April 8, 2026
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams had the backfield to himself for most of the 2025 season, and we could see a similar dynamic in 2026. The Cowboys re-signed Williams to keep him in tow as their primary ball-carrier. He's coming off a breakout campaign in which he finished as the overall RB12 with 1,201 rushing yards, 35 catches, 137 receiving yards, and a career-high 13 total touchdowns. That type of production typically earns a big role the following year, and Williams should continue to thrive with consistent volume. It's great news that the Cowboys' lead back faces minimal competition within his position group.
Jaydon Blue, the current favorite to back up Williams, was a healthy scratch more often than not, playing in just five games. The Cowboys have a willingness to get running backs more involved in Year 2 after a patient rookie season, but Blue might need a little more time than that. As a result, Williams' track record as a low-end RB1 is simply too hard to ignore.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 8, 2026
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin continues to face minimal competition for volume ahead of the 2026 season. McLaurin finished last year with 38 catches, 582 yards, and three touchdowns across 10 games. Missing seven weeks hurt his fantasy stock, but he made the most of his opportunities when on the field, especially in a low-volume passing offense. Moving forward, the offensive scheme should be McLaurin's only concern. The next receivers on the Commanders' depth chart are
Van Jefferson,
Treylon Burks, and
Luke McCaffrey, so it's not like McLaurin needs to panic about his job. In fact, managers might see him as a buy-low target in dynasty leagues since the Commanders' revamped passing offense could funnel through him. All in all, he's a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside in redraft leagues, and he could be an intriguing buy-low candidate in dynasty formats, given his bounce-back potential.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 8, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert is coming off his best fantasy season since 2021, and there's a real chance that he could continue to trend upward going forward. Herbert was the overall QB10 in fantasy football last season, tallying 26 passing touchdowns but throwing 13 interceptions. It was his highest interception total since, ironically, that aforementioned 2021 campaign. Managers should be optimistic about the future outlook of the first-round pick, given the state of the offense. For starters, the Chargers hired offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, a potential play-calling mastermind who can maximize the upside of his players. The Chargers also made a concerted effort to bolster their league-worst offensive line. Now, Herbert will have Cole Strange and Tyler Biadasz in front of him, and he should also get star tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) back from injury. The only glaring subtraction is wide receiver
Keenan Allen, but Herbert should still have plenty of reliable targets in
Ladd McConkey,
Quentin Johnston, and
Oronde Gadsden III. With a solidified offense around him, Herbert can be a top-10 fantasy quarterback with top-five upside in 2026 and beyond. He's an intriguing target in dynasty leagues this offseason.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 8, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins continues to trend up across fantasy football. He posted a career-best WR15 finish in 2025, catching 59 passes for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns. The reception and yardage totals weren't amazing, but his tendency to find the end zone allowed him to solidify himself as a WR1 or WR2 consistently. Higgins had such a productive season despite playing without quarterback
Joe Burrow for more than half of his games. As Burrow missed more time due to injury, Higgins was forced to catch passes from a combination of
Jake Browning and
Joe Flacco. It wasn't the greatest quarterback play, but the 27-year-old receiver still contributed, oftentimes bailing out his quarterbacks with spectacular catches down the field. Higgins has proven capable of handling a more versatile route tree, and we're intrigued about his ability to continue posting double-digit targets while seeing a bump in catches and yards with Burrow fully healthy. Given that Higgins has top-12 upside going forward, he's an intriguing offseason trade target in dynasty leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 7, 2026
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who is unhappy with his current contract and has demanded a trade, is expected to demand $30 million annually, a source told Connor Hughes of SNY. The Giants gave Lawrence a four-year, $90 million extension in 2023 that made him one of the five highest-paid defensive tackles in the league. But at $20 million per year, he's now the 12th-highest-paid interior defensive lineman. The decline in Lawrence's production in 2025 (only half a sack) will likely prevent him from resetting the market at the position, but he's still going to ask for plenty. Another front-office source could see Lawrence demanding as much as $35 million a year on a new deal because of the salary cap increase this year. Most external sources expect the two sides to work something out, possibly before the NFL draft starts on April 23, but head coach John Harbaugh also said that "no one is untradable."
