RADIO
Saquon Barkley Has Looked Sharp in the New Eagles Offensive Scheme
Philadelphia Eagles' 29-year-old running back Saquon Barkley had a disappointing season last year after finishing as the RB1 in 2024. During the 2025 season, he finished as the RB14, rushing for 1,140 yards (4.07 YPC) and hauling in 37 of his 50 targets for 273 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The Eagles offense struggled under former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo last season and has brought in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion for the 2026 season, who is rooted in the Sean McVay coaching tree, which focuses on a rhythm-based system in which the run and play-action pass concepts look identical. Reports from camp have indicated that Barkley has been one of the biggest standout performers on the field and is in line for a major workload under Mannion's new offensive scheme, setting him up for a bounceback season. RotoBaller currently ranks Barkley as the RB7 coming into the season, and fantasy managers looking to lock in a workhorse runing back in the first round will want to target him.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase Brown Expanding His Role, a Bonafide RB1 For Fantasy Football
Cincinnati Bengals 26-year-old running back Chase Brown finished the 2025 season as the RB8 and rushed for 1,019 yards (4.39 YPC) and six touchdowns, along with 88 targets, 69 receptions, 437 receiving yards, and five touchdowns through the air. Reports from camp have been glowing, as head coach Zac Taylor has put Brown at the center of unique offensive schemes, moving him out wide, in the slot, and utilizing him in pre-snap motion. Additionally, camp reports highlight that Brown is looking explosive and has been making big plays throughout training camp. There's no question that Brown is going early in drafts this season; however, the added context of his versatility in the passing game only raises his ceiling, and with quarterback Joe Burrow healthy, Brown has the upside to finish as a top-10 running back for a second straight season. RotoBaller ranks Brown as the RB9 heading into drafts, and he is in line for another massive season in a potent offense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Falling Down Draft Boards Due to Added Competition
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden impressed in 2025, finishing as the TE17 and hauling in 49 of his 69 targets for 664 yards (13.6 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. He was the most explosive tight end in football with a 131.3 explosive rating, and while he was very efficient and productive, his blocking limitations and the addition of David Njoku and Charlie Kolar are making it more difficult for him to find playing time or to increase his snap share. Additionally, in most of the Chargers' preseason games, Gadsden often played with the backups. Gadsden may be an explosive option in specific passing situations, but it's possible we'll see his 61.4 percent snap share, which was 28th in the NFL last season, continue to decline with the additional tight ends in the room. RotoBaller ranks Gadsden as the TE31 on the season, making him a clear fade in all one-tight-end formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Mason Showcasing Improved Explosiveness in Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings 27-year-old running back Jordan Mason continues to generate positive reviews from training camp thus far, with reports that he has shown better conditioning and improved explosiveness, and that head coach Kevin O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Philips have both been speaking highly of his physical transformation and mindset as he enters his second season with the Vikings. During the 2025 season, Mason rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries. He contributed a small amount through the air, hauling in 14 of his 16 passes for 51 yards as well. Mason had a solid 4.77 YPC last season, and with Aaron Jones Sr. now 31 years old and the Vikings wanting to run more of a vertical wide-zone run scheme, Mason appears to be the preferred running back option to take in fantasy in what is projected to be a top-half offense. Mason finished last season as the RB35, aligning with RotoBallers' current ranks of RB35.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jadeveon Clowney Expected to Be Ready for Week 1
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (hip, ankle) is expected to be ready for Week 1, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Clowney suffered a "minor soft-tissue hip injury" during the preseason and has also battled a mild ankle issue, but it does not appear that either ailment is particularly serious. Across 13 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, Clowney recorded 8.5 sacks and 12 TFLs. The 33-year-old is more of a pass-rush specialist than an every-down player at this point in his career, but he still has the ability to be a highly impactful defender when healthy. With star edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter ahead of Clowney on the depth chart, Houston should be able to limit Clowney's workload throughout the year.
Source: KPRC 2 Houston - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Houston - Aaron Wilson
Steelers Won't Negotiate with Joey Porter Jr. During Regular Season
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said that the team will not hold contract extension negotiations with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) during the regular season, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. When asked whether he would play without a deal getting done, Porter Jr. said, "I don't know," per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Porter Jr. is entering the final year of his rookie contract with Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old has established himself as the Steelers' top cornerback, recording 120 solo tackles, 31 passes defensed, and three interceptions across 47 career games (41 starts). While the Steelers and Porter Jr. still have time to work out a deal before Week 1, his contract status and availability to Pittsburgh are worth monitoring extra closely now that the calendar has flipped to September.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Nick Bosa Expected to Return to Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said the team's plan is for defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) to return to practice on Wednesday, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Bosa has been battling knee tendinitis as he works his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. However, the 28-year-old has been working on a side field through the early portion of this week and appears to be on track for a return to team activities in short order. Across 14 games in 2024, Bosa recorded nine sacks, 15 TFLs, and a forced fumble. When fully healthy, Bosa profiles as one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. However, he's now entering his age-29 season and is working with surgically repaired ACLs in both knees. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues may want to temper expectations for Bosa's production in 2026.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Aaron Donald More Likely to Debut in Week 2 or Week 3 than Week 1
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is more likely to debut in Week 2 or Week 3 than Week 1, per Dan Graziano of ESPN. Donald retired from the NFL following the 2023 season, but he officially announced his decision to come out of retirement and return to the Rams on Sunday. Given that Donald is 35 years old, missed most of training camp, and has not played in over two years, it appears the Rams will opt to bring him along slowly. Los Angeles will also travel to Australia for its season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, which could be factoring into the decision of whether or not to play Donald as well. The last time Donald was on the field, he was one of the best defensive players in the history of the NFL. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time first-team All-Pro, Donald recorded eight sacks and 16 TFLs across 16 games for Los Angeles in 2023. While Donald could easily be a dominant force on a per-play basis once he's back on the field this season, the Rams may choose to limit his workload throughout the year to keep him fresh for the stretch run.
