February 15, 2026
Justin Allgaier will start in the 40th position for this year's Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Allgaier originally made the race by setting one of the two fastest times by an open entry in qualifying and then eventually obtained his starting position after placing 21st in the second America 250 Florida Duel at Daytona. In five starts at Daytona, Allgaier has one top-10 finish, which he earned last year while driving for JR Motorsports. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series regular for JRM also finished second in the O'Reilly race at the site earlier in the weekend. With extremely high upside from starting in the back of the pack, Allgaier is a driver worth rostering in all formats, especially as he is one of the safest picks in the field.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
February 15, 2026
The Cleveland Browns "believe" that quarterback
Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will compete with
Shedeur Sanders for the starting role ahead of the 2026 season, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Watson started throwing again this past week, and he's expected to be a real factor in the Browns' quarterback competition this summer. Watson last suited up in 2024 when he went 1-6 across seven games with 1,148 passing yards, six total touchdowns, and six turnovers. Meanwhile, Sanders is coming off a rookie season in which he tallied 1,400 passing yards, eight total touchdowns, and 11 turnovers across eight games (seven starts). Neither quarterback has played particularly strong football in the NFL recently, but nevertheless, it sounds like the Browns feel comfortable with one of those two quarterbacks being their starter next year. In fact, Wolfe adds that Cleveland wants to use one or both of its first-round picks on offensive weapons but doesn't expect to draft a quarterback in the first round.
--Andersen PickardSource: Cameron Wolfe
February 15, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho had a strong season at the plate in 2025, posting new career-highs in various categories. In his third season with the Jays, he slashed .238/.284/.548 with 20 home runs while maintaining a 6.3% walk rate and 28.4% strikeout rate. He also finished the year with a career-high 123 wRC+. Varsho's stats become even more impressive when you consider that he missed roughly half of the regular season due to separate shoulder and hamstring injuries. If he had stayed healthy, he could have pushed for 40 home runs. That didn't happen, but it's something to look forward to in 2026. Varsho projects to bat clean-up for the Jays this year, putting him in position to flash his power and drive in runs. As it stands, he ranks as the #54 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle scored Germany's third goal in Saturday's 4-3 defeat to Latvia at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games. It was his third goal of the tournament, matching a Team Germany record for a single Olympic edition featuring NHL players. Additionally, the Senators star is tied with Juraj Slafkovsky for the most goals in this year's tournament. Stutzle has needed only eight shots on goal to light the lamp three times, giving him a sky-high 37.5 shooting percentage. The 24-year-old has felt great in front of the net all season and is on track for his first 40-goal campaign in the NHL. Including both club and international games, Stutzle has scored in each of his last seven appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 15, 2026
New York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson and center
Karl-Anthony Towns, joined by former Knick Allan Houston, won the 2026 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars event Saturday, outscoring Team Cameron in the final round. The Knicks trio closed with 47 points after posting 31 in the opener to advance. While the exhibition carries no fantasy weight, both stars enter the second half in strong form. Brunson is averaging 26.6 points, 3.0 threes, 4.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 36.6 minutes over his last five games, while Towns has posted 19.4 points and 12.4 rebounds in 28.8 minutes. Their usage keeps
Mikal Bridges and
Josh Hart in complementary roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA
February 15, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel tallied a goal and an assist in Team USA's 6-3 win over Denmark on Saturday. He made his mark inside 57 seconds early in the second period after the Danes had taken a surprising 2-1 lead. Eichel joined an exclusive list of Team USA skaters with back-to-back multi-point games in an Olympic tournament featuring NHL players. He's the seventh player to do so and the first since Patrick Kane, Zach Parise, and Brian Rafalski in 2010. With four points (one goal, three assists), Eichel is tied for fourth in scoring at the tournament. He has one more preliminary-round matchup, as Team USA faces Leon Draisaitl and Germany on Sunday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 15, 2026
Miami Heat forward
Keshad Johnson won the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday, defeating
Carter Bryant in the final round. The second-year forward advanced with 92.8 points in the opening round and sealed the title with 97.4 in the finale, edging Bryant despite a 50-point dunk from his opponent. The trophy boosts Johnson's profile, but his fantasy outlook remains unchanged. He is averaging 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.6 minutes across 21 games and is not a viable option outside deep formats, with
