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Is Christian Watson's Breakout Season Coming in 2026?
As long as he can stay healthy, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson will be a popular breakout candidate in fantasy football in 2026 in his fifth year in the NFL. Watson has yet to play in more than 15 games in a season due to injuries since being drafted in the second round in 2022 out of North Dakota State. The 26-year-old played in just 10 regular-season games in 2025 after recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered late in 2024, but he still ended up being a top-50 fantasy wideout. Watson excelled as a top playmaker for Green Bay upon his return from Injured Reserve, catching 35 of his 55 targets for 611 yards and six touchdowns. He finished second on the team in catches, targets, and receiving yards to Romeo Doubs, who is now in New England. Tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) will be returning from a torn ACL, and second-year wideout Matthew Golden will have a bigger role, but all signs point to Watson being the projected clear receiving leader in 2026 if he's healthy. Watson's big-play ability (17.0 yards per catch in his career) will make him a high-risk/high-reward WR2 in fantasy drafts later this year.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kirk Cousins an Option as Backup Quarterback in Green Bay?
Free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins could be an option for the Green Bay Packers, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Cousins was released by the Falcons this offseason, and it seems unlikely that he'll get a guaranteed starting job anywhere. While he'll presumably try to sign somewhere with an open quarterback competition, Schneidman notes that the Packers could still be an intriguing landing spot given how much they value the quarterback position. They spent a first-round pick on Jordan Love when Aaron Rodgers was still in town, they actively went out and traded for Malik Willis to back up Love last year, and now, they could bring in a proven veteran like Cousins to fill the No. 2 role. He also has a connection to head coach Matt Lafleur, who was his position coach in Washington for the first two years of his NFL career. Cousins went 5-3 with 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight starts (10 games) last year, so we know he's still capable of producing at a decent level. Now, we'll just have to wait and see where he takes his talents. Depending on the landing spot, he could end up having significant mid-season appeal as a fantasy streamer if the team's starter gets injured.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Tucker Kraft a Post-Injury Buy-Low Candidate
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) was on pace for 1,039 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, having put up two of the best tight end performances of the season before an ACL injury ended his 2025 campaign after eight games. While he may not return immediately to his do-everything (and do it well) form coming off the devastating injury, he'll still only be 25 at the start of the 2026 season and boasts too much talent to think he won't have a shot at working his way back to the top tier of dynasty tight ends. Green Bay allowed Romeo Doubs and his team-leading 83 targets to walk in free agency. Christian Watson comes into 2026 one more year removed from the ACL tear that ended his 2024 season, and the team is expecting more from their 2025 first-round pick, Matthew Golden, but it should come as no surprise if Kraft is the one regularly leading the team in targets and red zone opportunities by season's end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dontayvion Wicks Still Buried in Crowded Receiver Room?
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks continues to face an uphill battle to earn consistent volume ahead of the 2026 season. While the departure of Romeo Doubs in free agency initially seemed like it might lead to more opportunities for Wicks, the latest reporting indicates that 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden will benefit most from Doubs' departure. As a result, the Packers are expected to proceed with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Golden as their top three receivers, leaving Doubs still buried in a depth role. He didn't do a whole lot to help his case in 2025, catching just 30 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games. All of those numbers set new career lows for the Virginia product. Now 24 years old, Wicks is heading into a contract year but remains an unappealing option in most redraft and dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Packers Expected to Draft a Running Back?
The Green Bay Packers will likely bring in an external addition to fill the backup running back role in 2026, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Schneidman writes that he doesn't expect MarShawn Lloyd or Chris Brooks to be the No. 2 option behind Josh Jacobs in Week 1. He mentioned free agents Kareem Hunt and Michael Carter as potential candidates, but he also wrote that he expects the Packers to select a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. "My best guess is they pick someone in the middle of the draft to be this year's backup and maybe even a future No. 1," Schneidman wrote. This year's draft class is notably thin at the running back position, so it's possible that Green Bay will have to overpay a little to select a running back that they believe can make an impact in the NFL. Jacobs is under contract through 2027, but his contract is structured to allow the Packers to cut him next season with minimal cap penalties, if they desire. As a result, it makes sense for Green Bay to add a promising rookie at the position.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Josh Jacobs Remains a Strong RB1 Option
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs continues to produce impressive results while handling a large workload. He has been the overall RB6 and RB13 in fantasy football through two seasons in Green Bay, and he shows no signs of slowing down in 2026. Last year, Jacobs totaled 929 rushing yards, 282 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns across 15 games. Injuries were the biggest concern for the veteran, as a lingering knee injury forced him to miss two games and also limited his efficiency near the end of the year. When healthy, though, he looked like a mid-range RB1, consistently posting higher efficiency numbers and getting multiple goal-line opportunities each game. Moving forward, Jacobs remains in a favorable role to produce. The Packers allowed Emanuel Wilson to walk in free agency, leaving minimal competition in this backfield. Green Bay could still add a ball-carrier via a trade or the draft, but for now, Jacobs has the backfield all to himself.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jayden Reed a Buy-Low Candidate After Injury-Marred 2025 Campaign?
After suffering a fractured collarbone in Week 2, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed spent most of the 2025 season on the shelf. The 25-year-old ultimately appeared in just seven games, hauling in 19 receptions for 207 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets. Despite the down year, Reed could be well-positioned for a breakout campaign in 2026. The Packers lost wide receiver Romeo Doubs to the New England Patriots in free agency, and star tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) is making his way back from a torn ACL. While Green Bay wideouts Christian Watson and Matthew Golden will still challenge Reed for targets in 2026, Reed may finally have a clear path to averaging six targets per game for the first time in his NFL career. Reed also brings some potential for fantasy production as a rusher, as he's logged 310 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries across his first three NFL seasons. Coming off an injury-plagued year, Reed could be an interesting buy-low candidate for dynasty managers heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Golden Trending Up Despite Frustrating Rookie Season
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden had a very frustrating rookie season. Despite being a first-round pick, he caught just 29 passes for 361 yards and zero touchdowns. He played 14 games but finished as just the WR89 in PPR leagues. Dynasty managers are rightfully concerned, but it's too early to completely hit the panic button. Year 2 is a common time for receivers to break out, so managers should be patient and allow Golden more time to take a step forward. Plus, he's expected to step into a larger role next season. Green Bay watched Romeo Doubs depart in free agency, leaving Golden in the mix to start alongside Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. In the NFL playoffs, the speedy receiver showed flashes of being able to handle more opportunities. During the Packers' Wild Card loss, he caught four of five targets for 84 yards and a touchdown. Managers shouldn't necessarily buy low at his slightly reduced price tag, but it's also far too early to panic sell. He's purely in the "hold" range in dynasty leagues for now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MarShawn Lloyd to Compete for No. 2 Job
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd will likely have an opportunity to compete for the backup role in 2026. The Packers recently watched Emanuel Wilson depart in free agency, leaving a void to be filled at the No. 2 running back spot behind Josh Jacobs. Green Bay could still add a free agent or draft a rookie to take that spot, but that hasn't happened yet. To this point, it seems like the Packers will lean on an existing internal option to back up Jacobs. Chris Brooks has a slight leg up on the competition, but Lloyd is absolutely in the mix, too. Lloyd carried impressive upside as a third-round pick in 2024, but a tumultuous series of injuries has limited his ability to get on the field. He has played offensive snaps in just one NFL game through two seasons, rushing for 15 yards on six carries. At this point, it appears Lloyd has been cleared of the hip, hamstring, and ankle injuries -- as well as the appendicitis -- that have plagued the early portion of his career. He's firmly in the mix to back up Jacobs this year, and given the starter's age and injury concerns in 2025, we could see a scenario where Lloyd is considered to start a couple of games next season. His price tag is at an all-time low, so it wouldn't hurt to send out a low-risk trade offer for the young running back in dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Brooks the Preferred Handcuff in Green Bay?
