TreVeyon Henderson Sees Little Involvement in Win Over Broncos
New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson played a season-low 6% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the hosting Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. Meanwhile, backfield mate Rhamondre Stevenson played a season-high 94% of the snaps, carrying the ball 25 times for 71 yards in the 10-7 snowy victory. Henderson once again took a back seat to Stevenson, rushing the pigskin only three times for five yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. There was little offense to come by for either team in bad conditions in the second half in the Mile High City on Sunday, as the Patriots only mustered 206 yards of total offense. The 23-year-old from Ohio State had 23 total touches in the team's first two playoff wins, and he'll head into the Super Bowl in two weeks against a tough Seattle Seahawks defense as New England's clear No. 2 RB behind Stevenson.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
AJ Barner has Another Quiet Day in NFC Championship Win
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has been very quiet in the team's two playoff wins, as he caught just two of his three targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 31-27 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship. It was better than Barner's donut for fantasy managers in the blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, but it still was a disappointment. Quarterback Sam Darnold targeted Barner only three times among his 36 pass attempts on the day in a game that featured plenty of offense on both sides. The 23-year-old second-year tight end was the TE14 in half-PPR scoring during the regular season, catching 52 of his 68 targets for 519 yards and six touchdowns, and he remains mostly reliant on finding the end zone for fantasy production. For the Super Bowl in two weeks, Barner could face competition for targets from rookie Elijah Arroyo, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday after coming off Injured Reserve last week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Angels Sign Trey Mancini to Minor-League Deal
The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran first baseman Trey Mancini to a minor-league contract, according to Ken Rosenthal. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but it seems likely that Mancini will be headed to spring training as a non-roster invite. The former eight-round pick hasn't played in the majors since 2023, and he spent the first half of last season with the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, slashing .308/.373/.522 with 110 wRC+ across 74 games before opting out of his contract. He's been a free agent ever since, and now, he'll presumably head to Angels camp in Arizona with a chance to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. Nolan Schanuel has first base locked down for the Halos, but he's the only first baseman on the 40-man roster. Assuming the Angels choose to carry two first basemen into the regular season, Mancini and Niko Kavadas should compete for the role.
Source: Ken Rosenthal
Source: Ken Rosenthal
Cooper Kupp Scores Touchdown, Beats Old Team to Advance to Super Bowl
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp found the end zone in a revenge game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams in Seattle's NFC Championship victory. Kupp, who played for the Rams for the first eight seasons of his career, caught four of his six targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in the 31-27 win. The 32-year-old veteran's touchdown grab came in the fourth quarter to put Seattle up for good in the back-and-forth affair. Kupp is no longer in the prime of his career, and he was more of a low-upside role player for the Seahawks in 2025, but he has been more of a factor on offense during two postseason contests. In wins over the Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, Kupp has nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. He'll look to keep it going in two weeks in the Super Bowl against a New England Patriots defense that allowed the sixth-fewest receiving yards (2,014) during the regular season.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Tyler Callihan Fully Healthy, Will Compete for a Roster Spot
Cincinnati Reds utilityman Tyler Callihan (left forearm) says that he is a "full-go" ahead of spring training next month. Callihan suffered a gruesome left forearm fracture while crashing into the left-field wall in Atlanta last May. He was just four games into his rookie campaign at the time of the injury, and he ended up missing the remainder of the season. After a lengthy recovery, he's looking to compete for a roster spot during camp. When talking about Callihan, president of baseball operations Nick Krall said, "He is going to come in and compete for a spot on the club. That's a testament to him and his rehab and our rehab staff and him just putting in the work." The 25-year-old made three appearances in left field and one at second base prior to his injury, but he also played some first base at Triple-A in 2025 and has experience at third base from early in his minor league career. Across 24 Triple-A games prior to his promotion, he slashed an impressive .303/.410/.528 with a 15.1% walk rate, a 27.4% strikeout rate, and 150 wRC+. He went 1-for-6 with an RBI single over his short sample size in the majors. While Callihan doesn't have any immediate fantasy appeal, there's a path to potential playing time if he makes the Opening Day roster. Dane Myers, Garrett Hampson, Rece Hinds, and Blake Dunn are also in the mix and will compete with Callihan for a roster spot.
