RADIO
Neemias Queta Posts 16 Points in Portugal's Upset of Spain
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta racked up 16 points, nine rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes as Portugal upset Spain 95-89 on Friday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. Five of his boards came on the offensive glass, where the 27-year-old continues to do his best work. Queta averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks across 76 games last season, starting 75 of them before signing a four-year, $56 million extension in July. Boston added Mitchell Robinson this offseason, but Keith Smith has reported the expectation is that Robinson opens off the bench, keeping Queta in the starting mix. With Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia, there should be enough touches for Queta to build on last season's leap if he holds the job.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Makai Lemon Struggles to Shake Off the Rust in Preseason Debut
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon missed the team's first two preseason games while dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for much of training camp, and in Friday night's loss to the Bengals, he struggled to shake off the rust despite a concerted effort to get him involved early. Lemon was targeted five times in his first professional game, ending his night with three yards on three receptions, but he also muffed a punt and had a drop that led to an interception. "I'm glad it happened in the preseason, so come around September, those things won't happen," he said after the game. Expectations were high after the team traded up to select Lemon with the 20th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but his prolonged absence allowed Dontayvion Wicks to emerge as the team's second receiver alongside DeVonta Smith, and the rookie will need to spend the early weeks of the season playing catch-up as he looks to carve out a primary slot role. At RotoBaller's WR46, he is still a player to take a swing on in 2026 drafts with the understanding that his best production is likely to come later in the year.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Goga Bitadze Scores 23 Points as Georgia Routs Montenegro
Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze put up 23 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in Georgia's 101-74 win over Montenegro on Friday in Group I of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 27-year-old finished second on the team behind Tornike Shengelia, who led all scorers with 24 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Summer form is not Bitadze's issue. Playing time is. He averaged 5.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 15.2 minutes last season and was out of the rotation by Game 7 against Detroit. Orlando then added Nikola Vucevic after Moritz Wagner's departure, leaving Bitadze behind Wendell Carter Jr. and Vucevic in a crowded center mix. He stays off fantasy radars unless an injury opens minutes.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Dohnte Meyers has Another Team-Leading Performance
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers has been one of the best stories out of training camp, and in Friday's preseason win over the Eagles, he turned in another strong performance in his push to earn a role behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Playing on only the first drive of the night, Meyers caught three passes for 51 yards, with head coach Zac Taylor saying after the game, "He's trying to take advantage of the opportunity. He's done a great job of that." An undrafted free agent out of Division II Delta State, Meyers played the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League, but he finishes the 2026 preseason with a team-leading 121 receiving yards on 11 receptions, and he has a realistic chance not only to make the team but to find early-season involvement in what has long been a top-heavy receiver room.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
John Konchar Traded to Minnesota, Expected to be Waived
The Utah Jazz are trading veteran guard/forward John Konchar and Cody Williams to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Josh Green and cash, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Minnesota is expected to waive-and-stretch Konchar, with Saturday marking the final day to stretch a player's 2026-27 salary across multiple seasons. The move would spread Konchar's $6.17 million cap hit into roughly $2.06 million charges over three years, helping clear the last bit of space needed to finalize Jonathan Kuminga's taxpayer midlevel deal. The undrafted veteran averaged 4.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 19.9 minutes across 56 games between Memphis and Utah last season. Konchar could draw interest as a defensive-minded depth wing once he clears waivers, but his low-usage profile keeps him off fantasy radars.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Packers "Fully Anticipate" Josh Jacobs Will Remain on Roster
One day after Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was formally charged with two misdemeanors stemming from an alleged incident that led to his arrest in May, head coach Matt LaFleur addressed his standing with the team. "Well, I fully anticipate him being a member of our team," LaFleur told the media on Friday. "You've got to let everything play out," he continued. "But I anticipate him being a member of our football team." Jacobs was charged with battery and criminal damage to property, and the NFL does not need to wait for the legal process to play out before deciding whether to suspend him, with a league spokesperson saying on Wednesday that his case "remains under review." When healthy and available, Jacobs is one of the biggest fantasy difference-makers at the position, but uncertainty around his situation has pushed him to RB16 by current ADP.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
Cody Williams Heads to Minnesota
The Utah Jazz are sending guard/forward Cody Williams and John Konchar to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Josh Green and cash, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Minnesota is expected to keep Williams and waive-and-stretch Konchar, giving the No. 10 pick from 2024 a fresh opportunity after two uneven seasons in Utah. The 21-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.8 steals in 24.3 minutes across 67 games last season, including a career-high 41 starts. His post-break growth was encouraging, but the jumper remains the issue after he hit just 21.4 percent from three last season and 23.7 percent for his career. Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) is recovering from surgery, but Terrence Shannon Jr. and Ayo Dosunmu are also part of the wing/guard competition. Williams is worth monitoring in camp, not rostering yet.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Josh Green Sent to Utah
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading guard/forward Josh Green and cash to the Utah Jazz for Cody Williams and John Konchar, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The Australian wing was the salary Minnesota needed to move, as his $14.7 million expiring deal cleared enough room under the second apron to finalize Jonathan Kuminga's contract using the taxpayer midlevel exception. Green never played a game for Minnesota after arriving in June's LaMelo Ball trade, and he lands in Utah as another 3-and-D option in a crowded perimeter mix. He shot 42.0 percent from three last season in Charlotte but managed only 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.7 minutes across 58 games. With Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Darryn Peterson, Brice Sensabaugh, and Josh Okogie all part of Utah's rotation picture, Green remains off fantasy radars.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Emari Demercado Entrenched In Crowded Chiefs Backfield
