RADIO
Demond Claiborne Leads Vikings In Rushing Saturday
Running back Demond Claiborne of the Minnesota Vikings earned a team-high 12 carries for 34 yards in the club's preseason opener against the New York Giants. Playing mostly behind the Vikings' backups on the offensive line, Claiborne still showed some juice despite limited space to run, including a nine-yard burst that gained a first down to set up Minnesota's lone touchdown. The rookie will begin the season behind Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, though his impressive speed and receiving potential give him a chance to win playing time in a backfield with two veterans on expiring deals. Claiborne, a sixth-round pick, has serious long-term potential in dynasty formats, but he also could be a high-priority waiver candidate in redraft leagues if either Jones or Mason misses extended time.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason Sharp In Limited Action
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason continued a strong summer on Saturday against the New York Giants with 17 yards on three carries in the first-team offense's only drive of the day. The second-year Viking has been impressive in training camp as the club appears to be headed for a split backfield that includes veteran Aaron Jones Sr. With just 28 receptions in his past three seasons -- and Jones still the Vikings' top choice on passing downs -- Mason's ceiling will be somewhat limited by his lack of passing game work, particularly in PPR leagues. A popular choice for the zeroRB strategy, however, Mason has 1,000-yard potential and a pathway to regular goal-line touches on a talented offense, all from a mid-round ADP.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Hogan Harris Is the Athletics' Closer to Roster
Athletics relief pitcher Hogan Harris worked a scoreless ninth Friday, August 14, to finish an 8-3 win over the Texas Rangers. It wasn't a save situation, but the usage keeps him at the front of a bullpen that has bounced around much of the season. Harris has 11 saves, including back-to-back conversions in Boston on August 8 and 9, and RotoBaller currently lists him as the Athletics' closer. There are rough edges. Harris has walked 34 batters in 53 innings and carries a 1.55 WHIP, but he's also struck out 70 with a 3.57 ERA. That's enough swing-and-miss to keep him useful while he gets the bulk of the ninth-inning work. Harris is rostered in only 13% of Yahoo leagues, even though RotoBaller ranks him 23rd among closers for Week 21. He's best suited for 15-team leagues, but anyone digging for saves should know the job is leaning his way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Myles Price Making Push For Bigger Receiving Role?
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price logged an impressive preseason debut by catching all four of his targets for 51 yards and a touchdown on Saturday against the New York Giants. An undrafted free agent from Indiana, Price made the Vikings' 53-man roster last season and finished third in the NFL in kick return yards. The second-year pro is now competing with Tai Felton and Jeshaun Jones for a secondary receiving role in the Vikings' offense, and Price's team-best 28-yard reception and acrobatic touchdown catch on Saturday certainly helped his cause. Still firmly behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, Price won't factor into most standard formats, but he's a name worth knowing in formats that score return yards and deeper dynasty leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Evans Returns to Team Drills
San Francisco Chronicle's Noah Furtado reports that San Francisco wideout Mike Evans (quad) returned to team 11-on-11 drills and caught a rope from Brock Purdy. Evans suffered a quadriceps strain early in training camp that has forced him to miss practices and the 49ers' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The 49ers have dealt with various injuries up to this point that have caused multiple receivers to miss some time in training camp. Evans is projected to be the WR1 in the offense and will be the No. 1 option in the red zone through the air. With Evans returning to team drills, he is on track to be available for Week 1. Evans is being drafted as a fringe WR2 and carries immense touchdown upside for 2026.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
Taylor Ward Remains Out With Quad Tightness
Seattle Mariners outfielder Taylor Ward (quad) remains out of the starting lineup Saturday against the Houston Astros. Ward has been dealing with quad tightness and was already held out Thursday before missing Friday's series opener in Houston as well. The Mariners have not placed him on the injured list, but the continued absence makes his status something fantasy managers will need to watch heading into Sunday's series finale. Seattle acquired Ward from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline and had been using him regularly since his arrival. For now, he should remain on fantasy benches until the Mariners either get him back into the lineup or provide a clearer update on the quad issue.
