RADIO
Brenton Strange Faces Crowded Jaguars Passing Attack
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange faces heavy target competition heading into the 2026 season. Strange had a solid third season, hauling in 46 of 60 targets for 540 yards and three touchdowns in just 12 games, averaging 7.9 half-PPR fantasy points per game. However, the Jaguars' receiving corps looks loaded, with the addition of second-round tight end Nate Boerkircher and the return of emerging players Parker Washington and Travis Hunter. Despite a strong showing in 2025, Strange is likely the fourth or fifth option in this passing offense. Currently listed as the TE17 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Strange seems like too high a price to pay in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mookie Betts is Absent on Thursday
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Fantasy managers don't need to panic as this appears to be a routine rest day for Betts. He finally appears to be turning a corner with the bat after going 6-for-11 with two home runs and three RBI during their last series versus the Kansas City Royals. Miguel Rojas will cover shortstop and bat sixth versus left-hander Shane Drohan on Thursday. Fantasy managers should expect Betts back in the lineup on Friday, and hopefully, a day off won't cool him down at the plate.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Cam Little Looking to Build Off Breakout Season
Jacksonville Jaguars placekicker Cam Little aims to build on a strong second season in 2026. Last year, Little made 30 of 34 field goals, including a 68-yarder that set the NFL record for the longest, and 50 of 51 extra points. He finished as the fifth-ranked kicker in fantasy formats, averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game. The third-year kicker will be 23 by the start of the season and is already setting records and eyeing the first-ever 70-yard field goal, which he has made only in the preseason. With head coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence hoping to build on a strong first season together, Little hopes for more opportunities in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Andrei Iosivas Not on the Fantasy Radar in Any Draft Formats
Cincinnati Bengals 26-year-old wide receiver Andrei Iosivas enters his fourth NFL season as the projected No. 3 receiver in this lethal Bengals passing attack. Over his first three seasons with the Bengals, he has earned 144 targets, hauled in 84 of them for 1,030 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Over a three-year span, that is nothing to write home about, and he is clearly an afterthought when you are behind guys like Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. 2025 was his lowest touchdown production since entering the league, with only two, after he had six in 2024 and four in 2023. The only real path for Iosivas to be fantasy relevant is if one of those receivers were to get hurt, and even then, he would be viewed as a low-end WR3 at best. RotoBaller currently ranks him as the WR90, and that's after he finished the 2025 season as the WR58.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tony Gonsolin Signs Deal with Royals
The Kansas City Royals signed starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2027 season on Thursday. The right-hander hasn't pitched at all this season while he rehabs from Tommy John surgery he underwent last August. Gonsolin is nearing the final stages of his recovery process and should be back on the mound soon. He has been placed on the 15-day Injured List while he continues to get fully healthy. It's unclear when he'll make his season debut, but right-hander Eli Morgan has been designated for assignment in a corresponding move. The Royals are hopeful that Gonsolin can bounce back and be an option for them in their 2027 rotation. Gonsolin was an All-Star in 2022, but he hasn't looked the same on the mound since then. He can be ignored in fantasy formats right now.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Will Howard Impresses in First NFL Action
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard completed seven of nine pass attempts for 86 yards in a 28-9 preseason win over the Green Bay Packers. The second-year pro, who missed the entire 2025 season with a hand injury, made his NFL debut in the second quarter after taking over for veteran Mason Rudolph. On his second possession, Howard led the offense on a quick 80-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back Lew Nichols. Howard displayed a strong connection with tight end Robert Tonyan, as the two connected for four receptions and 61 yards on just four targets. The 24-year-old played into the third quarter before giving way to rookie Drew Allar, who also turned in an impressive performance. Howard is worth monitoring in dynasty formats as he competes for a backup job heading into the regular season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rome Odunze Could Emerge As Bears' WR1
With second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) expected to miss time in the preseason, wideout Rome Odunze has an opportunity to make his case for Chicago's WR1 spot. Odunze hauled in 44 of 90 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games, averaging just over 10 half-PPR fantasy points per game. Odunze had a fantastic start to the 2025 season, averaging over 13 points per game and scoring five touchdowns in the first eight weeks. With D.J. Moore's departure and Burden dealing with an injury that could affect his Week 1 status, Odunze could step into a heavy workload to start the season. Currently ranked WR33 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, the former ninth overall pick could be a great value if he can build on his sophomore season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jerry Jones has No Regrets About Trading Micah Parsons
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he has no regrets about trading All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last year, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. Dallas used the 2027 first-rounder and their own second-rounder in 2026 to acquire defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets at the 2025 trade deadline. The Cowboys used the 2026 first-rounder to take pass-rusher Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 overall pick in April's draft. "Even though Micah's an outstanding talent [that] anybody would like to have, the bottom line is that I like what the result of the trade has ended up as I stand here today," Jones said Thursday. The move to trade Parsons also gave the Cowboys more salary cap space to sign safety Jalen Thompson and to trade for Rashan Gary. Dallas now has six players making $20 million or more per season. Parsons was on his way to a career year in his first season with the Packers, totaling 12.5 sacks in 14 games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL and meniscus late in December. The 27-year-old isn't expected to make his 2026 debut until Week 6 this fall.
