RADIO
DeAndre Hopkins at Patriots Camp as a Coach
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that veteran free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is with the team at training camp for a potential coaching role in 2026, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. "He's got coaching gear on, and he is helping out the offensive coaches and meeting with our personnel guys," Vrabel said. Hopkins hasn't officially announced his retirement and previously expressed interest in playing another season in the NFL, but he may be changing his tune with the 2026 campaign quickly approaching. The 34-year-old five-time Pro Bowler played with the Baltimore Ravens last year in his 13th year in the league but only had 22 receptions on 39 targets for 330 yards and two touchdowns. If Nuk doesn't play another down in the league, he'd finish with 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns in 195 regular-season games over 13 years with five different teams. Hopkins was originally a first-rounder (27th overall) in 2013 by the Houston Texans, and he spent his first seven years in the league in Houston.
Source: Boston Herald - Doug Kyed
Source: Boston Herald - Doug Kyed
Trey Benson Back at Practice to Begin Training Camp
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee), who was held out of the offseason program, participated in drills during the team's training camp practice on Thursday, per Cardinals Wire's Jess Root. It's unclear what exactly Benson did, but coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2025, the Cardinals are expected to ease both Benson and veteran James Conner (ankle, foot) back into workouts this summer. The 24-year-old Benson, a former third-rounder in 2024 from Florida State, was in line for lead-back duties when Conner went down last year, but he only played in four games himself due to a knee injury that required surgery. Now that the Cardinals have added rookie first-rounder Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier, Benson will open the 2026 regular season as the RB4, at best, pushing him entirely off the redraft fantasy radar. A change of scenery is probably the only way he can get back in good fantasy graces in single-league and dynasty/keeper formats.
Source: Cardinals Wire - Jess Root
Source: Cardinals Wire - Jess Root
James Conner Takes Part in Thursday's Practice
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle, foot), who was held out of the offseason program, participated in drills in Thursday's training camp practice, according to Jess Root of Cardinals Wire. Conner will most likely be eased back in this summer after he played in only three games due to the injury in 2025, but he has reportedly fully recovered from the injury and shouldn't face any limitations for the start of the regular season this fall. The problem for the 31-year-old veteran back is that the Cardinals have since added rookie first-rounder Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier to their backfield, so even if he's fully healthy in 2026, he's not going to have near the volume of touches he had before his ankle/foot injury last year. Coming off his serious injury and with lots of competition in the Cardinals' backfield now, Conner's fantasy stock has taken a massive hit. He will go undrafted in most standard-sized leagues and is currently ranked as the No. 77 overall fantasy RB for the 2026 season.
Source: Cardinals Wire - Jess Root
Source: Cardinals Wire - Jess Root
Giants Expected to Bring Malik Nabers Along Slowly in Training Camp
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) avoided landing on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of training camp this summer, but the expectation is that the Giants will "bring him along slowly," according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The 22-year-old former first-rounder might not be practicing at all right away while he continues to recover from a torn ACL and meniscus in Week 4 of last season. The Giants still have seven weeks to go until their 2026 regular-season opener on Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. "Working his way into practice as camp gets started one way or the other," head coach John Harbaugh said recently. "To what degree, we will find out. But there is a lot of optimism around [Nabers and Skattebo]." Nabers caught a rookie franchise-record 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 and had 18 receptions for 271 yards and two TDs before his season-ending injury in Week 4. He has clear WR1 upside, but the uncertainty about whether he'll be full speed for Week 1 has made him more of a low-end WR2 target as he enters his third year in the NFL.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Ladd McConkey an Appealing Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Ahead of 2026
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey put together an underwhelming 2025 season, recording 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets across 16 games. After finishing as the WR12 in PPR scoring in 2024, McConkey fell all the way to WR30 last season. However, there are reasons to believe the 24-year-old will bounce back in 2026. For one, Los Angeles hired Mike McDaniel as its new play-caller for 2026, which should help open up the offense and maximize McConkey's talent. Secondly, former Chargers wideout Keenan Allen currently remains unsigned. Allen led the team in targets in 2025 and also forced McConkey out of his natural position in the slot. As long as Allen does not end up back in Los Angeles, McConkey should be in line to set a new career-high in targets this year. In dynasty leagues where his stock is down, McConkey profiles as a prime buy-low target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Bowers Remains an Elite Tight End Option Despite Injury-Marred 2025
After recording 112 receptions and being named a first-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2024, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers battled through an injury-marred sophomore campaign in 2025. The 23-year-old was clearly hampered while playing through a knee injury that he suffered in Week 1 and eventually ended the season on Injured Reserve. However, Bowers is reportedly fully healthy heading into 2026. The Raiders should also have a significantly improved offensive environment in the upcoming year, hiring Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and play-caller and revamping their quarterback room with veteran Kirk Cousins and 2026 number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Bowers profiles as the clear number one option in the Las Vegas passing game and could have a chance to exceed the 153 targets he earned as a rookie. While Bowers' stock may be slightly down following his disappointing 2025 production, he remains an elite fantasy tight end ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chig Okonkwo is Undervalued by Current Redraft ADP
After spending the first four years of his career with the Tennessee Titans, tight end Chig Okonkwo is entering his first season with the Washington Commanders in 2026. Okonkwo has established himself as a durable and reliable contributor, recording three consecutive seasons with at least 17 games played, 70 targets, 50 catches, and 500 receiving yards. However, he's scored just eight touchdowns across 68 career NFL games while playing in Tennessee. In Washington, Okonkwo will now have a chance to play with quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has thrown nine touchdown passes to tight ends across 24 career NFL games. The Commanders are also desperately searching for pass-catching talent to emerge behind star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, which could leave Okonkwo as the team's number two option in the passing game. Okonkwo has significant breakout upside entering 2026 and profiles as an excellent value selection at his current redraft ADP of TE20.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gunnar Helm a Redraft Sleeper to Target Ahead of Potential Year 2 Breakout
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm recorded 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets across 16 games (10 starts) as a rookie. Helm's target volume was limited by the presence of former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo. However, Okonkwo departed Tennessee for the Washington Commanders in free agency, leaving the door open for Helm to take over as the Titans TE1. Tennessee added wide receivers Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson this offseason, which could leave fewer targets for the team's incumbent pass-catchers. Still, the Titans offense should be in a better overall spot in 2026 in quarterback Cam Ward's second season as the starter. Helm may not have high-end fantasy TE1 upside, but he has a clear path to streamer value at the very least. As the TE28 by current redraft ADP, Helm should be a priority late-round sleeper target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elijah Arroyo an Intriguing Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Ahead of 2026
A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo failed to carve out a significant role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 13 games (four starts), the 23-year-old recorded 15 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown on 26 targets. Entering 2026, Arroyo once again projects to open the year behind AJ Barner on Seattle's tight end depth chart. However, Barner has averaged just 9.3 yards per reception for his career. Arroyo profiles as the superior athlete and carries more explosive upside, averaging 16.9 yards per catch and scoring seven touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season at the University of Miami. If Arroyo can stay healthy and be more consistent as a blocker in his second NFL season, he could establish himself as a larger piece in the Seattle passing game going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ollie Gordon II Remains a Worthy Dynasty Handcuff Option Entering 2026
A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II recorded 231 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 77 touches across 17 games. Gordon II began the year as Miami's RB2 behind superstar back De'Von Achane. However, he lost touches over the course of the year to fellow Dolphins back Jaylen Wright. Entering training camp, Gordon II and Wright are currently battling for the backup job once again. Gordon II profiles as the more physical runner, but Wright may be the more explosive back in the open field. As long as Achane remains healthy, neither Gordon II nor Wright is likely to have much fantasy value. Still, with the backup job still unsettled, Gordon II remains a worthy dynasty stash for his handcuff upside in Miami.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton an Intriguing Training Camp Watch in Broncos New-Look Offense
