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Barion Brown Draws Comparison to Former Saints Wideout
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Barion Brown received a pretty notable comparison from Chris Olave on Thursday. According to Erin Summers, Olave said Brown reminds him a lot of former Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed, adding that the two are "basically the same player." Brown came to New Orleans as a sixth-round pick after finishing his college career with 175 catches for 2,060 yards and 12 touchdowns. His return work stands out even more. Brown averaged 29.4 yards on 65 kickoff returns and took six of them for touchdowns, an SEC career record. He has also been making plays as a receiver in camp, with Kellen Moore praising his progress earlier this month and the Saints noting that Brown was on the receiving end of several deep balls early in camp. New Orleans has plenty of competition at receiver, including Chris Olave, first-round pick Jordyn Tyson, Devaughn Vele and fourth-round pick Bryce Lance. Brown may not have an immediate redraft role, but he is giving dynasty managers something to watch.
Source: Erin Summers
Source: Erin Summers
Caleb Williams to Sit Out of Preseason Opener
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that the team will sit "a number" of their starters in their preseason opener on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns, which includes quarterback Caleb Williams, who will not play, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Johnson could very well rest Williams for the entire preseason as he heads into his third year as the team's starter in 2026. With the 24-year-old sitting this weekend, QBs Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, and Miller Moss should all see playing time against the Browns. In his second NFL season in 2025, Williams, the former first overall pick out of USC, took a step forward with 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions in 17 starts after he took a league-high 68 sacks as a rookie. He also added 383 rushing yards and three rushing TDs to finish as a top-10 fantasy signal-caller. Even though Williams lost receiver DJ Moore to an offseason trade, the third-year QB has plenty of weapons to work with, and he has the overall athleticism to take another step forward in Johnson's system with potential to become a high-end QB1 sooner rather than later. RotoBaller has Williams ranked as the QB8 for 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Courtney Cronin
Source: ESPN.com - Courtney Cronin
Jayden Daniels' Camp Wants LSU to Return Copy of Heisman Trophy
After it was announced that an attorney representing former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to athletics director Verge Ausberry informing the program that it can no longer use the former Heisman Trophy winner's name, image, and likeness, Matt Moscona of LouisianaSportsnet.com reports that his camp wants LSU to return its copy of his Heisman Trophy. "LSU has no intention of doing so and is undecided to what degree it will comply with the cease and desist, noting it is not a legally binding document," Moscona wrote. Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy after totaling 3,812 passing yards, 1,134 rushing yards, and 50 total touchdowns in his final season with the Tigers. This conflict stems from LSU's decision to allow cornerback DJ Pickett to wear No. 5 this season. This situation has turned ugly quickly, and this likely won't be the last we hear about it.
Source: Matt Moscona - LouisianaSportsnet.com
Source: Matt Moscona - LouisianaSportsnet.com
Kyler Murray Showing Strong Chemistry With Top Receiver
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Justin Jefferson have given the offense some encouraging signs during training camp. MLFootball said the two have "looked elite together," and there have been several plays to back up the growing chemistry. Earlier in camp, Murray gave Jefferson a chance on a deep ball into double coverage during a two-minute drill, and Jefferson went up between two defenders before taking it into the end zone. Murray also found him for about 20 yards on a high-pointed curl Tuesday, the same day he was officially named Minnesota's starting quarterback. Jefferson is coming off a down year by his standards, finishing 2025 with 84 catches for 1,048 yards and only two touchdowns. Murray played just five games for Arizona last season before a foot injury ended his year. There is a long way to go before camp connections mean anything on Sundays, but Murray and Jefferson getting comfortable with each other this quickly is a good start.
Source: MLFootball
Source: MLFootball
Chiefs Lead Polymarket Odds for Tyreek Hill
Free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) continues to be connected to his former team, but the latest link to the Kansas City Chiefs comes from a prediction market rather than an NFL report. According to NFL Rumors, Kansas City is currently the leading team on Polymarket's market for where Hill will play in 2026. The Chiefs are only around 12%, however, so this is hardly an indication that a reunion is close. Hill remains unsigned after Miami released him in February and is still working his way back from the major left knee injury he suffered last September. The 32-year-old said in July that he still had "no power" in the leg and has not announced a timetable for his return. Kansas City was reportedly planning to monitor Hill's recovery earlier in the offseason, but there has been no verified indication that a deal is currently in the works. For now, the Chiefs connection remains speculation rather than a developing transaction.
Source: NFL Rumors
Source: NFL Rumors
Hollywood Brown Gets Extra Work After Practice
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hollywood Brown put in some extra work with quarterback Jalen Hurts following Thursday's practice. According to Jeff McLane, Hurts and Brown stayed behind to work specifically on an out route into the end zone. Earlier in 7-on-7 drills, a Hurts pass intended for Brown was intercepted, though there was no indication that Brown was responsible for the turnover. The veteran joined Philadelphia on a one-year deal in March after catching 49 passes for 587 yards and five touchdowns with Kansas City last season. Brown has made some plays during camp, but McLane described his overall showing as underwhelming earlier this week. The Eagles expected Brown to be heavily involved in the receiver rotation this summer, so the extra work with Hurts is notable as the two continue trying to sharpen their timing before the season.
Source: Jeff McLane
Source: Jeff McLane
Theo Gillen Showing Off All his Tools In the Minor Leagues
The Tampa Bay Rays top outfield prospect Theo Gillen is having a very good age-20 season between two levels of the minors in 2026. Now with Double-A Montgomery, Gillen has hit .320 combined between two teams with 20 homers and 74 RBI to go with 78 runs and 39 stolen bases. The left-handed hitting outfielder is producing in all five categories and offers a very balanced statistical profile for future fantasy leagues. But right now, Gillen may need more nurturing in the minors and could be looking at a few years down the road for a major-league debut. He's a name to remember, however, because of his 60-grade hit tool and 60-grade speed. He could be a very appealing power-speed combination in years to come. Dynasty managers will want to snatch him up for future teams as he looks like a potential stud.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Eric Hartman Slumping in August, But Elite Speed is Intriguing
Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Eric Hartman is slumping to start the month of August at Double-A Columbus, hitting just .152 for the Clingstones with no homers or RBI. Hartman has split time between two minor league levels this season and has generally produced with 24 combined homers and 64 RBI to go with 81 runs scored and 45 stolen bases while hitting .265. The steals jump off the page for the 20-year-old, and his speed could be a weapon at the big-league level and for future fantasy rosters. The No. 2 overall prospect for the Braves has a 70-grade speed tool with a 55-grade hit tool. He looks like a future fantasy contributor because of the stolen base potential, but at Double-A at age 20, he will likely need some more work in the minors before breaking through at the big league level with Atlanta.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Edward Florentino Producing At Very Young Age in Minors
Pittsburgh Pirates first base/outfield prospect Edward Florentino has put up good numbers this season between two minor-league levels this season at age 19. Currently at High-A Greensboro, Florentino has 16 homers and 50 RBI in 73 games for the Grasshoppers while hitting .216 with 58 runs scored. The outfield/first base prospect is likely to make his way up the minor league ladder in the next few years, but is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Pirates' system. He has 60-grade power with a 50-grade hit tool and 55-grade speed. The left-handed hitter out of the Dominican Republic has the future tools to be a star, but at the age of 19 will need a few years to get some reps under his belt. A dynasty league stud, Florentino can be left on the waiver wire for the rest of this season in redraft leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Ricky Pearsall Officially Undergoes Knee Surgery
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) underwent season-ending surgery for his PCL injury to his right knee, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. In Pearsall's social-media post, the former first-rounder said he had never missed a game due to a football injury in his entire career at any level. The 49ers expect Pearsall to miss anywhere from six to 12 months, and he's already been ruled out for the entire 2025 season. The 25-year-old played in just 20 games (13 starts) in his first two years in the NFL due to injury, including only nine starts last year. He's recorded 67 catches on 99 targets for 928 yards and three touchdowns in his 20 regular-season games. It's unclear if Pearsall will be ready for the start of training camp and the regular season in 2027. Pearsall's redraft and dynasty/keeper value has hit rock bottom. In his absence in 2026, rookie second-round receiver De'Zhaun Stribling will have an opportunity to carve out a larger role alongside veterans Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Christian Kirk.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Ryan Sloan Has Potential For Future Fantasy Impact
