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Milos Uzan Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With the Celtics
Point guard Milos Uzan has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boston Celtics, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. The four-year college guard went undrafted in June despite ranking 57th on ESPN's pre-draft board, and he agreed to terms with Boston that same week. Uzan started all 77 games across two seasons at Houston, averaging 11.3 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three. He has posted 8.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds for Boston's Summer League team, alongside former Houston teammate Chris Cenac Jr. Exhibit 10 deals are non-guaranteed camp contracts, and Smith notes most of them end with the player reporting to the club's G League affiliate. Uzan can be ignored in fantasy until that changes.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Is Puka Nacua the Top Receiver in Fantasy?
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions in 2025, but it's what he's been able to do once the ball is in his hands that makes him such a dynamic player and one of the game's truly elite fantasy assets. His incredible contact balance and willingness to fight through every tackle helped him to accrue more yards after catch than any other receiver in the league, and he also ranked first in 20+ yard receptions and receiving first downs. A standout player in all the areas that translate to fantasy success and surrounded by one of the league's best offensive infrastructures, it's no surprise that he is again ranked at the top of draft boards. Despite his recent off-field concerns, which have included an offseason stint in rehab, Nacua shows no signs of slowing between the white lines and is RotoBaller's WR1, the third overall player in half-PPR formats, and one of the strongest picks at the start of 2026 drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jeff Hoffman a Sneaky Stash Based on Underlying Metrics?
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman had a brutal start to the year and lost his job as the team's closer, with the emergence of Louis Varland as an elite bullpen option. He has put together a few strong weeks, though, and could return to fantasy relevance at some point after the All-Star break. He is 5-6 with a 4.57 ERA in his 44 games, but his 2.64 FIP and 3.07 xERA indicate he has pitched much better than his ERA indicates. He has a sky-high .402 BABIP against him (league average is .289 this season), so there could be some positive regression for him in the second half if ht gets some better batted-ball luck. Hoffman did give up two earned runs in his last outing before the break, snapping a 13-game span without an earned run against him. Varland will likely keep the closer job as long as he's healthy, but Hoffman could be a very valuable setup option or end up in a closer spot as bullpens get shuffled at the Trade Deadline. In deep leagues, he makes sense to stash and see, while in standard-sized leagues, he's definitely a reliever to keep a close eye on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yanic Konan Niederhauser Adds 27 Pounds This Summer
Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot) says he has put on 27 pounds this summer, SI's Joey Linn reports. The 2025 first-rounder also discussed his rehab progress, his fit alongside Keaton Wagler, and an eventual bid for the starting center job. Niederhauser's rookie season ended in March, when a Lisfranc injury in his right foot required surgery, and he underwent a follow-up procedure this offseason. He averaged 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 10.3 minutes across 41 games, showing enough burst as a rim-runner to make him worth tracking. Brook Lopez is penciled in ahead of him at 38, so the runway exists. Whether a foot that has needed two procedures holds up under an extra 27 pounds is the question that decides his season.
Source: Joey Linn
Source: Joey Linn
Jayden Quaintance to Miss Start of 2026-27 Season After Knee Surgery
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Jayden Quaintance (knee) will miss the start of the 2026-27 season and isn't expected back until some point in 2027, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reports. The No. 20 pick underwent successful surgery on his right knee Wednesday to clean up the meniscus, and the team announced no timetable for his return. None of this is a surprise. San Antonio drafted him knowing the procedure was coming after a torn ACL and meniscus at Arizona State in February 2025 left him with four games at Kentucky. Quaintance is off fantasy radars for next season. The developmental runway behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet now belongs to Tarris Reed Jr., the No. 26 pick, who has it to himself.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Ben Joyce a Top Stash Option for Late-Season Saves?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ben Joyce (shoulder) has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season as he works his way back from the shoulder surgery that has kept him out since May 2025. However, the 25-year-old began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League before the All-Star break, so he could be on track to return to the Angels bullpen before the end of July. Joyce struggled in a limited sample size of innings in 2025 before suffering the shoulder injury. Still, he was an effective reliever for the Angels in 2024, recording a 2.08 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and four saves across 34 2/3 innings. Joyce is known for his electric fastball, which he threw at an average velocity of 102.4 miles per hour in 2024. Los Angeles has had difficulty filling its closer role so far this season, with right-handers Ryan Zeferjahn, Kirby Yates, and Sam Bachman currently sharing ninth-inning duties. If Joyce can prove he is fully healthy, he could be the favorite for saves with the Angels upon his return to the big leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Agustin Ramirez Still a High-Priority Stash Candidate?
