January 29, 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Chimere Dike flashed upside throughout his rookie season. Across 17 games played, the 24-year-old recorded 48 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns on 74 targets. Dike also improved as the season progressed, earning at least five targets in five out of his last seven games of the season and scoring three touchdowns in that stretch. Heading into 2026, Dike figures to be in the mix for a starting role in Tennessee. However, the Titans will also have a new coaching staff in place, and could look to bring in additional talent at the position through both the draft and free agency. Still, Dike showed enough encouraging signs as a rookie that he will likely be in the organization's plans in some capacity. Dike may be a player worth stashing in dynasty leagues coming off a solid rookie campaign in 2025.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell was one of the more surprising breakout players of the 2025 season, recording 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games played. Gainwell emerged as one of the favorite targets of Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, as he hauled in 73 receptions for 486 yards and three scores on 85 targets. Coming off the best season of his career, Gainwell is now set to hit unrestricted free agency. If retained by Pittsburgh, Gainwell would likely remain in a playing time split with Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren. However, the Steelers have moved on from 2025 offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and may bring in a new quarterback for the 2026 season as well. As such, a return to Pittsburgh would not necessarily guarantee Gainwell the same role he enjoyed this past season. Fantasy managers should closely monitor Gainwell's free agency, as his next team will likely play a significant factor in his value going forward.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
Atlanta Falcons veteran quarterback
Kirk Cousins has two years left on his deal, but he's expected to be released in early March after the Falcons restructured his contract so that he'll be owed $68 million if he's on the roster on March 13, according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall. Cousins could be released and re-signed on a less-expensive contract as the Falcons look for insurance at the position behind
Michael Penix Jr. (knee). The 37-year-old QB started the final seven games in 2025 after Penix tore his ACL in Week 11. Cousins ranked 37th in the NFL in EPA per dropback and threw for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in his 10 games (eight starts). Even though new head coach Kevin Stefanski has a previous working relationship with Cousins from their time together with the Vikings in 2019, the feeling is that Atlanta is ready to move on from him this offseason. Penix's recovery this offseason could be the determining factor in whether Atlanta brings Cousins back in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
January 29, 2026
The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that it's clear from new head coach Kevin Stefanski's past that running back
Bijan Robinson can "expect his heavy workload to continue" in 2026. Kendall even thinks that Robinson's workload could increase as he enters his fourth year in the NFL. The 23-year-old led the league in scrimmage yards (2,298) in 2025, putting him firmly in the running for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Robinson has been the only player in the league with more than 1,000 combined rushes and receptions since he was drafted eighth overall in 2023. He finished behind only
Christian McCaffrey and
Jonathan Taylor in half-PPR points last season, carrying the ball 287 times for 1,478 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson added 79 receptions for 820 yards and four more TDs on 103 targets over 17 games. There's an argument to be made for Robinson being the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
January 29, 2026
Not many fantasy football managers would have predicted Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson being a top-12 wideout at the start of the 2025 season. Thanks to injuries to quarterback
Kyler Murray and receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr., Wilson took over as the team's WR1 in the second half of the season and finished with career-highs across the board in catches (78), targets (126), receiving yards (1,006), and touchdowns (seven) in 17 games played. In the first nine games of the year, Wilson had only 22 receptions for 231 yards and one score on 38 targets. In the final eight contests, he soared with 56 catches on 88 targets for 775 yards and six touchdowns in a pass-happy Cardinals offense. Backup QB
Jacoby Brissett peppered Wilson with targets as much as possible, and he scored in each of the final five games. Despite the impressive breakout, Wilson's 2026 fantasy value will be shaky with a giant question mark at QB and under a completely new coaching staff.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Dallas Cowboys tight end
Jake Ferguson didn't have much of a chance in 2024 after quarterback
Dak Prescott's season-ending hamstring injury, finishing his third year in the NFL with 59 catches, 494 yards, and zero touchdowns in 14 starts. Ferguson was able to bounce back in 2025, though, with a career-high 82 receptions on 102 targets for 600 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns in 17 contests. It wasn't all great for the 27-year-old, though, as he didn't go over 20 receiving yards in any of his final four games while also finishing with a career-low 7.3 yards per catch. All in all, it was a successful fourth year in the NFL. Ferguson was the TE7 in half-PPR scoring, and he will be a no-doubt TE1 target in fantasy football drafts this fall as the top pass-catching tight end in the Cowboys' high-scoring offense. Despite receivers
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens seeing their fair share of targets, Ferguson was one of only eight TEs who saw over 100 targets in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Naji Marshall (rest) will not play in his team's matchup with the Hornets this Thursday. Marshall has been carrying a heavy workload with all the injuries around him recently, and he has started 11 straight games, averaging 32.0 minutes and 19.8 points per game. The 28-year-old will get Thursday as a rest day, leaving more work for
P.J. Washington against his former team and for rookie
Cooper Flagg in his return after sitting out Wednesday's game, when Marshall had 18 points in 32 minutes in a loss to the Timberwolves.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Russell Westbrook (foot) was originally questionable for Thursday's game against the 76ers but was downgraded to out on Thursday afternoon. The game is the first half of a back-to-back that finishes Friday in Boston, so Westbrook may be able to get back in action right away on Friday. Without him against the Sixers,
Dennis Schroder,
Keon Ellis, and
Nique Clifford will get more minutes and usage.