Bam Adebayo and
Andrew Wiggins handling steady frontcourt roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA on ESPN
February 15, 2026
Ottawa Senators goaltender Mads Sogaard (lower body) left Denmark's matchup against Team USA on Saturday with 8:53 remaining in the third period. He reportedly played through a lower-body injury since the second frame and ultimately exited the contest after stopping a shot from his Senators teammate, Brady Tkachuk. This was Sogaard's Olympic debut. He was replaced by Frederik Dichow. Sogaard has been limited to only two NHL appearances this season, going 1-1-0. He has registered a 4.65 goals-against average and a .833 save percentage. It hasn't gone smoothly for him in the minors either, as Sogaard holds a 4-8-4 record in the AHL. Frederik Andersen is set to start for Denmark against Latvia on Sunday.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 15, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Bryan Reynolds had a subpar season in 2025, but the underlying metrics indicate that he could bounce back in 2026. The veteran outfielder slashed just .245/.318/.402 with 16 home runs, all of which represent his lowest markets since the COVID-impacted 2020 season. He also finished last year with a 8.7% walk rate and a career-worst 26.5% strikeout rate. Most of his swing decision metrics are on par with his career averages, but he did post a 44.2% O-contact rate that indicates he had trouble connecting with pitches out of the zone. Still, the 31-year-old is a prime candidate for positive regression (returning to his pre-2025 form), and his .338 xwOBA from last year suggests that he can take a leap forward in 2026. Beyond the upside, there's also name value here, as Reynolds is a two-time All-Star who previously showed that he can contribute at the plate and in the field. He currently ranks as the #51 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Ramon Laureano found his groove at the plate last season, delivering the best offensive numbers of his eight-year career so far. Laureano was previously known for his terrific defense and had made a name for himself with numerous insane throws in Oakland. However, it was the bat that came to play in 2025 as he posted a career-worst fWAR on defense but a career-high fWAR on offense, as well as a career-high wRC+. Across 132 games split between the Orioles and Padres, Laureano slashed .281/.342/.512 with a career-high 24 home runs, a 7.2% walk rate, a 24.4% strikeout rate, and 138 wRC+. He fared slightly better in Baltimore than in San Diego, but he was still highly effective with both organizations. It was tough to watch his defense hit a low point (-9 OAA and -5 FRV), but managers should be encouraged by his ability to contribute at the plate. As it stands, he ranks as the #60 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) captured his third career three-point contest crown Saturday, edging out
Devin Booker in the final round of the 2026 event. The 35-year-old posted 27 points in the opening round and 29 in the championship heat, drilling seven of his final 10 attempts, including a deep logo make. Lillard remains sidelined while rehabbing a torn left Achilles and is targeting a return for the 2026-27 season. His absence continues to stabilize usage for
Jrue Holiday and
Scoot Henderson, keeping both firmly rostered in standard leagues.
--Brian DailisanSource: ESPN
February 15, 2026
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Pablo Lopez has repeatedly showcased his dominance over many seasons in MLB, but he's now looking to shake off the injury bug and prove that he can be consistently effective over the course of a full campaign. Lopez made just 14 starts in 2025 -- his lowest mark since the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign -- pitching to a terrific 2.74 ERA with 8.68 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9. He limited pop with just 0.71 K/9, but he induced ground balls at a career-worst 38.5% clip. Staying healthy is Lopez's biggest key to success from both a Twins perspective and a fantasy baseball perspective. He tossed just 75.2 innings last year, essentially missing five months due to a hamstring issue. The good news is that he's now fully healthy and will slot into a Twins rotation looking for some support. He currently projects as the Twins' ace, with
Joe Ryan close behind him in the No. 2 spot. As it stands, he ranks as the #37 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Tatsuya Imai is gearing up for his first MLB season after eight years in the NPB. During his final international season, the right-hander posted a career-best 1.92 ERA and 2.01 FIP along with his 9.79 K/9 and 2.47 BB/9. He demonstrated an elite ability to limit hard contact with his 0.33 HR/9 and 48.3% ground ball rate. Moving stateside will definitely present some adversity for Imai, who likely won't repeat quite the same level of success he had in 2025. However, he clearly still has immense upside ahead of his debut season in the United States. Evidently, the Astros agree, as they were willing to pay him $54 million across three years. He'll be tasked with helping fill the void of ace
Framber Valdez, who departed for the Detroit Tigers.
Hunter Brown and
Cristian Javier will also slot into top-of-the-rotation roles. As it stands, Imai ranks as the #48 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Phoenix Suns forward
Haywood Highsmith agreed to a multiyear contract Saturday, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The 29-year-old wing is healthy after undergoing knee surgery in August and most recently averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 24.6 minutes in 74 games with Miami last season. Highsmith profiles as a defensive-minded depth option behind
Royce O'Neale and
Dillon Brooks. His arrival could trim a few bench minutes from
Amir Coffey or
Ryan Dunn, but he remains off the fantasy radar outside deep formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 15, 2026
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Trevor Rogers drastically exceeded expectations during an injury-delayed 2025 season, and he'll look for repeat success in 2026. The southpaw missed the first month and a half due to a knee subluxation, and he also spent some time in the minors after being optioned to Triple-A. However, after he was recalled to Baltimore for a second time in June, he broke out and proved he was there to stay. He finished the year with a 1.81 ERA and 2.82 FIP across 18 starts, posting 8.45 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9. He also showed that he was able to limit hard contact with a 46% ground ball rate and 0.49 HR/9. Rogers doesn't have overpowering fastball velocity, but he used his above-average slider and ability to induce weak contact to carry him to such dominant 2025 results. Heading into 2026, fans and fantasy managers are eager to see if his success is sustainable. His 3.64 xFIP indicates that he's due for a little regression, but can still be a very effective starter in MLB. As it stands, he ranks as the #46 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic (hamstring) will start Sunday's All-Star Game but is expected to play limited minutes in the opening matchup only. The 26-year-old missed the Lakers' final four games before the break with a mild left hamstring strain, though his participation signals progress ahead of Friday's meeting with the Clippers. Doncic averaged 26.0 points, 3.6 threes, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 28.4 minutes over his last five contests. Fantasy managers should anticipate a full workload next week, trimming short-term upside for
Austin Reaves and
LeBron James.
--Brian DailisanSource: Dan Woike
February 15, 2026
If Christopher Bell isn't on your fantasy radar for this Sunday's Daytona 500, you may want to re-think who you're paying attention to. Since the start of 2023, Bell has finished third three times at Daytona, and in two of the other six races, he wrecked while he was running inside the top five. His average driver rating of 87.0 at Daytona since the start of 2023 ranks as third-best among active drivers, behind just Joey Logano and Chris Buescher. Looking at other drafting tracks, Bell grabbed a win at Atlanta last year and also finished eighth at Talladega last fall. As far as DFS goes this weekend, CBell is an interesting play because he doesn't have massive Place Differential upside, but he still has some room to move up from his 12th-place starting spot. Don't be afraid to mix in some Christopher Bell into your DraftKings lineups on Sunday, especially in tournament formats.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ifantasyrace
February 15, 2026
William Byron will try to make history on Sunday, as the Hendrick Motorsports driver will be attempting to win an unprecedented third straight Daytona 500. Most drivers dream of getting just one win in "The Great American Race," and Byron has been lucky enough to grab victories in each of the last two years in this race. He will have some work to do to get to the front this weekend, though, as the No. 24 Chevrolet was involved in a wreck during the Duel race on Thursday night. Byron will now have to start back in 39th-place when the 2026 Daytona 500 goes green, his worst-ever starting spot at this track. Seasoned DFS players know that starting position doesn't mean anything at Daytona, though, and beginning that far back in the back actually makes Byron a prime DFS target due to his massive Place Differential upside on Sunday. Even with his $10,000 salary on DraftKings this weekend, Byron has some of the most potential on the slate to score big for DFS players.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: NASCAR.com
February 15, 2026
Kyle Larson is one of the most talented drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series garage, but he has yet to break through and find much success at Daytona International Speedway. Over 23 career starts at this 2.5-mile race track, Larson has never posted a top-five finish, and he has just six top-10 results to his credit (26%). On a positive note, Larson's career-best finish at Daytona came last summer, when he crossed the finish line in sixth after winning a Stage and leading 10 laps. "Yung Money" also finished sixth in the summer race at Daytona back in 2016. This weekend, the two-time Cup Series Champion will start from eighth-place when the Daytona 500 goes green. From a DFS perspective, it may be enticing to take a talent like Kyle Larson, but from a strategy perspective, it may be best to stay away due to his poor track record and limited Place Differential upside this weekend.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Driver Averages