After hitting .230 with two home runs through his first 129 plate appearances of 2026, Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in early May. The 24-year-old's defense behind the plate may have been the biggest reason for his demotion, and could remain a barrier to his return to the big leagues. However, Ramirez carries five-category potential that is unique at the catcher position and makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers. Across 195 plate appearances at Triple-A this season, Ramirez is hitting .250/.328/.436 with seven home runs, 27 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. The young backstop proved he could perform at the plate in the big leagues in 2025, hitting 21 home runs and swiping 16 bags across 585 trips to the plate. Particularly in deeper league formats, Ramirez may still be worth stashing off the waiver wire for his theoretical upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Petersen Emerging as a Potential Saves Source in Miami?
Across 39 innings (41 games) so far this season, Miami Marlins right-hander Michael Petersen (hamstring) has pitched to a 3.07 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and one save. Petersen exited early from Miami's final game before the All-Star break on Sunday with a hamstring injury, so fantasy managers should monitor for his health status coming out of the break. Assuming he can avoid a stint on the injured list, Petersen could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a potential source of saves. The 32-year-old has arguably been the best arm in the Miami bullpen in 2026, as he's averaged 97.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has recorded a 29.4% strikeout rate. Miami has largely deployed Petersen in a setup role ahead of closer Pete Fairbanks. However, Fairbanks owns a 6.83 ERA and is allowing 2.17 HR/9 on the year. If the Marlins eventually decide to make a change in the ninth inning, Petersen could be next in line.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brendan Donovan Begins Rehab Assignment on Wednesday Night
Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710. Donovan has been sidelined since mid-May by a groin injury, so he could need several games' worth of minor league plate appearances before he's ready to return to the big leagues. Still, Donovan will likely be back with the Mariners sooner rather than later. The 29-year-old got off to a solid start to his first season in Seattle before the injury, hitting .274/.386/.452 with three home runs, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and one stolen base across 101 plate appearances. Donovan appeared exclusively at third base and was mostly deployed in the leadoff spot to open the year. Seattle has since promoted top prospect Colt Emerson to play shortstop and moved veteran infielder J.P. Crawford to third base. However, Donovan's ability to play multiple spots on the diamond should keep him in the Mariners lineup regularly upon his return.
Source: Seattle Sports 710 - Shannon Drayer
Source: Seattle Sports 710 - Shannon Drayer
Cristopher Sanchez Not Listed Among Phillies Probables This Weekend
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez is not listed among his team's probable starters for their first series of the second half against the New York Mets this weekend, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Sanchez last pitched for the Phillies last Saturday, but he started the All-Star Game on Tuesday for the National League and threw 34 pitches in his one inning of work. The 29-year-old has been one of the better pitchers in baseball so far this season, recording an 11-4 record with a 2.62 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts across 127 1/3 innings (20 starts). While the Phillies could have chosen to push him back out onto the mound as quickly as possible, it looks as though the team will instead prioritize getting him a few extra days of rest before the true push for the playoffs begins. As a result, Sanchez's next start will likely come at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on either Monday or Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Zack Wheeler Not Scheduled to Pitch This Weekend
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is not listed among his team's probable starters for their first series after the All-Star break against the New York Mets, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. The 36-year-old has been dominant so far this season, recording a 10-1 record with a 2.13 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 93 innings (15 starts). Wheeler's last start came last Sunday, so Philadelphia could have chosen to give him the ball this upcoming weekend. Instead, it appears that the team will allow the 36-year-old a few extra days of rest coming out of the break. As a result, Wheeler's next start will likely come at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on either Monday or Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Patrick Mahomes' Goal is to Play in Week 1
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) told Caroline Fenton on Yahoo Sports Daily on Wednesday that he's still aiming to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sept. 14. "That's my goal," Mahomes said. "I've said that since the beginning is being ready to go Week 1. I can't predict the future, and I know that it's a long process. It's not just my decision, but at the same time I'm going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1." The 30-year-old two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler tore his ACL in Week 15 of last year, but he remains on schedule to be ready for the start of the 2026 season and took part in the offseason program on a limited basis. We should get a better read on Mahomes' availability for the start of the regular season when training camp kicks off in a couple of weeks. Even if Mahomes is ready to roll for Week 1, fantasy managers should temper expectations for a signal-caller entering his age-31 season coming off a major knee injury. RotoBaller has Mahomes ranked as the QB13 as he heads into his 10th year in the league.