Malik Monk (ankle) remains questionable and could also help carry the load if he's able to play through his ankle soreness.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown said his representation is in talks with the team about a new long-term contract extension, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Brown, 25, is eligible for an extension after completing his third year in the NFL in 2025. "I would love to do something and be a part of this team," Brown said. "I don't want to go anywhere else." The 25-year-old finished 11th in the NFL last year with a team-high 1,456 scrimmage yards. He was also sixth among all RBs with 437 receiving yards, and he had his first 1,000-rushing campaign (1,019 yards). Given all of the other financial commitments to key players on the offensive side of the ball in Cincy, and the fact that the Bengals' defense needs a lot of help, it remains to be seen if the Bengals will extend Brown going into the final year of his deal. Regardless of his contract going into the 2026 season, Brown should at least be viewed as a low-end RB1 target as the team's No. 1 backfield option in a high-scoring offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
January 29, 2026
Houston Rockets forwards
Tari Eason (leg, injury management) and
Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle, injury management) will not play in the second game of the team's back-to-back set on Thursday night in Atlanta. Eason had 10 points, six rebounds, three steals, and one block in 25 minutes on Wednesday in a loss to the Spurs, while Finney-Smith played 19 scoreless minutes with two rebounds. Without both forwards and possibly
Alperen Sengun (ankle), who is questionable, there should be plenty of minutes for
Josh Okogie and
Jae'Sean Tate in the frontcourt. Okogie doesn't usually get a lot of usage, but he should have plenty of minutes available on Thursday.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
The San Diego Padres have signed left-handed pitcher
Marco Gonzales to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. If he ends up in the majors, he'll have a $1.5 million salary with an additional $1 million available in the form of performance-based incentives. Gonzales, who turns 34 years old before Opening Day, hasn't pitched since a seven-game stint with the Pirates in 2024. During his brief tenure in Pittsburgh, he amassed a 4.71 FIP across seven starts. His appearances occurred somewhat sporadically, as he dealt with a nagging left forearm strain that ultimately shut him down in August. Gonzales didn't sign a contract in 2025, but it appears that he's fully healthy and ready to make a comeback of sorts. He'll offer the Padres experienced minor league pitching depth behind a veteran-heavy rotation of
Michael King,
Nick Pivetta,
Joe Musgrove,
Randy Vasquez, and
JP Sears.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Heyman
January 29, 2026
The New York Giants are scheduled to meet with Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter to discuss their vacant offensive-coordinator position, according to Peter Schrager of ESPN. Cooter has also interviewed for the offensive-coordinator job with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 41-year-old has been the Colts' OC since 2023, but he hasn't called plays while working under offensive-minded head coach Shane Steichen. Moving to either New York or Philly would allow Cooter to call plays. Under Cooter in 2025, the Colts' offense ranked eighth in points per game and yards per play. He was also the OC for the Detroit Lions from 2015 to 2018. Cooter has previous ties to the Eagles after serving as an offensive consultant in 2021. The Giants were expected to go with Todd Monken as their OC, but he took the job as the next head coach for the Browns.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Peter Schrager
January 29, 2026
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun (ankle) was listed as questionable for his team's road game in Atlanta against the Hawks on Thursday due to a right ankle sprain. Sengun has played in 10 straight games for Houston since missing three games early in January. Over that stretch, the 23-year-old has averaged 20.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 34.1 minutes per game. If he's out on Thursday,
Clint Capela could play more minutes against his former squad, since he would be the team's only traditional big man.
