RADIO
Marvin Harrison Jr. Falls To Flex Territory For 2026 Debut
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.'s injury-plagued 2025 season limited him to 12 games, which paved the way for Michael Wilson to erupt for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns. Wilson's breakout was rewarded with a recent three-year, $75 million extension. The strong investment suggests Harrison has been bumped down a peg in Arizona's hierarchy of pass-catchers. Still, Harrison is a viable option in fantasy football for Week 1. Arizona is a nine-point underdog to the Chargers in their season opener, and running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is a game-time decision, which could mean the Cardinals opt for a pass-heavy attack. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett showed us last year that he was not shy about airing it out, averaging 40.3 pass attempts per game in 10 starts. If he follows suit in Week 1, there may be enough to go around for Harrison to pay off, albeit with a limited ceiling. Given the uncertainty around his role, Harrison should be seen as a WR3/flex option in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Wan'Dale Robinson a High-Floor PPR Flex Play in Week 1
After spending the first four years of his NFL career with the New York Giants, wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson is entering his first season with the Tennessee Titans in 2026. The 25-year-old was paid by Tennessee after putting together a career year with the Giants in 2025, recording 92 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns on 140 targets across 16 games. In Week 1, the Titans will host the New York Jets. New York struggled to defend the pass in 2025, finishing as a bottom-10 unit in terms of yards per pass attempt allowed (7.5). Robinson may not see many chances down the field on Sunday, as the Titans' passing game has questions entering quarterback Cam Ward's second NFL season. Still, Robinson should see steady target volume as a safety blanket for Ward out of the slot. Fantasy managers should not expect high-end production from Robinson, but he profiles as a potential deep-league PPR flex option in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Allgeier Could Lead Cardinals Backfield In Week 1
Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier should see the lion's share of backfield work in Sunday's season opener. Allgeier and Jeremiyah Love (ankle) were expected to work in a timeshare to start the season, but the rookie's high ankle sprain has further clouded an already unclear picture of how the duo's duties would be split. Love is now listed as questionable for Week 1, and head coach Mike LaFleur called him a game-time decision. Even if that decision benefits Allgeier, he has a tough opponent in the Chargers, who gave up the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs in 2025. And with Arizona expected to be playing from behind, they may rely more on the pass than the run. Allgeier will be a risky play for most on Sunday, but a potential flex option in deeper leagues depending on Love's status.
Source: Arizona Cardinals
Source: Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love A Risky Play In Week 1
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. According to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, the rookie is expected to play, though head coach Mike LaFleur described the situation as a game-time decision. Even if Love is active on Sunday, Tyler Allgeier is expected to be the busier of the two backs, as it would be unwise for Arizona to put the rookie's health in further jeopardy. Arizona is expected to be playing from behind, and the Chargers represent a difficult matchup for the Cardinals backfield. In 2025, Los Angeles allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs and had the fourth-lowest EPA per rush attempt. While benching a high-round draft pick is certainly frustrating for fantasy football managers, it may be prudent given the circumstances. As one of the later games on the docket in Week 1, those still on the fence should ready their backup plans now in case Love is scratched.
Source: Josh Weinfuss - ESPN
Source: Josh Weinfuss - ESPN
Carnell Tate a Boom/Bust Flex Option for Fantasy Managers in Week 1
The fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate enters his rookie season in a position with significant expectations. While Tennessee has a pair of capable veteran wideouts in Wan'Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley, Tate profiles as the team's most explosive and highest-upside pass-catcher by far. In Week 1, Tate and the Titans get a favorable matchup against the New York Jets, who allowed the most receiving touchdowns (36) in the NFL last season. However, the offensive ecosystem around Tate remains a question mark. Titans quarterback Cam Ward largely struggled as a rookie in 2025 and put together a shaky preseason this summer. Tate carries significant upside if Tennessee can field a competent passing game, but the team may operate with a run-heavy approach in what projects to be a low-scoring game against the Jets. All in all, Tate profiles as a low-end WR3/flex option for fantasy managers on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacoby Brissett Has Upside For Two-QB Leagues
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is returning to helm the team's offense after signing a one-year, $15.5 million contract in the offseason. Brissett succeeded Kyler Murray as Arizona's starting quarterback after Murray's season was ended by a severe foot sprain in Week 5. In 12 starts, Brissett threw for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, and averaged 40.3 pass attempts per game. His production made him the QB7 measured by fantasy points per game. To kick off 2026, Brissett will face a challenging Chargers defense. With rookie running back Jeremiyah Love questionable and the Cardinals likely to be playing from behind, Arizona may be forced into a pass-heavy script. He will be a risky start in single-quarterback leagues but is a good play in two-QB or superflex leagues based on his potential volume.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Tony Pollard a High-Floor Flex Option in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard has been a consistent and durable rusher in recent years, recording at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,250 scrimmage yards in four consecutive seasons. Entering 2026, Pollard once again profiles as the lead back in Tennessee. He's scored just 10 touchdowns over his first 33 games with the Titans, but the team should field its best offense in recent memory in quarterback Cam Ward's second year as the starter. In Week 1, Pollard and the Titans will host the New York Jets. New York struggled to defend the run in 2025, allowing the fourth-most rushing yards (2,371) in the NFL. Given that neither team projects to have a particularly explosive passing game, Tennessee could choose to lean heavily on the run game and give Pollard plenty of work on Sunday. It's hard to bank on Pollard providing high-end production given the questions that remain in the Titans' overall offensive attack, but he profiles as a high-floor flex option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quentin Johnston Offers High Ceiling in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston has an opportunity to start the NFL season with a bang on Sunday at home against the Arizona Cardinals. The 25-year-old was WR4 overall in PPR scoring and averaged 19.9 points per game during the first four games last season. He eventually cooled off due to injuries to himself and around him that deflated the offense down the stretch. Johnston will get to face off against a Cardinals defense that allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (31), ninth-most completions (375), and 10th-most passing yards (4,128) last season. In addition, they gave up the 12th-most passes of 20 or more yards, which benefits a vertical threat like Johnston. He has already displayed his deep-threat ability in Mike McDaniel's offense during the preseason finale, where Justin Herbert connected with him on a 65-yard touchdown. He's RotoBaller's PPR WR39 and is a flex option with upside for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Cam Ward a Risky Start in Two-QB Leagues in Week 1
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward had an up-and-down season as a rookie in 2025, completing 59.8% of his pass attempts for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Entering 2026, the 24-year-old remains the unquestioned QB1 in Tennessee and should have a better supporting cast around him after the Titans added rookie Carnell Tate and veteran Wan'Dale Robinson to their wide receiver room over the offseason. In Week 1, Tennessee will host the New York Jets. The Jets fielded a bottom-tier pass defense in 2025, allowing the most passing touchdowns in the NFL (36) while also failing to record a single interception for the entire season. However, New York added some veteran talent over the offseason and should field an improved unit in 2026. Ward is also coming off a shaky preseason, and the team's overall offense remains a question mark heading into the year. Given the uncertainty, Ward profiles as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy at best in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Primed to Start His Season in the Right Direction
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey is set for a strong outing this Sunday at home against the Arizona Cardinals. The 24-year-old is coming off a sophomore slump season, as his receiving stats dipped after sharing targets with Keenan Allen. However, Allen is in Indianapolis this season, and McConkey will face a Cardinals defense that ranked top 10 in targets, catches, and total receiving yards in 2025, according to Kyle Dvorchak of NBC Sports. In addition, the Cardinals surrendered the sixth-most passing touchdowns and the 11th-highest completion percentage. McConkey is expected to reprise his role as the team's slot receiver for Mike McDaniel, who weaponized slot receivers during his tenure in Miami. He is RotoBaller's PPR WR17 in a favorable matchup and could end up as a WR1 in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Omarion Hampton Gets Dream Matchup to Begin Potential Breakout Season
