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Elic Ayomanor Facing Uncertain Role in Questionable Titans Passing Game
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor recorded 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns on 89 targets across 16 games as a rookie. However, Ayomanor's role in the Titans' offense is expected to shrink in 2026 following the team's offseason additions of rookie wideout Carnell Tate and veteran slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. Ayomanor recorded his first touchdown of 2026 in Tennessee's Week 1 loss to the New York Jets, but the touchdown grab was his lone reception on three targets. Ayomanor also recorded the fourth-most snaps among Titans wideouts, behind Tate, Robinson, and veteran Calvin Ridley. To make matters worse, the overall health of the Titans' passing game remains a major concern in quarterback Cam Ward's second season as the starter. Between the uncertain role and questionable quarterback play, Ayomanor should likely remain off the radar of fantasy managers in redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Bryant Coming Off Encouraging Week 1
While the Broncos' top wide receivers, Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, struggled to get going during last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Pat Bryant's performance was encouraging. The 2025 third-round pick was targeted six times and came away with four receptions for 42 yards in Week 1. While he faces a challenging matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars' secondary in Week 2, Bryant may be a consideration for fantasy managers down the road. The second-year pro finished his rookie year with 31 receptions for 378 yards, and he is on pace to exceed those marks after a productive first game of the season. Bryant is RotoBaller's 63rd-ranked wide receiver this week, but he is a sneaky riser candidate moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard Set To Lead Carolina's Rushing Attack Again Vs. Atlanta
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard will look to stay productive in Week 2's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. He started for the Panthers and was the team's clear RB1 in Sunday's 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears. Hubbard rushed for 49 yards on 10 attempts and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for 38 yards and a score. The 27-year-old was dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp, but was cleared and showed no lingering effects of the injury in the regular-season opener. He out-touched backfield teammate Jonathon Brooks 13 to five and had 48 offensive snaps compared to Brooks' 13. However, the Falcons' rushing defense limited the Steelers to just 58 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry. With Hubbard set to lead Carolina's rushing attack again, he will look to be productive again and comes in as RB19 in the latest RotoBaller rankings, making him a solid RB2 in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton Should Remain on the Bench in Week 2
Following a slow start for the Denver Broncos' offense as a whole during a Week 1 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, wide receiver Courtland Sutton is RotoBaller's 44th-ranked wide receiver entering Week 2. Sutton recorded just two receptions for 11 yards this past week during a loss to the Chiefs and is unlikely to fare much better against the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense this week. Jacksonville allowed the fourth-lowest EPA/pass play (-0.45) in Week 1, according to Next Gen Stats, and is poised to shut down a Denver passing game that struggled mightily against the Chiefs. Bo Nix averaged just 4.7 yards per completion against Kansas City, and don't expect much more from him this week. Fantasy managers should keep Sutton on the bench for the foreseeable future, at least until Denver can turn things around offensively.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shane Bieber is Unlikely to Pitch in Regular Season
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on Friday that it would be tough for starting pitcher Shane Bieber (shoulder) to return before the end of the regular season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Bieber is scheduled to throw a side session on Saturday, so the Jays should have a better idea about his status after that. The right-hander has been sidelined since late August due to shoulder inflammation. He probably doesn't have time to build up into a starter again, so if he returns, Bieber would likely pitch in a limited role. Fantasy managers in redraft formats are probably safe to move on at this point.
Source: Hazel Mae
Source: Hazel Mae
Brashard Smith Looks Like the Clear RB3 in Kansas City
A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith flashed upside as a receiver out of the backfield during his rookie season. However, the 23-year-old's 2026 debut was discouraging for fantasy managers, as Smith played exclusively on special teams in Kansas City's Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. Chiefs RB1 Kenneth Walker turned in a dominant performance against Denver, and rookie running back Emmett Johnson appears to have established himself as the clear RB2 in Kansas City. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted just 27 passes in Week 1, so Smith may play a role in games where Kansas City is forced into more pass-heavy game scripts. Still, Smith seems unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production unless there's an injury to Walker or Johnson.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Not an Ideal Play in Week 2
It was a quiet start to the season for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was acquired by the Denver Broncos via trade this offseason. Waddle finished a disappointing Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with just one reception for two yards, causing some fantasy managers to panic about his fantasy football outlook. Waddle faces another challenging matchup in Week 2, as Denver goes up against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who allowed just 10 points and 128 yards receiving to wide receivers during a win over the Cleveland Browns last week. Browns rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston finished the game with a couple of receptions for 59 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown reception, but the scoring strike came in garbage time late in the fourth quarter. Waddle is RotoBaller's 28th-ranked wide receiver in Week 2, leaving him in the conversation to start for fantasy managers in three-wide-receiver leagues and as a flex option. Still, there are better options than Waddle out there worth considering, at least until the Broncos offense proves its viability this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eddy Pineiro Questionable to Play in Week 2
San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro (illness) is questionable to play in his team's Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Per Maiocco, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team will bring in a kicker to try out in case Pineiro is unable to play. Pineiro made two of his three field goal attempts and all three extra point tries in his team's Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The 31-year-old is not known for having the most powerful leg, but he made 28 out of 29 field goal attempts for San Francisco in 2025. If Pineiro can play, he profiles as a must-start kicker in a favorable matchup against the Dolphins. If not, fantasy managers may want to target his replacement on the waiver wire.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Braxton Ashcraft is Not Expected to Return This Season
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (arm) is unlikely to return to the mound this season, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports. Ashcraft appears to be making progress as he was able to play catch from 90 feet on Friday. Despite that, Ashcraft is unlikely to make enough progress to get back on the mound before the end of the regular season. Ashcraft has been out since early September due to right arm discomfort. Ashcraft is probably done for the year, but he did post a breakout campaign for the Pirates this season. Across 28 starts, Ashcraft posted a 3.65 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 173/35 K/BB ratio across 165.1 innings of work.
