Jul 15, 2026, 4:35 PM ET

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin finally gave fantasy managers something to work with in Year 2. Then Denver traded for Jaylen Waddle. Franklin caught 65 of 104 targets for 709 yards and six touchdowns last season, a big jump from his 28-catch rookie year. That growth should not be tossed aside because the depth chart got ugly. Waddle and Courtland Sutton now headline a room that still has Marvin Mims Jr. and Pat Bryant, and Denver has said it does not plan to trade another receiver. A steady weekly role is no longer a given. Franklin's two seasons with Bo Nix at Oregon help, but familiarity will only take him so far when the ball has to be spread around. RotoBaller has him at WR80 in its latest dynasty rankings. That is low enough to hold rather than sell after one rough offseason turn. Redraft is different. Franklin needs camp to break his way before he is more than a late bench flier, but dynasty managers can wait and see what survives from last year's breakout.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 4:29 PM ET

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will remain with the team after agreeing to a reworked contract, ending the uncertainty around his 2026 status. The exact terms were not included in the report, so there is no reason to assume his role has changed. New Orleans signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $52 million deal after Kamara managed 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards in 11 games last season. That investment points to a real committee, and Etienne has the stronger case for the larger share after producing 1,399 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Kamara still matters, especially on passing downs, but his 33 catches last year were a career low. Staying in New Orleans removes the risk of an awkward late move or release. It does not restore the old workload. Kamara remains a late PPR flier in redraft, while dynasty managers should use the added roster certainty to see what a contender will pay.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Ari Meirov

Jul 15, 2026, 4:27 PM ET

Athletics rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer has looked great early on in his first taste of the major leagues, going 19-for-45 (.422) with five doubles, an RBI, and four runs scored in his first 12 games since being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2024 out of Rutgers is considered the club's No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he got the call to the big leagues after slashing .323/.367/.478 with an .845 OPS, seven home runs, 44 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 76 runs scored in 75 games between Las Vegas and Double-A Midland. Kuroda-Grauer has been a useful infield replacement after injuries struck shortstop Jacob Wilson, third baseman Zack Gelof, and first baseman Nick Kurtz towards the end of the first half of the season. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder has excellent bat-to-ball skills, helping him hit for high averages, but it remains to be seen if he'll ever be able to develop plus power. Once Gelof can return from the injured list in the second half, Kuroda-Grauer could be headed back to Vegas for more minor-league seasoning.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 15, 2026, 4:16 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is getting the No. 1 role fantasy managers have wanted to see since A.J. Brown arrived. James Palmer reported that Smith has spent the offseason reaching out to former receivers as he prepares to lead the room, while Nick Sirianni believes Philadelphia has only scratched the surface with him. The production has never been the issue. Smith caught 77 passes for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns on 113 targets last season, his third 1,000-yard campaign in five years, and edged Brown by five yards for the team lead. Now Brown is in New England. Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore give the Eagles options, but Smith sits clearly at the front. Volume is the part that can hold the ceiling in check. Philadelphia attempted 497 passes in 2025, and the offense is still built around Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. RotoBaller ranks Smith WR11 in PPR, so this is not a sleeper price. A career year is still within reach if Sean Mannion gives him the extra work Nick Sirianni has discussed.--Bruno Mulé
Source: NFL Insider James Palmer

Jul 15, 2026, 4:12 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still difficult to price before training camp. He threw for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine starts last season, then a partially torn left ACL ended his year in Week 11. This was his third ACL surgery. Penix made it back for individual and seven-on-seven work in the spring, but Atlanta kept him out of full-team periods while Tua Tagovailoa ran the offense. The expectation was that Penix would be ready for 11-on-11 work in camp, pending medical clearance. Until that happens, there is not much of a competition to judge. The fantasy profile has its own problem. Penix completed 60.1% of his passes and added only 70 rushing yards, so he needs the arm to carry the value. Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts Sr. give him enough help if he wins the job. RotoBaller has Penix at QB29 in dynasty, which is low enough to hold through camp but not cheap enough to ignore the knee and Tua. Superflex buyers should wait for clarity rather than paying for his previous upside.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 4:05 PM ET

