RADIO
Kyren Williams Still a Big Part of Rams' Offense
Fantasy managers might be worried about Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams' workload after he out-carried backfield mate Blake Corum by just one (11 to 10) in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the division-rival San Francisco 49ers in Australia last Thursday. Corum was also more efficient on the ground (5.4 yards per carry for a team-high 54 rushing yards), while Williams averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and finished with 41 rushing yards in the season opener. However, the 26-year-old Williams played 64% of the offensive snaps and scored the team's lone touchdown on the day, while Corum played just 23% of the snaps. Additionally, Williams was involved in the passing game while Corum was not, catching all three of his targets for 24 yards as a receiver. A near-even timeshare in the Rams' backfield obviously will limit Williams' fantasy ceiling in 2026, but he is still a go-to option in one of the most explosive offenses in the league. As the Rams look to bounce back in Week 2 this Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, look for Williams to be heavily involved, making him a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 for fantasy managers.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Still No Timetable for Ahmad Hardy's Return
According to On'3 Pete Nakos, there is still no timetable for Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy (leg) to return to practice or game action. After suffering a gunshot wound this offseason, the recent hope had been that he could return by mid-October, but the team continues to work with him, and his status is still up in the air. Hardy has been one of the best running backs in college football since his freshman season at ULM, totaling 493 carries, 3,000 rushing yards, and 29 rushing touchdowns across 25 games with the Warhawks and Tigers. In his absence, Jamal Roberts has been in the RB1 role, rushing 41 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Xai'Shaun Edwards has also been involved, handling 19 touches for 104 yards and one score through the first two weeks of the season. It remains to be seen if and when Hardy will play in 2026.
Source: Pete Nakos
Source: Pete Nakos
Juwan Johnson Should Continue to Have Big Role In New Orleans
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had a career year with the Saints in 2025, catching 77 of his 102 targets for 889 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games played. The 30-year-old has developed some solid chemistry with young quarterback Tyler Shough in head coach Kellen Moore's high-tempo offense, and with rookie first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on Injured Reserve to begin the 2026 season, Johnson is going to continue to be a big part of New Orleans' passing attack. In the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions in overtime on Sunday, Johnson caught three of his seven targets for 54 yards and his first touchdown of the year. He was held out of Wednesday's practice due to an illness, but Johnson should be back on the field on either Thursday or Friday and should not be in danger of missing the Week 2 contest on the road in Baltimore against the Ravens. The Ravens allowed Colts tight end Tyler Warren to score in Week 1, so Johnson could be primed for another strong performance this weekend. Fantasy managers should consider him a fringe TE1/2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Rashod Bateman's Opportunity Grows After Ravens Injuries
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman didn't catch a pass in the season opener, but his situation looks a lot different a few days later. Zay Flowers left the win over Indianapolis with a hamstring injury and didn't practice Wednesday, while rookie Ja'Kobi Lane has been placed on injured reserve with a fractured wrist. Bateman was already playing plenty before either injury became a factor. He logged 53 of Baltimore's 68 offensive snaps, more than any other Ravens wide receiver. Devontez Walker was back at practice in full Wednesday after missing Week 1 with a groin injury, so there is still competition for those vacated snaps and targets. Flowers is also considered day-to-day rather than facing a long absence. Still, Bateman's path to meaningful work is much clearer than it was a week ago. His Week 1 box score was empty. The injuries around him are what have pushed his fantasy stock up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jared Jones a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amid Hot Start to September
Across 90 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones has recorded a 4-6 record with a 4.17 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 119 strikeouts. After missing the first two-plus months of the 2026 season while working his way back from an elbow injury, Jones allowed 16 earned runs across his first 25 innings pitched following his return. However, the 25-year-old has been lights-out as of late. Across 18 innings (three starts) in September, Jones has pitched to a 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and two wins. Across 55 2/3 innings since the All-Star break, Jones has posted an excellent 29.7% strikeout rate while keeping his walk rate to a manageable 8.5%. When the hard-throwing righty is healthy and has full command of his arsenal, Jones carries high-end fantasy upside. In any league where he remains on the waiver wire, Jones should be a priority target for fantasy managers ahead of his final appearances of the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Takes Early Lead in Washington Backfield