Josh Okogie and
Jae'Sean Tate could get some minutes at center in small lineups, and
Onyeka Okongwu (face) is out for the Hawks, leaving both teams short on big men up front.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired left-handed reliever
Jayvien Sandridge from the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher
Osvaldo Bido was designated for assignment to make space on the Halos' 40-man roster. Sandridge, who was recently DFA'd by New York, made his MLB debut last season but finished his lone appearance with two earned runs over 0.2 innings of work. He fared much better at Triple-A, where he posted a 3.65 FIP, 13.36 K/9, and 4.83 BB/9 across 31.2 frames. Originally drafted by the Orioles in the 32nd round of the 2018 draft, the 26-year-old is now headed to his fifth organization. He has two options remaining, so even if he doesn't make the Angels' bullpen out of spring training, he can offer depth on the 40-man roster.
--Andersen PickardSource: Angels PR
January 29, 2026
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye (shoulder) did not throw the football around during the period of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Maye injured his right (throwing) shoulder in the AFC Championship victory of the Denver Broncos last weekend and was listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated injury report. The Patriots have downplayed the second-year QB's injury and said he should be fine for the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 8. With an extra week off before the big game, the Pats are likely just resting their star signal-caller to make sure that he's closer to full health next week. The North Carolina product was the QB3 in overall fantasy points during the regular season in his first full year as the starter, completing a league-high 72% of his pass attempts for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight picks. He hasn't been nearly as good in his first three career playoff games, though, completing 55.8% of his passes for 533 yards, four TDs, and two interceptions while fumbling six times (three lost).
UPDATE: Maye was officially listed as limited in practice on Thursday.--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Herald - Doug Kyed
January 29, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Zach Cole will have a chance to compete for a starting role in the team's Opening Day lineup, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros have reportedly made it clear they "want to see more" of him, and he "will arrive [at spring training] with every chance to crack the club." Cole slashed .255/.327/.553 across a small sample size (15 games) in the majors as a rookie last year. He struck out at a 38.5% clip, but that number should settle down as he accumulates at-bats. There's a lot to like about his four home runs, .303 xwOBA, and 142 wRC+ during that span. He also flashed upside defensively and is certainly capable of an everyday role in either corner outfield spot. Rome projects that Cole,
Jake Meyers, and
Cam Smith will occupy the Astros' Opening Day outfield from left to right.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chandler Rome
January 29, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Rachaad White had his worst statistical season in 2025, even though
Bucky Irving missed seven games due to injury. White was the RB35 in half-PPR scoring with 132 carries for 572 yards (4.3 yards per tote) and four touchdowns in 17 games played. He added a career-low 40 receptions on 45 targets for 218 yards through the air. White failed to score a receiving TD for the first time in his four NFL seasons. Even with Irving sidelined with injury, White wasn't given a workhorse role, as
Sean Tucker saw plenty of involvement in a committee approach. The 27-year-old just didn't have a big enough role in Tampa's backfield when Irving was healthy, and he voiced his frustration about that at the end of the year. White will almost certainly look to sign elsewhere as a free agent, although a new location won't necessarily guarantee him a lead-back role in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Atlanta Hawks center
Onyeka Okongwu (dental) left Wednesday's win in Boston early with what was called a facial contusion but has now been updated to a dental fracture, which will keep him out of Thursday's game against the Rockets. Okongwu has averaged 16.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 32 minutes per game in his 47 contests this season. It is unclear if this issue will cause him to miss any further time, but for as long as he's out,
Christian Koloko and
Mouhamed Gueye will be in line for expanded playing time at center. Both have streaming and DFS bargain upside, with Gueye showcasing a high ceiling in an expanded role earlier this season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jalen Johnson (calf) was listed as questionable for Thursday night's home game against the Rockets, as his team finishes out a back-to-back. On Wednesday, Johnson had 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists to help Atlanta get a nice road win in Boston against the Celtics, but his is now dealing with left calf tightness. With
Onyeka Okongwu (face) ruled out, the Hawks will be very shorthanded in the frontcourt if Johnson is also out.
Corey Kispert,
Christian Koloko, and
Mouhamed Gueye are likely to play more minutes in that scenario, along with
Asa Newell, who was just recalled from the G League.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams was slightly more productive in his fourth year in the league in 2025 despite the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Williams, the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, set new career highs in catches (65), targets (102), and receiving yards (1,117) while scoring seven times for the second straight season in 17 starts. The 24-year-old only played in six games in his rookie campaign in 2022 as he recovered from an ACL tear, and Detroit struggled to find a role for him in Year 2. But Williams has reached his true potential over the last two years with 1,000-yard seasons, and he could have an even higher ceiling in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's scheme in 2026. Williams finished as a top-12 fantasy wideout in half-PPR scoring and will definitely have WR1 upside again for the Lions in 2026 as a big-play threat all over the field.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. (knee), who had ACL reconstruction on his left knee on Nov. 25, is hoping that he'll be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta-Journal Consitution. "I've been doing great," Penix said. "Each and every day, just trying to get better. I feel like my confidence has been building." The 25-year-old signal-caller was given a nine- to 12-month timetable at the time of his surgery, the third ACL surgery of his career. There's optimism right now from Penix and the Falcons, but Penix's availability for the start of next season is still very much up in the air. It sounds like new head coach Kevin Stefanski is fully committed to Penix as the team's starter going forward, but his lengthy injury history -- he also suffered two season-ending shoulder injuries in college -- makes him an extremely volatile dynasty asset in fantasy football. In his 14 games (12 starts) in his first two NFL seasons, Penix has completed only 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards with 12 TDs and six interceptions.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 29, 2026
Houston Astros corner infielder
Isaac Paredes may not appear in the Opening Day lineup if he ends up in a platoon role with
Christian Walker. "Walker and Paredes seem primed to begin the season [at first base] as a $29 million timeshare," writes Chandler Rome of The Athletic. There has been plenty of buzz about a potential Paredes trade, but as spring training approaches, he remains on the Astros' roster. The vast majority of his MLB experience comes at the hot corner (including all 89 of his defensive appearances last year), but he's starting to be viewed as more of a first baseman or designated hitter after the Astros re-acquired
Carlos Correa last summer. While Paredes finished the 2025 campaign with -3 OAA and -2 FRV at third base, he was markedly better with the bat in his hands. He slashed .254/.352/.458 with 20 homers, 53 RBI, and 128 wRC+ to go along with his 11.4% walk rate and 17.4% strikeout rate. Paredes currently ranks 14th among third basemen in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings, but a trade or reshuffling of the Astros' lineup could drastically impact his stock.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chandler Rome
January 29, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown voiced his frustration with his involvement in a lackluster offense throughout the 2025 campaign. The 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler went quiet for long stretches, but he still finished with a team-high 121 targets and caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. Brown has scored exactly seven times in each of the last three years. Despite all the drama between Brown, quarterback
Jalen Hurts, and head coach Nick Sirianni, he still finished as the WR12 in half-PPR scoring and averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game. He has gone over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four seasons in Philly and in six of his seven NFL seasons. Brown should remain in the WR1 conversation in fantasy going into 2026, but he's becoming more volatile, and he could be traded this offseason. The three-time Pro Bowler had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) said on Thursday that he doesn't need surgery on his knee this offseason, according to Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. Kincaid missed time in 2025 with knee and hamstring issues, which limited him to a career-low 12 games played during the regular season. It was a disappointing year for the 26-year-old, although he did have a career-high five touchdown catches. Kincaid had a career-low 39 receptions on 49 targets for 571 yards during the regular season to finish as the TE18 in half-PPR scoring. The disappointing campaign makes more sense after it was announced that the former 25th overall pick in 2023 out of Utah played most of the year with a PCL tear, which was the same injury he suffered in November of 2024. Concerns about Kincaid's long-term durability will keep his fantasy price low in 2026, but if he can put together a fully healthy season, he could easily wind up as Buffalo's leading receiver as one of quarterback
Josh Allen's favorite targets.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Buffalo News - Jay Skurski
January 29, 2026
Updating a previous report, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) confirmed on Thursday at a press conference that he had surgery on a broken bone (fifth metatarsal) in his right foot, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. Doctors took out his broken bone and cleaned it up. Allen suffered the injury to his foot in the Week 16 win over the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 21, but he didn't miss any time after that, although he did acknowledge that it wasn't ideal and was painful during the week. The 29-year-old former MVP was on crutches and wearing a walking boot on Thursday, but he's expected to be healed up in time for organized team activities this spring. Allen surely wasn't 100% the rest of the way, but he still ran the ball 23 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns in two postseason games. Despite having offseason foot surgery, Allen should still be considered the top fantasy QB going into his ninth NFL season in 2026.
