RADIO
Josh Downs Standing Out Ahead of Expanded Role
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been one of the stars of training camp as the team prepares to feature him more heavily in 2026, according to ESPN. Downs caught 58 passes for a career-low 566 yards and four touchdowns last season after averaging 103 targets and 787 receiving yards over his first two years. Michael Pittman Jr.'s departure has opened a much larger opportunity, and the Colts are also giving Downs more work outside after using him primarily in the slot throughout his career. Head coach Shane Steichen said Downs can now play both spots and expects his role to grow this season. Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce will still command plenty of attention, but Indianapolis appears determined to get Downs back to being a central part of the passing game. If the expanded usage carries into the regular season, he has a strong chance to climb back toward the 100-target range and regain consistent value in PPR leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
David Montgomery Still Has the Upper Hand in Houston's Backfield
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery is not taking over an empty backfield, but he still has the better path to fantasy points. The 29-year-old was squeezed down to a career-low 158 carries in Detroit last season and still produced 716 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Houston traded for him in March, then reworked his contract into a two-year, $16.5 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. Woody Marks is not disappearing. He led the Texans with 196 carries for 703 yards as a rookie, caught 24 passes for 208 yards and three scores, and has been preparing for a larger receiving role. Current camp reporting suggests the split will change with the situation. That still leaves Montgomery as the stronger bet for the physical early-down work, with Marks mixing in on passing downs and elsewhere. RotoBaller ranks Montgomery RB21 in PPR and RB26 in dynasty. That is a fair price for a back who has scored at least eight touchdowns in three straight seasons. He remains a solid redraft RB2 and a useful win-now piece. Rebuilding teams should be willing to shop him before the age discount gets any steeper.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Should be Back in "4-5 Days"
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) has missed the last two days of training camp practice due to undisclosed muscle tightness, but he's expected back soon, according to Aric DiLalla of the team's official website. "I think we'll see him back in the next 4-5 days," Payton said. The Broncos are also resting veteran wideout Courtland Sutton, which will give Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant more opportunities with the first-team offense over the next few days. The Denver Post's Parker Gabriel is reporting that Waddle is dealing with a strain, but to what part of his body is unclear. Waddle was seen walking around with a limp during Thursday's training camp practice without his helmet. It's something to keep an eye on, but it shouldn't affect the speedy pass-catcher's availability for the Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Denver gave up a lot to acquire Waddle from the Miami Dolphins in the offseason, so he should be peppered with targets as one of quarterback Bo Nix's go-to targets in 2026. Waddle will be a strong WR2 to target in upcoming fantasy drafts.
Source: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
Source: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
A.J. Brown, Christian Gonzalez Separated at Patriots Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and cornerback Christian Gonzalez were separated after a heated exchange during Thursday's practice, according to Mark Daniels. The moment came after Gonzalez broke up a pass intended for Brown during a two-on-two red-zone drill and celebrated the play. The two exchanged words as the team moved to the next period before Kayshon Boutte stepped in and pulled Brown away. Boutte said he heard Brown tell Gonzalez, "You a grown man," and wanted to intervene before the situation went any further. Gonzalez later called the matchup "good on good" and said there was no disrespect between them. The two have battled throughout camp, and this appeared to be another competitive moment between two of New England's top players.
Source: Mark Daniels
Source: Mark Daniels
Malik Willis Makes More Sense in Superflex Leagues
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis is finally getting a real shot to start after two years behind Jordan Love. He completed 30 of 35 passes for 422 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in four appearances last season, then added 123 yards and two scores on the ground. The useful part for fantasy is not the 85.7% completion rate. It is the rushing. In his final two appearances, Willis ran 19 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing for 409 yards and two scores. That gives him a way to survive weeks when Miami's passing game stalls, and there could be a few of those. Tyreek Hill is gone, Jaylen Waddle was traded, and the receiver room is now built around Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and three rookies. That is a lot to ask of a quarterback with six career starts. RotoBaller has Willis at QB21, which is a fair place for the gamble. His legs make him a useful QB2 in Superflex leagues. In ordinary one-quarterback formats, he is better viewed as a matchup option than a draft-day plan.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Stefon Diggs Reportedly Drew Interest From Several Teams
Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs reportedly drew interest from the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Miami Dolphins before signing with Washington, according to NFL Rumors. Diggs landed a one-year deal worth up to $12 million after catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games with New England last season. It was the seventh 1,000-yard campaign of his career and showed that the 32-year-old can still handle a significant role. Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Miami each entered the offseason with questions at wide receiver, but Diggs ultimately joins Terry McLaurin in a Washington offense led by Jayden Daniels. His arrival gives the Commanders another proven target while making it more difficult for Antonio Williams, Luke McCaffrey, and the rest of the receiver room to earn consistent opportunities.
