RADIO
Isaac TeSlaa's Growing Role Makes Him a Dynasty Buy
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa didn't do much between the 20s as a rookie, but six touchdowns on 16 catches made it hard to ignore what his size can add to this offense. Detroit is giving him more to do now. The 24-year-old enters camp as the clear No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and Dan Campbell said the Lions had built a lot of trust in him by the end of last season. There is some noise in the late-season numbers, though. TeSlaa caught 12 balls over the final six weeks, but that run came after Sam LaPorta went on injured reserve. LaPorta is back at full strength, and Jahmyr Gibbs will also see plenty of targets. TeSlaa may never get enough volume to become a weekly fantasy starter in this offense. Still, Detroit traded up 32 spots to take him 70th overall last year, and his 6-foot-4 frame gives him a red-zone role that doesn't require huge target volume. RotoBaller has him 189th overall in its latest dynasty rankings. That's cheap enough to buy into the Year 2 role growth without paying for a breakout that's already happened.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson Makes Sense as a Second Tight End
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is much easier to take a chance on now that his cost has slipped into the later rounds. He caught 51 of 66 targets for 438 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season, finishing TE22 in PPR after a TE34 finish in 2024. That's a long way from the TE4 season he posted in 2023, but Minnesota's offense did him few favors. The Vikings cycled through 26 offensive-line combinations, and Hockenson had to spend more time helping in protection. There is still plenty working against a full rebound. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings give Minnesota a crowded group of pass catchers, while J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray are still battling for the starting job. Hockenson has at least looked lively in camp, including a 29-yard grab from McCarthy on Friday. RotoBaller has him 167th overall and TE21 in its August 8 half-PPR rankings, and his consensus ADP is 162.1. That is not a huge bargain. It is cheap enough, though, to take Hockenson as a second tight end and see if some of his old production comes back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
De'Zhaun Stribling Returns to 11-on-11 Work
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) returned to 11-on-11 work Saturday after dealing with hamstring tightness, according to Noah Furtado. The rookie had been unavailable for team work earlier this week, so getting back into full-speed reps is a good step after the 49ers took a cautious approach with the issue. Stribling had made a strong impression before the setback, with Brock Purdy praising his understanding of route depths, alignments, and details while calling him reliable. San Francisco selected the 6-foot-2, 207-pound receiver 33rd overall in April after he posted 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns at Ole Miss last season. With Ricky Pearsall out for the year and several other receivers dealing with injuries during camp, Stribling has a real opportunity to earn early playing time if he can stay on the field.
Source: Noah Furtado
Source: Noah Furtado
Travis Etienne Jr. Remains a Strong Fourth-Round Redraft Target
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. doesn't need a workhorse role to pay off at his current 41.9 ADP. He is coming off a strong final season in Jacksonville, rushing for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 292 yards and six more scores. The Saints clearly wanted him, giving the 27-year-old a four-year, $52 million deal in March, and his early camp usage has been encouraging. Etienne has seen most of the first-team work on early downs, with Alvin Kamara getting more of the passing-down reps. Kamara staying in New Orleans takes some shine off Etienne's ceiling, particularly as a receiver, but it does not mean this has to become an even backfield split. Etienne has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in three of his four NFL seasons on the field and should have plenty of opportunities to do damage again. RotoBaller has him 33rd overall, nearly nine spots ahead of his current ADP. That fourth-round price still looks pretty good.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Breece Hall Overvalued at His Current ADP?
New York Jets running back Breece Hall is being drafted around 31st overall, almost exactly where RotoBaller has him ranked, and that price looks reasonable entering 2026. Hall handled a career-high 243 carries for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games last season, adding 36 catches for 350 yards and another score. The receiving dip is worth watching after Hall caught 76 passes for 591 yards in 2023, but the Jets gave him a three-year extension this offseason and offensive coordinator Frank Reich has openly said New York wants to emphasize the running game. Braelon Allen is the biggest threat to Hall's touchdown ceiling. The 240-pound back scored three times during red-zone work Thursday, although his reps increased with Isaiah Davis (knee) sidelined, so it is too early to call that a permanent goal-line role. Hall still enters the season atop the backfield and has the workload history to justify his third-round cost. He is not a bargain, but his current ADP does not look inflated either. Hall remains a strong RB2 target with enough rushing and receiving upside to finish as an RB1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyquan Thornton's Bigger Role May Not Fix His Volume Problem
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is in line for more snaps in 2026, but that alone does not solve the fantasy problem. He caught only 19 of 37 targets last season, although those receptions went for 438 yards and three touchdowns. Thornton did most of that damage early, posting 13 catches for 272 yards and all three scores through Week 5. He managed just six receptions for 166 yards over his final nine appearances. The big-play ability is real. Kansas City credited him with a team-high eight catches of at least 25 yards, and Thornton is still viewed as part of the starting group in three-receiver sets. The volume remains the problem. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy sit ahead of him for targets when healthy, while Travis Kelce is still a major part of the passing game. RotoBaller ranks Thornton WR113 in its latest published PPR wide receiver rankings. That makes him a reasonable deep-league flier and a better fit for best ball, where one long touchdown can matter more. In ordinary redraft leagues, Thornton needs more targets before he becomes a player fantasy managers can trust.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Laremy Tunsil Undergoing Tests After Shoulder/Neck Injury
Washington Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil will undergo testing after leaving Saturday's practice with an apparent shoulder or neck issue, according to Mike Garafolo. Tunsil was injured during a one-on-one rep against Odafe Oweh before being evaluated in the medical tent and walking back to the team facility with trainers. Garafolo said there does not appear to be major concern at this point, though he would not be surprised if Tunsil misses some time. The five-time Pro Bowler started 14 games last season and allowed just 1.5 sacks before signing a two-year extension with Washington in March. Andrew Wylie stepped in at left tackle after Tunsil exited practice. Any extended absence would be notable for an offensive line tasked with protecting Jayden Daniels, but the results of Tunsil's testing should provide a much clearer picture.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
Kirk Cousins, Maxx Crosby Held Out After Friday Altercation
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby will both be held out of Saturday's practice after violating team rules during Friday's altercation, according to Adam Schefter. Head coach Klint Kubiak made the decision after the two got into it during team drills. Crosby made contact with Cousins on multiple plays before the veteran quarterback shoved him and grabbed his jersey, prompting teammates to step in and separate them. No punches were reported. Cousins enters the preseason as Las Vegas' starting quarterback after throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 10 games with Atlanta last season. Kubiak has already identified Cousins as the starter, with first overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell working behind him. Saturday's absence gives both younger quarterbacks some additional reps while Cousins serves the one-practice discipline alongside Crosby.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Zay Flowers Exits Practice With Left-Quad Injury
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (quadriceps) left Saturday's practice after colliding with safety Jaylinn Hawkins during seven-on-seven work, according to Jamison Hensley. Flowers immediately went to the ground and had trouble getting back to his feet while trainers examined his left leg. He eventually walked back to the facility under his own power and did not need a cart. Hensley reported that the early hope is Flowers suffered a left-quad contusion, though Baltimore has not confirmed a diagnosis. The two-time Pro Bowler is coming off a career year in which he caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. Flowers is the clear centerpiece of the Ravens' receiving corps, so Jesse Minter's next update should provide a better idea of whether this costs him any practice time. UPDATE: The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reports that Flowers is considered day-to-day with a quad contusion, per head coach Jesse Minter.
Source: Jamison Hensley
Source: Jamison Hensley
Anthony Richardson Sr. Reportedly Falls to Third String
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has reportedly fallen behind Riley Leonard in the competition for the backup job, according to Evan Sidery. Sidery reports that Richardson has been moved to third string behind starter Daniel Jones and Leonard after an uneven start to training camp. The former No. 4 overall pick has flashed his trademark arm strength, but ball security continues to be an issue, including several mishandled snaps and an interception during recent practices. Richardson's trade request also remains in place after Indianapolis was unable to find a deal during the offseason. He has made only 15 starts through three NFL seasons, completing 50.6% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. If Leonard continues to pull ahead in the QB2 competition, a trade may offer Richardson his best chance to find another opportunity and rebuild his fantasy value.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Cade Otton Could Become Underneath Threat in New Bucs Offense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton had a nice one-handed touchdown catch from quarterback Baker Mayfield during a red-zone period in training camp practice on Friday, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Otton has an elite catch radius and is a QB-friendly target for the veteran Mayfield, and Dix notes that Otton became a threat underneath on Friday for new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Despite injuries to Tampa's receiving corps last year, the 27-year-old Otton failed to take advantage. The former fourth-rounder from the University of Washington did match his career high of 59 receptions, but he produced 572 yards and only one touchdown catch on 81 targets through 16 regular-season games in his fourth year in the NFL. Future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans is gone, but the Bucs still have a capable trio of receivers in Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan, leaving Otton as the No. 4 option for Mayfield. Robinson's new offense could involve Otton more, but for now, he profiles best in fantasy as a touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer.
Source: Buccaneers.com - Brianna Dix
Source: Buccaneers.com - Brianna Dix
Rookie Elijah Sarratt Competing for WR3 Role in Baltimore
Baltimore Ravens rookie fourth-round wide receiver Elijah Sarratt is competing for the WR3 role in training camp this summer behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, according to Clifton Brown of BaltimoreRavens.com. The fact that the Ravens haven't signed a veteran wideout to help improve their WR depth will give both Sarratt and fellow rookie Ja'Kobi Lane a real opportunity to seize a starting spot with the Ravens in three-wide sets. Sarratt and Lane are competing with Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester in the WR3 battle this summer. Brown writes that Walker may be the favorite for the job as he enters his third season in the NFL, and he's made the most of his opportunities so far. However, head coach Jesse Minter has said that there will be "major opportunities for at least one" of Sarratt or Lane. Sarratt, a product of Indiana, is probably behind Lane at this point in camp, and even if he were to land the WR3 role, it probably wouldn't produce enough volume for the first-year wideout to be draft-worthy in most single-year fantasy football leagues.
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Clifton Brown
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Clifton Brown
Jaylen Waddle Not Wearing Leg Sleeve, Looks to be Improving
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (leg) is not wearing a sleeve on his leg at training camp practice on Saturday and is running better than he has since his injury earlier this week, according to DNVR Sports' Zac Stevens. The Broncos held Waddle out of practices this week as a precaution after he dealt with muscle tightness. It doesn't appear to be anything significant for fantasy managers to be worried about. We'd be surprised if the Broncos use Waddle in their preseason opener next Friday against the Atlanta Falcons, but the speedy pass-catcher should be ready for the start of his first season in the Mile High City in 2026. After giving up first- and third-round picks for Waddle in the offseason, head coach Sean Payton figures to get him involved heavily as a way for the Broncos' offense to become more explosive through the air. The 27-year-old opened his NFL career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons, and as long as he stays healthy, he could be a lock for a fourth 1,000-yard campaign with the Broncos in 2026. Fantasy managers should target him as a strong WR2 in upcoming drafts, especially in point-per-reception formats.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Marvin Mims Jr. Missing Practice on Saturday Due to Injury
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (undisclosed) pulled up on a go route in training camp practice on Friday and is not on the field on Saturday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. It's unclear exactly what the specific nature of Mims' injury is, but it will keep him out for at least another day. New pass-catcher Jaylen Waddle (leg) is also nursing an injury from this week and remains on the sidelines on Saturday, which will give more opportunities to Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Lil'Jordan Humphrey with the Broncos resting veteran Courtland Sutton. The 24-year-old Mims could be one of the odd men out in Denver's suddenly crowded WR picture in 2026 after the addition of Waddle this offseason, and Mims himself acknowledged that this might be his last year with the team. He's a big-play threat (12.3 yards per catch in three seasons) and was also a Pro Bowler in his first two years in the league on special teams as a kick returner. The former second-rounder from the University of Oklahoma had a career-best 503 yards and six touchdowns on 39 catches in 2024, but he fell to a 37-322-1 line in 15 regular-season games last year, and Mims' stock continues to fall. Mims profiles best as a big-play wideout in best-ball formats.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
2026 is "Potentially" Lane Johnson's Last in the NFL
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson said on Saturday that "it's looking like this will potentially be my last year," according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, is entering his 14th NFL season in 2026, all with the Eagles after they selected him fourth overall in the 2013 NFL draft from the University of Oklahoma. The 36-year-old veteran missed the final eight games of last season, including the playoffs, due to a Lisfranc foot injury, but he's healthy once again and ready for one more ride before hanging up his cleats. The Eagles have given Johnson some personal time off this weekend in training camp to take care of some personal matters, but he's back this weekend and available to practice. As long as he's healthy entering the regular season in September, Johnson will start at right tackle in Philly as the Eagles look to bounce back from a disappointing offensive showing in 2025.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
