RADIO
Parker Washington Carrying Momentum from Strong 2025 Finish
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington has continued to build on his strong finish to the 2025 season. Over three games, Washington has caught 15 of 23 targets for 221 yards and two touchdowns, averaging just under 14 half-PPR fantasy points per game. When combined with his last four games from last season, his seven-game average would be 96 receiving yards, five touchdowns, and 16.8 half-PPR fantasy points per game. With Brian Thomas Jr. being phased out of the Jaguars' passing game and Trevor Lawrence looking like a potential MVP candidate, Washington should continue to produce solid fantasy numbers. He faces the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, where he should be listed as a high-end WR2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacob Markstrom Shuts Out Defending Champions
Florida Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 15 pucks for his 26th career shutout in Tuesday's 1-0 overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes. Previously, only two Panthers shot-stoppers had recorded a shutout in a season-opening game. Markstrom's impressive performance helped Florida become the fifth team in history to shut out the reigning Stanley Cup champions in their season opener. Last season, Markstrom had one shutout with the New Jersey Devils, so he will be delighted with how his second Panthers debut went. The Panthers now travel to San Jose, where Markstrom will face Macklin Celebrini and the exciting Sharks in a tricky matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Chuba Hubbard the Clear Workhorse in Carolina
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard appears to be the team's workhorse, with Jonathon Brooks (core) on injured reserve. In three games this season, Hubbard has logged 41 carries for 184 yards and a touchdown, plus nine receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Although he didn't score in Week 3's loss to the Cleveland Browns, he was the clear RB1, playing 84% of the snaps, 82% of the backfield opportunities, and most of the pass-catching work. With Brooks out 6-8 weeks, we should continue to see this elite usage for Hubbard through most of the fantasy season. As he faces the Detroit Lions in Week 4, Hubbard factors in as an RB2 with upside if he can find the end zone.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malachi Toney Faces First Real Test Of Season
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney will finally get to show his talents against Clemson in Week 5. The star wideout did not face Clemson in his freshman year but has supreme confidence heading into this matchup. Through four games, Toney is the WR3 with 109.4 fantasy points on 34 receptions for 564 yards and six touchdowns. Toney has a solid 29.3% target share and a ludicrous 91% catch rate. Toney may be the best slot wide receiver in college football with 132 of his 192 snaps coming from the slot, per PFF. Toney will likely line up frequently against Clemson star cornerback Ashton Hampton in the Week 5 ACC clash. Hampton is only allowing a 28% catch rate on 25 targets for 24.5 yards per game. Toney is ranked as RotoBaller's WR4 heading into the Week 5 matchup, and fantasy owners should feel confident starting him.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeremy Swayman Starts Season With Shutout
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman made a perfect start to the new season on Tuesday night, recording a 24-save shutout in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. Swayman outplayed perennial Vezina Trophy candidate Igor Shesterkin, who gave up two late goals. The Bruins sealed the deal with an empty-netter. Swayman became only the fourth netminder in franchise history to record a shutout in a season opener. This should give him some early momentum. Next up, the Bruins face a back-to-back against Winnipeg and Minnesota, so Michael DiPietro will likely see some action in the crease later this week.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Larry Nance Jr. Limited at Start of Pacers Camp
Indiana Pacers forward/center Larry Nance Jr. (hamstring) is limited to 5-on-0 work at the start of training camp, according to Tony East of Forbes. Head coach Rick Carlisle said the 33-year-old suffered the injury a little over two weeks ago and expressed optimism that Nance could be a full participant within another week or two. Nance averaged 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes across 35 games with Cleveland last season. With Ivica Zubac and Jay Huff already in the center rotation, Nance may have to settle for a smaller reserve role once healthy, keeping his fantasy appeal fairly limited.
Source: Tony East
Source: Tony East
Rashee Rice Picking Up Steam After Slow Start
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice dominated the team's target volume in Week 3 and should be a strong option moving forward. In three games, Rice has caught 13 of 17 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown, averaging 10.5 half-PPR fantasy points per game. His most productive game came against the Miami Dolphins, when he hauled in seven of nine targets for 88 yards and out-targeted the next-closest receiver by six. After a slow start to training camp following knee surgery in May, Rice seems to be hitting his stride. With Patrick Mahomes looking great after his knee injury, Rice and the entire offense should be productive this season. He faces the 3-0 Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, where Rice fits the high-end WR2 category for fantasy purposes.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Evan Bouchard Bags Five Points in Season-Opening Loss
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard produced a memorable performance in Tuesday's season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, scoring a hat trick and dishing out two assists in a 6-5 overtime loss. He became the first defenseman in NHL history to record as many as five points in a season-opening game. Bouchard had an incredible 95-point campaign in 2025-26 and appears not to have lost any momentum in the offseason. He's a must-start player in fantasy hockey and will look to do damage against the Canucks again on Thursday night.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Matas Buzelis Plans to Attack the Rim More in Year 3
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis expects more offensive freedom under new head coach Tiago Splitter and wants to attack the rim more this season, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. The 21-year-old said he focused on adding strength after feeling he settled for too many three-pointers last year. Buzelis averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 34.9 percent from three and 58.3 percent on two-point attempts. More drives and midrange work could help him get to the line more often while improving his shot selection. With Josh Giddey and rookie Caleb Wilson also needing touches, Buzelis finding better scoring opportunities could be key to another step forward.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Drake London Back in WR1 Conversation with QB Back
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London exploded in Week 3, hauling in nine of 10 targets for 194 yards in the 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers. After a horrific start with Cooper Rush under center, Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. returned and helped rejuvenate London's slow start. Penix and London have a strong connection dating back to Penix's rookie season in 2024. In 13 games together, London has hauled in 91 of 143 targets for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging a whopping 17.6 half-PPR fantasy points per game. They face the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, where London should be considered a low WR1. Despite the slow start, his chemistry with Penix should bode very well for his fantasy stock for the rest of the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Whitmore Stands Out Early in Camp
Denver Nuggets forward Cam Whitmore made a strong first impression at training camp, according to Ryan Blackburn of Mile High Sports. Head coach David Adelman singled out the 22-year-old as one of the players who stood out on the first day, continuing the positive feedback Whitmore has received since joining Denver on a two-way contract. He averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes across 21 games with Washington last season before a shoulder-related venous condition ended his year. Whitmore still has to earn a place in Denver's rotation, but the early praise gives him a chance to make a case for regular reserve minutes.
Source: Ryan Blackburn
Source: Ryan Blackburn
Nikita Grebenkin Considered Day-to-Day
Philadelphia Flyers winger Nikita Grebenkin (undisclosed) is day-to-day, according to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia. The Russian forward is dealing with an undisclosed injury that could keep him out of Wednesday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, unlike fellow forward Denver Barkey (lower body), Grebenkin hasn't landed on Injured Reserve. This suggests he's simply banged up and may still be available against Pittsburgh. If Grebenkin can't play, the Flyers will primarily miss his physicality, as he averaged 1.6 hits per game during his rookie season last year.
Source: Jordan Hall
Source: Jordan Hall
Kon Knueppel Iffy for Opening Night
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) remains uncertain for the Oct. 21 season opener in Brooklyn, according to Owen Watterson of Sports Illustrated. General manager Jeff Peterson said Monday that he "doesn't know" whether Knueppel will be ready, though the 21-year-old said he is no longer dealing with pain. Knueppel will miss the entire preseason after averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while leading the league with 273 three-pointers as a rookie. Charlotte wants him handling more playmaking responsibility this season following the departures of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. If Knueppel misses time, Grayson Allen and Sion James could pick up extra perimeter minutes, while Brandon Miller and Coby White would have more offense to absorb.
Source: Owen Watterson
Source: Owen Watterson
Pitt's Ja'Kyrian Turner Listed As Questionable
Pitt running back Ja'Kyrian Turner (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Week 5 against Virginia Tech. The sophomore running back has been dealing with an undisclosed injury all season and has been limited to just one game. In his only game this season, Turner was limited to 11 carries, rushing for 39 yards and catching 4 passes for 69 receiving yards. Turner was suited up for Pitt's Week 3 matchup against Syracuse but did not play, and he did not suit up for the team's Week 4 matchup against Bucknell. Virginia Tech is one of the toughest fantasy matchups for running backs, allowing only 83.3 rushing yards per game. Because of the tough matchup and uncertainty about whether Turner will play, fantasy owners should have a backup plan in place.
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
Jordan Addison Could See More Volume if Teammate Misses Time
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison could see a significant increase in targets following the injury to star receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle). In three games this season, Addison has hauled in seven of 16 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown, averaging just under seven half-PPR fantasy points per game. Despite his slow start, Jefferson suffered an ankle sprain and couldn't play through it in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his absence, Addison was very productive, hauling in five of nine targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. With the Vikings' bye week coming up in Week 6, Addison could be the focal point of the passing game if Jefferson can't return in Weeks 4 and 5. Fantasy managers will need to track Jefferson's practice status, as it will likely determine whether Addison can be started against the Miami Dolphins.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
