RADIO
Isaiah Williams' Week 1 Opportunity Produces Just One Target
New York Jets wide receiver Isaiah Williams got a bigger opportunity than expected in Week 1, but it didn't turn into much. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. opened ahead of him and caught a 30-yard pass before leaving in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Williams wound up playing 40 of 67 offensive snaps and caught his only target for seven yards. That is the concern. All summer, the Jets talked about finding ways to get Williams involved after a strong camp, but even with Cooper exiting early, the ball barely found him. Garrett Wilson drew seven targets and Adonai Mitchell had three, while Williams mostly just occupied snaps. Cooper is out for Week 2, which keeps Williams in the picture, but it doesn't erase what the opener showed. He had a chance to turn the summer buzz into a real offensive role and didn't see enough volume to do it. His fantasy stock is lower now than it was coming out of August.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Corey Kiner's Role Shrinks After Week 1 Opportunity
New England Patriots running back Corey Kiner got six carries in the season opener, but the opportunity came with TreVeyon Henderson sidelined by an ankle injury. Kiner managed 11 yards on those attempts and worked behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who handled 18 carries and five catches. Kiner was the only other New England running back to record a carry. That temporary opening is gone. Henderson practiced in full all week and was left off New England's final game-status list, clearing him to return Sunday against Pittsburgh. The Patriots' current depth chart has Stevenson first, Henderson second and Kiner third. Kiner did not do much with the extra work in Week 1, averaging 1.8 yards per carry, and there was no receiving production to help his case. With Henderson back in the mix, Kiner is likely to lose the backup workload he had against Seattle. His path to fantasy-relevant touches is much narrower heading into Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonnu Smith's Week 1 Role Limits His Fantasy Appeal
Green Bay Packers tight end Jonnu Smith put up 50 receiving yards in Week 1, but 43 of them came on one catch. The rest of the usage was less encouraging. Smith played 32 of Green Bay's 68 offensive snaps and drew three targets, while Tucker Kraft played 45 snaps and saw six. Kraft was making his return from a torn ACL, yet he still handled the larger share of the work and finished with three catches for 65 yards. Smith only joined Green Bay at the end of August, so his role could grow as he gets more comfortable in the offense. The Packers also used multiple tight ends heavily in the opener, which keeps Smith involved. Still, the early pecking order was pretty clear. Kraft was the more prominent receiving option, and Smith needed one 43-yard play to get to 50 yards. That makes Smith's Week 1 box score look better than the underlying role did.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cameron Dicker Remains A Starting Fantasy Kicker for Week 2
Los Angeles Chargers placekicker Cameron Dicker is still worth starting in fantasy football lineups in Week 2. The Chargers will host division rival Las Vegas Raiders Sunday afternoon. Dicker fell victim to an underwhelming Week 1 performance by the Chargers offense that produced two touchdowns and failed to surpass 300 total yards. As a result, the 26-year-old had two fantasy points in an expected favorable matchup. Dicker enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's K6. The Raiders defense allowed 220 passing yards, five 20-plus-yard passing plays, and 4.1 yards per contact to a shaky Miami Dolphins offense. If the Chargers are the offense we expected, Dicker will be attached to an elite offense with a favorable matchup. Managers can once again put Dicker in starting lineups heading into Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
David Njoku A Risky Play in Week 2 Matchup vs. Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku appears to be the Chargers' lead tight end heading into Sunday's home matchup against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Njoku led the position group in targets, catches, and receiving yards in the home opener last week. The 30-year-old enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's PPR TE24 against a shaky Raiders secondary. The Raiders defense allowed 220 passing yards to an inexperienced Miami Dolphins passing game last week. Njoku will receive a slight bump in value if Ladd McConkey (ribs) is unable to play, but will still have to compete with Charlie Kolar and Oronde Gadsden for snaps. McConkey exited Week 1 after taking a big hit and was held out of practice until participating in a limited amount on Friday. Njoku is a touchdown-dependent tight end and should remain off fantasy radars heading into Week 2.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Orioles Shutting Ryan Helsley Down
The Baltimore Orioles are shutting down right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) for the rest of the season, general manager Mike Elias told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. The focus is on Helsley getting ready for next season. Elias said that Helsley is not dealing with a new injury, but the debate was over contracting his buildup timeline, and the O's opted against that. In related news, the Orioles reinstated right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list, and he will join the team's active roster for the first time since July of last year after he had surgery to fix a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his shoulder. Helsley's first year in Baltimore was a lost cause due to his elbow issues, as he was able to throw only 15 1/3 innings, going 0-4 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 21 strikeouts, and eight saves in 17 appearances. He will not be a lock to open the 2027 campaign as Baltimore's primary closer, especially with Bautista now back and healthy.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Tre' Harris on Deep-League Flex Radar vs. Raiders in Week 2
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Tre' Harris offers intriguing upside on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Harris could be forced into the WR2 role with Ladd McConkey (ribs) being listed as questionable. McConkey exited Week 1 after taking a big hit and was held out of practice until participating in a limited amount on Friday. Harris enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's PPR WR70 in a favorable matchup against the Raiders' secondary. Raiders defense allowed 220 passing yards and five 20-plus-yard passing plays to a shaky Miami Dolphins passing game last week. This could be the opportunity Harris stockholders have been waiting for to see their fantasy investment break out in an expanded role. Harris is a viable flex option in deeper leagues and carries an unknown ceiling heading into Week 2.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
DK Metcalf's Stock Gets Another Boost
