RADIO
Nick Sogard Emerging as a Deep-League Target Amidst August Hot Streak
Across 160 plate appearances in 2026, Boston Red Sox infielder Nick Sogard is hitting .275/.389/.405 with two home runs, 10 RBI, and 20 runs scored. The 28-year-old has spent much of the season in the minors, logging 224 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. However, Sogard appears to have taken over a near-everyday role as Boston's leadoff hitter in recent weeks. Sogard's carrying tool is his ability to get on base, as he's posted a 15.6% walk rate in the big leagues and logged a 19.3% walk rate during his time at Triple-A. While Sogard is unlikely to provide much power production for fantasy managers, he profiles as an asset in both batting average and runs scored, as long as he continues to set the table for Boston's potent lineup. In deeper leagues, Sogard has value on the waiver wire as a versatile depth piece.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
EJ Crowell Unlikely to Play in Week 1?
Alabama freshman running back EJ Crowell (ankle) could be "iffy" to make his collegiate debut against East Carolina in Week 1, according to On3's Chris Low. The five-star recruit has flashed big-time upside in his first fall camp, but he suffered a minor ankle injury and has been out of practice. Head coach Kalen DeBoer said the team is not rushing Crowell back to action, and a return for the SEC opener against Kentucky in Week 3 is a realistic expectation. Crowell is expected to have a significant role right away for the Tide, but the start to his career could be delayed. If he's out of action, along with AK Dear (ankle), Daniel Hill and freshman running back Trae'shawn Brown are expected to carry the load for the first few weeks of the new campaign.
Source: Chris Low - On3
Source: Chris Low - On3
George Kittle Not Yet Participating in Competitive Periods
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Sunday and has since taken part in two training camp practices, though his involvement has been limited to non-competitive periods, according to 49ers digital editor Brooke Evans. On Tuesday, Kittle continued to run routes against air while working with quarterbacks and the offensive line in hopes of a potential return to action for a Week 1 divisional matchup with the Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Kittle ruptured his Achilles in a Wild Card playoff game against the Eagles less than eight months ago and has made remarkable progress just to get to this point, but now almost 33 years old and coming off a serious injury, there are reasons to fade Kittle as draft season ramps up. That said, he has been one of the position's most exciting and productive players for the better part of a decade, and even without the benefit of a possible early-season IR stash, he could prove to be one of the best values in 2026 drafts at his current ADP of TE13.
Source: Brooke Evans
Source: Brooke Evans
AK Dear Expected to Miss A Few Games
Alabama running back AK Dear (ankle) is expected to miss a few games at the start of the 2026 season, according to On3's Chris Low. The sophomore impressed this fall before getting banged up in the team's first preseason scrimmage. However, it was originally feared that he would miss up to half the season. That's not the case anymore. "He's going to miss a few games," Head coach Kalen DeBoer said. "But it's not going to be something where I expect him to miss five or six games. I think he should be back before then." Dear played in five games as a freshman last season, posting 19 carries for 140 yards and three touchdowns. He added three receptions for 18 yards. With freshman running back EJ Crowell (ankle) also dealing with an injury, Daniel Hill is slated to lead the backfield early in the year, though Crowell might play in Week 1.
Source: Chris Low - On3
Source: Chris Low - On3
River Ryan Still Without Clear Return Timeline
Detroit Tigers pitching prospect River Ryan (hamstring) has yet to progress beyond bullpen sessions as he works his way back from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since mid-June. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged the bullpen sessions over a week ago, but there hasn't been any update on his status since then. Hinch mentioned that Ryan's velocity looked "great" and the 28-year-old is recovering well, but he's yet to face live hitters. Once he does, a clearer picture should emerge as to when the right-hander will return, but whether that is this season or next remains a mystery. If the 6-foot-2 hurler can take the next step in the progression soon, there is still time for him to make it back this season, though it may be too late to help fantasy managers hoping to get to the playoffs. The Tigers' top-ranked pitching prospect boasted a 22.2 percent K-BB% at Triple-A in his eight starts before the injury and has the stuff to be successful at the major league level, but at this point, he's a speculative stash (preferably in an NA spot) in hopes he returns this season.
