February 27, 2026
Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher
Stephen Kolek (oblique) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus left oblique strain and will be shut down for the next week or so, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Kolek's timeline for a recovery will depend on how he responds to rest and recovery, putting his availability for Opening Day in late March very much up in the air. The 28-year-old's injury definitely hurts his chances of winning a spot in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 regular season. Kolek ended up making 19 starts with the Royals and San Diego Padres last year while going 5-7 with a 3.51 ERA (3.82 FIP), 1.14 WHIP, and 77:31 K:BB in 112 2/3 innings pitched. He started the year off with an impressive 14 1/3 straight scoreless innings and even threw a shutout at Coors Field before posting a 5.10 ERA in 12 starts. Kolek is a ground-ball artist with limited strikeout upside, limiting his fantasy appeal to AL-only leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
February 27, 2026
New York Giants running back
Cam Skattebo (ankle) emerged as a rookie in 2025, recording 617 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 125 touches across eight games. Unfortunately for Skattebo and the Giants, his first NFL campaign was cut short in Week 8 by a season-ending ankle injury. While Skattebo is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of 2026, his physical style of play may lead to long-term durability concerns. Additionally, a recent report from Dan Benton of Giants Wire suggests that New York may be targeting University of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the number five overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. If the Giants add Love or another talented running back this offseason, the team's running back room will be very crowded heading into 2026. Skattebo's fantasy upside is largely dependent on his ability to handle a high volume of touches as both a rusher and receiver, so his dynasty outlook would be significantly impacted by the possible addition of Love in New York.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 27, 2026
Even entering his age-32 season, Baltimore Ravens running back
Derrick Henry remains one of the most dominant players at his position in the NFL. Across 17 games in 2025, Henry recorded 1,595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 307 carries. As Henry continues to age, his ability to handle a large workload while remaining productive is uncertain. However, any signs of significant age-related decline are difficult to spot in his statistical profile. Henry has now played 17 games and recorded over 300 touches in three straight seasons, and has logged over 3,500 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns since joining the Ravens in 2024. Henry's lack of receiving work limits his PPR fantasy upside, as he recorded just 15 receptions on 21 targets in 2025. Still, he appears to be a lock for 1,000-plus rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns in Baltimore as long as he remains healthy. Henry's long-term dynasty value fades with each passing season, but it's hard to bet against him in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 27, 2026
Baltimore Ravens tight end
Mark Andrews has been one of the better players in the NFL at his position since entering the league in 2018. However, Andrews is now entering his age-31 season, and he had one of the least productive years of his career in 2025. Across 17 games played, Andrews recorded 48 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns on 70 targets. Andrews' path to target share and playing time could be clearer in 2026, as fellow Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely is set to hit free agency and may not return to the team. However, Andrews will also be working with an entirely new Baltimore coaching staff for the first time in his career in 2026. Additionally, Andrews has now recorded three consecutive seasons with fewer than 60 receptions and 700 receiving yards. While he will likely remain a security blanket for Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson in the red zone, Andrews' days as a high-end fantasy tight end may be behind him.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 27, 2026
Lone'er Kavanagh will look to get back in the win column when he takes on former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Kavanagh was originally scheduled to face Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 114, but he was pulled from the fight to replace an injured Asu Almabayev. The 26-year old Kavanagh was last seen in action in August at UFC Shanghai, where he suffered the first loss of his career after getting knocked out by Charles Johnson in the second round. DraftKings sees Kavanagh as the underdog with a salary of $7,500.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed had his 2025 season thrown off track by injury, as collarbone and foot ailments limited him to just seven games played. Across those contests, the 25-year-old hauled in 19 catches for 207 yards and one touchdown on 22 targets. Before 2025, Reed flashed upside in his first two NFL seasons, recording over 1,900 scrimmage yards and 17 total touchdowns. However, he's struggled to carve out a high-volume role in the Packers offense, which typically spreads the ball around to multiple pass-catchers. Across 40 career games with Green Bay, Reed is averaging 4.8 targets per contest. Packers wideout
Romeo Doubs is set to hit free agency, and start tight end
Tucker Kraft (knee) is currently recovering from a torn ACL, so Reed's path to playing time could be clearer in 2026. He will still have to contend with Green Bay wideouts
Christian Watson and
Matthew Golden for targets, but a fully healthy offseason could put Reed in position for a breakout year. In dynasty formats, Reed could be a solid buy-low candidate coming off his injury-marred 2025 campaign.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 27, 2026
Former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will look to get back in the win column when he faces off against Lone'er Kavanagh in the main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. The former flyweight champion was originally scheduled to take on Asu Almabayev, but Almabayev was forced to pull out of the fight due to an injury. Moreno was last seen in the Octagon back in December 2025 at UFC 323, where he suffered the first stoppage loss of his career, a TKO defeat to Tatsuro Taira. DraftKings sees Moreno as the favorite with a salary of $8,700.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
Three seasons into his NFL career, Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs has established himself as one of the premier players at his position. Across 17 games in 2025, the 23-year-old recorded 1,839 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns on 320 touches. Gibbs is averaging nearly six yards per touch for his career and has recorded back-to-back seasons with at least 1,800 scrimmage yards and 18 scores. 2025 also brought about a couple of notable changes in Gibbs' profile. After starting just seven of his first 32 NFL games while sharing the Lions' backfield with veteran back
David Montgomery, Gibbs started all 17 contests in 2025 and established himself as the team's clear RB1. Gibbs also saw the heaviest receiving workload of his career, setting single-season highs in targets (94), receptions (77), and receiving yards (616). In 2026, Gibbs appears likely to once again be relied upon as a heavily featured piece in the Lions' offense. Gibbs' ability to rack up fantasy production as both a rusher and receiver makes him an elite dynasty running back option heading into the prime years of his career.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 27, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Samuel Basallo (abdomen) said he's "feeling good" after being checked by the medical team on Thursday, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Basallo felt "cramping" as part of the discomfort that he felt while tagging a runner out at home plate in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers. The good news is that it's not a serious injury, and he won't go for additional testing. Basallo thinks he'd be ready to play this weekend, but it's up to the team. "Everything is good," Basallo said through an interpreter. The 21-year-old backstop appears to have dodged a bullet and should be ready for the start of his first full season in the big leagues, and he's expected to play regularly behind the dish against right-handers. Basallo is one of the more intriguing up-and-coming young catchers with plenty of power upside. Target him as a high-end No. 2 catcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
February 27, 2026
After a down year in 2024 in which he missed nine games due to injury, New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Chris Olave bounced back to form in 2025. Across 16 games, the 25-year-old hauled in 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets. Olave's production reached a new level after
Tyler Shough took over as the Saints' starting quarterback in Week 8. Across nine games alongside Shough, Olave hauled in 56 catches for 723 yards and six touchdowns on 85 targets. With a full season's worth of games playing with Shough in 2026, Olave could be in line for the best year of his career. Injuries remain a concern for Olave, as he's missed 13 games across four NFL seasons and ended 2025 sidelined by a blood clot in his lung. However, he's expected to make a full recovery heading into 2026, and he's proven a safe per-game production floor throughout the course of his career. In dynasty formats, Olave's fantasy stock is rising as a result of his encouraging 2025 season.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 27, 2026
David Martinez will aim to remain undefeated in the UFC and extend his win streak when he takes on former title challenger Marlon Vera in the co-main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Martinez was last seen in action in September 2025 at Noche UFC 3, where he extended his win streak to nine by beating Rob Font via unanimous decision. He made his UFC debut in the fight prior in March 2025 at UFC Mexico City, where he finished Saimon Oliveira by first-round TKO. DraftKings sees Martinez as the favorite with a salary of $8,900.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
Former title challenger Marlon Vera will look to return to the win column when he takes on David Martinez in the co-main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Vera enters this contest on the first three-fight skid of his career. He came up short against Sean O'Malley and Deiveson Figueiredo, losing via unanimous decision and more recently, he lost to Aiemann Zahabi via controversial split decision. DraftKings sees Vera as the underdog with a salary of $7,300.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
King Green will look to win back-to-back fights when he faces off against Daniel Zellhuber on the main card of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. After suffering back-to-back first-round losses, Green got back in the win column in his last bout by defeating Lance Gibson Jr. via split decision. Prior to beating Gibson, Green suffered a first-round knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy. DraftKings sees Green as a massive underdog with a salary of $6,800.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
Daniel Zellhuber will aim to bounce back in the win column when he faces off against King Green on the main card of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Despite beginning his UFC run at a respectable 3-1, Zellhuber is now in a tough spot because he lost his last two fights. Zellhuber was last seen in action in July 2025 at UFC 318, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Michael Johnson. DraftKings sees Zellhuber as a massive favorite with a salary of $9,400.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had a quality performance in Thursday's 5-1 victory against the Maple Leafs. The veteran goalie stopped 28 of 29 shots on goal and allowed just one goal in the contest, which was a power-play goal in the opening minute of the third period by Maple Leafs center John Tavares. Bobrovsky has struggled throughout the 2025-26 season, with totals of a 3.08 goals-against average and .874 save percentage through 41 appearances, but the two-time Vezina trophy-winning netminder is worth rostering across standard formats.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 27, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand scored two goals in Thursday's 5-1 victory against the Maple Leafs. Marchand opened the scoring in the first period to give the Panthers the lead, and he added an empty-net goal with just over three minutes remaining in the contest while finishing with a plus-two rating. Marchand now has 27 goals through 47 games, which ties him for the team lead, while the veteran forward has totaled 52 points on the season and remains a valuable option across all fantasy leagues.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 27, 2026
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson scored twice in a 4-3 overtime loss versus his former team, the New York Islanders, on Thursday. The goals were his 11th and 12th of the season, and he now has 40 points total on the campaign. The first goal was on even strength in the first period, and the second goal came on the power play halfway through the second frame. Dobson's next game will be on Saturday versus the Washington Capitals.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 27, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer scored two goals in a 4-3 overtime win versus the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. The first goal came at 17:56 into the second period, and the following goal came just 55 seconds later. The rookie now has 18 goals and 23 assists in 59 games played this season. His next game is on Saturday night versus the Blue Jackets.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 27, 2026
The New York Giants are "seriously looking" at some of the top running backs in both the NFL draft and free agency this offseason, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Raanan specifically notes players like Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love and free-agent RBs
Travis Etienne Jr. and
Kenneth Walker III. Even though they already have
Cam Skattebo (ankle) and
Tyrone Tracy Jr. in their backfield, there "seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical run-heavy team" under new head coach John Harbaugh. Skattebo, 24, was a fourth-round pick out of Arizona State last year and is a pretty physical back, but the Giants may have concerns about his long-term durability after he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in his rookie campaign. Love, meanwhile, has the skills to be a top-five pick in this year's NFL draft and be a difference-maker at the next level for years to come.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
February 27, 2026
Felipe Bunes will look to get back in the win column when he takes on Edgar Chairez on the main card of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Bunes last competed back in August 2025 at UFC Vegas 108, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Rafael Estevam. Since joining the UFC in January 2024, Bunes has gone 1-2. DraftKings sees Bunes as the underdog with a salary of $7,200.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
Edgar Chairez will look to win back-to-back fights when he faces off against Felipe Bunes on the main card of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Chairez was last seen in action in March 2025 at UFC Mexico City, where he got back in the win column by submitting C.J. Vergara in the first round. This victory earned him the Performance of the Night bonus. Prior to that, he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Joshua Van. DraftKings sees Chairez as the favorite with a salary of $9,000.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 27, 2026
Georgia tight end Oscar Delp (foot) won't be allowed to go through drills at this weekend's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis due to liability issues, according to a league source. Delp played the entire 2025 season for the Bulldogs with a hairline fracture in his foot, which was accidentally found on a routine X-ray. Delp will run and be a full-go for all drills at Georgia's pro day on March 18. The 22-year-old should be completely fine for the start of the 2026 NFL campaign this fall. He's expected to be a Day 3 prospect in this year's NFL draft after catching 20 passes for 261 yards and one touchdown in his senior season in 2025. Delp never had more than 284 receiving yards or four touchdowns in his four-year career at Georgia.
--Keith HernandezSource: Zach Klein
February 27, 2026
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate said on Friday that he might only run the 40-yard dash at this weekend's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to Travis May of A to Z Sports. Tate is considered one of the top receivers of this year's draft class after catching 51 passes for a career-high 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games in 2025 in his junior year with the Buckeyes. He helped Ohio State win the national championship in 2024, when he caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games played. Tate finished his three seasons with 121 receptions, 1,872 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 39 games. Tate and USC's Makai Lemon will battle to be the first wideout taken in the 2026 NFL draft, and they could both come off the board within the first 15 or so picks.