Source: Yahoo Sports Daily
Source: Yahoo Sports Daily
Brandon Aiyuk has Scared Teams Like Washington
ESPN's Adam Schefter "honestly believes" that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) "has scared off teams" like the Washington Commanders. Aiyuk hasn't helped his case for finding a new team if the 49ers inevitably release him with social-media posts blasting the 49ers organization. It sounds like teams are concerned about the former first-rounder and whether he realistically wants to continue playing in the NFL after a season-ending knee injury in 2024 kept him sidelined for all of last year. Aiyuk has been repeatedly mentioned as a good fit for the Commanders this offseason because of his connection to quarterback Jayden Daniels from their college days at Arizona State, but even with questionable depth behind Terry McLaurin, the Commanders may not want Aiyuk's baggage, not to mention questions about how he'll bounce back from his knee injury. Schefter says that things can change quickly in training camp and other teams could become interested in Aiyuk, but as of right now, there doesn't seem to be much of a market for the 28-year-old. The longer Aiyuk remains without a team for the 2026 season, the less likely it will be that he emerges as a fantasy football asset in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN.com - Adam Schefter
Pitching Prospect Yunior Tur Getting the Call to the Big Leagues
The Athletics selected the contract of right-handed pitching prospect Yunior Tur from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, according to Jason Burke of Inside the A's. Tur will make his major-league debut to begin the second half of the 2026 season after posting a 4.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 64:26 K:BB in 51 innings pitched across 27 appearances (five starts) at Las Vegas this year. Per MLB Pipeline, he's considered the A's No. 27 prospect. The 26-year-old Cuban right-hander stands at an imposing 6-foot-6 and 208 pounds on the mound and stands out with his power fastball that gets up to the high-90s. The A's could use some arms for their starting rotation after just designating right-hander Aaron Civale, but Tur is not stretched out at all and will most likely serve in a low-leverage bullpen role in Sacramento for as long as he sticks around on the major-league roster. Don't be surprised if Tur's stay with the A's is short, which makes him a pitching prospect to pass on in terms of a waiver-wire investment in pretty much all fantasy leagues.
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Athletics to Promote Prospect Tommy White, a Must-Add in All Leagues?
The Athletics are calling up corner-infield prospect Tommy White from Triple-A Las Vegas, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The former star at LSU and second-round pick in the 2024 draft hit a combined .303/.353/.465 with an .818 OPS, 10 home runs, 64 RBI, 53 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 76 games with Las Vegas and Double-A Midland this year before his promotion. The 23-year-old is expected to make his major-league debut in Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals to kick off the second half for the A's. The A's are a little light on impact corner infielders right now with both Nick Kurtz (thumb) and Zack Gelof (knee) on the injured list during the All-Star break, so White will get his first shot in the bigs to start the second half. Whether the 6-foot, 220-pounder sticks around for an extended period of time into the second half will depend on how he fares offensively. So far as a pro, White has been focused more on making contact than tapping into his raw power from the right side, with low strikeout and walk rates in the minors. White has below-average speed and won't be an asset in steals. For now, only fantasy managers in dynasty and AL-only leagues should be interested in White in what could end up being a short-term stint in the big leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Bez Mbeng is Back in Action on Wednesday
Utah Jazz guard Bez Mbeng (concussion) is back in the starting five ahead of Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Mbeng exited early during Monday's game due to a concussion. He has cleared concussion protocol and is back in action for Wednesday's contest. Through three games in the Summer League, Mbeng is averaging 5.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals across 12.2 minutes per game. The 24-year-old is hopeful to earn a spot as a rotational player this season.