A combination of factors built a rookie wall for Tampa Bay Buccaneers former first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, and his production fell off drastically in the last eight games of 2025. The 19th overall selection out of Ohio State finished with a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in his 17 games played. The 23-year-old will have 1,278 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns if he produces over a full season as he did in his first nine NFL games, according to Dan Pompei of The Athletic. Egbuka dealt with a hamstring injury and an undefined role as he was forced to learn and play every receiver position thanks to injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. In Year 2, new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is set on making Egbuka a full-time Z receiver, and with the departure of Evans, there is clear breakout potential as quarterback Baker Mayfield looks to establish a new go-to target through the air. Egbuka won't come cheap for fantasy managers trying to buy low on him in dynasty/keeper formats after his second-half collapse, and in redraft leagues, the second-year pass-catcher should be targeted as a low-end WR2 with intriguing upside.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Pompei

Jul 15, 2026, 3:30 PM ET

The Athletic's Saad Yousuf thinks that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed could be ready to hit his potential as a wide receiver in his first full year in Seattle in 2026. Defenses will be gearing up to stop receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after his breakout in 2025, which should allow Shaheed more room to roam deep down the field. Veteran Cooper Kupp is still around, but he's no spring chicken anymore and has missed at least five games in the three seasons before last year. Fantasy managers aren't going to be on the 27-year-old's scent since he has never had 60 catches or 1,000 yards in a season, and he caught just 15 of 26 targets for 188 yards and zero touchdowns in nine games (four starts) with Seattle last year after they acquired him from the New Orleans Saints. Yousuf thinks that new Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury will be able to maximize Shaheed's big-play abilities in 2026. Shaheed had 46 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games with the Saints in his second year in the NFL, so it's not like he hasn't been a fantasy relevant WR before. Fantasy managers should consider Shaheed a nice late-round sleeper in upcoming drafts, especially in standard-scoring formats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Saad Yousuf

Jul 15, 2026, 3:17 PM ET

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt lists New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell as a breakout candidate in 2026 in his first full season with the team. Mitchell has always had significant potential as an elite athlete with the size and athleticism to burn down the field and make contested catches, which is why the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the 52nd overall pick in the second round out of the University of Texas in 2024. It never came together for Mitchell in his one-plus season in Indy, though, as he caught 32 of 71 targets for 464 yards and zero touchdowns in 25 games (eight starts). He showed more flashes of his high-end upside in half a season with the Jets in 2025 with terrible QB play, catching 24 of 58 targets for 301 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns in eight games. Mitchell will enter the 2026 campaign as a locked-in starter for the first time in his career, and he was a standout in offseason practices while showing plenty of chemistry with QB Geno Smith. Receivers Garrett Wilson and rookie Omar Cooper Jr., running back Breece Hall, and rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq will all draw attention away from Mitchell, potentially leading to a big year. Fantasy managers could do worse than using a late-round flier on Mitchell's talent late in drafts this fall. RotoBaller has Mitchell ranked as the No. 70 fantasy WR for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt

Jul 15, 2026, 3:14 PM ET

Speaking at ACC Media Days, Miami quarterback Darian Mensah said breakout seasons from former Hurricanes quarterbacks Cam Ward and Carson Beck were among the reasons he decided to join the program heading into his junior campaign. "That was a huge factor, deciding to transfer, seeing what those guys did," Mensah said. "My OC (Shannon) Dawson will form the offense around the quarterback, around the stuff he likes to do. That also made it something I wanted to be a part of." Both Ward and Beck joined Mario Cristobal's program in the final seasons of their collegiate careers. Ward went from a zero-star recruit with mild NFL interest to a No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, while Beck went from flaming out at Georgia to becoming the first player selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Now at Miami, Mensah will look to follow suit, and he'll be throwing to one of the best wide receiver tandems in the nation in Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate. He'll also have Mark Fletcher Jr. flanking him in the backfield behind the most talented offensive line he has worked with in his career. The potential for Mensah to develop into a clear top quarterback prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft class is strong. In 27 career games with Tulane (2024) and Duke (2025), Mensah has tallied 6,696 passing yards, 56 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He led the Blue Devils to an ACC Championship victory last season, something Miami has yet to accomplish.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Brett McMurphy

