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Alex Fitzpatrick Continues Proving He Can Compete On The PGA Tour
Alex Fitzpatrick missed the cut at last week's Genesis Scottish Open and will now focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. Prior to the Genesis Scottish Open, Fitzpatrick had rattled off four straight top-25 finishes. So far this season, Fitzpatrick has two wins, 12 top-25 finishes, and two missed cuts in 19 starts. He finished tied for 17th at the Open Championship in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Fitzpatrick ranks in the 89th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because Royal Birkdale is over 7,0000 yards in length.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Bryson DeChambeau Seeks Redemption at Open Championship
Bryson DeChambeau hasn't made the cut in any of the first three majors this year and will focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. So far this season, DeChambeau has two wins and three top-five finishes on the LIV Tour. He finished tied for 10th at last year's Open Championship and will look to improve on that this year. Over the past 12 months, DeChambeau ranks in the 84th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards on the fairway. This matters because Royal Birkdale will play over 7,000 yards.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Ludvig Aberg Needs Bounce-Back After Missed Cut at Genesis Scottish Open
Ludvig Aberg missed the cut at last week's Genesis Scottish Open and will now focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. Aberg has 10 top-25 finishes and two missed cuts in 16 starts this season. He finished tied for 23rd in the 2025 Open Championship and missed the cut in the 2024 edition. Over the past 12 months, Aberg ranks in the 72nd percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth noting because Royal Birkdale plays over 7,000 yards and this could be an important approach distance bucket this week.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Cody Bellinger Named All-Star Game MVP
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger became the fourth Yankees player to be named All-Star Game MVP on Tuesday night in the American League's 4-0 shutout win over the National League, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Bellinger took part in the All-Star Game twice in his first three big-league seasons, but this year was his first Midsummer Classic since 2019. The 31-year-old veteran left-handed slugger had a two-run single in the first inning off Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, and the AL never looked back in the 96th MLB All-Star Game. Bellinger was the first Yankee to win the award since Giancarlo Stanton in 2022. Closer Mariano Rivera (2013) and shortstop Derek Jeter (2000) also won the All-Star Game MVP for the Yankees. He ended the first half of his second season with the Bombers with a .254/.345/.421 slash line, .766 OPS, 11 home runs, 51 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 49 runs scored across 94 games and 403 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Edwin Diaz Throws Clean Inning in Rehab Start on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) had two strikeouts and no hits allowed in a clean inning of work in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Tuesday in his second minor-league rehab outing. Diaz gave up a hit in a scoreless inning for Single-A Ontario to start his rehab assignment on Sunday in his first game action since having surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow back in late April. The hard-throwing right-hander has struck out four batters in two innings so far as he works his way back, an encouraging sign that he could be ready to roll at the back end of L.A.'s bullpen later this month. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican veteran and three-time All-Star allowed seven earned runs on nine hits while walking five and striking out 10 to record four saves in his first six innings pitched in a Dodgers uniform earlier this year before going on the IL, but when he returns from the 60-day IL, he'll once again be manager Dave Roberts' preferred option to close out games, making him a must-stash in all fantasy leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Munetaka Murakami Would Like to Stay With White Sox Long-Term
Chicago White Sox All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami said he's not thinking or talking specifics about contract extensions right now, but he affirmed that he would like to stay with the White Sox long-term, according to James Fegan of Baseball America. Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million deal to come to the States and play for the White Sox, and he was named a first-time All-Star in 2026 despite spending time on the injured list with a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger took the league by storm early on and finished the first half of the season by hitting .232/.371/.540 with a .911 OPS, 20 home runs, 42 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a stolen base across his first 211 at-bats in Chicago. If Murakami continues to slug in the second half, the Pale Hale might want to start extension talks with the Japanese native sooner rather than later. Murakami most likely won't be a batting average asset with an elevated 33.6% strikeout rate, but the power is real, and he's also walking at a 17.8% clip, making himself serviceable in on-base-percentage leagues.
