March 28, 2026
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray injured his foot in Week 5 of the 2025 season and never played again after that, opening the door for veteran signal-caller
Jacoby Brissett to have the best year of his 10-year NFL career. The 33-year-old veteran played 14 games (12 starts) and completeed 64.9% of his pass attempts for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He went just 1-11 as a starter for the lowly Cardinals, but there's no question that he elevated Arizona's offense from what Murray had shown in the first five games. In a pass-happy offense with the Cardinals often finding themselves down big early, Brissett racked up the passing attempts and aired the football out to finish as the QB15 in fantasy scoring. Murray is now gone, and although the Cardinals signed
Gardner Minshew at the position, the expectation is that Brissett will remain the starter in 2026. The Cardinals led the NFL in pass attempts last year, but under new head coach Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals should be a much more run-heavy offense, which means that fantasy managers probably won't be able to count on Brissett putting up similar numbers over a full season in his second year in the desert.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 28, 2026
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen, who is ranked as the No. 7 RB prospect in this year's draft class by ESPN, is a big back at 5-foot-11, 216 pounds. Allen led the Nittany Lions in rushing in each of the last three seasons and became the school's all-time leading rusher with a total of 4,180 rushing yards in his 54 games over four seasons. The 23-year-old saved his best for last, rushing for a career-high 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns on 210 carries in 12 games in his senior season in 2025. Allen won't be a priority for fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues later this year because of his lack of prowess on passing downs, though, as he never had more than 20 receptions in a single season at Penn State. He finished his four-year career in college with 70 catches for 490 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver. Still, Allen will be coveted by RB-needy teams for his physicality, size, and strength. Early on, Allen figures to be more of a short-yardage, goal-line back in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Reference
March 28, 2026
USC wide receiver
Makai Lemon was criticized for his bizarre interviews at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in late February, but there's no question that he has the talent to be a top-15 selection in April's draft. The 21-year-old is a prototypical slot receiver who should be very productive at the next level, provided he stays healthy. Lemon broke out in his junior year in 2025 for the Trojans, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games after scoring only three touchdowns in 21 games in his first two years at USC. Despite all of Lemon's potential shortcomings off the field, he's a fantastic receiving prospect going into this year's draft. However, there are questions about his ability to win outside, which could limit his playing time early on in his career in the NFL. Given his talent alone, Lemon could be a top-20 dynasty/keeper drafts in 2026. There's no question that Lemon will be a first-round at the end of April.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Reference
March 27, 2026
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Mac Jones ended up playing in 11 games and making eight starts in his first year in the Bay Area in 2025 due to injuries to starter
Brock Purdy, and he was impressive when on the field. Jones went 5-3 as a starter for the Niners, going 201-for-289 passing (69.6% completion percentage) with 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The 27-year-old former 15th overall pick in 2021 by the New England Patriots out of Alabama has garnered plenty of trade interest this offseason after signing a two-year, $8.41 million contract with the 49ers in March of 2025. The 49ers reportedly have an astronomically high asking price tag on Jones, though, so it seems unlikely he'll be dealt this offseason. Unless Jones is traded to a team that will give him a chance to start in 2026, he'll merely be an experienced, low-ceiling QB stash in dynasty leagues for depth at the most important position in football.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 27, 2026
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers let future Hall of Fame wide receiver
Mike Evans walk in free agency to the San Francisco 49ers, but second-year wideout
Tez Johnson might still have an uphill battle for regular playing time in 2026. The Bucs took Johnson in the seventh round last year out of Oregon, and he ended up playing more snaps on offense than most people expected in his rookie campaign, thanks to injuries to Evans,
Chris Godwin Jr., and
Jalen McMillan. The 23-year-old showed flashes of upside in 16 games played (eight starts), catching 28 of his 44 targets for 322 yards and five touchdowns. He also added seven rushing attempts for 22 yards. Johnson's workload dropped late in the 2025 season once Evans, Godwin, and McMillan all returned from their injuries. The experience was valuable, but Johnson won't be guaranteed a bigger role in 2026, even with Evans gone. Johnson is still worth stashing in dynasty/keeper leagues, but right now, he profiles as the team's WR4 behind Godwin, McMillan, and
Emeka Egbuka.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 27, 2026
Houston Texans kicker Kai'imi Fairbairn has become one of the most trustworthy kickers in fantasy football, and the Texans rewarded him this offseason with a two-year, $13 million extension to make him the highest-paid kicker in the league. In his ninth year in the NFL in 2025, the 32-year-old veteran made a career- and league-high 44 of his 48 field-goal attempts, including nine of his 13 tries from 50-plus yards, and all 28 of his extra-point tries in 15 regular-season games. His 44 field goals made tied David Akers' record in 2011 for most field goals made in a single season. Fairbairn has made 87.6% of his 291 career field-goal attempts since entering the league in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. Not only does Fairbairn have a strong and accurate leg, but at least half of his games are indoors in Houston. Fairbairn finished as the No. 2 fantasy kicker last year, behind only the Seahawks'
Jason Myers. Going into fantasy drafts this fall, Fairbairn should absolutely be considered a top-five option at the kicking position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 27, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons think that quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will be healthy "at some point" during training camp this summer, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. Not only will Penix be coming off a torn ACL, but he'll have his work cut out for him to win the starting QB job as he enters his third NFL season. The Falcons will have an open QB competition this summer between Penix and former Miami Dolphins QB
Tua Tagovailoa, who will have a head start under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Wolfe says that Tua has a "real chance" to win the job over Penix if he can bounce back from the worst year of his career in 2025. Atlanta's new coaching staff and front office want to give Penix a "kick in the butt, and Wolfe says it's not Penix's job to lose when he's healthy. Along with extreme durability concerns -- Penix has now had three ACL surgeries, dating back to college -- the University of Washington product could open 2026 as a backup. His dynasty/keeper stock is falling quickly.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
March 27, 2026
Running back
Isiah Pacheco signed a one-year, $1.81 million contract with the Detroit Lions in free agency this year after winning two Super Bowls in his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. The 27-year-old former seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft out of Rutgers looked like a potential star in the NFL in his first two years in the league, averaging 4.7 yards per carry for 1,765 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in 31 games (24 starts) in 2022 and 2023. He added 57 receptions on 63 targets for 374 yards and two additional touchdowns. The last two years, unfortunately, were injury-riddled disappointments, as he averaged 3.8 yards per tote for 772 yards and only two rushing TD in 20 games (18 starts), adding 31 catches for 180 yards and another receiving TD. In Detroit, he'll essentially replace
David Montgomery as the RB2 behind do-it-all lead back
Jahmyr Gibbs. There's some bounce-back potential if Pacheco is healthy, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect the kind of volume that Montgomery had with the Lions, especially not near the goal line.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 27, 2026
There has been "growing optimism" that Baltimore Ravens two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) will return to the NFL, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Madubuike suffered what was believed to be a career-threatening neck injury last year and only appeared in two games in 2025 before being placed on Injured Reserve. The 28-year-old former third-rounder (71st overall) in 2020 out of Texas A&M was a Pro Bowler in both 2023 and 2024, combining for 99 tackles (59 solo), 19.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 50 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 34 starts. It's unclear exactly when Madubuike will be able to return to the football field, but if he's available to play in 2026, it would be a big boost for the Ravens' defensive line. Baltimore's pass rush was poor last season, as they were tied with the Cardinals and Panthers for the third-fewest sacks (30) in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
March 27, 2026
Arizona State wide receiver
Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) isn't working out at his school's pro day on Friday, but he plans to hold another workout for NFL teams in April when his hamstrings are fully recovered, sources told Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Tyson missed a month with the Sun Devils last year due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in mid-October, and he had a setback with his hammy when he returned for the final two games of the year. In nine games played in 2025, the 21-year-old caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. His career year came in 2024, when he had a 75-1,101-10 line in 12 games played. Durability concerns are real with Tyson, although he could still be a first-round pick in April's draft if he shows well during his workout next month. Tyson broke his clavicle in 2024 and also tore the ACL, MCL, and LCL in his knee back in 2022.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
March 27, 2026
The New York Jets had two of their top decision-makers, general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, at their private workout with Alabama quarterback
Ty Simpson on Friday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave were also present. The Jets also had dinner with Simpson on Thursday night to get to know him on a personal level. With all that said, Cimini said he would "be a little surprised" if the Jets take Simpson at No. 16 overall in next month's NFL draft because they have so many other needs. New York has three first-round picks in the 2027 draft, so the Jets "do not feel like they are pressured" to take a signal-caller this year.
