Jul 7, 2026, 11:34 AM ET

The Athletic's Jesse Newell writes that new running back Kenneth Walker III's "work ethic and no-nonsense style have already been an early culture fit" this offseason alongside Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The Chiefs paid up for Walker in free agency on a three-year deal, hoping that he'll add an explosive element to their running game that was sorely lacking in 2025 with the combination of Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. The infusion of Walker's work ethic and no-nonsense style has been welcomed after they believed "their work standard and attention to detail slipped" during last year's 6-11 campaign. The 25-year-old had his second 1,000-yard rushing season in four years in the NFL in his final season in Seattle, and he capped it off by being named Super Bowl MVP in the Seahawks' win over the New England Patriots back in early February. If Walker is used more as a pass-catcher in Bieniemy's offense, he'll have an even higher floor as an RB1 in fantasy, although his lengthy history of lower-body injuries also gives him plenty of bust potential. RotoBaller currently has Walker ranked as the No. 9 fantasy RB for his first year in KC in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell

Jul 7, 2026, 11:22 AM ET

The Denver Broncos acquired speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins in the offseason as a playmaking weapon who can create more open space in the middle of the field. Head coach Sean Payton "raved" about Waddle's start-and-stop abilities during the offseason program. He'll give the Broncos a new option at the position who "fits into larger swaths of the offense's route tree." "There's an element of explosiveness that I think, as an offense, we've lacked for a couple years," quarterback Bo Nix said in June. The Broncos still have Courtland Sutton, who has been the team's clear WR1 in recent seasons, but Nix could lean more on Waddle in 2026 as his go-to guy, especially in the intermediate areas of the field. Even though Miami's offense wilted last year in his final year in Miami, the 27-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2021 out of the University of Alabama was 13th in the NFL in yards per route run (2.34). Waddle finished with a 64-910-6 line in 16 starts. If he stays healthy in 2026 in his first season in Denver, Waddle will certainly have a shot to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth time in his career. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 25 WR for the upcoming season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider

Jul 7, 2026, 11:14 AM ET

The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson is "one of the most intriguing players entering training camp" this summer as he looks to bring more consistency to the Patriots' backfield. He was drafted in the second round in 2025 out of Ohio State to bring more explosiveness to the offense, and he finished with 180 carries for 911 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and nine rushing touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (four starts), adding 35 receptions for 221 more yards and another TD on 42 targets. Henderson's first year in the NFL started slowly, as he saw 10-plus carries just once in the first seven games as the backup to veteran Rhamondre Stevenson. He ended the year with close to 1,000 rushing yards, but Henderson had just three carries in the AFC Championship Game and six in the Super Bowl. The 23-year-old's struggles with pass protection were part of the reason he spent more time on the bench down the stretch. Graff believes that the addition of Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown will cause defenses to play more two-high safety coverages, potentially opening up running lanes for Henderson and Stevenson closer to the line of scrimmage. If Henderson can show improvement as a pass-catcher -- he ranked 32nd in the NFL among RBs in yards per route run -- he could be a strong RB2 for fantasy managers in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Chad Graff

Jul 7, 2026, 10:02 AM ET

A three-game flash by Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the middle of the 2024 season has left dynasty managers holding on and hoping that the flame can be rekindled. From Weeks 7-9 of his sophomore campaign, Tillman made 21 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns, but a devastating concussion ended his season shortly thereafter, and he has done little of note since. Playing in 13 games in 2025, he topped 30 receiving yards only three times and did not find the end zone after Week 2. With Jerry Jeudy leading all Browns wide receivers with 50 catches, and nobody else in the room reaching even 25 receptions, the team spent two top-40 picks on the position in the 2026 NFL Draft. Rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston could see immediate involvement alongside the team's leading receiver from a year ago, tight end Harold Fannin Jr., leaving Tillman in little more than a supporting role in what again projects to be a below-average offense. The fourth-year receiver falls outside RotoBaller's top 300 for 2026 redraft leagues and has dropped to WR99 in the latest dynasty rankings.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 7, 2026, 9:50 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and while Super Bowl MVP and free-agent acquisition Kenneth Walker III is the obvious headliner in a completely revamped running back room, the rookie should not be discounted as a potential Year 1 contributor. Johnson was one of the most productive collegiate runners in the country in 2025, and his work as a pass-catcher could see him step into an early role if he's able to overtake the team's lone returning RB from a season ago, 2025 seventh-round pick Brashard Smith. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II has seen his scramble rate increase in recent years, but after a season-ending ACL tear in 2025, he may become more reliant on checkdowns to his running backs as he continues to regain trust in his surgically repaired left knee. And with Walker's own checkered injury history, Johnson takes on added value as a potential insurance back in an offense looking to rebound from several uncharacteristically lean years. Johnson is at the very least a name to remember at the end of deeper 2026 drafts, and as RotoBaller's dynasty RB47, he could be viewed as an undervalued asset worth targeting as part of a larger trade.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 7, 2026, 9:36 AM ET

