RADIO
Skyler Bell Breaks Out in First Taste of Preseason Action
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Skyler Bell made his preseason debut on Thursday, catching seven of his 10 targets for 49 receiving yards. He also had a 28-yard rushing touchdown. In total, the UConn product tallied eight touches, 77 scrimmage yards, and one trip to the end zone. As a fourth-round pick, Bell never really faced much concern about his ability to make the roster. Still, it was encouraging to see him contribute, especially after he missed the first two weeks of the preseason due to a lower-body injury. In addition to putting impressive numbers on the stat sheet, Bell showed that he's healthy enough to play in Week 1 of the regular season, barring a setback. He projects as the No. 5 receiver on Buffalo's depth chart, and he's currently off the redraft radar as the WR119 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luke Floriea Making a Late Push for a Roster Spot
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Luke Floriea caught three of his five targets for 29 yards and two touchdowns during Thursday's preseason finale against the New England Patriots. Floriea has been very impressive lately, catching three touchdown passes over the last two games. The 24-year-old is a former undrafted free agent from Kent State who spent most of 2025 on the practice squad. Often, players who get a ton of reps in Week 3 of the preseason are projected cuts, but Floriea's recent streak of success might just be enough to get him a roster spot, especially after more targets opened up following the release of Cedric Tillman. If he does make the 53-man roster, though, he'll be buried on the depth chart and can be avoided in all fantasy football leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dillon Gabriel Solidifies Himself as QB3 with Big Night
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 12 of 15 pass attempts for 186 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Thursday's preseason win over the New England Patriots. He also rushed for three yards and didn't take a sack. It's worth noting that Gabriel was playing against a bunch of defensive reserves, but it was still a very encouraging showing nonetheless. This performance comes on the heels of the Browns naming Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel never had a legitimate chance to earn the starting job, but today's game essentially confirms that he's locked into the No. 3 quarterback role and won't lose his roster spot to Taylen Green, a sixth-round pick out of Alabama. Gabriel's path to playing time in Cleveland faces plenty of obstacles, but the Browns should feel confident in his ability to step into the offense at any time if needed. He's off the fantasy radar entirely, though.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Howard Evaluated for a Head Injury on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (head) was being evaluated for a potential head injury on Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Howard played the entire first half against Buffalo before being pulled due to injury after going 9-for-15 for 69 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He was sacked three times for a loss of 22 yards. Rookie Drew Allar, who is competing for the QB3 job with Howard behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, went 9-for-18 in the contest for 88 yards passing, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. Howard, 24, was a sixth-round pick by Pittsburgh last year from Ohio State, but he didn't see any action in the regular season and could be headed to the Steelers' practice squad or to another team if he loses the QB3 battle to Allar following training camp and the preseason. He led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2024, and new head coach Mike McCarthy has had positive things to say, but Howard has zero redraft appeal and very little stash upside in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Jeremiyah Love Trending in the Right Direction for Week 1
Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is trending toward being available for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. He noted that Love needs to keep progressing, but things are looking positive. Fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic that this year's No. 3 pick might play in the season opener on Sept. 13. He still has two weeks to recover and get back into game shape ahead of making his NFL debut. If he does suit up, he might be on a snap count, especially since the Cardinals have a deep backfield that also features Tyler Allgeier and James Conner (foot). With that being said, even if Love isn't quite at 100%, he could have fantasy relevance because of his skill set. During his final two seasons at Notre Dame, he amassed 2,497 rushing yards, 617 receiving yards, and a whopping 40 touchdowns. He ranks as the overall RB19 in RotoBaller's latest 2026 redraft rankings.
Source: John Gambadoro
Source: John Gambadoro
Jalen Milroe to Play a Full Game in Preseason Finale
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that quarterback Jalen Milroe will play a full game in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Corbin K. Smith of Emerald Spectrum. The Seahawks will get a good look at the second-year signal-caller to close out preseason action after the 23-year-old former third-rounder from Alabama has gone 11-for-19 for 88 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in the first two preseason contests. In his first NFL campaign last year, Milroe only appeared in three games and did not attempt a pass, carrying the ball three times for four yards with a lost fumble. He is firmly entrenched as Seattle's QB3 to begin the 2026 season behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock, so Milroe has zero redraft fantasy appeal. Milroe does not lack athleticism, but he must develop as a passer if he is to become anything more than a backup in the NFL long term.
Source: Emerald Spectrum - Corbin K. Smith
Source: Emerald Spectrum - Corbin K. Smith
Geno Smith Will Not Play in Friday's Preseason Finale
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will not play in Friday night's preseason finale against the New York Giants, a source told Brian Costello of the New York Post. Most of the Jets starters who have played in the preseason are expected to sit out on Friday. The 35-year-old veteran only played in the preseason game on Aug. 21 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and went 7-for-7 passing for 65 yards and a touchdown. The two-time Pro Bowler and former second-rounder by the Jets in 2013 from West Virginia is hoping to bounce back in 2026 in his return to New York after throwing a league-high 17 interceptions and getting benched late last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith has looked good in training camp this summer while running offensive coordinator Frank Reich's scheme, and he will have more talent to work with through the air in 2026 than he did in his lone season in Sin City. Still, fantasy managers in single-QB leagues should be ignoring Smith, and he will merely be a low-end QB2 for those in two-QB superflex formats.