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Willson Contreras Won't Waive his No-Trade Clause
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras said he told the team that he would not be willing to waive his no-trade clause, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Contreras wants to finish his career in Boston and joked that he got out ahead of potential rumors by making his stance clear. The 34-year-old veteran Venezuelan made it to the semifinals of the Home Run Derby on Monday night and is having the best year of his career in 2026 in his first season in Beantown, hitting .285/.379/.542 with a .921 OPS, 20 home runs, 61 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 312 at-bats through the first half of the season. With the Red Sox now having a shot at a wild-card spot in the American League after a strong finish to the first half, and with Contreras saying he won't waive his no-trade clause, he might stick around in Boston beyond the 2026 season. In fantasy leagues, Contreras is a hold at the halfway point with the ninth-best xwOBA (.390) and expected batting average of .274 thanks to a hard-hit rate in the 79th percentile, a barrel rate in the 88th percentile, and an xSLG in the 97th percentile.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Is George Kirby Poised for a Second-Half Breakout?
Across 110 innings (18 starts) in 2026, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby has recorded a 7-8 record with a 3.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts. The 28-year-old's trademark command remains strong, as he owns a 5.3% walk rate on the year. However, Kirby's strikeout rate has dipped to 21.5% after he posted a career-best 26.1% strikeout rate in 2025. Still, Kirby's elevated WHIP and middling ERA are mostly symptoms of poor batted-ball luck. Opposing batters own a .343 batting average on balls in play against Kirby this season, well above his career mark of .310. Kirby's current strikeout rate limits his fantasy ceiling, but he's shown the ability to miss more bats in the past. If Kirby continues to limit home runs (0.90 HR/9) and sees some BABIP regression, he could emerge as a second-half riser.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Javier Sanoja Emerging as a Deep-League Batting Average Asset?
Across 244 plate appearances in 2026, Miami Marlins utility man Javier Sanoja is hitting .272/.313/.404 with three home runs, 34 RBI, 21 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 23-year-old's ability to play both the infield and the outfield makes him a logical candidate for a bench role, but he's emerged as the near-everyday third baseman in Miami in recent weeks. Sanoja's power upside is extremely limited, as he's logged just a 1.4% barrel rate and 31.6% hard-hit rate on the season. However, his batting average ceiling is high due to his excellent 8.6% strikeout rate. In deeper fantasy leagues, Sanoja could be an underrated source of batting average and speed for managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Walbert Urena Remains a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Where Available
After opening 2026 in a relief role, Los Angeles Angels right-hander Walbert Urena was moved into the starting rotation in late April and has emerged as a breakout success story. Across 81 1/3 innings on the year, Urena has recorded a 5-7 record with a 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts. The 22-year-old's WHIP is elevated by his poor command, as he's allowed a 13% walk rate. However, Urena's ability to generate ground balls has helped him work around traffic on the bases. Urena owns a 54.8% ground ball rate and a 0.55 HR/9. While the young right-hander may see some regression in the second half of the season, his production to this point is hard to ignore. In any league where he remains available, Urena profiles as a worthy waiver wire pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Grant Nelson Out for Rest of Summer League
Brooklyn Nets forward Grant Nelson is out for the remainder of Las Vegas Summer League, ClutchPoints' Erik Slater reports. No reason has been given. The Alabama product came to Vegas competing for a training camp invite or a two-way contract, and losing the rest of the schedule costs him evaluation reps he can't get back. Nelson spent last season with the G League's Long Island Nets, averaging 11.0 points and 6.0 rebounds on 55 percent shooting, and got his first NBA minutes on a 10-day deal in February, appearing in four games. That stint ended when patellar tendinitis shut down his season in March. He isn't a fantasy consideration, but a second straight summer without a roster spot would be a setback.
Source: Erik Slater
Source: Erik Slater
Harrison Ingram Becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Ingram is now an unrestricted free agent after the team withdrew his qualifying offer, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac. The former North Carolina standout spent his first two seasons on two-way deals, appearing in just 12 NBA games while producing at a high level for the G League's Austin Spurs. He averaged 16.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 34.0 minutes across 40 NBAGL outings last season, shooting 49.2 percent from the field but only 34.0 percent from three. San Antonio can still bring him back, though Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Maliq Brown, and Emanuel Miller currently occupy the team's three two-way slots. Ingram remains off the standard fantasy radar until he secures a standard NBA contract elsewhere.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Raisel Iglesias Remains a High-End Closer Despite Recent Struggles
Across 32 1/3 innings (31 games) in 2026, Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias has pitched to a 2.23 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 36 strikeouts and 19 saves. Iglesias owns a stellar 22.8% K-BB rate, and he's blown just one save chance on the year. The 36-year-old ran into some trouble in July before the All-Star break, allowing four earned runs across five innings this month. Still, Iglesias does an excellent job of limiting both walks (5.5% walk rate) and home runs (0.56 HR/9). As a result, the veteran right-hander rarely succumbs to a blow-up outing: Iglesias has allowed more than one earned run in just two out of his 31 outings this season. As long as he remains healthy, Iglesias remains a solid bet to turn in high-end RP1 production for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tre Johnson Done for Summer League After One Game
Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson has been shut down for the remainder of Las Vegas Summer League, along with AJ Dybantsa and Will Riley, The Athletic's Josh Robbins reports. Johnson needed only one appearance to make his case, pouring in 26 points on 11-for-20 shooting with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 28 minutes in Thursday's win over the Jazz. The former Texas Longhorn averaged 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 threes in 24.1 minutes as a rookie, though he shot 41.9 percent from the field and faded after the All-Star break amid injuries. His scoring touch was never the issue. Whether Dybantsa's arrival squeezes his role is the question that decides his fantasy value in year two.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
Is Geraldo Perdomo a Second-Half Breakout Candidate?
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo was one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season, hitting .290 with 20 home runs and 27 stolen bases. The 26-year-old has been unable to repeat his success so far in 2026, hitting .241/.354/.356 with six home runs, 34 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases across 391 plate appearances. Perdomo's elite plate approach remains his best feature as a hitter, as he's logged more walks (55) than strikeouts (47). However, Perdomo's barrel rate has dropped to 3.2%, and his hard-hit rate is down to 29.8%. Between his plus defense at shortstop and his ability to get on base, Perdomo remains an everyday staple at the top of the Diamondbacks lineup. As such, his reliable production floor is useful for fantasy managers. Still, managers expecting Perdomo to get back to his 2025 output in the second half of 2026 may be disappointed.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Riley to Sit for Rest of Summer League After Scoring Burst
Washington Wizards guard/forward Will Riley will sit for the rest of Summer League, along with AJ Dybantsa and Tre Johnson, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Riley made a strong closing argument Sunday, posting 32 points, six rebounds, three assists, and six three-pointers in 29 minutes against the Sacramento Kings after scoring 18 against the Utah Jazz in the opener. The 2025 No. 21 pick averaged 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists as a rookie, and his clean shooting in Vegas should help his case for regular-season minutes. His fantasy value still depends on whether Washington gives him enough wing usage to matter.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
Junior Caminero Exits All-Star Game Early After Being Hit by Pitch
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (hand) exited early from the All-Star Game on Tuesday night after being hit on the hand by a pitch from St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Riley O'Brien. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that X-rays on the injury came back negative, so Caminero may have avoided a serious injury. The 23-year-old has been one of the better power hitters in baseball so far this season, hitting .279/.372/.555 with 28 home runs, 59 RBI, 61 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 411 plate appearances. Caminero will likely be dealing with some lingering soreness from the injury, but without any structural damage, he will likely be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
AJ Dybantsa Shut Down for Rest of Summer League
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa has been shut down for the remainder of Las Vegas Summer League, along with second-year wings Will Riley and Tre Johnson, The Athletic's Josh Robbins reports. The move is precautionary rather than injury-related, following the standard script for a healthy No. 1 pick. The BYU product averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in two games, defending well enough to post eight combined steals and blocks. He went 1-for-11 from three, so the jumper stays a question, but the rim pressure and free-throw volume are real. Dybantsa now waits until camp, where he'll compete for touches alongside Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Alexandre Sarr, and Kyshawn George. That's a crowded ladder for a rookie, and the usage split is the thing to watch.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
Ajay Mitchell Reports Progress in Calf Rehab
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (calf) says his rehab is nearly complete, telling ESPN's SportsCenter he's "close to being back to 100 percent." The right calf strain cost the Belgian guard the final four games of the Western Conference Finals, a stretch in which the Thunder dropped three of four and lost Game 7 to the Spurs. Mitchell broke out in his second season, averaging 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 48.5 percent shooting, and his postseason play (seven starts in 11 games) puts him in position to challenge Luguentz Dort for the starting spot next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The catch is availability. Mitchell has appeared in roughly 57 percent of Oklahoma City's games across two years, and he's still not cleared in mid-July.
