Jul 2, 2026, 9:26 AM ET

For the first time since 2023, Houston Texans running back David Montgomery projects to lead his team in carries. While he's now three years older than the player who finished that season as the RB13, and he no longer has the benefit of Ben Johnson drawing up plays for him, he still boasts tremendous upside for a player routinely slipping outside the first four rounds of 2026 drafts. While his usage has dipped in recent seasons, his efficiency has not. In his three seasons sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, who is now comfortably in the conversation of the best backs in the game, Montgomery averaged .87 fantasy points per touch. In Houston, with one of the league's premier defenses allowing for a baseline of neutral or positive game scripts, the eighth-year veteran could see enormous volume. 2025 fourth-round pick Woody Marks was inefficient as a rookie after being thrust into lead back duty and figures to settle into a more natural pass-catching role, leaving the former Lion with the lion's share of the carries. At RotoBaller's RB21, Montgomery profiles as one of this year's safest RB2s but also has the upside to anchor a receiver-heavy build in a zero-RB strategy.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

As part of a full offensive rebuild that saw them say goodbye to their head coach and playcaller, starting quarterback, and top two wide receivers, the Miami Dolphins signed former Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract and have since done a reasonable job of restocking what was at the time a fully barren pass-catching group. Miami spent five of its 13 2026 draft picks on receiver and tight end, and if Willis can keep the offense afloat in his first season at the helm, 2027 promises what looks to be a deep draft class and an outstanding group of potential free agents. Sharing a backfield with De'Von Achane, Willis could provide a usable fantasy floor in 2026 through checkdowns and his own rushing ability, having added an unreal 11.8 fantasy points per game with his legs in his last three starts. If Willis can make it to 2027 with a hold on the starting job, Miami could retool quickly, and his dynasty value could soar, making him a worthwhile investment at his current ranking of RotoBaller's QB25.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 1, 2026, 11:40 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had a record-setting rookie year with 112 catches, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns with quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell throwing him the football. Last year was a disappointment, though, with Geno Smith running the offense and Bowers missing time with injuries. However, his catch rate stayed steady at 74% in both of his seasons, and his yards per reception went from only 10.7 to 10.6. The former 13th overall pick out of the University of Georgia was targeted slightly less last year, but with new head coach Klint Kubiak coming to town, Bowers' target rate should rise in Year 3. ESPN's Ben Solak suggests that Bowers will be a candidate to win Offensive Player of the Year. A TE has never won the award in NFL history, with Travis Kelce coming the closest in 2020. Not only does Bowers have elite pass-catching talent at the position with a bigger role in the offense expected in 2026, but the QB play in Vegas should be better between veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza. There's a reason RotoBaller has Bowers ranked as the top fantasy TE for the upcoming season, even after a disappointing sophomore showing.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak

Jul 1, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

ESPN's Ben Solak thinks the Detroit Lions should trade tight end Sam LaPorta as they stare at upcoming big contract extensions for him, star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and safety Brian Branch. The Lions are also carrying sizable second contracts at quarterback (Jared Goff), wide receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown), edge rusher (Aidan Hutchinson), and offensive tackle (Penei Sewell). Gibbs is probably untouchable as one of the best dual-threat backs in the NFL. LaPorta had an eye-popping rookie season with 86 catches, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns, but he's lost some volume in Detroit's passing attack as receiver Jameson Williams has developed into the team's WR2. In the last two years, LaPorta's 25% target per route fell to 19.7%, and Williams has produced more yards per target, yards per route, and explosive receptions per target. The 25-year-old former second-rounder is now the clear fourth target in an explosive Lions offense, which makes him somewhat expendable. Additionally, LaPorta isn't a very strong blocker. Solak predicts that the Carolina Panthers, a team that hasn't had a difference-making pass-catching tight end since Greg Olsen, could come calling if the Lions are willing to listen.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak

Jul 1, 2026, 11:23 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor had a whopping 1,139 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season before quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Indy's offense collapsed after Jones' injury, though, and defenses might not respect Jones as much if he's ready for the start of the 2026 season. With Taylor approaching the last year on his current deal, the Colts will need to decide if they want to give the 27-year-old a third big contract. ESPN's Ben Solak reminds us that Taylor's last contract negotiation with the Colts "got fairly icy." He's now three years older, and if the Colts' season goes south early in 2026 and they see a rebuild coming, a trade could be in the works. JT proved last year that he can still be one of the best RBs in the league despite having plenty of tread on his tires. Solak thinks the Bears and their ascending offense would make perfect sense for Taylor, with D'Andre Swift having not proven to be completely reliable as a go-to RB1.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak

Jul 1, 2026, 11:09 PM ET

ESPN's Ben Solak predicts that Los Angeles Rams pass-rusher Myles Garrett will have a chance to become just the second player since 1982 to record multiple 20-plus-sack seasons. Only 23 players in NFL history have even one 20-sack season. Garrett set a new NFL record in 2025 in his final season with the Cleveland Browns with 23 sacks, and he's only missed one game in the last five seasons. With the move to L.A., Garrett will be surrounded by a better overall group of pass-rushers, which includes defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Byron Young. That doesn't account for the potential for defensive tackle Aaron Donald coming out of retirement. The 30-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler should see more clear pass-rush situations on a Rams team that will be one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl next season. He should have "more ripe opportunities for sacks than ever before." Garrett was already an attractive D-lineman in IDP fantasy formats, but with the move to the Rams and after his record-breaking 2025 season, he'll be the most coveted defensive lineman.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak

Jul 1, 2026, 10:55 PM ET

ESPN's Ben Solak thinks that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has a chance to become the 10th QB to throw for 5,000 yards in a season in 2026. The feat has been accomplished 14 different times by nine different signal-callers -- Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, Dan Marino, Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, and Jameis Winston. Mahomes was the most recent to do it in 2022. Prescott averaged 306.4 yards per game in 2019 and came just 100 yards shy of the 5,000-yard mark in 16 games. Dallas' offense played fast that year under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, and they were an up-tempo offense last year under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, too. Prescott had a career-high 600 pass attempts in 2025, and the volume should once again be there in 2026 with not much changed about the offense under Schottenheimer. In addition to volume in the passing game, Prescott has one of the best one-two punches in the league at WR in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Prescott lacks rushing upside, but his passing volume alone in an explosive offense makes him a low-end QB1 target in fantasy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak

Jul 1, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

As Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter continues to work his way back from the LCL tear that ended his rookie season, questions about his usage are not going anywhere. After the Jaguars made him the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, more than 66% of his rookie season snaps came on the offensive side of the ball, with obvious signs of a breakout coming in the Week 7 contest that proved to be his final game of the year, catching eight of 12 targets for 101 yards and his first career touchdown. Heading into his second season, the state of the Jaguars' roster would suggest more of a need for Hunter's service on defense than on offense, and persistent rumors have suggested that he will, in fact, work full time with the defense while mixing in on offense. While Hunter himself has pushed back against this narrative, his dynasty value has taken a serious hit after frequently being selected in the early first round of 2025 rookie drafts. At RotoBaller's WR53, the reality is that Hunter will likely be one of the most frustrating and unpredictable dynasty assets throughout the early stages of his career, but with his cost to acquire depressed so much from even a year ago, he's become a worthwhile trade target. His unique skill set and a Jaguars depth chart that allows for multiple paths to fantasy-relevant injury insurance make Hunter a player whose value could see peaks and valleys not just this season but for the foreseeable future, and the final outing of his rookie season provided enough of a glimpse of his fantasy upside to stay excited about his prospects as an eventual full-time receiver.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 1, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

As a rookie in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten ran for only 307 yards at a pedestrian clip of 3.7 yards per carry, but heading into his second season, he is poised for an expanded role and a potential breakout. With Travis Etienne Jr. departing in free agency, the team has said goodbye to its leading rusher from a year ago and will look to replace his 296 touches with a committee of Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr., with a potential smattering of LeQuint Allen Jr. on passing downs. While Rodriguez has experience in Liam Coen's system from their time together at Kentucky, his absence from minicamp allowed Tuten to stand out in the non-padded practices and left several Jaguars beat writers calling for big things in 2026. Of course, when the pads do come on for training camp at the end of the month, Rodriguez's physicality could have some of those same reporters singing his praises, as he was one of the league's most efficient backs after contact in his final season with the Commanders. While it may still be too early to know how the backfield will ultimately be split, Jacksonville's offense projects to take another step forward in its second season under Coen, and between Tuten's explosiveness and Rodriguez's goal line prowess, both backs have traits that could keep their ADPs on the rise throughout draft season. At RotoBaller's RB25, Tuten can still regularly be found in an area of 2026 drafts where his upside gives him league-winning potential.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 1, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

A broken collarbone, a concussion, and a nagging hamstring issue limited six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans to only eight games in 2025, ending his historic run of 1,000-yard campaigns. In signing a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, Evans will seek a fresh start for his 13th season, and if health allows him to stay on the field, he could be well-positioned for a 2026 bounceback. Throughout his career, Evans has been one of the most productive players in the league with two or fewer receivers on the field, and with head coach Kyle Shanahan's propensity for fullback usage, that is a situation he should find himself in regularly. The team's leading wide receiver from each of the past two seasons, Jauan Jennings, departed in free agency, and with All-Pro tight end George Kittle potentially requiring an early-season ramp-up period as he recovers from a torn Achilles, San Francisco's offense could run through Evans and Christian McCaffrey to begin the year. At almost 33 years old, the health concerns that plagued his final season in Tampa have not suddenly disappeared, but as RotoBaller's WR26, Evans is a pure upside swing in 2026 drafts, and if he can manage anything close to a full season, he could ultimately finish the year in familiar territory among fantasy's biggest difference-makers.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 1, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. did not participate in minicamp practices while dealing with a foot injury, but when training camps roll around at the end of the month, he is expected to be a full participant, and in a padded setting, his physicality could help him stand out in a reworked running backs room. The Jaguars are looking to replace Travis Etienne Jr.'s 296 touches from a season ago, and that responsibility will fall to Rodriguez and 2025 fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten, with second-year back LeQuint Allen Jr. expected to be mixed in on passing downs. While Rodriguez's absence has allowed Tuten to stand out and separate by ADP, it should come as no surprise if they enter the season in something close to a 50/50 split. Rodriguez was one of the league's most efficient backs after contact in 2025, and after signing a two-year deal in free agency, his ability to add yardage beyond what is blocked could make him an important part of the Jaguars' short-yardage and goal line packages, claiming some of the team's most valuable touches. At RotoBaller's RB42, he's a late-round pick with the potential to provide usable weekly floors, splitting time in what projects to be a high-powered offense, but with a double-digit touchdown ceiling, he could prove to be one of the best values in 2026 drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 1, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter was active for only five games and did not register a single offensive snap as a fourth-round rookie in 2025. While 2024 third-round pick Blake Corum enjoyed a modest year-two breakout after a quiet rookie season of his own, that second-season surge is precisely what makes Hunter's own path to fantasy relevance so difficult to envision. Corum is projected for an even larger role in 2026, while Kyren Williams remains one of the most trustworthy running backs in the league, averaging more than 1,450 yards from scrimmage and almost 15 touchdowns over the past three seasons. Head coach Sean McVay has tended to lean on a single bell cow back, occasionally mixing in a second runner when his depth charts have allowed for it, but only one time in nine seasons has he seen a third running back handle at least 50 carries. Hunter possesses a rare blend of burst and power, and the Rams' backfield under McVay has been among fantasy's most productive should he ever see an opportunity for extended work. However, history suggests that opportunity will not be coming in 2026, and at RotoBaller's RB86, Hunter has become an unfortunate drop candidate for dynasty managers facing a roster crunch.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 30, 2026, 7:21 PM ET

The NFL Players Association and former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not pursue any further litigation regarding his entry into the NFL and will instead focus on his preparation for entry into the 2027 NFL draft, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Sorsby will be considered a "draft-eligible" player next year and will not be eligible to sign an NFL Player Contract until the completion of next April's draft. Sorsby applied for the 2026 supplemental draft in June, but the NFL decided not to hold one just for Sorsby, who admitted to gambling on games while in college. The Canadian Football League also decided not to let Sorsby play in their league in 2026 as he prepares to enter the 2027 NFL draft. The NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Sorsby will be allowed to take part in the entire pre-draft process next year, including the Senior Bowl, pro day workouts, and visits with interested teams. His dual-threat abilities have some scouts suggesting that he could be a first-round talent, but his off-the-field issues could easily cause his draft stock to fall next April.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Jun 30, 2026, 7:09 PM ET

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is "trending toward being cleared for 11-on-11 work at the start of training camp." The plan is for the Chiefs to be smart with Mahomes, but he has been present for installs, individual work, and seven-on-seven workouts in spring practices. His arm has looked good, even though his rehab for a torn ACL and LCL limited his throwing work over the last six months. The 30-year-old two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler is way ahead of the normal ACL/LCL rehab timeline, so barring a setback this summer, Mahomes is fully on track to be ready to roll for the Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Denver Broncos. It's all good news for Mahomes' fantasy value going into his 10th year in the NFL, but coming off a major knee surgery in a Chiefs offense that wasn't quite itself in 2025, fantasy managers would be wise to target him as more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in 2026 instead of the high-end QB1 that he was earlier in his career. Mahomes has failed to reach the 4,000-yard mark in each of the last two seasons.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer

Jun 30, 2026, 1:58 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders rookie sixth-rounder Malik Benson made the most of his organized team activities and minicamp opportunities this offseason, according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Edwards writes that Benson "could be a sneaky addition" to the receiving corps in 2026. He caught a handful of deep passes from all of the Raiders quarterbacks during portions of practice open to the media this spring, and he's a young pass-catcher to watch when training camp rolls around at the end of July. In his final collegiate season last year with the University of Oregon, Benson stepped up with 43 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games played for the Ducks. The Raiders have one of the most wide-open WR groups in the NFL with training camp approaching, giving Benson an opportunity to carve out a role behind the likes of Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, and Jack Bech. He'll likely be competing with Dont'e Thornton for the WR4 role in Vegas in his first year in the NFL. Right now, Benson is only a deep sleeper for fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper formats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards