RADIO
Tyjae Spears Doesn't Finish Titans' Friday Scrimmage
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (soreness) did not finish Friday's team scrimmage, with head coach Robert Saleh later telling reporters that the fourth-year back is dealing with soreness and irritation. While the early exit does not sound like a long-term concern, much of Spears' NFL career has been defined by injuries so a quick return to the field is of the utmost importance amid what has been reported as a strong training camp to this point. After making at least 45 catches in two of his three seasons, the passing game is an area where he has stood out throughout the summer, and a defined receiving role could lead to unexpected fantasy viability in 2026. Sharing a backfield with veteran Tony Pollard and fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton, Spears is going largely undrafted as RotoBaller's RB71. Still, with unrealized sleeper potential, his status is worth monitoring throughout the rest of camp.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Cam Smith Seeing it Well in August, Homers Twice Against Padres
Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith kept his strong start to the month of August going in Friday's 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three runs scored, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .222 and his OPS to .686. Both of Smith's home runs on the night were of the solo variety, with his first one coming in the second inning off lefty starter Robbie Ray, and his second coming in the sixth frame off lefty reliever Yuki Matsui. It was Smith's second multi-homer performance of the 2026 season. The 23-year-old former 14th overall pick in 2024 from Florida State University has lowered his strikeout rate to 24.1% in his second MLB season, but the results haven't really followed. On the bright side, Smith is now up to 15 home runs on the year, and he is now 10-for-20 with two home runs, a double, four RBI, and five runs scored in a small sample size of six games to begin August. Fantasy managers desperate for some power in deeper leagues might want to look Smith's way if he stays hot this month. He's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Makai Lemon Still Not Practicing
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) is once more absent from practice on Saturday, marking the fourth straight missed session as he deals with a hamstring injury. A first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the path was clear for him to immediately step into a sizable role following the departure of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, but as he continues to miss time, trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks has reportedly built a strong case to begin the year as the Eagles' second receiver alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon worked primarily out of the slot at USC and still has the potential to earn a similar role in Philadelphia. Still, without regular usage in two-receiver sets, he could struggle to consistently deliver for fantasy. Lemon is RotoBaller's WR50, and after being billed as part of a big three for much of the pre-draft process, he's fallen well behind Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson in 2026 redraft rankings.
Source: Eliot Shorr-Parks
Source: Eliot Shorr-Parks
Michael Soroka Expected to Return on Monday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) threw four innings and 57 pitches for Triple-A Reno in a minor-league rehab game on Aug. 4, and he's expected to come off the 10-day injured list to start on Monday, Aug. 10, against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at home, according to MLB.com. Soroka has been sidelined since June 20 with a left-glute strain, but now that he's on the verge of a return, fantasy managers looking for rotation help should look his way. If the 29-year-old Canadian can return to his pre-injury form from this year, he'll be a real asset down the stretch for fantasy managers. In his 15 starts (82 innings pitched) in his first year in the desert, Soroka went 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.92 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks for the Snakes. In back-to-back starts against the Rockies (one at home, one on the road) on May 17 and May 22, Soroka allowed only three earned runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out 10 in 11 2/3 innings with one win. He'll be very tempting in starting fantasy lineups in his return to start next week in Arizona against Colorado.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Angel Martinez Drives in Six, Heating Up in August
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez nearly accounted for all of the team's runs in their 8-2 victory on the road on Friday night against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Martinez went 2-for-5 at the plate with a grand slam, a career-high six RBI, and a strikeout. The 24-year-old had a two-run single in the first inning and then hit a grand slam in the fifth inning. Martinez struggled upon his return from the injured list in July, going hitless in 19 plate appearances with no walks and four strikeouts in six games played. The 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter has flipped a switch so far in August, though, going 7-for-20 (.350) with a homer, two doubles, nine RBI, and three runs scored in six games played. Martinez is now batting .231/.266/.424 on the season with a career-best .690 OPS, 12 home runs, 42 RBI, 31 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 78 games and 284 plate appearances in his third year in the majors with Cleveland. He has a modest strikeout rate of 22.5%, but he has walked a career-low 2.8% of the time in 2026. If Martinez stays hot, he's worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues, and he's rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
The Tush Push Isn't Going Away for the Eagles in 2026
First-year Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is the fifth person to hold that title in as many seasons, but in speaking with reporters on Friday, he shared that the tush push would remain a part of the team's offensive system in 2026. One of the more unique and controversial plays in the game, the modified quarterback sneak has made Jalen Hurts one of the most efficient fantasy performers near the goal line since the Eagles popularized the play in 2022. After a failed campaign to ban the tush push ahead of the 2025 season, Hurts ran for a five-year low of eight rushing scores, and following a quieter offseason, the play remains legal for 2026. The high floor and ceiling provided by Hurts' usage around the goal line make him a top-tier target once more in 2026 drafts, and he comes into the year as RotoBaller's QB6.