Source: NFL Rumors
Source: NFL Rumors
Jack Bech Has Not Separated in the Raiders' Receiver Battle
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech ended his rookie season with a little life, catching 12 passes for 132 yards over the final five games. That does not erase how quiet the year was. The 2025 second-round pick finished with 20 catches for 224 yards and no touchdowns across 16 games, despite five starts and a receiver room that opened up after Jakobi Meyers was traded. Year 2 brings another chance under Klint Kubiak, but Bech has not pulled away from the competition. Tre Tucker led the group last season, Jalen Nailor was added in free agency, and sixth-round rookie Malik Benson has been one of the early camp risers. Dont'e Thornton Jr. remains in the mix as well. RotoBaller ranks Bech WR100 across its main scoring formats. That is low enough for deep dynasty managers to wait, especially given his age and second-round investment. Redraft managers do not need to follow. Bech still has to win regular snaps before Las Vegas can provide enough weekly volume for him to matter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Mayer Returns to Practice Following Nose Injury
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (nose) returned to training camp practice on Thursday, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Mayer missed a few practices after busting his nose during practice on Monday. The 25-year-old will return to working as the No. 2 tight end in Vegas behind Brock Bowers. The former second-rounder in 2023 from Notre Dame has yet to really make an impact for fantasy managers in his first three seasons in the NFL, and that will likely continue as long as Bowers stays healthy. Bowers dealt with a knee injury last year, which allowed Mayer to have career highs in catches (35), targets (50), and receiving yards (328) while scoring just once in 13 games played. The Raiders figure to use more two-tight-end sets in 2026 under new head coach Klint Kubiak, but that's unlikely to be enough to make Mayer a weekly starting option, even in two-TE fantasy leagues. Mayer opens his fourth NFL season ranked as RotoBaller's No. 35 fantasy TE. If Bowers misses time with an injury again, Mayer would become a priority waiver-wire addition.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Dylan Sampson's Handcuff Case Is Not That Simple
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson has a clear role behind Quinshon Judkins, but fantasy managers should not assume every Judkins touch would fall to him. Sampson was much better as a receiver than a runner during his rookie year, catching 33 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns while managing only 175 yards on 65 carries. Jerome Ford is gone, which leaves Sampson as the leading passing-down option in the backfield. That gives him some standalone value in deeper PPR leagues. The handcuff case is less straightforward. Judkins returned to full work during the offseason after recovering from a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula, and Cleveland still has 6-foot, 230-pound Raheim Sanders for heavier carries. The Browns also added fullback Michael Burton as Todd Monken installs more gap concepts and short-yardage looks. RotoBaller ranks Sampson RB53 in PPR and RB52 in half-PPR. He is worth a late pick in deeper formats, especially for managers looking for catches from the back end of the roster. Just do not draft him expecting a three-down role if Judkins misses time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton Given Some Time Off in Training Camp
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was given his second consecutive day off from training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. With Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) also sitting out, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant got the bulk of the work with the starters. The Denver Post's Luca Evans reports that Sutton was seen working on a side field on Thursday. The 30-year-old veteran is not believed to be dealing with any sort of injury, so it's likely that head coach Sean Payton is using this time to give Sutton a little rest while evaluating the rest of the receiver group. In his eighth year in the league in 2025, Sutton caught 74 of his 124 targets for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season games for the third 1,000-yard season of his career. The former second-rounder from SMU has 25 touchdown receptions in the last three seasons and has lots of chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix, but his ceiling and floor will come down in 2026 after the addition of speedy wideout Jaylen Waddle in the offseason. Fantasy managers are now better off targeting Sutton as more of a WR3/4 flex than a legitimate No. 2. UPDATE: According to Evans, head coach Sean Payton confirmed that Sutton is not injured.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Spencer Rattler Drawing Positive Buzz at Saints Camp
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler is reportedly putting together the best training camp of his three-year career. The former fifth-round pick has started 14 games over his first two seasons, including eight in 2025, when he completed 67.7% of his passes for 1,586 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. Rattler was eventually replaced by Tyler Shough, who enters 2026 as New Orleans' starter. That leaves Rattler competing with Zach Wilson for the backup job, but a strong summer could help him secure the No. 2 role and rebuild some value after an uneven start to his career. He remains a deep Superflex and dynasty option rather than someone to consider in standard redraft leagues.
