RADIO
Connor Hellebuyck Requests Trade From Jets
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is ready for a new chapter in his career, confirming that he has requested a trade. In a statement via his agent, Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck said he made the request privately several months ago and "tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options." The Jets drafted Hellebuyck in 2012, and he has been a cornerstone of the franchise, earning the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP in 2025. Hellebuyck has won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder three times. He's looking to move on despite inking an eight-year, $59.5 million contract extension in October 2023. A change of scenery could do wonders for Hellebuyck's performance after he endured a career-worst year in 2025-26, finishing with a .895 save percentage.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dalen Terry Lands Training Camp Deal with Warriors
Free-agent guard/forward Dalen Terry has agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle adds that it is an Exhibit 10 contract, putting Terry in training camp without a guaranteed roster spot. The No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft was waived by Philadelphia on July 26 and is not eligible for a two-way deal, making Santa Cruz the likeliest fallback if he does not force a roster move. Terry averaged 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 48 games between Chicago and Philadelphia last season while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three. With Golden State's 15-man roster already set after adding Brandon Williams and Georges Niang, Terry is off fantasy radars barring a surprise preseason jump.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Jordan Watkins Makes His Final Case In Busy Preseason
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins saw a team-high eight targets in Thursday's 18-12 win over the Raiders. Watkins had four receptions for 64 receiving yards, gained 27 rushing yards on three carries, and handled two kickoffs and two punts for a total of 62 return yards in the preseason finale. A fourth-round selection in the 2025 draft, Watkins appeared in just four games last season but saw a healthy amount of work in this year's preseason, racking up 13 receptions for 164 yards on 22 targets. Despite the long look, he is unlikely to have an impact in fantasy with Mike Evans (groin), Deebo Samuel Sr., and De'Zhaun Stribling (shoulder) at the top of the depth chart, and Christian Kirk, Demarcus Robinson, and Jacob Cowing also jockeying for playing time. Watkins can safely be ignored in fantasy drafts.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Kaelon Black Gets Start In 49ers' Preseason Finale
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black got the start in the 49ers' preseason finale on Thursday night. The rookie out of Indiana had San Francisco's first three series to himself before ceding the backfield to Jordan James. Black finished the game with four carries for 28 rushing yards. Black's only target missed him by a wide margin when he turned in the opposite direction of the pass from Mac Jones. Any fantasy value Black might have would come from being Christian McCaffrey's (undisclosed) handcuff. That would be a valuable role given McCaffrey's injury history, but the depth chart past him is not yet defined. Black would have to beat out not only James but also Isaac Guerendo (pectoral), Khalil Herbert, and Sincere McCormick. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for developments ahead of the 49ers' season opener on September 10.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jordan James Gets Eight Carries In First And Only Preseason Action
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James followed Kaelon Black in the 49ers' 18-12 win in the last game of the preseason, but saw twice as many carries as the rookie. James finished with eight rush attempts (tying Khalil Herbert for the team lead) for 35 yards and caught one of his two targets for 20 receiving yards. It was the first appearance of the preseason for James, who missed the 49ers' previous two games while on the mend from a rib fracture suffered on the second day of training camp. The second year back out of Oregon is now in the mix, along with Black, Herbert, and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) to back up Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed). With San Francisco's depth chart up in the air, fantasy managers should be on the lookout for announcements. Whoever wins out as the 49ers' RB2 will be one of the more valuable handcuffs in fantasy football.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Ty Simpson Wraps Up His First NFL Preseason
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson completed 18 of his 23 pass attempts for 119 yards, one touchdown, zero turnovers, and zero sacks during Thursday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. While the first-round rookie didn't have extremely staggering passing numbers, it's still quite encouraging that he posted a 78.3% completion rate and didn't have any turnovers or sacks. Simpson played a role in all three preseason games for the Rams, finishing the preseason with 382 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and zero sacks. For now, he'll ride the bench behind reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, but he offers spectacular insurance in case Stafford gets hurt or for when he eventually chooses to retire. He ranks as the QB26 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
CJ Daniels Enjoys Another Big Game as Receiver Room Gets More Crowded
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver CJ Daniels caught five of his six targets for 42 yards during Thursday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Rams' receiver room is a fluid situation right now, mostly because Puka Nacua could be facing a suspension soon. To prepare for his potential discipline, the Rams traded for Tutu Atwell on Thursday. Daniels will still make the 53-man roster, but the addition of Atwell adds more competition for him in the middle tier of the depth chart. He's now fifth or sixth in the receiving pecking order, whereas he had been making a case for the No. 4 role before the trade. Nevertheless, Daniels is much more of a long-term option for the Rams than Atwell, so dynasty managers shouldn't be too worried. The Miami product finished his first NFL preseason with an encouraging 15 catches and 128 yards, both of which led the Rams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dean Connors Leads the Way After Teammate's Trade
Los Angeles Rams running back Dean Connors rushed for 69 yards on 18 carries during Thursday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. He also caught all three of his targets for 24 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Connors is an undrafted free agent who impressed collegiately at Rice and Houston. He entered the preseason facing an uphill battle to make the team, and while his outlook is still unclear, one obstacle disappeared on Thursday as the Rams traded running back Jarquez Hunter to the Dolphins. There's now a clear roster spot open behind running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, and there's a nonzero chance it goes to Connors, who had 96 rushing yards, 53 receiving yards, and three touchdowns this preseason. With that being said, even if he does make the 53-man roster, it's hard to imagine him achieving any sort of fantasy relevance as long as both Williams and Corum are healthy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Similar Year Incoming for Tyjae Spears?
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears could be headed for more of the same in 2026. He remains the No. 2 option on the depth chart behind Tony Pollard, putting him in line to handle receiving work without a very sizable role on early downs. Across 13 games last year, Spears logged a career-low 283 rushing yards, but he did catch 45 passes for 264 receiving yards. Tennessee's offense may look a little different with Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll coaching the team and Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate added to the offense, but from a backfield perspective, not much has changed. We expect to see Tony Pollard go for another 1,000+ rushing yards and 6-8 touchdowns, leaving Spears to catch passes. The big concern is that Spears will be tough to trust week over week. Sure, he'll have some big games -- especially in PPR -- but his inconsistency will make it tough to know which weeks he's worth starting. As a result, he has a modest ranking as the RB44 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings. At that spot, he's not quite a weekly RB3/flex, but he could certainly jump into that tier if he's playing a weaker defense or has been getting more involved in recent weeks.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braelon Allen Developing Into a Legitimate Fantasy Option This Year
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen was a low-end handcuff in years past, but he appears to have developed into a legitimate fantasy option with potential standalone value in deeper leagues this season. Allen ran with the first-team offense when Breece Hall (groin) was sidelined, and while we do expect to see Hall back for Week 1, Allen could continue to play a role on offense. He's a versatile running back who contributes as a receiver and ball-carrier, and at 22 years old, he injects some youth into the offense while offering Hall a breather from time to time. Allen has jumped to RB64 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026. If this offense starts to show any signs of life this year, we'd be intrigued by the possibility of both Hall and Allen carving out fantasy value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
LeQuint Allen Jr. Worth Stashing in Dynasty Leagues
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) may be third on the depth chart, but between his age and track record, he's someone worth stashing on the bench in dynasty fantasy football leagues. Allen saw limited involvement as a rookie last year, totaling 94 rushing yards and 54 receiving yards. He faces a complicated path to meaningful playing time again in 2026, but the good news is that Travis Etienne Jr. departed in free agency, making it somewhat easier for Allen to make a positive impression. Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. project as the Jags' top two backs, but neither player has a super strong track record in Jacksonville, so we could see the team look to get Allen more involved if either (or both) of those top two ball-carriers struggle. Allen represents the youth of this backfield, and although he's the RB91 in RotoBaller's redraft rankings, he has higher upside in dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mark Andrews Looking to Overcome Poor 2025 Campaign
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is looking to bounce back following a frustrating TE16 finish in PPR leagues last season. TE16 is nothing to scoff at, but Andrews' fantasy managers would have liked him to contribute a little more, especially after he was the TE6 in 2024. This year, he'll have a chance to return to his TE6 form. Not only is he healthy, but so is quarterback Lamar Jackson, and the duo will be under the guidance of new head coach Jesse Minter, as well as new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Although Doyle spent last year as the Bears' OC, he was previously the Broncos' tight ends coach, so perhaps he'll be the key to getting Andrews back on track. The new coaching staff should benefit the Ravens' offense this year, which is one of the reasons why Andrews has jumped back to TE13 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jac Caglianone Peaking Late in the Season
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone recently missed a few games with ankle soreness, but he is back now and just had a monster performance offensively in Thursday night's 13-2 blowout win on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays. Caglianone carried the Royals' offense, going 5-for-6 at the plate with a home run, a double, a career-high six RBI, three runs scored, and a strikeout to raise his season batting average to .282 and his OPS to .832 in his first full year in the majors. The five hits by Cags were also a career high to boost his overall season line to .282/.332/.500 with 23 home runs, 66 RBI, and six stolen bases in 479 plate appearances. The former first-rounder and two-way player from the University of Florida has come into his own in 2026 after a slow start at the plate, and he should now be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues. Caglianone has been one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball in August, coming into Thursday's big game with a .382/.405/.658 slash line and a 1.063 OPS, five home runs, six doubles, 20 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three steals in 20 games played. Scoop him up immediately if he is available in your league.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jackson Chourio in Top Form in Win Over Mets on Thursday
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio had one of his best games of the season in Thursday night's 8-2 win over the hosting New York Mets at Citi Field, going 4-for-5 at the plate with two two-run home runs and four runs scored to boost his season average to .283 and his OPS to .822. He added a stolen base for good measure. The 22-year-old Venezuelan outfielder has missed some time due to injury in 2026, but otherwise he has been as advertised for fantasy managers, slashing .283/.345/.477 with 19 home runs, 54 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases across his 447 plate appearances. Chourio is having one of his better months in August, as he came into Thursday's big game with a .287/.380/.460 slash line with an .840 OPS, four home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 23 games played in the month. It was his first round-tripper since Aug. 9 against the Minnesota Twins. Chourio remains a must-start in all fantasy baseball leagues and will be looking to stay hot going into the start of a weekend series on Friday at home against the Texas Rangers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hunter Henry Expected to Play a Very Important Role Again in 2026
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry "will be important" within the team's offense this season, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. "It's hard to overestimate the importance of Hunter Henry here," Daniels wrote. "He's by far the team's best tight end and once again will be a security blanket for Maye. Henry had a good summer and should be applauded for his longevity." Even at age 31 and facing new competition for targets from AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, Henry appears on track to occupy a large role once again in 2026. He was the TE9 in PPR leagues last year, tying the best fantasy finish of his career. Along the way, he caught 60 passes for 768 yards and seven touchdowns. While there are some receivers who will push for more targets, Henry essentially has the tight end room all to himself, and he faces minimal competition there. It's not crazy to project that Henry's 2026 stats will look similar to 2025, which would make him a top-12 fantasy tight end once again.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
