February 8, 2026
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson has had a quiet postseason run following an often electric regular season that earned him an Offensive Rookie of the Year nomination, but he has a chance to make his impact felt in Super Bowl LX. The Patriots, who have played with a lead more than any team in the NFL, come into Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks as 4.5-point underdogs, putting them in a position where they may need to play aggressively and hunt for the big plays that were a staple of their 14-3 regular season. While the Seahawks have boasted one of the most formidable run defenses in the league, the strength of their defensive line resides in the middle with Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams. If the Patriots can replicate some of the outside zone success that saw
Blake Corum run for over six yards per attempt in the NFC Championship, Henderson has the speed to turn any play into a long touchdown, putting him in position to be one of the game's most impactful players on minimal touches.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
February 8, 2026
Former Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback
Derek Carr could be tempted to come out of retirement for the right situation, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. The Saints still control the rights of the now 34-year-old Carr, who retired in May of 2025 following a season-ending labral tear, and New Orleans could seek trade compensation should he unretire. In his abbreviated two seasons with the Saints, Carr completed over 68% of his passes for 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. While Carr himself has not publicly declared any intentions of an NFL return, a weak 2026 rookie quarterback class and a higher-than-normal coaching turnover could leave several teams in search of a veteran quarterback.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Ian Rapoport
February 8, 2026
Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive end James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday on two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing/eluding police. The arrest came in Florida after Pearce crashed his car, following a police chase. Pearce, whom the Falcons traded their 2026 first-round pick to acquire in the 2025 draft, was in San Francisco days earlier for the NFL Honors, where he was nominated for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Falcons have issued a statement, saying, "We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time." In addition to the criminal charges he faces, Pearce is now subject to investigation under the NFL's personal conduct policy that will likely lead to suspension.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Mike Garafolo
February 8, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to place their franchise tag on second-team All-Pro wide receiver
George Pickens. Dallas acquired Pickens via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 2025 season, and in his first season with the Cowboys, the fourth-year wideout set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Should Pickens hit the open market, he would be the unquestioned prize of the wide receiver free agency class and could easily demand a top-of-the-market deal. By placing the franchise tag on him, the Cowboys would retain Pickens' rights at the cost of roughly $28 million for 2026, with the hope of working toward a long-term extension. Pickens is a borderline top-10 dynasty wide receiver, and his value should continue to rise if the Cowboys succeed in making Dallas his home for the foreseeable future.
--Patrick McGrathSource: ESPN
February 7, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks have elevated running back
Cam Akers from the practice squad ahead of their Super Bowl LX matchup with the Patriots. Seattle signed the six-year veteran before a Week 13 matchup with the Vikings, and he was made active for Seattle's regular-season finale against the 49ers, seeing the field for only one snap. With
Zach Charbonnet (knee) tearing his ACL in the Seahawks' Divisional Round rubber match with San Francisco, Akers was made active for the NFC Championship, again seeing the field for only one snap. Along with Akers, Seattle has activated
Velus Jones Jr., though neither is expected to have any impact on the game.
George Holani, who carried the ball three times for four yards against the Rams, will continue to serve as the primary backup to
Kenneth Walker III.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
February 7, 2026
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March. Coming off a torn Achilles tendon that ended his six-year tenure in Minnesota, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta before the 2024 season, only to see the team select
Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in that year's draft. Across his 22 starts with the Falcons, Cousins has thrown 28 touchdowns to 21 interceptions, while going 12-10. By releasing him before the new league year, he will have the opportunity to sign with any team of his choosing in 2026, with some speculating that a reunion with the Vikings could be in the cards.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
February 7, 2026
For much of the season, New England wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte has been one of the Patriots' most reliable big-play threats, even while topping five targets only once all season. The Patriots' offense has struggled of late, and they come into what many are projecting to be a low-scoring Super Bowl LX. Given the circumstances, Boutte is unlikely to volume his way to fantasy relevance, but he has repeatedly shown up at opportune moments, pulling in over 70% of his regular-season targets despite seeing them at an average depth of 17.5 yards. In a game where nobody benefits from leaving potentially explosive plays uncalled, Boutte has a strong chance of making a game-breaking downfield play, keeping him squarely in the DFS conversation.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
February 7, 2026
Seahawks veteran wide receiver
Cooper Kupp has played some of his best ball of the season in Seattle's playoff wins over the 49ers and Rams, and he could be in line for another high-volume performance in Super Bowl LX. After seeing five targets or more in only five regular-season games, he's hit that mark in back-to-back games. New England has the defensive personnel to at least make things difficult for Offensive Player of the Year
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and if they are able to limit him on Sunday, Kupp suddenly becomes an integral part of a Seahawks offense that very well could struggle to run the ball. Since his mid-season trade from the Saints,
Rashid Shaheed has seen only 28 targets and 16 receptions across 11 games, making a secondary option like Kupp all the more important if New England can succeed at slowing down Smith-Njigba.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
February 7, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 25 opportunities per game against the Texans and Broncos, but against yet another top-five defense in the Seattle Seahawks, he may see those numbers drop. New England's last two games were each played in inclement weather, with the Patriots rarely trailing, but they enter Super Bowl LX as underdogs for the first time this postseason. While Stevenson, as the superior pass protector, is still likely to see the field more than rookie
TreVeyon Henderson, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels approaches his tenth Super Bowl knowing that this game can't be won by playing things safely. Through either game script or a concerted effort to get more explosive players on the field, Stevenson, who topped eight carries only once over the final six games of the regular season, is unlikely to see the type of volume that he has in recent weeks, making him a low-floor DFS play.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
February 7, 2026
Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III has had an excellent postseason so far, recording 256 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on 45 touches across two games played. The 25-year-old spent most of the 2025 regular season splitting work with fellow Seahawks back
Zach Charbonnet (knee). However, Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in Seattle's Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers, ending his postseason early and leading to an increased workload for Walker III. Walker III didn't fully dominate backfield time in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams, as Seahawks RB2
George Holani played 34% of the team's offensive snaps. However, Holani earned just six touches, compared to 23 for Walker III. In Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, Walker III should remain a heavy feature of the Seahawks' offensive game plan. Walker III is one of the NFL's most explosive running backs, which makes him a high-upside DFS play on Sunday even at an elevated price.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 7, 2026
Across 17 games in the 2025 regular season, New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns on 102 targets. However, the 32-year-old has not been quite as productive across three postseason contests, hauling in 11 catches for 73 yards and a score on 17 targets. In Super Bowl LX, Diggs is now facing a tough matchup against the Seattle Seahawks defense. Seattle finished the regular season ranked first among NFL defenses in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and tied for seventh in passing touchdowns allowed (20). Diggs also faces playing time questions. New England has been judicious with his snap count throughout his first season with the team, and Diggs played just 47% of the Patriots' offensive snaps in the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. Between the matchup and his relatively limited production ceiling, Diggs may be a tough wide receiver for DFS fantasy managers to trust on Sunday.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 7, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named the 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, cementing his case as the league's best pass-catcher this season. Across 17 games in the regular season, the 23-year-old hauled in 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns on 163 targets. After a quiet performance in Seattle's blowout Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers, Smith-Njigba returned to his usual dominant form in the NFC Championship Game, recording 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. Smith-Njigba figures to be the focal point of the Seattle pass game once again in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots. Across 19 total games this season, Smith-Njigba has recorded fewer than 18.3 PPR fantasy points just five times. While he will be a popular DFS option on Sunday, Smith-Njigba's consistency makes him a safe player to build lineups around.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 7, 2026
The San Francisco 49ers are not looking to trade backup quarterback
Mac Jones this offseason, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Russini reports that while "things and offers could change," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan "loves what he has" in Jones. With San Francisco starter
Brock Purdy missing eight games in 2025 due to injury, Jones played a critical role in keeping the 49ers' season afloat. Across his eight starts, the 27-year-old threw for 2,147 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Jones averaged 7.4 yards per pass attempt in 2025, his first time clearing 6.8 yards per attempt since his 2021 rookie season with the New England Patriots. San Francisco signed Jones to a two-year contract last offseason, so the team could easily decide to keep him until he reaches free agency after the 2026 season. However, if a quarterback-needy team views Jones as a potential long-term solution, it might make the 49ers an offer that is too good to pass up.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
February 7, 2026
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Travis Kelce has yet to decide whether he will return to the NFL in 2026, but that "many close to him believe he could return" and a "14th season is looking more real than ever." Kelce will turn 37 years old in October. While he's not the same player he was at his peak, the veteran tight end remained productive in 2025. Across 17 games, Kelce hauled in 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns on 108 targets. If Kelce does indeed decide to suit up in 2026, he will likely still be one of the top pass-catchers in Kansas City, particularly given the potential of a suspension for Chiefs wideout
Rashee Rice. However, Kelce may be without Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) for the early part of the year as Mahomes recovers from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Diana Russini
February 7, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) said on Friday that he's ahead of schedule in his rehab from left knee surgery that he had around a month ago, according to ESPN. "I'm ahead of schedule, and it's business as usual," Crosby said. "It's my eighth surgery in seven years. It's something that I've gotten used to. It's all about perspective, about how you approach what you want to accomplish. I'm willing to run that marathon." The Raiders put the 28-year-old on Injured Reserve with two games left in the 2025 season, which started speculation about Crosby's future in Sin City. Crosby was not happy with the move and left the team's facilities. It's unclear exactly how Crosby feels, but there have been plenty of rumors that he doesn't want to go through another rebuild after the team finished 3-14 last year. Regardless of where he's playing in 2026, Crosby will remain a high-end DE in fantasy IDP leagues after posting double-digit sacks in three of the last four years.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
RADIO
