RADIO
Bijan Robinson an Elite Option with Expected Heavy Workload
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he finished as the No. 4 running back in fantasy despite seeing his rushing touchdowns go from 14 the year before to just seven last season. That is because of a major uptick in usage in the passing game, nearly doubling his receiving yardage total (820) while setting career highs in targets (103) and receptions (79); he also added four touchdown receptions. The former first-round draft pick will square off with the Pittsburgh defense on Sunday, a unit that was middle of the road in terms of yardage totals against the run in 2025, yielding 115.9 rush yards/game and 31.4 receiving yards/game to opposing running backs. However, they held opposing running backs to a league-low five rushing TDs and allowed just two receiving TDs to backs. Even so, Robinson is an elite workhorse back who should be heavily involved on Sunday, especially with third-stringer Cooper Rush under center for the Falcons. RotoBaller ranks the 24-year-old as the No. 2 running back this week, so fantasy managers are, of course, firing him up without hesitation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Limit Expectations for Malik Nabers if Active in Week 1
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is questionable to play in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. Nabers tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season after starting the season with 271 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games. He has fully participated in practice this week and has reportedly been cleared by the medical staff, but whether he's ready to play remains up in the air. If he's active, a limited snap count is likely, complicating matters for fantasy managers who roster the third-year receiver. He faces a Cowboys secondary that ranked last in yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to wide receivers last season. This secondary has struggled against Nabers, allowing 29 receptions for 351 yards and two touchdowns in only three meetings. Despite the ideal matchup, fantasy managers should lower expectations, as a slow start is possible given the extent of his 2025 injury.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rashod Bateman Will Play in Week 1 as NFL's Investigation Continues
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is set to play in Week 1 versus the Indianapolis Colts and is a starting wide receiver and an important piece for the offense. However, the NFL is investigating Bateman following a June arrest and charges of misdemeanor battery (family violence), reckless conduct and first-degree criminal damage to property. Bateman could face a suspension at some point during the 2026 season, but for now, he is expected to operate as the Ravens' No. 2 wideout behind Zay Flowers. With that in mind, rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane had an impressive training camp and is expected to make an immediate impact for the Ravens, while tight end Mark Andrews will be involved in the passing game as well, and running back Derrick Henry will continue his high-volume role. Bateman enters Week 1 as RotoBaller's No. 64 wide receiver, and he is rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues currently. Perhaps he is on the flex radar in deeper leagues, but there are certainly better options despite the potential for a high-scoring affair.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jets D/ST Carries Sack Upside in Tennessee
The New York Jets defense/special teams gets a favorable sack matchup in Sunday's opener at Tennessee. Titans quarterback Cam Ward was sacked 55 times as a rookie in 2025, giving New York a clear path to fantasy production even after the Jets finished last season with only 26 sacks. Takeaways are less certain. Ward threw just seven interceptions, while the Jets remarkably failed to record an interception of their own in 2025. New York also enters the opener without edge rusher Joseph Ossai, who has been ruled out with a foot injury. Still, the matchup against Tennessee's pass protection has pushed the Jets to D/ST10 in RotoBaller's weekend rankings. They are a viable low-end starting defense for Week 1, especially for managers streaming the position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake London a Low-End WR1 After Downgrade at Quarterback
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is the clear-cut No. 1 option in the Atlanta passing attack, as he averaged over nine targets and almost six catches per game last season, even with some pretty rough quarterback play. That will unfortunately be the case again in Week 1, with both Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) ruled out for Sunday's road matchup against the Steelers, with career backup QB Cooper Rush handling starting duties. In 2025, Pittsburgh was much more vulnerable against the pass than they were against the run, allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game (244.9), but it should be an improved unit with the offseason acquisition of Jamel Dean and with a healthy T.J. Watt. Nevertheless, the Falcons could be forced to throw as they play from behind as six-point underdogs, and London should continue to get his fair share of looks, especially in the red zone. The 6-foot-4 receiver led the receiving corps with 15 red zone targets last year despite playing in only 12 of 17 games. The 25-year-old ranks as a borderline WR1 at RotoBaller this week, and fantasy managers are starting him in season-long leagues, but he makes for a risky DFS play.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mason Taylor Faces Crowded Tight End Picture in Week 1
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor enters his second season after catching 44 of 65 targets for 369 yards and one touchdown across 13 games as a rookie. Taylor remains in position to start, but the Jets added first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq and still have Jeremy Ruckert in the rotation. Sadiq practiced fully this week after dealing with a groin injury, giving New York another athletic option in the passing game. Garrett Wilson's return also restores the clear top target for new quarterback Geno Smith. Taylor averaged only 8.4 yards per reception last season, so he needs either more volume or more scoring opportunities to become a dependable fantasy option. RotoBaller ranks Taylor TE42 for Week 1. He is best left out of standard lineups, including most two-tight-end formats, until the Jets show how the routes and targets will be divided.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Adonai Mitchell Begins Week 1 as a Deep-League Flex
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell opens 2026 with a starting role opposite Garrett Wilson after catching 24 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with New York last season. Wilson's return changes the target hierarchy, but Mitchell has had a full offseason in Frank Reich's offense and now gets Geno Smith at quarterback. Tennessee allowed 30 passing touchdowns and 8.2 yards per attempt in 2025, giving Mitchell some big-play appeal even with Robert Saleh now leading the Titans. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. adds another option to the receiver room, and Mitchell still has to show how consistently he can earn targets alongside Wilson. RotoBaller ranks him WR63 for Week 1. He is a deeper-league FLEX consideration, but standard-league managers can afford to wait for a clearer picture of his role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kalif Raymond Could Have Surprise Week 1 Role
Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond could be in for some unexpected targets in Week 1 when the Bears play the Carolina Panthers. The Bears top two receivers, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, are nursing injuries with Odunze listed as questionable and Burden expected to play after missing all of training camp with a groin injury. That means Raymond could get some easy looks with a head coach in Ben Johnson who is familiar with what he can do dating back to their days with the Detroit Lions. Look for Raymond to get involved with some easy, underneath passes early in the game to get established. While Odunze and Burden could both end up playing and being heavily involved, Raymond is still a good bet to see some targets from quarterback Caleb Williams. He might not make a huge play but could see several underneath looks.
Source: Chicago Bears
Source: Chicago Bears
Garrett Wilson Brings WR1 Upside Into Season Opener
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson returns healthy for Sunday's opener against Tennessee after a knee injury limited him to seven games in 2025. Wilson still caught 36 passes for 395 yards and four touchdowns during the shortened season, and his last full campaign showed the volume he can command. He finished 2024 with 101 receptions for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns, completing a run of three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career. Geno Smith now takes over at quarterback, with Wilson remaining the clear No. 1 option in Frank Reich's offense. Tennessee allowed 30 passing touchdowns and 8.2 yards per attempt last season, although Robert Saleh has since taken over as head coach. RotoBaller ranks Wilson WR15 for Week 1. His target ceiling makes him a strong high-end WR2 with a realistic path to WR1 production in the opener.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braelon Allen Opens Week 1 as a Handcuff Option
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen returns after a knee injury limited his 2025 season to four games. Allen carried only 18 times for 76 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes for 17 yards before the injury, then showed some burst again during the preseason. His Week 1 role remains the bigger issue. Breece Hall practiced fully all week and carries no injury designation, while Isaiah Davis is also available behind him. That leaves Allen as the No. 2 back rather than a dependable standalone option, even against a Tennessee defense that allowed 21 rushing touchdowns last season. RotoBaller has Allen at RB54 for Week 1. He remains a worthwhile handcuff for Hall managers and deeper benches, but there is not enough expected work to justify a FLEX start in the opener.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Breece Hall Carries Strong RB2 Upside Into Tennessee
New York Jets running back Breece Hall is set for Sunday's opener at Tennessee after recovering from a groin strain that interrupted his preseason. Hall practiced fully during the week and carries no injury designation, with offensive coordinator Frank Reich indicating that the Jets plan to use him normally. Hall is coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season, finishing 2025 with 1,065 yards and four touchdowns on 243 carries while adding 36 catches for 350 yards and another score. Tennessee allowed 21 rushing touchdowns last season and will be without linebacker Cedric Gray, who has been ruled out with a concussion. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are both available behind Hall, keeping some competition in the backfield. RotoBaller ranks Hall RB16 for Week 1, making him a strong RB2 with RB1 upside in a favorable scoring matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Skattebo Fully Healthy for Week 1 Against Cowboys
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has been fully cleared for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. Skattebo suffered a gruesome ankle injury in Week 8 of the 2025 season but has not missed any time during training camp and appears ready for the regular season. During his rookie season, Skattebo carried the ball 101 times for 410 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 24 receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. He was listed as the RB1 on the Giants' depth chart and should see the bulk of the backfield touches in Week 1. He faces a Cowboys defense that allowed the sixth most fantasy points to running backs last season, though Dallas has made several defensive improvements this offseason. While there's uncertainty about Skattebo's role in Matt Nagy's offense, he still profiles as an RB2 with upside if he can maintain the same receiving work he saw during his rookie season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Geno Smith Opens 2026 as a Superflex-Only Option
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith begins his second stint with the franchise in Sunday's road opener against Tennessee. Smith is coming off a rough 2025 season with Las Vegas, where he threw for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in 15 starts while taking 55 sacks. New offensive coordinator Frank Reich and a healthy Garrett Wilson give him a better setup, but Tennessee's front can make his first start uncomfortable. Jeffery Simmons is coming off an 11-sack season, and the Titans recorded 42 sacks as a team in 2025. Smith also offers little rushing production to protect his fantasy floor after finishing last season without a rushing touchdown. RotoBaller has him at QB30 for Week 1. He should stay out of single-quarterback lineups and is best treated as a lower-end QB2 in Superflex formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Thomas Jr. an Interesting Flex Option in Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a polarizing player entering Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. BTJ had a stellar rookie season but was a major bust in his second season last year, so fantasy analysts are mixed on how to view him this season. The LSU product has the chance to prove the doubters wrong with a strong Week 1 performance, but for now, he shouldn't be trusted beyond a risky flex option. The upside is clearly there for a bounce-back season, but Thomas could also continue to struggle and remain the WR3 for the Jaguars this season. Jakobi Meyers was more reliable as a receiver last season, and Parker Washington had a late-season breakout. Thomas dealt with nagging injuries and some early personal issues, but it is unclear whether those were the primary reasons for his down year. There are a lot of questions in 2026 revolving around Thomas, but for the sake of his fantasy managers, hopefully he can answer some of those questions against the Browns. He profiles as a FLEX option with a high ceiling but a lower floor.
Source: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
Source: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
Bills D/ST Draws Difficult Opening Matchup
The Buffalo Bills defense/special teams opens the season at Houston with several new pieces under coordinator Jim Leonhard. Bradley Chubb joins Greg Rousseau on the edge, but Buffalo is coming off a season in which it allowed 5.1 yards per carry and struggled to consistently control the run. The Texans were also difficult to exploit for fantasy mistakes in 2025, throwing only nine interceptions while allowing 31 sacks. C.J. Stroud still has Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz available, giving Houston enough proven talent to make this a difficult matchup to chase turnovers. RotoBaller ranks Buffalo D/ST14 for Week 1. There is enough pass-rush talent to create some upside, but the Bills are a fringe streaming option rather than a defense to prioritize in standard leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