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emari Demercado rushed nine times for 37 yards and caught his only target for 15 yards in the 9-9 tie with the Seattle Seahawks. Demercado finished second on the team in carries, behind Brashard Smith, and third on the team in rushing yards. Demercado's 4.1 yards per carry in the contest was the lowest among the RB trio of Demercado, Brashard Smith, and Emmett Johnson. Demercado is currently listed as the Chiefs RB2 behind Kenneth Walker, but that may be a formality as rookie Johnson operated as the starter in this contest. Johnson started the first two drives of the game before Demercado saw his first opportunity. Despite being listed as the Kansas City RB2, Demercado is likely to operate as a passing-downs specialist to spell Kenneth Walker but is not likely to carry the load if Walker gets hurt. Demercado may hold some PPR value in the deepest of leagues, but the expectations are not high for the Kansas City running back heading into 2026.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Emmett Johnson Appears To Be The Chiefs Backup To Roster
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson handled seven carries for 39 yards (5.6 ypc) and caught two passes for 15 yards in the 9-9 tie with the Seattle Seahawks. Johnson earned nine total opportunities in the content, including all five of the first running back opportunities. Johnson's 5.6 yards per carry were highest the highest mark for any rusher in this game. The 22-year-old out of Nebraska appears to be establishing himself as the running back to roster behind Chiefs workhorse Kenneth Walker. Johnson is officially listed third in the Chiefs running back depth chart, but that could just be a formality. Emari Demercado is currently listed as the Chiefs RB2, but is likely to operate as more of a third-down or passing-down specialist kind of back in the Kansas City offense. Johnson has the build, tackle-breaking ability, and pass-catching chops to step into a large role should anything happen to the Chiefs starter. Johnson should be viewed as a potential handcuff to roster for the 2026 season.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Brashard Smith Leads Chiefs Backfield In Final Preseason Game
Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith led all players with 16 carries for 72 yards in the 9-9 tie with the Seattle Seahawks. No other back on the Chiefs received double-digit carries or eclipsed 50 yards on the ground in the contest. Smith also caught his only target of the night for a loss of five yards. Although Smith ended the game with the most touches, all five of the first running back opportunities went to rookie Emmett Johnson. Smith is currently ranked fourth on the Kansas City running back depth chart, so this game may be the only time we see him get double-digit opportunities this season. Fantasy managers may be better off looking elsewhere for running back depth in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Rivaldo Fairweather Sees 12 Targets In Final Preseason Game
Arizona Cardinals tight end Rivaldo Fairweather led the team in targets and receptions in Friday's meeting with the Packers. Fairweather saw 12 targets, catching eight for 89 yards in Arizona's preseason finale. His 17 total receptions in the preseason rank first in the entire league. The 24-year-old's success in his final audition before roster cuts did more to help him secure a spot on the team than offer real hope of fantasy relevance. There simply won't be room in the pass game to feed a backup tight end after Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Michael Wilson. Fairweather's ability to find open space and to secure the ball in his extended look makes him an interesting option to keep in mind if McBride were to get hurt, but he can be ignored even in deep leagues for now.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Evan Hull Has Statement Game In Preseason Finale
Arizona Cardinals running back Evan Hull had an impressive showing in the team's final preseason game of 2026. Hull scored two touchdowns and led the team in carries and rushing yards, gaining 107 yards on 16 rush attempts in Friday's loss to the Packers. He also caught his lone target for 11 receiving yards. Hull needed a game like this to set himself apart from the rest of the running back room. However, even with Jeremiyah Love (ankle) managing a high ankle sprain, James Conner (ankle) still working his way back, and Trey Benson (knee) on injured reserve, Hull's outstanding audition did more to earn him a roster spot than put him in a fantasy-relevant role on the team. Hull's fate will be revealed when the Cardinals reveal their final 53-man roster on August 30.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Simi Fehoko Snags Two Touchdowns In Loss
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko caught five of his eight targets for 94 yards and two touchdowns in Friday's loss to the Packers. He finishes the preseason with 11 catches for 164 yards and four touchdowns. With two games left to play in the preseason, Fehoko ranks fourth in receiving yards and is at the top of the leaderboard in receiving touchdowns. Assuming he is included on Arizona's final 53-man roster, it will be hard for Fehoko to command much attention in their offense behind Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Michael Wilson. Veterans Kendrick Bourne, Devin Duvernay, and Jalen Brooks also represent challenges to Fehoko's standing on the Cardinals' depth chart. Fehoko is most likely to assume a role on special teams, though he will be a name to watch out for if injuries take a bite out of Arizona's receiving corps.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Devaughn Vele Climbing Up the Depth Chart with Teammate Sidelined
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele is quickly climbing up the depth chart ahead of the 2026 season. With Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) expected to miss significant time, Vele projects to be the Saints' No. 2 receiver for the regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 13. Not only does the depth chart itself look favorably upon the 28-year-old receiver, but so does the coaching staff. Before Tyson got hurt, head coach Kellen Moore said that he regretted not making Vele a bigger part of the offense throughout the first half of last season. He made the most of his opportunities following the Saints' bye week, though, catching 19 of 26 targets for 239 yards and one touchdown across four games before getting hurt. During that four-game span from Week 12-15, Vele ranked as the overall WR23 in PPR leagues. Assuming he takes on a similar role and can maintain a similar rapport with quarterback Tyler Shough, Vele has high-end WR3/flex appeal early in the 2026 season, especially while Tyson is inactive. With an ADP of 231.2, the 6-foot-5 receiver is going undrafted in most fantasy leagues. Managers should consider spending their final draft pick on him, because he could be a legitimate fantasy starter for the first month or so this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
