RADIO
Bruce Brown Linked to Cavaliers in Free Agency
Free-agent guard/forward Bruce Brown has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Zach Weiss of SI, who cited Cleveland.com's Terry Pluto. Brown spent last season back with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24.4 minutes across 82 games while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three. Cleveland could have a roster spot to fill if it waives or trades Cam Whitmore, and Brown would bring low-usage wing depth with past ties to James Harden and Jarrett Allen from Brooklyn. The fantasy appeal would be limited, though, with Brown likely ticketed for a bench role behind Cleveland's established rotation unless injuries open steady minutes.
Source: Zach Weiss
Source: Zach Weiss
Ty Gibbs Should Be Strong at New Hampshire
Don't count out Ty Gibbs in the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has been great on the short, flat tracks this season and recently went to victory lane at Iowa (another short, flat track) a couple of weeks ago. This weekend at New Hampshire, Gibbs has been fast since the team unloaded his No. 54 Toyota, as he ranked fourth-fastest in 30-lap average during practice on Saturday and then went out and qualified seventh for the start of the race. As far as track history goes, Gibbs has never finished better than 15th here at New Hampshire, but we all know by now to throw out his past when analyzing him this season. As far as DFS goes, Gibbs looks to be an excellent play on DraftKings with his affordable $9.2K salary. He has race-winning upside and a little bit of Place Differential room.
Source: ifantasyrace
Source: ifantasyrace
Keshad Johnson Could Rejoin Heat
Free-agent forward Keshad Johnson has been part of talks about a possible return to the Miami Heat, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Johnson has continued working out with the team and could come back on either a standard contract or a two-way deal. The reigning Slam Dunk Contest champion averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes across 32 games last season, so even a reunion would carry little fantasy appeal. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Bobby Portis ahead of him in the frontcourt and wing mix, Johnson would need several injuries to sniff a usable role.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Joe Milton III has Another Strong Preseason Outing
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III turned in his second impressive preseason performance in the team's 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, going 9-of-13 for 179 yards and two passing touchdowns while also punching in a one-yard score on the ground. Through two preseason games, Milton has completed 75% of his passes while accounting for four total touchdowns, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer is not yet ready to declare him the primary backup behind veteran Dak Prescott. "This is long from over," Schottenheimer told reporters after the game. "We're going back to Frisco, thankfully, get a chance to be home and put some more training camp days in. You've got to give Joe his credit, he's played really well the past two games, but we have a lot of confidence in [Sam Howell] as well." Milton was a sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2024, and he possesses one of the liveliest arms in the NFL and a fantasy-friendly skill set that would allow him to rack up points if ever called into action. With one more preseason game remaining before the Cowboys open the regular season against the Giants, the backup quarterback battle in Dallas is still one to monitor.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nick Richards Emerges as Heat Frontcourt Target
Free-agent center Nick Richards has emerged as a candidate for the Miami Heat's 14th roster spot, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Miami wants to use the spot on a rotation big who can play either center or power forward, and the 6-foot-11 veteran has been working out at Kaseya Center in Heat gear. Richards is weighing multiple offers, and it's unclear whether another team has topped Miami's guaranteed money. Any fantasy value would be thin regardless of where he signs. Richards averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes across 48 games and six starts for Phoenix and Chicago last season. In Miami, he would sit behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis, leaving frontcourt injuries as his only real path to minutes.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Vin Baker Expected to Join Heat's Coaching Staff