Source: NBA on ESPN
Source: NBA on ESPN
Isaac Guerendo Likely to Get Lost in the Shuffle
San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo posted some promising games as a rookie, but hasn't done much on the field since then. Guerendo was almost exclusively a special teams player this past season. The 49ers didn't need Guerendo in the backfield with Christian McCaffrey healthy. At this point, Guerendo is likely going to get lost in the shuffle in San Francisco. They have Jordan James, Kaelon Black, and Guerendo all fighting for carries behind the workhorse McCaffrey. The chances of Guerendo actually making an impact next season are slim. The only reason to keep him rostered is on the chance that McCaffrey does get injured. He'd likely still struggle to get carries with James and Black in the mix as well.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Izaiyah Nelson Undergoes Successful Left-Ankle Surgery
Orlando Magic forward/center Izaiyah Nelson (ankle) shared on Instagram that surgery to repair his fracture was successful, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. The Magic announced Monday that Nelson suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday's Summer League win over the Portland Trail Blazers and is expected to resume basketball activities in three to four months. The No. 51 pick signed a two-way deal with Orlando after averaging 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks at South Florida. This setback makes it harder for Nelson to carve out an NBA role right away, so most of his rookie-year development could come in the G League after he is cleared.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Jaylen Warren Remains Underrated Dynasty Piece
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren continues to produce despite his ADP over the last few seasons. Warren has exceeded expectations and doesn't seem to be getting the credit he deserves. This past season, Warren rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and scored six touchdowns on 211 carries. He also hauled in 40 receptions for 333 yards and an additional two scores through the air. That performance landed him the RB16 spot in half-PPR leagues. Given his success, Warren will likely continue to see a similar usage next season. The Steelers did bring in Rico Dowdle to help take the load off Warren on the ground. The 27-year-old should still be a popular target for Aaron Rodgers, so the addition of Dowdle shouldn't threaten Warren's overall value too much. Dynasty managers should feel comfortable sliding in Warren as their RB2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Cole Kmet is Quickly Losing Dynasty Value
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet saw a significant drop in production this past season. Before this past season, Kmet had registered 45-plus receptions and more than 400 receiving yards in each of the last five seasons. In 2025, Kmet finished with 30 receptions for 347 yards and scored two touchdowns in 16 games. The biggest reason for his regression was the emergence of Colston Loveland. The 22-year-old quickly proved to be a top-tier tight end and jumped Kmet on the depth chart. Kmet should remain in the picture going forward, but it'll likely be more years like his 2025 campaign. He's worth holding in dynasty leagues as insurance in case Loveland goes down at some point.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dyami Brown is a Dynasty Drop Candidate
Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown is hopeful to rebound in his reunion with the organization. Brown spent the first four years of his career with the Commanders before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. He failed to make an impression on the Jags with 20 receptions and 227 receiving yards across 14 games. Brown is one-and-done with the Jags and returned to Washington on a one-year deal. The 26-year-old is likely only to fight for targets given the depth the Commanders have at wideout. He's expected to compete for the fourth receiver role with Van Jefferson, Jaylin Lane, and Luke McCaffrey. It's likely going to take a few injuries for Brown to be relevant in Washington again. Dynasty managers can feel comfortable moving on from Brown.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Brooks is an Interesting Dynasty Stash Option
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks saw his value skyrocket over the summer. Normally, Brooks is an afterthought in the Packers' backfield, but he could become a consistent contributor this season. Lead back Josh Jacobs got into some legal trouble, and his status is still unclear at the moment. If Jacobs does get suspended, MarShawn Lloyd and Brooks would be in line for larger roles in the backfield. Brooks didn't see much of the field last season, rushing for 106 yards on 27 carries with Green Bay. He remains the most trustworthy option between the two, with Lloyd only having six carries to his name in two years. If something happens to Jacobs, Brooks could become the starter in the short term. Otherwise, Brooks isn't a bad stash for dynasty managers as Jacobs' handcuff.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
George Kittle Ahead of Schedule, Could be Ready for Training Camp
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is ahead of schedule in his return from a torn Achilles during the playoffs last season, and he could be ready for the start of training camp later this month, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Kittle spent a lot of time on an anti-gravity treadmill at home during the offseason and was doing some light cutting in workouts three weeks ago. "I'm 21 weeks out, and I'm running over 16 miles an hour, so I'm having a great time," Kittle said. "Single-leg box jumps, we're cutting again, we're having some fun." We'll have a better idea of the veteran tight end's availability for the Week 1 season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams once training camp begins, but for now, fantasy managers should view him as an injury-prone, risk/reward, low-end TE1 in fantasy. The 32-year-old former fifth-rounder from the University of Iowa in 2017 played in only 11 regular-season games in 2025 due to injuries and caught 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in his ninth year in the league. Betting on an aging player coming off an Achilles tear usually isn't a smart strategy.
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur
Rookie Braden Montgomery Worth Rostering Going into Second Half?
Chicago White Sox rookie outfielder Braden Montgomery got his MLB career started with a bang, clubbing a walk-off home run to beat the Atlanta Braves on June 9. The 23-year-old switch-hitting outfielder finished the first half strong, too, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a career-best four RBI in Sunday's win over the Athletics, but in between, he left a lot to be desired, and the former first-rounder out of Texas A&M has hit just .231/.302/.394 with a .696 OPS, three home runs, eight doubles, 12 RBI, 15 runs scored, 10 walks, and 24 strikeouts in 29 games and 116 plate appearances. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has a bright future because of his ability to generate elite bat speed that gives him plus-plus raw power at the plate. Montgomery should absolutely be rostered in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but until he improves his plate discipline and quality of contact at the big-league level, he'll be a fringe asset in mixed leagues. He's currently rostered in only 10% of Yahoo leagues and was hitting .216 (8-for-37) with a homer, two doubles, four RBI, four runs, two walks, and six strikeouts in his first 10 games in July.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Does Injury Diminish Kaelen Culpepper's Stash Worthiness?
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (glute) hasn't played in a game since June 30 after dealing with hand and glute injuries, but played well enough in the first half to earn a nomination to the All-Star Futures Game anyway. The Twins' second-ranked prospect slashed .272/.376/.492 with 14 home runs and 15 steals through 63 games at St. Paul, and appeared to be on the verge of a debut in the majors before going down with injuries. The former first-rounder is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hit .289 with 20 home runs and 25 steals in 113 games across two levels, so there is a history of multi-category production with Culpepper. As such, the 23-year-old makes for an appealing stash candidate in most 12-team leagues and deeper, assuming the glute injury doesn't linger into the second half.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Christian Scott a Second-Half Breakout Candidate to Target on Waivers
New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott hasn't provided much length as a starting pitcher in his 12 starts for the Mets through the first half of the season, but other than that, he's looked strong in 2026 in his return from Tommy John surgery. Scott hasn't gone six innings in any of his starts this year, but he's gone 2-1 with a 3.17 ERA (4.10 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 26 walks in 54 innings in his second year in the big leagues. The 27-year-old former fifth-round selection from the University of Florida in 2021 has improved his strikeout rate from 19.8% in his rookie year in 2024 to 27.9% this year, but his 11.2% walk rate isn't ideal. It's also not that big of a surprise for a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery. If Scott can improve his control and command while inevitably increasing his workload, he could quickly become a must-roster starting pitcher in fantasy. Managers in deeper leagues may want to get a head start during the All-Star break after Scott threw five shutout innings with five strikeouts in his final start before the break on July 8 against the Kansas City Royals. He's rostered in only 16% of Yahoo leagues currently.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
A.J. Brown to be a Game-Changer for Patriots Offense?
The New England Patriots traded for Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown because of his ability to change the narrative of the game and dictate the defense's coverage. Veteran Patriots safety Kevin Byard attested to Brown's ability to shape what a defense does on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday. Byard called Brown a "phenomenal athlete, phenomenal talent." The presence of the 29-year-old should give young quarterback Drake Maye better matchups across the board, even if Brown is covered deep down the field. "I mean, that's what A.J. does best. He's gonna run those slants, those quick dig routes, those go balls. I don't think anybody in the league is better than him when it comes to those routes and being able to break a tackle and take it the distance," Byard said. The one-two punch of Brown and Romeo Doubs will give New England a much more formidable air attack in Maye's third season. Brown had his sixth 1,000-yard season in 2025 in his final year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, but he averaged a career-low 12.9 yards per catch. A move to the Pats with a QB like Maye who excels on deep passes should make Brown more interesting as a low-end WR1 in fantasy football in his eighth year in the NFL.
Source: SiriusXM NFL Radio
Source: SiriusXM NFL Radio