New Orleans wide receiver Devaughn Vele had a slow start to his Saints tenure, but was playing some of the best ball of his young career before a shoulder injury caused the team to shut him down for the final three games of the 2025 season. After showing flashes in Denver as a 2024 seventh-round pick, an influx of young talent allowed the Broncos to trade him to New Orleans ahead of his second season. While it's unlikely he'll be entirely shipped out of town again, the Saints' recent investments at the position could make it difficult to regain his starting role, having finished the year as the secondary option behind All-Pro Chris Olave. After a string of injuries left them dangerously thin at the position down the stretch, New Orleans spent three of its eight 2026 draft picks on wide receivers, including Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick and intriguing size-speed prospect Bryce Lance in the fourth round. Thrust into the largest role of his career out of necessity, Vele was able to provide emergency flex viability before his injury, but with a deeper depth chart being built around him, he is not a player who should factor into 2026 draft plans, and already 28 years old heading into his third season, his dynasty prospects remain slim.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 7, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine, and while that has not always translated to fantasy success, in landing with the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, he pairs with the playcaller perhaps best equipped to take advantage of that speed. As the head coach in Miami, Mike McDaniel often made speed the defining quality of his high-powered offenses, producing fantasy-friendly results for receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and running back De'Von Achane, and in his first season as the Chargers' offensive coordinator, the team has given him pieces to build a new speed-driven attack, Thompson included. While the undersized receiver could struggle to carve out a consistent role in a room with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and 2025 second-round pick Tre' Harris, along with a pair of capable pass-catching tight ends, his 4.26 speed will make him a threat to go the distance anytime he's on the field. Thompson should not factor into plans for 2026 redraft leagues, but he's at least worthy of consideration in the late rounds of best ball drafts and is an intriguing dynasty stash in deeper leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 7, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers broke the team's single-season reception record as a rookie, but in his sophomore campaign, he was on the field for only 31 total snaps with quarterback Jaxson Dart before a complicated knee injury ended his season. As one of the most talented receivers in the game, it's easy to assume that a healthy Nabers will build a natural chemistry with the second-year quarterback and step right back into his role as a target magnet, particularly with the team's leading receiver from a year ago, Wan'Dale Robinson, off to Tennessee. However, Nabers is still actively rehabbing from the torn ACL, meniscus repair, and subsequent scar tissue cleanup, and it's believed the team will continue to manage his recovery throughout training camp. While there is still some optimism that the 2024 first-round pick could be ready for the start of the season, he'll likely require time to ramp up and acclimate to a brand new offense, and a slow start to his third season is not out of the question. New head coach John Harbaugh ran one of the league's run-heaviest offenses in his final seasons in Baltimore, and there are indications he intends to do the same in New York, adding further barriers to a potential repeat of Nabers' 165 targets from his rookie season. Still a cornerstone piece in dynasty leagues, enough elements are working against Nabers to push him down to WR17 in RotoBaller's current 2026 rankings.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 7, 2026, 12:23 AM ET

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence's attitude, leadership, and intensity were noted by almost all of his new teammates during the offseason program, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Lawrence feels rejuvenated and has a chip on his shoulder after all the talk that followed his name during the trade-request process in the offseason. The 28-year-old former 17th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft by the New York Giants out of the University of Clemson was a Pro Bowler in three straight seasons from 2022 through 2024, culminating with a career-high nine sacks in 12 regular-season starts in 2024 with the G-Men. Lawrence only had half a sack and 31 tackles (14 solo) in 17 starts last year in his seventh year in the NFL before requesting a trade. After Cincy acquired him, they signed him to a one-year, $28 million contract extension. The Bengals are desperately hoping that Lawrence can bounce back to his Pro Bowl level to help improve their interior pass rush, which has been sorely lacking for a while.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.

Jul 7, 2026, 12:14 AM ET

Chicago Bears rookie first-round safety Dillon Thieneman has shown speed, instincts, versatility, aggressiveness, and passion during offseason workouts and is a long-term building block for the Bears' defense, according to Dan Wiederer of The Athletic. Thieneman could pair nicely with newcomer Coby Bryant to help improve Chicago's secondary in 2026 and beyond. The Bears didn't think that the 21-year-old would be available with the 25th overall pick in the first round back in April, but when he was, general manager Ryan Poles pounced. Thieneman spent his third and final collegiate season in 2025 at the University of Oregon and had 96 combined tackles, a sack, two interceptions, and 3.5 tackles for loss in 15 games played for the Ducks. He is an elite athlete who could quickly become a fantasy-relevant IDP safety as a ball hawk for the Bears' secondary.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Wiederer

Jul 6, 2026, 10:19 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said that the team feels good about where kicker Tyler Loop is at this offseason when he was asked about possible competition at the position, according to Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. The Ravens currently don't have any other kickers on their roster, so the 24-year-old should head into training camp as the unquestioned starting place kicker in Baltimore after making 88.2% of his 34 field-goal attempts in 17 games as a rookie in 2025. The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder out of the University of Arizona made 44 of his 46 extra-point tries as well and went just 1-for-4 on field goals beyond 50 yards. Loop was mostly remembered for missing a kick late in the year that could have sent the Ravens to the playoffs. He was a top-10 fantasy kicker in his first year in the league and should be at least in consideration as a low-end kicking option for managers in 12-team leagues in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Brian Wacker

Jul 6, 2026, 10:12 PM ET

ESPN's Mike Reiss reports that New England Patriots running back Terrell Jennings is set to compete for the RB3 role in training camp this summer behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. The 6-foot, 220-pounder "appears to have the early edge" based on his work with the first-unit punt-protection team this offseason. The former undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M finished the 2025 season on Injured Reserve due to a concussion after having been signed from the practice squad and appearing in seven games. The 25-year-old had 23 rushing attempts for the Patriots for 73 yards and one touchdown while adding one catch for nine yards in his second year in the NFL. Jennings only played in three games in New England as a rookie, carrying the ball 13 times for only 33 yards. His primary competition for the No. 3 RB job will be rookie seventh-rounder Jam Miller and Lan Larison.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss

Jul 6, 2026, 9:57 PM ET

The Tennessee Titans targeted tight end Daniel Bellinger in free agency back in March, and he could have a meaningful role in offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme in 2026 in his first year in Nashville, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's official website. "I can't answer exactly what Dabes has planned," said Bellinger, who played under Daboll in New York. "But I know he's going to try and stretch the ball everywhere. He's going to try to be a dynamic play-caller like he's been, and I think we have a lot of talent and a lot of guys." The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder was a fourth-rounder by the Giants in 2022 out of San Diego State. Bellinger had 88 catches for 934 yards and four touchdowns in his first four seasons with New York while playing in 62 games (42 starts). He had just 19 receptions for 286 yards and two TDs last year in the Big Apple, but he's hoping to take his game to another level in 2026 in his first year with the Titans, specifically after the catch. Chig Okonkwo is now gone, but Gunnar Helm is expected to handle most of the receiving work at TE in his second year in the NFL. Bellinger could earn consistent snaps alongside Helm, but he will most likely be a blocking-first TE, making him avoidable in most fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt

Jul 6, 2026, 9:14 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers should be the focal point of new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense in 2026, but Kubiak's deployment of two tight ends on the field at the same time could help Michael Mayer's production as the top TE backup, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Beyond Bowers and Mayer, Ian Thomas and Carter Runyan could battle for the TE3 job in training camp this summer. Mayer, who was taken in the second round (35th overall) in 2023 out of Notre Dame, caught a career-high 35 passes on 50 targets for 328 yards and only one touchdown in 13 games (12 starts) for the Raiders in 2025 in his third year in the league. He was on the TE streaming radar with Bowers missing some time with injuries last year, but in the end, Mayer's numbers left a lot to be desired. His ceiling will obviously be capped because of Bowers' presence, but he could threaten for even more production if Kubiak involves him more as a pass-catcher alongside Bowers. Mayer should go undrafted in standard 12-team leagues, but if Bowers misses more time with an injury in 2026, he'll be a priority waiver-wire pickup at the position.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren

Jul 6, 2026, 9:07 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen loved running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. when the pair were together at the University of Kentucky, so The Athletic's Jeff Howe says not to be surprised if the "power ball-carrier carves out an important role" in his first year with the team in 2026. The former sixth-rounder in 2023 had 920 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons with the Washington Commanders. It was nothing to write home about, but Howe thinks we should be prepared for C-Rod "to be an important piece of the offense in 2026." Last year's RB1 in Jacksonville, Travis Etienne Jr., left in free agency, so Rodriguez and Bhayshul Tuten figure to compete for the majority of backfield touches in Duvall this year. Second-year back LeQuint Allen Jr. figures to see most of the pass-catching work in an increased Year 2 role, but Rodriguez could be used often on early downs and in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Tuten is still the better home run hitter/upside back for fantasy managers, but don't be surprised if Rodriguez is in play as an RB3/flex in the right matchups in his first year in Jacksonville. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 42 RB for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe