RADIO
Josh Downs a Favorite Target on Saturday
In what was a productive day for the Indianapolis Colts offense on Saturday, wide receiver Josh Downs stood out as a favorite target for quarterback Daniel Jones. Downs caught four passes and a touchdown during competitive 11-on-11 work, and was consistently open while running crisp routes and standing out from the rest of the receiver group, according to beat reporter Andrew Moore. With Alec Pierce still not practicing after undergoing offseason ankle surgery, Downs ran with Ashton Dulin and Laquon Treadwell in three-receiver sets, and as the only true lock from that trio to see regular work on game days, the fourth-year veteran took advantage of the opportunity to further develop his chemistry with Jones. The early days of camp indicate that Downs will see an expanded role in 2026, making him one of the better potential values in the middle rounds of drafts, and he is RotoBaller's WR42.
Source: Andrew Moore
Source: Andrew Moore
Trey McBride Has High Hopes for Cardinals Offense
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride had high praise for the playmakers on the Cardinals' offense and said this is the year they break out. "We have so many playmakers on this offense with Marvin (Harrison Jr.), with (Michael Wilson), with me, with Jeremiyah (Love), with all these guys." "We're about to break out. This is the year it happens. Our talent is very underrated. Our offensive skill is one of the best in the NFL." McBride is entering Year 4 with Arizona and his first season under new head coach Mike LaFleur. The bad news is that LaFleur's offenses haven't favored tight ends in the past, with only one tight end totaling over 500 yards receiving in LaFleur's five years as an offensive coordinator. McBride is coming off a remarkable season, totaling over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns on an NFL-record 126 receptions. McBride will need to overcome LaFleur's history with tight ends, as he should go off the board as a top two tight end in fantasy this season.
Source: Douglas Santo - Arizona Sports
Source: Douglas Santo - Arizona Sports
Kyle Pitts Sr. Missing Valuable Reps as Falcons' Quarterbacks Sit Out Team Drills
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. is missing crucial practice time because both quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa (back) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee), are not participating in team drills this week. With both quarterbacks absent from team drills and new head coach Kevin Stefanski implementing a new offensive system, Pitts and the entire offense could face challenges if Tagovailoa and Penix are unable to get the necessary reps in camp. Despite a breakout 2025 season, Pitts struggled with Penix under center, totaling only 38 receptions for 375 yards and one touchdown in 10 games. While Stefanski's offense has favored tight ends like David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr., crowded competition in Atlanta with Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Zachariah Branch, and Bijan Robinson could make Pitts an avoid in fantasy this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Pittman Jr. to Do Wonders for Steelers Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. enters the 2026 season in a new offense, but receiver D.K. Metcalf has high hopes for the former Colts wideout. Metcalf said of Pittman, "The type of experience in the league who's been successful in another franchise comes over here, I think it's going to do wonders for our offense." In six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittman had 485 receptions for 5254 yards and 25 touchdowns in 95 games, despite poor quarterback play for most of his career with the team. Now he gets to play with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pittman is currently ranked WR41 in RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings, but if he can adjust to head coach Mike McCarthy's system, he could have a career year in Pittsburgh.
Source: Aaron Becker - Yahoo
Source: Aaron Becker - Yahoo
Deebo Samuel Sr. to Play All Over the Field in 2026
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will play all over the field in 2026, according to general manager John Lynch. When asked about Samuel's role for 2026, Lynch said, "You're going to see him in the return game, you're going to see him some at receiver, you're going to see him some at running back. We're going to use him all over the field, and we're really excited to have Deebo back." Samuel signed a one-year, $7 million deal to return to San Francisco, where he spent the first six seasons of his career, totaling nearly 6,000 scrimmage yards and 42 touchdowns in 81 games with the team. With young receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) done for the season after electing to undergo surgery to repair his PCL, Samuel steps into a potential WR2 role behind Mike Evans. While Samuel is now 30 years old and has been trending downward in his career, he can still be a factor in fantasy and should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
Source: Matt Barrows - NY Times
Source: Matt Barrows - NY Times
Parker Washington to Play in 11, 12, and 13 Personnel in 2026?
Speaking to 1010XL, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington said he's going to play in three-WR sets, 12 personnel, and 13 personnel in the 2026 season. When asked whether he is worried 2-TE sets will take away from the wide receivers' workload, he stated, "For me, 12 personnel is good, even 13 [personnel]." He also said, "Liam [Coen] told me to be ready to play all positions and to stay ready." Washington has been heavily praised during the first week of training camp, with head coach Liam Coen saying, "Like we can't coach them always to be special when the ball's in their hands. And that's something Parker has." In the last four games last season, Washington hauled in 26 of 41 targets for 454 yards and three touchdowns, including a monster performance in the Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills. Ranked WR32 in RotoBaller's rankings, Washington is a breakout candidate to watch in 2026.
Source: 1010XL
Source: 1010XL
Sean Payton Praises Jaylen Waddle, Plans to Use Him All Across the Field
In an interview with NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund and Steve Wyche, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered high praise for newly acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Payton said, "he's an elite competitor," and "he's a guy that can play in the slot, he can play outside, and he can separate with both his speed and agility." Earlier this week, Payton said Waddle is the kind of player who "walks on water" and that "there's a clear vision for him." The former Dolphins receiver was traded to Denver this offseason and has been making a ton of noise during training camp. With high praise from his head coach, Waddle could be in line for a great season in Denver, similar to how receivers like George Pickens and Davante Adams did after changing teams in 2025.