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Connor Hughes
April 7, 2026
The Houston Texans acquired linebacker Marte Mapu from the New England Patriots on Tuesday, a source told Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. The two teams are also swapping late-round picks in the 2027 NFL draft. Mapu will head to the AFC South division after spending his first three years of his NFL career in New England, totaling 89 tackles (53 solo), half a sack, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and five forced fumbles in 44 games (10 starts). The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Sacramento State had 25 tackles (18 solo), one interception, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season games (zero starts) in 2025. Mapu will most likely fill a role on special teams in Houston and can be ignored in IDP fantasy football leagues in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
April 7, 2026
ESPN's Field Yates said that he "would lean" toward the Cleveland Browns taking either Ohio State wide receiver
Carnell Tate or University of Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Either way, the Browns would be looking to upgrade their offense under new offensive-minded head coach Todd Monken. Tate, who caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025 for the Buckeyes, would be the more immediate contributor on offense and would give either quarterbacks
Shedeur Sanders or
Deshaun Watson (Achilles) an explosive playmaker through the air that the team has been lacking. Tate, if in Cleveland, could immediately become the Browns' top wideout over
Jerry Jeudy and
Isaiah Bond. Mauigoa is tempting as well as the Browns look to upgrade an O-line that was among the worst at blocking for their RBs in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Field Yates
April 7, 2026
The Athletic's Zac Jackson said that Cleveland Browns quarterback
Deshaun Watson (Achilles), who hasn't played since October of 2024 due to a twice-torn right Achilles tendon, has "been medically cleared for competition." The Browns have put a positive spin on Watson's recovery all offseason and will give him the chance to compete with
Shedeur Sanders for the starting job this summer. Sanders, a fifth-rounder last year, started the final seven games of last season and was predictably erratic, although he did show signs of being an explosive playmaker at QB. Jackson adds that Sanders "seems most likely to get the first crack at the starting job and operate as the No. 1" early in spring workouts. However, new head coach Todd Monken continues to stress that "nothing is settled." Watson has the better resume (a three-time Pro Bowler), but he's also 30 years old and is coming off a serious injury. And with Watson's contract expiring after 2026, "logic says" the Browns should prefer the younger option in Sanders. Whoever wins the job this summer will merely be a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy football leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
April 7, 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back
James Conner (foot) was present on Tuesday for the start of the team's voluntary strength and conditioning program, according to Bo Brack of PHNX Sports. Conner was limited to just three games last year due to a foot injury that required surgery, but he's back for offseason workouts as he heads into his 10th year in the NFL. The 30-year-old two-time Pro Bowler will not only see a big drop in fantasy value going into next season because of his injury, but also because the Cardinals added
Tyler Allgeier in free agency on a two-year, $8 million deal.
Trey Benson (knee), who is also rehabbing from a season-ending injury in 2025, remains on the roster as well. Conner has been the Cardinals' lead back since the start of the 2021 season, but that is definitely going to change in 2026, as he'll be battling for playing time among two other very capable backs. In addition, the Cardinals have been rumored to be considering taking Notre Dame RB
Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft.
