Sep 4, 2026, 4:31 PM ET

Tennessee Titans new head coach Robert Saleh is convinced that new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will help quarterback Cam Ward improve in his second season in the NFL, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. "This kid's not going to fail," Saleh said. "Obviously, I put my job on that one, but he's not going to fail. He's special." Ward did little to impress anyone in two preseason games, but he looked much better in joint practices against the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears. Last year's first overall pick, Ward finished his rookie campaign with 3,169 passing yards (17th), 15 touchdowns (25th), and seven interceptions (tied for 10th-most), but he showed improvement in his final five games, throwing eight TDs and just one interception. "I have a lot of confidence in this young man," Daboll said. The new coaching staff is not looking to tweak Ward's throwing motion, but they are putting an emphasis on his decision-making, encouraging him to take what the defense is giving him while also looking for opportunities to make chunk gains down the field. With the offseason additions of receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and rookie Carnell Tate, Ward will have more help in the passing game. The jury is still out on Ward as he heads into Year 2, but with a better supporting cast of coaches and receivers, he is trending up in superflex fantasy leagues as a low-end QB2 option with upside in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport

Sep 4, 2026, 4:27 PM ET

Illinois junior wide receiver Collin Dixon looked like the focal point of the offense in Friday night's 42-23 victory over UAB. Dixon caught six passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns, leading the team in all categories as the go-to playmaker for quarterback Katin Houser. Dixon has been steadily involved at Illinois over his first two seasons, and caught 35 passes for 548 yards and five touchdowns last year. With Hank Beatty off to the NFL, Dixon slots in as the top option.--Brant Henson - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Sep 4, 2026, 4:26 PM ET

Across 17 games in 2025, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard recorded 1,288 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 275 touches. The 29-year-old has quietly been one of the NFL's most consistent running backs in recent years, recording at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,250 scrimmage yards in four consecutive seasons. Pollard has also been exceptionally durable, missing just two games in that stretch. While playing in subpar Tennessee offenses, Pollard's fantasy value has been held down by his lack of red zone opportunities. However, the Titans project to be a more dangerous offense in 2026 with Brian Daboll now calling plays and quarterback Cam Ward entering his second NFL season. Fellow Titans back Tyjae Spears will steal some work from Pollard, but Pollard has averaged over 17 touches per game while sharing a backfield with Spears over the past two seasons. As a steady low-end RB2/high-end flex, Pollard may be undervalued in fantasy drafts entering 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 4, 2026, 4:24 PM ET

Minnesota running back Darius Taylor has been one of the nation's best backs when healthy, but the senior dealt with health issues last season and only ran for 670 yards and four touchdowns. After just one game, Taylor has almost matched last year's touchdown mark. Minnesota blew out Eastern Illinois 59-7 on Friday night, and Taylor was one of the stars of the show. He carried the ball 14 times for 56 yards and three touchdowns, while catching three more passes for 31 yards. Taylor appeared to be fully healthy and will look to carry that momentum into next week's huge matchup against Mississippi State.--Brant Henson - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Sep 4, 2026, 4:20 PM ET

Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) will take a seat for Friday's contest at home against the visiting Chicago Cubs, according to MLB.com. Deyvison De Los Santos will make the start at first base for the Fish and hit seventh against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. Stowers will take the day off after being pulled early in Thursday's contest due to tightness in his left hamstring. The left-handed slugger has been on the injured list already this year with hamstring issues, so the Marlins will play it safe and hold him out on Friday night. For now, fantasy managers should consider Stowers as day-to-day and check back on him on Saturday. The 28-year-old former second-rounder by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 from Stanford was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his first full year in South Beach, slashing .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 homers, 73 RBI, 61 runs, and five stolen bases. Stowers has not been quite as good in 2026, but he also has not been as healthy. He enters Friday's action with 18 homers, 59 RBI, and 48 runs scored to go with a .247/.333/.471 slash line in 104 games and 437 plate appearances.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 4, 2026, 4:19 PM ET

Across 16 games in 2025, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 66.4% of his pass attempts for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The 28-year-old also rushed for a career-high 498 yards and two touchdowns on 83 attempts, which helped him finish the year as the fantasy QB10 in both overall and per-game scoring. Entering 2026, there's reason to believe Herbert could be well-positioned to top 4,000 passing yards for the first time since 2022. The Chargers have a new offensive coordinator in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who should help open up the offense with more explosive plays down the field. Herbert also has a much healthier offensive line in front of him and an extremely talented group of offensive weapons to throw the ball to. As long as he stays healthy, Herbert has a chance to put together his most productive statistical season since 2021, when he threw for 5,014 yards and 35 touchdowns.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 4, 2026, 4:17 PM ET