Source: Utah Jazz
Source: Utah Jazz
Keaton Wagler is Resting on Wednesday
Los Angeles Clippers guard Keaton Wagler (rest) won't suit up for Wednesday's Summer League contest against the Washington Wizards. The Clippers will give the rookie guard a break after he started in each of the first three games of the Summer League. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists during Tuesday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been producing early on, as the Clippers are hopeful he can start alongside Darius Garland this season. His next chance to play will come on Friday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Source: Joey Linn
Source: Joey Linn
Hannes Steinbach Registers Double-Double
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Hannes Steinbach put on a show during Wednesday's Summer League contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. He finished with 27 points (13-of-22 FGs), 15 rebounds, and three assists during Wednesday's loss. The Hornets gave Steinbach the keys to the offense, and he delivered during this game. It's only the Summer League, but Steinbach is showing early on that he can be a tremendous asset to the Hornets this season. He could very well force his way into the starting five if he continues to post numbers like these throughout the Summer League. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the big man this upcoming season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mouhamed Gueye to be Sidelined 3-4 Months
Atlanta Hawks center Mouhamed Gueye (foot) will be sidelined for the next 3-4 months. Gueye recently sustained a fractured left foot during a workout. He underwent surgery on Tuesday and is set to be re-evaluated in 3-4 months. This timetable likely means that Gueye won't be ready for the beginning of next season. Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar figure to have larger roles with Gueye sidelined. The 23-year-old only averaged minutes in the teens last season, so his absence won't be a huge hit to the Hawks' rotation.
Source: Atlanta Hawks
Source: Atlanta Hawks
Jonas Valanciunas Signs Overseas
NBA center Jonas Valanciunas won't be playing in the NBA next season. There were rumors that the big man would head to Europe last season. Instead, Valanciunas signed a two-year deal with the Denver Nuggets. He was recently released by the Nuggets and will now head to the EuroLeague. Valanciunas has signed a two-year deal with Zalgiris Kaunas of the European League. Across his 14-year NBA career, Valanciunas averaged 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds with six different organizations. He most recently played with the Nuggets, where he averaged 13.4 minutes per game, which was the fewest of his career. If he doesn't return to the NBA, Valanciunas will likely be remembered most for his six-year run with the Toronto Raptors.
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Will Michael Busch Pick Things Up in the Second Half?
Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch has looked good so far in July, going 11-for-38 (.289) with a home run, three doubles, three RBI, and six runs scored in 10 games played and 44 plate appearances. But after a breakout 2025 campaign in which he hit .261/.343/.523 with an .866 OPS, 34 home runs, and 90 RBI in 155 regular-season games, he has underwhelmed for fantasy managers in the first half of 2026. Busch went into this week's All-Star break with a .239/.368/.395 slash line, a .763 OPS, 11 home runs, 49 RBI, 40 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 95 games across 424 plate appearances. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter's expected batting average of .231 and xwOBA of .345 (wOBA of .342) don't give his fantasy managers much hope for a rebound in the second half. The good news is that Busch's strikeout rate sits at a career-low 22.2%, and he's walking at a career-high rate of 14.9%. However, his quality of contact is lacking, ranking in the 48th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 63rd percentile in barrel rate while sitting in just the 53rd percentile in expected slugging. Busch is still an asset in OBP leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't suddenly expect a power outburst in the second half.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Emmet Sheehan Could be a Second-Half Breakout Candidate
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan finished the first half of the 2026 season with a 4-6 record, 4.81 ERA (4.34 FIP), and 1.24 WHIP with 93 strikeouts and 26 walks in 82 1/3 innings pitched across 17 starts. The home run ball has been a real issue for Sheehan, as he's allowed 15 round-trippers in his 17 starts. However, the 26-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2021 out of Boston College kept the ball in the yard in back-to-back starts against the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks going into the All-Star break this week, giving up only four runs (three earned) on six hits while walking four and striking out 12 in 9 2/3 frames in those two games. Sheehan's strikeout rate of 26.6% is down slightly from his 30.6% mark last year, but he's also sporting a career-low 7.4% walk rate. His expected ERA of 3.88 is almost a run lower than his actual ERA, and he ranks in the 84th percentile in whiff rate and the 91st percentile in chase rate. Sheehan's surface stats don't impress anyone, but fantasy managers may want to consider buying low on him for a second-half push.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Trey Yesavage a Sell Candidate Going into the Second Half?
