RADIO
Isaiah Likely Becoming a Safety Valve in Giants Offense
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely was one of the team's most active pass catchers on Saturday, hauling in six of his nine targets during competitive sessions, and The Athletic's Dan Duggan sees his place taking shape in a new-look Giants offense. After leading the team and nearly doubling the next closest player with 131 targets in 2025, receiver Wan'Dale Robinson departed for Tennessee in free agency, and Duggan believes Likely will inherit that underneath safety valve role for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. After sharing a depth chart with three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews for four seasons in Baltimore, Likely followed head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, signing a three-year, $40 million deal. Harbaugh has sung Likely's praises for years, and with him finally getting an opportunity to serve as his team's primary tight end, with heavy volume potentially coming his way, RotoBaller's TE14 is a breakout candidate to target in the later rounds of drafts.
Source: Dan Duggan
Source: Dan Duggan
Devin White Signs with Lions
The Detroit Lions have signed former All-Pro linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal, as reported by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. The fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, White was one of the league's most promising young linebackers in his early years for the Buccaneers before his career hit a lull in his final seasons in Tampa and over a forgettable 2024 campaign with the Texans, but he was able to turn things around in a major way with the Raiders in 2025. Appearing in all 17 games, White's 174 tackles were the third most in the league, and he added 11 tackles-for-loss and an interception. In Detroit, he could immediately slot in beside 2025 first-team All-Pro Jack Campbell to form one of the most formidable tackling duos in the league.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Keaton Mitchell Projected to Win the Chargers' RB2 Job
The Los Angeles Chargers are projected to have one of the most improved offensive units for 2026, and a player the coaching staff is reportedly high on is running back Keaton Mitchell, who joined the team on a two-year deal and is battling with third-year player Kimani Vidal for the primary backup role behind 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Appearing on The Athletic Football Show, Chargers beat reporter Daniel Popper expressed a belief that Mitchell has the edge over Vidal, who led the team in rushing attempts and yards with Hampton sidelined for much of his 2025 rookie season. Mitchell offers explosiveness and an ability to stress the edges of a defense, and he could see work in a change-of-pace capacity throughout the year. At only 5'8" and 191 pounds, however, he's unlikely to hold anything close to an every-down role should Hampton again be forced to miss time, with Vidal the more likely option to step in at that point. At RotoBaller's RB42, Mitchell should hold enough standalone value to make him a worthy selection in the late rounds of 2026 drafts, while Vidal factors more as an in-season waiver add as RotoBaller's RB74.
Source: The Athletic Football Show
Source: The Athletic Football Show
Bo Nix Not Afraid to Run on Surgically Repaired Ankle
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is just over seven months removed from the initial surgery to repair the fractured right ankle he injured in his team's postseason victory over the Bills, with a follow-up procedure coming as recently as April. Still, he will not hesitate to scramble when needed. In speaking with the media on Saturday, he expressed confidence in the ankle, saying, "I'm going to roll [out]. I'm going to be as athletic as I can be. ... It's a strength of ours and so we've got to use our strengths. For me, that's when I feel at my best, that's when I feel free. When I'm playing like that, when I'm moving around, it's a good thing." Nix has run for 786 yards and nine touchdowns across his first two seasons, with his rushing production providing a safe weekly floor for fantasy while also opening up downfield opportunities for the Broncos offense. With Jaylen Waddle joining the team in 2026, Nix now has the strongest group of pass catchers of his young career, and if his rushing ability is truly unhampered by the ankle injury, he should be seen as a strong bet to outperform his current ADP of QB15.
Source: Jeff Legwold
Source: Jeff Legwold
Josh Downs a Favorite Target on Saturday
In what was a productive day for the Indianapolis Colts offense on Saturday, wide receiver Josh Downs stood out as a favorite target for quarterback Daniel Jones. Downs caught four passes and a touchdown during competitive 11-on-11 work, and was consistently open while running crisp routes and standing out from the rest of the receiver group, according to beat reporter Andrew Moore. With Alec Pierce still not practicing after undergoing offseason ankle surgery, Downs ran with Ashton Dulin and Laquon Treadwell in three-receiver sets, and as the only true lock from that trio to see regular work on game days, the fourth-year veteran took advantage of the opportunity to further develop his chemistry with Jones. The early days of camp indicate that Downs will see an expanded role in 2026, making him one of the better potential values in the middle rounds of drafts, and he is RotoBaller's WR42.
Source: Andrew Moore
Source: Andrew Moore
Trey McBride Has High Hopes for Cardinals Offense
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride had high praise for the playmakers on the Cardinals' offense and said this is the year they break out. "We have so many playmakers on this offense with Marvin (Harrison Jr.), with (Michael Wilson), with me, with Jeremiyah (Love), with all these guys." "We're about to break out. This is the year it happens. Our talent is very underrated. Our offensive skill is one of the best in the NFL." McBride is entering Year 4 with Arizona and his first season under new head coach Mike LaFleur. The bad news is that LaFleur's offenses haven't favored tight ends in the past, with only one tight end totaling over 500 yards receiving in LaFleur's five years as an offensive coordinator. McBride is coming off a remarkable season, totaling over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns on an NFL-record 126 receptions. McBride will need to overcome LaFleur's history with tight ends, as he should go off the board as a top two tight end in fantasy this season.
