RADIO
Aaron Rodgers a Risky Superflex Start in Week 1
Entering 2026, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is set to begin his 22nd NFL season. Across 16 games with the Steelers in 2025, the 42-year-old completed 65.7% of his pass attempts for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. In Week 1, Pittsburgh will host the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta fielded a mid-pack pass defense in 2025, finishing the year ranked 15th in the NFL in passing yards (3,773) and 20th in passing touchdowns (27) allowed. However, the Falcons are also set to start third-string quarterback Cooper Rush (back) against Pittsburgh on Sunday. As a result, the Steelers may choose to lean into a run-heavy attack in what projects to be an excellent matchup for their defense. Rodgers offers zero fantasy value as a rusher at this point in his career, so he needs a high volume of pass attempts to provide high-end fantasy production. In everything other than the deepest two-QB leagues, Rodgers profiles as a risky start for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty a High-End RB2 Option in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty gave fantasy managers a scare when he suffered an ankle injury in a training camp practice late in the summer. However, the 22-year-old is off the injury report and will be active in the Raiders' season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Jeanty operated as a three-down workhorse in 2025, recording 975 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches across 17 games. He's expected to play a similar role in 2026 and should have a better offensive ecosystem around him under the Raiders' new head coach and play-caller, Klint Kubiak. Jeanty also has a favorable matchup on paper in Week 1 against Miami, which allowed the seventh-most rushing yards (2,251) in the NFL in 2025. The Raiders may take a touch or two off of Jeanty's plate given the time he missed with the ankle injury, but he still profiles as a high-end RB2 option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Washington Jr. Carries Deep-League Appeal into Week 1
A fourth-round pick out of Arkansas, Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. recorded 1,296 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 195 touches in his final collegiate season. After an impressive showing in the preseason, Washington Jr. is now set to open his first NFL season as the RB2 in Las Vegas behind star Raiders back Ashton Jeanty. When Jeanty is fully healthy, Washington Jr. may struggle to earn a fantasy-relevant workload. However, Jeanty suffered an ankle injury late in training camp that has limited his availability in practice over the last few weeks. While Jeanty will be active for the Raiders' season-opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Washington Jr. may see a few extra touches. In deeper league formats, Washington Jr. profiles as a low-end flex option in a favorable Week 1 matchup against Miami.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Nailor Offers Flex Value in Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor is ready to make his team debut against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. After four years with the Minnesota Vikings, Nailor signed a three-year deal with the Raiders this past offseason. He'll now get a chance to establish himself as a top target in an offense after being stuck behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota. Nailor could see an uptick in workload with tight end Brock Bowers (knee) being unavailable for this game. Both Nailor and quarterback Kirk Cousins are new to this organization, so it could take time to build chemistry. Fantasy managers should be able to put in Nailor as a flex option for this weekend, but don't expect much more than that.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kirk Cousins has Superflex Appeal in Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is ready to make his team debut against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The veteran quarterback will have a tough task ahead of him this weekend. The Raiders' top target, tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is ruled out for this game, which is bad news for this offense. Now, Cousins will need to rely on newcomer wide receiver Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and backup tight end Michael Mayer as his primary targets. The 38-year-old can handle himself under center, but he can only do so much with the options that he has alongside him. Fantasy managers in one-quarterback leagues can avoid Cousins, but the veteran single-caller could be an option in superflex formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Parker Washington Unlikely to Agree on Extension Before Season Starts
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is unlikely to get a contract extension done before the beginning of the season, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports. There was speculation that the two sides would get a deal done, but it looks like they'll wait for now. Washington is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so a strong performance on the field could land him a big payday. The 24-year-old is coming off a breakout season where he recorded 58 receptions with 847 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 16 games with the Jaguars last season. We'll see if the two sides are able to get a deal done before Washington hits free agency.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Judge Seals Video Altercation in Josh Jacobs Case
According to ProFootballTalk, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has requested that the judge seal the video of the altercation in his case. This situation makes it tricky for the NFL going forward. They could tell Jacobs he can't play until the video is released to the public. Otherwise, the league risks another Ray Rice situation, where the media somehow releases the video while they continue to let Jacobs play. For now, Jacobs is on paid leave, and he'll remain there until the NFL determines the correct discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy. It will be difficult for the league to decide on a punishment when Jacobs is having the judge seal the evidence.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Lamar Jackson Won't Receive New Contract Before Season Begins
According to Adam Schefter, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won't be receiving a new contract before the beginning of the 2026 season. There was speculation that Jackson would get a deal done, but the two sides aren't expected to agree on a deal before 2027. His current contract runs through 2027, so they could agree on an extension during the summer. Jackson has spent the first eight years of his career in Baltimore. He has won multiple MVP awards with the team and is expected to sign a new deal with the organization at some point.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Bo Nix Carries Sneaky Upside in Superflex Leagues vs. Chiefs in Week 1
