RADIO
Jack Bech has a Clear Path for Growth in Year 2
The Las Vegas Raiders have made a near-total overhaul to a roster that went a league-worst 3-14 in 2025, but one position group that has gone largely untouched is wide receiver, which should provide ample opportunity for 2025 second-round pick Jack Bech to improve upon his rookie season. In his first year out of TCU, Bech caught only 20 passes for 224 yards with zero scores, but with Jalen Nailor representing Vegas's biggest addition through either free agency or the draft, the path to a larger workload is clear and obvious. Despite signing a three-year, $35 million deal, Nailor has never reached 30 receptions or 450 yards through four seasons with the Vikings, and he joins a wide receiver room that was led by Tre Tucker in 2025 with only 696 yards on 57 receptions. The top true receiver on the team is, and will be, tight end Brock Bowers, while running back Ashton Jeanty could be in line for the team's second biggest target share after making 55 catches as a rookie, but the rest of the receiving competition is not insurmountable. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR84, the 23-year-old Bech is a low-cost buy, and with the Raiders bypassing the chance to take Indiana's Elijah Sarratt in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, he could become the new big-bodied ball winner for first overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaydon Blue Will Need to Show More in Year 2 to Stick on Dynasty Rosters
Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue was a fifth-round pick in 2025, and after only one year in the league, he's already fighting for his roster life at the bottom of dynasty benches. Blue was a healthy scratch in 12 weeks as a rookie, and when he saw the field, he averaged only 3.4 yards per attempt. With Dallas extending Javonte Williams on a three-year, $24 million deal, meaningful reps will again be hard to come by, with Williams' 252 carries in 2025 ranking 10th in the league. Working in Blue's favor was one of the weakest running back draft classes in recent memory. With the Cowboys bypassing the position entirely, opting to spend most of their picks on defense, Blue's competition for primary backup duties will be fifth-year veteran Malik Davis, whose 2025 season was ended by eye and calf injuries, and fellow second-year player Phil Mafah. While the insurance role behind Williams offers little standalone value, an injury would make the Cowboys RB2 one of the more sought-after handcuffs in the league, so for dynasty managers with the luxury, the 22-year-old Blue should be held until news starts to emerge from camp about how the depth chart is shaping up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Looking to Expand on Rookie-Season Flashes
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had some historic moments as a rookie in 2025, and consistency will now be key to making him a reliable fantasy presence in Year 2 and beyond. His 164 receiving yards in Week 7 were the most by a first-year tight end in 40 years, while he was only the third rookie tight end since 1970 to top 300 yards across a three-game span, joining Kyle Pitts Sr. and Brock Bowers. The Chargers' tendencies were streaky under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, with the team averaging 39.2 pass attempts through the first seven weeks but only 29.4 the rest of the way. Now under Mike McDaniel, Gadsden brings rare tools to a scheme that has seen Jonnu Smith and a 33-year-old Darren Waller churn out week-winning performances over the past two seasons. With bookend tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater also expected back, there will be less of a need to pull Gadsden from the field in favor of blocking tight ends like the newly acquired Charlie Kolar. With the Chargers bypassing the position entirely in a loaded 2026 NFL Draft, Gadsden's jumbo slot role looks to be secure heading into year two, and at RotoBaller's dynasty TE10, it's possible he's still being slept on despite already showing a ceiling that few players in the league are capable of reaching.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bengals Don't Pick Up Myles Murphy's Fifth-Year Option
The Cincinnati Bengals are not picking up defensive end Myles Murphy's fifth-year option, a source told Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. However, the Bengals are hoping to still work out a long-term deal with Murphy at some point. The 24-year-old former 28th overall pick by Cincy in 2023 out of Clemson had a career-best season in 2025 in his third year in the league, tallying 52 tackles (28 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 17 games played (10 starts). In his first two years with the Bengals, Murphy only had three sacks in 30 games played (zero starts). Murphy will head into the 2026 season in the final year of his rookie deal, but if he plays more like he did last year, the Bengals will surely be more open to a long-term extension for the 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive lineman. He's off the fantasy radar in IDP formats.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Lions Decline Jack Campbell's Fifth-Year Option
The Detroit Lions declined the fifth-year option for linebacker Jack Campbell this week, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. Ironically, Campbell had the best year of his young career in 2025, when he had 176 tackles (89 solo), five sacks, nine tackles for loss, five QB hits, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 17 starts to earn Pro Bowl honors. But it wasn't enough to convince the Lions, so the former 18th overall pick in 2023 out of Iowa will now head into the final year of his rookie contract this fall. The 25-year-old has 100-plus combined tackles in each of the last two seasons and has contributed 8.5 sacks in 51 games (46 starts) while not missing a game in his first three years in the NFL. If Campbell has another strong season in 2026, look for the Lions to try to extend him before he reaches free agency next March. In IDP fantasy formats, Campbell was the No. 1 overall linebacker, with his 89 solo tackles ranking fourth, behind Jordyn Brooks, Cedric Gray, and Devin White.
