RADIO
TreVeyon Henderson Deployed in Rotational Role in the Red Zone
The New England Patriots put in heavy work out of the short area of the field over the weekend, and in all low red zone periods, second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson was the second back to see work with the first-team offense, rotating in behind veteran Rhamondre Stevenson. Neither back played in Thursday's preseason opener, but they both took carries in Saturday's red zone sessions, working behind fullback Reggie Gilliam, who was signed in free agency and should help a Patriots' rushing attack that too frequently came up short in critical situations in 2025. As a rookie, Henderson led the team in red zone opportunities, and he found some success as both a runner and receiver. However, with few signs throughout training camp that he's set for an expanded role in year two, another split with Stevenson is likely in 2026. With a current ADP of RB24, drafters are betting on upside and an eventual backfield takeover, but even in what projects to be a high-powered offense, there could again be early-season frustrations.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Jalen Nailor "Will Thrive" in Klint Kubiak's System
After four years in a depth role with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Jalen Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and former All-Pro Steve Smith Sr. believes a 1,000-yard season is well within his realm of possibilities. In speaking with NFL Insider James Palmer, Smith indicated that Nailor would not leave the field in Klint Kubiak's offense and will be the team's clear-cut number one receiver. With All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers in and out of the lineup, Tre Tucker led the Raiders with 696 receiving yards in 2025, but Smith points to his limited vertical route tree as an area where Nailor can step in and add significant improvement. Both Smith and Palmer were in agreement that the free agent addition can thrive in Kubiak's system, and with Nailor being drafted as the WR61, he is the exact type of upside swing that drafters should be targeting in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: James Palmer
Source: James Palmer
Rhamondre Stevenson Sees First-Team Reps in Red Zone
The New England Patriots spent Sunday's walkthrough practice in T-shirts and bucket hats, but in their latest competitive session on Saturday, the team worked heavily out of the low red zone, and it was veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson who led off all periods with the first-team offense. Second-year player TreVeyon Henderson, who actually led the Patriots in red zone carries as a rookie, rotated in, and both backs took carries behind fullback Reggie Gilliam. Stevenson and Henderson each scored five rushing touchdowns from within the 10-yard line in 2025, and they project to see another fairly even split, though they could both see their efficiency rise in that area of the field with Gilliam ahead of them. Stevenson is RotoBaller's RB26 and a player who should add significant value from the middle rounds of drafts with his underrated work in the receiving game and his share of high-value touches near the goal line.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Jayden Higgins Looking to Build Off Strong Finish to 2025 Season
After a solid finish to his rookie season, Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins is poised for a strong second season in 2026. Higgins hauled in 41 of 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games last season, finishing as the WR46 in half-PPR formats. The 34th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft started slowly, totaling just 159 yards in the first eight games, but finished strong, averaging over 40 receiving yards per game and scoring four touchdowns in nine games. Amid quarterback C.J. Stroud's struggles toward the end of the season, Higgins was fantasy-relevant as the WR2 in this offense. While Nico Collins remains the lead receiver in this offense, Higgins should continue to be a factor and could have a big year if Stroud returns to the level of play he showed during his rookie season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isiah Pacheco Will Not Practice Next Week
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will not practice this week, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain during last week's practice, and it reportedly won't affect his Week 1 status. However, with Pacheco's injury and Jacob Saylors (ankle) dealing with a minor injury, the team signed running back Trayveon Williams to a one-year contract. If this knee sprain lingers as the season approaches, Pacheco could lose reps to star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has proven he can be a full workhorse back. Fantasy managers of Gibbs and Pacheco should monitor the former Kansas City Chiefs back's status closely, since missed time could impact both players in fantasy.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Red Sox Promoting Outfield Prospect Justin Gonzales to Double-A
The Boston Red Sox are promoting outfield prospect Justin Gonzales to Double-A Portland, an MLB source told Ari Alexander of 7 News. Gonzales gets the call to Portland after hitting .271 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 89 games across 350 at-bats at High-A Greenville this year. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder is ranked as Boston's No. 2 prospect at MLB Pipeline, behind only shortstop prospect Franklin Arias. The 19-year-old Dominican bats from the right side of the plate and has some of the most raw power out of any of the team's position-player prospects. Gonzales generates tons of bat speed, which in turn lights up his exit velocities, and he's not hitting as many ground balls in 2026. He projects for 30-plus home runs at the major-league level and is extremely athletic and agile despite his hulking size. Gonzales has average speed and will most likely settle into a corner-outfield spot or at first base long-term. At just 19 years of age, nobody should be expecting Gonzales to make his big-league debut in Boston next year.
