May 7, 2026, 11:22 AM ET

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has the potential to be a weekly fantasy starter when healthy, but injuries have derailed the first four years of his career. He has missed 20 of 68 games since being drafted, and he has never finished a single season higher than WR41 in PPR leagues. The talent is undeniable, though, and we're confident that a Christian Watson and Jordan Love duo could eclipse 1,000 yards together over a healthy 17-game stretch. The crowded receiver room is another factor to consider, although it's not a major obstacle. Players like Watson, Jayden Reed, the now-departed Romeo Doubs, and even Matthew Golden have shown that they can produce in this crowded position group. There are enough targets to go around to support a top-30 finish from Watson. Now, he just needs to stay on the field. We're encouraged by the fact that he played 10 consecutive games without being inactive in 2025, so perhaps that's a sign that he'll be able to stay healthy in 2026. Purely based on upside and his relatively low cost, Watson is an intriguing dynasty trade target this offseason.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 7, 2026, 11:16 AM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth had a frustrating 2025 season, catching just 41 passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns en route to ranking as the overall TE25 in PPR leagues. There's some uncertainty about his future outlook, but the good news is that the Steelers have a new coaching staff in place, and they didn't bring in anyone to compete with Freiermuth. He's clearly the top option on the depth chart, ahead of players like Darnell Washington and rookie Riley Nowakowski. The bad news, on the other hand, is that in Mike McCarthy's last season as a head coach (2024), Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was the TE25. In the Cowboys' first year without McCarthy, he soared to TE5. So while we're encouraged that the Steelers' coaching staff change -- plus the anticipated return of dependable passer Aaron Rodgers -- could be good for Freiermuth, we also acknowledge that McCarthy doesn't have the greatest short-term track record with the position. The 27-year-old should bounce back this year, but the exact magnitude of his progression is unknown. We're not ready to bank on him being a TE1 in fantasy football.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 7, 2026, 11:10 AM ET

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has the potential to be a short-term option in fantasy football, but he lacks long-term upside in dynasty leagues. Tagovailoa signed with the Falcons this offseason after being released by the Miami Dolphins. He may open the 2026 season as Atlanta's starter since Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still recovering from his torn ACL, but the job belongs to Penix when he's healthy. Recent comments from president of football Matt Ryan seem to indicate that Penix's recovery is either on schedule or behind schedule, so Tagovailoa could be a QB2 option through the first few weeks of the season. Once Penix returns, though, Tagovailoa will head to the bench, where he'll face an uphill battle to reclaim any starting role, at least as long as he remains in Atlanta. He was the QB9 in 2023, but he's coming off a disastrous 2025 campaign in which he threw for 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 7, 2026, 10:02 AM ET

Following the trade that sent running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 2025 season, the fourth-year back was pegged as a popular breakout candidate, rising all the way to RB24 in consensus dynasty rankings. By most metrics, Mason's first year in Minnesota was a disappointment. Even with Aaron Jones Sr. missing significant time, Mason was held to only 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns while the entirety of the Vikings' offense was held back by listless quarterback play. The Vikings have found at least a short-term fix at quarterback, bringing in Kyler Murray on a one-year deal, and while Minnesota was labeled as one of the more running back-needy teams entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the team waited until the sixth round of a weak class to address the position, selecting Demond Claiborne out of Wake Forest. At 5'9" and 195 pounds, Claiborne poses little threat to Mason's between-the-tackles early-down work. With both Mason and Jones in the final year of their contracts, the importance of the 2026 season for Mason's long-term dynasty value can not be overstated. He enters the season as RotoBaller's RB50, but that ranking could climb if Minnesota's offense can shake off a forgettable 2025 campaign.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 7, 2026, 9:50 AM ET

Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is planning to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers to further discuss his future with the team, as reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport. While no deal is currently in place, there is speculation that the visit could be the next step toward getting him signed for the 2026 season. Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first season with Pittsburgh. Following a mutual parting of ways between the Steelers and long-time head coach Mike Tomlin, a return to the Steel City by the 42-year-old veteran would also mean a reunion between Rodgers and new head coach Mike McCarthy after the two spent 13 seasons together in Green Bay, including a Super Bowl-winning 2010 campaign. The Steelers added quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and should the team find itself in a situation where it is forced to move forward without Rodgers, the Penn State rookie would likely compete with seven-year veteran Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard for the starting job.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Ian Rapoport