Source: Kevin Gorman
Source: Kevin Gorman
Bryce Young Emerging as a Strong Superflex Option in Week 2
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had a 107.5 QB rating and will look to build on his strong performance last Sunday against the Bears when the Panthers go on the road against the Falcons. Young completed 23 of 37 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 10 yards and a score on two carries in Sunday's 59-37 loss to the Bears. The 25-year-old will look to stay hot against a Falcons defense that allowed 221 passing yards and a 5.4 YPA to Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. All of Young's offensive weapons will be available on Sunday as Jalen Coker (ankle) was cleared and doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Week 2. The former No. 1 overall pick threw a career-high 25 touchdowns last season and could easily build on those numbers in 2026. Young is a rock-solid option in Superflex/2QB leagues and comes in as QB18 in the latest RotoBaller rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
RJ Harvey an Extremely Risky Flex Play if Active in Week 2
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (hamstring) is questionable for Week 2, when Denver will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harvey is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of his team's Wednesday practice before he was listed as limited following Thursday's and Friday's sessions. Harvey was the Broncos' top pass-catching option out of the backfield in Week 1, tying a team-high with four receptions that totaled 23 yards, but got just three carries, recording 18 yards rushing. Harvey is behind starting running back J.K. Dobbins in the pecking order for touches, as Dobbins totaled eight carries this past week to Harvey's seven total opportunities. Still, Harvey is RotoBaller's RB40, while Dobbins is the 29th-ranked running back this week. Neither player is a great option at this point, especially given what the Denver offense produced in Week 1, when it produced just 176 yards of total offense in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fantasy managers are better off looking for a different option at the running back position this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
LaJohntay Wester "May Be Called on to Step Up" in Baltimore
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester "may be called on to step up" in his team's Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, per Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com. A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Wester recorded the first two catches of his pro career for 15 yards in Baltimore's Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. However, Baltimore now has a major void in its wide receiver room with rookie Ja'Koi Lane (wrist) on Injured Reserve and lead wideout Zay Flowers (hamstring) doubtful to play against the Saints. Wester profiles as a shifty slot receiver, which could position him to step into Flowers' role in the Ravens' offense if Flowers is sidelined. In deeper fantasy leagues, Wester could be worth targeting on the waiver wire ahead of Week 2.
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Ryan Mink
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Ryan Mink
Pete Fairbanks to Undergo Surgery
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (hand) will undergo surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Fairbanks landed on the Injured List on Tuesday with nerve irritation in his right hand. Now, the right-hander will undergo surgery to treat the injury. Fairbanks is done for the season, and he could miss part of the 2027 season as well while he recovers from surgery. Fairbanks posted a 6.31 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 57/22 K/BB ratio with 19 saves in 46 appearances with the Marlins this season. Calvin Faucher and Michael Petersen are the favorites to see save chances down the stretch in Miami.
Source: Christina De Nicola
Source: Christina De Nicola
Ravens Relying on Rashod Bateman to Step into a Larger Role
The Baltimore Ravens are "looking for" wideout Rashod Bateman to "step up" in the midst of injuries to the team's wide receiver corps, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Bateman was targeted once and did not record a catch in Baltimore's Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. However, Ravens rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) has been placed on Injured Reserve, and star Ravens wideout Zay Flowers (hamstring) is doubtful to play in Baltimore's Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. As a result, Bateman profiles as the clear leader of an extremely unproven group of Ravens pass-catchers outside of veteran tight end Mark Andrews. Bateman's most productive season came in 2024, when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns on 72 targets. If Flowers is sidelined in Week 2, Bateman carries flex appeal for fantasy managers.
Source: ESPN - Jamison Hensley
Source: ESPN - Jamison Hensley
J.K. Dobbins Looking for More After Quiet Start
Running back J.K. Dobbins led the Denver Broncos' backfield during a Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but his performance didn't amount to much. Now, he looks ahead to a Week 2 matchup with a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that allowed Cleveland Browns running backs to manage a measly 34 yards rushing on just 2.6 yards per carry in Week 1. Dobbins was solid against the Chiefs, carrying the ball a team-high eight times for 36 yards. But that was all she wrote, as running back RJ Harvey was the Broncos' first option in the passing game. Harvey is listed as questionable to play this week with a hamstring injury, and if he's out, that could open the door for Dobbins to get even more work. Dobbins recorded four fantasy points last week and is RotoBaller's RB29 entering the game against Jacksonville. He is worth flex consideration on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