Source: New York Post - Brian Costello
Source: New York Post - Brian Costello
Andy Borregales Finishes Preseason on a High Note
New England Patriots kicker Andy Borregales has bounced back ever since his ugly showing in Week 1 of the preseason. During Thursday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns, he went 2-for-2 on field goals and also made his lone extra point attempt. The field goals weren't particularly impressive, as they came from 26 and 33 yards out, but it was nice to see him demonstrate some accuracy. He missed three kicks in the first week of the preseason, but he has gone 3-for-3 on field goals since then. There was never much doubt that Borregales would make the team, as he was the only kicker on the Patriots' roster this summer. Nevertheless, fantasy managers should be encouraged that he overcame his initial struggles and the team never felt compelled to bring in any external competition. He was the K10 in fantasy football as a rookie last year, but he has fallen to K22 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Williams Trending Up After Another Big Touchdown Catch
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams was involved in another explosive play on Thursday as he caught a 45-yard touchdown pass in Week 3 of the preseason against the Cleveland Browns. Williams finished the game with two catches, 55 yards, and one touchdown. This marks the end of a fantastic preseason for the former Washington State receiver. He found the end zone in each of the Patriots' three games, and he finishes the preseason with a total of six catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns. There was never a doubt that Williams was going to make the 53-man roster, but this impressive stretch of games could help him carve out an even larger role. He already started climbing up the depth chart this week after the team traded away Kayshon Boutte to Houston. Fantasy managers should look to stash Williams in all dynasty leagues, and there's even some low-end appeal in deeper redraft formats. He's the WR121 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Dixon All Over the Stat Sheet in Preseason Finale
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Dixon caught all eight of his targets for 71 yards during Thursday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. Dixon had just two catches through the first two weeks, so it was encouraging to see him catch eight passes in three quarters. However, it may be too little, too late. Oftentimes, Week 3 of the preseason is an opportunity for projected roster casualties to showcase themselves in hopes of miraculously sticking on the roster or marketing themselves for other teams in free agency. The latter could be the case for Dixon, who doesn't seem to have a clear role in the Patriots' receiver room and will likely be released if the team chooses to carry six receivers. He's a candidate to wind up on New England's practice squad, but the solid showcase on Thursday could be enough to secure a depth spot on another roster. Dixon is an undrafted free agent from Culver-Stockton College, an NAIA program. During his final year at school, he caught 83 passes for 1,282 yards and a dozen touchdowns.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J'Vonne Hadley Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Heat
The Miami Heat have signed undrafted forward J'Vonne Hadley to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Hadley played for Miami's Summer League team after closing his college career at Louisville, where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 56.2 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three-point range. He was quieter in Summer League, posting 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks across eight games. The camp deal gives Hadley a path to stay in Miami's system, but the NBA rotation is crowded with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Bobby Portis, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, and Klay Thompson ahead of him. Sioux Falls is the realistic landing spot, leaving Hadley off fantasy radars.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Deandre Ayton Skips Bahamas Qualifying Window
Washington Wizards center Deandre Ayton will not suit up for the Bahamas during this week's FIBA World Cup qualifying window, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein. Ayton was listed on the Bahamas' preliminary roster, but he does not appear on the final 12-man group. No injury was mentioned in the report, so this carries no immediate fantasy concern and may simply give him more time before Wizards camp. Ayton shot 67.1 percent from the field last season while averaging 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks across 72 starts for the Lakers. The bigger issue is his Washington role, with Alexandre Sarr and Anthony Davis also in the frontcourt. If Ayton settles into a smaller role, last season's volume will be tough to repeat.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
VJ Edgecombe Skips Bahamas' Window 4 Qualifiers
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe is not on the Bahamas' final 12-man roster for this week's FIBA World Cup qualifying window, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. No injury was attached to the report, so the 21-year-old can shift his focus toward the 2026-27 NBA season after a strong Window 3 run that included a 26-point, nine-rebound, five-steal showing against Jamaica. Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 35.0 minutes as a rookie, but his second-year usage is less secure after Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown around Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. He still has fantasy appeal, though the touch squeeze lowers his ceiling.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Keshad Johnson Back in Miami on Two-Way Deal
The Miami Heat and forward Keshad Johnson have agreed to a two-way deal, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The move is a step down from the standard contract Johnson played on last season. The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest winner appeared in 32 games for Miami, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes. His best work came with Sioux Falls, where he posted 17.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.9 blocks across eight G-League games. The path to minutes is still rough, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Bobby Portis, Nikola Jovic, and Klay Thompson all ahead of him in the forward mix. Two-way status caps Johnson's availability and keeps him off playoff rosters unless he is converted, leaving him nowhere near fantasy draft boards.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Nick Richards Lands in Miami
Free-agent center Nick Richards has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The move fills Miami's 14th standard roster spot after the team added Klay Thompson, giving the Heat another reserve big behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis. Richards split last season between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes across 48 games while shooting 51.2 percent from the field. His workload is unlikely to grow much in Miami unless injuries open up backup-center minutes, leaving Richards off fantasy draft boards for now.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
