RADIO
DeVonta Smith Taking Off as Philadelphia's No. 1 Receiver
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith already had the No. 1 job after A.J. Brown was traded to New England, and Week 2 looked like the first real payoff. Smith caught 10 of 13 targets for 117 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee after seeing six targets in the opener. He was also Jalen Hurts' go-to option on the final drive, catching four passes as Philadelphia moved into position for the game-winning score. The volume is the biggest thing here. Smith had 77 catches for 1,008 yards last season while still sharing the field with Brown, so there was always a path to more once that target competition disappeared. Through two games, he is up to 19 targets and 170 receiving yards. RotoBaller has Smith at WR9 for Week 3, and that feels a lot less aggressive after what he just did in Tennessee. Smith does not need another 13-target game every week to stay in the WR1 mix. If this is close to the kind of workload Philadelphia plans to give him, his fantasy ceiling has clearly moved up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jackson Merrill's Resurgent Second Half Has Continued Through September
Across 653 plate appearances in 2026, San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill is hitting .252/.300/.459 with 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases. The 23-year-old got off to a rough start to the year, hitting .219 with 10 home runs across 396 plate appearances before the All-Star break. However, Merrill has been red hot in the second half, hitting .300 with 16 homers across his last 261 trips to the plate. Merrill has been particularly key to San Diego's late-season surge as an offense, hitting .325 with four home runs, 16 RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases over his first 85 plate appearances in September. The star center fielder has lowered his strikeout rate this month to 18.8% while also posting elite barrel (19.7%) and hard-hit (62.1%) rates. Heading into San Diego's final weekend of the regular season, Merrill profiles as one of the top five-category producers in all of fantasy baseball.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bo Nix Rebounds After Ugly Season Opener
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix looked much better in Week 2 after a rough opener against Kansas City. He completed 22 of 31 passes for 288 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Denver's 20-13 win over Jacksonville, a big jump from the 131 passing yards he managed in Week 1. The Broncos had only three points at halftime, then scored 17 unanswered after the break and found points on each of their three second-half possessions. Nix also avoided a sack after going down four times against the Chiefs. That is enough to move him back in the right direction, even if there is still plenty missing from his fantasy profile right now. Nix has only eight rushing yards through two games after running for 356 yards and five touchdowns last season, and that part of his game helped cover for quieter passing days. RotoBaller has him at QB19 for Week 3 against the Rams, so this is not an automatic start spot. Still, the Week 2 version of Nix was a lot easier to trust.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hunter Brown Riding Strikeout Hot Streak into Final Start of 2026
Across 102 innings (19 starts) in 2026, Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has recorded a 6-3 record with a 3.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts. The 28-year-old got off to a rough start to the year, missing over two months with a shoulder injury and posting a 4.94 ERA across 27 1/3 innings in July. However, Brown has begun to rediscover his top form in recent outings. Across his last 33 1/3 innings (six starts), Brown is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts. Brown has had issues with command all year long, and his 11.9% walk rate has led to an elevated WHIP. However, he's boosted his strikeout rate all the way up to 28.1% and has struck out 39.1% of the batters he's faced across his first four starts of September. Heading into his final start of the regular season on Saturday against the Athletics, Brown is beginning to look like the fantasy ace he was drafted to be ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Wilson Looks Like Arizona's WR1
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson has only seven catches for 74 yards through two games, but the usage has been much better than the production. Wilson has seen seven targets in both games and has clearly been the most involved wide receiver in Arizona's passing game. That is notable after his breakout last season, when he finished with 78 catches for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns. The Cardinals also gave Wilson a three-year, $75 million extension before the season, so they have made a pretty significant commitment to him. Marvin Harrison Jr., meanwhile, has opened the year with just one catch on four targets. There is still a big piece of this passing game that belongs to Trey McBride, and that probably is not changing anytime soon. Wilson does not need to overtake McBride to matter for fantasy, though. If he keeps getting seven or eight looks most weeks, better games should follow. At this point, Wilson looks less like a secondary option in Arizona and more like the Cardinals' clear No. 1 wide receiver.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Bazzana a Priority Add Amid September Surge
Across 501 plate appearances in 2026, Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana is hitting .245/.337/.404 with 15 home runs, 57 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases. The 24-year-old's underlying batted-ball metrics are underwhelming, as he's logged just a 4.8% barrel rate and a 36.2% hard-hit rate. However, Bazzana's 11.2% walk rate is impressive for a young player and helps him get on base consistently and use his speed. Bazzana has also been red-hot of late, hitting .288 with six home runs, 15 RBI, and 11 runs scored across 69 plate appearances in September. If the former top prospect is starting to grow into his power, he could begin to emerge as one of the better second base options for fantasy managers. In leagues where he's on the waiver wire, Bazzana should be a priority target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mark Andrews' Weekly Floor Is Starting to Rise
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has not found the end zone yet, but the early volume is moving in the right direction. Andrews caught four of six targets for 49 yards in Week 1, then went 6-for-7 for another 49 yards against New Orleans with Zay Flowers (hamstring) out. That gives him 10 catches on 13 targets through two games, which is a much steadier start than managers got from him last season. Flowers remains sidelined, so Andrews could again be one of Lamar Jackson's busiest options against Dallas. The matchup helps, too. RotoBaller has Andrews at TE8 for Week 3, and the Cowboys have allowed 17 PPR points per game to tight ends through two weeks. Andrews has not needed a touchdown to stay useful so far, and another game without Flowers would only strengthen the case that his weekly floor is climbing again. That is enough to move him back toward reliable TE1 territory.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Bell a Reliable Run Producer to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 655 plate appearances in 2026, Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell is hitting .255/.317/.416 with 20 home runs, 92 RBI, 76 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 34-year-old may not have one clear standout skill, but he remains a steady source of power and run production. Bell has kept his strikeout rate manageable at 19.9% while still posting solid barrel (9.5%) and hard-hit (42.0%) rates. The veteran switch-hitter also remains locked into everyday playing time in the heart of the Twins lineup, putting him in a good position to rack up runs and RBI. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Bell profiles as a balanced producer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Dwyer Listed As Questionable
TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (foot) is listed as questionable for the team's Big 12 matchup against UCF on Saturday afternoon. The senior wide receiver is still waiting to make his 2026 debut as he rehabs from a foot injury that he suffered in late August. Dwyer was a crucial piece of TCU's offense in 2025, hauling in 54 receptions for 730 receiving yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Optimism grew that Dwyer would make his season debut this week, but that optimism is waning. Ed Small should remain the Horned Frogs' target hog until Dwyer gets healthy.
Source: Big 12 Availability Report
Source: Big 12 Availability Report
Coby Mayo Remains a Worthy Power Streamer to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 444 plate appearances in 2026, Baltimore Orioles third baseman/first baseman Coby Mayo is hitting .225/.293/.463 with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 63 runs scored, and four stolen bases. Swing-and-miss is the obvious red flag in Mayo's profile, as he's struck out in 30.2% of his plate appearances. However, the 24-year-old brings significant power upside with a 13.7% barrel rate and a 47.6% hard-hit rate. Mayo has hit .265 with 12 home runs since the All-Star break, and he's established himself as an everyday presence in the heart of the Baltimore lineup. For fantasy managers in need of power, Mayo profiles as a priority target on the waiver wire heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Danny Scudero Ruled Out For Week 4
Colorado wide receiver Danny Scudero (lower body) has been ruled out for Saturday's Big 12 matchup at Baylor. Scudero suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury in early August, and he missed the Buffaloes' Week 3 loss at Northwestern. The senior wide receiver has been one of the more disappointing transfers from the offseason's portal. This season, he has five catches on only seven targets for 24 yards and no touchdowns. Last season, Scudero led college football in receiving yards and was the WR8 at San Jose State with 88 catches for 1297 yards and 10 touchdowns. Joseph Williams and DeAndre Moore Jr. should see a bump in production without Scudero.
Source: Big 12 Availability Report
Source: Big 12 Availability Report
D'Andre Swift Could See Larger Role Without Starting Quarterback
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is off to a very good start to the 2026 season and that could continue as he could see an increased role in the offense with quarterback Caleb Williams expected to miss time with a hamstring injury. Swift came out of the gates this season rolling with an epic Week 1 performance against the Panthers when he rushed 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns with one catch for 10 yards. The going got tougher against the Vikings in Week 2, but he still carried the ball 16 times for just 45 rushing yards and caught five passes for 54 yards. Against the Eagles in Week 3, Swift should continue to be heavily involved maybe even more than the previous two weeks. While the Eagles could sell out to stop Swift and the run game without the threat of Williams and the passing attack, Swift could also use his increased role to have another good fantasy day.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jordan Addison on the Rise with Starting QB Returning
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison and the rest of the Vikings' passing attack are trending up with the return of Kyler Murray (concussion) on the horizon. Addison has started the season off slow, but that could change with Murray coming back from his opening-game injury. Addison was targeted five times in Week 2's win over the Chicago Bears with Carson Wentz at quarterback and hauled in two passes for 21 yards. That was after Addison failed to catch a pass on just two targets in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Addison is a capable WR2 for the Vikings behind Justin Jefferson and for fantasy teams when he is right. He has the potential of a capable pass-catcher lining up opposite Jefferson. He is definitely trending in the right direction and could be a very wise pickup ahead of the Vikings' matchup with the Buccaneers in Week 3.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Zay Flowers Looks Doubtful For Week 3 With Hamstring Injury
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) has a minor hamstring injury but did not practice on Wednesday, and "that does not bode well for his participation on Sunday, but we'll continue to track it," according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Rapoport hinted that Baltimore is taking more of a long-term approach to the injury. "They want to keep him around long term and want to make sure he is available throughout the season," Rapoport said. Flowers is a star receiver who looks like he is ready for a breakout season if he can stay healthy. He had a very impressive Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts before he left with the hamstring injury. He had already recorded five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown in the first half of that game. Look for big things once he regains full health.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Mike Evans Looks Like He Could Play In Week 3
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans is dealing with a hip injury after dealing with a quad injury in training camp. The injury "does not seem to be major" according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Evans didn't practice on Wednesday, but Rapoport reported that there is a "good chance he practices this week and goes". Evans had six catches on seven targets in the 49ers game in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. He had 49 receiving yards and a touchdown in that Week 1 contest and followed it up with three catches on three targets in Week 2's win over the Miami Dolphins. Evans is a solid WR1 for fantasy purposes when healthy. He looks to have avoided a serious hip injury and looks like he is ready to play in Week 3 against the Cardinals in a good matchup.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
