RADIO
Tyjae Spears Maintains Valuable Role in Week 1
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears had three carries for 12 yards and two receptions on four targets for 12 yards in the 23-10 loss to the New York Jets. The Titans' offense was unproductive in Week 1, totaling 208 yards and ranking last in the NFL through Week 1. The good news for Spears was that the split was nearly 50/50 with Tony Pollard. Spears cut into Pollard's early-down work while keeping his pass-down role, but with this offense not clicking against the Jets, it's difficult to envision both backs consistently producing. They face the Philadelphia Eagles next week, but with their current committee, Spears only has value as a handcuff or PPR option in deep leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Coker a Must-Add After Week 1
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker hauled in eight of nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears. While trailing for most of this game, the Panthers' passing offense was on center stage in Week 1, and Coker led the way. He played 57 of 61 snaps (93%) and had nine targets, the most among skill players. Despite talk of second-year receiver Tetairoa McMillan playing more in the slot, Coker was used there more often, playing 40% of snaps in the slot compared to McMillan's 21%. Over his last seven outings, he's had 36 receptions for 516 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 15 half-PPR fantasy points per game. As one of Carolina's top weapons, Coker is a must-add after Week 1 and could be a mid-WR3 option moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Sees Valuable Short-Yardage Role in Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. opened his 2026 season with six carries for 23 yards in the team's dominant 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Rodriguez did not produce fantasy-relevant numbers in Week 1 but remained a key part of the Jaguars' backfield alongside Bhayshul Tuten. He played 23 of 50 snaps (46%), including most of the short-yardage snaps, and took the only goal-line snap of the game. Given how effective the Jaguars' offense under Liam Coen looked, the team should have plenty of opportunities for red zone and goal-line looks this season. He faces the Denver Broncos' defense next week, which was the NFL's best run defense last season, but his current role leaves him as a waiver-wire priority in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
TreVeyon Henderson Could Practice This Week
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) could return to practice this week as the team prepares to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Mike Vrabel told the media on Monday, "Hopefully we'll get him out to practice here in the next few days." Henderson missed Week 1's 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks with an ankle injury he sustained on August 24th after slipping while making a cut. With the second-year back out, Rhamondre Stevenson handled 18 carries and six targets, totaling 95 scrimmage yards. If Henderson returns in Week 2, fantasy managers should still expect a heavy dose of Stevenson, though the Patriots will likely utilize a similar committee to the one they used in the 2025 season.
Source: Doug Kyed
Source: Doug Kyed
Zay Flowers' Injury Not Considered Serious
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) is day-to-day with an injury that is not considered serious, according to Ian Rapoport. Rapoport also noted that if it were a playoff game, Flowers would likely have returned, which is great news for his outlook. He was off to a dominant start in Week 1's 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, hauling in five of six targets for 150 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half. Flowers was playing nearly every snap and had played 55% of the time in the slot before the injury. Fantasy managers should expect Flowers to be inactive, as hamstring injuries can be difficult to overcome on a short turnaround. However, if Flowers can play in Week 2, he should contend for WR1 status against the New Orleans Saints, who allowed 10 receptions and two touchdowns to Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in Week 1.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Devaughn Vele Becomes a Must-Add After Sunday's Big Performance
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele caught seven of nine targets for 69 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. Saints quarterback Tyler Shough found Vele for a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter to cut the lead to 21-14. Vele lined up as the Saints WR2 behind Chris Olave and was second on the team in receptions, receiving yards, and targets. His longest catch of the day was a 31-yard reception, which led to a Saints field goal. The 28-year-old will see an uptick in snaps and targets in the short term with rookie Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on injured reserve. Vele logged 82 snaps, had 58 routes run, and had a good rapport with Shough in Sunday's loss. With Tyson injured, Vele carved himself out a role and could become a key part of the Saints' offense along with Olave, Juwan Johnson, and Travis Etienne Jr. Vele is RotoBaller's No. 3-ranked waiver wire pickup and will look to build on Sunday's performance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Kendre Miller a Speculative Waiver-Wire Add After Surprising Usage
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller rushed for 30 yards on nine rushing attempts and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. Miller logged the Saints' first touchdown with an eight-yard score to cut the lead to 21-7. Surprisingly, the 24-year-old was heavily used in the running back rotation and even vultured starter Travis Etienne Jr.'s touchdown. Miller and Etienne both had nine rushing attempts on Sunday. Etienne was more efficient on the ground, averaging 5.1 yards per carry compared to Miller's 3.3. Still, Miller's usage is puzzling since the Saints signed Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract this offseason. Miller wasn't targeted, but did log 26 snaps and six routes run in the Week 1 loss. Fantasy managers searching for help at running back can look to add Miller as he's widely available and only rostered in 1% of Fantasy Yahoo leagues. He's a desperation FLEX at best in a road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Bryce Young's Four Touchdowns Not Enough in Week 1 Loss
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young completed 23 of his 37 pass attempts for 361 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one interception during Sunday's 59-37 loss against the Chicago Bears. He also logged an additional 10 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, bringing him to a total of four touchdowns in Week 1. Other than the loss, the only real blemish on Young's stat line was the one interception. He did take two sacks, but that's not an alarming number considering he attempted 37 passes, and the Panthers' offense ran 62 plays. It's fair to assume that Young's counting stats will come back down to earth in a lower-scoring game that doesn't require him to pass as much, but at least he showed that he's capable of going toe-to-toe against one of the best teams in football. He should remain in the low-end QB1 tier for next week's very favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Williams Absolutely Spectacular in Shootout Win Over Panthers
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed 21 of his 29 pass attempts for 269 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers. He also registered 10 rushing attempts, 65 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Williams played turnover-free football in the 59-37 win, and he only took two sacks. All in all, it was a remarkable showing from the former No. 1 pick, who could be a sleeper candidate to finish as the overall QB1 in fantasy football this season. He did a great job spreading the ball around to four different wide receivers and tight end Cole Kmet, and things will only get easier for him once he's able to reignite his rapport with tight end Colston Loveland. Williams will get a very tough test next week in the form of the Minnesota Vikings, who are led by one of the best defensive coordinators of this decade, Brian Flores. Still, Williams' four-touchdown explosion on Sunday showed that he's ready for any challenge in his way. He remains firmly entrenched in the QB1 tier for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bucky Irving Makes Huge Impact as a Receiver in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving totaled eight carries, 45 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown in Sunday's Week 1 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also caught all seven of his targets for an additional 48 receiving yards. Outside of the Bucs' loss, this was a great game from Irving for many reasons. He scored a touchdown, he was highly efficient on the ground with 5.6 yards per carry, he caught seven passes, and he totaled nearly 100 scrimmage yards. After plenty of speculation that Kenny Gainwell could carve out a substantial role in the backfield, Irving proved that he's still the lead back. The only real blemishes on his game were a first-half fumble and the fact that he only registered eight carries, but at least the latter fact was merely a product of the game script. He has a chance to touch the ball 15-20 times with 100+ yards next week against the Cleveland Browns, who have major question marks on both sides of the ball. Irving ranks as a high-end RB2 going into Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Flournoy Catches Just Two Passes in Week 1 Defeat
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy, the subject of some amount of hype in the offseason, was targeted only four times in his team's Week 1 loss to their NFC East rival, the New York Giants. Flournoy was a non-factor in the offense, though that could have been said about everyone except their starting running back, Javonte Williams. Flournoy was third on his team in targets, behind both WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens but leading tight end Jake Ferguson. In future contests, Flournoy will likely flip-flop with Ferguson in involvement in the offense, making him not worth starting in fantasy football leagues. It would likely take an injury to either Lamb or Pickens to propel Flournoy, the clear Cowboys WR3, into a role big enough to make him worth putting in starting lineups. He should be left on the bench or on waivers in redraft fantasy leagues for the Cowboys Week 2 showdown at home with the Washington Commanders.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
David Montgomery Scores Three Times in First Game with Texans
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery had a debut to remember with his new team. The 29-year-old totaled 20 carries, 60 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game with three catches, 19 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. The Texans came up short against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, but Montgomery certainly isn't to blame. He consistently found ways to get into the end zone when the Texans were in scoring range, allowing the score to stay close throughout the entire second half. Perhaps even more notable is the fact that Woody Marks had just nine carries, which means Montgomery finished with more than two-thirds of the Texans' running back carries in this game. The yardage efficiency numbers weren't great, but none of that matters if he can continue to be a surefire threat to score around the goal line. After proving himself with his new team, Montgomery has jumped to the mid-to-high RB2 tier for Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Javonte Williams Scores Two Touchdowns In Week 1 Loss
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams handled 12 of the 15 carries the Cowboys called for running backs in his team's Week 1 loss. He averaged a lowly 3.4 yards per carry, though he did find the end zone once on the ground. He added five catches on five targets for 31 yards and another touchdown, leading to a very productive day in fantasy football. It wasn't enough to lift the Cowboys over their opponent, bitter divisional rival New York Giants, though. Williams remains the workhorse back for his team and got more receiving work than usual, but didn't find much room to run against what was a poor Giants run defense last season. Another easy defensive matchup on paper is coming in Week 2, when Dallas returns home to play another divisional rival, the Washington Commanders. Look for Williams to be more efficient and log more carries in that game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jonathan Taylor Opens the Season with a Two-Touchdown Performance
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor totaled 19 carries, 98 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 1 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. He also caught three of four targets for an additional 23 receiving yards. The Colts came up short in Week 1, but it certainly wasn't Taylor's fault. He picked up right where he left off in the first half of last season with yet another multi-touchdown game. Through the first 10 weeks last year, he scored a whopping 17 touchdowns while ranking as the RB1 in PPR leagues. In fact, during that span, he scored 25.1 points more than the RB2, Christian McCaffrey. He also had a torrid stretch where he recorded five different three-touchdown games within eight weeks. We'll see if 2026 looks anything like 2025 for Taylor, but at the very least, he's off to a super impressive start. It's also worth noting that he continues to have a stronghold on the backfield volume, as none of the Colts' other running backs registered a carry on Sunday. Taylor finds himself in the mid-to-high RB1 range heading into Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Ferguson Held Quiet In Week 1 Loss
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was targeted just two times in his team's defeat against the New York Giants in their season opener. The entire offense was mostly quiet, though they did score three touchdowns. Ferguson finished the day with only six receiving yards, making him an irrelevant fantasy option. He didn't do much to help propel his team to victory. In more productive passing games from Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Ferguson may be a more viable starter, but he's firmly behind both WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who have shown enough talent to easily be the top-2 target earners in Dallas. A matchup with the soft Washington Commanders secondary in Week 2 should afford Ferguson more room to get open and snag passes, but the Giants offense was supposed to be weak as well.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
