RADIO
Rasheer Fleming Could See Bigger Role in Year 2
Phoenix Suns forward/center Rasheer Fleming could see a larger rotation role in 2026-27, with John Voita of Bright Side of the Sun projecting him as the backup power forward with occasional minutes at center and small forward. The 22-year-old averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes as a rookie, but those numbers climbed to 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 18.9 minutes across 24 of Phoenix's final 25 games. Miles Bridges projects to start, leaving Fleming to battle Ryan Dunn and rookie Koa Peat for reserve minutes. Fleming showed late-season shooting growth, but he still needs a steady role before becoming a reliable fantasy option.
Source: John Voita
Source: John Voita
Ryan Leonard Signs Eight-Year Extension With Capitals
Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard landed a big eight-year, $84 million contract extension on Tuesday, ESPN's Ryan S. Clark reports. He's set for a massive pay rise next season after completing his entry-level contract in 2026-27, which pays Leonard $950,000. This is a risky deal for the Capitals, as Leonard has suited up for just 84 NHL games. He has notched 21 goals and 25 assists. However, at 21, Leonard still has a lot of time to develop. The former top-10 pick also adds physicality to Washington's lineup, averaging nearly two hits per game for his career.
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Jordan Staal Signs New One-Year Deal With Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal has extended his contract by one year. The deal includes a $900,000 base salary, a $4 million signing bonus, and up to $5.1 million in performance-related bonuses. The 2026-27 campaign will be the final season of Staal's current four-year, $11.6 million contract. He's been a key figure throughout his tenure with the Hurricanes and was named team captain in 2019. Last season, Staal became the oldest Stanley Cup Playoffs MVP after helping Carolina win its second championship. During the regular season, Staal had his first 20-goal year in 10 seasons. With six consecutive 30-point seasons, fantasy managers know what to expect from Staal.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
William Baker Joins Hawks on Camp Deal
The Atlanta Hawks have signed center William Baker to a training camp deal, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot. The 25-year-old went undrafted in 2024 out of LSU and played for the Osceola Magic last season, averaging 9.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 18.5 minutes over 43 G League appearances while shooting 62.7 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three. That is a useful skill set for a 6-foot-11 big, but Atlanta already has plenty of frontcourt depth behind starting center Onyeka Okongwu. Baker is more likely to spend most of his time with the College Park Skyhawks than crack the Hawks' regular-season rotation.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Luke Evangelista Inks Five-Year Contract With Devils
New Jersey Devils right wing Luke Evangelista secured a five-year, $36.25 million contract extension on Tuesday. His annual salary will increase from $3 million to $7.25 million in 2027-28. The Devils acquired Evangelista from the Nashville Predators on Sept. 1. He is coming off a career year, posting 56 points (12 goals, 44 assists) in 81 games. In 253 career games, Evangelista has totaled 142 points (45 goals, 97 assists). With his future sorted, Evangelista can focus fully on his performance and has a realistic chance of becoming a 60-point scorer in New Jersey, playing alongside elite offensive talent like Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sean McNeil Signs Camp Deal with Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed guard Sean McNeil (calf) to a training camp contract Tuesday, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot, keeping him in the organization after two seasons with the Cleveland Charge. The 28-year-old averaged 10.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 24.0 minutes across 30 regular-season games last year, up from 4.2 points in 2024-25. He also knocked down 2.1 threes per game at a 42.3 percent clip. McNeil ended last season inactive with a calf injury, and Cleveland owns his G-League rights, making another stint with the Charge a realistic outcome. He remains off the fantasy radar unless he earns a meaningful NBA role.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Cutter Gauthier Agrees to Six-Year Deal With Ducks
Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier signed a six-year, $81 million contract extension on Tuesday. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the deal includes $69.5 million in signing bonuses. Gauthier was a restricted free agent following a standout 41-goal campaign. He added 28 assists in 76 outings. The 22-year-old has tallied 114 points (61 goals, 53 assists) in 159 career games. Gauthier looks like a star in the making and is expected to reach new heights for his team and fantasy managers over the next few seasons.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Deivon Smith Joins Warriors on Camp Deal
The Golden State Warriors signed guard Deivon Smith to a training camp contract Tuesday, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot, putting him in contention for the team's final two-way opening. Smith strengthened his case during Summer League, recording 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists in the title-game win over Memphis. He also averaged 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.7 steals across three starts for College Park before Santa Cruz acquired him for two G-League draft picks in February. With Golden State's 15 standard spots filled and LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons on two-way deals, Smith faces a crowded path to NBA minutes and carries little fantasy value unless he secures the final slot.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Chance McMillian Returns to Warriors on Training Camp Deal
The Golden State Warriors signed guard Chance McMillian to a training camp contract Tuesday, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot, giving him another opportunity with the organization. McMillian spent last season with the Santa Cruz Warriors, averaging 17.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 30 regular-season G-League games while shooting 35.8 percent from deep. Golden State already has 15 standard contracts, while LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons occupy two-way spots, and Lajae Jones remains in the mix for the third. With a crowded roster ahead of him, McMillian is more likely to end up back in Santa Cruz than make a fantasy impact this season.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Darnell Mooney Settles Into a Modest Role to Start the Season
New York Giants wide receiver Darnell Mooney found himself occupying a modest role during Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. It wasn't a small role by any means, but it also wasn't enough to prompt fantasy managers to scramble and place a waiver claim for him. Mooney played 57% of the snaps in the season opener, catching two passes for 27 yards. He was nestled into the No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields. Given the youth and upside of those two receivers, Mooney is unlikely to pass either of them in the pecking order. In fact, he needs to continue producing at a decent level to fend off any sort of competition from Odell Beckham Jr. Mooney didn't handle enough snaps or targets in Week 1 to suggest that he should be a fantasy starter, but he's still a fine player to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues with 14+ teams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chimere Dike Could be Stuck in More of a Special Teams Role
The Tennessee Titans' offseason additions at the wide receiver position with Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and rookie Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick have made it difficult for second-year pass-catcher Chimere Dike to have a big role on offense in 2026. That was confirmed in the team's Week 1 season-opening loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, with Dike playing just four offensive snaps (8%) while catching one pass for a seven-yard gain. The 24-year-old returned three kickoffs for 62 yards and a punt for a loss of five yards, so he was mostly involved on special teams. It did not help matters that Dike lost a fumble on one of his kickoff returns. Dike was behind Tate, Robinson, Calvin Ridley, and Elic Ayomanor to start his sophomore season, which is bad news for fantasy managers who have him rostered in dynasty/keeper leagues. The Titans had limited options in the passing attack last year, which thrust Dike into a bigger role than expected. He caught 48 of 74 targets for 423 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. Dike will likely need a couple of injuries ahead of him to make him even slightly interesting in fantasy again.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Darnell Washington the Clear TE2 in Pittsburgh Going into Week 2
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington stands out for his size at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds. But in fantasy football leagues, he is not a big target on the waiver wire after the team's Week 1 season-opening win on Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons. The 25-year-old played 64% of the offensive snaps in the opener, with fellow TE Pat Freiermuth playing a team-high 73% of the snaps against Atlanta. Freiermuth had the much better day production-wise, too, catching all five of his targets for 46 yards and the only offensive touchdown of the game for the Steelers. Washington contributed two catches on his two targets for just 18 yards. He did not see a target until the second half as his minimum pass-catching role for the team continues. The former third-rounder from Georgia in 2023 had a career-high 31 catches on 43 targets for 364 yards and just one touchdown in 16 regular-season games in 2025. Washington is unlikely to become fantasy-relevant in two-TE leagues unless Freiermuth misses time with an injury. He is currently rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Time to Pump the Brakes on Cyrus Allen?
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cyrus Allen generated plenty of buzz throughout the offseason. A strong camp showing resulted in a variety of reports saying that Allen had earned the trust of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and was climbing up draft boards. There was legitimate speculation that he had soared as high as No. 3 in the Chiefs' wide receiver pecking order, behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. However, when the Chiefs finally put their offense on the field Monday against the Broncos, Allen's role was minimal. He played just one snap and failed to haul in his lone target. The one target is far less concerning than the one snap, as it shows that the Chiefs have absolutely no urgency to get Allen on the field. He ended up being fourth on the team in snap count behind Rice, Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton. He'll likely remain off the redraft radar as long as those three receivers are healthy, and even if someone gets hurt, he's still nothing more than a speculative add in deeper leagues. Dynasty managers should eventually get rewarded for their patience, but we don't see much upside in redraft leagues for the time being.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Roschon Johnson Not a Factor in Shootout Win
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson didn't touch the field on offense during the team's Week 1 shootout win against the Carolina Panthers. The Bears dropped 57 points on Sunday and gave 31 touches to their running backs, but Johnson was not one of them. Chicago exclusively used D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai out of the backfield in the win. This personnel decision proves that the Bears merely view Johnson as a depth piece to use in the event of an injury, and not someone who will carve out a standalone role week by week. This is discouraging, but not surprising. He had just two carries across seven games last year, and his fantasy stock has fallen every year since he entered the league in 2023. Even if Swift or Monangai got hurt, he would likely face an uphill battle to earn meaningful playing time. Johnson can be dropped in every fantasy football format.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Hunter's Falling Fantasy Stock Confirmed by Week 1 Usage
The Jacksonville Jaguars basically told us early in the offseason that wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, the second overall pick from Colorado last year, was going to be more of a full-time defensive back in 2026 than a receiver on offense. The 23-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner fell out of some 12-team drafts entirely as a result, and his fast-falling fantasy stock was confirmed by the fact that he played only four offensive snaps in the team's Week 1 opening-season blowout win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Hunter caught his only target for an eight-yard gain and carried the ball one time for three yards. On defense, he had one solo tackle on 29 snaps. Those who did draft Hunter cannot be very happy with his two touches, especially since the Jags put up a 34 spot in their season opener. The Jags have plenty of help in the WR room with Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder), so until further notice, Hunter will be far from standalone fantasy value in 2026. He will likely be dropped in many leagues, and he is rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues as of Tuesday evening.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