Jul 15, 2026, 3:03 PM ET

Miami Marlins catcher Joe Mack hit the break at .245/.308/.419 with seven home runs, 24 runs, and 23 RBI in 155 at-bats. May was a slog, then he found something: a .294 average with five homers in June, followed by two more long balls in 23 July at-bats. Mack is sitting on nearly every Yahoo waiver wire, with a roster rate of just 3%. Mack has kept the primary catching job even with Liam Hicks back, who has mostly worked at first base or designated hitter. The power looks believable enough, backed by an 8.5% barrel rate and .410 expected slugging percentage. There is no speed here, and a 23.3% strikeout rate may keep the average from becoming much of a help. RotoBaller left Mack outside its July 15 top 100 and catcher rankings. Standard one-catcher leagues can wait. In two-catcher formats, though, seven homers and steady playing time make him a useful add.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 3:02 PM ET

The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is a breakout candidate in 2026 after signing a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency, the richest contract the team handed out in new head coach John Harbaugh's first season in the Big Apple. The big contract (he's now the fourth-highest-paid TE in the NFL) wasn't considered an overpay, either, because Likely's receiving talent is evident. The 26-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2022 by Baltimore out of Coastal Carolina never exceeded 42 receptions or 477 receiving yards in his four seasons in Baltimore because of the presence of veteran Mark Andrews. With the Giants, Likely will operate as the G-Men's unquestioned No. 1 tight end after following Harbaugh from Baltimore, and "the team needs his production to match his compensation." Likely's case for a 2026 breakout will be even stronger if top wideout Malik Nabers (knee) isn't ready for the start of the regular season in September. Likely is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 14 fantasy TE, but he'll have top-10 upside at the position if he stays healthy in his first year in New York.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan

Jul 15, 2026, 2:58 PM ET

After being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson's rookie season was a major disappointment. Johnson spent the entire year as the Steelers' RB3, recording 78 scrimmage yards on 29 touches across 10 games. Entering 2026, Johnson once again projects to open the year third on Pittsburgh's running back depth chart, behind veteran backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. However, the Steelers have a new coaching staff in place with Mike McCarthy replacing Mike Tomlin, which could provide Johnson with the clean slate he needs to get his NFL career back on track. The 23-year-old demonstrated a three-down skill set during his college career at the University of Iowa, recording 1,725 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns across 12 games for the Hawkeyes in 2024. With his value at a low point, rebuilding dynasty managers may want to look to buy low on Johnson.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:57 PM ET

Penn State transfer running back Tikey Hayes has officially committed to Nebraska as a late addition to the Cornhuskers' roster, according to On3's Transfer Portal. Hayes played in just one game for the Nittany Lions as a true freshman, rushing three times for 18 yards. Nebraska has a challenging task ahead of them in replacing standout running back Emmett Johnson, and the program clearly felt the need to add more depth at the position. Hayes will join the Huskers this fall in hopes of carving out an immediate role.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Transfer Portal (On3)

Jul 15, 2026, 2:52 PM ET

Redshirt sophomore quarterback AJ Surace is viewed as the leader in the Rutgers starting quarterback battle against Dylan Lonergan, according to On3. Surace appeared in three games for the Scarlett Knights last year, completing four passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Lonergan has more experience after two seasons on the bench at Alabama and one season as a starter at Boston College in 2025. Overall, he has tallied 2,060 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions in 13 career games. However, Surace reportedly "gained separation" at the end of spring practices. The position battle will continue during fall camp, but for now, Surace is viewed as having the leg up.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: On3

Jul 15, 2026, 2:50 PM ET

Athletics relief pitcher Hogan Harris reached the break with six saves, a 3.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts in 42 innings. The save total catches the eye. The timing does not. Harris has not converted one since June 12, and 27 walks have made nearly every inning feel heavier than it should. He is rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues. The Athletics still have not handed the ninth to one reliever. Harris remains part of the late-inning picture with Elvis Alvarado, and the lefty-righty split could keep both involved. Harris at least limits loud contact, allowing an 86.6 mph average exit velocity with a 31.1% hard-hit rate. That helps, but it does not erase the traffic. RotoBaller ranks him 100th in its July 15 waiver update and 36th among closers for Week 16. He is a speculative add in 15-team leagues for managers chasing saves. In shallower formats, the WHIP and uncertain role are enough reason to wait.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:49 PM ET