Source: Douglas Santo - Arizona Sports
Source: Douglas Santo - Arizona Sports
Kyle Pitts Sr. Missing Valuable Reps as Falcons' Quarterbacks Sit Out Team Drills
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. is missing crucial practice time because both quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa (back) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee), are not participating in team drills this week. With both quarterbacks absent from team drills and new head coach Kevin Stefanski implementing a new offensive system, Pitts and the entire offense could face challenges if Tagovailoa and Penix are unable to get the necessary reps in camp. Despite a breakout 2025 season, Pitts struggled with Penix under center, totaling only 38 receptions for 375 yards and one touchdown in 10 games. While Stefanski's offense has favored tight ends like David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr., crowded competition in Atlanta with Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Zachariah Branch, and Bijan Robinson could make Pitts an avoid in fantasy this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Pittman Jr. to Do Wonders for Steelers Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. enters the 2026 season in a new offense, but receiver D.K. Metcalf has high hopes for the former Colts wideout. Metcalf said of Pittman, "The type of experience in the league who's been successful in another franchise comes over here, I think it's going to do wonders for our offense." In six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittman had 485 receptions for 5254 yards and 25 touchdowns in 95 games, despite poor quarterback play for most of his career with the team. Now he gets to play with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pittman is currently ranked WR41 in RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings, but if he can adjust to head coach Mike McCarthy's system, he could have a career year in Pittsburgh.
Source: Aaron Becker - Yahoo
Source: Aaron Becker - Yahoo
Deebo Samuel Sr. to Play All Over the Field in 2026
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will play all over the field in 2026, according to general manager John Lynch. When asked about Samuel's role for 2026, Lynch said, "You're going to see him in the return game, you're going to see him some at receiver, you're going to see him some at running back. We're going to use him all over the field, and we're really excited to have Deebo back." Samuel signed a one-year, $7 million deal to return to San Francisco, where he spent the first six seasons of his career, totaling nearly 6,000 scrimmage yards and 42 touchdowns in 81 games with the team. With young receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) done for the season after electing to undergo surgery to repair his PCL, Samuel steps into a potential WR2 role behind Mike Evans. While Samuel is now 30 years old and has been trending downward in his career, he can still be a factor in fantasy and should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
Source: Matt Barrows - NY Times
Source: Matt Barrows - NY Times
Parker Washington to Play in 11, 12, and 13 Personnel in 2026?
Speaking to 1010XL, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington said he's going to play in three-WR sets, 12 personnel, and 13 personnel in the 2026 season. When asked whether he is worried 2-TE sets will take away from the wide receivers' workload, he stated, "For me, 12 personnel is good, even 13 [personnel]." He also said, "Liam [Coen] told me to be ready to play all positions and to stay ready." Washington has been heavily praised during the first week of training camp, with head coach Liam Coen saying, "Like we can't coach them always to be special when the ball's in their hands. And that's something Parker has." In the last four games last season, Washington hauled in 26 of 41 targets for 454 yards and three touchdowns, including a monster performance in the Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills. Ranked WR32 in RotoBaller's rankings, Washington is a breakout candidate to watch in 2026.
Source: 1010XL
Source: 1010XL
Sean Payton Praises Jaylen Waddle, Plans to Use Him All Across the Field
In an interview with NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund and Steve Wyche, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered high praise for newly acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Payton said, "he's an elite competitor," and "he's a guy that can play in the slot, he can play outside, and he can separate with both his speed and agility." Earlier this week, Payton said Waddle is the kind of player who "walks on water" and that "there's a clear vision for him." The former Dolphins receiver was traded to Denver this offseason and has been making a ton of noise during training camp. With high praise from his head coach, Waddle could be in line for a great season in Denver, similar to how receivers like George Pickens and Davante Adams did after changing teams in 2025.
Source: NFL Network
Source: NFL Network
Kyler Murray Outplays J.J. McCarthy on Saturday
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy saw its first clear, decisive win during the first four days of camp. The veteran who signed from the Arizona Cardinals had a great day, hitting star wide receiver Justin Jefferson several times and rarely seeing the ball hit the ground during practice. While McCarthy has played well during the first three days of camp, he was shaky on Saturday. While Murray missed most of the 2025 season with a foot injury, McCarthy struggled mightily, throwing 17 interceptions in 10 games. Murray likely holds the edge in this quarterback battle, but the young quarterback should have ample opportunities to win the starting job in Minnesota.
Source: Will Ragatz - BMTN
Source: Will Ragatz - BMTN
Matthew Bergeron Agrees to Extension with Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons and left guard Matthew Bergeron agreed to a four-year, $96 million extension, with $60 million guaranteed. The deal ties Dallas Cowboys right guard Tyler Smith for the highest contract value at the guard position in the NFL. Bergeron has been a full-time starter since being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, starting 49 games over his first three seasons. He allowed one sack last season and has been a key part of the Falcons' solid offensive line alongside Jake Matthews and Chris Lindstrom. After extending both Drake London and Bergeron, the Falcons will look to lock up running back Bijan Robinson to a well-deserved contract extension next.
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Will Levis Believes He's 100% a Starting Quarterback in the NFL
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis said on Saturday that he's "100 percent" a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL. "There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me. I know I've put the tape out there already that I'm a dang good quarterback in this league." After a disastrous 2024 season, in which he had 18 turnovers in 12 games, Levis missed the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury. The former second-round pick is currently battling former starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky for the backup role behind Cam Ward. If Levis loses this battle, a trade could be in the works for a player who believes he can compete with the best in the world at quarterback.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Tre Tucker Operating Mostly on the Outside at Training Camp
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker is spending most of his reps on the outside at training camp. With new head coach Klint Kubiak in town and his prior rapport with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL in fantasy points scored from the outside (17.3), Tucker could have a ton of success in this new system. Kubiak said in March that "One guy that sticks out is watching [Tucker] play football. He's kind of everything that we're about." Tucker scored 90% of his fantasy points from the outside in 2025 and totaled 747 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games last season. With potential upgrades at quarterback, including rookie Fernando Mendoza, Tucker could become a real fantasy starter in 2026.
Source: Adam Hill - Las Vegas Review Journal
Source: Adam Hill - Las Vegas Review Journal