Source: ESPN - Dan Graziano
Source: ESPN - Dan Graziano
Micah Parsons Could Be on Track for Week 5 Return
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said, "We have a pretty good idea once we get out of that four-game window we're going to be pretty close" when asked about the return timeline for star edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee), per Ryan Wood of USA Today. Parsons will open the 2026 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he works his way back from a torn ACL, guaranteeing that he will miss Green Bay's first four games of the season. However, it appears as though Parsons has a chance to return to the field as soon as he is eligible. Across 14 games before the knee injury ended his 2025 season, Parsons recorded 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. When healthy, the 27-year-old is one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL and is a worthy target for fantasy managers in IDP leagues.
Source: USA Today - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today - Ryan Wood
Jaleel McLaughlin Signs Practice-Squad Deal with Browns
Veteran running back Jaleel McLaughlin has signed a practice-squad deal with the Cleveland Browns, per an announcement from the team. McLaughlin spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, but he fell out of the team's regular running back rotation in 2025 and was waived by Denver on Sunday. The Browns have a pair of second-year running backs atop their depth chart in Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. However, McLaughlin could potentially work his way into the backfield mix in Cleveland in the case of an injury. The 25-year-old has been efficient when given the opportunity to this point in his pro career, recording 1,356 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 285 touches across 41 career NFL games (nine starts). McLaughlin is not roster-worthy yet, but he could be a name to monitor on the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Cleveland Browns
Source: Cleveland Browns
Chris Bell Still Needs to Get into Football Shape
Miami Dolphins rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Bell played 14 offensive snaps in the team's preseason finale last Friday and caught two of his five targets for 22 yards as he closes out his rehab from a torn ACL. However, head coach Jeff Hafley said Bell is still working his way back, saying, "I think he would tell you he needs to continue to get in football shape," according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. "If he continues to improve, get in shape, then my expectation is we see him on the field," Hafley added. It sounds as though the 22-year-old has a chance to be active as a part of the offense in Week 1 of the regular season in an offense that has one of the thinnest WR depth charts in the league. Bell is competing primarily with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas for the WR3 role behind Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert, so he has a prime chance for rookie-year targets from new Dolphins QB Malik Willis. Bell can likely be avoided in 12-team fantasy leagues, but with opportunity and likely positive game script most weeks, he could quickly emerge as a trendy waiver-wire pickup if he continues to ascend and build trust with Willis.
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Raiders are Counting on Mike Washington Jr. to Win Games
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. is expected to have a significant role in the backfield this upcoming season. Raiders General Manager John Spytek recently praised head coach Klint Kubiak for drafting Washington. He also added that the team is counting on Washington to win games this upcoming season, Ryan McFadden reports. Lead back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is uncertain for Week 1, so Washington could immediately slide into a large role in the offense. Once Jeanty is healthy, it sounds like Washington will remain a big part of the running game. The 23-year-old is becoming one of the more important handcuffs to roster in fantasy leagues.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Malik Nabers was Involved in Most of Tuesday's Practice
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) was not seen during the media portion of Tuesday's practice. Giants head coach John Harbaugh said that Nabers was involved during most of the team reps during Tuesday's practice. Nabers is trending in the right direction for the Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He has practiced on consecutive days, but the Giants have yet to commit to Nabers being available for the season opener. Once he's fully healthy, Nabers should offer low-end WR1 value, but it wouldn't be shocking for him to be limited early in the season.
Source: SNY Giants
Source: SNY Giants
Colts Expect Anthony Richardson Sr. to Remain With the Team This Year
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that he expects quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. to remain with the organization this year, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Richardson survived roster cutdown day on Sunday and will head into the 2026 season as the backup to Daniel Jones, who is coming off a torn Achilles tendon suffered late last season. Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft from Florida, has turned out to be a bust early in his NFL career. His rushing upside is elite, but he could not stay on the field, and he failed to improve on his accuracy as a passer in the competition for the starting job last summer with Jones. And after Jones took off with the starting gig and played well before his Achilles tear, there does not appear to be much of a future for Richardson in Indy. He is heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, so this figures to be Richardson's final season with the Colts, barring something unforeseen happening. If Jones gets hurt again and misses time, Richardson could quickly become a QB2 option in two-QB superflex leagues for his rushing prowess alone.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Parker Washington Could Discuss New Contract During Regular Season
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is carrying a ton of hype coming into the 2026 season. The Jags are expecting big things from Washington in 2026 and beyond. Recently, Jags' general manager James Gladstone said that the team is fine with discussing a new contract with Washington during the regular season, according to Ryan O'Halloran. Washington is entering his fourth season with the team, and broke out in a big way last season. He finished with 58 receptions with 847 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 16 games with the Jags last season. He could be one of the most trusted options in Jacksonville this upcoming season, and it appears the team would like to keep him around long term.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