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will face off against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on the road to open up the season on Monday Night Football. The 26-year-old was an ankle injury away from having the opportunity to lead his team to a Super Bowl appearance last season. The team opted to go all in by trading for star wideout Jaylen Waddle in hopes of taking the offense to the next level. Nix will play against a star-depleted Chiefs secondary that lost its three top cornerbacks in the offseason. However, the Chiefs' defense allowed the fifth-fewest passing touchdowns and eighth-fewest passing yards last season. As a result, he enters Week 1 as RotoBaller's QB20 with an opportunity to produce low-end QB1 numbers to start the season. Nix should be viewed as a must-start in superflex leagues and carries sneaky upside with an upgraded receiver room in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
J.K. Dobbins Offers RB2 Upside vs. Chiefs in Week 1
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins will open the regular season in Kansas City on Monday Night Football. The 27-year-old was the RB18 overall in PPR formats before suffering a Lisfranc foot injury to end his 2025 season. This year, Dobbins will attempt to hold off fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman as the lead back on early downs. Coleman is expected to be Dobbins' backup but has already become a fantasy favorite within the community. Dobbins is RotoBaller's PPR RB25 against a Chiefs defense that saw multiple key players leave the team in free agency. However, they allowed the 10th fewest rushing yards and the 12th fewest rushing touchdowns last season. Dobbins should be viewed as a low-end RB2 and could sneak into the top 20 scoring running backs if he can find the end zone in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
C.J. Stroud and Texans Agree to Put Contract Talks on Hold
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans have mutually agreed to wait until after this season to work out a long-term deal. Both sides made a run at completing an extension before the regular season began, but both sides agreed they prefer to focus on the season at hand. Stroud is entering the final year of his rookie contract, but the team exercised his fifth-year option this April to keep him through the 2027 season. The 24-year-old has been unable to build off his historic rookie season and has struggled at times in big games. The last time we saw Stroud, he completed 20 of his 47 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in a losing effort in the playoffs. Stroud will enter a critical year that will determine if he is worthy of a monster extension worth over $50 million per year.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
RJ Harvey a Low-End Flex Option vs. Chiefs
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey will open the regular season in Kansas City on Monday Night Football. The 25-year-old is expected to specialize as the pass-catching running back in a crowded room after the team brought back J.K. Dobbins and drafted Jonah Coleman in the fourth round. Harvey finished his rookie season as the RB20 in PPR scoring and touchdown-reliant down the stretch. He is RotoBaller's PPR RB44 entering Week 1 with a semi-difficult matchup. The Chiefs' defense allowed the 10th fewest rushing yards and the 12th fewest rushing touchdowns last season. However, the Chiefs did struggle against pass-catching running backs last year, and the secondary took a major talent hit this offseason with the departure of their top three cornerbacks. Harvey should be viewed as a low-end flex option heading into Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Michael Mayer a Worthy Start in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer played a limited role as a receiver in 2025, recording 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets across 13 games. However, with Raiders TE1 Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined, Mayer could step into an elevated target share in the Raiders' 2026 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Across four games with Bowers inactive in 2025, Mayer recorded 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. While his numbers may not leap off the page, Las Vegas should field an improved passing game with new head coach Klint Kubiak calling plays in 2026. The Dolphins also profile as a favorable matchup on paper for Mayer, as Miami allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. All in all, Mayer projects as a low-end top-12 tight end option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Juwan Johnson a High-Floor Tight End Streamer in Week 1
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had the best season of his career in 2025, recording 77 catches for 889 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets across 17 games. With Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on Injured Reserve to begin the year, Johnson appears set to open 2026 as the number two option in the New Orleans passing game behind only star wide receiver Chris Olave. In Week 1, Johnson and the Saints will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions. The Lions fielded a slightly below-average pass defense against tight ends in 2025, allowing the 13th-most fantasy points to the position. However, Detroit will be without starting safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) to begin the year, and the team lost top coverage linebacker Alex Anzalone to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. With a favorable matchup against the Lions, Johnson profiles as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devaughn Vele an Intriguing Deep-League Flex Option in Week 1
Across 13 games in 2025, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele recorded 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. The 28-year-old saw minimal usage early in the year, but his production picked up following the Saints' midseason trade of former wideout Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks. With Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on Injured Reserve to begin the year, Vele could once again be the WR2 alongside Chris Olave in New Orleans. In Week 1, the Saints have a favorable matchup on paper against a Detroit Lions defense that will be without both starting safeties in Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee). Across his final four games of 2025, Vele averaged over 12 PPR fantasy points per game. He profiles as an under-the-radar deep-league flex option in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