Senior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. opted to forgo the NFL Draft and return to Miami after breaking out with 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns a season ago. Fletcher was one of the top running back options in college fantasy drafts this offseason, and should be in lineups this week as the Hurricanes kick the season off across the country against Stanford. Favored by 24 points, Miami should not have a problem taking care of the Cardinal in what should be a mismatch. They are likely to lean on Fletcher, and could give him a big workload in the ACC opener.--Brant Henson - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Sep 4, 2026, 4:16 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston quietly put together the best season of his career in 2025, and the setup around him looks even more interesting now. Johnston caught 51 passes for a career-high 735 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games while averaging 14.4 yards per catch, another career best. It was also his second straight season with eight scores. Mike McDaniel takes over the offense this year and has been particularly bullish on Johnston, praising the growth he has already shown and the explosiveness he brings to the receiver room. Johnston should also get more chances to create after the catch, something he has openly said fits his game. The summer ended on a high note when he hauled in a 65-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert in the preseason finale. Ladd McConkey remains the safer bet to lead Los Angeles in targets, and Tre' Harris will have a role, so Johnston may still have some uneven weeks. After improving again in 2025, though, there are more ways for him to produce in this offense than there were a year ago.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 4, 2026, 4:11 PM ET

Georgia Tech lost their top three receivers from a season ago, leaving the position barren in terms of experience. With the lack of experience in the room, sophomore Jordan Allen stepped up on Friday night in the 14-13 loss to Colorado. Allen caught eight passes for 113 yards as the clear go-to option for quarterback Alberto Mendoza. The sophomore did have 22 receptions for 304 yards a season ago, but had by far the best game of his career on Friday. It appears likely that he will remain the top receiving option for Mendoza.--Brant Henson - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Sep 4, 2026, 4:09 PM ET

Across 16 games in 2025, Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby recorded 58 carries for 344 yards and two touchdowns. Entering 2026, Bigsby's path to fantasy-relevant production remains blocked by star Eagles back Saquon Barkley. However, Barkley is now entering his age-29 season and has amassed over 800 touches (including the postseason) over the last two seasons. If Barkley were to suffer an injury, Bigsby would likely see a significant role increase and would immediately leap into top-24 running back territory for fantasy managers. In the lone game that Barkley missed in 2025, Bigsby recorded 106 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 18 touches. For fantasy managers searching for a premium handcuff running back option, Bigsby should be at the top of the priority list.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 4, 2026, 4:06 PM ET

Utah junior running back Wayshawn Parker showed off his explosiveness and an eye for the endzone in Week 1's 66-14 win over Idaho. Parker carried the ball 12 times for 71 yards and a touchdown, while catching three passes for 23 yards and two more scores. His versatility as a runner and receiver makes him a key player in Utah's offense this season. Parker ran for 981 yards and six touchdowns last season and added three more house calls through the air. --Brant Henson - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Sep 4, 2026, 4:02 PM ET

Missouri sophomore wide receiver Donovan Olugbode put together the best game of his career in the 54-14 blowout win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The sophomore caught eight passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns, starring as Austin Simmons' go-to target. He had 30 catches for 401 yards and two scores as a true freshman last season, but the sophomore has clearly taken a step forward. He is firmly on the fantasy radar as the go-to target in what could be a high-powered offense.--Brant Henson - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Sep 4, 2026, 3:59 PM ET

Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) remains out of the starting lineup for the contest on Friday against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, per MLB.com. Eli White will make another start in center field for the BoSox and will bat ninth against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz. It will be the second straight game that Rafaela will sit out after he was pulled from Wednesday's tilt against the Seattle Mariners early with tightness in his quad muscle. Rafaela is being considered day-to-day for now, and he could return for Game 3 of a four-game series in Baltimore on Saturday. Fantasy managers will want to check back then. The 25-year-old from Curaçao is on the verge of his first 20-20 campaign in the big leagues this year, as he is currently slashing .282/.317/.443 with a .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored in his 135 games and 569 plate appearances. Rafaela has been pretty consistent each month of the season and is a must-start in all fantasy formats when active for his contributions across the board in all categories.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 4, 2026, 3:57 PM ET

Tulane running back Jamauri McClure (foot) will not play in Week 1's matchup against Duke. McClure ran for 540 yards and two touchdowns last season and is the leading returning rusher for the Green Wave. He may return as early as next week against South Alabama. In McClure's place, Maurice Turner and Jaylin Lucas should get plenty of work. Turner is a senior who played limited snaps last season, and Lucas transferred in from Florida State where he starred as a kick returner.--Brant Henson - RotoBaller
Source: On3