Source: 7 News - Ari Alexander
Source: 7 News - Ari Alexander
Jahmyr Gibbs to See Heavy Workload Early in Season?
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs could see a heavy workload early in the season due to backup Isiah Pacheco's injury. Gibbs recorded over 1,800 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, though he lost significant snaps to running back David Montgomery, who will start in Houston this season. The team signed former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who was expected to spell Gibbs in 2026. However, Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in practice last week, which could affect his Week 1 status. Even if Pacheco is active in Week 1, he is losing valuable practice reps and may need to be eased in. When Montgomery missed time in Detroit, Gibbs averaged 22.7 attempts per game, 143 scrimmage yards, and 10 touchdowns over seven games. In one of the league's most potent offenses, Gibbs is the favorite to be the first-overall pick in fantasy drafts this season.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Cubs Promoting Outfield Prospect Ethan Conrad to High-A
The Chicago Cubs are promoting outfield prospect Ethan Conrad to High-A South Bend, according to Chase Ford of Milb Central. Conrad, the 17th overall pick last year from Wake Forest University, earned the promotion late in the season after hitting .246/.325/.436 with a .762 OPS, four home runs, 21 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 29 games and 123 plate appearances at Single-A Myrtle Beach. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-handed hitter is ranked as the Cubs' No. 3 prospect at MLB Pipeline, behind only outfielder/first baseman Josiah Hartshorn and catcher/first baseman Owen Ayers. Conrad has a solid gap-to-gap approach at the plate and makes a lot of hard contact, but like many young hitting prospects, he can get over-aggressive. The 22-year-old has a solid power/speed profile right now in the low levels of the minor leagues, with a chance to develop more with added strength. Conrad has plenty of developing to do and probably won't be a realistic candidate to make his major-league debut until 2028.
Source: Milb Central - Chase Ford
Source: Milb Central - Chase Ford
Romeo Doubs Ascending at Patriots Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs has risen during training camp and delivered a stellar practice on Saturday. Doubs caught three touchdown passes in Saturday's practice and has had his best practices over the past week. Head coach Mike Vrabel said that Doubs is "trending in the right direction. I think he found where Rome can really help us -- be big, fast and aggressive." The former Green Bay Packers wideout had 55 receptions for 724 yards and six touchdowns last season, playing as a primary X receiver under Matt LaFleur. Now in New England, Doubs is expected to move around much more and, hopefully, be a key outside playmaker alongside former Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown. Ranked WR54 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Doubs looks like a potential steal at his current value in a new situation.
Source: Mike Reiss - ESPN
Source: Mike Reiss - ESPN
Blake Corum Listed as Backup on Unofficial Depth Chart
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum was listed as the backup to Kyren Williams on the team's unofficial preseason depth chart. Corum had a strong second season in 2025, totaling 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 17 games, while adding only 36 receiving yards on eight catches. Although Corum and Williams split work late last season, the team left the veteran back as the RB1, with Corum as the RB2. While the unofficial depth chart isn't a definitive indicator of the team's backfield plans, it does support the Rams' belief in Williams, who recorded over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Corum is currently ranked RB32 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, which may be too high a price if he sees a workload similar to last season.
Source: Los Angeles Rams
Source: Los Angeles Rams
DeMeco Ryans Views David Montgomery As No. 1 Back
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans considers running back David Montgomery the team's lead back this season. Ryans said on the SiriusXM NFL show last week, "I see David as a number one back. He's a really good runner; he's always been a runner whenever he touches the ball. Strong, runs low, runs behind his pads." Montgomery spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Lions, splitting carries with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite a timeshare, he averaged 75 scrimmage yards per game and scored 33 touchdowns in 45 games. Now he heads to Houston, where he expects to lead a committee with second-year back Woody Marks. Ranked RB21 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, the veteran back has a chance to be a solid RB2 in fantasy leagues this season.
Source: Houston Stressans
Source: Houston Stressans
Bryan Woo Pulled as a Precaution With Shoulder Soreness
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (shoulder) was pulled from Sunday's game against the division-rival Houston Astros after only 75 pitches because he was dealing with a little bit of soreness in his right shoulder, with manager Dan Wilson calling the early exit precautionary, per Shannon Drayer. Woo stayed in the contest long enough to earn his ninth win of the year, allowing two earned runs on three hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out five in six innings of work for a quality start as well. Because the Mariners don't seem too concerned about Woo's shoulder, fantasy managers should expect him to make his next start next weekend at home against the Chicago Cubs. After his quality start on Sunday evening on the road at Daikin Park in the 3-2 victory, Woo is now 9-8 in 2026 with a 4.10 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 138 1/3 innings pitched across his 24 starts. The former sixth-rounder in 2021 from Cal Poly gave up 10 earned runs in 10 innings in his final two starts in July, but he has now allowed just two earned runs in 18 innings over his last three starts against the Astros, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees.
Source: Shannon Drayer
Source: Shannon Drayer
Pitching Prospect Quinn Mathews to Start Game 1 of Doubleheader
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports that St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews will be called up from Triple-A Memphis to start Game 1 of the team's doubleheader on Monday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Right-hander Andre Pallante will get the nod for Game 2 for the Cards. Mathews, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was called up on Aug. 1 to make his major-league debut and allowed two earned runs with three walks and three strikeouts in five innings in a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on the road. The 25-year-old southpaw and former fourth-rounder from Stanford University has gone 5-4 this year with a 3.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 120:61 K:BB in 99 innings and 21 starts for Memphis. Mathews will face a Reds squad that ranks 24th in the league in team OPS, but the young lefty could be sent right back down to Memphis following his second major-league start. In the long-term at the MLB level, Mathews projects as more of a back-end starter in St. Louis than an ace.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Maikel Garcia Could Rejoin the Royals on Monday
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) didn't play in a minor-league rehab game on Sunday, but if he's feeling good, there's a chance he could come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the big-league club on Monday before their series opener at home against the Athletics. Garcia has gone 3-for-16 at the plate on his rehab assignment after joining Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, and the 26-year-old could be on the verge of rejoining the Royals for the first time since being put on the 10-day injured list with a muscle strain in his left hand back on June 23. When he's activated, Garcia should take over as the team's starting third baseman, which will push Nick Loftin back to a utility role off the bench. Garcia has just three home runs, 30 RBI, and five stolen bases in 2026 in his fourth full season in the majors, but he did have 16 homers, 74 RBI, and 23 steals in 160 games as a first-time All-Star in 2025, and he had 83 stolen bases from 2023-25. With eligibility in Yahoo leagues at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, Garcia should at least be a versatile speed threat for fantasy managers the rest of the way. He's currently rostered in 76% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sporting Tribune - Jack Janes
Source: Sporting Tribune - Jack Janes
Can Jack Bech Remain Involved Despite Raiders' Wide Receiver Additions?
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech seems like a natural fit for a Year 2 breakout, but the team's offseason moves could serve as an obstacle in his development. There are no flashy names in Vegas' receiver room, but the Raiders deliberately signed both Jalen Nailor and Noah Brown. Both receivers are veterans in the NFL, and they have the ability to serve as dependable (albeit not very flashy) targets for Kirk Cousins and, eventually, Fernando Mendoza. Although Bech might have more long-term upside than Nailor and Brown, he's not exactly a proven veteran target who can form a rapport with Cousins and Mendoza right away, so it would be tough to justify drafting him in redraft leagues. In addition to Nailor and Brown, he faces competition for targets from Tre Tucker and Dont'e Thornton. At this point, Bech is avoidable in most redraft leagues, but we would continue to stash him on the back end of dynasty rosters, as he still represents a key part of the Raiders' offense long-term.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