--Keith HernandezSource: A to Z Sports - Travis May
February 27, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys officially placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver
George Pickens on Friday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. The non-exclusive tag allows teams to talk to Pickens when free agency begins next month, but the Cowboys will have the right to match any offer. Ultimately, the Cowboys hope that the tag is just a placeholder until they can work out a long-term extension with Pickens, who had a career year in 2025 in his first season in Dallas. The two sides will have until July 15 to reach a new contract. If an extension isn't reached, Pickens will most likely play the 2026 campaign in Dallas on the franchise tag. The 24-year-old led the Cowboys in receiving last year and was money for fantasy managers, catching 93 of his 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Pickens was the WR5 in half-PPR scoring and won't be cheap in the early rounds of drafts this fall as a WR1.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
February 27, 2026
University of Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon will not run the 40-yard dash at this week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic. Lemon will participate in the gauntlet and run some routes, but he won't take part in official testing. The 21-year-old won the Biletnikoff Trophy in 2025 after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final collegiate season with the Trojans. Lemon will most likely run the 40-yard dash at his school's pro day next month. He's been compared to Lions wideout
Amon-Ra St. Brown and will be a lock to come off the board in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, possibly within the first 10 to 15 picks.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dane Brugler
February 27, 2026
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent running back
Tyler Allgeier will be looking for a contract in the neighborhood of three years and $22 million this offseason, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Kendall adds that it's almost certainly "more than the Falcons will be willing to pay" with
Bijan Robinson's second contract looming down the road in one or two years. Robinson will try to reset the RB market when he begins negotiations. Allgeier had 676 carries for 2,876 yards in his four seasons in Atlanta and set the franchise's rookie rushing record of 1,035 yards in 2022 after he was taken in the fifth round. The 25-year-old was a frustrating play in fantasy because of the unpredictability behind Robinson, but he did have a career-high eight TDs in 2025, and he should be in line for an expanded role in 2026 in a new location.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
February 27, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin (foot) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, starting at shortstop and hitting eighth. Griffin was hit by a pitch on his foot in Wednesday's spring training contest and was removed as a precaution. The 19-year-old No. 1 overall prospect in baseball said after the game on Wednesday that he was fine. Despite still being a teenager and having played only 21 games above High-A in the minors, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal says that he's "trending toward" being the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop. Griffin has lived up to all the hype so far this spring and clubbed two home runs in the spring training game on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. All aspects of his game are polished well beyond his years, and his power/speed upside is through the roof. Griffin has all the makings of a future superstar and perennial All-Star.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Pirates
February 27, 2026
Detroit Tigers right-hander
Troy Melton (elbow) saw a doctor and was recommended to rest for an extended period of time, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. It means that Melton is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season at the end of March. The 25-year-old hadn't pitched in a game this spring due to a right-elbow strain. Melton was sharp in his first 16 major-league outings (four starts) for the Tigers last year, delivering a 2.76 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 36 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 45 2/3 innings, and he was also a key piece for Detroit in the postseason. He'll now begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list, though, and it's unclear exactly when he might be an option to help the big-league pitching staff. Melton is a promising young arm in the Tigers' system, but he's likely to face workload restrictions.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit News - Chris McCosky
February 27, 2026
Minnesota Twins third baseman
Royce Lewis' (side) MRI exam came back clean after he was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with tightness in his side, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The 26-year-old is being considered day-to-day for now and will likely be held out of spring training games for a couple of days as a precaution. Injuries have been an issue for the former first overall pick, as last year was the first time in his four major-league seasons that he played in over 100 games. Lewis hit .237/.283/.388 with a .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. He played in 70 combined games in his first two seasons and has already suffered two torn ACLs. Lewis is injury-prone and streaky as a hitter, but when he's dialed in, he can be an elite power hitter for fantasy managers at third base.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
February 27, 2026
The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that the New England Patriots "will make a call soon" on wide receiver
Stefon Diggs' future, and it could mean cutting the 32-year-old veteran or restructuring his contract as early as next week. Diggs is set to carry a $26.5 million salary cap hit this year, and his contract guarantees him $6 million if he's on the roster on March 13. New England is in a tough position, as Diggs became the first Patriots receiver in six years to top 1,000 receiving yards in a season, and it would be counterproductive for quarterback
Drake Maye if the team were to cut their best WR. A league source expects the Pats to cut Diggs, unless they're able to "dramatically lower his cap hit with a reworked contract." If the Patriots do cut Diggs, Graff expects them to look at
Mike Evans or
Alec Pierce (if he's available). The other free-agent options at WR are not great.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
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