The Athletic's Jim Ayello writes that Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich "looks like a name to watch for those targeting a late-round tight end." Nobody should be expecting him to catch 100 passes in Miami's new-look offense, but who else is quarterback Malik Willis going to throw to? The 26-year-old former third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2022 out of UCLA has been a trendy sleeper pick in fantasy before because of his pass-catching prowess, but he's never lived up to the preseason hype, primarily due to injuries. Willis won't have any trustworthy receivers to throw the ball to in his first year in South Beach, and with the Dolphins expected to be pretty bad overall in 2026, there should be plenty of positive game script for Willis to throw the ball late in games. Ayello adds that the Dolphins' new regime clearly likes Dulcich after paying him $3.25 million to stay in Miami. In just 10 games in his first year with the Dolphins, Dulcich racked up 26 catches for 335 yards and a TD on 33 targets, so he has some upside as a volume-based TE2 sleeper in fantasy in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jim Ayello

Jul 15, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jackson remained with the program despite the coaching change from Sam Pittman to Ryan Silverfield, and On3 projects the redshirt sophomore to be the team's Week 1 starter. Jackson is competing with transfers AJ Hill (Memphis) and Braeden Fuller (Angelo State) for QB1 duties, but Pete Nakos says Jackson is "the name to watch exiting the spring." Jackson appeared in six games during his first two years in Fayetteville, completing 37 of his 54 passing attempts for 500 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He added 55 yards and two scores as a runner. All that said, Silverfield says the competition between Jackson and Hill remains a "dead heat."--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: On3

Jul 15, 2026, 2:45 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams put together a stellar first season in Los Angeles in 2025, recording 60 receptions for 789 yards and 14 touchdowns on 114 targets across 14 games. Adams finished as the WR9 in both per-game and total PPR scoring, even while missing three games with a hamstring injury. Entering 2026, there are several reasons to expect regression from Adams. For one, the veteran wideout is entering his age-34 season. Additionally, his production last year was highly dependent on touchdown scoring, which is typically an unreliable predictor of future success. However, Adams remained a high-volume target option in 2025, averaging over eight targets per game. Even if his touchdown production falls off to some degree, Adams' catch rate could easily improve from last year's career-worst mark of 52.6%. While Adams should not be drafted as the WR9, he could once again provide positive value for fantasy managers at his current redraft ADP of WR25.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:37 PM ET

San Francisco Giants right fielder Victor Bericoto landed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain on July 10, cutting short a useful first look. He hit .293/.305/.552 with four home runs, nine RBI, seven runs, and one steal in 59 plate appearances. Bericoto is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues. The power gives deep-league managers a reason to wait. Bericoto posted a 14.0% barrel rate and 46.5% hard-hit rate, with four homers closely matching his 3.9 expected total. The approach is far less settled: one walk, 15 strikeouts, and a .217 expected average. San Francisco recalled Grant McCray in the corresponding move, and there is no firm return date yet. RotoBaller ranks Bericoto 98th for Week 16 and recommends him in 15-team leagues. He is worth stashing with an open IL spot, but shallower formats can leave him alone.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:33 PM ET

On3 is projecting senior quarterback Blaze Berlowitz to be Vanderbilt's Week 1 starter, despite the addition of No. 1 quarterback recruit Jared Curtis. Berlowitz has backed up Diego Pavia over the last three seasons at New Mexico State and Vanderbilt, seeing game action on seven occasions. Overall, the Oklahoma native has completed 19 of his 36 passing attempts for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He rushed 11 times for 81 yards and one score last year. While he lacks a ton of game experience, he's been around college football for a while and is likely to be more game-ready when the 2026 season kicks off. That said, Curtis will have the chance to win the starting job this preseason, and it would be a surprise if he isn't elevated into the QB1 role at some point in his true freshman campaign.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: On3

