RADIO
DK Metcalf Will be Moved Around the Formation More This Year
Pittsburgh Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy said the team is going to move wide receiver DK Metcalf around the formation more this year, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. McCarthy also added that he has been pretty impressed with the chemistry between Metcalf and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "We need him going....DK can change games," McCarthy said. In his first year in the Steel City in 2025, Metcalf didn't have much help around him and finished with just 59 receptions for a career-low 850 yards and six touchdowns on 99 targets across 15 regular-season starts. The addition of veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. will allow Pittsburgh to move Metcalf around more on offense to try to create mismatches for the two-time Pro Bowler. McCarthy's offense should be more friendly volume-wise for Metcalf, but the problem is that the Steelers added more target competition, and Rodgers is no longer the player he once was in his last NFL season. The reality is that Metcalf's fantasy ceiling and floor are much lower, so fantasy managers should be targeting him as a WR3/flex and not a WR2 set for a big bounce-back season.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Quentin Johnston Looking to Prove he Can be Consistent Outside Threat
ESPN's Kris Rhim writes that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston enters training camp this summer "looking to prove that he can be a consistent outside threat." The Chargers showed that they believe in the former first-rounder's long-term potential by picking up his fifth-year, $18 million option. The 24-year-old former TCU wideout struggled with drops and creating separation as a rookie, but he has led the team in touchdowns (16 combined) in each of the past two seasons. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel likes Johnston's potential, too, comparing him to former Houston Texan Andre Johnson and former Atlanta Falcon Julio Jones because of his size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and yards-after-the-catch ability. McDaniel could unlock even more from Johnston and make him a weekly threat in L.A.'s offense, making him a very intriguing WR4/flex target with upside in upcoming 2026 fantasy drafts. RotoBaller currently has Johnston ranked as the No. 47 fantasy WR as he heads into his fourth season.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Mitchell Evans Carted Off on Tuesday With Leg Injury
Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans (leg) injured his left leg in 11-on-11 team drills in training camp practice on Tuesday and was carted off the field, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The specific nature of Evans' injury is unclear, but it doesn't look good. The 23-year-old was taken in the fifth round in last year's NFL draft out of Notre Dame, and he caught 19 of his 25 targets for just 171 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts) in his first year in the NFL with Carolina. Evans was expected to once again take on a rotational role at tight end with the Panthers in his second year in the league behind top pass-catching TE option Ja'Tavion Sanders, which makes Evans avoidable in pretty much all fantasy leagues. Hopefully, Evans avoids a potentially season-ending leg injury.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Alec Pierce a Week or So Away From Returning
The Indianapolis Colts placed wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday for the start of training camp, and general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that Pierce is a week or so away with his ankle rehab, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Pierce was given a timetable of four to six weeks when he had ankle surgery in March, so his placement on the PUP list to begin the week wasn't a huge surprise. Barring a setback, the Colts are still optimistic that Pierce can be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 26-year-old signed a four-year, $114 million contract back in March, and veteran Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, so when healthy, Pierce is expected to be Indy's new WR1 in 2026 and beyond. He's off to a bad start in camp, though, especially with quarterback Daniel Jones rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon. Pierce has become more of a risky WR3/flex big-play receiver after leading the NFL in each of the last two seasons in yards per catch. He broke out with a 47-1,003-6 line in 15 games in 2025 in his fourth year in the NFL.
Source: FOX 59 - Mike Chappell
Source: FOX 59 - Mike Chappell
De'Von Achane a Full-Go for Start of Training Camp
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) is a full-go for the start of training camp, head coach Jeff Hafley told Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. A shoulder injury popped up for Achane early on during offseason workouts, which led to him being limited during mandatory minicamp last month. The new front office and coaching staff in Miami rewarded the 24-year-old star RB with a four-year, $68 million deal in the offseason, and he's locked in as one of the team's true elite offensive weapons for the 2026 campaign. Achane, a former third-rounder in 2023 from Texas A&M, had his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 with eight rushing scores on 238 carries in 16 starts, adding 67 receptions for 488 yards and another four TDs to finish as the RB6 in half-PPR scoring. The guaranteed volume he's expected to receive in his fourth NFL season will give Achane a high floor for fantasy purposes, but with the Dolphins' offense expected to have plenty of growing pains this year, it will be difficult for him to top his numbers from a year ago. Fantasy managers should consider Achane more of a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 this year instead of the high-end RB1 he was in 2025.
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Cameron Dicker Could See Fewer Field-Goal Opportunities in 2026
A Pro Bowler in 2025, Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker's 38 made field goals were the third most in the league, allowing him to finish as the No. 4 fantasy kicker in a middle-of-the-road offense. With better health and the arrival of coordinator Mike McDaniel leading to projected offensive improvements in Los Angeles, Dicker is one player for whom this news could be seen as a double-edged sword. Better offensive efficiency will obviously increase overall scoring opportunities, but only the Saints and Jets converted fewer of their red zone trips into touchdowns than the Chargers in 2025, making Dicker one of only four kickers to attempt 40+ field goals, a number that could drop on the heels of more successful touchdown drives. Dicker's 93.5% career conversion rate on field goals is the highest of all time by a substantial margin, so it's best not to overthink his selection, and he remains a safe bet to accumulate points, heading into 2026 as RotoBaller's fifth-ranked kicker.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian McCaffrey's Work Not Being Limited Early in Camp
After touching the ball an astounding 450 times in 2025, much of the offseason narrative surrounding San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been about how the team will handle his workload in his age-30 season, and through two days of training camp, there have been no indications of any holding him back. After standing out in his usual ways in the passing game during the team's first practice, 49ers digital editor Brooke Evans reports that he again saw steady volume in Day 2, totaling seven carries in team sessions and routinely working up to the second level. With CBA rules not allowing for full padded practices until the fifth or sixth session of camp, McCaffrey could continue to see heavy run with the first team offense, but it will be interesting to see how carries are divvied up when the pads do come on, particularly with a battle brewing between Jordan James and Kaelon Black for the ever-important insurance role behind the four-time All-Pro.
Source: Brooke Evans
Source: Brooke Evans
Jalen Ramsey to Begin Training Camp on PUP
Pittsburgh Steelers starting nickelback Jalen Ramsey suffered a knee injury during mandatory minicamp, and he will now start training camp on the PUP list, according to ESPN's Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor. General manager Omar Khan told reporters on Tuesday that Ramsey is expected to be out for a couple of weeks to begin camp. At 31 years old, Ramsey tallied the highest tackle total of his 10-year career while adding three sacks in his first season with the Steelers, giving him surprising IDP value after a handful of down years with the Dolphins. Expected to hold a similar role once he returns to full health, the eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro should spend plenty of time near the edge of the box, and he represents good value in the later rounds of IDP drafts.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Jaycee Horn Cleared to Practice
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (toe) has been activated from the Non-Football Injury list and cleared to practice in the team's first padded session of the summer. Horn injured his toe while running before camp, requiring stitches, but with the Panthers playing in the year's Hall of Fame Game, they were one of the earliest teams to report for training camp, and so the two-time Pro Bowler returns to work before some teams have even held their first practice. Horn had a career-high five touchdowns in 2025 and could see more big-play opportunities after the team invested heavily on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, bringing in defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Pat Bryant Looking to Emerge as Broncos' WR3
When the Denver Broncos take to the field for their first practice of training camp on Friday, one of the more intriguing positional battles will be for the third receiver spot, and a player who should factor heavily into the mix is 2025 third-round pick Pat Bryant. As a rookie, Bryant became a trusted option for quarterback Bo Nix late in the year, but with the top two receiver spots presumably locked up by veteran Courtland Sutton and big-ticket trade acquisition Jaylen Waddle, he'll need to carve out his own role from a group that includes Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin. One of Bryant's biggest strengths in year one was his run-after-catch ability when working underneath. The spacing now provided by Waddle could allow him to further thrive and help to create the most dynamic version of the Broncos' passing attack while also bringing usable size to the running game. Bryant is RotoBaller's WR76 for 2026, but with a fluid situation such as his, drafters would be advised to monitor his usage throughout training camp.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Warren Has High Hopes for Colts Offense in 2026
Indianapolis Colts veterans have reported for training camp, and second-year tight end Tyler Warren shared his excitement about the team's offense, telling a group of gathered reporters, "I think everybody's really excited... from an offensive standpoint, coming back with the same coaching staff, same core group of guys. It's always exciting to be able to build off of what you were able to do last year." The Colts had one of the league's most potent offenses before quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a torn Achilles in Week 14, with Warren pacing as the fantasy TE3 to that point as a rookie. With Michael Pittman Jr. no longer part of the team, Warren is expected to see heavy usage in the intermediate area of the field, and with Alec Pierce beginning training camp on the PUP after undergoing ankle surgery in March, the second-year tight end could build a sizable role throughout the summer. Warren is RotoBaller's TE4 and a player who could see enough volume in year two to make him a legitimate threat to finish at the top of the position in 2026.
Source: Matt Taylor
Source: Matt Taylor
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wants to Be an "Upgraded Version" of Himself
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025 on his way to winning the Offensive Player of the Year Award and finishing the year as the fantasy WR2, but he is not simply resting on his laurels. In discussing his expectations for the upcoming season, Smith-Njigba told reporters, "I want y'all to see different levels, almost a different player out there, and just kind of an upgraded version." The Seahawks were able to retain a remarkable number of starters from their Super Bowl-winning squad, but their biggest hit could come from the loss of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who schemed up big plays for Smith-Njigba through heavy motion and play action usage. With his 15.1 yards-per-reception average putting him in rarified air among players with more than 110 catches, Smith-Njigba is a possible regression candidate for 2026, but as the clear focal point of the Seahawks' offense, expectations remain high, and he is RotoBaller's WR3.
Source: Around the NFL
Source: Around the NFL
Caleb Williams Says Bears Offense Will Be "More Entertaining" in 2026
The Chicago Bears offense is projected to be one of the more fantasy-friendly units in 2026, and on a recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, quarterback Caleb Williams did little to temper expectations, saying, "It's going to be more entertaining than last year, hopefully not as much of a heart race, but it's going to be a little more entertaining throughout the whole game and what we're going to bring to the table as a team." Already responsible for some of the wildest highlights of the 2025 season, that is a high bar to clear, and how that entertainment factor could translate for fantasy has drafters understandably excited about the Bears offense as a whole. Williams is RotoBaller's QB7, and after a trade sent veteran receiver DJ Moore to Buffalo, targets are expected to be funneled through Rome Odunze and second-year players Luther Burder III and Colston Loveland, none of whom fall outside RotoBaller's top 75 players for 2026. Meanwhile, running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai both have the potential to outperform ADP expectations in year two under Ben Johnson.
Source: Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams
Source: Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams
Colts Could Look at Keenan Allen for Wide Receiver Depth
The depth of the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver room was always going to be one of the team's bigger areas of concern, and with Alec Pierce (ankle) beginning training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the team may already be looking to add additional bodies, with The Athletic's James Boyd pointing to veteran Keenan Allen as a potential fit. Now 34 years old, the six-time Pro Bowler is predominantly a slot receiver, a box the Colts seemingly already have checked with Josh Downs, but Allen led the Chargers with 81 receptions in 2025, and he has experience in Shane Steichen's system from Steichen's time in Los Angeles. Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million deal this offseason to stick with the team and take over primary receiver responsibilities, but he has not practiced since opting for ankle surgery in March. The Colts' first practice of training camp is scheduled for Wednesday, and any prolonged absence by Pierce without a corresponding roster move could put significant strain on an offense that would then be forced to feature some combination of Ashton Dulin and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in starting roles.
Source: James Boyd - The Athletic
Source: James Boyd - The Athletic
Seahawks Building a Role for Rashid Shaheed
The Seattle Seahawks traded for speedy wide receiver Rashid Shaheed at last season's trade deadline, but with him learning a new offense on the fly, the majority of his contributions to the team's title run came through special teams, with the fourth-year player catching only 15 passes in his nine regular-season games with Seattle. Now with a full offseason under his belt, expectations are high, and Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes the Seahawks will look to build a specialized role around his straight-line speed and elusiveness. With new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury arriving from San Francisco, where Klint Kubiak also spent time before his 2025 stint with Seattle, Breer speculates that a package of gadget plays could be drawn up for Shaheed similar to how the 49ers used Deebo Samuel Sr. in the past. Shaheed was playing at close to a 1,000-yard pace with the Saints before the trade, so his upside is obvious when used effectively, and he is RotoBaller's WR57 for 2026.
Source: Albert Breer
Source: Albert Breer