--Keith HernandezSource: PHNX Sports - Bo Brack
April 7, 2026
New York Giants running back
Cam Skattebo (ankle) was in attendance on Tuesday for the start of the team's voluntary offseason workouts, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. Head coach John Harbaugh said that Skattebo is ahead of receiver
Malik Nabers (knee) in his rehab, and it's possible that he'll be on the field for some workouts this spring. Nabers' timeline following ACL surgery is closer to training camp or the start of the 2026 regular season. The 24-year-old Skattebo suffered a dislocated right ankle in late October, which ended what was looking like a very promising first year in the NFL.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is still in New York's backfield, but when fully healthy, Skattebo figures to at least be the team's preferred choice on early downs and short-yardage and goal-line situations. The fourth-rounder out of Arizona State had 101 carries for 410 yards and five touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 207 yards and another two scores in his first eight NFL games (five starts). All signs point to Skattebo being full-go for Week 1 of the regular season this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com - Kevin Patra
April 7, 2026
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said on Tuesday that wide receiver
Malik Nabers' (knee) timeline to be ready to play "is going to be in training camp and closer to the season," according to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports. Nabers was present for the start of voluntary offseason workouts on Tuesday, but he's unlikely to be doing much of anything on the field after tearing the ACL and meniscus in his right knee in Week 4 of last season. The Giants are hopeful that the former sixth overall pick out of LSU will be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, and barring a setback this summer, that should be the case. Fantasy managers should be able to get the 22-year-old at a discount in drafts later this year after his knee injury, and although he'll be more risky because of the injury, he'll still have high-end WR1 upside if he's not slowed down at all on the field. Nabers had 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 109 catches in his rookie season in 2024 and was well on his way to another big season in 2025 before getting hurt.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
April 7, 2026
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said that running back
De'Von Achane did not report to the first day of voluntary offseason workouts on Tuesday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. "It's part of the business," Hafley said. Achane signed a four-year, $5.44 million contract with the team in May of 2023 after he was drafted in the third round that year out of Texas A&M. The 24-year-old was one of the few bright spots for the Dolphins on offense in 2025, and he finished as the RB6 in half-PPR scoring with 1,350 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 16 games while adding 67 receptions for 488 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver. Achane is an explosive dual-threat back who has had at least six rushing TDs in each of his first three years in the league. The Dolphins have been adamant that he's part of their future and won't be traded. Achane has a high floor as an RB1 in fantasy, but his value will be volume-based in an offense that will likely struggle for efficiency with both receivers
Tyreek Hill (knee) and
Jaylen Waddle gone.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
April 7, 2026
New York Giants wide receiver
Malik Nabers (knee) is present for the first day of the team's voluntary offseason workout program on Tuesday. Nabers suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee in Week 4 of last season, but the Giants are hopeful that the star pass-catcher will be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. It's a good sign that Nabers is present for the offseason program, but it remains to be seen how much he'll actually do on the field. The Giants lost wideout
Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency in the offseason, but they added receivers
Darnell Mooney and
Calvin Austin III, and tight end
Isaiah Likely. Still, if fully healthy, Nabers will be the Giants' top target for young quarterback
Jaxson Dart in an offense led by coordinator Matt Nagy. Even though Nabers is coming off an ACL tear, he'll have high-end WR1 upside in fantasy football after the former sixth overall pick in 2024 out of LSU had a 109-1,204-7 line in 15 games in his rookie campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Giants
April 7, 2026
Projected No. 1 overall pick
Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL draft in Pittsburgh at the end of this month, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami. The Indiana quarterback will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall, although the Raiders already signed veteran signal-caller
Kirk Cousins, and he's expected to open the 2026 season as the starter under center while Mendoza sits and watches early on in his NFL career. The Heisman Trophy winner led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the national championship in 2025, throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 16 games played. He also had 90 carries for 276 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Mendoza doesn't have an obvious weakness and should have a pretty high floor for those looking to take him at No. 1 overall in rookie-only drafts later this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
April 7, 2026
Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record expects defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to get a new deal from the New York Giants after requesting a trade on Monday and announcing that he would not attend the team's offseason workout program. Stapleton would not be shocked if something gets done between the two sides before this year's NFL draft, which begins on April 23. The 28-year-old interior defensive lineman signed a four-year, $87.5 million contract with the G-Men in May of 2023. The former 17th overall pick in 2019 out of Clemson was a Pro Bowl from 2022 to 2024 and had a career-high nine sacks in 2024. However, in 17 starts last year, Lawrence produced just half a sack and 31 total tackles (14 solo) for the Giants. Despite his down year in 2025, plenty of teams across the league would probably have interest in Lawrence as a bounce-back candidate if the Giants elect not to work out a new deal with him this offseason. He has 30.5 career sacks in his seven NFL seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
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