RADIO
Dontayvion Wicks Makes Play of the Day, Emerging as No. 2 WR
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks made the play of the day in training camp practice on Thursday and is quickly emerging as the team's No. 2 wideout behind DeVonta Smith now that A.J. Brown is gone, according to Jeff Neiburg of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Quarterback Jalen Hurts made an impressive throw across his body deep down the field to Wicks, who jumped over defensive backs Cole Wisniewski and Jakorian Bennett to make the 40-plus-yard catch. Wicks is among the early camp risers in terms of fantasy football stock after the Eagles acquired him from the Green Bay Packers in the offseason. The 25-year-old former fifth-rounder from Virginia never had more than 581 receiving yards or 39 receptions in his three years in Green Bay, although he has averaged 12.3 yards per catch and had nine total touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL. Wicks was also always part of a jumbled WR room with the Packers. In Philly, it appears he could be locked into the WR2 role, which would afford him a much better target rate while seeing the field more often in a new offense that is looking to rebound in a major way. Wicks is shaping up as an interesting late-round fantasy sleeper at WR in 2026.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff Neiburg
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff Neiburg
Travis Hunter Moves Primarily to Defense on Thursday
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter mostly worked on defense in Day 2 of training camp on Thursday, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. In total, Hunter has taken 16 snaps on defense and only four on offense. He has one catch on two targets on offense and has been targeted once on defense, with the pass falling incomplete because receiver Josh Campbell didn't get two feet in bounds. The most important thing is that the 23-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner is practicing after suffering a season-ending LCL tear in his knee in his rookie campaign in 2025. The former second overall pick from the University of Colorado caught just 28 of his 45 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown in his first seven NFL games, which was a huge disappointment for many fantasy managers who drafted him as an upside WR2. Nobody is going to make that mistake again in 2026, with the Jags planning to use Hunter more on defense than offense in Year 2. RotoBaller has dropped him all the way down to No. 72 in the WR rankings.
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Jayden Higgins Seeing Early Targets, Year 2 Jump Could be Coming
Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins has been seeing early targets in training camp practice from quarterback C.J. Stroud, and head coach DeMeco Ryans said he's seen Higgins take a Year 2 jump, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Ryans envisions Higgins becoming a weapon opposite WR1 Nico Collins. All signs have been pointing to the 23-year-old pass-catcher taking a leap in Year 2 after he caught 41 of his 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts) as a rookie. The former second-rounder from Iowa State could really take the next step if Collins, who is no stranger to injuries, misses more time with an injury in 2026. Higgins has consistently drawn praise this year, dating back to offseason workouts. He could really benefit from the Texans' upgrades on their offensive line and the departure of veteran wideout Christian Kirk. Higgins is ranked at No. 55 among WRs by RotoBaller, but his draft stock should continue to rise if he keeps standing out in training camp this summer.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Bucky Irving Taking First-Team Reps, Running at Full Speed
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was limited to 10 games in 2025 in his sophomore season while dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries, but he is fully healthy for training camp this summer and has been taking first-team reps, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Not only was he taking first-team reps, but Smith reports that Irving was running at full speed and looked like the back he was during his remarkable rookie campaign in 2024, in which he had 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a receiver in 17 games. "He feels fine, he's great," said head coach Todd Bowles. "He's full speed. He's full-go right now. Obviously, when we get in pads, we're not easing him back from anything. So, we feel pretty good right now." Coming off injuries and with the addition of pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell, Irving has fallen in the fantasy rankings and should be targeted as more of a low-end RB2. It certainly feels like the Bucs plan to give Irving more help with Gainwell and Sean Tucker to keep him healthy all year.
