Rashod Bateman is Avoidable in Redraft Formats
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is trending in the wrong direction heading into the regular season. Bateman could be facing a suspension by the league after getting arrested on violence charges in June. The investigation is not over yet, but a potential suspension does significantly hurt Bateman's value. Bateman is currently the No. 2 option behind Zay Flowers on the depth chart. Rookie Ja'Kobi Lane appears to be quickly gaining ground and could jump Bateman for that spot soon. The 26-year-old finished with 19 receptions for 224 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 13 games with the Ravens last season. Fantasy managers in redraft formats can find a much more reliable option than Bateman.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Zebby Matthews Emerging as an Appealing Starting Pitcher Streamer
Across 117 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has recorded a 9-9 record with a 4.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. While Matthews' season-long numbers may not stand out as particularly impressive, he's been much better in recent appearances. Across his last 47 innings (eight starts), the 26-year-old has posted a 5-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. Matthews' lack of strikeout ability limits his fantasy upside, but he profiles as a potential WHIP asset due to his stellar command (6.8% walk rate). As a matchup-dependent streaming option, Matthews profiles as a quality option for fantasy managers. His next scheduled start will come on Wednesday in Detroit against the Tigers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Donald Non-Committal on Week 1 Status
Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been non-committal on whether he will play in the Week 1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, according to Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post. "We're taking it day by day," Donald said on Monday. The 35-year-old veteran was already believed to have traveled with the Rams to Australia, but that is uncertain now. After coming out of retirement to join All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett in L.A. in 2026, Donald is expected to be more of a situational pass-rusher to maximize his effectiveness, and he might not make his season debut until Week 2 or 3 as he continues to work his way back into football shape. The former 13th overall pick in 2014 from Pittsburgh is a future Hall of Famer and has been a Pro Bowler in all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Rams, racking up 111 sacks in his 154 regular-season games played. With more of a limited role in his return in 2026, though, Donald will be more of a boom/bust fantasy asset in IDP formats.
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Chig Okonkwo Could be Headed Towards Breakout Campaign
Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo is likely an afterthought for most fantasy managers, but he deserves a serious look this upcoming season. The Commanders signed Okonkwo to a three-year deal this past offseason. The assumption is that they gave him a long-term deal with the intention of him operating as the top pass-catching tight end. The 27-year-old was recently listed as the starter on the unofficial depth chart. Okonkwo has posted three straight seasons with 50 receptions or more. He'll now be in a better offense led by quarterback Jayden Daniels. If everything goes right, Okonkwo has legitimate top-12 upside with his new organization.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Henry Bolte Has Emerged as a Must-Roster Outfielder
Entering play on Monday, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte was hitting .274/.352/.386 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases across 394 big-league plate appearances in 2026. Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Bolte has established himself as an everyday piece of the Athletics outfield. Since early August, the 23-year-old has also emerged as the team's everyday leadoff hitter. While Bolte has consistently hit the ball hard (47.5% hard-hit rate), his power upside is limited by his 0.8-degree average launch angle and his 62.6% ground-ball rate. However, between his penchant for hitting it on the ground and his elite speed, Bolte should be able to maintain a solid batting average and on-base percentage. If he can start to put the ball in the air a bit more while maintaining his hard contact, Bolte could break out as a five-category performer. In leagues where he's currently unrostered, Bolte profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nick Bosa Will Play in Week 1
According to Nick Wagoner, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) will be available for the Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The return of Bosa is a significant boost for the 49ers' defense heading into Thursday's game in Australia. Bosa has been working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 of last season. 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is confident that Bosa is going to be out there for the season opener. IDP managers should manage their expectations with this being his first game back since surgery. It wouldn't be shocking to see the 49ers be careful with Bosa during his first game since September of last year.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Kodai Senga a Must-Roster Saves Source Across All League Formats
After a brutal beginning to the season while working as a starter, New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga has salvaged his season since being moved into the bullpen. Since becoming a full-time high-leverage reliever in early August, Senga has allowed just two earned runs while recording 13 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings (13 games). With Mets closer Devin Williams (shoulder) on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, Senga has also taken over as the team's preferred ninth-inning option and is a perfect six-for-six on save chances for the season. While the 33-year-old struggled with health and command while working as a starter, his high-end stuff makes him a solid bet to continue performing in a bullpen role. In any league where he's not already rostered, Senga should be a waiver wire priority for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Remains a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target
Across 134 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in late July, Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark is hitting .258/.326/.417 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 21-year-old has not demonstrated much power at the big-league level just yet, posting just a 1.1% barrel rate and a 38.9% hard-hit rate. However, Clark has established himself as Detroit's everyday center fielder with his high-end defense, which should keep him in the lineup on an everyday basis. The young outfielder showed off some five-category upside in the minor leagues this season before his promotion, hitting .276 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases at Triple-A. Clark posted a 12% walk rate in the minors in 2026 and a 17.6% walk rate in the minors in 2025. If he can get on base a bit more consistently down the stretch this season, Clark's speed could start to show up at the big-league level as well. Fantasy managers looking for upside on the waiver wire should consider adding Clark.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hunter Henry Remains a High-Floor Deep-League Tight End Option
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry put together a quietly productive season in 2025, recording 60 catches for 768 yards and seven touchdowns on 87 targets across 17 games. The 31-year-old finished second on the Patriots in targets and first in touchdown receptions. New England added some significant pass-catching talent over the offseason, trading for star wide receiver A.J. Brown and signing veteran wideout Romeo Doubs in free agency. Still, Henry remains atop the team's tight end depth chart entering 2026, and he proved last season that he has the trust of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the red zone. Particularly in deeper league formats, Henry profiles as a high-floor tight end option who should be a worthy streamer in the right matchups for fantasy managers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Baylor Scheierman Positioned for a Leap in Boston
Boston Celtics guard/forward Baylor Scheierman was identified by John Karalis of the Celtics for Sports Illustrated as the roster's best candidate to make the biggest leap this season. Scheierman averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.6 minutes across 77 games in 2025-26, but his 20 starts were more useful: 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 28.3 minutes. Karalis pointed to Scheierman's 49.4 percent mark from the corners, behind only Payton Pritchard on Boston, as his edge over Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh. Karalis also framed Paul George's projected missed games as part of the opportunity, giving Scheierman a path to spot starts if his shooting carries over.
Source: John Karalis
Source: John Karalis
Denzel Boston a Must-Add Wide Receiver Amidst Preseason Buzz
After recording over 1,700 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns across his final two collegiate seasons at the University of Washington, wide receiver Denzel Boston was selected 39th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Boston has reportedly been an impressive performer throughout the preseason in Browns camp, and he could be in line for a significant role in the Cleveland offense right away. With fellow rookie KC Concepcion and veteran wideout Jerry Jeudy as his primary competition, Boston has a legitimate chance to emerge as the Browns' WR1 before the end of the year. Despite the underwhelming quarterback situation in Cleveland, Boston profiles as a must-add wide receiver in any fantasy league where he remains unrostered ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kingston Flemings Faces Early Backup Role in Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings projects to open training camp behind CJ McCollum, but Zach Langley of Soaring Down South notes that his fit with Jalen Johnson may be the more important long-term angle. Johnson became Atlanta's offensive hub after the Trae Young trade, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 35.2 minutes across 72 games. Still, his first-round dip against New York showed why Atlanta could use another organizer. Flemings, the No. 8 overall pick, recorded 27 assists against nine turnovers over four Summer League games, giving Quin Snyder a potential pick-and-roll option who could shift Johnson into more finishing chances. McCollum's one-year, $21 million extension keeps Flemings in a backup role for now, but his passing gives him a cleaner fantasy runway if Atlanta leans into a younger backcourt.
Source: Zach Langley
Source: Zach Langley
Ollie Gordon II Ditches No-Contact Jersey on Monday
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (ribs) was no longer wearing a red, no-contact jersey in practice on Monday, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Gordon, who is expected to enter the 2026 campaign this weekend as the RB3 in Miami behind De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, is heading in the right direction to be available for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, versus the Las Vegas Raiders on the road. However, with a limited role as the No. 3, fantasy managers cannot legitimately consider Gordon a starter on offense in fantasy lineups. The 22-year-old former sixth-round selection from Oklahoma State carried the ball 70 times for 199 yards (2.8 yards per tote) and three touchdowns in 17 games as a rookie, adding seven catches for 32 yards and one touchdown as a receiver in a rough Miami offense. Gordon is only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues and will not become a target off the waiver wire unless one of Achane or Wright misses time with an injury.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Ryan Flournoy a High-Upside Stash Option Entering 2026
Across 16 games in 2025, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy recorded 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets. Entering 2026, Flournoy remains behind star Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, which may make it difficult for him to provide consistently fantasy-relevant production. However, Flournoy closed the 2025 season strong, recording 20 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns on 27 targets across his final four games played. The 26-year-old has also drawn positive buzz from both team personnel and Cowboys beat writers throughout this summer. When Dallas deploys three-wide receiver sets, the attention defenses are forced to give to Lamb and Pickens should open up the field for Flournoy. In leagues where he remains available, Flournoy profiles as a must-add stash for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sean Tucker to be a Game-Time Decision in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles will not disclose running back Sean Tucker's (undisclosed) injury because he does not have to until Wednesday, but he said Tucker will be a game-time decision on Sunday, Sept. 13, for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals as he works his way back, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Tucker was not seen on the practice field on Monday and most likely will not take part in the team's first official practice of the season on Wednesday. The 24-year-old came close to being a training camp casualty with the Bucs looking to save a little money going into the regular season, but they ultimately decided to keep him around as the RB3 behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. As long as both Irving and Gainwell stay healthy, Tucker belongs on the waiver wire in most redraft fantasy football leagues. He is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues right now after the former undrafted free agent from Syracuse had 320 rushing yards and a career-high seven rushing touchdowns on 86 carries in 2025 in his third year in the NFL with Tampa. Tucker added eight receptions for 34 yards and another score as a receiver in 17 games.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
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