Source: Tim McManus
Source: Tim McManus
Jack Kayil Stays Overseas with ALBA Berlin
New York Knicks second-round pick guard Jack Kayil will remain overseas next season after signing a new five-year deal with ALBA Berlin, while fellow second-rounder Tyler Nickel is "all in" on starting his pro career, according to Ian Begley. Kayil, whose draft rights New York acquired at No. 39, earned Bundesliga Best Young Player honors and should have time to develop in Germany. Nickel, acquired at No. 47, looks like a candidate for a two-way deal after shooting 40.0 percent from three as a senior at Vanderbilt. The defending champions have little need to rush either rookie, leaving both off fantasy radars unless Nickel quickly earns a real rotation path.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
Garrett Wilson Displaying Clear Chemistry With Newest QB
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has never struggled to earn targets, though the quality of those looks has often left something to be desired from a fantasy perspective. A first-round pick in 2022, the start of his career did not align with quarterback Geno Smith's first stint with the Jets, but with the 35-year-old veteran now back with the team that drafted him, the two are making the most of their first training camp together and developing an obvious chemistry. While working on third-and-long situations on Friday, Smith was a perfect five of five when targeting Wilson in team sessions, and the ball has rarely touched the ground when he's gone that way throughout camp. With Justin Fields under center to begin 2025, Wilson started the year as the WR6 before a knee injury derailed his season after only five healthy games. Now, with the injury behind him and the potential beneficiary of improved quarterback play, he's being drafted as the WR19, making him one of the best potential values at the position in 2026 drafts.
Source: Amanda Vogt & Eric Allen
Source: Amanda Vogt & Eric Allen
Mavericks Hold Off on Klay Thompson Buyout
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is not currently discussing a buyout with the team, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Dallas is open to trading the four-time champion, but a buyout is not in play for now. Thompson is entering the final season of his deal at roughly $17.5 million, making him an easier trade chip than a long-term salary. The 36-year-old averaged a career-low 11.7 points in 21.7 minutes last season while still hitting 38.3 percent from three. He remains only a narrow fantasy target for threes, and his value likely depends on whether Dallas finds a trade.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Brian Thomas Jr. "Playing Confident Right Now"
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was on the receiving end of one of Trevor Lawrence's three touchdown passes during the team's annual Teal and White scrimmage, and as he has done for much of the summer, head coach Liam Coen spoke glowingly of the third-year player following the 90-minute mock game. "He's playing confident right now," Coen told reporters; a sentiment reinforced by Thomas in his own media availability. "I knew I had to be super-intentional about everything I did, whether it's staying locked in on catching the ball, staying locked into the catch point, or just being in the best shape I could be." As part of one of the league's deepest groups of pass catchers, Thomas has fallen to WR31 by current ADP, but throughout a strong training camp, the former Pro Bowler has shown signs that he could return to the difference-making form of his rookie season, making him one of the higher-upside swings in the middle rounds of drafts.
Source: John Oehser
Source: John Oehser
Peyton Watson Draws Four-Team Interest
Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson remains unsigned, with the Clippers, Hawks, Bucks, and Cavaliers all connected to his market, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, citing prior reporting from Shams Charania. Denver is reportedly open to sign-and-trade scenarios and would consider a package built around one impact player and a future first-round pick. Watson broke out in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three. A persistent hamstring issue limited him to 54 games and cost him the playoffs, so his fantasy ceiling depends on both health and landing spot. A starting role elsewhere would help, while a Denver return keeps him fighting for touches in a crowded rotation.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Stefon Diggs Already Seen as a "Different Caliber" of Player
Washington Commanders veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs practiced for the first time with his new team on Friday after signing a one-year deal on Wednesday. Although he was limited as part of his acclimation plan, the four-time Pro Bowler lived up to the hype, according to senior writer Zach Selby. Diggs moved around the field with infectious energy and ran crisp routes while displaying his signature quick hands during individual drills, with Selby noting that he immediately proved himself a different caliber of player. Diggs topped 1,000 yards in his lone season with the Patriots while playing in a rotational role in his first year back from the torn ACL sustained in 2024. Now, another year removed from the injury, the 32-year-old is looking to prove he still has plenty left in the tank, but a long offseason without a team has pushed his ADP down to WR52, and with the market often slow to adjust, Diggs could prove to be one of the best values in the later rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
James Harden Expected to Re-Sign with Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is on track to re-sign with the team on a new multi-year deal, according to ESPN's Jamal Collier. Harden remains unsigned after declining his $42.3 million player option, but Cleveland still appears to be the expected landing spot after missing out on LeBron James. The 36-year-old stayed productive after arriving from the Clippers, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 threes while shooting 43.5 percent from deep across 26 games with Cleveland. Next to Donovan Mitchell, Harden should remain a strong assists-and-threes fantasy guard, though age and possible rest nights keep some risk attached.
Source: Jamal Collier
Source: Jamal Collier
DeMario Douglas the Star of Patriots Scrimmage
The New England Patriots held their second annual Blue and White team scrimmage under head coach Mike Vrabel on Friday, and the standout performer, according to senior reporter Evan Lazar, was wide receiver DeMario Douglas. The fourth-year player has earned praise from the local beat for running an expanded route tree throughout training camp, and that work paid off under game conditions, with Lazar noting that he made catches at all three levels of the field, including a deep ball in an end-of-game scenario and a touchdown from Tommy DeVito. Douglas saw only a 26% snap share in 2025 but has been operating as the primary slot receiver with the first-team offense and should see an uptick in usage in a role that has had some notable success in Josh McDaniels' offense. Falling outside of RotoBaller's top 300, Douglas is going largely undrafted in most single-season formats, but a strong training camp could lead to an increased role and occasional fantasy viability in 2026.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Isaiah Stewart Embraces New Grizzlies Chapter
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Isaiah Stewart is embracing his move from Detroit, telling Andscape's Marc J. Spears that he is happy to be "moving on to a new chapter." Stewart was traded to Memphis during the second round of the NBA Draft after six seasons with the Pistons, and he said he feels wanted by the organization. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks last season while finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. In Memphis, he should bring frontcourt toughness behind Zach Edey in a young, reworked big-man rotation. The blocks give Stewart narrow fantasy appeal, but he likely needs a bigger role to become more than a specialist.
Source: Marc J. Spears
Source: Marc J. Spears
