RADIO
Jaylen Warren Remains the RB1 on Steelers' Depth Chart
The Pittsburgh Steelers did not make any changes to their official depth chart as they head into a Week 2 battle on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Running back Jaylen Warren had a team-high 10 carries for 46 yards in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons and added five catches on six targets for another 27 yards, and he is still listed as the team's RB1 on the depth chart over Rico Dowdle. In his Steelers debut on Sunday, Dowdle had two fewer carries (eight) than Warren, running for just 15 yards (1.9 yards per carry). He caught two of his five targets for six yards. The 27-year-old Warren also lost a fumble, and although the distribution of touches between him and Dowdle was pretty even, Warren was much more efficient with the ball in his hands. Going into the Week 2 matchup this weekend against the Pats, Warren should be the slight fantasy favorite at RB for the Steelers, especially in PPR leagues.
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Dan Campbell "Not Concerned" About Jameson Williams' Drops
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams caught only four of his nine targets for 45 yards in the Week 1 season-opening win in overtime over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, adding three dropped passes. One of Williams' drops likely would have gone for a long touchdown against New Orleans. The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett reports that head coach Dan Campbell said he is not concerned about Williams' drops to begin the 2026 season. The good news is that Williams led the Lions with 128 air yards and was second with a 23% target share, running a route on 37 of the team's 40 dropbacks during the game. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 from Ohio State does have a tendency to drop passes, but he is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Detroit with 14 combined touchdowns in 2024 and 2025 during the regular season. In a game that could easily turn into a shootout on Thursday night to kick off Week 2 action, Williams should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups as he looks for his first touchdown of the year.
Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett
Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett
Malik Nabers Didn't Think he Would Play in Week 1
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers told NFL insider Josina Anderson that he did not think he was going to be cleared by the team to play in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. "I canceled the trip for my family to be here just because I thought I wasn't playing. So, I came out here all alone. I had to do it myself. I had to lock myself up in the room and fight that 1-on-1 battle," Nabers said. The 23-year-old was active in the 28-20 win over Dallas, but he played just over half (52%) of the offensive snaps, which came in third among the team's WRs, behind rookie Malachi Fields (72%) and Darnell Mooney (57%). Nabers finished second on the team in receiving, though, catching a healthy six passes on a team-high nine targets for 69 yards, which has to be considered a successful debut after the Giants were tight-lipped about his status right up until kickoff on Sunday night. It was his first game action since tearing his ACL early in 2025, and although he had his snaps monitored, he looked good when he was on the field and drew the attention of quarterback Jaxson Dart often. Going into Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, Nabers should see more action and should be a must-start in fantasy lineups.
Source: Josina Anderson
Source: Josina Anderson
Emmett Johnson Has Already Earned a Bigger Fantasy Look
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson made a strong first impression Monday night, turning eight carries into 24 yards and catching both of his targets for another 44 yards in a 31-10 win over Denver. Kenneth Walker was the clear lead back, piling up 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, but Johnson still played 25 snaps and ran 10 routes in his NFL debut. That is the part worth chasing. The fifth-round rookie is now listed second on Kansas City's depth chart, and his two receptions included gains of 19 and 25 yards. Some of Johnson's work came after the Chiefs had taken control, so fantasy managers should not treat 10 touches as a guaranteed weekly floor. He does not need to be in Week 2 lineups against Indianapolis, either. Johnson has already shown enough as both a runner and receiver to offer more than ordinary handcuff appeal, though. He should be one of the priority running back additions in 12-team leagues, with even more value for managers rostering Walker.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Robinson Could Be One Injury Away From a Huge Role
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson handled nine carries for 31 yards in Sunday's 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh, giving fantasy managers a clear look at his role behind starter Bijan Robinson. He played 15 offensive snaps and was not targeted, so there is not enough standalone work here to trust him in Week 2 lineups. The handcuff case is much stronger. Atlanta lists Robinson second on the depth chart, and the Falcons kept only two running backs on their initial 53-man roster. He also brings far more lead-back experience than most reserves, topping 700 rushing yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. Sunday's nine carries were already a slight step up from the workload he handled as San Francisco's RB2 last year. Robinson is not going to carry much weekly value while the backfield is intact, but he would be in line for a major increase in touches if that changes. He belongs on benches in deeper leagues and remains one of the stronger contingency backs available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins Gets Season Off To Solid Start With Three TDs
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21-of-30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the team's Week 1 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Cousins did not light up the scoreboard with his passing yardage but he did find Jack Bech on a touchdown pass and found Ashton Jeanty on two touchdown strikes. The two interceptions are worrisome for fantasy managers as you never like to see that from your quarterback. Cousins should continue to get better as the season progresses and the team welcomes back tight end Brock Bowers to the lineup. He will have to continue to hold off backup Fernando Mendoza as the season progresses, but he could nonetheless be a help to fantasy teams early in the season.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Geno Smith Worth Monitoring On The Waiver Wire Early In The Season
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith completed 19-of-24 passes for 215 yards with no touchdowns and rushed six times for seven yards in the team's Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans. He showed good accuracy to begin the season but was not able to find a touchdown. Moving forward, Smith has some weapons in Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell and once Omar Cooper, Jr. gets healthy. Smith is worth monitoring on the waiver wire as someone who can be a backup fantasy quarterback with some upside. He didn't have a huge game in Week 1, but he is capable in the Jets offense of producing fantasy relevant stats. Look for him to build off the accuracy he showed in the season opener and produce some more fruitful fantasy lines with more touchdowns up coming.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Malik Willis' Rushing Makes Him an Intriguing Week 2 Add
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis didn't throw a touchdown in Sunday's 27-13 loss to Las Vegas, but he still gave fantasy managers something to work with. Willis completed 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards with one interception, then added 39 yards and a touchdown on six carries. That rushing production is the reason he belongs on the Week 2 waiver radar. Miami committed to Willis as its starter with a three-year deal in March, so there is no short-term job security question hanging over him. The passing side still needs work after a 55.6% completion rate and five sacks in the opener, which keeps Willis from joining the top tier of quarterback pickups this week. His legs give him a different path to fantasy points, though, and that matters in leagues where managers are already questioning their QB1. Willis is worth adding in deeper 12-team formats and 14-team leagues ahead of Sunday's trip to San Francisco, especially as a bench option with rushing upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drew Lock Can Fill In As Backup Fantasy QB
Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock led the team to a Week 1 win over the New England Patriots while filling in for starter Sam Darnold, who suffered a glute injury. Lock was 16-for-22 passing for 187 yards and a touchdown in relief of Darnold. He also rushed two times for 13 yards. Darnold could be looking at a four-to-six week recovery period and Lock looks like a more than capable backup quarterback during that time. Expect the Seahawks to be a run-heavy team while Darnold is out, but with receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Lock has some potential to put up some decent stat lines. However for fantasy purposes, Lock is more of a backup quarterback and should not put up QB1 numbers during Darnold's time out.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
T.J. Hockenson Back in Week 2 Streaming Mix
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson opened 2026 with four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown on five targets in Sunday's 39-22 win over Green Bay. The score came on a 16-yard pass from Carson Wentz, who took over after Kyler Murray left in the first quarter with a concussion. It was a better fantasy line than Hockenson gave managers most weeks last season, when he finished with 51 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. Five targets still do not suddenly make him an every-week starter, especially in an offense with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings. Murray also remains in the concussion protocol, leaving Minnesota's Week 2 quarterback situation unsettled for now. Hockenson is back in the streaming conversation after finding the end zone, but this is still a deeper-league play rather than a priority claim. Managers looking for help at tight end can consider him for Sunday's trip to Chicago, particularly in 14-team formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Ward Best Left On Waiver Wire
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward is coming off of a disappointing performance in the team's Week 1 loss to the New York Jets. Ward was 19-for-32 passing for 140 yards and a touchdown. On a positive note, Ward didn't turn the ball over, but his passing stats were just not good enough to be useful for fantasy managers. He also rushed four times for 21 yards. Ward could still improve on his passing numbers but the Week 1 start does not give much hope to fantasy managers. He is certainly not in QB1 territory and it seems as if he isn't really in the territory to be a backup quarterback on a fantasy roster at the moment. Give Ward some time to improve but right now it is best to just leave him be on the waiver wire.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Tank Bigsby Still an Elite Handcuff After Quiet Opener
Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby barely touched the ball in Sunday's 24-22 win over Washington, carrying once for three yards on six offensive snaps. Will Shipley actually saw more work, logging 10 snaps and two carries, but Philadelphia's current depth chart still lists Bigsby directly behind Saquon Barkley. That is where the fantasy case starts. Bigsby showed last season that he can produce when the workload expands, rushing for 104 yards on nine carries against the Giants before finishing the year with 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in Week 18. He added a 31-yard catch in that finale. None of that gives him standalone value while Barkley is healthy, and Week 1 made that clear. Bigsby is still the back positioned to benefit most if Philadelphia suddenly needs someone else to handle meaningful carries. He belongs on benches in deeper leagues and remains one of the stronger pure handcuffs available, but managers in ordinary 10- and 12-team formats do not need to treat him as a priority waiver claim.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahdae Walker Not Yet Roster-Worthy
Chicago Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker made the most of his lone target, hauling in a one-yard touchdown pass from Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. But Walker did not show the involvement in the Bears' offense that warrants a waiver wire addition in most standard leagues. Chicago has plenty of targets at wide receiver in Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Kalif Raymond along with tight end Colston Loveland. So Walker is pretty much an afterthought in the offense despite catching a TD in Week 1's route of the Carolina Panthers. Walker made his target count but moving forward it is hard to predict any kind of role in the Bears offense for Walker when he is at best the fourth-string wide receiver and behind Loveland on the usage tree. The touchdown was nice but doesn't predict future involvement.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Omar Cooper Jr. Week-to-Week With Ankle Sprain
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) is considered week-to-week after getting some encouraging news from his MRI, according to Ian Rapoport. Cooper left Sunday's win over Tennessee in the first quarter after making his first NFL catch, a 30-yard gain, and did not return. X-rays were negative after the game, and Rapoport said the hope is that the rookie can return within the next four weeks. That still puts his Week 2 availability against Green Bay very much in doubt. New York traded back into the first round to take Cooper 30th overall in April, and he opened the season behind Garrett Wilson on the depth chart. The positive MRI news helps, but fantasy managers may still be without him for multiple games. Cooper remains worth holding in dynasty formats, while redraft managers without an IR spot may have a tougher decision if the absence stretches into October.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Malachi Toney Lined Up for More Success in Week 3
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney gets a bit tougher test in Week 3 against Wake Forest, but the Heisman hopeful is still set up for a big showing. He opened the season by catching 12 passes for 234 yards and three scores against Stanford in Week 1, then had a more modest 96 yards and a touchdown on four receptions against Florida A&M in Week 2. Wake Forest has allowed 380 yards and 26 points per game through two weeks, and Miami's offense is miles ahead of both teams the Demon Deacons have played so far. Toney is a must-start fantasy wide receiver, even as the matchups get a bit tougher in ACC play.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