Jul 15, 2026, 2:32 PM ET

Despite missing three games with a toe injury, New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson recorded 948 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 162 touches. Despite the emergence of Patriots 2025 second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson, Stevenson remained an integral part of the New England offense and finished the year as the RB22 in per-game PPR scoring. Entering 2026, Stevenson should once again see regular work, particularly in goal-line and short-yardage situations. However, fantasy managers may have good reason to expect regression from the 28-year-old. For one, Stevenson averaged 10.8 yards per reception and 9.3 yards per target in 2026, well above his career averages of 7.0 yards per reception and 5.5 yards per target. Additionally, New England seems likely to give more touches to Henderson, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns as a rookie. At his current redraft ADP of RB31, Stevenson may be a player to avoid.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:29 PM ET

The Los Angeles Rams spent their top draft pick in 2025 in the second round at pick No. 46 on tight end Terrance Ferguson, with plans of stashing him for a potential breakout in 2026, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic. Ferguson, who hails from the University of Oregon, barely saw the field in the first half of his rookie campaign, and he finished with only 11 receptions on 25 targets for 231 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games. However, the Rams found a way to use him by midseason by running two- and three-tight end sets at the highest rate in the league, which led to Ferguson catching 10 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the final 10 games. His 21 yards per catch would have ranked second in the NFL last year on large volume. The Rams still have Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee and drafted Max Klare this year, but Ferguson should be more involved in Year 2, and he should have plenty of room to run with defenses focusing most of their attention on star receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. RotoBaller has Ferguson ranked as the No. 13 fantasy TE in 2026, making him a second-year sleeper to target if you decide to wait on the position in fantasy drafts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins

Jul 15, 2026, 2:26 PM ET

Boston Red Sox second baseman Anthony Seigler hit the break at .257/.333/.419 with two home runs, 13 runs, six RBI, and two steals in 74 at-bats. He settled into regular duty after his June 20 recall, even handling leadoff assignments while Boston patched together an injured infield. Only 3% of Yahoo leagues have him rostered. This is not a power chase. Seigler walked at a 16.4% clip in Triple-A and hit .290/.409/.435 there, with three homers and four steals in 131 at-bats. Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are all still working back from injuries, though each could return after the break. That makes the window useful, not permanent. RotoBaller ranks Seigler 84th for Week 16 and recommends him in 15-team leagues. In that format, the runs, on-base ability, and multi-position eligibility are enough to make the add.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:20 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle is entering his first season in Pittsburgh after signing a two-year contract worth over $12 million in free agency. With the Steelers, Dowdle appears likely to operate as part of a split backfield with incumbent running back Jaylen Warren. While Warren logged 1,291 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns for the Steelers last year, Pittsburgh has a new coaching staff in place for the 2026 season. Dowdle has proven himself to be a capable three-down back in recent years, recording 1,328 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 and 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns for the Carolina Panthers in 2025. While Warren may handle most of the receiving work for Pittsburgh, Dowdle profiles as the better rusher between the tackles and at the goal line. Even while splitting touches with Panthers back Chuba Hubbard in 2025, Dowdle finished as the RB23 in per-game PPR scoring. At his current redraft ADP of RB32, Dowdle profiles as a value selection for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:19 PM ET

Miami Marlins left fielder Heriberto Hernandez reached the break at .236/.316/.483 with 13 home runs, 36 RBI, 25 runs, and five steals in 203 at-bats. He did most of his recent damage in a hurry, going 12-for-46 with five homers over his final 15 games. 6% on Yahoo is awfully low for that kind of power. The underlying contact gives the surge some weight. Hernandez carries a 91.9 mph average exit velocity, 49.7% hard-hit rate, and 11.9% barrel rate. Miami has used him primarily in left field, and nothing in the playing-time picture suggests he is about to disappear. The average may bounce around, and strikeouts will bring quiet stretches, but the power is already helping now. RotoBaller moved him to 39th overall in its July 15 rankings and recommends him in 12-team leagues. He should be one of the first home-run bats claimed this week.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:18 PM ET

