Rhamondre Stevenson Should Still See Volume in Shared Backfield
New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson was on the field for more than twice as many snaps as rookie TreVeyon Henderson during the Patriots' four-game postseason run, indicating a heightened level of trust from the coaching staff when the games mattered most. Henderson already produced more than any rookie back in Josh McDaniels' system, and the expectation is that improved pass-protection in year two will make him harder to take off the field in critical situations. While that may be true, New England's run game as a whole is primed to take a massive step forward in Mike Vrabel's second season as head coach, resulting in a much larger pie to be split between his two primary backs. Almost every offensive move the team made in free agency signals a commitment to an improved and more physical running game. Alijah Vera-Tucker has struggled with devastating injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, he has been one of the most dominant guards in the league. Fullback Reggie Gilliam and blocking tight end Julian Hill both speak to the hard-nosed identity Vrabel is looking to establish, and in which Stevenson, who is being valued as a low-end RB3 in dynasty startups, should still have sneaky standalone value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Skyler Bell Hype Warrants Cautious Optimism
Connecticut wide receiver Skyler Bell put up gaudy numbers in 2025, catching over 100 passes for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns, but the obvious caveat is that he did it as a 23-year-old fifth-year senior, playing against lower-level competition. Bell will turn 24 before ever taking a snap in the NFL, and at 6'0" and 192 pounds, he is slightly undersized, though he is solidly built and has shown the versatility to be more than a slot-only option. His film often shows him winning after the catch with straight-line speed rather than physicality or elusiveness, so his strong testing numbers are a reassuring sign that he wasn't just running away from lesser athletes of the G5 ranks. Like most receivers in this class, there are some holes in his profile, but he has enough working in his favor to make him an intriguing late-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Brazzell III's Pre-Draft Hype Comes with Volatility
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell III has been a name on the rise after measuring in at 6'4" and 198 pounds at the NFL Combine and proceeding to run a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, rising several spots in consensus dynasty rankings over the past month. He has the size and speed of a prototypical X-receiver, which is precisely how he was used at Tennessee. Brazzell's 94.3% of snaps taken on the boundary in 2025 was the highest among Combine invites, while his deep target rate also ranked near the top of the class. That type of college usage has translated to NFL success in the past, but it typically comes with more efficiency than Brazzell's 2.09 career yards per route run. Couple that with the fact that his most successful season came in Josh Heupel's receiver-friendly scheme, and Brazzell's role at the next level becomes all the more difficult to predict.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Steelers Expect Decision From Aaron Rodgers Before the Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II said on Sunday that he expects veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide on whether he wants to re-sign with the team before next month's NFL draft, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Although the future Hall of Famer hasn't been rumored to be talking to any other teams since the start of the new league year in March, it remains unclear whether he wants to return for a 22nd NFL season under old head coach Mike McCarthy. The 42-year-old four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season starts to help lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs, but he was demolished in the Wild-Card round of the postseason and finished as the QB19 in fantasy scoring. If Rodgers returns to run it back with McCarthy, he'll have more receiving help in Michael Pittman Jr., but he'd still be more of a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues with limited upside at the end of his illustrious career. The risk of injury is as high as ever with Rodgers, although he missed just one game in the last two seasons after tearing his Achilles in 2023 with the Jets.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Gerry Dulac
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Gerry Dulac
Giants Releasing Graham Gano
The New York Giants are releasing kicker Graham Gano (neck) on Sunday, sources told Connor Hughes of SNY. Gano will hit the open market after kicking in just six games for the Giants in 2025 due to groin and neck injuries. When the 38-year-old veteran was available, he made nine of his 10 field-goal tries (1-for-1 from 50-plus yards) and was a perfect 9-of-9 on his extra points. He will now hit the open market after being with the G-Men for each of the last six seasons. Before that, he spent three years in Washington and another seven with the Carolina Panthers. With the move, the Giants will save $4.5 million in salary cap space in 2026. Former Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is now in line to serve as New York's primary placekicker next year with Gano gone. In his 16-year career, Gano has made 83.8% of his field-goal tries, including going 46-for-67 from 50-plus yards. It's possible that Gano will consider hanging up his cleats as he nears 40 years old.
