RADIO
Luther Burden III Could See Bigger Role in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is without an injury designation for his team's opening game against the hosting Carolina Panthers. Burden sustained a groin injury in early August that derailed his preseason, but he returned to practice ahead of Week 1 and did so at full capacity. The 22-year-old's late-2025 surge jettisoned him up draft boards this Summer, and rightfully so considering his talent and participation in an ascending, young offense. He'll get a Panthers squad to open the year that has made some improvements on the defensive side, but is by no means a scary matchup. More so, Burden could be in line for a heavier target share if fellow wideout Rome Odunze (calf) is hampered by a soft-tissue issue picked up last week. For now, fantasy managers can roll out the Missouri native as a high-upside WR3/flex, with the innate ability to break off a big play at a moment's notice. Burden is RotoBaller's PPR WR27 for the first week of play.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dawson Knox Falls Down the Pecking Order in Buffalo
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox continues to be a secondary option in the team's passing offense. The Buffalo pass-catching group is led by DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, and Dalton Kincaid, resulting in Knox falling down the pecking order. He was the overall TE28 in PPR leagues last year, and his ranking will likely fall even lower in 2026 now that Moore has been added to the team. His fantasy production also benefitted from Kincaid missing some games and playing a lower snap share even when healthy, which probably won't happen again in 2026. Knox would have some streaming appeal if Kincaid were to get hurt, but until then, he can be avoided in all redraft and most dynasty leagues. He ranks as the TE37 in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, who allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season.
Source: Buffalo Bills
Source: Buffalo Bills
Rome Odunze A Shaky Fantasy Play in Week 1 Amid Questionable Tag
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's road opener against the Carolina Panthers. Odunze operated as a limited participant leading up to this weekend's contest after picking up a calf injury the week prior. It'd have been nice to see him upgrade to full at some point, but per the 24-year-old, he'll be able to suit up. Health aside, Odunze and the rest of Chicago's skill players are well-equipped to make massive fantasy impacts in 2026. As it stands, the only question left to shake out is which of Odunze, teammate Luther Burden III, and tight end Colston Loveland will separate themselves as the primary pass-catcher for third-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Either way, there should be fantasy value to mine from all three. If healthy, Odunze ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR30 for the weekend's matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Texans D/ST In a Tough Matchup in Week 1
The Houston Texans' defense and special teams unit faces a tall task in Week 1, taking on Josh Allen and the Bills. Houston's defense was among the best in the league last year and has plenty of playmakers at every level. They added Reed Blankenship and Jadeveon Clowney to the rotation this year and should be able to stack up sacks and turnovers again this year. However, the matchup against Allen and the high-powered Bills' offense knocks them down from the must-start tier of defenses this week. In RotoBaller's rankings, the Texans D/ST is ranked No. 13, making them a fringe starting group in most leagues. If you drafted them highly, you can still use them in Week 1, but temper expectations based on the difficult matchup and look forward to dominant performances later in the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devontez Walker is Tagged as Questionable for Week 1
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Walker was limited in practice all week while he continues to nurse a groin injury. It seems possible that Walker ends up being a game-time decision for the season opener. His possible absence won't make a huge impact with Zay Flowers, Ja'Kobi Lane, and Rashod Bateman as the top three wideouts in Baltimore. If Walker sits out, rookie Elijah Sarratt could see an expanded role, but that wouldn't be too much as a fourth receiver. With everyone healthy, Walker can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy formats right now.
Source: baltimoreravens.com
Source: baltimoreravens.com
D'Andre Swift Poised for Strong Week 1 Showing
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift begins his 2026 campaign with an appearance against the hosting Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Week 1. The seventh-year pro was unable to finish practice last week due to cramping, but he's ready to roll in a potentially juicy outing for the Bears' rushing attack. Carolina's defense was fairly sound a season ago in most aspects, although they could be had on the ground. Moreover, they were one of the best matchups for opposing running backs in fantasy, yielding the seventh-most points per game to the position (22.4). Despite Carolina bolstering its unit during the offseason and the fact that he'll likely split work with backfield mate Kyle Monangai, Swift sits in a favorable position to continue capitalizing on the dearth of talent around him and the offensive genius that is head coach Ben Johnson. If quarterback Caleb Williams remains on an upward trajectory, we could see yet another jump in production from the group as a whole. Swift lands as RotoBaller's RB14 in PPR leagues ahead of Sunday's contest.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ka'imi Fairbairn Is a Top-10 Kicker in Week 1
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was one of the best fantasy kickers in the NFL last season, taking advantage of his team's red-zone struggles to kick plenty of field goals. He made 44 of his 48 field-goal attempts over 15 games and went a perfect 28-for-28 on extra points. He was excellent from long range as well, going 9-for-13 from over 50 yards. This offseason, Houston locked up the 32-year-old from Hawaii with a two-year, $13 million extension. While the offense hopes to be more efficient in the red zone this season, especially after adding David Montgomery, Fairbairn remains a very strong option at the position. In Week 1's home matchup against the Bills, Fairbairn is the No. 10 kicker in RotoBaller's rankings, and he's a solid, reliable start in almost all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaiah Davis is Cleared for Week 1
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (knee) has been cleared to suit up for the Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Davis has been dealing with a minor knee injury, but he was able to practice in full all week. It sounds like a minor issue that isn't going to impact his status for the season opener. With Breece Hall and Braelon Allen healthy, Davis is unlikely to see much of the field right now. The third-year back will begin the season as the third-string option, so he isn't someone who needs to be rostered in 12-team formats. The 24-year-old has some stash value in dynasty leagues, but he can be left on the waiver wire in most formats.
Source: newyorkjets.com
Source: newyorkjets.com
Caleb Williams Brings QB1 Upside in Road Matchup
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will kick off his third NFL campaign this Sunday, on the road against the Carolina Panthers. At a glance, the USC product's 2025 statistics may seem a modest improvement upon his rookie season. While some might point to a dip in completion percentage (58.1%), Williams undoubtedly showed growth and maturity during Chicago's playoff run - becoming more efficient within the structure of the offense. Perhaps most impressively, he was sacked only 25 times in 2025, a stark contrast to his league-high total of 68 the year prior. Carolina's pass defense was no pushover a season ago, ranking as a top-half unit on a yards-per-game basis (209). Still, head coach Ben Johnson's elite pace of play and the bevy of weapons at the 24-year-old's disposal should be more than enough to keep him in the QB1 conversation Week 1. Even with wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) a potential inactive, Williams still slots in as RotoBaller's QB9 ahead of Sunday's slate.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jimmy Horn Jr. Falling Down Depth Chart with Teammate Healthy
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. is slipping down the depth chart, which has also caused his fantasy stock to fall. A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like Horn might have a chance to compete for the No. 3 receiver role with Xavier Legette (ankle) sidelined. However, Legette is back to 100%, leaving no chance for Horn to start in Week 1. The 24-year-old will likely find himself in the No. 4 or 5 receiver role to open the season. He's coming off a quiet rookie campaign in which he caught 11 passes for 108 yards, ranking as the WR138 in PPR leagues. Although he now has a pro season under his belt, Horn still may not emerge as a top-100 fantasy receiver this year. He can be avoided in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Schultz Is a High-Risk Option in Week 1
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz could get enough work to be a deep-league starter this season with Jayden Higgins (knee) vacating targets due to his season-ending injury and Tank Dell (knee) on IR to start the season. However, Schultz has a very tough Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who were the best team in the NFL at limiting tight ends last year in PPR scoring. He did have 106 targets last year, and his strong rapport with C.J. Stroud could get him enough volume to overcome the tough matchup. However, Schultz is only RotoBaller's TE 19 this week in PPR formats, making him not the best option unless you're forced to look for emergency, last-minute help from the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oscar Delp is Ruled Out for Week 1
New Orleans Saints tight end Oscar Delp (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's season opener versus the Detroit Lions. This doesn't come as a surprise, considering Delp hasn't been able to practice at all this week due to a nagging hamstring injury. The third-round rookie has been battling the issue since he sustained it in late August. His professional debut will have to wait at least one more week. Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant will handle the tight end duties during the season opener. Delp is worth a stash in dynasty leagues, but is unlikely to see much of the field while Johnson and Fant are healthy.
Source: neworleanssaints.com
Source: neworleanssaints.com
Jaylin Noel Healthy for Week 1, Ready for a Bigger Role?
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (hamstring/finger) is not on the injury report headed into his team's Week 1 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The third-round pick played all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, totaling 26 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Noel could be more involved this year after Jayden Higgins (knee) was lost for the season, but he has yet to lock in a role and remains a very high-risk play for Week 1. Even with Kayshon Boutte joining the mix on the outside, Noel could still be the primary option in the slot. Noel is RotoBaller's No. 83 WR for Week 1, so while he is worth a stash in dynasty or deep leagues due to his potential, he isn't a starter in hardly any formats against the Bills.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Johnson is Questionable for Week 1 with Hamstring Injury
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant during Friday's practice session. According to the Bills' official website, Johnson is considered questionable for the upcoming Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. Johnson missed the first two days of practice before getting in a limited session to end the week. Johnson missed a good portion of camp, so it's unclear if he'll be game-ready in time for Sunday's contest. If he sits out, Ray Davis could have an expanded role behind lead back James Cook III in the backfield. Neither back offers weekly starting value with Cook healthy and getting the bulk of the carries.
Source: buffalobills.com
Source: buffalobills.com
Kayshon Boutte a Deep-League Sleeper in Texans Debut
Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is ready to play his first game for the Texans after joining them via trade from the New England Patriots this preseason. With Jayden Higgins (knee) out for the year, Boutte could emerge as the team's second option behind Nico Collins. Since he hasn't played with QB C.J. Stroud very long, though, it's hard to know exactly what his role will be in Week 1 against the Bills. Last year for the Patriots, Boutte was a home-run threat who was a boom-or-bust play on his way to 551 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He could be in a similar role for the Texans, which makes him a high-risk play in Week 1, when he's ranked as the No. 58 WR in RotoBaller's rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
