RADIO
49ers Place George Kittle on PUP List to Start Training Camp
The San Francisco 49ers placed tight end George Kittle (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday for the start of training camp, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Kittle is not ready to join the rest of his teammates for the start of camp after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon in the wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles back in January. He is optimistic that he will be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but fantasy managers shouldn't be nearly as optimistic. The 49ers can activate Kittle from the PUP list at any time this summer. If the 32-year-old veteran is not ready for the beginning of the 2026 season, Jake Tonges will step in as the team's top pass-catching TE. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, is a risk/reward low-end TE1 target as he heads into his 10th year in the NFL. He'd be a massive value at the position if he returns to his pre-injury form, but the odds are against that, and he could miss the first couple of weeks of the 2026 season.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Rams, Ty Simpson Agree to Terms on Rookie Contract
The Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Ty Simpson, the 13th overall pick in April's NFL draft, agreed to terms on his rookie contract on Saturday, and he's signing a four-year, $25.4 million fully guaranteed deal with a fifth-year option, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Simpson will receive a $14.9 million signing bonus. The Rams surprised everyone when they selected the University of Alabama product in the first round, and he will be immediately competing for the backup role in L.A. behind MVP Matthew Stafford with Stetson Bennett. Given the draft capital the Rams used and the money they are dishing out, we'd expect Simpson to win the backup job going into his rookie season in the NFL. Ideally, the Rams hope to develop Simpson for the next two seasons before they hand him the starting role as the heir apparent to Stafford in head coach Sean McVay's offense. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can ignore Simpson, while in dynasty/keeper leagues, he's a long-term upside stash.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Puka Nacua Expected to Practice Despite Seeking Contract Extension
Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to practice in training camp despite seeking a contract extension this summer, head coach Sean McVay told reporters. Nacua has quickly outplayed his rookie contract and is heading into the final year of the four-year, $4.08 million deal he signed with the Rams in June of 2023 after he was selected with the 177th overall pick in the fifth round out of BYU. The 25-year-old has made two Pro Bowls in his first three NFL seasons and has accumulated an insane 4,191 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns on 313 receptions (432 targets) in 44 regular-season games to begin his career. Nacua led the league in receptions (129) and yards per game (107.2) while setting career highs in receiving yards (1,715), targets (166), and touchdown catches (10) in 16 regular-season games in 2025. The Rams might be a little hesitant to commit to Nacua for the long term after some questionable off-the-field decisions he's made in the last year, but ultimately, they are expected to get something done with him. He's still the clear No. 1 fantasy receiver and should be an easy top-five pick in all formats this year.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Savion Williams Expected to Make Year 2 Jump
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Savion Williams is a name that quarterback Jordan Love brought up as a player he expects to take a Year 2 jump, according to Jacob Westendorf of Sports Illustrated. Williams was used mostly for manufactured touches and in a gadget-type role in head coach Matt LaFleur's offense in 2025 after he was selected in the third round of the NFL draft out of TCU. The 24-year-old caught all 10 of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball 11 times for 37 yards in 12 regular-season games last year as a rookie. Westendorf reminds us that the Packers are one injury away from having to rely on Williams as a primary contributor. Going into training camp this summer, he should be viewed as the WR4 behind Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and fellow second-year wideout Matthew Golden. Williams will have a bigger role in 2026 with both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks now out of town. LaFleur likes getting the ball into Williams' hands, so he'll be a depth receiver to watch in Green Bay this summer and in the preseason.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jacob Westendorf
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jacob Westendorf
Kyle Shanahan to be Limited in Camp After Being Involved in Car Accident
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will be limited in training camp after a July 14 car accident where he collided with an SUV near his Northern California home, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Nick Wagoner. Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, and his hand, needed over 40 stitches in his face, and suffered a severe concussion. Drugs and alcohol were not involved, and both drivers were cooperative with police. Shanahan has been recovering at home and is believed to be healing well, but doctors won't clear him for full activities until concussion symptoms clear. The 49ers are set to kick off training camp on Sunday, so Shanahan will not be present for the first day of workouts. Assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris Foerster will assume some of Shanahan's duties and help lead the team in camp until Shanahan is cleared to return. Shanahan enters the 2026 season with 82 regular-season victories, the third-most in franchise history. If he gets to 11 wins this year, he'll pass Bill Walsh for second on the list.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Courtland Sutton to Remain a High-Volume Target-Earner in Denver?
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has earned the trust of quarterback Bo Nix and will continue to be a high-leverage target-earner in 2026, per Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Sutton has been the WR1 in Denver in each of Nix's first two seasons with the team, recording back-to-back years with at least 120 targets, 70 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. However, the Broncos made a big swing this offseason to acquire wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, which could push Sutton into more of a supporting role as he enters his age-31 campaign. While Waddle's presence could certainly lead to a reduced role for Sutton, Kosmider speculates that Waddle's ability to win in the middle of the field may open up more one-on-one opportunities for Sutton on the outside. RotoBaller currently ranks Sutton as the WR37 for redraft leagues ahead of 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Broncos Counting on J.K. Dobbins to Replicate 2025 Performance?
The Denver Broncos are "betting that (running back) J.K. Dobbins can replicate his performance across the first 10 weeks" of the 2025 season, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Dobbins got off to a hot start to his first season with Denver, recording 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries across 10 games. However, he went down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 10. Dobbins has had major difficulty staying healthy to this point in his NFL career, as he's missed 36 games since the start of the 2022 season. The Broncos have younger options in their backfield in 2025 second-rounder RJ Harvey and 2026 fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman, both of whom could take on a larger role in the team's offense this season. Still, Denver re-signed Dobbins to a two-year, $16 million contract this past spring, which Kosmider writes is indicative of the team's faith that he can still be a key piece in its offense. Heading into 2026, Dobbins profiles as a boom/bust flex option in redraft leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Demond Claiborne Drawing Rave Reviews from Vikings Camp
Minnesota Vikings "executives, coaches, and teammates quietly raved" about rookie running back Demond Claiborne's movement skills this spring, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. A sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest, Claiborne recorded 2,350 scrimmage yards and 23 touchdowns across his final 24 games for the Demon Deacons. He enters 2026 firmly behind veterans Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason on the team's running back depth chart and may even be behind Zavier Scott for Minnesota's RB3 job. However, neither Jones Sr. nor Mason is under contract with the Vikings beyond 2026. Claiborne profiles as the highest-upside athlete of the Minnesota running backs. If he can prove himself capable of handling the finer points of the running back position, Claiborne could carve out a role in the Vikings' backfield sooner rather than later.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Darnell Mooney Set for Both Outside and Slot Usage
New York Giants wide receiver Darnell Mooney will be "hugely important as a reliable receiver on the outside and in the slot," according to John Schmeelk of Giants.com. Mooney is entering his first season in New York after an underwhelming 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons, where he recorded 32 catches for 443 yards and one touchdown across 15 games. However, Mooney was far more productive in 2024, recording 992 receiving yards and five scores across 16 games for Atlanta. The Giants also offer a clear pathway to regular playing time. Star Giants WR1 Malik Nabers' (knee) health status for the start of the season is unknown, leaving Mooney to battle with Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin III, Malachi Fields, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Odell Beckham Jr., and Braxton Berrios for wide receiver reps in New York. While Mooney could easily get lost in the shuffle, he could just as easily emerge as the Giants' most reliable pass-catcher, at least until Nabers is healthy.
Source: Giants.com - John Schmeelk
Source: Giants.com - John Schmeelk
Brian Thomas Jr. in Line for Bounce-Back Season with Improved Health?