Source: Seattle Mariners
Source: Seattle Mariners
Steven Cruz Is Taking Over the Ninth
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Steven Cruz picked up his fourth save Friday, August 14, working a scoreless ninth in a 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Cruz allowed one hit and struck out one, freezing Mike Trout for the final out. It was another ninth-inning chance for the right-hander, who has now recorded all four of his saves over his last 15 appearances. Cruz has been much better than his 4.17 season ERA suggests lately, posting a 2.40 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across those 15 outings. Alex Lange has moved into lower-leverage work, while Cruz has been getting the ninth more often. The job isn't completely secure yet, but Cruz is clearly the arm to chase from this bullpen right now. Yahoo managers haven't moved much yet, either, with Cruz rostered in just 6% of leagues. He's worth grabbing in deeper formats for anyone looking to add saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Watson Being Drafted as a WR3 Despite Intriguing Upside
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is heading into the 2026 season with a clean bill of health and a new four-year contract worth up to $110.5 million. The 27-year-old has had a roller-coaster career up to this point of his career due to multiple hamstring injuries and a significant ACL injury. However, when healthy, Watson is a strong fantasy producer and has had stretches of dominance in fantasy football. In his final eight games, Watson scored over 18 PPR points four times, averaged 14 points per game, and finished as the WR13. Watson is heading into 2026 with an opportunity to establish himself as the No.1 receiver in Green Bay. The team traded Dontayvion Wicks and let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency. Watson could see a higher snap percentage and more targets with a condensed receiver room. Additionally, with Josh Jacobs facing a possible suspension, the team may opt to be more pass-heavy this season. Watson is currently a value in redraft leagues and carries WR1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joey Logano Should Have Another Good Points Day at Richmond
The Summer of Joey Logano continues this weekend at Richmond Raceway, as the Team Penske driver looks to have one of the best long-run cars in practice for the upcoming Cook Out 400. Logano is a two-time Richmond winner and a constant top five threat. He started back in 38th-place in last year's race and ended up finishing fourth, and this weekend his crew chief, Paul Wolfe, says that the No. 22 Ford is even better this time around. Could we see another Logano win coming? Don't be surprised if we do. When it comes to DFS this weekend, Joey Logano ($10.5K on DraftKings) looks like a great pick, as he has some place-differential upside (starting 10th) as well as dominator and race-winning potential. As he continues his charge to solidify his Chase berth, it looks to be another strong race for Logano coming up.
Source: ifantasyrace
Source: ifantasyrace
Kodai Senga Has Become a Saves Target
New York Mets relief pitcher Kodai Senga earned his second save in five days Friday, tossing a scoreless ninth in a 4-1 win over Washington. He allowed one hit and struck out one, and the usage was notable after Daniel Duarte handled the eighth. Senga also converted a save Monday in Atlanta and has now put together four straight scoreless relief appearances. His season numbers are still rough at a 7.95 ERA and 1.68 WHIP, so there is obvious risk attached. But Devin Williams (shoulder) is on the 15-day injured list and isn't expected back until September, leaving save chances up for grabs. Senga has gotten two of them already, and Friday's ninth-inning assignment only adds to the intrigue. Yahoo still has him rostered in just 16% of leagues. Managers chasing saves in deeper formats should have him on the radar while the Mets sort out the back end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denny Hamlin Looking to Tie Kyle Busch with Six Richmond Wins
Kyle Busch was always one of the best race car drivers at Richmond Raceway, and Denny Hamlin is right there with him. Busch got to victory lane six times in his career at this track, and Hamlin is close behind him, with five so far in 37 attempts. Can he tie the sure Hall of Famer this weekend? Denny will roll off the starting grid from 14th-place when the Cook Out 400 goes green this weekend, and the No. 11 Toyota was strong in practice, ranking seventh-fastest in 30-lap average. Hamlin finished 10th in this race one year ago and has finished first or second in six of his last nine starts at this track as well. He should, no doubt, be strong again on Saturday night. As far as DFS goes, Hamlin makes for an interesting tournament option, as he is the highest-priced driver on the slate ($11.5K) and may be under-owned due to daily fantasy players targeting some of the more obvious plays in that price range. Hamlin has Place Differential upside and some dominator potential, though, so don't fade him by any means.