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt didn't take over the backfield in Week 1, but the rushing split was hard to miss. He carried 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown against Philadelphia. Rachaad White had seven carries, while rookie Kaytron Allen had four. The snaps were much closer, with Croskey-Merritt at 49% and White at 41%, so White isn't disappearing from this offense. He also caught both of his targets, while Croskey-Merritt's only reception went for minus-seven yards. Still, Washington gave Croskey-Merritt 16 of its 27 running back carries, and he punched in a one-yard touchdown late in the first half. He did put the ball on the ground once, though the Commanders recovered it. Croskey-Merritt was already listed first on the depth chart before the opener. The game told us more than the depth chart did. For now, he looks like the back Washington wants handling most of the rushing work.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Thomas Saggese Has Emerged as a Useful Depth Piece to Target
Across 149 plate appearances in 2026, St. Louis Cardinals utility man Thomas Saggese is hitting .267/.315/.407 with four home runs, 13 RBI, 25 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The 24-year-old's strikeout rate remains slightly elevated at 24.8%, but it's still an improvement on the 28.1% mark he posted in 2025. Saggese also brings solid underlying contact metrics, as he's logged a 9.9% barrel rate and 43.6% hard-hit rate. With Cardinals middle infielders Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt both missing time at the start of September, Saggese has been playing an everyday role in St. Louis at either second base or shortstop in recent weeks. Wetherholt returned to the Cardinals on Wednesday, which could impact Saggese's playing time outlook. Still, Saggese's ability to play both the outfield and third base should allow him to stay in his team's lineup on a near-everyday basis. With his balanced profile and multi-positional eligibility, Saggese profiles as a useful deep-league waiver wire addition.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quentin Johnston's Fantasy Stock Gets a Boost
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston didn't do much with his six targets in Week 1, catching two passes for 17 yards in the loss to Arizona. The situation around him has changed since then. Ladd McConkey left in the third quarter and is now listed with a rib injury after sitting out Wednesday's practice. Johnston was already playing a big role, logging 43 offensive snaps, 78% of the Chargers' total, and his six targets tied Tre' Harris for second on the team behind McConkey's seven. That opens the door for more work, though Johnston isn't alone. Harris played 41 snaps and drew the same number of targets in the opener. That's enough to keep expectations in check, especially after Johnston managed just 17 yards on his Week 1 chances. Still, his path to more volume is clearer than it was a week ago. With McConkey's status uncertain heading into Sunday's game against Las Vegas, Johnston's fantasy stock has gotten a noticeable bump.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tristan Peters a Strong-Side Platoon Bat Worth Targeting
Across 470 plate appearances in 2026, Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters is hitting .273/.343/.452 with 12 home runs, 54 RBI, 61 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. The lefty-swinger is hitting .192 across just 63 plate appearances against left-handed pitching, so his big-side platoon role limits his fantasy value to some degree. However, Peters owns an .824 OPS against right-handers and brings a balanced profile at the plate that allows him to provide modest production across all five fantasy categories. After hitting six home runs across 87 plate appearances in August, the 26-year-old has gone without a homer in his first 56 trips to the plate in September. Still, Peters hits for average and should continue to provide steady run production in stretches where the White Sox face a string of right-handed starting pitchers. Heading into the final week-plus of the regular season, Peters could be worth targeting as an outfield streamer off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DK Metcalf's Week 1 Volume Sends Stock Up
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf didn't do much with his chances in Week 1, finishing with four catches for 40 yards against Atlanta. The encouraging part was how often Aaron Rodgers looked his way. Metcalf drew 10 targets and accounted for 27% of Pittsburgh's targets, up from 19% last season. He also stayed on the field for everything but the final kneel-downs. The Steelers weren't just feeding him short throws, either. Metcalf averaged more than 20 air yards per target, and Pittsburgh repeatedly took shots to him downfield. Michael Pittman Jr. saw three targets, Pat Freiermuth had five, and Roman Wilson had six. That makes the 40-yard final line easier to live with. Metcalf still has to turn those chances into production, especially after a down 2025, but Week 1 gave fantasy managers something they didn't have much of last year: heavy volume. Ten targets from Rodgers is enough to move his stock up heading into Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Andy Pages "Very Likely" to Return During Upcoming Homestand
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it's "very likely" that outfielder Andy Pages (hand) will be activated during the team's upcoming homestand, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Los Angeles begins a six-game homestand on Friday. Pages has been sidelined since August 21 by a fractured left hand, but it appears he is now on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. Across 550 plate appearances before the injury, the 25-year-old hit .272/.338/.458 with 21 home runs, 80 RBI, 72 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. Pages was the Dodgers' everyday center fielder before getting hurt and should resume that role upon his return. Once activated, Pages profiles as a must-start outfielder for fantasy managers.