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has topped 1,000 receiving yards in consecutive seasons, while his streak of scoring at least seven touchdowns dates back to 2023, but the team's first public training camp practice on July 31 could provide an extended look at how he will fit into Denver's new-look offense. The Broncos sent a first-round pick to acquire Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, and with head coach Sean Payton handing play-calling duties to first-time offensive coordinator Davis Webb, the early days of training camp could provide a revealing glimpse of how the 30-year-old ninth-year veteran will be deployed in 2026. Since the Broncos made him a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Sutton has faced little competition at the top of the depth chart, with none of his teammates ever topping 1,000 yards. Like many of Miami's offensive players, Waddle had a down year in 2025, but he started his career with three straight 1,000-yard campaigns of his own, and he brings an explosive element that was clearly missing from a Broncos offense that still threw the ball at one of the highest rates in 2025. If that high-passing volume carries into 2026, Sutton could outperform expectations, but now more reliant on touchdowns than ever, he has fallen to RotoBaller's WR37.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Daniel Jones a Potential Draft Day Bargain if his Recovery Stays on Track
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) was the fantasy QB7 on an 8-4 team before a torn Achilles ended his season prematurely. When the Colts hold their first practice of training camp on July 29, he'll have the opportunity to pick up right where he left off. While much of his sporadic fantasy success with the Giants came through what he was able to do with his legs, Jones was averaging a career-low 13.3 rushing yards per game before the injury, making much of what he was able to accomplish repeatable less than eight months removed from surgery. Jones saw steadily increasing involvement throughout OTAs and minicamp, and if that progress continues into training camp, he could prove to be a bargain in superflex drafts, currently coming off the board as the QB25.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Ferguson Difficult to Trust at His Current Draft Cost
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson finished as the TE8 in 2025, but the context of how he arrived there makes him a difficult player to trust, even at his current ADP of TE13. Through the first seven weeks of the season, with five-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb missing time with a high ankle sprain, Ferguson served as a crucial piece of the Cowboys' offense, making six touchdown grabs and pacing as the top tight end in fantasy to begin the year. However, once Lamb returned to form, Ferguson caught only two more touchdowns over his final 10 games and was barely usable as the TE22 the rest of the way. With Lamb and George Pickens both healthy and in the lineup, Ferguson has little chance of ever serving as more than a third option in the passing game, arguably making the second half of last year more representative of his fantasy profile. While Ferguson's insurance upside is obvious, without an injury ahead of him, he could fail to provide usable fantasy weeks with any consistency in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Schultz Should Again Be Part of the Streaming Conversation in 2026
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz saw more than 100 targets and made a career-high 82 catches on his way to a TE11 finish in 2025. Rarely flashy, Schultz is a player who consistently earns the trust of his quarterbacks, and he has now finished as a TE1 in five of the last six seasons despite topping five touchdown catches only once in that stretch. A reliable target-earner, Schultz has caught at least 50 passes in every season since taking over as a full-time starter in 2020, providing a safe fantasy floor at a position where that is often enough. While he has turned in a top five weekly finish only twice in the past two seasons, Schultz has never strayed far from usability. Although he only enters the year as RotoBaller's TE24, it should come as no surprise when he once again enters the weekly streaming conversation in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jauan Jennings a Potential Late-Round Value in 2026 Drafts
Following an injury-marred final season with the 49ers, wide receiver Jauan Jennings was met by a cooler-than-expected free agent market before eventually signing a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, and should Minnesota's offense take a step forward in 2026, as many are projecting, Jennings could prove to be a tremendous value in the closing rounds of fantasy drafts. The battle at quarterback between free agent acquisition Kyler Murray and disappointing third-year player J.J. McCarthy will undoubtedly be a point of focus when the Vikings take to the field for their first public practice of training camp on August 1, and the result will have an obvious impact on a Vikings receiver room looking to put a forgettable 2025 season behind them. Justin Jefferson remains one of the league's premier talents, but with Jordan Addison profiling more as a big-play threat than a consistent target-earner, and tight end T.J. Hockenson yet to return to his pre-injury form following a 2023 ACL tear, an important chain-moving role could be had by Jennings in Kevin O'Connell's offense. At RotoBaller's WR59, Jennings will be a player to monitor throughout training camp, and if his draft price holds, he should be seen as a late-round target with standalone value and multiple paths to an increased role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
