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Terry McLaurin Still a Good Value Despite WR Addition
The Washington Commanders officially signed veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Thursday, finally cementing Diggs as their WR2 opposite Terry McLaurin. While Diggs should see substantial volume in 2026, McLaurin is still set up for a big year. After a wasted 2025 season, during which McLaurin dealt with a nagging groin/hip injury, he is looking to replicate his 2024 season, when he had just under 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns with quarterback Jayden Daniels. The offensive coordinator change should also benefit McLaurin, as former OC Kliff Kingsbury used him as a primary X receiver. In 2025, he scored 96% of his fantasy points on the outside, the most of any receiver in the NFL. New coordinator David Blough publicly said he wants to get McLaurin "10 targets a game" in 2026 and should be used in motion and in different spots across the formation. McLaurin remains the WR1 on this offense. With both him and Daniels healthy, he is in position to finish among the top 10 wide receivers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elic Ayomanor Good to Go After Suffering Shoulder Injury on Thursday
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (shoulder) will participate in Friday night's scrimmage after leaving practice early Thursday. Ayomanor walked off with a trainer during practice Thursday, holding his left shoulder. Head coach Robert Saleh said, "It feels stable, but we'll get more information later." Now that he's good to go, the rising star hopes to remain a key part of the Titans' camp. The second-year receiver had 515 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie year and is currently competing with veteran Calvin Ridley for the WR3 role. If Ayomanor can win that battle against Ridley, he could flirt with being a late-round draft pick in most fantasy formats.
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Texans Taking Their Time With Tank Dell
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to be eased in during this training camp and season, despite looking strong in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was excited about Dell's return to the field, saying, "You want to see that comeback story. Tank (Dell) looks real nice out there. We're taking our time with Tank, allowing him to come along. Outstanding job, nice crisp in routes. It's exciting." Dell suffered a significant knee/leg injury, including torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, a patellar tendon injury, and a vascular injury that required emergency surgery. This comeback is nothing short of legendary, as Dell hopes to regain his previous form, in which he averaged over 55 receiving yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns in 25 games. While the risk is evident when drafting Dell, the upside remains for him to be a late-round sleeper.
Source: Aaron Wilson - KPRC2
Source: Aaron Wilson - KPRC2
Chris Bell Could Play in Preseason
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley suggested that rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) could play in the preseason. When asked about Bell's current status, Hafley said, "He's progressing nicely. He's accelerating, decelerating; he's able to cut. It would be a huge benefit if we can get him some work in the preseason." Bell is currently on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in November 2025. While it seemed likely the rookie receiver would miss time in the regular season, Hafley appeared optimistic that he's improving, and fantasy managers could take advantage of a great value if Bell is healthy enough to start the season.
Source: Dave Furones - Sun Sentinel
Source: Dave Furones - Sun Sentinel
John Metchie III a Candidate for WR3 Job in Carolina
Carolina Panthers wide receiver John Metchie III, who is with his fourth different NFL team in 2026 in a little more than 11 months, had a 19-yard rush and a 36-yard kick return in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. With rookie wideout Chris Brazzell II (knee) already ruled out for the 2026 season, The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye suggests that Metchie has a real shot to compete for the WR3 role this year in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. The 26-year-old's primary competition will be Xavier Legette, a former first-rounder who has disappointed in his first two years in the NFL. If Metchie makes more noise in training camp and the preseason, he could have a role in the slot with the Panthers, although it wouldn't generate enough volume for the former second-rounder from Alabama to be much more than a bench stash in deeper redraft formats. In 16 games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans in 2025, Metchie had career highs with 33 catches, 274 yards, and two touchdowns on 48 targets.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Chiefs "Leaning Against" Playing Patrick Mahomes in Preseason Opener
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the team is "leaning against" playing quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) in next week's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star. Reid also said he doesn't know if Mahomes will play in the second or third preseason games, either. Mahomes prefers to see some preseason action, but it's a special scenario going into the 2026 season after he tore his ACL and LCL late last season. The good news for the Chiefs and fantasy managers is that the 30-year-old two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler is on track to be ready for the team's Week 1 season opener on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos in early September. Mahomes has made great progress from his knee injury and has been participating in 11-on-11 team drills in training camp without limitations. His improving health will improve his fantasy football stock going into his 10th year in the league, but still, managers should be hesitant not to overvalue Mahomes based on his past exploits, with his mobility potentially not being the same as it once was. Treat him as more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in fantasy in 2026.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Sam McDowell
Source: The Kansas City Star - Sam McDowell
Texans Actively Looking to Involve Jaylin Noel on Offense
Now that Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel (finger) has come off the Non-Football Injury list at training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans said the Texans are actively looking for ways to "get him the ball on offense multiple times a game," according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The 23-year-old former third-rounder from Iowa State wasn't as productive as teammate Jayden Higgins as a rookie, as he caught just 26 passes on 35 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). However, Noel should have a bigger role in Year 2 in 2026 as he competes with Tank Dell (knee) and Xavier Hutchinson for the WR3 role behind Higgins and Nico Collins. Losing the first two weeks of training camp didn't help Noel's cause, but he has plenty of time to get more involved going into Week 1 of the regular season. How big Noel's role is in his sophomore season will probably depend on how much Dell can do after suffering a devastating knee injury in 2024 and missing all of last year. Right now, Noel is merely a late-round dart throw in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
KC Concepcion is Fine After Suffering AC Joint Sprain in his Shoulder
Cleveland Browns rookie first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion (shoulder) said he suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder from falling on it in training camp practice earlier this week, but he's fine and made an acrobatic touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders on Thursday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The 21-year-old from Texas A&M has been impressive in training camp as he heads into his first year in the NFL, and as things currently stand, he should be a lock to open the 2026 regular season in a top-three role for the Browns alongside fellow rookie Denzel Boston and veteran Jerry Jeudy. And with Jeudy continuing to fall after a disappointing 2025 campaign, it could be Concepcion and Boston leading Cleveland's pass-catching corps as rookies. The Browns' less-than-ideal QB situation will keep Concepcion's fantasy price low, but he's absolutely worth a late-round flier in 12-team leagues with plenty of speed and big-play ability in a Browns offense looking for new contributors. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 49 fantasy WR for 2026.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Bucky Irving Making a Big Impression on New Offensive Coordinator
The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud writes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is making a big impression on new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson in training camp. "His feet are always in the ground," Robinson said. "So he's always able to change direction and, obviously, that keeps him so balanced to be able to break tackles." Irving missed all of the team's organized team activities in May and June while rehabbing a shoulder injury, but he is back now and is looking quick and decisive since pads went on this past week. "Bucky is a stud," Robinson said. Irving had a great rookie year in former OC Liam Coen's outside-zone running scheme, and Robinson's and Coen's offensive styles are similar. The 23-year-old had a 1,000-yard rushing season with eight touchdowns as a rookie, but injuries slowed him down in 2025, and he finished with 588 rushing yards and only one TD in 10 games. A bounce-back in 2026 should be coming for Irving if he stays healthy, but injury risk and the addition of pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell figure to limit Irving's overall ceiling as more of an RB2 in his third NFL campaign. Stroud also mentions Gainwell's seamless transition to Tampa's RB room.
Source: The Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: The Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
J.J. McCarthy Seeing More Time With No. 2 Offense
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray split snaps with the first-team offense evenly through the first seven practices of training camp during their competition. However, McCarthy has now spent a "significant portion" of camp working with the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense, and beneath the surface, there have been "plenty of indications that Murray remains the heavy favorite to win the job," according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Both signal-callers have had their up-and-down moments, but the Vikings have given Murray around two-thirds of the snaps with the first-team offense in 11-on-11 drills. Unless the usage reverses in the coming week, Seifert thinks it's hard to imagine McCarthy winning the job while mostly working with the second team. McCarthy's passes have mostly been in the short and intermediate range, with less frequent deep attempts than Murray. The Vikings still want to develop McCarthy after his rough go as the starter in 2025, but now that Murray is in town, they don't have to rush it. Nothing is official yet, but it would be a surprise for McCarthy to be named Minnesota's Week 1 starter under center at this point.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Calvin Austin III the Giants' Top Slot Option at Wideout
The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that although New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III's strong spring hasn't carried over to the start of training camp this summer, he's "still the team's top slot option." With that said, the slot role in New York isn't expected to be featured as much in new head coach John Harbaugh's offense as it was when Wan'Dale Robinson was racking up targets at will the last two seasons. Austin is going to have a role, sponging up the short targets in the passing game that Robinson once received. The 27-year-old, who stands at just 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, failed to take advantage of extra opportunities with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, with just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games played in his third year in the NFL. Austin could have more of a role early on with the Giants this year if Malik Nabers (knee) isn't all the way back from his torn ACL, but every week, Austin's role in the offense is unlikely to yield enough targets to make him a worthy target in fantasy drafts in 12-team leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Xavier Worthy Still Sidelined on Friday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) remains sidelined in Friday's training camp practice, according to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride. Worthy injured his shoulder last weekend and has been sitting out ever since, but the good news is he's just dealing with a minor shoulder sprain and is considered day-to-day, so there's a good chance we'll see him back on the field this weekend. Fantasy managers had to have been a bit worried initially, as Worthy's 2025 season was derailed by a separated shoulder that he suffered in the Week 1 season opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old speedy pass-catcher came into camp this summer at full health with obvious bounce-back potential for fantasy managers at a reduced cost. The former first-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas figures to be KC's WR2 behind Rashee Rice (knee) if he's back to full health in 2026 in his third year in the NFL. Durability remains a concern, but at a reduced cost this year, Worthy is absolutely worth pulling the trigger on in the middle rounds of drafts.
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Pete Sweeney
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Pete Sweeney
George Lombard Jr. a Priority Waiver-Wire Pickup as Yankees New Shortstop
The New York Yankees called up infield prospect George Lombard Jr. from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make his major-league debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, and he immediately made an impact, going 1-for-2 at the plate with a solo home run in the team's 2-0 victory. In his first two major-league games, Lombard has gone 2-for-6 in seven plate appearances. The club's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is here to stay and will be taking over the starting shortstop job in the Bronx from Anthony Volpe, who was sent down to Triple-A when Lombard came up. The former first-rounder in 2023 hit .268 (56-for-209) with six home runs, 21 RBI, 10 steals, and 44 runs scored in 56 games and 262 plate appearances with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before his call-up. The 21-year-old is patient with advanced plate discipline as a hitter, and his power upside makes him an immediate waiver-wire priority in a starting role at a premium position in fantasy. Right now, Lombard is rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Cole Young's Recent Hitting Streak has his Stock Trending Up
Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young had a recent eight-game hitting streak from July 26 through Aug. 2 that saw him go 15-for-34 (.441) with a home run, a double, two triples, three RBI, and six runs scored across 37 plate appearances. He capped it off with a 4-for-5 night against the Minnesota Twins on Aug. 2. Young has gone 0-for-9 with three walks in three games since losing his eight-game hitting streak, but the recent hot stretch had fantasy managers giving the 23-year-old a look off the waiver wire for middle-infield help in deeper leagues. The former 21st overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft is now hitting .263/.323/.412 with a .736 OPS, 14 home runs, 51 RBI, 54 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 116 games played and 465 plate appearances as a regular for the M's in his first full MLB season in 2026. Young has definitely taken a step forward in his second season in the big leagues, and he's quietly become a steady second base option in counting-stat leagues with improved power at the plate. And with a .280 expected batting average and .334 xwOBA, Young still has time to do more damage before his sophomore season comes to an end. He's rostered in only 21% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
JJ Bleday a Fine Source of Power Off the Waiver Wire
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday may only be hitting .230 (70-for-304) on the year in 86 games and 361 plate appearances, but he reached the 20-homer mark for the second time in the last three seasons in Thursday's 6-5 win over the Athletics and is worth waiver-wire consideration down the stretch in fantasy baseball leagues if you need power. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has had a resurgence in 2026 in his first season in Cincinnati, and he has also dropped his strikeout rate from 26.5% last year to 21.3% this year while posting a career-best 14.4% walk rate. The former fourth overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 from Vanderbilt University has hit under .200 with just five of his 20 homers on the year, and although he hit just over the Mendoza Line in 25 games in July, he did manage to hit six home runs in the month. Bleday definitely has his flaws, but fantasy managers shouldn't ignore his power from the left side. He's currently rostered in only 26% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