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf already opened the season as Aaron Rodgers' busiest target, and his path to another heavy workload got clearer Saturday. Michael Pittman Jr. has been ruled out for Sunday's game against New England because of a foot injury after missing practice Thursday and Friday. Pittman caught all three of his targets for 58 yards in Week 1 and ran a route on 92.9% of Pittsburgh's dropbacks. Metcalf had already drawn 10 targets in the opener, good for a 27% target share, despite finishing with only four catches for 40 yards. Pittsburgh will have to redistribute Pittman's snaps and routes, but there is no guarantee those chances all flow to Metcalf. He was already the clear volume leader before the injury. Now one of the other receivers who rarely left the field in Week 1 is unavailable. That is enough to give Metcalf's fantasy stock another bump heading into Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quentin Johnston Could Be in Line for Bigger Target Share vs. Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston could see more targets on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The team could be forced to depend on Johnston as their WR1 with Ladd McConkey (ribs) officially questionable. McConkey exited Week 1 after taking a big hit and was held out of practice until participating in a limited amount on Friday. Johnston enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's PPR WR39. The 25-year-old will face a Raiders secondary that allowed 220 passing yards and five 20-plus-yard passing plays to a shaky Miami Dolphins passing game last week. Johnston could find himself being targeted often downfield on vertical routes. He is a viable flex option for managers and carries high upside heading into Week 2.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Omarion Hampton Hopes to Bounce Back in Week 2 vs. Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton is looking to bounce back at home on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Hampton salvaged his Week 1 performance with a rushing touchdown after failing to surpass 50 rushing yards. The 23-year-old enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's PPR RB13 against a Raiders defense that held the Miami Dolphins to 74 rushing yards to open the season. Heading into Sunday, the Raiders defense has seen the third-fewest rush attempts in the league but is middle of the pack in yards per carry (4.1). The Chargers could be forced to operate without Ladd McConkey (ribs) this week, and he is officially listed as questionable. If McConkey's out, the team could lean more run-heavy and use Hampton out of the backfield as a pass-catcher. Managers can comfortably start Hampton in Week 2, and he has RB1 upside if he gets more touches
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Justin Herbert Remains a Solid Option in Week 2 vs. Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert looks to bounce back at home on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Herbert and the Chargers' offense are coming off a letdown Week 1 performance, failing to produce 300 yards of offense and managing only 14 points. The 28-year-old enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's QB8 in a favorable matchup against a Raiders' defense that surrendered 220 passing yards to a shaky Dolphins passing game. However, the Chargers' WR1, Ladd McConkey (ribs), is listed as questionable heading into the game. The Chargers ran a McConkey-centric offense in Week 1 and relied heavily on him to keep the offense moving. With him off the field, the team averaged 3.9 yards per pass and had a -0.61 EPA per play, according to Trevor Sikkema of NFL.com. Herbert can still be plugged into starting lineups in Week 2 but might see a capped upside if McConkey is unable to play.
Source: NFL.com - Trevor Sikkema
Source: NFL.com - Trevor Sikkema
Michael Pittman Jr. Ruled Out for Week 2
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at New England, according to Ian Rapoport. Pittman opened the week limited Wednesday, then did not practice Thursday or Friday before initially being listed as questionable. He caught all three of his targets for 58 yards in Pittsburgh's 20-13 win over Atlanta and ran a route on 92.9% of the team's dropbacks. DK Metcalf remains the clear top option, but Pittman's absence leaves more work behind him. Roman Wilson played 37 offensive snaps in the opener, compared with just three for rookie Germie Bernard. Both could see their roles grow Sunday with Pittman unavailable.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Jalen Tolbert's Stock Sinks After Healthy Scratch
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jalen Tolbert never got a chance to make an impact in Week 1. He was a healthy scratch against Las Vegas while Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Malik Washington all dressed. That is the bigger concern than an empty box score. Miami entered the season with Douglas, Bell and Washington listed as starters, and the current depth chart still has Bell ahead of Tolbert. Douglas then went out and caught five passes for 94 yards in his NFL debut. Tolbert signed with Miami in March after four seasons in Dallas and had a real chance to carve out a role in a rebuilt receiver room. Instead, the younger group has grabbed the early opportunities. There is time for that rotation to change, but Tolbert first has to get back onto the active game-day roster. Being a healthy scratch in the opener is a clear hit to his fantasy value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Demond Claiborne Expected to Be Active Sunday
Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne is expected to be active for the first time Sunday against Chicago, head coach Kevin O'Connell said, according to Matthew Coller. Claiborne was inactive for Minnesota's opener against Green Bay, but the backfield looks different now with Jordan Mason on injured reserve following thumb surgery. Aaron Jones Sr. will lead the group, with DeeJay Dallas also expected to be involved behind him. Claiborne was a sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest after rushing for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Jones said this week that he encouraged the rookie to stay locked into the opener even while inactive and use it as a chance to learn. Sunday should give Claiborne his first opportunity to contribute in a regular-season game.
Source: Matthew Coller
Source: Matthew Coller
Atlanta Falcons Defense Less Enticing Due to Key Pieces Missing
The Atlanta Falcons DEF/ST surprised last season with its ability to get to the quarterback, tallying 57 sacks, which was the second-highest total in the league, and produced the eighth-most turnovers (16 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries). Unfortunately, due to the suspension of James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker's (knee) ACL injury, the Atlanta defense has taken a hit early in 2026, with those two accounting for 16 of the team's sacks from a season ago. Nevertheless, Atlanta will take on Carolina in Week 2, helmed by Bryce Young who was sacked twice last week and threw an interception, with wide receivers also losing two fumbles. Despite the missing pieces on defense, the Falcons' Za'Darius Smith was able to record two sacks last week against the Steelers, so look for him to be active again in Week 2. All in all, the Falcons defense projects as a top-20 unit at RotoBaller, No. 19 specifically, but there are likely better options available for season-long and DFS managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