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton will make his 2026 debut in Mike McDaniel's offense with a favorable home matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The 23-year-old had an injury-riddled rookie campaign but finished as the RB12 in fantasy points per game (15.1) among running backs who played at least nine games, despite a shaky offensive line. McDaniel has been very fantasy-friendly with running backs and has produced a top-5 fantasy running back in each of the last three seasons, with four running backs averaging over 17 fantasy points per game. In Week 1, Hampton draws a Cardinals defense that allowed the sixth-most 20-plus yard carries, eighth-most rushing yards, ninth-most rushing touchdowns, and the 12th-most rushing yards per carry last season. He's RotoBaller's Half-PPR RB9 in a favorable matchup that could lead to a heavy workload if the Chargers get a healthy lead in the second half.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Malik Nabers Medically Cleared to Play, Remains Game-Time Decision
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is medically cleared to play in Week 1 but remains a game-time decision, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler reports that the Giants are "prepared for (Nabers) to play," but that the decision is ultimately "up to (Nabers) and how he feels." The 23-year-old is working his way back from the devastating knee injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 4. Given the severity of the injury and the length of his absence, the thought is that both the team and player are taking a long-term view of his recovery rather than focusing on rushing him back out onto the field. The Giants play the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday Night Football, so fantasy managers may have to decide whether or not to leave Nabers in their lineups before knowing for sure if he will be active. If Nabers is unable to play, Giants wideouts Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, and Odell Beckham Jr. could all be available on the waiver wire and would likely see increased workloads.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Justin Herbert Carries QB1 Upside in Fantasy-Friendly Matchup
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will make his 2026 debut in Mike McDaniel's offense with a favorable home matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The 28-year-old is coming off a solid fantasy football campaign, finishing as the QB10 in overall scoring and points per game (18.7) last year. Herbert is expected to get a statistical boost this season with McDaniel's as the offensive coordinator, who has orchestrated one of the league's most explosive offenses and has led the league in passing yards before. The quarterback-coordinator duo will face a Cardinals pass defense that finished near the bottom in most passing stats last year. They allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (31), ninth-most completions (375), 10th-most passing yards (4,128), 11th-highest completion percentage (65.6), and had the third-fewest sacks (30). In addition, the Cardinals will deploy a similar defensive scheme after keeping Nick Rallis as their defensive coordinator and making no big additions on defense this offseason. Herbert is RotoBaller's QB4 in a dream matchup and has it within his realm of outcomes to be the QB1 overall in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Rome Odunze Not Yet Medically Cleared to Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is not yet medically cleared to play in his team's season opener against the Carolina Panthers, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Odunze has been battling a calf strain and is officially listed as questionable to play. The 24-year-old told reporters on Friday that he feels "ready to go," but Fowler reports that the team will ultimately be making the call on whether to have him suit up on Sunday. Odunze had the tail end of his 2025 campaign disrupted by a nagging foot injury, so Chicago's decision-makers may be looking to avoid a similar situation where the calf issue lingers in 2026. If Odunze is active, he profiles as a flex option for fantasy managers in Week 1. If he's unable to go, Bears tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III would both likely see increased workloads.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Xavier Legette Off the Injury Report, a Deep-League Flex Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) was not listed on the team's injury report and will suit up against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Legette injured his ankle during practice a few weeks ago but has been cleared and will be active for the regular season opener. The 25-year-old is set to be Carolina's WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker after catching 35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Bears' secondary is banged up heading into Week 1 and will be without safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Kyle Gordon. Chicago also allowed the third most fantasy points to wideouts last year, giving Legette a plus matchup for this week. Despite the positive matchup and game script (47.5 points over/under), Legette is an option in very deep leagues and is ranked WR90 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