Source: Pat Brennan
Source: Pat Brennan
Tomoyuki Sugano Plans to Stay in MLB
Free agent starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano intends to stay in Major League Baseball and is "not considering" a return to Nippon Professional Baseball, according to a television interview translated to English by @gnomotoke on X. Sugano signed his first MLB contract with the Orioles a year ago, and he pitched to a 4.70 xFIP with 6.08 K/9 and 2.06 BB/9 in his debut season. While he remains a free agent, Sugano has reportedly connected with multiple teams and is waiting to receive an offer. 2025 wasn't a great season for Sugano by any means, but the expected metrics look upon him more favorably than the results, suggesting that he could be due for some improvement next season. The 36-year-old right-hander isn't a big swing-and-miss pitcher, so he typically needs to induce weak contact to generate favorable results. That didn't really happen in 2025, as he surrendered an 11.8% barrel rate with 1.89 HR/9. We don't know yet which teams are interested in Sugano, but he's likely looking for a major league deal if he feels compelled to stay stateside rather than return to NPB. He's not a viable fantasy baseball option for the 2026 campaign.
Source: Yahoo News
Source: Yahoo News
Declan Doyle Withdraws his Name for Eagles Offensive-Coordinator Vacancy
Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive-coordinator vacancy, sources told Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Doyle has decided to stay in Chicago to work with head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams after a special season in 2025 that saw the team advance to the Divisional Round of the postseason. The 30-year-old would have taken over play-calling duties for the Eagles had he been hired for the position, but he has decided to stick around under Johnson for at least one more season. Doyle was in his first year as the Bears' OC in 2025, but Johnson handled play-calling duties for the offense. Before joining Johnson's staff, Doyle was the Denver Broncos tight ends coach from 2023 to 2024. He also worked as an offensive assistant with the Saints from 2019 to 2022.
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Jerrod Johnson to Interview for Eagles Offensive-Coordinator Job
Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson is set to interview for the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive-coordinator position, a source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Sports. Johnson was also a candidate for the offensive-coordinator job with the Miami Dolphins before they went with former Texans OC Bobby Slowik. The Eagles spoke with Johnson for the same position in 2024, too, before ultimately giving the job to Kellen Moore, who is now the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Johnson has been Houston's QB coach since 2023 and has never held a coordinator position. If he were to land the job in Philadelphia, it remains to be seen if he'd be given play-calling responsibilities. Under Johnson, quarterback C.J. Stroud was amazing in his rookie season in 2023 before regressing in the last two seasons.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Joe Musgrove Ready for Spring Training
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Musgrove has been sidelined since October 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, but it sounds like he should be a full-go when the Padres report to Arizona next month. "I feel like I'm in a good position physically [and] mentally for the season," Musgrove said. Acee added that the veteran pitcher was preparing to be available for the NLCS if San Diego qualified, so the extra three months of recovery should only further verify that he's at full health. That's great news for the Padres and fantasy baseball managers. Musgrove projects to be the Padres' No. 3 starter, slotting in behind Michael King and Nick Pivetta. When he was last healthy in 2024, he pitched to a 3.74 xFIP with 9.12 K/9 and 2.08 BB/9 across 19 starts (99.2 innings). He hasn't pitched more than 100 innings since 2022, but the metrics from his last healthy campaign are very encouraging nonetheless. As it stands, Musgrove ranks as the #71 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
Source: Kevin Acee
Source: Kevin Acee
Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
The Los Angeles Chargers officially hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator, a source told Daniel Popper of The Athletic. McDaniel and the Chargers agreed on a deal almost a week ago, but he was still holding out hope of landing another head-coaching job. The Chargers will introduce McDaniel in the coming days as he takes over for previous OC Greg Roman. The Dolphins fired McDaniel after he led the team to a 7-10 record in 2025, and he immediately became a popular head-coaching candidate and potential OC around the league. He should bring some creativity to the Chargers' offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh after they fell short again in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs with a loss to the New England Patriots. The hiring of McDaniel should be good news for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Nathan Eovaldi Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder, hernia) does not expect to have any limitations ahead of spring training next month, he said during an appearance on the SportsDay Rangers podcast. Eovaldi suffered a season-ending rotator cuff strain last August, followed by a sports hernia that required surgery in October. However, it sounds like he's nearing full health, and not only will he be a full-go for spring training, but he should be cleared to make the Opening Day rotation. "I've been throwing multiple bullpens, and my arm feels great, body feels great, and I'm ready for the season to get going," he said. That's great news for the Rangers and fantasy baseball managers. Eovaldi pitched to a stellar 1.73 ERA last year, and his 2.80 FIP was also quite impressive despite suggesting he experienced some good luck. He should return to his terrific form this year, looking to maintain his phenomenal 8.93 K/9, 1.45 BB/9, and 50.3% ground ball rate from 2025. He currently projects as the No. 2 starter in an exciting rotation that also features Jacob deGrom and MacKenzie Gore. As it stands, Eovaldi ranks as the #42 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
Source: SportsDay Rangers
Source: SportsDay Rangers
Anthony Weaver a Finalist for Cardinals Head-Coaching Job
The Arizona Cardinals are interviewing former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver a second time on Monday for their head-coaching job, sources told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Weaver was a finalist for the head-coaching jobs with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers this cycle, and he was also a finalist for the New Orleans Saints' head-coaching gig last year. The 45-year-old was the Dolphins' defensive coordinator the last two years and also worked for the Ravens from 2021 to 2023 under head coach John Harbaugh. Weaver could be an ideal fit for the Cardinals organization as they look to replace Jonathan Gannon. The Buffalo Bills are also in play for Weaver, but the Cardinals appear to be making the bigger push for him. The Bills seem to prefer an offensive-minded head coach to pair with quarterback Josh Allen, so Weaver might be more of a long shot there.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Eagles Interview Frank Smith for Offensive-Coordinator Job
The Philadelphia Eagles have interviewed Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith for their offensive-coordinator job, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Smith has spent the last four years with the Dolphins, where he was voted the league's top OC in a 2023 NFL Players Association survey. The Eagles have had a tough time finding takers for their open OC role despite having plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Smith did not call plays in Miami under former head coach Mike McDaniel, but he'd most likely have the opportunity to do that in Philly. The Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl last year, but their offense went stagnant under first-year OC Kevin Patullo in 2025 and ranked 19th in points scored and 24th in total yards per game.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Sean McDermott Likely to Take a Year Off From Coaching
Former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who was surprisingly fired after his ninth year in Buffalo, is likely to take a year off from coaching, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. McDermott would be one of the top head-coaching candidates for any of the remaining NFL jobs, but to Rapoport's knowledge, he has not expressed interest in any of the openings around the league. Former QB Philip Rivers was among those who interviewed for the Bills' vacant head-coaching job last week, but he has since withdrawn his name from the search. Quarterback Josh Allen is firmly involved in the team's search for a new head coach and will have a big say on who the organization eventually goes with to replace McDermott. In his nine years as head coach, McDermott led Buffalo to eight playoff wins, but his failure to advance to the Super Bowl ultimately cost him his job.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Grant Udinski Withdraws From Browns Head-Coaching Search
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has withdrawn his name from the Cleveland Browns' head-coaching search on the heels of agreeing to a new deal with the Jaguars, a source told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Despite the agreement, Jacksonville is allowing Udinski to continue pursuing the head-coaching job with the Buffalo Bills. If he doesn't land the job in Buffalo, he will be back with head coach Liam Coen in Duval in 2026. Despite being only 30 years old, Udinski is already a legitimate head-coaching candidate. Udinski didn't call plays for the Jags offense in 2025, but he did help them finish sixth in scoring, 11th in total yards, and 12th in passing yards. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence also had a career-high 29 touchdown passes and 38 total TDs, which was third in the NFL behind Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Bills Expected to Reach Out to Davis Webb About Head-Coaching Job
The Buffalo Bills are expected to reach out to Denver Broncos passing-game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for their head-coaching job, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Webb, a former QB with the Bills, is a quick riser in the coaching ranks in the NFL and is also a strong candidate for the head-coaching job this cycle for the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite having no previous play-calling experience in the NFL, Webb could be an option in Buffalo because of his relationship with QB Josh Allen. Webb was a backup for the Bills from 2019 to 2021 before getting his start in coaching in 2023 with the Broncos. It remains to be seen if Webb will get a head-coaching job this cycle, but there's no question that he's quickly become one of the best young, rising offensive-minded coaches in the league.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Joe Brady has Second Interview for Raiders Head-Coaching Job
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady was in Las Vegas on Sunday for a second head-coaching interview with the Raiders, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Brady interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons before they went with other options, and he's still in play for the head-coaching jobs with the Bills and Arizona Cardinals. In addition to Brady, the other finalists to take over for Pete Carroll in Vegas are Seattle Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll. The Raiders are fully expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, so they will most likely go with an offensive-minded head coach.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Omar Cooper Jr. Declares for 2026 NFL Draft
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. He is one of five players from the College Football Playoff National Championship Game to submit written notice to the NFL informing them of his intention to forgo his collegiate eligibility. Cooper spent four seasons with the Hoosiers, collecting 115 receptions for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns in 42 career games. He had a breakout final season in Bloomington while catching passes from Fernando Mendoza, tallying 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He added three carries for 73 yards and a touchdown as a runner. The Indianapolis native is currently projected as a third-round pick in April, making him an intriguing later-round option in dynasty rookie drafts.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Mike McDaniel Still in the Running for Raiders Head-Coaching Job
