Jul 21, 2026, 2:53 PM ET

The Denver Post's Parker Gabriel projects quarterback Sam Ehlinger to take over the backup QB job in 2026 from Jarrett Stidham. Gabriel admits that projecting Ehlinger as the QB2 is "a bit out on a limb," considering Stidham has earned plenty of equity with the front office, coaching staff, and locker room as he enters his fourth year with the team. The Broncos' coaching staff was very excited about the addition of Ehlinger a year ago due to his mobility and potential jump in performance in his second year in Denver. It looks like there will be a fierce battle between Ehlinger and Stidham for the No. 2 job this summer, with the loser potentially being a trade chip before the start of the 2026 season. If there is a way for Denver to keep both Ehlinger and Stidham, they will certainly give it strong consideration. Stidham's lackluster effort in the Broncos' AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots in January definitely didn't help his cause, but he will most likely have to continue to fall apart for Ehlinger to surpass him as the QB2 going into the 2026 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel

Jul 21, 2026, 2:47 PM ET

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was a classic boom-or-bust fantasy receiver in 2025. The 25-year-old speedster posted seven games with fewer than seven fantasy points and eight games with 15 or more fantasy points. Most of Williams' boom games came after head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling in Week 10. This offseason, the Lions hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Petzing runs a more run-heavy offense that favors heavy personnel packages and fewer three-wide receiver sets. This could lead to more bust weeks for Williams if Petzing does not see him as a primary weapon, as Campbell did last season. In 2026, Williams will continue to battle Sam LaPorta for targets in a crowded Lions offense. It remains to be seen whether the two can coexist and produce as top fantasy options. Williams looks to continue as a low-floor, high-ceiling player this season, which will make him the ultimate wildcard for managers heading into draft season.--Wyatt McClintock
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

While it remains highly unlikely that Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in April's draft out of Indiana, will open the 2026 campaign as the team's starter under center, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer writes that it sounds like the Raiders will "sprinkle" Mendoza in with the first-team offense in training camp this summer. New head coach Klint Kubiak is thrilled with the long-term prospects of Mendoza leading the Raiders' offense, but he must first learn to take more snaps under center, something he didn't do much in college. The good news for Mendoza's long-term fantasy upside is that his reputation as a worker while being coachable has checked out this offseason, and he has shown the ability to absorb what he's being taught and apply it on the field quickly. He has also already developed a strong relationship with veteran QB Kirk Cousins, who is expected to begin the year as the Raiders' starter. Because the Raiders are slow-playing Mendoza as their QB of the future, he won't be much of a redraft asset in fantasy football in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer

Jul 21, 2026, 2:20 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals will rely on running back Chase Brown as the lead back in 2026, as he enters his third season. The Bengals decided not to invest heavily in running backs once again this offseason. After a slow start in 2025, Brown managed to finish the season as the RB7 overall in PPR scoring. From Week 8 on, he managed to score 15-plus fantasy points in every game and was the RB4 in that stretch. With Joe Burrow fully healthy, the team hopes to get back to producing as one of the NFL's best offenses. However, Brown is still being drafted as a back-end RB1 in most fantasy drafts despite the Cincinnati offense trending back up. The 26-year-old has a chance to be the lead back in the best potential offense in the NFL, and it could boost him to land as a top-5 running back this season.--Wyatt McClintock
Source: ESPN

Jul 21, 2026, 2:16 PM ET

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield will reach a contract extension before Week 1 of the regular season in early September. Mayfield said in June that the two sides weren't close to a new deal and that he didn't want to negotiate after training camp started this summer. The Buccaneers made an official offer back in June, and the reality is that Mayfield's camp wasn't pleased with the offer and hasn't made a counteroffer yet. There hasn't been much progress since, but Breer reports that Tampa is "prepared to dive in on negotiations this week," with the first day of practice set for next Wednesday. The 31-year-old is due to make $40 million in 2026, the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract. Something in the range of $165 million over another three years for Mayfield makes the most sense. For fantasy purposes, the two-time Pro Bowler failed to reach the 4,000-yard passing mark for the third straight year in 2025 while battling through injuries. Better health should help him in 2026, but in a new offense without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans, a bounce-back isn't guaranteed. Fantasy managers should treat Mayfield as more of a low-end QB2 in superflex formats for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer

Jul 21, 2026, 1:59 PM ET

A first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2022, current Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks was never able to live up to his draft-day pedigree in Tennessee. However, the 26-year-old could have a second chance to establish an NFL career in Washington. After latching on with the Commanders midway through the 2025 season, Burks recorded 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets across eight games (three starts). While Burks' numbers do not leap off the page, Washington does not currently have an obvious WR2 behind star wideout Terry McLaurin. Health has been one of the main reasons why Burks has struggled as a pro, as he's missed 33 games across four seasons due to toe, knee, concussion, and collarbone issues. If he can stay on the field in 2026, Burks could establish a role in Washington going forward. Dynasty managers in deeper league formats may be wise to take a low-cost flyer on Burks.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:52 PM ET

The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that optimism persists for quarterback Max Brosmer. The Vikings wished he didn't have to play during his rookie season, but circumstances put him into the spotlight last year due to injuries to J.J. McCarthy, and he completed 66.2% of his pass attempts for 328 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions in seven games (two starts). Lewis adds that if the Vikings were to release him, there would be plenty of interest around the league. The 25-year-old didn't have much help from the offensive line in front of him, and he was sacked 14 times in 85 dropbacks in his first year in the league. It's unclear what the Vikings will do with their QB room heading into the 2026 regular season, as they also have McCarthy, Kyler Murray, and veteran Carson Wentz. The QB1 battle between McCarthy and Murray is expected to go right up to the start of the regular season in early September. At best, Brosmer is most likely being groomed for the backup QB job in the long run.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis

Jul 21, 2026, 1:46 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition is set to go "right up to the start" of the 2026 regular season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Vikings acquired veteran Kyler Murray over the offseason to compete with incumbent signal-caller J.J. McCarthy, who battled both injuries and underperformance in 2025. Murray was limited to just five games in 2025 by a foot injury and has struggled with inconsistency himself in recent seasons. However, he's demonstrated a much higher ceiling than McCarthy to this point in their respective careers and was a productive dual-threat quarterback as recently as 2024, when he threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 572 yards and five scores. Fantasy managers with an interest in Vikings wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and/or Jauan Jennings may be better served if Murray wins the job, as the veteran quarterback likely offers the higher floor. Still, McCarthy is only entering his age-23 season and could be a higher-upside option.--Will Brady
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Jul 21, 2026, 1:37 PM ET

A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has missed 14 games across his first two professional seasons due to both knee and ankle injuries and recovery from a gunshot wound. The 25-year-old was productive when on the field in 2025, recording 36 catches for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games. Despite his health issues to this point in his career, Pearsall remains well-positioned as a key piece in the San Francisco offense going forward. Entering 2026, the 49ers' top three pass-catchers are wide receiver Mike Evans, tight end George Kittle (Achilles), and running back Christian McCaffrey. All three players are now in their 30s and are likely nearing the tail end of their respective careers. If Pearsall can put together a fully healthy and productive season in 2026, he could profile as the team's number one option in the passing game as soon as 2027. Dynasty managers should be exploring buy-low opportunities on Pearsall ahead of a potential breakout campaign.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:28 PM ET

The first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward completed 59.8% of his pass attempts for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 17 games as a rookie. The 24-year-old largely struggled in his first taste of NFL action, leading the league in sacks taken (55) and averaging just 5.9 yards per pass attempt. However, Ward should have a significantly better support system around him in 2026. Tennessee overhauled its coaching staff over the offseason, including bringing in former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as its new offensive coordinator. The Titans also made a pair of high-profile additions to their wide receiver room, selecting Carnell Tate with the fourth pick in the 2026 Draft and signing Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency. While Ward may not have top-12 fantasy QB upside in his second professional season, he could be undervalued at his current redraft ADP of QB25.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:20 PM ET