Source: NFL Network
Source: NFL Network
Kyler Murray Outplays J.J. McCarthy on Saturday
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy saw its first clear, decisive win during the first four days of camp. The veteran who signed from the Arizona Cardinals had a great day, hitting star wide receiver Justin Jefferson several times and rarely seeing the ball hit the ground during practice. While McCarthy has played well during the first three days of camp, he was shaky on Saturday. While Murray missed most of the 2025 season with a foot injury, McCarthy struggled mightily, throwing 17 interceptions in 10 games. Murray likely holds the edge in this quarterback battle, but the young quarterback should have ample opportunities to win the starting job in Minnesota.
Source: Will Ragatz - BMTN
Source: Will Ragatz - BMTN
Matthew Bergeron Agrees to Extension with Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons and left guard Matthew Bergeron agreed to a four-year, $96 million extension, with $60 million guaranteed. The deal ties Dallas Cowboys right guard Tyler Smith for the highest contract value at the guard position in the NFL. Bergeron has been a full-time starter since being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, starting 49 games over his first three seasons. He allowed one sack last season and has been a key part of the Falcons' solid offensive line alongside Jake Matthews and Chris Lindstrom. After extending both Drake London and Bergeron, the Falcons will look to lock up running back Bijan Robinson to a well-deserved contract extension next.
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Will Levis Believes He's 100% a Starting Quarterback in the NFL
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis said on Saturday that he's "100 percent" a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL. "There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me. I know I've put the tape out there already that I'm a dang good quarterback in this league." After a disastrous 2024 season, in which he had 18 turnovers in 12 games, Levis missed the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury. The former second-round pick is currently battling former starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky for the backup role behind Cam Ward. If Levis loses this battle, a trade could be in the works for a player who believes he can compete with the best in the world at quarterback.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Tre Tucker Operating Mostly on the Outside at Training Camp
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker is spending most of his reps on the outside at training camp. With new head coach Klint Kubiak in town and his prior rapport with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL in fantasy points scored from the outside (17.3), Tucker could have a ton of success in this new system. Kubiak said in March that "One guy that sticks out is watching [Tucker] play football. He's kind of everything that we're about." Tucker scored 90% of his fantasy points from the outside in 2025 and totaled 747 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games last season. With potential upgrades at quarterback, including rookie Fernando Mendoza, Tucker could become a real fantasy starter in 2026.
Source: Adam Hill - Las Vegas Review Journal
Source: Adam Hill - Las Vegas Review Journal
Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy "Competing for Everything"
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said on Saturday that both running backs, Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr., are "competing for everything at this point in time. Both those guys are going to play a lot." While both backs have produced and are legitimate starting options in the NFL, Skattebo is expected to have the edge at the start of the season. Before fracturing his ankle in Week 8, Skattebo was taking full control of the backfield, averaging 103.8 scrimmage yards and scoring six touchdowns in the five games before the injury. With the new coaching regime in New York for the 2026 season, whoever performs best early will earn more trust and likely a larger workload in the backfield. Both backs should be rostered, with Skattebo as a low-end RB2 and Tracy as a productive handcuff with upside to start in soft matchups.
Source: GiantsWFAN
Source: GiantsWFAN
Sam LaPorta Fully Healthy in Camp, Set to be "Big Part" of the Detroit Offense
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (back) has been deemed fully healthy at the start of training camp and is set to take on a large role in the Lions' offense, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. The 25-year-old had a disappointing Year 3 in the NFL, appearing in just nine games due to a herniated disc. However, not only is the Iowa product a full-go, but he is also set to play a large role in the offense under newly-tabbed offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. The tight end enjoyed a breakout campaign as a rookie, catching 10 touchdowns and totaling an impressive 889 yards. As a sophomore, LaPorta saw his production take a slight dip, but was still productive, scoring seven touchdowns with 726 yards. While the Detroit offense is crowded, LaPorta figures to be a primary option and is poised for a bounce-back with a clean bill of health.
Source: Eric Woodyard
Source: Eric Woodyard
Xavier Worthy Believed to Have Avoided a Major Injury on Saturday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) is believed to be "OK," according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The young wideout exited Saturday's practice early due to a shoulder injury. However, the former first-round selection appears to have avoided a serious injury and may not face many limitations during the remainder of training camp. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his stats as he works his way back to full strength. Last season, Worthy had a disappointing sophomore campaign as he dealt with a lingering shoulder injury (dislocated shoulder) he suffered back in Week 1. Over the course of the 2025 season (14 games), the wideout scored just one touchdown. However, as a rookie, he found the end zone nine times, with three of them coming on the ground. When healthy, Worthy possesses high-end WR3/FLEX upside operating as the primary deep-threat in the Kansas City passing attack.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Tests Reveal Shin Bruise for Cyrus Allen
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen (shin, leg) was carted off during Saturday's practice with an apparent leg injury. Tests on the Chiefs rookie revealed a shin bruise; nothing was torn or broken, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. This was the best-case scenario for Allen, as he appeared to avoid a serious injury. The Chiefs have been dealing with injuries at wide receiver as Xavier Worthy also exited Saturday's practice with a shoulder injury. At the same time, Rashee Rice is still not 100% from knee surgery in May. The 23-year-old has had an outstanding training camp as he continues to build a rapport with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City selected Allen with the 176th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after he caught 51 passes for 674 yards and 13 touchdowns across 13 games in his senior year at Cincinnati. Allen is considered day-to-day for now and will likely receive a few days off from training camp to let his shin heal.
Source: Adam Schefter of ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter of ESPN