The Athletic's Sam Warren writes that "all signs point to" wide receiver Jalen Nailor "having a chance to post career numbers" in his first year with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026. The Raiders traded Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars last November, but Nailor was the lone premium addition the team made at receiver this offseason, giving the 27-year-old a clear opportunity to produce like he never has before in his NFL career. In his four years with the Minnesota Vikings after they took him in the sixth round in 2022 out of Michigan State, Nailor was always a depth option behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, never having more than 29 catches or 444 receiving yards in a single season. Not only does Nailor have the opportunity to be the Raiders' WR1 in 2026, but he joins the organization with established chemistry with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and head coach Klint Kubiak from their Vikings days. Nailor's 2026 fantasy value could fade a bit if the Raiders add a player like Stefon Diggs to their roster before the start of the regular season, but for now, he should be considered a strong late-round selection at the WR position with volume upside. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 64 WR for the upcoming season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren

Jul 15, 2026, 2:11 PM ET

Across 16 games in 2025, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp recorded 47 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets. While Kupp was able to play in his most games since 2021, his numbers fell across the board while playing the WR2 role in Seattle behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Entering 2026, Kupp is now 33 years old and may face more pressure for targets and playing time from Seahawks wideouts Rashid Shaheed and Tory Horton. However, Seattle may also be forced to throw the ball more this season following the loss of former running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency. The Seahawks ranked 30th in the NFL in pass rate last season. Fantasy managers should not expect Kupp to provide the same production he did at his peak with the Los Angeles Rams. Still, Kupp's current average draft position of WR83 in redraft leagues means his price has dipped low enough to where he could be worth a late-round dart throw.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:09 PM ET

The Athletic's Jesse Newell writes that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy "checks many other boxes for a potential breakout player" in 2026. Worthy flashed chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes during offseason workouts, and Worthy would have been the team's summer practice MVP if they had one. The speedy receiver just turned 23 years old and is actually two months younger than rookie pass-catcher Cyrus Allen. Worthy's limited production in 2025 in his second season -- 42 catches, 532 yards, and only one touchdown in 14 games -- can be explained by injury after he played through a torn labrum in his shoulder that he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Head coach Andy Reid even admitted that Worthy's injury led the Chiefs to limit his route tree. Worthy is expected to be back to full strength for a Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Denver Broncos after having offseason surgery, and fantasy managers would be wise to target the University of Texas alum late in drafts as a WR4/flex with plenty of bounce-back and breakout potential in his third year in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell

Jul 15, 2026, 2:06 PM ET

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Romano grabbed two saves in his first four appearances with the club, then nearly gave one away on July 10. He walked three, allowed a run, and left the bases loaded before Juan Mejia recorded the final out. Romano still came out of the first half as Colorado's listed closer, though the role is anything but settled. The saves are the attraction. Everything around them is difficult to stomach. Romano owns a 7.71 ERA and 2.14 WHIP with 10 walks in 11 2/3 innings overall, and Coors Field adds another layer of risk. RotoBaller lists him at 5% rostered and gives him as good a chance as anyone in the committee to receive the next opportunity. Romano is a deep-league gamble for managers desperate for saves, not a reliever to add for ratio help.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 2:02 PM ET

The Athletic's James Boyd lists Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs as a breakout candidate in 2026 after the departures of Adonai Mitchell and Michael Pittman Jr., who were traded to the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively. Alec Pierce (ankle) is also recovering from offseason surgery that could slow him down early on. Downs is an established receiver in the NFL, having recorded 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns on 198 receptions in his three years in the league. However, the 24-year-old former third-rounder from the University of North Carolina in 2023 is coming off a career-low 566 receiving yards in 2025. Downs should have more opportunities in his fourth year in the NFL, though, and he'll be motivated as he enters a contract year if he plans on cashing in next offseason on the free-agent market. There's more risk in the Colts' offense as a whole with quarterback Daniel Jones coming off a torn Achilles tendon, the increase in route share and per-route target rate should be enough to put Downs on fantasy managers' radars as a great value pick in the later rounds of drafts. RotoBaller currently has Downs ranked as the No. 42 fantasy WR for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd