RADIO
Steelers' Offense Could Continue to be a Run-First Unit
Everyone has expected the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense to be more pass-happy under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but ESPN's Ben Solak writes that it's "pretty clear out of camp that the Steelers aren't going to sprint back to the heyday" of McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers on offense. Based on conversations that Solak had while at Pittsburgh's training camp, he says he's confident that the identity of this year's Steelers offense will be similar to their identity in 2025 -- "running the ball out of heavy sets." Solak "can't get a lean" on the Jaylen Warren/Rico Dowdle backfield situation, but he's "confident both will be used enough to be playable on any given week." He thinks that Dowdle will "bite into Warren's catches more than most people realize." On the flip side, Solak believes that Warren will "bite into Dowdle's carries more than most people realize." It's good news for both Warren and Dowdle if the Steelers stay ground-based, but with a potential near-even workload split, both RBs might not have ceilings higher than RB3/flex backs in fantasy.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Jonathon Brooks Will Play in Preseason Opener
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that running back Jonathon Brooks will play in the team's second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, mixing in with Chuba Hubbard, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. It will be Brooks' first game played since his rookie season in 2024 after he didn't play in last week's Hall of Fame game and missed the entire 2025 campaign due to another torn ACL in his knee. Rico Dowdle is no longer in Carolina's backfield, and while Hubbard is the team's clear RB1, Brooks is expected to have a significant RB2/change-of-pace role in Canales' offense this year. The former second-rounder from the University of Texas has only played in three games in the NFL, so it's hard to know what to expect from him if he can finally stay healthy. Brooks has looked good this summer, though, and he's an intriguing handcuff option/RB3/flex target with upside if Hubbard gets injured or struggles again in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Emeka Egbuka Limps Off at Practice on Wednesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (undisclosed) limped off the practice field on Wednesday with athletic trainers, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Egbuka was being examined on a sideline table before eventually taking both cleats off. He walked back to the sideline to watch the rest of the practice. We'll have an update on Egbuka's status when more information comes out regarding why he was forced from Wednesday's training camp practice. The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reports that the 23-year-old former first-rounder was "rolled up on" by a teammate. The fact that Egbuka remained on the sideline to watch the rest of practice likely means that he's not dealing with a significant injury. When healthy, Egbuka figures to have a bigger role in Tampa's new-look offense in 2026 after the departure of veteran wideout Mike Evans. Egbuka nearly had 1,000-receiving yards in his rookie campaign in 2025 and contributed six touchdown receptions on 63 total catches. He's a fine WR2 target in fantasy football drafts going into his sophomore season in the NFL.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Xavier Restrepo Leads Titans in Catches in First Joint Practice
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Xavier Restrepo led the team on Tuesday in their first joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers, with TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt having him down for a team-high five catches, including two that went for touchdowns. Second-year wideout Chimere Dike had the second-most grabs with four. Restrepo went undrafted last year out of the University of Miami before latching on with the Titans and catching three of his seven targets for 41 scoreless yards in two games played in Weeks 12 and 13. The 24-year-old is mostly intriguing because of his chemistry with quarterback Cam Ward, whom he played with at Miami. Despite Restrepo's chemistry with Ward and his strong day in practice on Tuesday, he's likely a long shot to make the 53-man roster out of training camp and the preseason after the Titans added Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and rookie Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick back in April.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Rhamondre Stevenson Ahead of TreVeyon Henderson on First Depth Chart
The New England Patriots released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener against the Colts on Thursday, and as he did for much of the 2025 season, running back Rhamondre Stevenson appears ahead of TreVeyon Henderson, listed as the team's starter. Stevenson regularly out-snapped Henderson through the first half of their first season together, but the veteran's mid-season turf toe injury opened the door for the rookie to earn a workhorse role, in which he thrived. While the two saw closer to a 50/50 split down the stretch of the regular season, Stevenson again dominated playing time over a four-game postseason run, proving to be the more trusted back in critical situations. A year two leap is expected of Henderson, and he is routinely being selected multiple rounds ahead of Stevenson in 2026 fantasy drafts, but with his pass protection still being described throughout camp as a work in progress, he could find himself in a similar role to that held as a rookie, at least to begin the year.
Source: Mike Kadlick
Source: Mike Kadlick
Caleb Douglas Listed as Starting Wide Receiver for Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener against the Commanders on Friday, and one of the standout aspects is the inclusion of rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas among the team's starters. A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Douglas was the first of five offensive skill position players selected by Miami in April and the first to crack the starting lineup. Head coach Jeff Hafley spoke glowingly of the 22-year-old wide receiver on Wednesday, telling reporters he has "been one of our most consistent guys, and he's showed up every day." With three starting receivers listed, Douglas appears next to Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington, and he will be a player to watch on Friday as he continues to pick up steam deep into training camp.
Source: Miami Herald
Source: Miami Herald
Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Listed as Co-Starters
The New York Giants have released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener against the Vikings on Saturday, and running backs Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are listed as co-starters. The "or" designation is used a number of times across the depth chart, but running back is the only position on offense without a clear listed starter. Tracy began the 2025 season as the starting running back, but missed time to injury and was overtaken on the depth chart even upon his return, with Skattebo nearly doubling his snap count in Weeks 4 and 5 before an ankle injury ended his rookie season. Skattebo has operated as the clear lead back for much of training camp, making the co-starter listing somewhat unexpected, though it should have no bearing on his fantasy outlook, and he ranks as RotoBaller's RB20, a full 25 running back spots ahead of Tracy.
Source: Pat Leonard
Source: Pat Leonard
Hunter Henry an Undervalued Late-Round Tight End
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry recorded a career-high 768 receiving yards in 2025, with his seven touchdowns the highest total since his first season in New England in 2021. His career-year resulted in a TE7 finish and helped earn him the two-year, $16 million extension he signed on Sunday. The Patriots signed veteran Julian Hill in free agency before drafting Eli Raridon in the third round of the NFL Draft, signaling a willingness to feature the tight end position in 2026, and while Hill has since suffered a season-ending ACL tear, the team may have found his replacement in undrafted free agent Tanner Arkin. The Patriots have deployed multi-tight end sets throughout training camp, with Henry consistently making big plays down the seam while showcasing a strengthening chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye. After top 12 fantasy finishes in each of the past two seasons, Henry is being drafted as the TE16 in 2026, making him a strong second tight end option to help navigate early-season matchups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nicholas Singleton Impresses in Joint Practice
After putting together a handful of solid days working against his own defense, Tennessee Titans rookie running back Nicholas Singleton was given a hefty workload in the team's joint practice with the 49ers on Tuesday, with senior writer Jim Wyatt noting that he continues to impress. The Titans are a team that many are projecting to take a step forward offensively with 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward entering his second season and Brian Daboll taking over as coordinator. The fifth-round pick out of Penn State could play a role in improving what was the 31st-ranked offense a season ago. Eighth-year veteran Tony Pollard still projects as the team's lead back, while Tyjae Spears has reportedly had a strong camp of his own, featuring prominently in a pass-catching role. Still, Singleton has the versatility to sub in for either and is a player who could find fantasy relevance later in the season.
Source: Jim Wyatt
Source: Jim Wyatt
Joshua Palmer "Turning Heads" in Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills began training camp at St. John Fisher University, but since returning to Orchard Park, wide receiver Joshua Palmer has had some of his most productive practices of the summer, reeling in a pair of deep catches on Tuesday. Palmer's first season in Buffalo was marred by knee and ankle injuries, but after an offseason of rehab, team reporters Alec White and Mike Maynard credit the 26-year-old receiver with turning heads throughout training camp, featuring regularly with the first-team offense as part of a four-man rotation with DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman. While still not a part of the 2026 redraft discussion, Palmer is an intriguing best ball pick, having averaged nearly 645 receiving yards across his last three healthy seasons with the Chargers, and he could be a sneaky, low-cost depth add in dynasty leagues, currently priced as RotoBaller's WR129.
Source: Alec White & Mike Maynard
Source: Alec White & Mike Maynard
Juwan Johnson Continues to Flash Big-Play Ability
The New Orleans Saints practiced in full pads for two hours on Tuesday in 90-degree heat, but at nearly 30 years old, tight end Juwan Johnson was not slowed down by the dog days of summer. Team reporter Todd Graffagnini credits Johnson with one of the plays of training camp, a 4th-and-one touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone while being blanketed by Kool-Aid McKinstry during a two-minute drill. Graffagnini points to the play as yet another example of Johnson's big-play ability that has shown up throughout camp. In his first season in Kellen Moore's system, Johnson was one of only seven tight ends to see 100 targets, and in year two, with quarterback Tyler Shough in his first full season as a starter, there are expectations that the offense could operate at an even higher tempo, resulting in more opportunities for all the team's pass catchers. Following a TE10 finish a season ago, Johnson is being drafted as the TE17 in 2026, and with all signs out of training camp pointing to a featured role in an ascending offense, he could prove to be one of the best values in the closing rounds of drafts.
Source: Todd Graffagnini
Source: Todd Graffagnini
Sam LaPorta Reminding the Lions What They Missed
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta missed the final eight games of 2025 with a herniated disc in his back, but once again healthy and unencumbered, he's made his presence felt throughout training camp, with senior team writer Tim Twentyman noting that he's reminded the team just how much he was missed to end the year. A day after quarterback Jared Goff called him a "stud" while speaking with the media, the two connected on back-to-back plays during a competitive portion of Tuesday's practice, following a big gain down the seam with a nine-yard touchdown. LaPorta was the TE1 as a rookie in 2023, and after a quieter second season, he was pacing as the TE7 through his first nine games of 2025. With a major role projected in Drew Petzing's tight end-friendly offense, he is RotoBaller's TE6 for 2026.
Source: Tim Twentyman
Source: Tim Twentyman
Travis Kelce Still Refining His Craft
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are in their ninth training camp together as starters, and according to senior team reporter Matt McMullen, the duo was in full force on Tuesday. A Pro Bowler in each of the past 11 seasons, the soon-to-be-37-year-old Kelce is still refining his craft, and with him and Mahomes working meticulously through the finer points of the offense, the two connected on a handful of completions during team drills. Relying ever more on details than athleticism, Kelce still projects to be a major piece of the Chiefs' passing offense in 2026, and at RotoBaller's TE12, he's become a late-round option with one of the position's safest floors and a realistic chance to see triple-digit targets for the 12th consecutive season.
Source: Matt McMullen
Source: Matt McMullen
Jameson Williams "Continues to Get Better"
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was one of the hottest pass-catchers to end the 2025 season, topping 70 receiving yards in seven of his last nine games, and his continued development has not gone unnoticed by quarterback Jared Goff. In a recent media session, Goff told reporters, "He just continues to get better. And the stuff that he's doing now that's nuanced, that you can't really teach... That little stuff has been so cool to see him start to adopt that and understand coverage and understand space. And that's the next level for him, and he's done a great job of it." Williams has been praised throughout the summer for a standout training camp, and as a player who has shown steady progression since coming into the league as a first-round pick in 2022, he could prove to be one of the more mispriced players in 2026 drafts, currently coming off the board as the WR21 after his WR10 finish a season ago.
Source: Tim Twentyman
Source: Tim Twentyman
Romeo Doubs Getting "Better and Better"
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs recently missed a pair of practices for personal reasons, but since returning, he's made a number of standout plays, including a deep over-the-shoulder catch in Tuesday's joint practice with the Colts. Team reporter Evan Lazar credits the big-ticket free agent acquisition with making steady progress after what he viewed as a slower start to camp, as his budding chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye is becoming apparent. While veteran Stefon Diggs operated out of the 'Z' spot last season with clean separation, Doubs plays the position differently, relying on physicality to win at the catch point, and with Maye already proving to be one of the league's most accurate throwers, Lazar recognizes that the new twosome is learning to play together, with their connection on Tuesday proving difficult to stop even with near perfect coverage. Doubs is RotoBaller's WR54 and should provide a safe floor in 2026 as an important chain-mover in what could be a high-level Patriots offense.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