John Shipley of Sports Illustrated highlights improved health as the biggest reason for optimism that Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. will have a bounce-back year in 2026. After recording 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, Thomas Jr. hauled in just 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns on 91 targets across 14 games in 2025. However, the 23-year-old played through early-season wrist and shoulder injuries before missing time later in the year due to a high-ankle sprain. While the Jaguars have other capable pass-catchers in wide receivers Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and Travis Hunter (knee), Thomas Jr. profiles as Jacksonville's highest-upside wideout. If health was truly the largest reason for his struggles in 2025, Thomas Jr. could end up being a bargain selection for fantasy managers at his current redraft ADP of WR35.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Patriots Aiming to Make Christian Gonzalez the Highest-Paid Cornerback in the NFL
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters that the team has offered All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez a contract that would make him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL and the highest-paid player in team history, according to Patriots beat reporter Doug Kyed. The $31 million average annual value of the four-year extension signed by Trent McDuffie following his offseason trade to the Rams currently slots him as the league's highest-paid corner, but reports earlier this week suggested that similar talks are being had in Seattle that could make three-time Pro Bowler Devon Witherspoon the NFL's top-paid defensive back. Of note, Gonzalez and Witherspoon share the same agent, intrinsically linking their two situations and setting up a domino scenario that could drag into training camp but which should ultimately benefit both players.
Source: Doug Kyed
Source: Doug Kyed
Ashton Dulin in Line for Colts' Third Receiver Spot
The Indianapolis Colts operated out of 11 personnel on almost 63% of their offensive snaps in 2025, and with Michael Pittman Jr. no longer on the team, a notable void has been created alongside Alec Pierce (ankle) and Josh Downs in three-receiver sets. While the Colts remain a contender to sign one of the veteran free agents still on the market, Indianapolis radio host Kevin Bowen believes the leading candidate currently in the building is eighth-year pro Ashton Dulin. Dulin has spent his entire career with the Colts but never earned more than 22 targets in a season, with that coming back in 2021. Used primarily as a field-stretching threat, he has caught only seven total passes since Shane Steichen took over as head coach, but with Pierce expected to see a more well-rounded role in 2026, some of the deep shots that have defined his route tree in recent seasons could find their way to Dulin. The 29-year-old veteran is not ranked among RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, but he is an intriguing enough player to pay attention to when the Colts reconvene for training camp on Tuesday.
Source: Kevin Bowen
Source: Kevin Bowen
Could Anthony Richardson Sr. Become a Training Camp Trade Target?
With Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones working his way back from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season, 2023 third overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr. split starter's reps with second-year player Riley Leonard throughout OTAs and minicamp, and Indianapolis radio host Kevin Bowen believes their battle could carry into training camp, but he points out an interesting contract detail that could help to settle the competition. Richardson has a roster bonus of $4.24 million owed on the third day of training camp, and Bowen wonders if, once that bonus is paid, he might become a more attractive trade candidate, with any new suitor then on the hook for just over $1 million. Richardson reportedly requested a trade in February, with the team allowing him to seek out a new home, so the situation bears monitoring once Colts training camp kicks off in full on July 29.
Source: Kevin Bowen
Source: Kevin Bowen
Brandon Aubrey Still the Top Fantasy Kicker to Target
When Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey signed a four-year, $28 million extension this offseason to make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, it secured his spot at the top of the fantasy kicker rankings for the foreseeable future. A former soccer player, Aubrey has changed the way the Cowboys can operate offensively with his near-rangeless ability to connect from deep, particularly when playing in the domed confines of AT&T Stadium. Aubrey connected on 36 of his 42 field goal attempts and all but one of his 48 extra point tries, but what makes the three-time Pro Bowler particularly valuable for fantasy has been his historic success from deep, adding 11 more 50+ yard makes in 2025. Aubrey is RotoBaller's K1 for 2026 and will undoubtedly be selected before the final round of drafts in many leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Klubnik Could Earn Backup Job as a Rookie
The New York Jets spent a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnick, and ESPN's Jets reporter Rich Cimini believes he will earn the primary backup job as a rookie. In a pre-training camp 53-man roster projection, Cimini sees New York keeping only two quarterbacks to start the year, with Klubnik edging out Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe for the remaining spot behind 13th-year veteran Geno Smith. Smith is coming off a forgettable 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, and should his struggles follow him to the Jets, the opportunity could arise for New York's backup to see meaningful action by the end of the season. Klubnik is RotoBaller's dynasty QB46, but any playing time as a rookie would almost certainly improve his stock, making him an intriguing target in the later rounds of dynasty startups.
Source: Rich Cimini
Source: Rich Cimini