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Tank Bigsby Looking Good Early in Training Camp
Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby ran for a touchdown and caught a pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts over the middle during training camp practice on Thursday, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. Bigsby is getting "a lot of action" during the first couple of days of training camp in Philly. Before training camp started, the expectation was that Bigsby would be locked in as the team's RB2 behind starter Saquon Barkley, and after the first couple of practices, that is firmly the case. The 24-year-old was acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars last year just before Week 2 of the season, and he finished the year with 58 carries for 344 yards (5.9 yards per tote) and two touchdowns in 16 games with the Eagles. The former third-rounder from Auburn is a rugged runner with plenty of big-play potential, giving Philly a nice complement to Barkley's finesse style. At the very worst, Bigsby should be considered one of the top handcuff backs in the league going into the 2026 campaign. RotoBaller has the fourth-year player ranked just inside the top-50 fantasy RBs this year.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - John Clark
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - John Clark
Baker Mayfield Feels "Disrespected" by Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said he feels "disrespected" by his contract situation after trying to work out an extension with the team before the start of training camp, according to Pewter Report. The 31-year-old will head into the final year of the three-year, $100 million deal he signed with the Bucs in March of 2024 and looks set to hit free agency in 2027, unless the two sides can work something out during their exclusive negotiating window early next year. The Buccaneers will have the option to place the franchise tag on Mayfield, but that seems unlikely, especially if he takes another step back in 2026. Mayfield was a back-to-back Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024 in his first two years with the team, but he threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts in 2025 as the team failed to make the playoffs. He was reportedly playing hurt for most of the year with various ailments. Mayfield will surely be motivated to step up this year, but without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans and in a new offense, fantasy managers certainly have their doubts, as do the Bucs. RotoBaller has Mayfield ranked as the No. 20 fantasy QB in 2026. UPDATE: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Mayfield said the Bucs offered him a two-year contract.
Source: PewterReport
Source: PewterReport
Darius Slayton Healthy to Start Training Camp
After missing spring workouts while recovering from offseason core-muscle surgery, New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton was in attendance for the team's first practice of training camp. While the Giants have 14 wide receivers listed on their 90-man roster, few roles, if any, have been secured behind 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers, so the team will be looking for players who can consistently make plays in a game-like setting, and Slayton reportedly connected with quarterback Jaxson Dart on a deep out over starting cornerback Paulson Adebo. Barely clinging to fantasy relevance, Slayton is RotoBaller's WR104 ahead of the 2026 season. Still, if he can continue to string plays together throughout camp, he could prove to be a necessary piece of the Giants' new-look offense and see his fantasy value rise.
Source: Pat Leonard
Source: Pat Leonard
Jahmyr Gibbs Still Not Practicing
The Detroit Lions concluded their second practice of training camp, and three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs has still yet to take part in any individual or team drills. A first-round pick in 2023, Gibbs had his fifth-year option exercised, giving the Lions contract control through the 2027 season with the potential to use the franchise tag after that, but there were reportedly talks this offseason about a long-term extension. With a potential hold-in looming, the situation bears monitoring, as expectations could not be higher for Gibbs in his first season without David Montgomery sharing the backfield. The fourth-year back is RotoBaller's RB1 and the top overall player for 2026.
Source: Jeremy Reisman
Source: Jeremy Reisman
TreVeyon Henderson Still Developing in Pass Protection
After their first off day of training camp, the New England Patriots are back to work on Thursday for their first padded practice of the summer, presenting second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson with an opportunity to show growth as a pass protector. Ahead of the session, head coach Mike Vrabel praised veteran Rhamondre Stevenson for his blitz pickup and noted that Henderson continues to develop in that area. Henderson led the Patriots with 987 rushing yards as a rookie, but during the team's four-game post-season run to the Super Bowl, Stevenson saw more than twice as many total snaps, with the coaching staff valuing his reliability in pass protection. If Henderson can show meaningful improvement in that area in year two, he could make himself difficult to remove from the field, with his big-play ability then giving him as high a fantasy ceiling as any player going outside the opening rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Tua Tagovailoa Working in Individual Drills
A day after it was reported that he entered training camp with back tightness, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on the practice field taking part in some individual drills. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year veteran minimum deal following his release from the Miami Dolphins, and while the expectation is that he will compete with 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job, neither player has taken part in team drills through the first two practices of training camp as the latter continues his recovery from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Neither Tagovailoa nor Penix is a sought-after fantasy asset in 2026, but their eventual battle could have major ramifications on the more high-value pieces of the Falcons offense, with running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. all ranked by RotoBaller within the top seven of their respective position groups.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Drake London Practicing Without Limitation
After a minor undisclosed injury kept him out of the final sessions of mandatory minicamp, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London was a full participant during Wednesday's first practice of training camp. London missed five games in 2025 with a PCL sprain in his left knee, and while the team opted to take an overly cautious approach with him during spring practices, he had no limitations on Wednesday, taking part in all individual and team drills. Despite the significant time missed, London finished as the WR17 last season while scoring 14.0 half-PPR points per game, and expectations are high heading into 2026. The 2022 first-round pick is RotoBaller's WR7 and a sleeper candidate to finish as the overall WR1 in an offense with few other options in the passing game.
Source: The Eastern Herald
Source: The Eastern Herald
Commanders Have Big Expectations for Chig Okonkwo
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters spoke to reporters on Tuesday to kick off training camp, and one of the takeaways was the praise lavished on new tight end Chig Okonkwo, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal after four seasons with the Titans. "He's an outstanding receiver," Peters told the gathered media. "He's outstanding in the pass game. He's great after the catch, and he's also a really good blocker." Outside of veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin, the Commanders lack proven pass-catchers, allowing Okonkwo to step into an important role and earn early targets, with Peters emphasizing some of the unique abilities he brings to the offense. "He provides a lot of versatility in where he can line up and what he can do for us and when he gets the ball in his hands. And then he's pretty magical." Okonkwo has caught at least 50 passes in each of the past three seasons, and with a chance to see the highest target total of his young career, he could prove to be one of the best values at the position as RotoBaller's TE19.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Ashton Jeanty in Better Shape Ahead of Year 2
In speaking with Bryant McFadden of NFL on CBS, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty shared that he's cut candy and sugar from his diet while working to build up his cardio ahead of his second season. The 2025 first-round pick told McFadden, "I didn't feel like I was in good enough shape last year." As a rookie, Jeanty handled an impressive 86.6% of the Raiders' running back rush share, having to fight for every inch behind a porous offensive line that allowed first contact after only 1.6 yards on average. Again expected to handle the bulk of the team's running back workload, now with an upgraded and healthier offensive line in front of him, an improved diet and better cardio could pay immense dividends, and Jeanty is potentially undervalued as RotoBaller's RB7.
Source: Bryant McFadden - NFL on CBS
Source: Bryant McFadden - NFL on CBS
Chase Brown Earns Praise From his Quarterback
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown was brought up during Joe Burrow's training camp opening press conference on Wednesday, and the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback was effusive in his praise of his fourth-year backfield mate. Burrow told reporters, "He does everything. He's a complete back... He trains as a receiver all offseason, you wouldn't know that he's a running back when he's out there doing it." Burrow went on about Brown's versatility and importance to the offense before making a bold statement about his projected usage for 2026. "Obviously we're going to try to get the ball in [Ja'Marr Chase's] hands as many times as we can, but I think a close second is Chase Brown." The 2023 fifth-round pick made a career-high 69 catches on 86 targets in 2025, and if those numbers see even modest improvement in 2026, Brown could prove to be one of the safest selections in the early rounds of drafts, currently ranked as RotoBaller's RB10.
Source: Noelle Blumel
Source: Noelle Blumel
Luther Burden III Peppered with Targets During Day 1 of Training Camp
On a per-route basis, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was one of the league's most efficient players as a rookie in 2025, and reports from Day 1 of training camp indicate he's picked up right where he left off, though now seeing heavy volume. Burden was moved across the formation and reportedly looked crisp in his route running while drawing target after target. In trading away veteran DJ Moore, the Bears created a vacuum most likely to be filled by Burden and third-year receiver Rome Odunze, and although a single, non-padded practice in July will not define Chicago's pass-catching hierarchy for the 2026 season, Burden looks to have earned an early edge. The competition for first-read looks from quarterback Caleb Williams will be one to monitor throughout the summer, but Burden is currently RotoBaller's WR21, a full 12 positional spots ahead of Odunze.
Source: Bradd Biggs
Source: Bradd Biggs
