RADIO
Omarion Hampton Set Up for Year 2 Breakout
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton enters Year 2 with a setup that looks a lot friendlier than the one he had as a rookie. Hampton was limited to nine games by ankle injuries in 2025, but still rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns while catching 32 passes for 192 yards and another score. Mike McDaniel is now running the offense, and Hampton spent camp looking like a natural fit. He was one of the standouts in the joint practice with San Francisco, running through defenders and earning praise from Justin Herbert. The line is not completely worry-free after Tyler Biadasz suffered a season-ending ACL injury, but Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both back in the starting group after missing major time last year. Hampton also sits first on the depth chart ahead of Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal. RotoBaller has pushed him all the way to RB6 and No. 11 overall in its Sept. 2 half-PPR rankings. If he stays healthy, the breakout case is getting harder to ignore.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Hurts Admits he Grew Apart From Former Receiver
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts admitted in an interview with GQ magazine that he grew apart from former wide receiver A.J. Brown before the Eagles traded him to the New England Patriots in the offseason, according to ESPN. "Nothing happened, people just grow apart," Brown told NBC Sports' Maria Taylor in June. "Nothing happened between me and him, or our families, wives, anything. Nothing like that ever happened. Life happens, and you just look up sometimes and you just, you find yourself drifting away, and that's fine. And I think both parties accepted that." Brown told reporters last month, when the Eagles and Patriots took part in joint practices, that he and Hurts had not spoken since Brown was traded. Hurts and Brown's relationship goes back a ways, with the two growing so tight that Hurts became godfather to Brown's daughter, Jersee. Hurts was a factor in Brown's frustrations near the end of his tenure in Philly, based in part on Brown not being targeted as much as he felt he should be. "I've got a lot of love for him and always have," Hurts said. Hurts and the Eagles' offense are looking to bounce back in 2026 under a new offensive coordinator, while Brown could rebound as a true WR1 in fantasy with his move to New England.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
TJ Rumfield Remains an Excellent Source of Batting Average
After winning an MLB job in Spring Training, Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield has been a revelation this season. Across 552 plate appearances, the 26-year-old is hitting .291/.384/.442 with 14 home runs, 64 RBI, and 57 runs scored. Rumfield does not profile as a typical corner infield power bat, as he's posted just a 4.7% barrel rate and a 28.1% hard-hit rate. However, he owns an elite plate approach, logging an 11.6% walk rate while striking out in just 13.9% of his plate appearances. Rumfield is also in the middle of a hot stretch, as he's riding an eight-game hitting streak entering play on Thursday. While Rumfield's production at the plate is obviously boosted by his hitter-friendly home environment in Colorado, he's also hit .290 away from Coors Field this season. For fantasy managers in need of batting average and solid run production, Rumfield carries clear waiver-wire appeal.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justice Hill's Handcuff Value Gets a Boost
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill enters Week 1 with a much cleaner path behind Derrick Henry. Rookie Adam Randall was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return during final cuts, leaving Hill and Rasheen Ali as the only other active backs on the initial 53-man roster. Baltimore's own roster breakdown called Hill a prized backup and identified Ali as the No. 3 back. That is a meaningful change after RotoBaller questioned earlier in August whether Randall could eventually become the better two-down handcuff. Hill was limited to 10 games last season by toe and neck injuries, finishing with 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries while adding 21 catches for 169 yards and another score. He still profiles better as a passing-down option than a direct replacement for Henry's massive early-down workload, and Ali could absorb some carries if Henry misses time. For now, though, the depth chart is cleaner. With Randall unavailable for at least four games, Hill opens the year with a stronger claim to Baltimore's No. 2 role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jackson Jobe Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire?
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe had his 2026 season debut delayed four-plus months as he worked his way back from elbow surgery. However, the 24-year-old returned to the big-league mound in early August and has now recorded a 1-2 record with a 4.67 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts across 23 1/3 innings (five starts). Once considered one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, Jobe hasn't quite figured out how to put all the pieces together against MLB competition so far. Still, he's averaging 97.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has generated a 51.4% ground ball rate this season, which is a decent starting point for improved numbers. Jobe also dominated minor league competition during his rehab outings this year, recording a 1.76 ERA and a 26.2% strikeout rate across 15 1/3 innings. Even amidst his early struggles this year, Jobe could still be worth targeting on the waiver wire in deeper leagues for his upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
A.J. Brown's WR1 Ceiling Is Back in Play
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown has looked comfortable in his new offense from the start. Brown still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games with Philadelphia last season, but his move to New England gave him a chance to pair with Drake Maye after a frustrating year in the Eagles' passing game. That connection showed up throughout camp. Brown beat Christian Gonzalez on a double move for a long touchdown on July 31, then got behind the defense again for another would-be score on Aug. 17. Two days later, he was one of New England's standouts during a joint practice with Philadelphia as Maye kept finding him downfield. The Patriots rested Brown in all three preseason games, so there was no reason to risk the new No. 1 receiver in exhibition action. RotoBaller has him at WR9 in its latest half-PPR rankings. Brown was already a proven fantasy option, but a strong first summer with Maye has pushed his WR1 ceiling back into focus.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zack Gelof Emerging as a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target
Across 343 plate appearances in 2026, Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof is hitting .256/.324/.453 with 15 home runs, 39 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 26-year-old has had his season disrupted by two separate stints on the injured list due to hand and knee injuries. However, when healthy, Gelof has been highly productive. After posting a 45.5% strikeout rate across 101 plate appearances in 2025, Gelof has lowered his strikeout rate to a much more manageable 25.4% in 2026. He's also shown the ability to play second base, third base, and all three outfield spots, which helps keep him in the A's lineup every day and provides valuable multi-positional eligibility for fantasy managers. Gelof's barrel and hard-hit rates have come down a bit this year as he focuses on making more contact, but his hitter-friendly home environment in Sacramento helps prop up his power numbers. In any league where he's not already rostered, Gelof should be a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Konnor Griffin Says He's Ready to Return on Friday
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) has declared himself ready to return on Friday, when he is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list after missing nearly two months with a torn sagittal band on the ring finger of his left hand, according to Kevin Gorman of Pittsburgh Tribune-Live. Griffin should be back in the team's starting lineup for the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels at PNC Park on Friday, and fantasy managers still playing for something should throw him back into their starting lineups as a potential difference-maker down the stretch. The 20-year-old former ninth overall pick in 2024 was just starting to find his stride offensively before his finger injury, and he has held his own in his first 225 big-league at-bats this year, hitting .276/.332/.404 with a .736 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 35 runs scored. Griffin brings as much power/speed upside as you can find at a premier position in fantasy, and he is only rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues at the moment. With Griffin on the verge of a return, Jacob Gonzalez could be shifted to the hot corner in Pittsburgh to close out the 2026 season.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Live - Kevin Gorman
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Live - Kevin Gorman
Kaelen Culpepper a High-End Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Hot Start
Across 88 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on August 7, Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper is hitting .300/.352/.463 with three home runs, nine RBI, and 12 runs scored. The 23-year-old is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the Twins system, and he's taken over as the team's everyday shortstop since his promotion. Culpepper has now hit safely eight out of his last 10 games played, and he's hitting .316 overall in that span. Culpepper was having a massive year at Triple-A before getting called up, slashing .271/.367/.478 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases across 343 plate appearances. While his power and speed have lagged behind a bit so far in the big leagues, Culpepper carries five-category potential and should be a waiver wire target for fantasy managers in any league where he's not already rostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pierre Engvall Good to Go for 2026-27
New York Islanders left wing Pierre Engvall (ankle) is at 100 percent ahead of the new NHL campaign, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. The Swedish forward missed the entire 2025-26 season due to hip and ankle issues. Even with him now available, Engvall's future with the Islanders looks uncertain. He hasn't lived up to his seven-year, $21 million contract and spent part of the 2024-25 season in the AHL after being waived. With a healthy lineup, it's hard to see where he would fit.