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage made it to the big leagues quickly after Toronto took him with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of East Carolina University. The 22-year-old made it up to the majors for three regular-season starts before he became a dominant arm during the Blue Jays' run to the World Series last fall. Toronto is being cautious with the young right-hander's workload -- he made just 14 starts and threw 75 innings in the first half -- and he went 4-4 with a 3.72 ERA (4.11 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 69 strikeouts and 39 walks. Yesavage limped into this week's All-Star break, posting a 5.21 ERA (5.73 FIP) with seven home runs allowed, 30 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 38 innings over seven starts. In his final start before the break, he gave up four earned runs with seven walks and just one strikeout in 1 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the San Diego Padres. Yesavage has plenty of long-term upside, but his lack of control (12.5% walk rate) coupled with a lowered strikeout rate (22.2%) should have fantasy managers concerned. It wouldn't hurt to gauge your league's interest in Yesavage at the trade deadline.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
George Pickens Will Officially Play on Francise Tag in 2026
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens will officially play the 2026 season on his $27.3 million franchise tender after the deadline for tagged players to agree on long-term contracts passed on Wednesday, per ESPN. The Cowboys announced before the NFL draft in April that they didn't plan to engage Pickens in long-term extension talks, so this was the expected outcome. The last time Dallas signed a tagged player to an extension was receiver Dez Bryant in 2015. Pickens has signed his tender, which puts him under contract for 2026. Since reaching an extension with Bryant in 2015, quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, tight end Dalton Schultz, running back Tony Pollard, and now Pickens have played on the franchise tag. Pickens, 25, was a first-time Pro Bowler and broke out for a career year in 2025 in his first year in Dallas after they acquired him in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching 93 of 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. He'll be pricey in fantasy drafts going into his second year in Dallas, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 9 fantasy WR for 2026.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Rookie Kahlil Watson Could be a Second-Half Speed Asset
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Kahlil Watson made his major-league debut with the Guards on June 18 and has hit just .221 (17-for-77) with only three walks and 28 strikeouts in his first 23 big-league games. The 23-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2021 by the Miami Marlins has made the most of his .250 on-base percentage, though, thanks to his wheels on the basepaths, stealing eight bases in nine tries. Cleveland's No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, got his first MLB call-up after hitting .255/.370/.491 with an .861 OPS, 12 home runs, 35 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 44 runs scored in 56 games and 254 plate appearances at Triple-A Columbus. Watson packs a small punch at 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds, but the North Carolina native is an elite athlete who has raw power from the left side of the plate. Plate discipline and swing-and-miss will probably continue to be an issue at the major-league level, though, so fantasy managers in dynasty and AL-only leagues should probably only count on stolen bases the rest of the way if he sticks around in the majors. Watson has also struggled against lefties, so don't count on him playing every day. Right now, Watson is only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Isaiah Bond Needs a Big Camp to Keep Dynasty Appeal
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond flashed enough as a rookie to stay on the dynasty radar, but the roster got a lot less forgiving this spring. He turned 44 targets into 18 catches for 338 yards, an 18.8-yard average, without finding the end zone. Cleveland then used the 24th and 39th picks on KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman are still here, too. Bond did help himself during offseason work. He added roughly 15 pounds, looked stronger through contact, and made plays at every level of the field. The Browns praised the progress, though none of it guarantees him a regular role once camp begins. Cleveland also has an unsettled quarterback competition, which does not help a receiver fighting for the back end of the rotation. RotoBaller has Bond 269th overall in its latest dynasty rankings. That is deep-league territory. He is worth tracking through August, not forcing onto ordinary dynasty rosters before the depth chart starts to clear.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Tonges has Short-Term Appeal to Begin 2026 Season
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges gave fantasy managers a useful preview of what he can do when George Kittle is missing. In the six games Kittle sat last season, Tonges caught 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The other 11 games produced five catches for 24 yards. That is about as clean as it gets. San Francisco brought Tonges back on a two-year deal, so he should again handle most of the receiving work if Kittle is not ready. Kittle is targeting Week 1 after tearing his right Achilles in the playoffs, but no return date is locked in. Tonges could have some early streaming value if the recovery stretches into September. Once Kittle is back, though, the role can vanish in a hurry. At 27 and TE38 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, Tonges makes sense for contenders that need Kittle insurance or short-term depth. Rebuilders do not need to chase a player whose value depends almost entirely on someone else's rehab.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Trigg a Deep Dynasty Stash With Roster Risk
Dallas Cowboys tight end Michael Trigg has the receiving profile to draw dynasty interest, but he is still fighting just to make the roster. His final Baylor season was easily his best: 50 catches for 694 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. At the combine, he measured 6-foot-3 3/4, 240 pounds, with 10 1/2-inch hands and an 84 3/8-inch wingspan, the longest among tight ends in the class. That length shows up on contested catches. The rest is less settled. Jake Ferguson is locked in at TE1, while Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford are already battling for the next job. Dallas has also made it clear that special teams and blocking will help decide whether Trigg survives final cuts. A practice-squad outcome remains very possible. RotoBaller ranks him TE43 in dynasty, which fits the uncertainty. He belongs on taxi squads only in deeper formats, not active redraft rosters. The upside is worth tracking, but camp has to come first.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Daniel Lynch IV a High-End Closer to Stash in Royals Bullpen?
Right-handed reliever Alex Lange is the current closer for the Kansas City Royals, but left-hander Daniel Lynch IV could be worth stashing for fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are speculating on saves in the second half. Lynch, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of the University of Virginia, began his MLB career as a starter before transitioning to a full-time relief role in recent seasons. At the All-Star break, the 29-year-old southpaw sits with a 2-2 record, 2.35 ERA (3.15 FIP), 0.94 WHIP, one save, 33 strikeouts, and only 12 walks in 38 1/3 innings pitched across 39 appearances out of the bullpen. Since taking the loss to the Chicago White Sox on June 27, Lynch has thrown 4 1/3 shutout innings with a walk, three strikeouts, and a hold for the Royals in four games in July. Lynch has 10 saves on the season and could be next in line for saves in KC if Lange struggles. Veteran Carlos Estevez (shoulder) has been on the injured list all year after getting hurt in his first outing of the season, and there's no clear timetable for his return. Lynch is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Troy Franklin's Dynasty Value Takes a Hit After Offseason Addition
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin finally gave fantasy managers something to work with in Year 2. Then Denver traded for Jaylen Waddle. Franklin caught 65 of 104 targets for 709 yards and six touchdowns last season, a big jump from his 28-catch rookie year. That growth should not be tossed aside because the depth chart got ugly. Waddle and Courtland Sutton now headline a room that still has Marvin Mims Jr. and Pat Bryant, and Denver has said it does not plan to trade another receiver. A steady weekly role is no longer a given. Franklin's two seasons with Bo Nix at Oregon help, but familiarity will only take him so far when the ball has to be spread around. RotoBaller has him at WR80 in its latest dynasty rankings. That is low enough to hold rather than sell after one rough offseason turn. Redraft is different. Franklin needs camp to break his way before he is more than a late bench flier, but dynasty managers can wait and see what survives from last year's breakout.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
