RADIO
Chris Rodriguez Jr. a Bench Stash Entering Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is an interesting fantasy option entering Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. The 25-year-old back played well in college at Kentucky while playing in Liam Coen's offense, so the two reuniting is an interesting storyline. Rodriguez Jr. has shown signs of being a good rusher in the NFL, but has very limited receiving skills, making him unlikely to ever be a bell cow. However, with him being listed as a co-starter with young, unproven back Bhayshul Tuten, the Kentucky product could be involved enough in the offense to be fantasy relevant. For now, that is hard to know for sure, so fantasy managers should be patient with putting him in starting lineups. However, in deeper leagues, he isn't a bad option as a low-end FLEX play. It should take a week or two to truly know Rodriguez Jr.'s fantasy value this season, so keep him on the bench for now in Week 1 in standard leagues.
Source: Chris Rodriguez Jr. RotoBaller
Source: Chris Rodriguez Jr. RotoBaller
Calvin Ridley Holds Minimal Upside in Week 1 Despite Path to Starting Role
After dealing with a hamstring injury and a broken fibula that limited him to just seven games in 2025, wide receiver Calvin Ridley enters the 2026 campaign healthy and as a starter for the Tennessee Titans. The Titans take on the New York Jets in Week 1. Ridley will play alongside fellow wideouts Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate (rookie), as well as tight end Gunnar Helm, as he looks to establish himself as a top target for quarterback Cam Ward in the passing game. The 31-year-old Ridley recorded just 17 receptions for 303 yards and zero touchdowns during his injury-plagued 2025 campaign, but the veteran has amassed 405 catches for 5,678 yards and 40 touchdowns throughout his career. Ridley is currently rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues right now and ranks as RotoBaller's No. 80 wide receiver (half-PPR) in Week 1. It is safe to keep Ridley out of lineups for Week 1, but his situation is worth monitoring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Pitts Sr. Looking Like a Risky Low-End TE1 in Week 1
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. had a fantastic 2025 campaign in which he set career highs in targets (118), receptions (88), and touchdowns (five) while totaling 928 receiving yards, finishing as the TE2 overall despite the likes of Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Kirk Cousins at the helm. This Sunday, with both Penix and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) sitting out, Cooper Rush will be under center, so expectations for the former first-rounder should be tempered. The Falcons will take on the Steelers on the road this Sunday, and if Pittsburgh had a glaring vulnerability in 2025, it was against opposing TEs, yielding 11 touchdowns to them, which was second-most in the NFL. Still, even though Pitts figures to be the second or third option in the passing attack, with the downgrade at quarterback, the 25-year-old looks like a low-ceiling, low-floor TE1 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justice Hill To Have Limited Role In Week 1
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill won the backup running back job to Derrick Henry, but his role will be limited with Henry starting the season healthy in Week 1. Hill has shown nice change of pace in the backfield in the past and can catch passes out of the backfield, but with Henry healthy, the bellcow should have a stranglehold on carries in the Ravens' backfield. Hill has big-play explosiveness but he just isn't likely to get a heavy share of carries or targets out of the backfield early on in the season. He is more than capable as a backup back and is worth holding onto in fantasy leagues as a down-the-road target but during the time that Henry is healthy, Hill should have little-to-no consistent role in the offense.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Parker Washington an Upside Flex Against Browns Following Strong Finish to 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington has been a highly discussed name entering a Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. The young receiver started out as a punt returner, but showed with flying colors that he could be much more than that down the stretch. He was a primary factor for the Jaguars ending the season on an 8-game winning streak, and even performed well in their playoff loss to the Bills. He finished with seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. While there are plenty of reasons to be excited for Washington, for now he should be viewed as an upside flex play, given he still has to compete with Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. Week 1 will be a great test to see if Washington was a fluke last season or can continue to be a PPR monster in an elite offense. For now, managers should view him as a must-start FLEX/WR3 option in all standard leagues.
Source: Parker Washington RotoBaller
Source: Parker Washington RotoBaller
Odell Beckham Jr. to Have Opportunities in Giants Homecoming
Legendary New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. returns to the Big Apple as the Giants face the Dallas Cowboys. Beckham made the 53-man roster after a strong training camp and will play his first game with the Giants since 2018. In his last NFL stint in 2024, Beckham played just nine games, catching nine of 18 targets for 55 yards and no touchdowns. While he hasn't produced enough to be fantasy-relevant, Beckham will have a role in Week 1. Malik Nabers (knee) is questionable, while Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields are the only other receivers ahead of Beckham on the depth chart. He also faces a Cowboys defense that allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers last season. While he's not a starting option for fantasy managers in Week 1, Beckham will have opportunities in his homecoming.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaiah Likely a Strong Starting Option Against Cowboys
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is set to make his debut in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. Likely signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Giants this offseason, reuniting with former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in New York. During his time in Baltimore, he had 135 receptions for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns in 63 games as the backup tight end behind Mark Andrews. Likely has been a key part of the Giants' offense throughout training camp, leading the team in receiving with star Malik Nabers (knee) missing most of camp. If Nabers is inactive or has a limited snap count in Week 1, Likely has a legitimate shot to be the team's leading receiver against the Cowboys' defense, which allowed the most passing yards in the NFL last season. Likely profiles as a low-end TE1 in the season opener and should be a solid starting option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaleb Johnson Is Set for Debut with Packers, but Exact Role is Cloudy
Running back Kaleb Johnson will make his debut with the Green Bay Packers in a Week 1 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings to begin the 2026 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Johnson to the Packers in late August. With running back Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner's Exempt List, the Packers will rely on a committee of MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Johnson in the backfield. How exactly that rotation works out is anybody's guess right now, but Lloyd is currently listed as the starter. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur recently said that Johnson could certainly play a role right away for Green Bay. The Vikings allowed 124.1 rushing yards per game in 2025. Johnson enters the matchup with the Vikings as the No. 68 running back for Week 1, according to RotoBaller. It is probably best to leave Johnson, who is rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues, on the bench or waiver wire for Week 1 and monitor how things progress.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malachi Fields a Player to Watch in Week 1