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
49ers Making Headway With Trent Williams on Potential Extension
A contract extension for San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams could be imminent, according to general manager John Lynch. "I would say in the last week, it's kind of intensified," Lynch said at the NFL owners' meetings. "And feel like we're on the precipice of something good happening." There were several reports in the last month that the 49ers could end up trading or releasing Williams if they couldn't agree to terms on a new deal. Lynch hasn't qualified the negotiations with Williams' camp as contentious at all, but said the situation required "nuance" because of his age (37). Despite his age, the former first-rounder (fourth overall) by Washington in 2010 out of Oklahoma has been a 12-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro in his 15 years in the league. Williams is still a high-end left tackle, so locking him up for what will likely be his final contract in the NFL will be a big boost for quarterback Brock Purdy and the rest of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Eric Branch
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Eric Branch
Mykel Williams Expected to be Back for Training Camp
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch expects defensive lineman Mykel Williams (knee) to be back from his ACL tear for training camp this summer, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. However, Lynch acknowledged that Williams' recovery could take a little longer since he tore his ACL a month and a half into the season after pass-rusher Nick Bosa did. Williams also tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee in Week 9. The 21-year-old pass-rusher was the 11th overall pick last year out of Georgia. He played in nine games in his rookie campaign and had 20 tackles (11 solo), four tackles for loss, three QB hits, one sack, and a fumble recovery. We won't be surprised if the Niners play it very safe with Williams during training camp, but barring a setback, he will have a shot to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
49ers Expect Nick Bosa Back for Training Camp
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that he expects defensive lineman Nick Bosa (knee) to be back from his ACL tear for training camp this summer, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Bosa had surgery last September for a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 3. Since the injury occurred so early in the year in 2025, the 28-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher has a shot to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, depending on how he looks in training camp and the preseason. Getting Bosa back will be a massive boost to what was a totally banged-up defensive unit last year. The five-time Pro Bowler is a high-end IDP fantasy pass-rushing option when fully healthy, but he's high-risk, high-reward because of his lengthy injury history. Bosa led the league in sacks with 18.5 in 2022, and he has 64.5 sacks in his 85 games played over his seven NFL seasons. Twice in his career, though, Bosa has played in fewer than five games in a single season due to injuries.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Browns GM Confirms Myles Garrett isn't Being Traded
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on Sunday that the team isn't trading All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier this week on the Pat McAfee Show that the Browns have been "adamant" that they aren't trying to move Garrett, who set the single-season NFL sack record in 2025 with 23 sacks in 17 starts, after modifying his contract to save some salary cap space. It would send a pretty bad message to Browns fans if they traded one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL the year after breaking the all-time sack record. The 30-year-old former first-rounder in 2017 out of Texas A&M will be back with the Browns this coming season to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks across the league. Garrett is a physical freak and a beast on the football field with 125.5 career sacks in his nine NFL seasons. Unsurprisingly, Garrett will come off the board fast as a defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Browns Hopeful Quinshon Judkins Will be on the Field "in Some Form" This Spring
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that he's hopeful that running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) will be on the field "in some form or fashion" this spring, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Judkins suffered a dislocated right ankle late in his rookie season in 2025 and had surgery. The 22-year-old former second-rounder in 2025 out of Ohio State should be ready in time for training camp this summer and the start of the 2026 regular season. There is no doubt heading into his sophomore campaign that Judkins will lead Cleveland's backfield, which also consists of Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders. In his first NFL season, Judkins had 827 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 230 carries over 14 starts, adding 26 catches for 171 yards through the air. The only thing holding Judkins back from being a strong RB1 for fantasy managers might be the Browns' offense, which figures to be led by either Deshaun Watson (Achilles) or second-year QB Shedeur Sanders.