May 7, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles sent fifth and sixth-round picks to acquire wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks as part of their near-total overhaul of the position. With the team expected to trade three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown on or after June 1st, the new look receiver room in Philadelphia now includes Wicks, incumbent DeVonta Smith, Marquise Brown, and 2026 first-round pick Makai Lemon. The Eagles also added tight end Eli Stowers in the second round of the NFL Draft after many teams were reportedly scouting him through the lens of a wide receiver. After three seasons in a crowded receiver room in Green Bay, Wicks finds himself in a similar situation in Philadelphia, but at 6'1", 206 pounds, he profiles as the most likely candidate to inherit some of Brown's snaps on the boundary. While the Packers have been one of the most run-heavy teams in recent years, the Eagles have thrown the ball at an even lesser rate, so even if Wicks can carve out a more meaningful role, his fantasy ceiling is still capped. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR104, he still belongs on rosters for what he could offer should injuries eventually condense targets in Philadelphia, but his contributions could be limited for the foreseeable future.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 7, 2026, 9:26 AM ET

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders can arguably be thrown into the category of 2026 offseason winners, but how that actually translates to his dynasty value remains to be seen. The Panthers were considered one of the most tight end-needy teams in the league, but in an NFL Draft that saw 21 tight ends come off the board, not one of them went to Carolina. Sanders led all Panthers tight ends with 29 receptions in 2025 and finished within 60 yards of Tommy Tremble despite missing five games with a high ankle sprain and later a broken ankle to end his season. All reports have him recovering well, and while calls are growing louder for a Jalen Coker breakout, there is still a serious lack of target competition behind 2025 Offensive Player of the Year Tetairoa McMillan. If Sanders can beat out Tremble and 2025 fifth-round pick Mitchell Evans as the team's primary pass-catcher at the position, there should be enough opportunity to make a modest fantasy impact. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE37, expectations are low, but if Sanders can take a step forward in year three, as used to be the norm before the recent tight end resurgence, he could be a low-cost add who offers usable depth moving forward.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 7, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season, which ended his sophomore campaign and caused him to miss all of the 2025 season. After dislocating his knee and tearing multiple ligaments, his recovery has been arduous, but signs now point to his eventual return in 2026. Dell has been participating in the early stages of organized team activities, and there is a belief he could be ready for the start of the season. With the Texans adding Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the 2025 NFL Draft, it's uncertain how the receiver rotation will work out alongside two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins. Dell has taken more than 70% of his professional snaps on the outside, so despite vastly different body types, his most direct competition would appear to be the 6'4", 215-pound Higgins. Dell finished as WR38 as a rookie in 2023, and he's risen back up to WR66 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings after falling as low as WR87 in consensus ranks. That said, with the improved depth of the position since he last took the field, the ceiling could be capped for all Texans pass-catchers outside of Collins.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 6, 2026, 9:27 PM ET

New York Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich said that veteran quarterback Geno Smith is the "perfect fit" for his offense, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I feel his resilience, his toughness," Reich said. The Jets swung and missed with their free-agent acquisition of QB Justin Fields last year, so this year they acquired Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders after he was one of the worst starting signal-callers in the league in 2025. Perhaps they're hoping the 35-year-old veteran can lead the Jets to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 draft like he did for the Raiders this year. The former second-rounder by the Jets in 2013 out of West Virginia made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2022 and 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks, but he went 2-13 in his 15 starts for the Raiders in 2025, throwing for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-high 17 interceptions. He also took the most sacks of any QB with 55. Smith will start for the Jets in Week 1, but we wouldn't be surprised if he was benched sooner rather than later. At best, he's a QB3 option in superflex fantasy leagues for the 2026 campaign despite the Jets adding some weaponry to their offense in this year's draft in the form of tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini

May 6, 2026, 9:20 PM ET

When a source was asked if the noise about veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers going to the Arizona Cardinals was real, the source said, "Not at all," according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. If Rodgers decides to return for a 22nd year in the NFL, it will only be for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cardinals have veteran signal-callers Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew under center, and just drafted former University of Miami QB Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft. All signs this offseason have pointed to a reunion between Rodgers and Pittsburgh, although recent reports suggest the Steelers' brass could be growing impatient since the 42-year-old has yet to make a decision on his playing status for the 2026 season. Even if another team like Arizona were to make an offer to Rodgers, the Steelers have the right of first refusal to match any offer sheet. They have Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and rookie Drew Allar in their QB room, but if Rodgers re-signs, he'll be the starter once again for the upcoming season. Despite improvements to the team's WR room, Rodgers figures to be a low-upside QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues if he's playing in 2026. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 29 player at the position.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss

May 6, 2026, 9:13 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said on Wednesday on the Rich Eisen Show that wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (knee) should be "full-go" for the start of training camp in late July and that he will play both on offense and defense again in 2026 in his second NFL season. The 22-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner tore the LCL in his knee in late October, cutting what could have been a promising rookie year short. The former second overall pick out of Colorado finished his rookie campaign with 28 receptions on 45 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown in seven games on offense, and he really didn't do much as a receiver until his final game in London against the Los Angeles Rams, when he went over 100 yards for the first time and scored his lone TD. Gladstone elaborated that Hunter is expected to see an uptick in usage as a defensive back in 2026, but that won't mean that Hunter's usage on offense will decrease. He's going to play both ways, but the Jags have more of a need in their defensive backfield than they do in their WR room. On offense, Hunter will still be involved, but with Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Parker Washington all still around, it's going to be difficult for him to stand out from a production standpoint every week as a pass-catcher. Hunter's redraft and dynasty stock is down considerably from what it was a year ago at this time, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 75 fantasy wideout for the upcoming season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Rich Eisen Show

May 6, 2026, 2:56 PM ET

Free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson said the New York Jets offered him a contract after he visited their facilities last week, according to Ryan Dunleavy of The California Post. The 37-year-old former Super Bowl champion said his visit with the Jets "was great," but he's also mulling a potential opportunity in television with CBS Sports for the 2026 season. If Wilson were to sign with the Jets, it would be as a backup to veteran Geno Smith. The Jets already have rookie Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe, and Brady Cook in their QB room in addition to Smith. The 37-year-old 10-time Pro Bowler is nearing the end of his amazing NFL career after the Seattle Seahawks took a chance on him in the third round (75th overall) in 2012 out of Wisconsin. Since leaving Seattle following the 2021 season, Wilson hasn't had much success in Denver, Pittsburgh, and New York. He made six appearances (three starts) with the Giants last year and threw for 831 yards, three touchdowns, and three picks before being benched for young QB Jaxson Dart. At this point, a starting gig in the NFL probably isn't in the cards for Wilson.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The California Post - Ryan Dunleavy

May 6, 2026, 2:18 PM ET

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been locked in this offseason and is focused on ways to improve after a second straight disappointing campaign in 2025. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reports that Stroud made a noticeable change to his diet to slim down this offseason, avoiding sugars and carbs. The Texans picked up Stroud's fifth-year option for the 2027 season, but 2026 will be a prove-it year to convince the team that he deserves a long-term extension. Photographs on Instagram that Stroud has shared in the weight room show a more shredded and slimmed-down version of himself. The former second overall pick out of Ohio State was a Pro Bowler in his first NFL season in 2023, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 regular-season starts, but he hasn't come close to those numbers the last two seasons, and he threw for a career-low 3,041 yards and 19 TDs in 2025. The 24-year-old hasn't always been helped by the offensive line in front of him, but he appears determined to turn things around, and a bounce-back campaign could be coming if second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel can step up behind WR1 Nico Collins. Target Stroud as a QB2 with upside in fantasy drafts this fall.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime

May 6, 2026, 2:00 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten still doesn't have the backfield all to himself, but he could be the team's top dynasty running back because of his age. All signs point to a true 50/50 split between Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, so even though they have different value in dynasty leagues, they're similarly valued in redraft formats. From a dynasty perspective, we're more intrigued by Tuten, who is just 23 years old, than Rodriguez, who is 26. Ever since he was drafted last year, it seemed like Tuten could be the eventual No. 1 ball-carrier in Jacksonville, and that outlook remains in place after the team watched Travis Etienne Jr. depart in free agency. Rodriguez could represent a thorn in his side, but he could also be a valuable complementary piece to keep Tuten's legs fresh and keep the offense less predictable. Given that we never felt like Tuten was going to be a dynasty RB1 anyway, we're not too concerned about the presence of Rodriguez. Tuten has low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 appeal this year, and he ranks as a low-end RB2 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 6, 2026, 1:49 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers give a handful of draft prospects "gold helmet" designations for their exemplary standing in several areas, including leadership and football intelligence. Former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who the team selected at 33rd overall at the top of the second round, is considered one of the "gold helmet" prospects, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "The passion the guy has, the work ethic, the toughness, the durability. He checks all those boxes at a high level," vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad said. The 23-year-old Stribling also scored the highest ever in a personality test called the Judgment Index, which seeks to shed light on a player's decision-making skills and value. Stribling was a surprise pick at that spot early in the second round, as he never had over 882 receiving yards or six touchdowns in his five collegiate seasons at Washington State, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss. At best, Stribling will be an option as San Fran's WR3 in his rookie season in 2026 behind Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall. He won't be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2026, but his size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) and speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash) give him upside in the long term if his intangibles set him apart.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows