January 7, 2026
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan had a fantastic rookie NFL season, with 1,014 receiving yards and 70 receptions on 122 targets. He also scored seven touchdowns and finished as the WR15 on the season. McMillan clearly established himself as the alpha wide receiver for the Panthers over
Xavier Legette and
Jalen Coker. McMillan's inconsistencies in 2025 were largely due to third-year quarterback
Bryce Young, who was very inconsistent throughout the season. Additionally, for those playing in playoff fantasy leagues, according to Novig, the Panthers have the worst odds (+6150) to win the NFC and are viewed as a guaranteed one-and-done in the playoffs after winning the NFC South with a sub-.500 record at 8-9. Now, this is the NFL, and anything can happen, but it may be smart to stay away from any Panthers players, even McMillan, who is clearly the best fantasy asset to own on this team. That being said, the matchup for him in the Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams is a good one, as the Rams have been vulnerable to the wide receiver position in the second half of the season. McMillan should have a good game in the first round.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams running back
Kyren Williams is gearing up to be a legit fantasy playoff running back option for fantasy managers playing in a playoff league. According to Novig, the Rams have the second-best odds to make the Super Bowl in the NFC, behind the Seattle Seahawks, who currently hold the No. 1 seed. For those playing in playoff fantasy leagues, you want to target guys like Williams, who is going to be on a team that has a better chance to make a deep run. The Rams open up as favorites (-10.5) against the Carolina Panthers in round one, and Williams should be viewed as one of the better running back options in this contest. Williams put together another nice 2025 season, rushing for 1,252 yards on 259 carries (4.83 YPC) and 10 touchdowns. He finished as the RB9 on the season, and the only risk you run with Williams is the running back by committee approach with
Blake Corum, who, since Week 7, has seen 11 carries or more seven times. That being said, Williams is the veteran running back and has been the lead back, even with Corum chipping away at his overall workload, and it's likely Sean McVay will want to lead with his veteran, given the important nature of these playoff games.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams finished the 2025 regular season as the QB5 for the year under first-year head coach Ben Johsnon. He completed 330 of 568 (58%) for 3,942 yards and a 27:7 TD: INT ratio. From a fantasy standpoint, he also contributed 383 rushing yards and three touchdowns, giving him a solid rushing floor. Although there were some lower moments on the season where he scored 12 or fewer fantasy points in three of his 17 contests, for the most part, Williams was a solid fantasy option, and should continue to be so in the playoffs. The Bears take on division opponent, the Green Bay Packers, in round one, who struggled to stay healthy down the stretch and have a very beatable defense after losing Micah Parsons (knee) for the season. This will be Williams' first career playoff start, and the Bears are currently underdogs(+1) to the Packers at home, so there is some risk for Fantasy managers in playoff leagues. However, if the Bears do make a run, it will likely be because the second-year signal-caller is performing at an elite level, making him a solid fantasy option for the playoffs.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders requested an interview with Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach
Davis Webb for their head-coaching job, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Webb is only 30 years old and spent six years as an NFL QB before going straight into coaching. Pelissero thinks Webb is a "fascinating candidate" who "has been on the fast track." After firing veteran head coach Pete Carroll on Black Monday, minority owner
Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek might be going the unconventional approach to hiring their next head coach, especially since they are expected to draft Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in April. Webb has worked with
Russell Wilson (one season) and
Bo Nix in his three years in Denver. This will be his first head-coaching interview. The Raiders are also expected to interview Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 6, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston took fantasy managers on a rollercoaster ride in 2025. After recording 28 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns over his first six games of the season, Johnston hauled in just 14 catches for 126 yards and two scores over his next six contests. However, Johnston re-emerged late in the year. Across his final two games played of the regular season, the 24-year-old recorded nine catches for 202 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. Johnston was also among the players Los Angeles chose to rest in Week 18 in preparation for the playoffs, signifying his value in the eyes of Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Los Angeles will face one of the league's better pass defenses in their Wild Card Weekend matchup against the New England Patriots. Still, Johnston has proven he can have success against challenging opponents, recording at least 14.9 PPR fantasy points in matchups during the regular season against the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Kansas City Chiefs. Fantasy managers in playoff leagues should view Johnston as a high-upside wide receiver option entering the postseason.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Brandin Cooks has mostly played a minimal role since signing with the team in late November. However, Cooks had a breakout game in Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording four catches for 101 yards on six targets. The Bills have been searching for a reliable wide receiver option to pair with wideout
Khalil Shakir for most of the season. Notably, Cooks was among the players Buffalo chose to rest during their Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets. While the Bills will likely continue to rotate wide receivers, Cooks' Week 18 status could indicate the team plans to heavily feature him in its Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 32-year-old has postseason experience, recording 35 receptions for 494 yards across seven career playoff games. Cooks had just five total catches across five games played for Buffalo this season, so expectations should remain limited. However, Cooks could be an under-the-radar wide receiver option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Across 16 games played in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers completed 65.7% of his pass attempts for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Rodgers delivered a bit of a vintage performance in Week 18 to help power Pittsburgh into the playoffs, completing 31 of 47 pass attempts for 294 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. Entering Wild Card Weekend, Rodgers will get some much-needed pass-catching help in the form of wide receiver
D.K. Metcalf, who missed the final two games of the regular season due to a suspension. However, Rodgers will face one of the league's best defenses in the Houston Texans in the first round of the AFC playoffs. In the regular season, Houston ranked seventh among NFL defenses in both passing yards (3,486) and passing touchdowns (20) allowed. Rodgers has played some of his best football of the season in recent weeks, but fantasy managers in playoff leagues may want to be cautious given his matchup against Houston.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
After missing Week 17 due to a knee injury, Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid returned in Week 18 and recorded three catches for 48 yards on three targets in his team's blowout win over the New York Jets. Multiple injuries limited the 26-year-old to just 12 games played in 2025, and he finished the season with 39 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 49 targets. On a per-play basis, Kincaid is a highly efficient and productive tight end. However, playing time and target volume are issues for Kincaid's fantasy outlook. He has not played more than 38% of Buffalo's offensive snaps in any game since Week 5 and has not earned more than five targets in a game since Week 9. Heading into his Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kincaid profiles as a high-ceiling, low-floor tight end option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 6, 2026
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is leaving school early and declaring for the 2026 NFL draft, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. Tate is expected to be one of the top wide receivers off the draft board and could be an early first-round selection in April. Across 11 games for the Buckeyes in 2025, Tate recorded 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. He established himself as one of the premier downfield threats in college football, averaging over 17 yards per reception in 2025 and 15.5 yards per reception across 39 career college games. Speculatively speaking, Tate could be a good fit for a wide receiver-needy team with a top ten pick like the Cleveland Browns or the New Orleans Saints. Regardless of where he ends up, Tate is a name for fantasy managers in all league formats to monitor heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Pete Thamel
January 6, 2026
The Detroit Lions are kicking off their search for a new offensive coordinator with former Lions quarterback
David Blough, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Blough worked as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders in 2025, but he served as the QBs coach after Tavita Pritchard left to become the head coach at Stanford. Detroit let go of Johnny Morton as their offensive coordinator after just one season in the role. Blough last played in the NFL in 2023 and began his coaching career with Washington in 2024. The 30-year-old former undrafted rookie out of Purdue played in just four seasons in the NFL with Detroit and Arizona and completed 57% of his passes for 1,435 yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The Lions have high expectations for their high-scoring offense after scoring 28.3 points per game in 2025, the fifth-most in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 6, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested permission to interview Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde for their vacant head-coaching job, a source told Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns have also requested permission to interview Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for the position, among others. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has called the plays on defense, but Durde has done a fine job as the D coordinator in Seattle the last two seasons. The Browns are looking to replace Kevin Stefanski, who they fired from the head-coaching gig on Monday. Durde started his NFL coaching career as an intern with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 and also coached with Atlanta and Dallas. He's probably a long shot to win the Browns' job.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
January 6, 2026
Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is expected to emerge as a favorite to become the next head coach for the New York Giants, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. After being fired by the Ravens on Tuesday after 18 years with the organization, Harbaugh is expected to be pursued by many teams around the league who are searching for a new head coach. Former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski could be Harbaugh's primary competition for the head-coaching gig in the Big Apple. In his 18 years in Baltimore, Harbaugh went 180-113 in the regular season while going 13-11 in the playoffs with a Super Bowl championship. The 64-year-old would be an intriguing fit for a New York Giants team that already has some strong offensive weapons in place with quarterback
Jaxson Dart, receiver
Malik Nabers, and running back
Cam Skattebo.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 6, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview New England Patriots passing-game coordinator Thomas Brown for their head-coaching job, a source told Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Brown has been a big part of New England's turnaround in 2025, and he has play-calling and head-coaching experience while learning from two of the best in Sean McVay and Mike Vrabel. The Cardinals so far have mostly been targeting defensive-minded head-coaching candidates as they look for a replacement for Jonathan Gannon. The 39-year-old first started as a running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, and he stayed with the team for three seasons. Brown also worked as the Panthers' offensive coordinator in 2023 before being the Bears' pass-game coordinator, offensive coordinator, and interim head coach in 2024.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
January 6, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Whittington suffered a knee injury in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, and he was reportedly set for an MRI exam early this week. It suggests that the 25-year-old's knee injury could be serious enough to sideline him from the Wild-Card playoff matchup on Saturday versus the Carolina Panthers. The good news is that the Rams have veteran Pro Bowl wideout
Davante Adams (hamstring) fully expected to return this weekend for the start of the postseason. Even when active, Whittington isn't a realistic fantasy WR. He had a total of just 18 catches during the regular season for 171 yards and no touchdowns.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
January 6, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on the team's estimated injury report on Tuesday, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Higbee is managing an ankle injury that caused him to miss six regular-season contests. The 33-year-old veteran came off Injured Reserve to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, though, and he played 64% of the snaps on his way to catching five of his six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown in his first game back. Higbee should be fine to suit up for the Wild-Card playoff game on the road against the Carolina Panthers after not suffering a setback with his ankle injury. The Rams also have
Colby Parkinson and rookie
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring), and they are expected to get receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) back after a three-game absence. View Higbee as a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 in fantasy this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
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