February 15, 2026
Three-time Daytona 500 Champion, Denny Hamlin, understandably has quite the reputation at Daytona International Speedway. He has led the most laps (682) among all active drivers and has the third-best average finish (18.0) among drivers that have made more than six starts at this race track. But is Hamlin starting to lose his edge at this superspeedway track? Since the debut of the Next Gen car, something has been off with Denny Hamlin at Daytona--and it's showing in his finishes. Over the eight points-paying races in this car, Hamlin hasn't finished better than 17th, and six of the eight races ended with him in 24th-place or worse. Still, Hamlin remains one of the most popular picks at Daytona, especially in DFS contests. This weekend, he will sure to be popular yet again, as his 22nd-place starting spot on Sunday gives Denny some solid Place Differential upside. But with his very apparent struggles at Daytona as of late, it's not wrong to ask the question, is it finally time to fade Denny Hamlin at Daytona?
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Driver Averages
February 15, 2026
Thanks to a crash in the Duel race on Thursday night, Chris Buescher will now start from dead last (41st place) for Sunday's running of the 68th annual Daytona 500. Thankfully for Buescher and the No. 17 team, that isn't a major disadvantage, as any driver in the field, from any starting position, can go on to win this race. From a DFS perspective, Buescher suddenly becomes the safest play on the slate. With his last-place starting spot, he can't score negative fantasy points on DraftKings, and the sky is the limit when it comes to his place-differential upside. Although there is certainly strategy in going underweight on Buescher in tournaments, he's still one of the best fantasy plays on this slate. Since the start of 2023, Buescher has the second-best average driver rating (97.0) and the best average finish (8.3).
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Driver Averages
February 15, 2026
Kyle Busch is on the pole for this season's "Great American Race," as the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Motorsports put up the quickest lap time in Wednesday evening's qualifying event. Now, on Sunday, the former Cup Series champion will lead the Daytona 500 field to the green for the field time in his career. Busch has gone to victory lane several times in his storied Cup Series career, but never in the Daytona 500. He won the summer race here back in 2008 and also has three Duel race wins. His best finish in the Daytona 500 has been a second-place finish back in 2019 while with Joe Gibbs Racing. Could this be the year that Rowdy finally breaks through? He certainly has the starting position to do so. However, that also makes him an extremely risky DFS play, particularly in DraftKings. Even though he starts up front, you'd be better off staying away from Kyle Busch in DFS on Sunday.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: NBC Sports
February 15, 2026
Although Jimmie Johnson has announced that the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his final NASCAR race, he still has more left in the tank--and it starts with this weekend's Great American Race. Johnson walked away with a podium finish (third) in last year's Daytona 500 despite starting back in 40th-place, and he will have a similar journey this Sunday as well, as the No.l 84 Toyota will roll off the starting grid from 31st-place. That gives Jimmie plenty of Place Differential upside, making him a solid DFS pick on DraftKings at an affordable salary ($5,800). The best part is, Johnson doesn't even have to replicate that third-place finish from last year to make it into the optimal DFS lineup this weekend.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Autoweek
February 14, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) stated he feels ready to play. "I feel good. I feel 100 percent," reported the two-time MVP while speaking to the media during All-Star festivities on Saturday. "I'm ready to go. I feel like I can play a game today." Antetokounmpo acknowledged that he still has some "boxes" to check as it relates to working his way back from multiple right calf injuries. However, once players return from vacation, he'll be able to ramp up his activity level. The 31-year-old continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 boards, 5.6 assists, and a career-high 39.5% shooting from downtown in 30 appearances this season. At this rate, it's realistic to assume he'll be back on the floor before the end of February, barring a setback. In the meantime,
Kevin Porter Jr. and
Ryan Rollins are expected to do most of the heavy lifting offensively.