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is still in the running for the Las Vegas Raiders' head-coaching job, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. If McDaniel doesn't land another head-coaching job this cycle, he's expected to be the Los Angeles Chargers' new offensive coordinator to replace Greg Roman, who was fired after the 2025 season. McDaniel pulled out of the head-coaching searches for the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills, but he's still in play in Vegas. The favorites for the Raiders' head-coaching job right now might be Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb. The most likely scenario for McDaniel is that he heads to L.A. to run their offense next season. With the Raiders expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, they are looking for an offensive-minded head coach.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Giants Hire Dennard Wilson as Their Defensive Coordinator
The New York Giants hired former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson as their new defensive coordinator on Sunday, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Wilson was the Titans' defensive coordinator for the last few years after previously working under John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens as their defensive backs coach in 2023. Tennessee's defenses were nothing special in terms of points allowed in Wilson's two years running the unit, and he'll now head to New York and a Giants team that has much more talent on that side of the ball. In addition to Wilson, the G-Men are expected to hire former Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton for the same role on Harbaugh's staff. Wilson and Horton are the first coordinators hired by Harbaugh in his new position after 18 seasons in Baltimore.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Rhamondre Stevenson Takes on Workhorse Role in AFC Championship Game
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson took on a workhorse role in his team's AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos, recording 71 rushing yards on 25 carries. While Stevenson averaged a highly inefficient 2.8 yards per touch for the game, he was still a crucial piece in helping New England game-manage its way to a victory in snowy conditions in Denver. The Patriots finished the game with just 206 yards of total offense, so Stevenson accounted for over a third of his team's output. Stevenson also appears to have completely taken over the lead role in New England's backfield from rookie back TreVeyon Henderson. After playing over 60% of the Patriots' offensive snaps in each of their first two postseason games, Stevenson played 94% of the team's snaps against Denver. Both New England backs now face a difficult matchup in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, who finished the regular season ranked first among NFL defenses in yards per carry allowed (3.7). Still, Stevenson appears better positioned than Henderson to take on a high-volume role and should have his chances for production.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Sam Darnold Stars in NFC Championship Game Victory
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had one of the best games of his career in his team's NFC Championship Game victory over the Los Angeles Rams, completing 25 of 36 pass attempts for 346 yards and three touchdowns without committing a turnover. The 28-year-old shook off his past demons against the Rams defense, which forced him into six interceptions across two regular-season matchups. Darnold will now have a chance to lead Seattle in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. New England's pass defense has been elite so far this postseason, holding opponents to just 415 total passing yards across three games. However, the Patriots have also been aided by some bad weather and faced backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham in their AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos. If Darnold plays the way he played in the NFC Championship Game in the Super Bowl, he should have a chance to post another stellar stat line.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was one of the stars of his team's NFC Championship Game victory over the Los Angeles Rams, recording 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. The 23-year-old bounced back from a relatively disappointing performance in the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers, in which he was held to just three receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown on four targets. In the Super Bowl, Smith-Njigba will face the New England Patriots. New England's pass defense has been completely dominant so far this postseason, allowing a total of 415 passing yards through three games. However, the Patriots have not exactly faced a murderer's row of opposing offenses, including the backup quarterback-led Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Regardless of opponent, Smith-Njigba has been arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL this season and carries elite production upside into the Super Bowl.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Stefon Diggs has Quiet Performance in AFC Championship Game
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs recorded a team-high five receptions on six targets in the AFC Championship Game, but was held to just 17 receiving yards in a win over the Denver Broncos. In fairness to Diggs, there was very little pass-game success for any player on either team in the snowy conditions in Denver on Sunday. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye finished the game with just 86 passing yards on 21 attempts. Still, Diggs has had a relatively quiet postseason so far, recording 11 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across three games played. He also played just 47% of New England's offensive snaps against Denver, fewer than fellow Patriots wideouts Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte. Diggs will face another tough matchup in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, who finished the regular season ranked first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0). The veteran wide receiver should get his chances to contribute, but his production ceiling appears to be somewhat limited heading into the Super Bowl.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Carlos Lagrange an Emerging Arm in Yankees System
New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange is an emerging arm in their system and could debut in the majors in 2026. The 22-year-old spent the 2025 campaign with High-A and Double-A, logging 120 total innings. With High-A, the right-hander posted a 4.10 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP across 41 2/3 innings of work. During this stint, Lagrange struck out 64 batters while allowing just 12 free passes. During his first look at Double-A, Lagrange posted an impressive 3.22 ERA with a slightly higher 1.29 WHIP. He struck out 104 batters through 78 1/3 innings but served up a much higher 50 walks. While Lagrange won't be in a position to break camp with the MLB roster, he could begin the 2026 season with Triple-A, opening the door for a first-half MLB debut.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye Stars as a Rusher in Snowy AFC Championship Win
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye certainly did not have his best game as a passer in his team's AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos, completing 10 of 21 pass attempts for 86 yards and taking five sacks. However, the 23-year-old rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts and did not commit a turnover after coughing up five turnovers over New England's first two postseason games. Given the snowy conditions in Denver and the fact that the Broncos' offense was without QB1 Bo Nix (ankle), it made sense for Maye and the Patriots to opt for a more conservative approach. He will likely be forced to take a few more chances in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, who have scored a combined 72 points across two games so far this postseason. Seattle finished the regular season ranked first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0), so Maye has a difficult task ahead of him.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Emmanuel Rodriguez to Break Camp with MLB Roster?
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez is a name to closely monitor during spring training as he could crack the Opening Day roster. According to MLB.com, Rodriguez is viewed as the No. 69 overall-ranked prospect in the sport and the No. 4-ranked in the Minnesota system. Rodriguez has battled numerous injuries during his minor league career, but has flashed immense upside when on the field. Last summer, the 22-year-old appeared in only 65 games in the minor leagues. He spent most of the year with Triple-A St. Paul (52 games), where he held a .258/.429/.423 line with seven doubles, six home runs, and nine stolen bases. While Byron Buxton is slated to cover center field, the corner outfield positions could be open for Rodriguez to claim. Managers in deeper five-outfielder leagues should keep a close eye on Rodriguez during spring training.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Philip Rivers Withdraws from Bills' Head Coaching Search
Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has withdrawn from the Buffalo Bills' head coaching search, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Garafolo reports that NFL head coaching "might very well be in (Rivers') future, just not right now." After initially hanging up his cleats at the end of the 2020 season, Rivers came out of retirement at age 44 and finished the 2025 season as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. He has coached high school football, but has no coaching experience at the NFL level. Buffalo moved on from long-time head coach Sean McDermott after the team's recent AFC Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos. McDermott went 98-50 in the regular season across nine years as the head man in Buffalo and led the team to seven consecutive double-digit win seasons from 2019 through 2025. However, Buffalo has not yet broken through past the AFC Championship Game since the emergence of star quarterback Josh Allen. A clear favorite to replace McDermott has yet to emerge, but the Bills appear to be casting a wide net in their search.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Enrique Bradfield Jr. Approaching Promotion to Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. is nearing his eventual promotion to join the MLB roster. Bradfield is currently considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Orioles system on MLB.com. Bradfield spent most of his 2025 season with Double-A Chesapeake, where he posted a .269/.393/.386 line. While he showed minimal power potential as he hit only two long balls, he flashed elite speed, swiping 26 bags. The former 17th overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft would then finish his 2026 season with Triple-A Norfolk, where he posted a much lower .179/.226/.286 line with only three extra-base hits across a 15-game stint. However, he would continue to show high-end speed, stealing six bags. While Bradfield won't compete for a spot on the MLB roster given Baltimore's current outfield depth, he is a name to monitor in the first half, as he may be the first name called following an injury.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braden Montgomery to Push for 2026 MLB Debut?
Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Braden Montgomery could contend for his MLB debut during the second half of the campaign. The team's top prospect, according to MLB.com, made his professional debut at the start of the 2025 season with Low-A. However, the former 12th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft quickly progressed through the Chicago system and finished the campaign with Double-A Birmingham. Across 121 total contests, Montgomery posted a strong .270/.360/.444 slash line with an .804 OPS. He hit 34 doubles, four triples, and added 12 long balls. The Texas A&M product swiped 14 bags as well. Given his quick progression through the lower levels, managers in deeper 12+ team leagues should continue to monitor Montgomery during the first half, as he could put himself in a great position to debut later in the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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