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Ryan Sloan is just 20 years old and has spent all of 2026 in Double-A with the Arkansas Travelers. The right-hander is 2-3 overall with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP with 91 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched. In 17 games started this season, it has been a good sample size for Sloan, the Mariners' second round pick in 2024. The No. 2 overall prospect in the Mariners system behind his Arkansas teammate Kade Anderson, Sloan has a 60-grade fastball and changeup with a 55-grade slider. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Sloan has an elite frame and is a presence on the mound. He will likely need a bit more work in the minors to polish his overall arsenal. Thus he can likely be left on waiver wires in redraft leagues as he works his way towards a major league debut likely in the next few years.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Taylor Ward Out on Thursday With Quad Tightness
Seattle Mariners outfielder Taylor Ward (quadriceps) is out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the hosting New York Yankees due to quad tightness, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. The good news is that Ward's injury is not considered serious, and he could be available off the bench. Catcher Cal Raleigh is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup, while Jhonny Pereda will do the catching and hit eighth against Yankees left-hander Max Fried in the Bronx. After hitting a career-high 36 home runs and driving in 103 in 157 games in 2025 with the Los Angeles Angels, Ward has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy this year, entering action on Thursday with a .240/.370/.337 slash line with a .707 OPS, only seven home runs, 30 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 119 games and 538 plate appearances. In eight games since being acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, Ward has gone 5-for-32 (.156) with the M's with zero homers, no walks, and six strikeouts. It sounds like he will have a chance to return to Seattle's starting nine for Friday's series opener in Houston against the division-rival Astros.
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Top Overall Pick Eli Willits Has Speed to Burn in the Minor Leagues
The Washington Nationals drafted Eli Willits as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and the Nationals shortstop prospect has done nothing to disappoint in his professional career. At age 18 at the High-A affiliate of Wilmington, Willits has split time between two minor league levels this season and has produced with a combined 13 homers and 61 RBI in 340 at bats to go with 91 runs scored and 52 stolen bases while hitting .274. The speed of Willits jumps off the page and he has a 60-grade run tool to go with a 60-grade hit tool and 50 grade power. At age 18, Willits is worth monitoring but more so in a dynasty league as it's likely he will need more minor league seasoning in redraft leagues. The young switch hitter looks like a future star but it might be a few more years before he reaches the major leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Zay Flowers Returns to Team Drills on Thursday
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (quadriceps) returned to team drills at training camp practice on Thursday, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner. The Ravens held Flowers out of team drills earlier this week due to a minor left-quad contusion, but he's back in team drills now. Even though he appears to be back to full health, the Ravens are expected to hold their top wideout out of the preseason opener this Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 25-year-old former 22nd overall pick from Boston College had a career-high 1,211 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 17 starts in 2025 for his second straight 1,000-yard campaign in his third year in the NFL. Flowers is without question Baltimore's WR1, and he could have an even higher target share in new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's scheme in 2026. Especially in PPR leagues, Flowers has a high fantasy floor as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 target in upcoming drafts.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Jonas Shaffer
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Jonas Shaffer
Leo De Vries Worth Stashing As One of Baseball's Top Prospects
Athletics shortstop prospect Leo De Vries is just 19 years old and has had a stellar season at Double-A Midland with 13 homers and 53 RBI while hitting .292 with 62 runs scored and 33 stolen bases. One of the top young prospects in baseball, De Vries is showing off his five-category potential at Midland this season. The top prospect for the Athletics, De Vries possesses a 60-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and 55-grade speed. In other words, De Vries has all the tools to be successful on the baseball diamond, but he might need a bit of seasoning at Triple-A before the Athletics give him a big-league debut opportunity. He is a name worth monitoring, though, because if the Athletics do give him a chance, he should be ready to produce for fantasy even as early as this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