The Miami Heat are expected to hire former NBA forward Vin Baker as an assistant on head coach Erik Spoelstra's staff, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Baker spent the past eight seasons as a Milwaukee Bucks assistant and has a close relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving Miami another trusted voice around its new franchise centerpiece. The four-time All-Star averaged 15.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 13 NBA seasons, but this move should not change Miami's fantasy outlook. Baker is not expected to replace anyone, so minutes and usage should still hinge on Spoelstra's rotation choices around Antetokounmpo and the returning core.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
J.J. McCarthy Erratic In Preseason Loss
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy turned in an uneven preseason game Saturday against Baltimore, finishing 5-for-10 for 81 yards. Playing with the second-string offense, the 23-year-old QB continued his unusual pattern of connecting on difficult throws and missing easier ones. On the Vikings' second drive, he alertly climbed the pocket and fired a 50-yard strike to Tai Felton, then wisely checked down to Demond Claiborne on the next play to put the Vikings at the Baltimore 3-yard line. However, the drive ended with no points when he missed back-to-back receivers in the end zone, including an open Myles Price on fourth down. More concerning to Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was that McCarthy took a few shots, including a sack where a defender hit McCarthy below the knees, prompting Minnesota to insert Carson Wentz before the end of the first half. The Vikings already named Kyler Murray their starter, so McCarthy's fantasy value will be limited as long as the former is healthy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Riley Leonard Pulls Ahead in Backup Competition
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard started the Colts' second preseason match against the Atlanta Falcons, completing seven of his 14 pass attempts for 62 yards in the team's 34-6 loss on Saturday. After the first quarter, Leonard and the Colts' offense couldn't find momentum and struggled to gain first downs, often playing behind the sticks due to penalties. However, fellow quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., Leonard's competition for the number two spot, did not perform any better. Richardson started the second half and completed three of his nine pass attempts for 24 yards, rushed for 15 yards off three carries, and took two sacks. While neither quarterback outshone the other, Leonard's marginally better efficiency and the fact that he started this game suggest he may have overtaken Richardson on the depth chart to backup quarterback Daniel Jones. Dynasty managers in deep leagues who are interested in either Leonard or Richardson should pay close attention to quarterback usage, decision-making, and efficiency in next Saturday's preseason finale against the Detroit Lions.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Spencer Shrader Primed to Retake Starting Position
Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader started the second preseason game and was the Colts' lone scorer in their 34-6 loss against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. In the first quarter, Shrader completed a 48-yard field goal and a 53-yard field goal. The sputtering Colts offense could not gain any traction, and their seven subsequent drives resulted in punts. Kicker Blake Grupe, Shrader's primary competition, came on in the fourth quarter and missed a 36-yard field goal wide right. Last week against the New England Patriots, Grupe also missed a 61-yard attempt before halftime. Shrader's 2025 season ended early with an ACL and MCL tear, and Grupe replaced him for the rest of the season. Shrader appears fully recovered and is a viable starting option for the Colts and for managers of 12-person leagues with kickers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Trey McBride Remains Clear TE1, Worthy of High Draft Investment
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride remains a redraft riser after setting the NFL record for receptions by a tight end in a season. McBride ended 2025 with an incredible 126 catches. He added 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns on 169 targets, finishing as the top-scoring tight end in fantasy. His production jumped after Jacoby Brissett became Arizona's starter in Week 6, as 10 of McBride's 11 touchdowns came from passes by Brissett. Arizona will keep Brissett under center in 2026, which removes one major concern from his outlook. McBride also signed a four-year, $76 million extension with $43 million guaranteed, further suggesting his major role on this team. However, there is some touchdown regression to consider after he scored 11 times following only six touchdowns across his first 49 games. Additionally, Mike LaFleur's new offense should also be more balanced given the addition of Tyler Allgeier and top running back prospect Jeremiyah Love. Even with fewer pass attempts, though, McBride is still likely to see a large share of Arizona's targets and remains the No. 1 tight end in RotoBaller's current redraft rankings.
Malik Willis' Elite Rushing Potential Makes Him a Top Upside Play at QB
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis is a redraft riser after signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract and taking over as the team's starting quarterback. In his two seasons with Green Bay, he completed 78.7% of his passes for 976 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding 261 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. The problem is the passing environment. Miami traded Jaylen Waddle and released Tyreek Hill, leaving Willis with an inexperienced group led by Malik Washington and several young receivers. The Dolphins did add Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. in the draft, so there are more options than Willis had earlier in the offseason. However, his legs remain the biggest reason to draft him. In his two outings for the Packers last season (where he logged more than 40 offensive snaps), he averaged 52.0 rushing yards per game and punched in two rushing scores. Rushing yards and touchdowns can keep his weekly totals competitive even when the passing game struggles. Willis makes more sense as a late QB2 with upside in one-quarterback leagues and has considerably more value in superflex formats.
Zay Flowers has WR1 Ceiling in New-Look Baltimore Offense
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is a top riser at his position after catching 86 passes for 1,211 yards, coupled with five touchdowns on 118 targets in 2025. He finished as the WR7 in Half-PPR scoring and accounted for 55.9% of Baltimore's targets to wide receivers. Baltimore then gave him a four-year, $140 million extension with $108 million guaranteed, confirming his place at the top of the depth chart. Flowers did suffer a quadriceps injury in training camp. Even so, the issue was not expected to keep him out for long. The bigger concern, however, remains his touchdown total. Flowers has never scored more than five receiving touchdowns in a season. Moreover, he had eight games with fewer than 5.5 fantasy points over the last two seasons. Still, new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle wants more explosive plays, while Flowers remains the Ravens' most dynamic wide receiver, as they do not possess much depth behind him, with Rashod Bateman slated to be the No. 2 and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane as the WR3. Additionally, Bateman was arrested in June and could face a potential suspension. As such, he should be drafted as a high-end WR2 with a realistic chance to finish inside the top 10 again.
Ja'Tavion Sanders Sees Fantasy Value Fall After Recent Acquisition
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders has seen his fantasy value further drop this offseason. Throughout his career, he has 62 catches for 532 yards and two touchdowns over his first two seasons. He was even less productive in 2025, finishing with 29 receptions for 190 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. Things went from bad to worse as Sanders missed five games with an ankle sprain and later suffered a season-ending broken fibula in Week 17. Now he has to compete with Tommy Tremble for snaps, while Carolina recently added Darren Waller. Waller scored six touchdowns in nine games for Miami last season despite missing time with injuries. Sanders is the better receiving option than Tremble, but Carolina has rarely given its tight ends enough targets to support a fantasy starter, and the addition of Waller makes those targets harder to find. He should therefore remain undrafted in most 2026 leagues. Dynasty managers can still hold him, but another disappointing campaign could send him to the waiver wire.
Tyler Shough Emerging as Top Late-Round QB with League-Winning Upside
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is a definite redraft riser heading into the 2026 season. He threw for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games, adding 195 yards and three scores on the ground. He really picked it up late, ranking as the QB12 from Week 9 through the end of the season and QB5 from Weeks 12-18. The Saints have since added Travis Etienne Jr. and first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson, giving Shough more help around him. However, Tyson is dealing with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the next two months, so Chris Olave could see more targets early in the season. Shough is currently going around QB21 in current drafts, which is well outside the range of quarterbacks expected to be weekly starters, and his rushing ability gives him another way to put up points. If the new additions help the passing game as expected and he can maintain his current end-of-season pace, Shough could provide immense value at his ADP.
Corey Kiner Sees Another Healthy Workload In Loss
Arizona Cardinals running back Corey Kiner handled 10 carries for 29 rushing yards and caught one of his two targets for six receiving yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Cowboys. The 24-year-old has logged at least 10 rushing attempts in each of the Cardinals' three preseason games thus far. With James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) still working their way back from last year's season-ending injuries, the back end of Arizona's depth chart is far from settled. Kiner's consistent workload might indicate he has a leg up on Evan Hull and Bam Knight in that regard. Even so, Kiner's fantasy production would depend first on Jeremiyah Love's (ankle) health, and then on how he would work in behind Tyler Allgeier. For now, Kiner can be ignored in fantasy drafts, but he will be someone to watch for when the Cardinals wrap up their preseason against the Packers on August 28.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
