in all redraft leagues at this point. His path to relevance in 2026 features plenty of obstacles.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ted Hurst III Could See Expanded Role in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ted Hurst III is set to make his professional debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. The third-round pick might actually see a bigger role than expected in the season opener. Fellow wideout Jalen McMillan (groin) is currently considered questionable for Sunday's game. His absence could mean that Tez Johnson or Hurst moves into the starting unit. Between the two, Hurst might be the bigger threat after his impressive showing in camp. Recently, Bucs' offensive coordinator Zac Robinson praised Hurst for his work. The 22-year-old could make for a deep league dart throw if McMillan is unable to play.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jaylin Lane Struggling to Find Role in New-Look Receiver Room
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane may struggle to carve out a substantial role in the team's new-look receiver room. The Commanders signed Stefon Diggs and drafted Antonio Williams this past offseason, slotting them into the second and third receiver roles behind Terry McLaurin. That leaves a combo of Lane, Dyami Brown, and Treylon Burks competing for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart. Lane might benefit from being the youngest of that group, but that also means he has the least experience and the least impactful track record. As a rookie last year, the Virginia Tech product caught just 16 of his 32 targets for 225 yards. We'd expect Lane to remain on special teams, with his occasional offensive snaps not providing enough stability for any sort of fantasy relevance. He can be left on waivers in all redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luther Burden III Could See Bigger Role in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is without an injury designation for his team's opening game against the hosting Carolina Panthers. Burden sustained a groin injury in early August that derailed his preseason, but he returned to practice ahead of Week 1 and did so at full capacity. The 22-year-old's late-2025 surge jettisoned him up draft boards this Summer, and rightfully so considering his talent and participation in an ascending, young offense. He'll get a Panthers squad to open the year that has made some improvements on the defensive side, but is by no means a scary matchup. More so, Burden could be in line for a heavier target share if fellow wideout Rome Odunze (calf) is hampered by a soft-tissue issue picked up last week. For now, fantasy managers can roll out the Missouri native as a high-upside WR3/flex, with the innate ability to break off a big play at a moment's notice. Burden is RotoBaller's PPR WR27 for the first week of play.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dawson Knox Falls Down the Pecking Order in Buffalo
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox continues to be a secondary option in the team's passing offense. The Buffalo pass-catching group is led by DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, and Dalton Kincaid, resulting in Knox falling down the pecking order. He was the overall TE28 in PPR leagues last year, and his ranking will likely fall even lower in 2026 now that Moore has been added to the team. His fantasy production also benefitted from Kincaid missing some games and playing a lower snap share even when healthy, which probably won't happen again in 2026. Knox would have some streaming appeal if Kincaid were to get hurt, but until then, he can be avoided in all redraft and most dynasty leagues. He ranks as the TE37 in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, who allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season.
Source: Buffalo Bills
Source: Buffalo Bills
Rome Odunze A Shaky Fantasy Play in Week 1 Amid Questionable Tag
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's road opener against the Carolina Panthers. Odunze operated as a limited participant leading up to this weekend's contest after picking up a calf injury the week prior. It'd have been nice to see him upgrade to full at some point, but per the 24-year-old, he'll be able to suit up. Health aside, Odunze and the rest of Chicago's skill players are well-equipped to make massive fantasy impacts in 2026. As it stands, the only question left to shake out is which of Odunze, teammate Luther Burden III, and tight end Colston Loveland will separate themselves as the primary pass-catcher for third-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Either way, there should be fantasy value to mine from all three. If healthy, Odunze ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR30 for the weekend's matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Texans D/ST In a Tough Matchup in Week 1
The Houston Texans' defense and special teams unit faces a tall task in Week 1, taking on Josh Allen and the Bills. Houston's defense was among the best in the league last year and has plenty of playmakers at every level. They added Reed Blankenship and Jadeveon Clowney to the rotation this year and should be able to stack up sacks and turnovers again this year. However, the matchup against Allen and the high-powered Bills' offense knocks them down from the must-start tier of defenses this week. In RotoBaller's rankings, the Texans D/ST is ranked No. 13, making them a fringe starting group in most leagues. If you drafted them highly, you can still use them in Week 1, but temper expectations based on the difficult matchup and look forward to dominant performances later in the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devontez Walker is Tagged as Questionable for Week 1
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Walker was limited in practice all week while he continues to nurse a groin injury. It seems possible that Walker ends up being a game-time decision for the season opener. His possible absence won't make a huge impact with Zay Flowers, Ja'Kobi Lane, and Rashod Bateman as the top three wideouts in Baltimore. If Walker sits out, rookie Elijah Sarratt could see an expanded role, but that wouldn't be too much as a fourth receiver. With everyone healthy, Walker can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy formats right now.