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Allen was given a recovery timeline of eight to 10 weeks.--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
January 29, 2026
Baltimore Orioles corner infielder
Coby Mayo was optioned to Triple-A last season, and he publicly expressed his frustration by describing the demotion as a lose-lose situation. He's still not a lock to make the Opening Day roster in 2026, as Roch Kubatko of MASN writes that "optioning Mayo is one solution." He also notes that the Orioles could put Mayo on their 26-man roster if they don't carry a utility infielder. Additionally, while Kubatko didn't mention it, we can't rule out a potential Mayo trade, especially if he and the organization don't have the same vision for his role. For now, though, he's an Oriole and will use spring training as an opportunity to make the big-league club. He slashed .217/.299/.388 through 85 MLB games last season, contributing 95 wRC+ and 11 home runs with a 9.2% walk rate and 28.6% strikeout rate. Although he came up as a third baseman, he spent most of his innings last year at first base, where he tallied -2 OAA and -2 FRV.
--Andersen PickardSource: Roch Kubatko
January 29, 2026
New York Giants wide receiver
Wan'Dale Robinson made a statement in 2025 in his contract year with the G-Men, catching 92 of his 140 targets for a career-high 1,014 receiving yards and a career-high four touchdowns in 16 games played. Robinson was especially valuable for fantasy managers in PPR formats, with his 92 receptions ranking seventh among all wideouts. After a previous career high of 699 receiving yards in 2024, the 25-year-old finished as the WR16 in overall half-PPR points. It certainly helped that WR1
Malik Nabers (knee) suffered a season-ending torn ACL early in the year, but then again, Robinson also had 93 catches and 140 targets in 2024. Robinson finished the year on Injured Reserve due to fractured ribs, but he should be fully healthy in 2026 as he enters free agency for the first time. Staying in New York will probably be the most favorable outcome for his 2026 fantasy value, but even so, his 2025 breakout may very well be Robinson's ceiling.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Even with Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud struggling for the second straight year in 2025, wide receiver
Nico Collins managed a third straight 1,000-yard season in his fifth year in the NFL. Collins caught 71 of a career-high 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season games to finish as the WR9 in half-PPR scoring. His season finished on a sour note, though, as he was unable to play in the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots due to a concussion that he suffered in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. The 26-year-old pass-catcher ranked 15th among all WRs with his 120 targets, and his 12.7 half-PPR points per game were 10th in the league. Collins could see more competition for targets from young wideouts
Jayden Higgins and
Jaylin Noel in 2026, but he should still be Stroud's unquestioned top target in the passing game.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown has been a workhorse for the team the last two seasons, combining for 461 rushing attempts for 2,009 yards and 13 touchdowns while also catching 123 of his 153 targets for 797 yards and nine more trips to the end zone in 33 regular-season games. In a quick-strike offense led by quarterback
Joe Burrow and with one of the top receiver duos in the league in
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins, it makes Brown extremely attractive in fantasy football. The 25-year-old produced his first 1,000-yard season in 2025, going for 1,019 yards and six TDs on a career-high 232 carries over 17 games to finish as a top-10 fantasy RB in half-PPR scoring. Brown has totaled 11 touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in each of the last two years. He'll be locked into the RB1 role again in Cincy in 2026 in the final year of his contract, giving him clear RB1 upside in fantasy football.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
MASN Sports' Roch Kubatko thinks that Baltimore Orioles catcher
Adley Rutschman could be used some at designated hitter while
Samuel Basallo catches. Basallo is one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball, so if he plays up to his potential, the O's will be forced to get creative to keep his bat in the lineup. Rutschman, a switch-hitting backstop, only played in 90 games in 2025 due to injuries to both of his obliques. The former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oregon State hit a disappointing .220/.307/.366 with nine home runs, 29 RBI, and 37 runs scored in his 322 at-bats. He also had a career-worst .673 OPS and 91 wRC+. When healthy, Rutschman will be an everyday player for Baltimore who has excellent plate discipline and rarely strikes out. However, his fantasy stock has plummeted going into 2026, especially with the team already heavily committed to Basallo after signing him to an extension last August. Rutschman is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 14 fantasy catcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
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