Source: FOX Sports
Source: FOX Sports
Can Christopher Bell Finally Get a Win at Richmond?
It was another second-place finish for Christopher Bell last weekend at Iowa, as the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has now finished runner-up seven times this season (and four times in the last five races). Can he finally get to victory lane here at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night? Bell qualified eighth for this weekend's Cook Out 400, and his track record here is solid. Although he's never went to victory lane at Richmond, Bell does have seven finishes of sixth or better over his last eight starts here, and he led a career-high 122 laps in this race in 2024. Looking at practice speeds this weekend, Bell wasn't one of the best like he typically is at a short, flat track, but that shouldn't make fantasy players shy away from picking him. In DFS, Bell ($11.2K on DraftKings) is a solid pivot option in tournaments from some of the other drivers expected to garner high ownerships. One thing worth noting, though: the No. 20 Toyota did fail pre-race inspection twice, so Bell will lose his car chief and pit selection.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Ty Gibbs Qualifies Fourth at Richmond
Last week's winner at Iowa, Ty Gibbs, will have a good starting spot for this weekend's race at Richmond, as the No. 54 Toyota was fourth-fastest during qualifying on Friday evening. That was a bit surprising, as Gibbs struggled to find any speed during the practice session earlier that day, ranking 20th-fastest overall. Additionally, Richmond Raceway hasn't been an amazing track for Ty, as he has just one top-10 finish here in six career starts, and that ninth-place result is also his only finish better than 15th. Still, as we have learned time and time again this season, we need to disregard previous efforts by Ty Gibbs and just focus on how that No. 54 team is running this season, which is one of the fastest on track. Don't be surprised if Gibbs challenges for another top-five finish here on Saturday night under the lights.
Source: Jayski
Source: Jayski
Mason Montgomery Is Worth Chasing for Saves
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mason Montgomery picked up his fourth save of the season Friday, getting the final out of an 8-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. Kirby Yates opened the ninth with no save opportunity but gave up three straight two-out singles, bringing Montgomery in with two runners aboard and the tying run on deck. The left-hander struck out Adley Rutschman to finish it. Three of Montgomery's four saves have now come over his last seven appearances. Montgomery has been rolling lately, posting a 1.32 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts across his last 13 2/3 innings. Pittsburgh still hasn't settled on one closer, with Gregory Soto and Luke Weaver also getting late-inning looks. Montgomery keeps finding his way into save chances, though, and the strikeouts give him something to offer even when the ninth goes elsewhere. At 10% rostered on Yahoo, he's worth chasing in deeper leagues for managers who need saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Larson Will Start 30th at Richmond
Kyle Larson will have some work to do at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night, as the two-time Cup Series Champion qualified back in 30th place for this weekend's Cook Out 400. Now, with that being said, it's not like Larson hasn't had to deal with this before. In fact, he started 30th in last year's Richmond race, and ended up finishing sixth when it was all said and done (even leading nine laps along the way). One of the biggest reasons why Larson qualified so poorly this weekend is because he had an early qualifying draw, which was a major disadvantage for those drivers. The No. 5 Chevrolet had some speed in it during practice, though, so that's a good sign for Larson fans. As far as DFS goes, he is a solid place-differential play at $9.7K on DraftKings. However, do you want to tie up all of that cap space for a driver that only has place-differential upside? That is a decision that daily fantasy players are going to have to make on Saturday night.
Source: Hendrick Motorsports
Source: Hendrick Motorsports