Source: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
Source: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
Theo Johnson Losing Redraft Value as the Season Approaches
New York Giants 25-year-old tight end Theo Johnson finished the 2025 season as the TE19, with 528 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets. He had an impressive 11.73 yards per reception and became one of Jaxson Dart's favorite targets. However, the biggest thorn in Johnson's side is the offseason signing of 26-year-old tight end Isaiah Likely, who has been generating a lot of buzz in camp and has been one of Dart's favorite targets thus far. The wide receiver room for the Giants is extremely cloudy, with Malik Nabers (knee) recovering from injury and guys like Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Odell Beckham Jr., rounding out the receiver room. While Johnson proved to be reliable and explosive in 2025 (10th in explosive rating), the target share will take a significant step backwards and Johnson likely won't remain fantasy relevant unless he has a spike in touchdown production. RotoBaller ranks Johnson as the TE39 entering the season, which makes him a dynasty stash at best.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oswald Peraza Takes Swings on Thursday
Los Angeles Angels infielder Oswald Peraza (hand) was expected to take swings ahead of Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers, according to Jack Janes. Peraza is being held out of Thursday's lineup after he suffered a hand contusion in Wednesday's game. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said Peraza can play defense, but they want to make sure he's comfortable with the bat before he returns to the lineup. Fantasy managers should consider Peraza as day-to-day with a left-hand contusion. This season, Peraza is slashing .229/.276/.353 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, and 12 steals in 101 games this season. He's able to do a little bit of everything, which gives him some deep league appeal in 9-cat leagues.
Source: Jack Janes
Source: Jack Janes
Terry McLaurin's Fantasy Ceiling Could be Capped After Recent Signing
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin may see a reduced target share with the addition of veteran wideout Stefon Diggs. The team signed Diggs to a one-year, $12 million contract, and the former Patriots receiver has shown out in his first few practices with the team. During a joint practice against the Miami Dolphins, Diggs dominated the Dolphins' cornerbacks in one-on-one drills and was a force in team drills as well. With Diggs expected to earn short-yardage work, McLaurin may be forced into a traditional X-receiver role, despite offensive coordinator David Blough stating they want to move him all over the place and get him "10 targets a game." While McLaurin's WR24 ranking seemed like a great value at first, Diggs' addition definitely increases the volatility of his 2026 outlook.
Source: Ralph Vacchiano - Fox Sports
Source: Ralph Vacchiano - Fox Sports
Chig Okonkwo Losing Redraft Value With Recent WR Addition
The Washington Commanders signed tight end Chig Okonkwo to a three-year, $27 million deal this offseason, and up until the signing of receiver Stefon Diggs on Aug. 7, Okonkwo was gaining some serious steam on draft boards as he was geared up to be the Commanders' No. 2 pass-catching option. With Diggs now in the picture, Okonkwo's value takes a hit; however, he does still present some late-round fantasy appeal at the tight end position, as quarterback Jayden Daniels enters the 2026 season fully healthy and has supported other pass-catching tight ends like Zach Ertz in the past. In 2024, Ertz was the TE8 on the season with 91 targets, 654 yards, and seven touchdowns. While Okonkwo's production wasn't elite with the Titans, he played in all 17 games in his first four seasons with them and saw 70-plus targets in his final three years with them. RotoBaller ranks Okonkwo as the TE18, and he has some fantasy appeal if you miss out on some of the top-tier guys like Brock Bowers or Trey McBride.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mason Rudolph Sharp in Preseason Start
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph completed 10 of 11 pass attempts for 93 yards in a 28-9 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers. Rudolph got off to a rocky start, taking two sacks over his first four snaps, but quickly settled in and led the offense down the field on its second possession. Although the Steelers were unable to score after an offensive holding penalty nullified a three-yard rushing touchdown by Lew Nichols, Rudolph displayed early chemistry with rookie wideout Germie Bernard and several other pass-catchers throughout the drive. The 31-year-old then gave way to second-year pro Will Howard and rookie signal-caller Drew Allar, both of whom also impressed. It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh's quarterback depth chart shakes out entering the regular season, with all three players competing for backup duties behind Aaron Rodgers. Rudolph is likely to see additional preseason action next weekend against the New York Jets.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Carlos Rodon Registers Seven Strikeouts in Rehab Start
New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (elbow) made his second rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Thursday. The southpaw tossed 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, while striking out seven batters. This is a much better outing after Rodon gave up three runs across 2.2 innings of work with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. He was able to work up his pitch count to 58 pitches on Thursday. He's likely to need one more rehab start to continue building up his stamina, but the team hasn't made an official announcement yet. Rodon has been out since early July due to left elbow inflammation, but he appears to be on the verge of returning.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
Zach Neto Takes a Seat on Thursday
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. There is no word of any injury, so this is assumed to be a regular rest night for Neto. The young shortstop has been struggling with a .147/.171/.294 slash line over the last week. Given the Angels aren't really playing for anything at this point in the season, they might as well let Neto have the night off. Denzer Guzman will cover shortstop and bat sixth versus right-hander Jacob deGrom on Thursday. Fantasy managers should expect Neto to be back on Friday.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