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Packers Pick Up Fifth-Year Option for Lukas Van Ness
The Green Bay Packers picked up the fifth-year option for edge rusher Lukas Van Ness (foot) on Thursday, a source told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. It will guarantee Van Ness a 2027 salary of around $13.8 million. Despite missing around half of last season with a foot injury, the Packers appear confident that he'll be able to rebound this year and next year. The 24-year-old was taken by Green Bay with the 13th overall pick in 2023 out of Iowa, and he contributed 84 tackles (58 solo), 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 23 QB hits in 43 games (two starts) in his first three NFL seasons. Van Ness played in only nine games in 2025 due to his foot injury, finishing with 19 tackles (12 solo), 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. The Packers will be relying on two edge rushers coming off major injuries last year, as Micah Parsons (knee) attempts to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in late December.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Calais Campbell Returning to Ravens on One-Year Deal
Six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell, who played in Baltimore from 2020 to 2022, is returning to the Ravens on Thursday after signing an undisclosed one-year deal, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Campbell will turn 40 years old on Sept. 1, and he'll be heading into his 19th NFL campaign. The 39-year-old was taken by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round back in 2008 out of the University of Miami. He played for the Cardinals again last year, starting 17 games and recording 43 tackles (23 solo), 6.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, two pass breakups, and nine tackles for loss. Campbell has only had two seasons (2017 and 2018 with the Jacksonville Jaguars) where he had double-digit sacks, but despite his advanced age, he's had at least five sacks in each of the last four seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, and Arizona. He's not going to be on the IDP fantasy radar, but Campbell brings plenty of experience and depth to a Ravens defensive line that has some injury question marks with Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and Broderick Washington (Achilles). In his 18 NFL seasons, Campbell has 117 sacks in 278 regular-season games.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Makai Lemon Signs Four-Year Rookie Deal With Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon signed his four-year, fully guaranteed rookie contract on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. The Eagles traded up with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys to take Lemon at 20th overall and steal them away from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were reportedly ready to take Lemon at pick No. 21. The selection of Lemon only reinforces the expectation that the Eagles will trade Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots around June 1. Lemon, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 294 pounds, profiles as more of a slot receiver, but he could be moved around the offensive formation alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon plays bigger than his size and has plenty of yards-after-the-catch potential in a Philly offense looking for a spark. As long as Brown ends up heading out of town, Lemon should have immediate value in single-year fantasy formats in 2026. In rookie-only keeper drafts this year, Lemon should be considered a top-five player.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
George Kittle Trying to Return in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told ESPN that tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is "shooting to return" Week 1 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs against the Philadelphia Eagles in January, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. It's unclear if Kittle is actually on track to be ready for the season opener, but it's where he's aiming. Kittle suffered a clean tear of his Achilles, which is expected to allow him to return quicker than usual for someone with a torn Achilles. While Kittle is hoping to be ready for Week 1, there's still a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the 2026 season, which will make him a pretty risky and volatile high-end TE1 target in fantasy football drafts. If Kittle is not ready to go by Week 1, Jake Tonges will be in play as a streaming option at the position early on. The 32-year-old Kittle only played in 11 games last year due to injuries and finished as the TE13 in half-PPR scoring. When healthy, he's been one of the top TEs in the league, though, catching at least six touchdown passes in five straight seasons.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to Lead the Jaguars in Carries?
John Shipley of Sports Illustrated has Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. listed atop the team's RB depth chart ahead of training camp. His gut feeling says that Rodriguez will lead the team in carries, but then writes that he doesn't know if there will be "enough of a difference between his workload" and Bhayshul Tuten's. LeQuint Allen Jr. projects as the RB3 as the top passing-down back, while DeeJay Dallas and undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor will battle for the RB4 spot. Travis Etienne Jr. is now in New Orleans, which was paving the way for Tuten to be an easy breakout candidate in fantasy football in 2026, until the Jags signed C-Rod. The 25-year-old got a two-year, $10 million deal from Jacksonville, and he has familiarity with head coach Liam Coen from their time at Kentucky. Tuten surely has plenty of explosive potential, but the team also likes Rodriguez's abilities as a tough inside runner. Rodriguez averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his three seasons with the Commanders, and he added seven total touchdowns in 13 games in 2025. Right now, both Rodriguez and Tuten are shaping up to be WR3/flex options every week in fantasy if their workload is split mostly down the middle.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Ravens Sign Former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia
The Baltimore Ravens signed former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to a three-year deal earlier this week, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Pavia was scheduled to try out during the team's rookie minicamp this weekend, but the Ravens scooped him up before that could happen. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent will compete with fellow rookie Joe Fagnano in training camp this summer for the Ravens to see who will enter the 2026 season as the QB3 behind starter Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley. Surprisingly, the Heisman Trophy finalist in college did not attract the interest from a single team during seven rounds of the NFL draft. Pavia produced in college, but he lacks size (5-foot-10), and he's old for a rookie at 24 years of age. At the very least, he should be on Baltimore's practice squad this year, but he lacks the measurables to be a very exciting stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues. Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns at Vandy last year while also adding 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chiefs "Super High" on Emmett Johnson
The Kansas City Chiefs were "super high" on former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson before selecting him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft, and vice president of player personnel Ryne Nutt said the team was surprised he was still available in the fifth round when they traded up to take him. Johnson was the only player in college football to average more than 150 scrimmage yards per game last year, and he led the Big 10 with 1,451 rushing yards and finished second among all RBs in catches (46) while also scoring 15 touchdowns. He was graded as high as a third-round pick by some analysts. "He's a juke button, he has very good feet, vision, feel, and he's very good out of the backfield," Nutt described. The Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in free agency, but they signed former Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III. Johnson is projected to be the immediate backup to Walker in the lead-back role, and Arrowhead Pride's Ron Kopp Jr. doesn't think we should be surprised if he earns his way onto the field on passing downs. At the very least, Johnson will be a handcuff option as a late-round flier in fantasy football redraft leagues in 2026.
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Ron Kopp Jr.
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Ron Kopp Jr.
Ty Simpson Met With Sean McVay Before the Draft
Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said on ESPN Radio that he had secret meetings with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay before the Rams took Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. It was a bit of a surprise that the win-now Rams took Simpson with their first-round pick, a year after Matthew Stafford won the MVP. McVay said that he and general manager Les Snead were in lockstep and in agreement to take Simpson as the QB of the future in L.A., while also making sure to notify Stafford beforehand that they would select Simpson in the draft. McVay made it clear that this is still Stafford's team as they seek another Super Bowl championship in 2026 and beyond. Without much of a collegiate resume (Simpson started just one year at Alabama), the 23-year-old is expected to compete with Stetson Bennett for the backup role this year. The Rams think Stafford is capable of playing beyond 2026, too, so fantasy managers in dynasty leagues must be prepared to play the long game with him as he develops behind Stafford.
Source: ESPN Radio
Source: ESPN Radio
Jonah Coleman has Clear "Three-Down Potential" in Denver's Offense
Denver Broncos rookie fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman has clear "three-down potential" in the team's offense, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. However, with the Broncos already having second-year back RJ Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins, his first task in his rookie season might be giving the Broncos a "more complete presence in the third-down role." "The thing I would say is he's very physical," head coach Sean Payton said. "He can play on third down." The Broncos lost that physical rushing presence when Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury midway through last season. Denver struggled to run the football consistently with mostly Harvey after that, including into the playoffs. The 22-year-old Coleman is a bruising back (5-foot-8, 220 pounds) who has drawn comparisons to Dobbins for his tough rushing style between the tackles. He has clear three-down potential long-term, but in the short-term, he'll be a short-yardage asset for the Broncos while also helping in pass protection on third downs. Because of Dobbins' lengthy injury history, Coleman could become a weekly fantasy option quickly in 2026 if Dobbins misses more time with an injury.
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Austin Ekeler 100 Percent Medically Cleared for Football Activities
Veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) is 100% fully medically cleared for all football activities after suffering a torn right Achilles last September against the Green Bay Packers, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Ekeler intends to play in 2026 and is expected to draw plenty of interest. The 30-year-old was one of the premier pass-catching backs in the NFL in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before he signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season. He appeared in 12 games (six starts) for Washington in 2024, carrying the ball 77 times for 367 yards and four touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 366 receiving yards. Ekeler missed some time due to a concussion that year before playing in just two games in 2025 before tearing his Achilles. Ekeler might not be the same shifty back in space after his season-ending injury, but he could still give a team some solid pass-catching depth out of the backfield as he nears the end of his career.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
