January 20, 2026
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel informed the Cleveland Browns that he's withdrawing from their head-coaching search ahead of a scheduled in-person interview on Wednesday, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. McDaniel is still a candidate for the head-coaching jobs for the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders, and he also has an interview for the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive-coordinator job on Tuesday. He has multiple offensive-coordinator offers and could still land a head-coaching job after the Miami Dolphins fired him at the end of the 2025 season. If McDaniel doesn't get a head-coaching job this cycle, he'll have a couple of intriguing OC offers to choose from, the most attractive of which could be with the Philadelphia Eagles. With McDaniel out of the running in Cleveland, the Browns could be down to Todd Monken, Jesse Minter, Grant Udinski, and Nate Scheelhaase.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 20, 2026
According to The Athletic's Colton Pouncy, blending new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's scheme with what the Detroit Lions already do on offense could make tight end
Sam LaPorta an "even bigger priority in the passing game" in 2026. Former tight ends coach and current head coach Dan Campbell already clearly values the position. Before having season-ending back surgery, LaPorta was having a Pro Bowl season, catching 40 of his 49 targets for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine starts. Petzing spent two seasons as the tight ends coach with the Cleveland Browns, and he prioritized the TE position in Arizona, with
Trey McBride being one of the best players at his position in the NFL. Petzing isn't expected to run as much 12 personnel (two TEs) in Detroit, given the investments made at the position, but LaPorta could be in for a nice bounce-back year in 2026 if he's healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
January 20, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs recorded his first touchdown of the postseason in his team's Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. However, the 32-year-old has posted underwhelming production overall so far this playoffs, hauling in six catches for 56 yards and a score on 11 targets across two games played. Diggs has also remained limited from a playing time perspective, playing 63% of New England's offensive snaps in the Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Chargers and just 55% of the offensive snaps against Houston. While Diggs should get his chances in the AFC Championship Game, he may continue to struggle with efficiency. Denver finished the regular season ranked second among NFL defenses in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.1). The Broncos might also deploy All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II on Diggs, which could be problematic for the veteran wideout. Fantasy managers may want to be cautious with Diggs in the AFC Championship Game.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson emerged as an electric playmaker during the 2025 regular season. However, the 23-year-old has struggled so far across his first two playoff appearances, recording just 39 scrimmage yards on 23 touches. Henderson has clearly been outplayed so far by fellow Patriots back
Rhamondre Stevenson, who has racked up 209 scrimmage yards on 26 touches so far this postseason. New England has also moved away from Henderson from a playing time perspective, as he's played at least 14 fewer snaps than Stevenson in each of the team's last two contests. Both Patriots backs will face a tough matchup in the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, who finished the regular season ranked second among NFL defenses in total rushing yards allowed (1,548) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns allowed (11). Based on both the matchup and recent usage trends, Henderson profiles as a tough running back for fantasy managers to trust against Denver.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Courtland Sutton posted a modest performance in his team's Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills, hauling in four receptions for 53 yards. Sutton functioned as Denver's WR1, earning a team-high nine targets. He could be in line for another sizable target share in the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, particularly with fellow Broncos wide receiver
Pat Bryant (concussion) questionable to play after suffering a concussion against the Bills. However, the Denver pass game will be without starting quarterback
Bo Nix (ankle), who will miss the remainder of the postseason after breaking a bone in his ankle late in the game against Buffalo. As a result, Sutton will be catching passes from Broncos backup quarterback
Jarrett Stidham, who has thrown for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 20 career NFL games (four starts). While Sutton should remain heavily featured against New England, he may struggle against the tough Patriots defense while working with a backup quarterback.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte has been one of his team's key offensive weapons so far this postseason, recording seven receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown on nine targets across two games. The 23-year-old is leading New England in receiving yards to this point in the playoffs and has shown off his ability to make contested catches on downfield throws. After averaging a career-best 16.7 yards per reception in the regular season, Boutte is averaging over 20 yards per catch in the postseason. In the AFC Championship game, Boutte and the Patriots square off with the Denver Broncos. Denver fielded a strong pass defense during the regular season, ranking second in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.1). However, the Broncos also allowed 10 pass plays of 40 or more yards, which was tied for the fourth-most among NFL defenses. Boutte should have his chances to make plays down the field against Denver and could be in line for a third straight game with solid fantasy production.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III posted a monster performance in his team's 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round, recording 145 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 22 touches. Walker III spent most of the 2025 regular season splitting touches with fellow Seahawks running back
Zach Charbonnet (knee). However, Charbonnet suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his knee against San Francisco and will miss the remainder of Seattle's playoff run. As a result, Walker III projects to dominate his team's backfield touches in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 25-year-old is coming off the most efficient regular season of his career to this point, averaging 5.2 yards per touch. The Rams' defense has also been susceptible to the run game so far this postseason, allowing 243 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns across two games. Walker III could be in line for another big game in the NFC Championship.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
Denver Broncos quarterback
Jarrett Stidham has not started an NFL game since the 2023 regular season. However, the 29-year-old is in line to start for Denver in the AFC Championship Game after Broncos QB1
