Jul 9, 2026, 9:31 PM ET

The NFL Network's James Palmer reports that "there have been some things circulating" that the Cleveland Browns "could be moving on" from second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland now has plenty of draft capital and are expected to be in on the strong QB class in next year's NFL draft. Palmer also reports that Sanders is "making up ground" and "has closed the gap" in the quarterback competition with veteran Deshaun Watson. The belief is that the competition is close this summer in training camp, the Browns will go with Watson, who has more NFL experience and also much more invested into him by the organization. Sanders is improving in terms of his pocket presence and in going through his progressions, and he's done everything right since he fell to the fifth round in last year's draft. Accuracy is the 24-year-old's strength, but he's been more of a developmental prospect in terms of playing under center, reading defenses, and playing with anticipation. Palmer is not convinced that the Browns are set on trading Sanders because of the improvement that he's shown since joining the NFL. Neither Watson nor Sanders will carry much value in single-QB, 12-team fantasy leagues in 2026, but now might be a good time to buy low on Sanders in dynasty/keeper formats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - James Palmer

Jul 9, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

Since the start of the 2022 season, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. In four fully healthy seasons with the Lions, he has never finished outside the top 10 for fantasy, and despite expected improvements to both the team's offensive line and play calling ahead of the 2026 season, he is currently being drafted as the QB16. The Lions return both 1,000-yard receivers from a year ago, and with tight end Sam LaPorta expected back at full health and three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs ready to inherit a true bell cow role, an easy argument could be made for Goff's supporting cast as the strongest in the league. The former first overall pick has topped 4,400 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in each of the past four seasons, and with the Lions boasting what is on paper one of the league's most fantasy-friendly schedules, there is no reason to expect that streak should end in 2026. In a season where the third, or even fourth tier of fantasy quarterbacks is deep and flat, Goff may be the poster child for punting at the position and is capable of delivering a league-winning performance from the closing rounds of drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 8, 2026, 10:45 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is heading into the final year of his contract in 2026, are "not close" to reaching a contract extension, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. "It's about finding that middle ground," Mayfield said. There is a lot of work to be done here, and Garafolo adds that the Bucs are in no rush to work something out with the 31-year-old signal-caller. The pressure to get something done before the start of the 2026 season could start to pick up at the start of training camp at the end of this month, but right now, nothing is close to being worked out. In the end, the two sides are expected to find that middle ground and get Mayfield locked up. Mayfield was a Pro Bowler in each of his first two seasons in Tampa, throwing for over 4,000 yards both years, but he took a step back in 2025, throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts. Injuries are a concern, as well as the fact that he lost his No. 1 target in receiver Mike Evans in free agency in the offseason. The hope is that new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can get Mayfield going in the right direction again, but he'll be a low-end QB2 with a lower floor heading into 2026 fantasy drafts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo

Jul 7, 2026, 2:13 PM ET

Across 17 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 63.2% of his pass attempts for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Mayfield's production represented a stark decline from his peak year in 2024, when he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 scores. However, Tampa Bay dealt with myriad injuries to its wide receiver corps in 2025. While the Bucs lost veteran wideout Mike Evans in free agency, the team still has a strong group of now-healthy pass-catchers in wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. Mayfield also brings some ability to provide fantasy production with his legs, as he's rushed for 760 yards and four scores over the past two seasons. Mayfield might not have high-end upside, but he could easily get back into the fringe QB1 range and is currently valued as the QB19 by redraft ADP entering 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 7, 2026, 12:00 PM ET

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has been a play-caller for two years now and has experience working with Sean McVay. He's expected to bring Los Angeles Rams concepts to Tampa, including "emphasizing the player over the play," according to Dan Pompei of The Athletic. It could have a positive impact on players like receivers Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, and running back Bucky Irving, among others. Robinson could also help veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield bounce back in 2026, as he worked briefly with Mayfield in 2022 when Robinson was the QBs coach and passing-game coordinator for the Rams. The 31-year-old Mayfield's fantasy stock is definitely down, mainly because he lost future Hall of Fame WR Mike Evans in free agency this offseason. Godwin and Egbuka should see a steady dose of targets with Evans no longer around, and although newcomer Kenneth Gainwell will have a key role in the Bucs' backfield, Irving's explosiveness makes him an intriguing fantasy target in Robinson's new offense in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Pompei

Jul 7, 2026, 11:51 AM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles have used six different offensive coordinators in head coach Nick Sirianni's six years with the organization. Sean Mannion, who is replacing Kevin Patullo, played for Sean McVay and the Kubiaks, and he coached under Matt LaFleur. The Athletic's Zach Berman writes that we should "look for the quarterback (Jalen Hurts) to play under center more frequently and for the running game to use wide-zone concepts." Philly's offense should look much different in 2026, especially after they traded Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots and replaced him with trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks and rookie first-rounder Makai Lemon. The Eagles' offense had its worst rankings in 2025 in the Sirianni era, so fantasy managers investing in this offense will be hoping that Mannion can begin to turn that around in his first year as an offensive coordinator. Losing Brown's down-the-field presence certainly doesn't help Hurts, but he still has plenty of weapons, and a bounce-back year could be coming if the offensive line can step up.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman

Jul 6, 2026, 3:52 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had a historic season in 2025, throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 17 games and being named the NFL's MVP. Stafford was an elite fantasy QB last season, particularly in leagues that award six points per passing touchdown. Still, there are multiple reasons to expect regression from Stafford in 2026. For one, the veteran quarterback is entering his age-38 season and has a history of back and neck issues. Stafford also posted a 7.7% touchdown rate as a passer in 2025, which is well above his career mark of 4.8%. By measure of per-game scoring, Stafford finished outside the top-24 at the quarterback position in 2024. However, he's currently being valued as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 by average draft position in redraft formats. Unless his price continues to come down, Stafford may be a player for redraft managers to avoid in 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 6, 2026, 3:20 PM ET

The Los Angeles Rams surprised many when they selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson was a productive player for the University of Alabama in 2025, completing 64.5% of his pass attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 15 games. Still, Los Angeles has the reigning NFL MVP ahead of Simpson on their quarterback depth chart in Matthew Stafford. As long as Stafford stays healthy, Simpson is at least one year and possibly longer from taking over under center for the Rams. However, Stafford is entering his age-38 season and has a history of back issues. Simpson is also in an ideal developmental spot in Los Angeles under Rams head coach Sean McVay. For dynasty managers engaged in a rebuild, targeting Simpson is a logical move.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 6, 2026, 3:10 PM ET

The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, profiles as his new team's long-term answer under center. Mendoza had a dominant junior season at the University of Indiana in 2025, completing 72% of his pass attempts for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 16 games. The 22-year-old also showed some ability to produce with his legs, recording 276 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Currently, Mendoza appears to be entering his rookie training camp behind both Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell on the Raiders' quarterback depth chart. However, Cousins is entering his age-38 season, and O'Connell has not shown anything more than quality backup quarterback production to this point in his career. Mendoza could easily emerge as the starter in Las Vegas early on in 2026. With a current average draft position of QB27, Mendoza may be undervalued in redraft formats.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 6, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

Beginning with one of the most dominant fantasy seasons ever in his first year as a starter, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went on a five-year run that saw him finish as the QB4 or better four different times with bookending QB1 finishes. Since then, some of his most dangerous weapons have either moved on or slowed with age, and major philosophical changes in Kansas City have led to a statistical decline and the three worst fantasy seasons of his career. After leading one of the league's most aggressive offenses in his early seasons, Mahomes has seen his air yards drop from 8.6 yards per attempt to only 6.9 over his past three seasons. The more conservative approach has not necessarily led to more efficiency, as his touchdown-to-interception ratio also dropped by nearly half over that span. A saving grace for fantasy has been an increased scramble rate, which saw Mahomes rush for career highs of 422 yards and five touchdowns in 2025 despite playing in only 14 games before his season was ended by a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. How much of his mobility returns when he gets back on the field could be the most crucial element in determining his fantasy value in 2026, as his pass catchers remain largely unchanged from previous seasons. Expected to return to 11-on-11 work as early as training camp, Mahomes' movement will be watched closely, but for now he is RotoBaller's QB13 for 2026.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 5, 2026, 9:33 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) is currently working his way back from the torn Achilles that ended his 2025 campaign in Week 14. While Jones has not yet been fully cleared, he still appears to be tracking towards being ready to go for Week 1 of the 2026 season. Jones was having arguably his best NFL season before the injury in 2025, completing 68% of his pass attempts for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 13 games. The 29-year-old also rushed for 164 yards and five scores on 45 attempts. Jones may be less aggressive as a rusher in his first year back from injury, which could limit his fantasy upside for 2026. Still, the veteran quarterback appears to have found a home in Indianapolis and was the QB12 in per-game fantasy scoring before getting hurt last season. For rebuilding dynasty managers, buying low on Jones ahead of 2026 could pay dividends.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 5, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has made a 15-year career out of rising to the situation around him. Rarely has he shown an ability to truly elevate an offense, but with the right pieces around him, he's fully capable of managing the game and providing steady production that has frequently translated to fantasy success. With a deep group of pass-catchers in Washington's pass-heavy offense, he was able to turn in multiple top-six fantasy seasons, and while throwing to Justin Jefferson in Minnesota, he rarely fell outside the QB1 range. With the Achilles injury he suffered in 2023 further limiting what was never the most dynamic physical skill set, Cousins' reliance on a clean pocket and early separation from his receivers has only grown more apparent in recent years. Unfortunately, as he attempts to hold off first overall pick Fernando Mendoza for as long as possible in what could be his final starting job with the Raiders, the offense in Vegas features few pieces to get excited about outside of All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and 2025 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. Cousins is well-positioned in a Klint Kubiak offense that just saw journeyman Sam Darnold finish as the QB13 a season ago, but without a weapon like Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the outside, and with the new face of the franchise already breathing down his neck, the soon-to-be 38-year-old does not project as a major fantasy contributor in 2026 and is RotoBaller's QB33.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 4, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed more than 65% of his passes for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns to only seven interceptions; respectable numbers that earned him a QB18 finish, but a far cry from the MVP form that saw him finish as the QB7 or better in 10 of his first 13 seasons as a starter. Seven different times he finished a year as either the fantasy QB1 or QB2, and while those days are comfortably behind him, the 42-year-old 21st-year veteran should not be completely written off for 2026. With Mike McCarthy assuming the head coaching job in Pittsburgh, an offense that already threw the ball at the league's seventh-highest rate with Rodgers in 2025 could see even more volume when the two reunite. The Cowboys were one of the league's pass-heaviest teams in the final years of McCarthy's tenure, while the Packers led the league with a 67.5% pass rate the last time Rodgers led his offense. With Rodgers average depth of target ranking dead last in the NFL in 2025, his fantasy ceiling has fallen significantly in recent years, but with the Steelers actively surrounding him with capable pass-catching running backs and short area targets like Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard, an elevated floor should keep him in the streaming conversation throughout the 2026 season. At RotoBaller's QB29, Rodgers can still be a safe and consistent second quarterback in superflex leagues, providing value at ADP and allowing drafters to chase riskier upside from their QB1 slot.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 4, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

The fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. once sat as high as QB5 in consensus dynasty rankings, looking like an unstoppable fantasy force through the first two and a half games of his career. A significant shoulder injury ended his rookie season after only 84 pass attempts, a sample size small enough to keep his significant flaws hidden behind his unmatched rushing upside. Since then, Richardson has completed less than half of his 266 attempts, repeatedly proven incapable of holding the starting job, and fallen to the bottom of the Colts' depth chart. With Daniel Jones recovering from the Achilles tear that ended his 2025 season and limited to 7-on-7 work during last month's minicamp practices, Richardson split starter reps with 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard, with neither able to separate in any meaningful way. Jones is expected to ramp up participation when the team reconvenes for training camp, potentially amounting to another missed opportunity for Richardson. Because of his rare physical abilities, Richardson remains capable of racking up fantasy points anytime he gets onto the field, but with his career trending in the wrong direction, that solace makes him little more than a frustrating dynasty hold.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 3:33 PM ET

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward started all 17 games in his rookie season in 2025 after the Titans took him first overall out of the University of Miami, and he predictably struggled without much help around him on offense. Ward finished as the QB22 in fantasy football after completing 59.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 24-year-old added 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries. Ward showed improvement in the second half of the season and will be in better hands in Year 2 with the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who oversaw the rise of Josh Allen in Buffalo before leaving to become the New York Giants' head coach. Ward will also have reinforcements in the passing game in the form of free-agent addition Wan'Dale Robinson and fourth overall pick Carnell Tate, who has looked very impressive during offseason workouts. There is plenty of optimism surrounding Ward's development as he heads into his sophomore campaign, and if Daboll can help improve his accuracy and efficiency, he could bloom in 2026. RotoBaller has Ward ranked as the No. 25 QB for the upcoming season, but he has much more upside than most in that tier of signal-callers.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook