RADIO
Isiah Pacheco Up in the Air for Week 1 With Back, Knee Injuries
When asked about Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco's (back, knee) status for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Dan Campbell said, "I can't give you anything definitive." Campbell said that Pacheco picked up a back injury in training camp, in addition to his MCL sprain, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Right now, Pacheco's knee is not the concern. If the 27-year-old Pacheco is unavailable to play in the season opener in early September, Sione Vaki is likely to step up into the RB2 role in Detroit behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco ran for 1,765 yards and 12 touchdowns on 375 carries while adding 57 catches for 374 yards and two more TDs as a receiver in his first two years with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and 2023, but he combined for just 201 carries, 772 rushing yards, and two touchdowns in 20 games in the last two years while dealing with various injuries. When healthy, he's expected to be the backup in a change-of-pace role for Gibbs, but he is not selling himself as a handcuff target for fantasy managers with more injury issues before the start of the 2026 season. Right now, Pacheco is ranked as the RB54 at RotoBaller.
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Tucker Kraft Could Have Competition for Targets in 2026
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) tore his ACL in Week 9 last year against the Carolina Panthers, halting what was looking like a true breakout year for the former third-rounder from South Dakota State. Despite coming off a major knee injury, fantasy managers have not been shy about drafting him as a top-five player at his position for 2026, especially after he avoided landing on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp this summer. The 25-year-old caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games a year ago, and he has 13 total touchdowns the last two seasons, making him a popular breakout candidate again this year. However, the argument for Kraft being a clear top-five TE might have taken a bit of a hit with Green Bay's signing of former Pro Bowler Jonnu Smith on Thursday. Kraft will be the Packers' unquestioned top pass-catching tight end if he is healthy, but Smith's presence could create target competition that could prevent him from reaching his true fantasy ceiling. Two years ago with the Miami Dolphins, Smith caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Packers Signing Tight End Jonnu Smith to One-Year Deal
The Green Bay Packers are signing former Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, sources told Jordan Schultz. Smith is one of the league's most respected veterans, and he has recorded 345 career catches and 30 touchdowns in his nine years in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers will be Smith's fourth different team in the last four years. The former third-rounder in 2017 by the Titans out of Florida International had a career year in Miami in 2024, catching 88 of 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games, but he cratered to a 38-222-2 line in 17 regular-season games last year in Pittsburgh while sharing work with Pat Freiermuth. With Luke Musgrave (neck) on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the 31-year-old should become Green Bay's TE2 behind Tucker Kraft (knee), who is coming off a torn ACL last year. Smith is unlikely to have standalone fantasy value with the Packers unless Kraft misses more time with an injury, but his presence is not great news for Kraft's potential breakout in 2026.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Seahawks, Leonard Williams Agree to Three-Year Extension
The Seattle Seahawks and star defensive end Leonard Williams agreed to a three-year, $90 million contract extension on Thursday that will keep him in Seattle for the foreseeable future, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes $56 million guaranteed. Williams has made the Pro Bowl in each of his two full seasons with the organization and helped the club win the Super Bowl last year after recording 62 tackles (33 solo), seven sacks, nine tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, and a pass breakup in 17 regular-season starts. The 32-year-old veteran had 11 sacks the year before in 16 regular-season games. Since being drafted sixth overall in 2015 out of USC by the New York Jets, Williams has a total of 61.5 sacks and 637 tackles (331 solo) in 11 seasons across 175 regular-season games (166 starts). He will continue to be a key piece of Seattle's defensive line in one of the top overall defenses in the league in 2026.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tucker Kraft Claims he Won't be on a Snap Count
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) said on Wednesday that he is "not doing the rep count stuff anymore," according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported on Wednesday that Kraft, who tore his ACL in Week 9 last year against the Carolina Panthers, is expected to be a "full-go" for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. The 25-year-old was a full participant in the team's joint practice on Wednesday against the Arizona Cardinals and took a couple of hard hits, which backs up the notion that he should be ready for the regular-season opener without being on a snap count. The former third-rounder from South Dakota State could reach a contract extension with Green Bay soon, too, that might make him the highest-paid TE in the league. Kraft caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in just eight starts in 2025 and had seven touchdowns the year before. If he can avoid another serious injury in 2026, he has a clear path to being a top-five fantasy tight end in an offense that lost two key receivers in the offseason in Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Dohnte Meyers Rising in Bengals Offense, has Path to Targets
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers has arguably been the biggest story of training camp this summer, according to Jay Morrison of Sports Illustrated, and he continues to grow his trust within the offense. The former DoorDash driver and Canadian Football League wideout took first-team reps at practice on Tuesday with WR1 Ja'Marr Chase (knee) sitting out due to an injury scare from Monday. After that, Meyers and quarterback Joe Burrow spent almost 40 minutes working on throws, routes, and chemistry. "He's had a great camp. He's quick, shifty, understands what we're trying to do. He's played a lot in the CFL. He's got a lot of reps under his belt. He's a guy that we've seen a lot out of," Burrow said. It is definitely notable that Burrow is willing to work with him outside of team practice, but it's no guarantee that he'll make the final 53-man roster heading into the 2026 regular season. But the way Bengals teammates have buzzed about Meyers since the spring, it might be an upset if Meyers isn't on the team come Week 1. For now, he is merely a name to monitor, but if Meyers continues to produce and gain chemistry with Burrow, he could push Andrei Iosivas for the WR3 role later this year.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jay Morrison
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jay Morrison
Steelers Restructure DK Metcalf's Contract
The Pittsburgh Steelers restructured the contract of wide receiver DK Metcalf on Thursday, converting his base salary into a signing bonus to create nearly $18 million in salary cap space in 2026, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The restructure comes after the Steelers signed the veteran wideout to a four-year, $132 million deal in March of last year. In his first year in the Steel City, the former second-rounder by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 from Mississippi caught 59 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season games while working with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers gave Metcalf some help this offseason by trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and drafting Germie Bernard, but a true bounce-back to the 1,000-yard mark might not be in the cards in a new offense that could continue to run through the ground game. The two-time Pro Bowler recently returned from a nagging, undisclosed injury in training camp and should be fine for the regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Metcalf is best valued as a WR3/flex as one of Rodgers' best red-zone weapons in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
Kaden Davis Impressing Coaches, Could Make a Push for Spot Roster Spot
The Chicago Bears signed wide receiver Kaden Davis in mid-June, after he had spent several months with the Houston Gamblers of the UFL, and with training camp winding down, he has made a strong push for a spot on Chicago's initial 53-man roster. An undrafted free agent in 2022, Davis has spent time with the Broncos, Cardinals, and Lions and appeared in three regular-season games for the Browns over the past two seasons. Working primarily as a special teamer, he has been given some run with the first-team offense, and on Wednesday special teams coordinator Richard Hightower couldn't help but sing his praises. "Kaden was a great acquisition that the front office made," he told reporters. "He works his tail off, really a joy to be around... I'm happy and excited to see what he'll bring to the table this week. He'll get more opportunities." The Bears pass-catching group is loaded at the top with tight end Colston Loveland and receivers Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, so even if Davis makes the team, offensive opportunities will be few and far between, but he has become an easy player to root for and should see plenty of involvement in Chicago's preseason finale against the Titans.
Source: Larry Mayer
Source: Larry Mayer
Cedric Tillman Released by Browns
The Cleveland Browns are releasing fourth-year wide receiver Cedric Tillman, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Tillman flashed in a three-game stretch midway through the 2024 season, but a serious concussion ended his year, and he has been unable to find any consistent production since. The Browns spent two top-40 picks on wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston joining veteran Jerry Jeudy and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to top a deep and dynamic group of pass-catchers, Tillman was viewed as a long-shot to make the initial 53-man roster. With the roster cut deadline approaching on Sunday, Tillman will now need to clear waivers to become a free agent at a difficult time on the NFL calendar, making him a potential candidate to return to Cleveland's practice squad.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Alec Pierce Activated Off PUP List
The Indianapolis Colts are activating wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday, as reported by Mike Chappell. After signing a four-year, $114 million free agent deal to return to the Colts, Pierce underwent ankle surgery in late March after a platelet-rich plasma injection failed to alleviate the pain he has played through since the end of the 2024 season. After a career-year in 2025, big things were expected of the fifth-year receiver following the departure of Michael Pittman Jr., but a lack of availability coupled with the recent signing of veteran Keenan Allen has seen him slip to WR38 by current ADP. With just over two weeks until the Colts open the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens, Pierce faces a steep ramp-up period in hopes that he could still participate. One of the league's premier deep threats when healthy, there is potential value to be found in a mid-round swing for a player who should still factor heavily into the Colts' offensive plans for 2026.