Bo Nix (ankle) suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the Divisional Round. Across 20 career NFL games (four starts), Stidham has completed 59.4% of his pass attempts for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He's been with the Broncos since 2023, but he has made just two starts for Denver. In addition to the pressure of the moment, Stidham will face a difficult matchup against the New England Patriots. New England allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards (3,512) among NFL defenses in the regular season and forced five turnovers in their Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. Stidham's newfound playing time opportunity should have him on fantasy radars, but he may struggle in the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday that they completed a second head-coaching interview with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. In addition to the Raiders, Minter is also a head-coaching candidate for the openings with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. He just completed his second season as the Chargers' defensive coordinator in 2025, with the team ranking ninth in points per game allowed (20.0), fifth in total yards allowed per game (285.2), fifth in passing yards allowed per game (179.9), and eighth in rushing yards allowed per game (105.4). Minter also served as a DC under head coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and he was on John Harbaugh's staff earlier in his career with the Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft and are expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
January 20, 2026
The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. suggests that the Cincinnati Bengals could look to former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan to fill their offensive-coordinator position if Dan Pitcher takes a job elsewhere this offseason. The Titans fired Callahan in the middle of the season in 2025 after 23 games with the team. He is looking to continue coaching in 2026 and has taken offensive-coordinator interviews with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers. As the previous OC for the Bengals, Callahan has familiarity with the Bengals organization, quarterback
Joe Burrow, receivers
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins, the system, and has a history as head coach Zac Taylor's right-hand man. Pitcher has interviewed for the Cleveland Browns' head-coaching job and also the OC opening for the Bucs.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
January 20, 2026
The New Orleans Saints announced on Tuesday that they re-signed safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder) to an undisclosed one-year deal, per Ross Jackson of Locked On Saints. Blackmon played in only one game for the Saints in 2025 in his first year with the team due to a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old defensive back from Utah had seven tackles (four solo) and a pass breakup in his only game played, but he had 80-plus total tackles the two previous seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. As long as Blackmon is fully recovered from his shoulder injury for the start of the 2026 season, he should be expected to start in the Saints' secondary in 2026 in what will be his seventh year in the league. Blackmon and strong safety Justin Reid have the potential to be one of the better safety duos in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: Locked On Saints - Ross Jackson
January 20, 2026
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss just finished his first and potentially last season at Ole Miss following four seasons at the FCS level, and although the Rebels are still hoping to get him another year of collegiate eligibility, his situation remains up in the air. If Chambliss is not allowed to return to school, he could draw plenty of NFL interest in a shallow QB class. In 15 games (13 starts) this season, the 23-year-old compiled an 11-2 record, throwing for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. He tallied 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns en route to a College Football Playoff Semifinal appearance. Some draft analysis beleive Chambliss could end up being a second-round pick, though there are always big surprises at the quarterback spot during the NFL Draft. If Chambliss ends up as a top-three-round pick, he's worth a look in superflex dynasty leagues as a backup or potential starter thanks to his rushing upside.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: MockDraftDataBase.com
January 20, 2026
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza finished his 2025-26 season with a win over Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, becoming just the sixth player since 2010 to win the Heisman Trophy and National Championship in the same season. He joins
Cam Newton,
Jameis Winston,
Derrick Henry,
Joe Burrow, and
DeVonta Smith on that list. In his 16-game undefeated season, the 22-year-old completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He added 276 yards and seven touchdowns as a runner. Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returning to school for another season makes that more likely. Las Vegas Raiders brass, including Mark Davis and
Tom Brady, were in attendance to watch Mendoza play in Miami on Monday night.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
January 20, 2026
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said on Tuesday that the hope is for wide receiver
Malik Nabers (knee) to be ready for the start of training camp at the end of July, according to SNY. Nabers was less optimistic about his timeline to return from a torn ACL when he talked to the media after the Week 18 season finale, and Schoel also admitted that "things can change." The 22-year-old tore his right ACL back on Sept. 28 and didn't have surgery until late October. Nabers is one of the best and most dominant young receivers in the game, and his fantasy upside is buoyed by the fact that he has a young, rising quarterback to work with for years to come in
Jaxson Dart. However, fantasy managers may be hesitant to use a high draft pick on a player coming off a torn ACL, especially if he's not a full-go for the start of the regular season this fall. We'll keep very close tabs on Nabers' recovery all offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY
January 20, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals are interviewing Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady for their head-coaching job on Tuesday, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Brady has a second head-coaching interview with the Baltimore Ravens and is also a candidate for the head-coaching openings for the Las Vegas Raiders. He interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans before they all hired new head coaches recently. Brady could also be a name to watch to replace Sean McDermott as the Bills' next head coach. The 36-year-old has never been a head coach in the NFL, previously running the offenses for LSU and the Carolina Panthers before joining Buffalo. The Cardinals have had a defensive background each of the last three years with Jonathan Gannon, but perhaps they're looking to go with an offensive mind moving forward.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
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