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
"No Doubt" That Geno Smith is Jets' Starting Quarterback
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told Judy Battista of the NFL Network that there is "no doubt about it" that Geno Smith will be the team's starting quarterback in 2026. "Listen, he's done it. I mean, those years in Seattle, when he was, I think, Comeback Player of the Year. Man, he was up for MVP early in the season. There's no doubt in my mind that we brought a competent starter here to this team," Glenn said. The 35-year-old veteran signal-caller was a Pro Bowler in back-to-back seasons with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 and 2023, but in his lone season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, it was ugly for Smith. He completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts. The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft thanks to Smith, and the Jets might be hoping he can do the same for them going into the 2027 NFL draft as they search for their next franchise QB. Smith is merely a bridge option under center and should be considered a low-end QB2 in fantasy this fall with little upside.
Source: NFL Network - Judy Battista
Source: NFL Network - Judy Battista
49ers Hopeful George Kittle Will be Ready for Week 1
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is doing "very good" in his recovery from a torn Achilles in the postseason and that the team is hopeful that he'll be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2026 season, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Kittle will be managed carefully during training camp this summer, but "he's progressing at a good rate." The 32-year-old veteran tore his Achilles tendon in the team's Wild-Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11 and went under the knife a week later. Fantasy managers shouldn't take this as gospel that Kittle will be ready for the start of the regular season, as ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported over a month ago that the Pro Bowl tight end might not return until around Week 5. Kittle is a high-end TE1 option for fantasy managers when he's healthy, but the uncertainty around his injury going into 2026 will cause his price to drop. He finished as the TE11 in half-PPR scoring in 2025 with 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in only 11 regular-season games played.
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
Eric McAlister Diagnosed With Fractured Foot
TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister (foot) ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash during his school's pro day earlier this week but was then forced to stop working out after running 15 routes, according to Tony Pauline of Yahoo Sports. Doctors diagnosed McAlister with a Jones fracture in his foot, according to sources. McAlister previously had a right-knee scope, which kept him from participating in the Shrine Bowl and the NFL scouting combine at the end of February. His injuries will surely affect his stock for next month's NFL draft, and it's uncertain when he'll be able to resume football activities. It's very possible that McAlister won't be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. McAlister had a Big 12-high 1,190 receiving yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns on 72 receptions in 13 games for the Horned Frogs in his senior year in 2025. In four collegiate seasons (two years at Boise State), McAlister had a combined 169 catches for 3,084 yards and 24 touchdowns in 48 games.
Source: Yahoo Sports - Tony Pauline
Source: Yahoo Sports - Tony Pauline
Zach Charbonnet Could Return to a Wide-Open Backfield
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore his ACL in a Divisional Round playoff win over the 49ers, making him extremely unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. The Seahawks watched Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III take a top-of-market deal with the Chiefs in free agency and have done little to address the running back position, heading into April's NFL Draft with Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, and Kenny McIntosh as the top healthy backs on the roster. Seattle holds the 32nd overall pick and has become a buzzy landing spot for whoever becomes the second running back drafted behind top prospect Jeremiyah Love. The team has reportedly hosted Jonah Coleman and Chip Trayanum on official visits, and depending on exactly how early they make a move at the position, Charbonnet could see a mid-season return to one of the most wide-open backfields in the league.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Thomas Jr.'s Uncertain Future Could Make Him a Buy-Low Candidate
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has seen his name floated in trade rumors since last season's trade deadline, despite repeated claims from the front office that they are not shopping their former first-round pick following a disappointing second season. After making 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, Thomas was held to 707 yards and two scores on only 48 receptions in 2025. Regardless of where he plays in 2026, he could be viewed as a buy-low candidate. Stuck in a muddled receiver room after a down year, he is currently being drafted as a low-end WR2 in dynasty startups, less than a year after topping out as a top-five receiver in most dynasty circles. The talent he displayed both in college and as a rookie is real, though motivation issues have hounded him since his time at LSU. Should he remain in Jacksonville, Thomas has the explosive playmaking abilities to regain the most fantasy-relevant role on the team, while a new home and a fresh start would likely also see his value spike.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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