Source: Cody Stavenhagen
Source: Cody Stavenhagen
Nicholas Singleton Busy in His Return to Practice
Tennessee Titans rookie running back Nicholas Singleton (foot) returned to practice on Tuesday after missing a week with a lower body injury, and he was immediately given a notable workload, according to senior writer Jim Wyatt. Singleton was busy as a runner and also stayed involved in the passing game, finding the end zone on one of his three credited catches. A fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Singleton faces an uphill climb to finding a significant role in a room with established veterans Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, both of whom have reportedly had strong camps and looked sharp through the team's first two preseason games. Singleton, who led the team with eight carries in the preseason opener before missing Sunday's win over the Seahawks, should have one last chance to make his mark in the Titans' third and final preseason tilt against the Bears on Saturday. Still, he does not possess a clear path to fantasy relevance as a rookie and is unlikely to factor into 2026 draft plans as RotoBaller's RB74.
Source: Jim Wyatt
Source: Jim Wyatt
Wan'Dale Robinson Has Been the Titans' Most Active Receiver
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson joined the team as a 2026 free agent after signing a four-year deal that could prove to be one of the team's most important moves of the offseason. Quarterback Cam Ward has reportedly had an up-and-down second training camp after being made the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Still, when he's found success, it has generally come as a result of targeting Robinson. After catching three more passes on Tuesday, including two that went for touchdowns, Titans senior writer Jim Wyatt unofficially credits Robinson with a team-leading 52 receptions throughout training camp. Having caught 185 of his 263 targets across his final two seasons with the Giants, Robinson is no stranger to a heavy workload, and although 2026 fourth overall pick Carnell Tate arrived to camp with higher expectations and more fanfare, the fifth-year veteran has a realistic chance to lead his new team in targets and receptions. At RotoBaller's WR52, Robinson is a player to target late in drafts, particularly in full-PPR leagues where his high floor should make him a viable starting candidate week in and week out.
Source: Jim Wyatt
Source: Jim Wyatt
Ladd McConkey Could Have a "Huge Season" in New-Look Chargers Offense
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey disappointed in 2025 following an electric rookie season that saw him finish as the WR12, but he could be primed for a major bounce-back in Mike McDaniel's offense. Recently appearing with Ari Meirov for a 2026 Chargers breakdown, The Athletic's Daniel Popper says that he envisions a "huge season" for McConkey if he can stay healthy. Reflecting on the way that five-time All-Pro Tyreek Hill was used by McDaniel in Miami, Popper believes McConkey will benefit from pre-snap motion and creative manipulation, allowing him to leverage defenses while taking advantage of his 4.3 speed. With veteran Keenan Allen no longer on the team, McConkey should see something close to an every-down role, and as RotoBaller's WR14, the 24-year-old is well-positioned to return to his rookie form.
Source: Daniel Popper
Source: Daniel Popper
Chase Brown Has Top-Five Upside in 2026
The Cincinnati Bengals' starting offense has worked two drives in the 2026 preseason, with running back Chase Brown touching the ball on four of the team's first seven plays and handling five total carries. While his 16 yards are nothing gaudy, his early involvement reflects the hype he's received since the start of training camp, which has caused his ADP to steadily rise throughout draft season. The Bengals offense stumbled out of the blocks in 2025, derailed by an early-season injury to quarterback Joe Burrow, but following a slow start, Brown was the RB6 over the final 12 weeks of the season, and he projects for more of the same in 2026. Brown is RotoBaller's RB8, but as the de facto third receiving option in one of the league's most high-powered offenses, he has top-five upside and projects as a regular week-winner in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josue Briceno Off Stash Radar With Slow Start at Triple-A
Detroit Tigers catcher/first base prospect Josue Briceno has yet to find his footing since being promoted to Triple-A Toledo, now 7-for-41 (.171) with zero home runs and a 31.3 percent strikeout rate through his first 12 games for the Mud Hens. The Tigers' fifth-ranked prospect had a delayed start to the 2026 campaign due to wrist surgery he underwent before the season got underway, but hit .297 with eight home runs in 17 games for Double-A Erie before earning the promotion to the minors' highest level. The 2024 Arizona Fall League MVP looks like a long shot to crack the majors in 2026, but with a patient approach (career walk rate of 12.8 percent), along with highly rated hit (50) and power tools (60), there is a good chance he'll have an impact in 2027.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brian Thomas Jr. Practicing in Non-Contact Jersey
Following an injury scare that forced him out of Tuesday's joint practice with the Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) is back in attendance on Wednesday, spotted wearing an orange non-contact jersey as he started the day with individual drills. Thomas came down on his shoulder while making a touchdown catch early in Tuesday's practice and showed obvious discomfort after initially attempting to stay on the field. While he eventually walked off with trainers, initial reports indicated the injury was not overly serious, and his presence one day later serves as confirmation. Thomas disappointed with a WR43 fantasy finish a season ago after bursting onto the scene as the WR4 as a rookie in 2024, but he has reportedly put in serious work to clean up some of the finer details of his game and has enjoyed a strong training camp as a result. While Parker Washington has drawn most of the headlines out of Jaguars' camp, Thomas could still be argued to have the highest weekly ceiling, making him a potential bargain for risk-tolerant drafters, currently coming off the board as the WR32.
Source: Juston W. Lewis
Source: Juston W. Lewis
James Tibbs III a Speculative Stash for Late-Season Call-Up
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has put his best foot forward in 2026, batting .302 with 27 home runs (third-most at Triple-A), 94 RBI (second-most), and 94 runs scored (second-most). His 16.8 percent walk rate has buoyed a phenomenal .423 on-base percentage, and his OPS of .982 is second-highest among qualified hitters, yet the Dodgers' seventh-ranked prospect hasn't been able to break through to the major league level thus far. When Andy Pages (hand) was recently placed on the injured list, it was Alek Thomas who was recalled from Oklahoma City, not Tibbs, as Thomas was already on the 40-man roster, as is fellow OKC Comet Ryan Ward, who has been recalled to L.A. twice already this season, so it is a crowded talent pool. Even so, Tibbs may still get his opportunity when rosters expand in September, and were he to find himself getting regular playing time, the 23-year-old would become very fantasy relevant in that offense, but for now he's just a speculative stash in deeper 14+ team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
George Pickens' Standout Camp Continues as Cowboys Return to Texas
After a summer spent in Oxnard, California, the Dallas Cowboys returned to Frisco for their first local training camp practice on Tuesday night, and as he has done since arriving with the team, wide receiver George Pickens continued to make plays. One of the highlights of the night was a deep connection from Dak Prescott that the 2025 second-team All-Pro was able to haul in while keeping both feet inbounds, prompting team staff writer Tommy Yarrish to note that commenting on Pickens' standout moments has almost become repetitive. After a brief ramp-up period in his first season with the Cowboys, a Week 3 ankle injury to CeeDee Lamb thrust Pickens into the spotlight, allowing him to rack up a career-high 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns on his way to a WR5 fantasy finish, remaining dominant even following Lamb's return. With the Cowboys' offense capable of producing two legitimate fantasy difference-makers at the position, Pickens is RotoBaller's WR8 and a perfectly suitable option to build around as a number one receiver in 2026 drafts.
Source: Tommy Yarrish
Source: Tommy Yarrish
Michael Porter Jr. Eyes First All-Star Nod
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has a believer in head coach Jordi Fernandez, who expects him to make his first All-Star team next season. Fernandez praised Porter's work ethic and said he thought the former Denver Nuggets forward should have been in the All-Star conversation last year. Porter was Brooklyn's top scorer in 2025-26, averaging 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.4 threes across 52 games before a left hamstring strain ended his season. The fantasy wrinkle is Julius Randle, who arrived in a four-team trade and should command touches in the half court. Porter still carries strong scoring and rebounding appeal, but his All-Star case likely needs both good health and a much more competitive Nets team.
Source: Sameer Kumar
Source: Sameer Kumar
Robert MacIntyre is Difficult to Judge For This Week's Tour Championship
After withdrawing from Memphis after a horrific opening round, Robert MacIntyre seemed like a different person in St. Louis on his way to T7. He's making his third consecutive appearance at East Lake this week, where he's finished T17 both times. Whatever happened two weeks ago is likely out of his system, but it's not as though he was setting the world on fire before. 2026 was easily the worst iron play year for the Scotsman since he made the jump from the DP World Tour in 2024, but he's handy in every other facet. Given the demand on approach shots at East Lake, it will be hard for the other parts of his game to make up for it should the struggle in that area continue. He isn't a full fade, but more a buyer beware.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