Source: Mike Chappell
Source: Mike Chappell
Amon-Ra St. Brown as Reliable as Ever
When the Detroit Lions have needed a clutch play or a key conversion in recent years, they have generally turned to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and as pointed out by Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman, that was again the case during Wednesday's practice. In a fourth-and-two scenario during full-team work, St. Brown beat cornerback D.J. Reed with a nifty inside move and took a well-placed pass from Jared Goff for a 32-yard touchdown. The three-time All-Pro has become one of the most reliable receivers in the league, with that consistency translating to three straight WR3 fantasy finishes. Hitting at least 115 receptions in each of those seasons, St. Brown remains a safe bet to earn targets while his elite red zone usage has led to triple-digit touchdowns every year since 2023. Barring injury, few conceivable paths could lead the four-time Pro Bowler to finish outside the top-five at the position, and he is RotoBaller's WR4 for 2026.
Source: Tim Twentyman
Source: Tim Twentyman
Tyler Shough Still Being Underdrafted After a Promising Rookie Season
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough showed signs as a 2025 rookie that he was a player worth building around, and that's precisely what the team did this offseason. New Orleans made a splash in free agency by acquiring running back Travis Etienne Jr. on a four-year, $48 million deal before spending five of its eight 2026 draft picks on the offensive line or skill positions, including wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) with the eighth overall pick. While Tyson has since dealt with a serious hamstring injury likely to cost him time at the beginning of his career, there are still pieces in place for Shough to take a sizable step forward in his second season in Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense. After throwing at a 4,420-yard pace over the back half of the year that was good enough to make him the fantasy QB10 over that time, Shough is currently being drafted as the QB20, making him a low-cost, high-ceiling player to target at the end of 2026 drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
D'Andre Swift Could Follow His Career Year with Another Strong Start
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has often been criticized for being a better athlete than NFL running back, but in his 2025 reunion with head coach Ben Johnson, he showed improved patience and better vision, leading to the best season of his career. Swift had the sixth-highest rushing success rate in the league on his way to an RB15 fantasy finish, and his ceiling could be even higher in year two of Johnson's Bears offense. Second-year player Kyle Monangai (knee) is dealing with a hyperextended knee, and with Chicago favored in five of its first six games, Swift has the opportunity to get off to a white-hot start in his seventh season. At RotoBaller's RB18, he is a player to target in the middle rounds of drafts who could see his value rise early in the year, presenting the opportunity to later flip him as a potential sell-high candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
We Could See "One of Most Explosive Versions" of Lamar Jackson in 2026
Through the first three games of 2025, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson averaged more than 30 fantasy points per game, looking like his usual dominant self before injuries derailed his season, and NFL Network's Trevor Sikkema believes a return to health could lead to big things in 2026. "I'm really excited for what Lamar Jackson could be this year," he said while appearing on NFL Report. "To me, we could see not only the regular version of Lamar Jackson, which is pretty dang spectacular, but we could see maybe one of the most explosive versions of Lamar Jackson in this Declan Doyle offense." The Ravens were one of the most aggressive passing offenses on first down last year, helping to set up the third-and-manageable situations in which they thrived, and Sikkema believes Doyle will put the ball in Jackson's hands even more on early downs. Jackson is RotoBaller's QB1 and has one of the highest ceilings in the history of the game, as evidenced by two different seasons of 400+ fantasy points, and if he can manage close to a full slate of games in 2026, he should again be a league-winner.
Source: Trevor Sikkema
Source: Trevor Sikkema
Rashod Bateman Shines in Joint Practice with Commanders
The Baltimore Ravens have long been in need of a reliable No. 2 receiver behind two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers (undisclosed), and during Wednesday's joint practice with the Commanders, wide receiver Rashod Bateman made arguably his most compelling case of the summer that he can be that guy. With Flowers sidelined by what head coach Jesse Minter called a "minor thing," Bateman was uncoverable in 1-on-1s, 7-on-7s, or full-team drills, prompting team reporters Ryan Mink and Quentin Corpuel to praise him for what could have been his best day of training camp while acknowledging he may have been the Ravens' best offensive player on Wednesday. Bateman had a strong start to camp, but the growing hype around rookie Ja'Kobi Lane, as well as his own recent legal troubles, have slowed any momentum he had built going into his sixth season. But in some of the closest simulations of in-game scenarios the team has seen all summer, Bateman dominated, and the former first-round pick remains a player worthy of late-round consideration as RotoBaller's WR80.
Source: Ryan Mink & Quentin Corpuel
Source: Ryan Mink & Quentin Corpuel