New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields makes his NFL debut on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. Fields was drafted with the 74th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and has made an impact throughout training camp, including a 15-yard touchdown pass in the opening preseason game from starting quarterback Jaxson Dart. With veteran Darius Slayton released, Fields and Darnell Mooney are expected to rotate as WR2. However, with Malik Nabers (knee) questionable for Week 1, Fields could have a major role if Nabers is inactive or sees limited snaps. He faces a Cowboys secondary that allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. While he's too deep to start in Week 1, fantasy managers should monitor his usage, as he could be a priority Week 1 waiver add.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ja'Kobi Lane Could Make Big Plays in Ravens Offense in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane is poised to line up opposite Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman but he still could be very involved in the Week 1 game plan for the Ravens in their matchup against Indianapolis. He could see Colts' defensive backs Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward in matchups but the 6-foot-4, 200 pound rookie could be a matchup nightmare on the outside. The targets might not be plentiful in Week 1 for Lane but look for him to make the most of his throws from Lamar Jackson. He could work as a nice change of pace threat with Derrick Henry running the ball and Flowers using his speed on deep routes. Lane has the tools to make plays in the NFL, but Week 1 will be the first chance many get to see his big-play ability. Look for a big play or two at least in his NFL debut.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Bijan Robinson an Elite Option with Expected Heavy Workload
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he finished as the No. 4 running back in fantasy despite seeing his rushing touchdowns go from 14 the year before to just seven last season. That is because of a major uptick in usage in the passing game, nearly doubling his receiving yardage total (820) while setting career highs in targets (103) and receptions (79); he also added four touchdown receptions. The former first-round draft pick will square off with the Pittsburgh defense on Sunday, a unit that was middle of the road in terms of yardage totals against the run in 2025, yielding 115.9 rush yards/game and 31.4 receiving yards/game to opposing running backs. However, they held opposing running backs to a league-low five rushing TDs and allowed just two receiving TDs to backs. Even so, Robinson is an elite workhorse back who should be heavily involved on Sunday, especially with third-stringer Cooper Rush under center for the Falcons. RotoBaller ranks the 24-year-old as the No. 2 running back this week, so fantasy managers are, of course, firing him up without hesitation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Limit Expectations for Malik Nabers if Active in Week 1
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is questionable to play in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. Nabers tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season after starting the season with 271 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games. He has fully participated in practice this week and has reportedly been cleared by the medical staff, but whether he's ready to play remains up in the air. If he's active, a limited snap count is likely, complicating matters for fantasy managers who roster the third-year receiver. He faces a Cowboys secondary that ranked last in yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to wide receivers last season. This secondary has struggled against Nabers, allowing 29 receptions for 351 yards and two touchdowns in only three meetings. Despite the ideal matchup, fantasy managers should lower expectations, as a slow start is possible given the extent of his 2025 injury.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rashod Bateman Will Play in Week 1 as NFL's Investigation Continues
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is set to play in Week 1 versus the Indianapolis Colts and is a starting wide receiver and an important piece for the offense. However, the NFL is investigating Bateman following a June arrest and charges of misdemeanor battery (family violence), reckless conduct and first-degree criminal damage to property. Bateman could face a suspension at some point during the 2026 season, but for now, he is expected to operate as the Ravens' No. 2 wideout behind Zay Flowers. With that in mind, rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane had an impressive training camp and is expected to make an immediate impact for the Ravens, while tight end Mark Andrews will be involved in the passing game as well, and running back Derrick Henry will continue his high-volume role. Bateman enters Week 1 as RotoBaller's No. 64 wide receiver, and he is rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues currently. Perhaps he is on the flex radar in deeper leagues, but there are certainly better options despite the potential for a high-scoring affair.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jets D/ST Carries Sack Upside in Tennessee
The New York Jets defense/special teams gets a favorable sack matchup in Sunday's opener at Tennessee. Titans quarterback Cam Ward was sacked 55 times as a rookie in 2025, giving New York a clear path to fantasy production even after the Jets finished last season with only 26 sacks. Takeaways are less certain. Ward threw just seven interceptions, while the Jets remarkably failed to record an interception of their own in 2025. New York also enters the opener without edge rusher Joseph Ossai, who has been ruled out with a foot injury. Still, the matchup against Tennessee's pass protection has pushed the Jets to D/ST10 in RotoBaller's weekend rankings. They are a viable low-end starting defense for Week 1, especially for managers streaming the position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake London a Low-End WR1 After Downgrade at Quarterback
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is the clear-cut No. 1 option in the Atlanta passing attack, as he averaged over nine targets and almost six catches per game last season, even with some pretty rough quarterback play. That will unfortunately be the case again in Week 1, with both Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) ruled out for Sunday's road matchup against the Steelers, with career backup QB Cooper Rush handling starting duties. In 2025, Pittsburgh was much more vulnerable against the pass than they were against the run, allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game (244.9), but it should be an improved unit with the offseason acquisition of Jamel Dean and with a healthy T.J. Watt. Nevertheless, the Falcons could be forced to throw as they play from behind as six-point underdogs, and London should continue to get his fair share of looks, especially in the red zone. The 6-foot-4 receiver led the receiving corps with 15 red zone targets last year despite playing in only 12 of 17 games. The 25-year-old ranks as a borderline WR1 at RotoBaller this week, and fantasy managers are starting him in season-long leagues, but he makes for a risky DFS play.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