Source: Rookie Watch
Source: Rookie Watch
Greg Dulcich Returns in No-Contact Jersey
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (undisclosed) returned to practice Thursday in a red no-contact jersey, according to C. Isaiah Smalls II. Dulcich had been sidelined by an undisclosed injury, and head coach Jeff Hafley previously said the issue was not considered serious. The 26-year-old caught 26 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown in 10 games last season, finishing third on Miami in receiving yards. His return is a step forward, but the red jersey shows the Dolphins are still easing him back. Dulcich will need to resume full participation before Miami's tight-end pecking order becomes any clearer.
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Rookie Receiver Barion Brown Standing Out in Training Camp
New Orleans Saints rookie sixth-round wide receiver Barion Brown has been standing out through seven training camp practices, according to Ross Jackson of LouisianaSports.net. Brown has made plays in one-on-one drills, stretching the field, and showing his ability with the football in his hands. He made the highlight play of the day on Thursday when he hauled in a 46-yard catch for a touchdown in an end-of-game two-minute simulation. The 22-year-old from LSU has put himself in position to be more than just a camp darling going into his first year in the NFL. At the very least, Brown should make noise on special teams as a returner, having six kick returns for touchdowns in his collegiate career, all of which went for 99 yards or more. Chris Olave, rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson, and Devaughn Vele are expected to be the Saints' top-three receivers entering the 2026 campaign, but Brown is certainly stating his case to be included on the 53-man roster to begin the regular season in September in a depth role. He's a name to monitor in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: LouisianaSports.net - Ross Jackson
Source: LouisianaSports.net - Ross Jackson
Isaiah Davis to Miss a Few Weeks With Knee Injury
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (knee) will miss a few weeks, head coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday, according to Antwan V. Staley. Glenn did not sound overly concerned, but the team has not provided a specific diagnosis. Davis was competing with Braelon Allen for the backup job behind Breece Hall after averaging 5.5 yards per carry and totaling 422 scrimmage yards on 64 touches last season. The timing will cost him a meaningful stretch of camp and gives Allen a chance to create separation in the RB2 battle. Davis will need to work his way back into the competition once he is cleared to return.
Source: Antwan V. Staley
Source: Antwan V. Staley
Elic Ayomanor Suffers Shoulder Injury on Thursday
Tennessee Titans second-year wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (shoulder) left practice with a trainer on Thursday due to a left-shoulder injury and did not return, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. The severity of Ayomanor's shoulder injury is unclear, but we'll consider him day-to-day until we have more information. The 23-year-old former fourth-rounder last year from Stanford had plenty of opportunities as a rookie and caught 41 of his 89 targets for 515 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games played. The efficiency definitely wasn't there, but he was hardly to blame for all of it while working with rookie QB Cam Ward in an inconsistent offense. Going into Year 2, it's going to be hard for Ayomanor to stand out after the Titans added rookie first-rounder Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency to new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme. If he's healthy entering Week 1, Ayomanor is expected to be competing with fellow second-year wideout Chimere Dike for the WR4 role behind Tate, Robinson, and veteran Calvin Ridley.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