Source: baltimoreravens.com
Source: baltimoreravens.com
D'Andre Swift Poised for Strong Week 1 Showing
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift begins his 2026 campaign with an appearance against the hosting Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Week 1. The seventh-year pro was unable to finish practice last week due to cramping, but he's ready to roll in a potentially juicy outing for the Bears' rushing attack. Carolina's defense was fairly sound a season ago in most aspects, although they could be had on the ground. Moreover, they were one of the best matchups for opposing running backs in fantasy, yielding the seventh-most points per game to the position (22.4). Despite Carolina bolstering its unit during the offseason and the fact that he'll likely split work with backfield mate Kyle Monangai, Swift sits in a favorable position to continue capitalizing on the dearth of talent around him and the offensive genius that is head coach Ben Johnson. If quarterback Caleb Williams remains on an upward trajectory, we could see yet another jump in production from the group as a whole. Swift lands as RotoBaller's RB14 in PPR leagues ahead of Sunday's contest.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ka'imi Fairbairn Is a Top-10 Kicker in Week 1
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was one of the best fantasy kickers in the NFL last season, taking advantage of his team's red-zone struggles to kick plenty of field goals. He made 44 of his 48 field-goal attempts over 15 games and went a perfect 28-for-28 on extra points. He was excellent from long range as well, going 9-for-13 from over 50 yards. This offseason, Houston locked up the 32-year-old from Hawaii with a two-year, $13 million extension. While the offense hopes to be more efficient in the red zone this season, especially after adding David Montgomery, Fairbairn remains a very strong option at the position. In Week 1's home matchup against the Bills, Fairbairn is the No. 10 kicker in RotoBaller's rankings, and he's a solid, reliable start in almost all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaiah Davis is Cleared for Week 1
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (knee) has been cleared to suit up for the Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Davis has been dealing with a minor knee injury, but he was able to practice in full all week. It sounds like a minor issue that isn't going to impact his status for the season opener. With Breece Hall and Braelon Allen healthy, Davis is unlikely to see much of the field right now. The third-year back will begin the season as the third-string option, so he isn't someone who needs to be rostered in 12-team formats. The 24-year-old has some stash value in dynasty leagues, but he can be left on the waiver wire in most formats.
Source: newyorkjets.com
Source: newyorkjets.com
Caleb Williams Brings QB1 Upside in Road Matchup
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will kick off his third NFL campaign this Sunday, on the road against the Carolina Panthers. At a glance, the USC product's 2025 statistics may seem a modest improvement upon his rookie season. While some might point to a dip in completion percentage (58.1%), Williams undoubtedly showed growth and maturity during Chicago's playoff run - becoming more efficient within the structure of the offense. Perhaps most impressively, he was sacked only 25 times in 2025, a stark contrast to his league-high total of 68 the year prior. Carolina's pass defense was no pushover a season ago, ranking as a top-half unit on a yards-per-game basis (209). Still, head coach Ben Johnson's elite pace of play and the bevy of weapons at the 24-year-old's disposal should be more than enough to keep him in the QB1 conversation Week 1. Even with wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) a potential inactive, Williams still slots in as RotoBaller's QB9 ahead of Sunday's slate.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jimmy Horn Jr. Falling Down Depth Chart with Teammate Healthy
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. is slipping down the depth chart, which has also caused his fantasy stock to fall. A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like Horn might have a chance to compete for the No. 3 receiver role with Xavier Legette (ankle) sidelined. However, Legette is back to 100%, leaving no chance for Horn to start in Week 1. The 24-year-old will likely find himself in the No. 4 or 5 receiver role to open the season. He's coming off a quiet rookie campaign in which he caught 11 passes for 108 yards, ranking as the WR138 in PPR leagues. Although he now has a pro season under his belt, Horn still may not emerge as a top-100 fantasy receiver this year. He can be avoided in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Schultz Is a High-Risk Option in Week 1
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz could get enough work to be a deep-league starter this season with Jayden Higgins (knee) vacating targets due to his season-ending injury and Tank Dell (knee) on IR to start the season. However, Schultz has a very tough Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who were the best team in the NFL at limiting tight ends last year in PPR scoring. He did have 106 targets last year, and his strong rapport with C.J. Stroud could get him enough volume to overcome the tough matchup. However, Schultz is only RotoBaller's TE 19 this week in PPR formats, making him not the best option unless you're forced to look for emergency, last-minute help from the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