Source: Stefen Rosner
Source: Stefen Rosner
James Cook III Set For More Passing Work To Reduce Rushing Workload
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III led the league last year in rushing with 1,621 rushing yards on 309 carries, but look for him this season to be more involved in the passing game and be more explosive overall. According to a Sports Illustrated article, Bills offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael hinted that Cook was heavily involved in the run game last season and could see a reduction to his workload as a result of increased passing work. That's good news for Cook's health and a boost to fantasy managers with a big season upcoming due to potential big plays in the passing game with Josh Allen running the offense under new coach Joe Brady. Cook looks locked and loaded as a first round pick and this only increases his value. Last year, Cook had 33 catches for 291 yards and two receiving TDs. Look for those numbers to skyrocket this season if he stays healthy.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Kyle Palmieri Looking "Great" Ahead of Training Camp
New York Islanders right wing Kyle Palmieri (knee) has fully recovered from a right ACL tear, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. "Kyle Palmieri's been skating all summer. He's been here all summer," Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. "He looks great, fully healthy." Palmieri injured his right knee in late November and played only 25 times in 2025-26. He tallied six goals and 12 assists. It remains to be seen how the injury affects Palmieri's performance. Before tearing his ACL, the veteran forward didn't miss a single game in back-to-back seasons, posting over 100 points.
Source: Stefen Rosner
Source: Stefen Rosner
Pat Bryant Turning Heads During Broncos Training Camp
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant has had an impressive training camp and should be moving up fantasy draft boards as a result. According to Jon Heath of Broncos Wire of USA Today, Bryant has been "praised by coaches and teammates all summer." Heath goes on to quote safety Talanoa Hufanga as the latest to chime in on Bryant's excellent camp who said Bryant was the most improved offensive player on the team. "Pat Bryant is a guy that came in -- believe it or not, was a guy who was more of a role player last year and doing what he was asked. He was still learning Sean [Payton]'s scheme at the time...What he's done this camp, he's really solidifying himself and making a name for himself in this league." Look for Bryant to carve out a role on a deep Broncos receiving core with Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, and Marvin Mims listed as the top three receivers. The Broncos Wire article says Bryant could emerge as the No. 3 with Mims having more of a special teams role.
Source: Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Source: Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Semyon Varlamov Ready for Comeback Campaign
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (knee) is healthy and ready for training camp, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. Varlamov has undergone two knee procedures and hasn't played since Nov. 29, 2024. "He's doing great, actually. It's almost a miracle," Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. "Well, it's not a miracle because he's really put in the work. He's been back here for at least a month. He's on the ice four to five times a week, no medication, no pain, anything like that." Throughout his 18-year career, Varlamov has been a solid netminder. He will compete with Vitek Vanecek for playing opportunities in 2026-27, with Ilya Sorokin firmly holding the starting role on Long Island.
Source: Stefen Rosner
Source: Stefen Rosner
NCAA Finds Cincinnati Not At Fault In Brendan Sorsby Betting Probe
The NCAA did not find the University of Cincinnati guilty of any wrongdoing in its probe of the program over former quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Sorsby played quarterback for the Bearcats from 2024 to 2025 and transferred to Texas Tech in the portal this offseason before this betting scandal broke. The NCAA found that Sorsby placed thousands of impermissible sports bets totaling at least $90,000 over the past four years at both Indiana and Cincinnati and ruled him permanently ineligible. Cincinnati is relieved not to be associated with or found guilty of any part of the Sorsby betting scandal; however, it has a pending federal lawsuit against the quarterback, accusing him of breaching his name, image, and likeness contract. Sorsby is currently preparing for the 2027 draft.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