Ousmane Dieng, producing a double-double with six assists and four blocks in Thursday's win over OKC, also figures to remain in line for more action.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Milwaukee Bucks
February 14, 2026
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Kris Bubic (shoulder) faced hitters during a live batting practice session on Saturday. According to Jaylon Thompson, Bubic looked strong and had good movement on his pitches. Those are encouraging words as Bubic looks to bounce back after missing the second half of last season due to a rotator cuff strain. During his breakout campaign last season, Bubic posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 116/39 K/BB ratio across 20 starts. It was the first time that Bubic had started more than three games in a single season since the 2022 campaign. There are some durability and workload concerns, but the upside is too high to ignore. If healthy, Bubic should have no problem being in the top 40-50 range for starting pitchers in upcoming fantasy drafts.
--Andy WebbSource: Jaylon Thompson
February 14, 2026
Minnesota Twins pitcher
Jackson Kowar was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations on Saturday. Kowar was claimed off waivers by the Twins roughly two weeks ago. Now, the right-hander is on the move for the third time this offseason. This seems like a low-risk trade for the O's to add some extra depth in their bullpen. Last season, Kowar registered a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 15/7 K/BB ratio across 15 appearances with the Seattle Mariners. The expectation is that Kowar will compete for a spot in the O's bullpen during camp. If he makes it, Kowar is expected to pitch in low-leverage spots, so he's unlikely to hold any fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Minnesota Twins
February 14, 2026
The Washington Nationals have signed relief pitcher
Cionel Perez to a minor-league deal on Saturday. According to Jon Heyman, Perez will earn $1.9 million salary, including $700K of incentives, assuming he makes the big-league roster. The southpaw struggled last season during his 19 appearances with the Baltimore Orioles. Before his disastrous 2025 campaign, Perez was a solid middle relief option for the O's from 2022-2024. This is a low-risk move for the Nats, who could end up getting a reliable middle reliever on a cheap one-year contract.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
February 14, 2026
The San Diego Padres have signed starting pitcher
German Marquez to a one-year deal on Saturday. Marquez doesn't have pretty overall numbers, but he spent the first decade of his career pitching in Coors Field with the Colorado Rockies. Last season, Marquez posted a 6.70 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and an 83/48 K/BB ratio across 26 starts. The move out of hitter-friendly Colorado should help bring down that inflated 6-plus ERA. The 30-year-old could be a useful innings-eater in the back-end of the starting rotation. Marquez posted a career-low 5.9 SO9 last season. He's not someone who misses many bats, so the chances of him becoming a useful fantasy option are unlikely.
--Andy WebbSource: Alden Gonzalez
February 14, 2026
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez is aiming to make 30 starts in 2026 despite missing all of last season due to injury. Rodriguez didn't pitch in 2025 after having bone spurs removed from his right elbow. The right-hander says that he has already noticed a significant difference. Having a healthy Rodriguez could be a huge boost to the Halos' rotation this season. The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade that sent outfielder
Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the offseason. The former first-rounder has been a viable option when healthy, but keeping him on the mound has been the problem. In 2024, Rodriguez posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 130/36 K/BB ratio across 20 starts with the O's. The potential is still there for Rodriguez to be a top-of-the-line starter, so hopefully he can stay healthy and prove it in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Rhett Bollinger
February 14, 2026
Detroit Red Wings right wing Lucas Raymond had a big game with a goal and two assists in Sweden's 5-3 victory over Slovakia on Saturday. With three points, the 23-year-old tied a Team Sweden record for an Olympic game involving NHL players. Raymond collected a power-play assist in the second period before bagging two even-strength points in the third. He has five points (one goal, four assists) in three games for Sweden, placing him among the tournament's highest-scoring players. Raymond has successfully carried his club form over to the international stage. Currently, he is on track for his career-best NHL season, recording 60 points (19 goals, 41 assists) in 56 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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