Justin Fields was a free-agent failure in 2025, and he's already been traded to the Chiefs.
Geno Smith, who was acquired from the Raiders via trade, will most likely end up being a bridge QB before the Jets look to find their next franchise signal-caller in 2027. Simpson, who is considered the second-best QB prospect in this year's class behind Indiana's
Fernando Mendoza, is expected to come off the board in the first round in April.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
March 27, 2026
A fourth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL draft, running back
Bhayshul Tuten racked up 386 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 93 touches across 15 games as a rookie. The 23-year-old flashed high upside at different points throughout the year, but his path to consistent production was blocked off by the presence of former Jaguars running back
Travis Etienne Jr. Etienne Jr. departed Jacksonville for the New Orleans Saints in free agency, seemingly opening the door for Tuten to emerge as the team's clear RB1. However, the Jaguars signed former Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. in free agency, and a recent report suggests that the team plans to hold an open competition for the lead-back role in training camp. Still, Tuten is in a much better position for a breakout season than he was entering 2025. If he can outperform Rodriguez Jr. in the preseason, Tuten has the talent to emerge as a top-24 fantasy running back in 2026 and beyond. RotoBaller currently ranks him as the 21st-best running back for dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Across 12 games for the University of Washington in 2025, running back Jonah Coleman racked up 1,112 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns on 187 touches. The 22-year-old is considered one of the better running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and could hear his name called as early as day two of the upcoming draft in April. Coleman is known as a productive three-down player who provides stability as both a rusher and pass-blocker. However, he's not considered to be an elite athlete or a dynamic tackle-breaker, which limits his fantasy upside. Coleman also appears unlikely to earn a high-volume role in an NFL backfield as a rookie, so fantasy managers may have to be patient with him. RotoBaller currently ranks Coleman as the 31st-best running back for dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Across 17 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2025, running back
Rico Dowdle racked up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches. After recording just 83 rushing yards over Carolina's first four games of the season, Dowdle took advantage of a mid-season injury to fellow Panthers back
Chuba Hubbard and emerged as the team's RB1 through the remainder of the year. Dowdle's emergence in Carolina was enough to earn him a two-year, $12.25 million contract from the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. In Pittsburgh, Dowdle will likely split touches with incumbent Steelers back
Jaylen Warren. Warren's presence limits Dowdle's fantasy upside, particularly as a receiver. However, Dowdle is the more physical of the two backs and could be the team's preferred early-down and red zone rusher. Overall, Dowdle profiles as a fringe starting running back option for fantasy managers in a split backfield in Pittsburgh.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Texas A&M wide receiver
KC Concepcion is widely considered one of the better prospects at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft and has a chance to be picked in the back half of the first round. Across 13 games for the Aggies in 2025, the 21-year-old hauled in 61 receptions for 919 yards and nine touchdowns. He's known as a dynamic route-runner in the short and intermediate areas of the field and can be a high-volume possession wideout in the NFL. However, there are questions about his ability to consistently win on contested catches and downfield routes. Concepcion's skill set should give him a stable production floor, particularly in PPR-scoring leagues. Still, fantasy managers should account for the potential of a limited upside due to inconsistency in terms of creating big plays. RotoBaller currently ranks Concepcion as the 46th-best wide receiver for dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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