RADIO
De'Zhaun Stribling Continues To Impress In Preseason Action
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver had four catches for 46 receiving yards on five targets in Thursday's preseason win over the Chargers. Stribling's stats might not be eye-popping, but his ability to secure the ball while in traffic or going to the ground on each reception in the game added to his burgeoning popularity. Stribling was not listed as a starter but was on the field for the 49ers' first two offensive drives before being removed from the game. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season and Mike Evans (foot/ankle) already hobbled by injuries, Stribling may have a significant role in the 49ers' offense when the regular season begins. His next opportunity to build on his impressive preseason performance will come on August 27 against the Raiders.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Khalil Herbert Finds End Zone In Preseason Win
San Francisco 49ers running back Khalil Herbert handled four carries for 17 yards and caught his lone target for no gain in Thursday's 41-17 drubbing of the Los Angeles Chargers. He also handled one kickoff for a 29-yard return. The five-year veteran showed flashes of talent with the Bears in the first years of his career, but timeshares and injuries barred him from fully breaking out. In 2025, Herbert appeared in seven games with the New York Jets. Now with the 49ers, Herbert is among a handful of running backs vying for the team's RB2 role behind Christian McCaffrey. Aside from the touchdown on Thursday night, Herbert has done little to set himself apart from the rest of the group. He will have one more chance to do so in San Francisco's preseason finale on August 27.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Sincere McCormick Improves His Stock In Preseason Win
San Francisco 49ers running back Sincere McCormick led the team in rushing for another week in the team's preseason meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers. While starter Kaelon Black and backup Zamir White handled more carries, McCormick finished with a team-high 53 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in the 49ers' 41-17 win. McCormick got the bulk of his yardage after taking advantage of solid blocking and weaving his way through traffic and then exploding for a 37-yard gain. Two plays later, McCormick fought his way into the end zone from seven yards out. Despite being used as an alternate, McCormick has outshone his teammates for the second game in a row. The 49ers' depth chart at running back is yet to be settled, but whoever wins might be worth a late flyer as Christian McCaffrey's handcuff. McCormick's last preseason audition to be San Francisco's RB2 will come on August 27 against the Raiders.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Adrian Martinez Extends Lead In Rout Of Chargers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Adrian Martinez captained the team's offense in the second half of Thursday's preseason clash with the Los Angeles Chargers. Martinez went 8-for-17 for 57 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, and added 10 more yards and another touchdown on four scrambles in the 41-17 win. Martinez got off to an inauspicious start, going three-and-out in his first series and throwing a pick-six in his second. Martinez righted the ship on the 49ers' next possession, leading a 14-play drive that culminated in a Khalil Herbert touchdown. Martinez himself ran in for a score on the following drive, and hit Jordan Watkins for a 17-yard score on the possession after that. With Brock Purdy and Mac Jones firmly positioned ahead of him on the depth chart, the best Martinez can hope for is a solid showing in the 49ers' preseason finale on August 27 to retain his third-string role.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Brock Purdy Sees First Preseason Action Against Chargers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy got the start in Thursday's preseason meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers. Purdy was removed after the 49ers' opening drive, and he finished the game 4-for-6 for 29 passing yards and one rushing attempt for three yards. Purdy's first pass went to Deebo Samuel Sr., who recently re-signed with the 49ers after spending last season with the Commanders. Purdy missed Deebo on his next attempt but completed his next three consecutive throws to De'Zhaun Stribling. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season and Mike Evans (foot/ankle) already slowed by injuries, it is imperative that he rekindles his relationship with the recently reunited Samuel and develops chemistry with Stribling. Purdy's next and final tune-up before the regular season will come on August 27 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jason Myers Faces Accuracy Concerns After Strong 2025 Season
Seattle Seahawks placekicker Jason Myers is coming off the best fantasy season of his NFL career in 2025. Myers made 41 of 48 field goals and 48 extra points in 17 games, finishing as the number one-ranked kicker and averaging 11.9 fantasy points per game. The veteran kicker has finished in the top four among kickers in three of the last four seasons, but inaccuracy could cost him important points in 2026. He has an 85% field goal percentage, which would've ranked him below league average last season. He also missed his only field goal attempt in the Seahawks' opening preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, from 45 yards. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Myers' preseason performances, as accuracy could be the difference between another top season and an average one for the Seahawks kicker.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justice Hill Could Lose Handcuff Role to Adam Randall in 2026
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill is coming off a down year in 2025, with 18 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns, plus 169 yards and one touchdown on 21 receptions. Hill had his lowest carries per game (1.8), rushing yards (9.3), and total attempts per game (3.9) since 2020. While he's been a solid third-down back and special teams player for the team, his 2025 decline could be part of the reason they spent a fifth-round pick on running back Adam Randall. While star running back Derrick Henry will be the workhorse in Baltimore, any injury could mean Randall steps into the two-down back role rather than Hill. Without a clear handcuff role, Hill is likely too low for fantasy relevance in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Noah Gray to See Similar Usage to 2025 Season
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray could see a workload similar to what he had in 2025. Gray had a down year in 2025, hauling in just 21 of 37 targets for 178 yards and no touchdowns in 16 games. Despite playing over 50% of the snaps in each of the last four seasons, Gray didn't match the impact he had during the first three years of his NFL career. With Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and third-string tight end Jared Wiley all back and healthy, Gray may have a tough time being fantasy relevant this season. Even if future Hall-of-Fame tight end Travis Kelce suffers an injury that costs him playing time, Gray still doesn't offer enough upside to be a starting player on fantasy rosters in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brenen Thompson Heads to Locker Room on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson (undisclosed) is heading to the locker room during their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. Thompson went to the medical tent after a hard fall on an overthrow from backup quarterback Trey Lance, then headed to the locker room for further evaluation. While the team has not provided an update, it appears the third-round pick's night is over. Thompson caught one pass for nine yards while playing all three snaps with quarterback Justin Herbert and the first-team offense. While fantasy managers should keep an eye on his injury status following Thursday's game, Thompson could see a large role in the Chargers' offense under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Source: Daniel Popper
Source: Daniel Popper
KaVontae Turpin to See Reduced Receiving Role in 2026?
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and returner KaVontae Turpin could see a reduced role in 2026. In 2025, Turpin caught 26 of 38 targets for 396 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games, averaging 4.8 half-PPR fantasy points per game. With a career-high 36% snap share, Turpin is likely to see that number decrease in 2026. With CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens as the two top receivers, third-year receiver Ryan Flournoy has had a strong camp and should see an increased workload in 2026. Flournoy had 475 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 16 games while playing 44% of the snaps. If his role improves, Turpin could be phased out as an outside receiver and used more as a gadget weapon and returner. Currently ranked as the WR108 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Turpin is well outside fantasy relevance for the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malachi Fields Making a Case for WR2 Role in New York
New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields impressed in Thursday's joint practice session with the Miami Dolphins and "continues to put together his case for the (team's) No. 2 receiver role," per Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic. The 74th overall pick in this past April's draft, Fields recorded 36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns across 12 games at Notre Dame in 2025. Once healthy, New York has a clear WR1 in star wideout Malik Nabers (knee). However, Nabers' status for Week 1 remains uncertain as he works his way back from the serious knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Outside of Nabers, Fields' competition for targets and playing time in New York is an uninspiring group of veterans that includes Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Darius Slayton, Braxton Berrios, and Odell Beckham Jr. If the rookie can continue to impress throughout the remainder of the preseason, he could be in line for a significant role in the Giants' offense right away. Fantasy managers may want to consider targeting Fields as a late-round sleeper entering 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Charlotte Carroll
Source: The Athletic - Charlotte Carroll
Caleb Williams' Accuracy "Trending Upward"
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Thursday that quarterback Caleb Williams' accuracy is "trending upward," per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. After going through some growing pains as a rookie in 2024, Williams made significant improvements in his first season playing under Johnson in 2025. Across 17 games, the 24-year-old threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while also rushing for 388 yards and three scores. However, Williams completed just 58.1% of his pass attempts and has shown a tendency to miss on simple throws more consistently than would be expected from a highly-talented quarterback. If Williams can continue to fine-tune his raw skills while maintaining his ability to make spectacular plays and throws, he could be in line for a monster breakout in 2026. Fantasy managers should view Williams as a low-end QB1 with upside.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Josh Alper
Source: Pro Football Talk - Josh Alper
Colts Backup Quarterback Battle Remains Unsettled
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that there is no timetable on the team's decision on who to name as its backup quarterback behind QB1 Daniel Jones, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. The competition is ongoing between former first-round pick Anthony Richardson Sr. and 2025 sixth-rounder Riley Leonard. Richardson Sr. has battled injury issues and inconsistency in his career to this point. In his last extended run of action in 2024, he completed 47.7% of his pass attempts for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 11 starts. However, the 24-year-old has rushed for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns across 17 career NFL games and brings high-end dual-threat fantasy upside if he ever gets another chance as a starter. Leonard started one game as a rookie in 2025, completing 21 of 34 pass attempts for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in Week 18 against the Houston Texans. While not as electric a rusher as Richardson Sr., Leonard is also a capable runner. With Jones making his way back from an Achilles injury, fantasy managers may want to keep an eye on the Colts QB2 job as the regular season draws closer.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Charean Williams
Source: Pro Football Talk - Charean Williams
Isaiah Bond Has a Lot to Prove in Preseason Action
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond is highlighted by Zac Jackson of The Athletic as one of Cleveland's players with the most to prove in the team's upcoming preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Bond flashed upside but also battled inconsistency as a rookie in 2025, recording 18 catches for 338 yards on 44 targets across 16 games (two starts). However, the Browns added significant talent to their wide receiver room over the offseason by using top-40 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft on wideouts KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Veteran wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman remain potential factors in Cleveland as well. While the 22-year-old Bond still offers some potential, it appears as though he may need to show well in the Browns' remaining preseason games to assure his place in the team's plans for 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Denzel Boston a Stand-Out Performer in Joint Practice on Thursday
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston was his team's most impressive player during a joint practice session with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. The 39th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Boston recorded 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns across 12 games at the University of Washington in 2025. Along with fellow Cleveland rookie wideout KC Concepcion, Boston is expected to play a significant role in the Browns' offense right away. While Cleveland's uncertain quarterback situation is a potential limiting factor for Boston's production, the 22-year-old carries significant upside due to his combination of talent and immediate opportunity. He could be a sleeper to target in redraft leagues ahead of 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
