RADIO
Another WR1 Season is Highly Repeatable for Zay Flowers
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers finished his third season with a career-high 86 receptions for 1,211 yards, finishing as the fantasy WR7 despite scoring only five touchdowns. With an aggressive new offensive system and numbers closely in line with his past production trends, another WR1 season is well within Flowers' reach. While Rashod Bateman and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane have both garnered training camp buzz, All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews is another year older, and Flowers remains the unquestioned focal point of the Ravens' passing attack, which is expected to see more under-center concepts and first-down pass attempts under first-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Flowers could be featured not only as a reliable chain-mover but as a legitimate big-play threat, giving him one of the higher floor and ceiling combinations outside the opening rounds of drafts and making him a potential value at RotoBaller's WR14.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emmett Johnson Sees His Handcuff Value Soar Following Sunday's Cuts
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson ran hard in three preseason contests, averaging 4.7 yards per carry while bringing in six of his seven targets, showing enough for the team to comfortably move on from veteran Emari Demercado, who was just signed to a one-year deal in free agency. The Chiefs kept only three running backs on their initial 53-man roster, hinting at a potential three-down role for Kenneth Walker III and one of the league's most valuable insurance roles for Johnson. Brashard Smith adds versatility and special teams prowess, but Johnson figures to serve as the team's primary change-of-pace back and is capable of handling a bell cow role if needed after seeing more than 300 opportunities in his final year at Nebraska, turning in one of the most productive seasons of any back in the nation. While Walker's projected usage is likely to limit the rookie's standalone value, Johnson has quickly become one of the most important handcuffs in fantasy and is worthy of a late-round selection in deeper leagues.
Source: Pete Sweeney
Source: Pete Sweeney
Dennis Schroder Seals Germany's Overtime Win Over Poland
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder led Germany past Poland 96-94 in overtime in Sunday's FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifier, finishing with 18 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal while shooting 5-for-11 from the field, 2-for-5 from deep, and 6-for-7 at the line. FIBA credited him with the game-winning free throws with 17 seconds left, a reminder that the 32-year-old can still manage late-game offense. Charlotte acquired Schroder from Cleveland in August after he averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists over 70 games last season, but his fantasy ceiling still depends on steady minutes in a crowded Hornets backcourt.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Ladd McConkey Primed for a League-Winning Bounceback
After a disappointing sophomore season, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey is primed for one of the biggest fantasy bouncebacks of 2026. The departure of Keenan Allen, who led the team in targets and receptions a year ago in an overlapping role, and the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whose speed and spacing-based system suits McConkey to a T, could open the path for a big year from the 2024 second-round pick. While the Chargers have already suffered a significant loss on the offensive line following the season-ending ACL tear of center Tyler Biadasz (knee), the returns of tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater should help to keep quarterback Justin Herbert on his feet and the offense on schedule. McConkey has already demonstrated WR1 upside, finishing as the WR12 as a rookie, and with an expanded role in an improved offensive environment, he could prove to be a league-winning selection at RotoBaller's WR15.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pelle Larsson Scores 23 Points in Sweden's Qualifying Loss
Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson scored 23 points in Sweden's 84-69 loss to France on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, getting to the line 16 times and converting 13, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. The 25-year-old could not match France's frontcourt efficiency, as Victor Wembanyama posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Maxime Raynaud added 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Larsson also dropped 31 points against Finland on Thursday, making the free-throw volume the best fantasy takeaway from his window. Miami's shooting guard minutes are more available after Tyler Herro went to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and Norman Powell signed with Chicago. Larsson started 54 games last season while averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes. Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are camp competitors, but Larsson has done enough to keep pressure on Miami's perimeter rotation.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Umar Nurmagomedov Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Former title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov suffered a second-round knockout loss to Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Shanghai on Saturday. Both men had their moments: Yadong by landing to the body and Nurmagomedov with a few sneaky uppercuts and his wrestling, but the ending sequence came in the second round after Yadong landed an uppercut that knocked Nurmagomedov out cold. This was the first time Nurmagomedov got finished in his career. In 6:48 of action, Nurmagomedov landed a takedown and 13 significant strikes. With the loss, Nurmagomedov drops to 20-2 as a pro and is now 8-2 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Christian Watson Could See Expanded Early Role
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has been a popular breakout candidate heading into his fifth season, and early-season uncertainty in the Packers' backfield could lead to even more involvement to begin the year. The Packers have had one of the run-heaviest offenses in the league over the past two seasons, but after Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List as a result of misdemeanor charges stemming from his May arrest, Green Bay is prepared to begin the season with MarShawn Lloyd and his six career carries in the starting role. Backing up Lloyd will be veteran Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson, who was acquired via trade from the Steelers on Sunday, and a potential fall-off at the position could lead to a philosophical shift and more passing to begin the year. Watson has already been pegged as the most obvious benefactor of the offseason departures of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, and higher passing volume to begin the year could allow him to repeat or even surpass the WR13 pace at which he played after returning from injury halfway through the 2025 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Maxime Raynaud Delivers 13 Points in France's Win Over Sweden
Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud scored 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting in France's 84-69 win over Sweden on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The second-year big matched Victor Wembanyama's efficiency from the field, with the San Antonio Spurs star finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks as France moved to 7-1 atop the group. Rudy Gobert was unavailable, giving Raynaud a bigger frontcourt role, while Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson led Sweden with 23 points. Raynaud averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a rookie and enters his second Kings season penciled in behind Domantas Sabonis. The efficient summer minutes strengthen his fallback case if Sabonis misses time again, but Raynaud's fantasy value still depends on a clearer path to starts.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Song Yadong Upsets Umar Nurmagomedov
Song Yadong became the first man to finish former bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov, and it was by second-round knockout in the main event of UFC Shanghai on Saturday. Yadong entered this fight as a 5-1 underdog but pulled off an amazing upset by knocking out Nurmagomedov with a right uppercut. This is without a doubt the biggest win of Yadong's career, and it puts him one step closer to challenging the champion for the title. In 6:48 of action, Yadong landed 11 significant strikes. With the win, Yadong improved to 13-4-1 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Victor Wembanyama Powers France Past Sweden
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama needed only seven field-goal attempts to score 18 points in France's 84-69 win over Sweden on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year added eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal while helping France close on a 20-4 run after trailing 65-64 with five minutes left. France moved to 7-1 atop Group L. Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud chipped in 13 points, while Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson led Sweden with 23. Wembanyama is not expected to be available for the November qualifying window with the Spurs' season underway, capping his summer mileage after averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks across 64 games last season. Health is the only real concern, so the lighter international calendar is a fantasy-friendly note.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
MarShawn Lloyd is "Certainly" the No. 1 Running Back in Green Bay
A rash of injuries has limited Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd to only one game since being drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but his return to health could not have come at a better time. Starting running back Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List on Sunday after being formally charged with two misdemeanor counts stemming from his May arrest, and with the roster being trimmed down to 53 players on the same day, the Packers are poised to enter the season with Lloyd as the number one running back. He will be backed up by Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson, who was acquired via trade on cutdown day and could take some time to get up to speed in a new offense. Lloyd has looked sharp throughout training camp and the preseason, and if he can stay healthy to begin the year, he has RB1 upside in Matt LaFleur's run-heavy offense, with Jacobs' return date entirely in the hands of Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Source: Matt Schnedman
Source: Matt Schnedman
Yan Xiaonan Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Former title challenger Yan Xiaonan suffered a first-round knockout loss to Denise Gomes in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai on Saturday. With 30 seconds or so left in the round, Gomes landed a perfectly timed elbow, hurting Xiaonan. Gomes then followed up with punches, knocking Xiaonan out. In 4:49 of action, Xiaonan landed 19 significant strikes. With the loss, Xiaonan dropped to 19-6 as a pro and is now 9-5 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Braden Smith Targets Daily Progress with Pacers
Indiana Pacers guard Braden Smith said he is focused on turning in-game growth into daily progress after a rough Summer League, per Forbes' Tony East. The No. 38 pick shot just 26.5 percent across five games in Las Vegas, though he still averaged 6.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. Smith called himself his own hardest critic and said he has been working on his ball handling, decision-making, and pace. The passing gives him a base, but the physicality on defense and lack of clean paint touches showed how far he has to go. With Tyrese Haliburton back and T.J. McConnell entrenched behind him, the Noblesville Boom should see plenty of Smith as a rookie. He is a development name, not a fantasy option.
Source: Tony East
Source: Tony East
Denise Gomes Scores First-Round Knockout Win
Denise Gomes extended her win streak by finishing former title challenger Yan Xiaonan via first-round knockout in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai on Saturday. Gomes came out as the aggressor from the start, and with 30 seconds remaining in the first round, Gomes landed a devastating elbow and followed up with punches, knocking Xiaonan out. In 4:49 of action, Gomes landed 18 significant strikes. It was Gomes's fifth straight win, and it puts her as one of the top contenders in the women's strawweight division.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Aori Aoriqileng Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Aori Aoriqileng suffered a second-round TKO loss to former flyweight title challenger Kai Asakura on the main card of UFC Shanghai on Saturday. The ending sequence came 34 seconds into the second round, but it started when Asakura landed a nasty head kick that wobbled Aoriqileng. Asakura then followed up with a barrage of punches dropping, Aoriqileng to the mat. Asakura then landed a few knees to Aoriqileng's body, forcing the referee to stop the fight. In 5:34 of action, Aoriqileng landed 14 significant strikes. With the loss, Aoriqileng dropped to 4-6 with one NC in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