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen put together another highly productive season in 2025, throwing for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for 579 yards and 14 scores. With the Bills shifting to a more run-heavy scheme in recent years, Allen has now recorded consecutive seasons with fewer than 4,000 passing yards and has not reached 30 touchdown passes in a single campaign since 2022. However, the 30-year-old's legs remain extremely valuable for fantasy managers, as he's logged three straight seasons with at least 500 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. In that time frame, Allen has finished no lower than the overall QB2 in per-game fantasy scoring. Entering 2026, Allen may be working with his most potent wide receiver corps in a while following Buffalo's offseason acquisition of veteran wideout DJ Moore. As long as he stays healthy, Allen may have the highest floor of any quarterback option in fantasy football.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:10 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet's (knee) status for the start of the 2026 regular season is currently up in the air as he works his way back from the torn ACL that he suffered in mid-January. Charbonnet was productive while splitting reps with former Seahawks back Kenneth Walker III in 2025, recording 874 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns on 204 touches across 16 games. While Walker III departed Seattle in free agency, the team used its first-round pick in the 2026 Draft on running back Jadarian Price and also signed veteran back Emanuel Wilson. Still, Charbonnet profiles as the team's clear short-yardage and goal-line back once healthy, and he could easily assume more of a three-down role if Price gets off to a slow start to his rookie season. The injury obviously adds some risk to Charbonnet's profile, but he could end up being a bargain as the 41st running back off the board by current redraft ADP.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 12:49 PM ET

Houston Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins was limited in organized team activities this spring, but he explained that he wasn't dealing with any injuries, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. "Not at all, not at all. They did that. I listened to the coaches, listened to the GMs, saying yes sir. And they told me to be ready for camp, yes sir," Collins said. The 27-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Michigan has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two years and has three straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but he has yet to play a full season in his five years in the NFL due to injuries. He missed time last year with head injuries, and he missed five games in 2024 with a hamstring issue. When healthy, he's Houston's clear WR1 for QB C.J. Stroud, and he had 71 catches on 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season games in 2025. Collins should continue to see a large target volume, but there remain questions about the Texans' offense as a whole, and both second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel should have bigger roles in 2026. Collins should still be considered a WR1 in fantasy, he's on the lower end in RotoBaller's rankings in Tier 3.--Keith Hernandez
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson

Jul 21, 2026, 12:40 PM ET

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) is expected to be good to go for the start of training camp next week, according to Sean Keeler of The Denver Post. Head coach Sean Payton has been saying the same thing after Nix was limited during mandatory minicamp following offseason ankle surgery and a follow-up procedure earlier this year. The 26-year-old is expected to be a full-go for the start of camp, which means he shouldn't be limited at all for the start of the 2026 regular season on Monday night in Week 1 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The former 12th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Oregon has finished as a top-10 fantasy QB in his first two seasons, even though he hasn't had much success deep down the field in Payton's offense. Nix threw for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on a league-high 612 pass attempts in 17 regular-season starts in 2025, completing 63.4% of his passes. The hope is that the addition of receiver Jaylen Waddle will help the Broncos stretch the field and become more explosive through the air, but ultimately, Nix's ability to run the ball after ankle surgery could determine whether he'll finish as a top-10 QB for a third straight season. Fantasy managers should consider the third-year signal-caller as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 with a little more risk coming off a serious ankle injury in last year's postseason.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Denver Post - Sean Keeler

Jul 21, 2026, 12:25 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins and All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks agreed to a three-year, $51.3 million contract extension on Tuesday that includes $35 million guaranteed, sources told Jordan Schultz. Brooks earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors last year by leading the NFL in tackles with 183 (99 solo), and he added 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 17 starts in his sixth year in the league (second with Miami). The new Dolphins regime identified Brooks as a key piece of the team's future, and they backed it up just before the start of training camp by signing the 28-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 out of Texas Tech with a new contract. Brooks finished as the No. 2 linebacker in IDP fantasy formats in 2025 and will be one of the top options at the position in those same formats as he heads into his seventh year in the NFL. He has a total of 839 tackles (494 solo), 13 sacks, an interception, 25 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries in 97 games (89 starts) in his career.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Jordan Schultz