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Saquon Barkley's Efficiency Rebounds in Week 1
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley opened 2026 with a much better rushing performance than fantasy managers became used to seeing last season. Barkley took 15 carries for 83 yards in Sunday's 24-22 win over Washington, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt and breaking off a 42-yard run that set up Philadelphia's second touchdown. The efficiency is the important part here. Barkley averaged only 4.1 yards per carry in 2025 after posting a 5.8 mark during his 2,005-yard 2024 season. His grip on the backfield also hasn't changed. Barkley handled 15 of the Eagles' 18 running-back carries and played 39 offensive snaps, while Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby combined for just three rushing attempts. The passing-game production wasn't there, as Barkley caught one of two targets for minus-three yards. Still, Week 1 offered an encouraging first look at a player coming off a down year by his standards. Barkley was already an RB1, but an efficient opener makes a bounce-back season look more plausible.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Edwin Diaz Set to Be Activated on Friday
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Edwin Diaz (neck) will be activated from the 15-day injured list on Friday, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Diaz has struggled on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he's made five appearances. However, the 32-year-old pitched a scoreless inning on Wednesday and is now on his way back to the big leagues. It's been a lost season for Diaz, who has missed extensive time due to elbow and neck issues. He's also been awful when healthy, pitching to an 11.85 ERA with a 2.56 WHIP across 13 2/3 innings in his first season with the Dodgers. It's unclear whether he'll assume the Dodgers' closer role immediately upon his return, or if he will need to prove that he's regained his form first. Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott has largely been effective in Diaz's absence, logging a 2.87 ERA and 22 saves across 59 2/3 innings.
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Shohei Ohtani Making Progress, Regular-Season Return Remains Possible
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is making progress and has a chance to return before the end of the regular season, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Ohtani is currently on the 15-day injured list as he battles lingering knee and biceps issues. The Dodgers have already announced that Ohtani will not pitch again this season, but the 32-year-old is expected to resume his role as the team's everyday designated hitter. Across 596 plate appearances in 2026, Ohtani is hitting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. His production had begun to trail off before he was placed on the IL, with just one hit in 14 plate appearances in September. Still, Ohtani has the potential to swing fantasy leagues if he can return for the final weekend of the regular season.
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Blake Corum's Carry Share Is Getting Hard to Ignore
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum came out of Week 1 with a much stronger case for standalone fantasy value. Corum rushed 10 times for 54 yards in the 27-7 loss to San Francisco, while Kyren Williams handled 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. The split was almost even on the ground, but not everywhere else. Corum played only 14 offensive snaps, ran one route and wasn't targeted, while Williams stayed on the field for 39 snaps and handled the passing-down and red-zone work. That keeps Corum from being a true co-lead back for now. Still, 10 carries on 14 snaps is difficult to dismiss after he averaged 5.1 yards per attempt on 145 carries last season. RotoBaller's Week 2 backfield breakdown also noted that Corum nearly matched Williams' rushing workload despite the much smaller snap share. His fantasy stock is up because the Rams showed they are willing to keep feeding him on the ground, even if the valuable receiving and goal-line work still belongs to Williams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
