RADIO
Woody Marks Makes His Case for a Larger Role
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks stood out on Thursday night against the Raiders, playing very effectively on his team's opening drive, which he capped with a 20-yard touchdown run. He finished with 37 rushing yards to go with his touchdown on four carries and added a six-yard reception. The second-year running back had a strong track record as a pass-catcher in college and could step into a larger role as a receiver after the season-ending injury to Jayden Higgins (knee). Marks appears lined up to share work in the backfield with David Montgomery, but with a strong showing like Thursday's and some extra targets available, he could be a great grab with upside when you're searching for running back depth. His pass-catching potential makes him an even stronger play in PPR formats. Marks is the RB46 in RotoBaller's rankings, but he could get enough work to return great value at that spot even though he'll be working in a timeshare.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jared Wayne Earning Time with the Texans' Starters
Houston Texans side receiver Jared Wayne could be part of the team's plan to fill in for some of the production lost when Jayden Higgins (knee) went down for the season earlier this week. Wayne has had a very strong training camp and caught the team's only touchdown in the first preseason game. On Thursday, in the second preseason game, Wayne played in the first series of the game with starting QB C.J. Stroud, and he picked up a key 12-yard reception that converted a third down and kept the drive alive. Wayne finished with just two catches for 13 yards, but his involvement with the starters could indicate the team has bigger plans for him once the season starts. At the very least, he looks in line to make his first NFL roster after spending last year on the practice squad. He could open the season as the team's WR2 across from Nico Collins, at least until Tank Dell (knee) is ready for action.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jake Bobo Carted Off After Right Leg Injury
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo was carted off Friday after suffering a right leg injury during a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans, according to Teresa Walker. Bobo went down after linebacker James Williams broke up a pass intended for him, and players from both teams took a knee while he was being checked out. He was eventually able to get up with help before getting onto the cart. Bobo has mostly worked as a depth receiver, blocker and special teams player in Seattle. He caught just two passes for 20 yards during the 2025 regular season, though the Seahawks valued him enough to match Jacksonville's offer sheet in March and keep him in town. There isn't much standalone fantasy value tied to Bobo, but losing him for any stretch would take away one of Seattle's more trusted depth pieces and special teams contributors.
Source: Teresa Walker
Source: Teresa Walker
C.J. Stroud Poised for a Bounce-Back Season
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is eligible for a contract extension and has had a strong training camp, according to multiple accounts from Texans' camp. He led his team to a touchdown on his only drive of the team's second preseason game on Thursday night, completing four of his six pass attempts for 27 yards. While he didn't have the touchdown, he did a good job making smart decisions and guiding the offense into position to reach the end zone. Stroud has regressed in each of the last two seasons after his big rookie year, but he has the potential to bounce back in his second season under offensive coordinator Nick Caley. He'll need to find a strong second option behind Nico Collins after the season-ending injury to Jayden Higgins (knee), but if he does that, he'll have the potential to be a solid QB2 with upside. Coming into the year, he's No. 24 in RotoBaller's rankings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darren Waller in Phenomenal Shape Entering 2026 Season
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller is in phenomenal shape heading into the 2026 season. Waller said his conditioning is "Night and day" compared to last season. Waller reportedly tore his quad two weeks after unretiring and signing with the Miami Dolphins last season, which kept him out for eight games in 2025. Despite the injuries and the Dolphins' lackluster passing attack, Waller still managed 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games. Now in Carolina, head coach Dave Canales is excited about what Waller brings to the table, saying, "It's a unique element that he brings to whatever offense he's been a part of." Currently ranked TE35 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Waller looks primed for a solid season that should surpass his ADP in 2026.
Source: Joe Person - The Athletic
Source: Joe Person - The Athletic
Cooper Kupp Is Slipping Into Deep-Bench Territory
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp is still running with the starters, but the fantasy case keeps getting thinner. He played 16 games last season and caught 47 passes for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba exploded for 119 catches and 1,793 yards, and Seattle has spent this summer talking about a bigger offensive role for Rashid Shaheed. Kupp has made plays in camp, including a one-handed grab from Sam Darnold, so this isn't about him suddenly looking finished. It's about volume. Seattle attempted only 481 passes last season, fourth-fewest in the NFL, and Kupp was already living on a modest target share before Shaheed's role started growing. RotoBaller has dropped Kupp to 222nd overall in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings. At 33, he can still give Seattle useful snaps and have the occasional fantasy week. There just isn't much pointing toward a return to steady starting value. Kupp looks more like deep bench depth than a receiver fantasy managers should be trying to force into drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeVaughn Vele to See More Work Early in 2026 Season
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele is set for an expanded role early in the season. With rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) expected to miss significant time, Vele is positioned to be the team's second-leading receiver behind Chris Olave. The former Broncos receiver hauled in 25 of 39 targets for 293 yards and two touchdowns last season, but found a groove late with quarterback Tyler Shough. To add to Vele's value this season, Olave has struggled with concussions throughout his career and was part of the reason he slipped down fantasy boards last season. If Olave and Tyson miss time at any point this season, Vele becomes a starting-caliber receiver in most fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Hutchinson Moves Back Onto the Redraft Radar
Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson didn't give fantasy managers much in Thursday's box score, catching one of two targets for minus-1 yard in a 22-20 loss to Las Vegas. Both looks came from C.J. Stroud on Houston's opening drive. The bigger story is what happened before the game. Jayden Higgins tore his ACL in Tuesday's joint practice and is out for the season, leaving a lot more work up for grabs behind Nico Collins. Hutchinson has been here before. He started six games last year and finished with 35 catches for 428 yards and three touchdowns, including a five-catch, 69-yard, one-score game against San Francisco when Houston was short-handed at receiver. Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell are still part of this, so Hutchinson hasn't suddenly become the No. 2. But the path is cleaner now, and getting two early looks from Stroud is at least worth noting. He's back on the deep-league radar after being an easy name to ignore a week ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lewis Bond Positioned for Larger Role After Higgins' Injury
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Lewis Bond is poised for a larger role than expected in 2026. The sixth-round pick from Boston College was unlikely to contribute as a receiver this season, but after second-year wideout Jayden Higgins' unfortunate knee injury, Bond may have a chance to play. At Boston College, he hauled in 88 receptions for 993 yards and one touchdown in 2025 under former Texans head coach Bill O'Brien. Bond caught two passes for 12 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, playing most of his snaps with the second-team offense. While the Texans still have Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson on the outside, Bond could carve out a solid role in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Douglas Making Strong Case for WR1 Role in Miami
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas has stolen the show this offseason and in preseason play. The third-round pick entered a crowded receiving room with many veteran and rookie options, yet he has emerged as the top threat for the WR1 role in this offense. The former Texas Tech receiver was listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart, a rare honor for a third-round pick, and made his mark in the team's preseason debut against the Washington Commanders. Douglas played a team-high 14 snaps with the first-team offense in that game and made an acrobatic one-handed catch from quarterback Malik Willis. With fellow third-round pick Chris Bell (knee) missing most of training camp, Douglas has the inside track to lead the Dolphins in receiving this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carnell Tate Back at Practice for Titans
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate returned to practice Friday, according to Turron Davenport. Tate sat out Wednesday after waking up with some stiffness, which head coach Robert Saleh said was unrelated to the collision with safety Kevin Winston Jr. that knocked Tate out of Monday's practice. Saleh said at the time that there was nothing to be concerned about and hoped to have him back for Friday's joint session with Seattle. That's exactly what happened. The fourth overall pick has made plenty of noise this summer, including a three-touchdown practice on Aug. 9, but his preseason debut against San Francisco was quiet. Tate didn't catch any of his three targets. Missing only one practice gets him right back into the mix, and Friday's work against the Seahawks gives him another chance to build reps with Cam Ward before Tennessee's second preseason game Sunday.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Cyrus Allen's Fantasy Value Limited by Rashee Rice
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen continues to stand out at training camp. Despite being a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Allen has been a frequent topic of conversation throughout camp, making plays and earning work with the first-team offense. However, the path to standalone fantasy value in 2026 remains bleak. Rashee Rice has consistently produced in his three seasons in Kansas City, hauling in 156 of 209 targets for 1,797 yards and 15 touchdowns in 28 games. Although the fourth-year receiver underwent offseason knee surgery and spent time in jail, Rice appears to be finding a groove. During Wednesday's practice, Rice totaled nearly double the targets (7) of the next closest receiver, while Allen had just two targets from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Expectations are high for the rookie receiver, but with Rice expected to be a key contributor on offense, Allen will have a tough time securing enough volume to be a factor in 2026.
Source: Pete Sweeney
Source: Pete Sweeney
Najee Harris Brought In to Compete for Significant Work
New York Giants running back Najee Harris is getting a real chance to work his way into an already crowded backfield. Jordan Raanan reports that Harris was brought in with the expectation that he'll be a significant contributor, and the veteran got three carries during Thursday's joint practice with Miami after only three days with the team. Harris is still getting back up to speed after tearing his Achilles last season with the Chargers, but his track record is easy to understand. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with Pittsburgh. Cam Skattebo remains the top option and has been first up most days in camp, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary are still firmly in the mix. So there isn't a clean fantasy role here yet. Harris wasn't signed to sit at the bottom of the depth chart, though. If he keeps showing he can handle live work, he could force his way into a meaningful share of the carries as the season moves along.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Keenan Allen Receives Praise from Shane Steichen
Indianapolis Colts' newly acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen received praise from head coach Shane Steichen, who called him the "most cerebral receiver" he's been around. "He sees the game like a quarterback: how to run routes, how to attack leverage, how he sees coverage, especially inside in the slot, outside, how corners play, how linebackers play them in the slot. That's built-up reps over the years, and he's seen so many different looks, and it's like clockwork for him in his brain." Allen signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Colts on Wednesday. With wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) injured and a gaping hole left after the team traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Allen will have a significant role in this offense. Currently ranked WR60 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Allen offers starting upside if Pierce misses time this season.
Source: Mike Lacett
Source: Mike Lacett
Woody Marks Looks Like More Than a Passing-Down Back
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks got one drive with the starters Thursday and didn't waste it. Marks had five touches for 43 yards against Las Vegas, including a 20-yard touchdown run where he bounced through traffic and finished the drive himself. His final line was four carries for 37 yards and one catch for six. David Montgomery didn't play, so this isn't evidence that Marks has suddenly taken over the backfield. It does make his role a little more interesting. Marks was already getting most of the backfield route work during Tuesday's joint practice, and now he has put some good rushing tape on top of it. The 5-foot-10, 208-pound back led Houston with 703 rushing yards as a rookie and caught 24 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns. Montgomery should still get plenty of work, particularly between the tackles. Marks is starting to look capable of earning touches beyond obvious passing situations, though, and that gives him a better shot at standalone PPR value than a typical No. 2 back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