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks has ascended into the No. 2 role on the depth chart ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The offseason is still young, and we certainly can't rule out the Packers adding another impact running back via the draft or free agency. However, as it stands, the 26-year-old Brooks is set to back up Josh Jacobs after the team saw Emanuel Wilson depart for the Seattle Seahawks. Originally a Miami Dolphin, Brooks spent the last two years in a depth role with Green Bay. He started to generate some buzz in 2025 as the Packers' backfield dealt with injuries, resulting in him finishing the year with 106 rushing yards, 13 catches, and 91 receiving yards. He didn't have a huge role by any means, but he did finish the regular season on a positive note with 13 carries for 61 yards in Week 18. Given that Jacobs is 28 years old and played through a lingering knee injury last year, it's not a bad idea for Jacobs' dynasty managers to trade a late-round pick for his handcuff, which, at the moment, would be Brooks.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Packers Sign Javon Hargrave to a Two-Year Deal
The Green Bay Packers have signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $23 million contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Hargrave, a two-time Pro Bowler, now stays in the NFC North after spending 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings. In the purple and gold, he amassed one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 3.5 sacks, and 52 total tackles across 16 games (15 starts). Even at 33 years old, Hargrave has remained a very productive staple among NFL defensive lines, and he'll cash in with a new deal that pays him eight figures annually. He projects to earn a starting spot alongside Devonte Wyatt in new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's system. It's worth noting that this is a reunion of sorts between coach and player, as Gannon was Hargrave's defensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2021 through 2022.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Packers Sign Skyy Moore to One-Year Deal
The Green Bay Packers signed former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver/returner Skyy Moore to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Moore averaged 27.5 yards per kick return and 11.6 yards per punt return last year with San Francisco. On offense, the 25-year-old former second-round pick (54th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 out of Western Michigan only caught five of seven targets for 87 yards in 17 regular-season games. Moore didn't do a ton in his first three years with the Chiefs on offense, either, contributing just 43 receptions on 74 targets for 494 yards and one touchdown in 36 games (11 starts). More than anything else, Moore will give the Packers a boost on special teams as a return man. In fantasy football, however, he should continue to be ignored across the board.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Patriots Signing Former Packers Wideout Romeo Doubs
The New England Patriots are signing former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year deal for roughly $70 million on Tuesday, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The 25-year-old former fourth-round pick (132nd overall) in 2022 out of Nevada had 202 catches on 320 targets for 2,424 yards and 21 touchdowns in 59 games (50 starts) in his four seasons with the Packers. Doubs had a career-high 724 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 16 regular-season games on 85 targets last year, filling in nicely for the offense with several other wideouts battling injuries throughout the year. He doesn't have the upside of a high-end WR1 in fantasy or real life, but Doubs is a significant signing for New England and for young quarterback Drake Maye to help replace Stefon Diggs. Depending on what else the Pats do at the receiver position in free agency, trades, and the draft, Doubs could have more upside left in an excellent landing spot.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Packers Release Nate Hobbs
The Green Bay Packers are releasing cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) on Tuesday with a post-June 1 designation, a source told Rob Demovsky of ESPN. With the move, the Packers will save $8 million against the 2026 salary cap. The move doesn't come as a huge surprise, as Hobbs played in only 11 games (five starts) for the second straight season in 2025 and finished the year with a torn MCL that he suffered in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 26-year-old signed a four-year, $48 million contract with Green Bay in March of last year. Hobbs was drafted in 2021 by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round out of Illinois. It's unclear if Hobbs will be ready to go for the start of the 2026 season this fall, but if he is, he should be a candidate to start with another team. Injuries have been an issue for him, though, as Hobbs has played more than 13 games in a season just once, back in his rookie season in 2021.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Dolphins Signing Malik Willis to a Three-Year Deal
The Miami Dolphins are signing former Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million fully guaranteed on Monday, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Miami was always the obvious landing spot for Willis, who will reunite with head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from their time in Green Bay. The Dolphins are releasing Tua Tagovailoa, paving the way for Willis to take over starting QB duties for the Dolphins in 2026. The 26-year-old former third-rounder of the Tennessee Titans in 2022 out of Liberty appeared in 11 games (three starts) for Green Bay the last two years and was impressive, completing 78.7% of his pass attempts for 976 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. He added 262 rushing yards and three rushing TDs. Willis' dual-threat abilities will make him an intriguing QB2 dart throw with plenty of upside, although the Dolphins will need to add some playmakers at receiver to help him out.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
