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Mike Washington Jr. Could Have Significant Role in Raiders Backfield
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. appears to have earned a real role alongside Ashton Jeanty (ankle). Head coach Klint Kubiak said Friday that both backs will prepare to "play a lot of football" when Jeanty is healthy, according to Sam Warren. Kubiak also made it clear that the workload could change from game to game. Washington has made a strong case for touches after rushing 23 times for 168 yards during the preseason, including 49 yards on eight carries in Thursday's finale against San Francisco. The fourth-round rookie also flashed as a receiver during camp and sits directly behind Jeanty on the Raiders' latest unofficial depth chart. Washington rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns at Arkansas last season while adding 28 catches for 226 yards and another score. Jeanty is still the lead back when healthy, but Kubiak's comments suggest Washington should have a role even without an injury opening the door.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Jameson Williams Showing More Than Big-Play Upside
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is finishing training camp looking more like a complete fantasy option than simply a big-play specialist. Williams set career highs with 65 catches for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 targets last season, his second straight 1,000-yard campaign. His development this summer has gone beyond running past defensive backs. Jared Goff has praised Williams' improved feel for coverage and space, while Detroit's camp reports have highlighted him winning on comeback routes and working different levels of the field. That showed up again this week. Goff hit Williams for a deep touchdown during Wednesday's first-team work, then connected with him three times on Thursday's opening 99-yard scoring drive, including a fourth-down touchdown against tight coverage. Williams also appears past the minor shoulder issue that cost him two practices earlier this month. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Isaac TeSlaa will keep Detroit's targets spread around, so weekly volatility remains part of the profile. Still, Williams is entering Week 1 with a broader route tree and plenty of momentum. RotoBaller currently ranks him WR23 in half-PPR.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Appears to Have Firm Hold on 49ers' No. 2 Job
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black appears to have a firm grip on the No. 2 job behind Christian McCaffrey, according to Matt Barrows. Black carried four times for 28 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against Las Vegas, including a 14-yard run, and finished the preseason with 61 yards on 12 carries. The rookie missed part of camp with an adductor injury but returned Aug. 18, five days before Jordan James came back from a rib injury. That extra time seems to have mattered. Barrows pointed to Black's decisiveness, vision and receiving ability as reasons he has separated himself. The 90th overall pick rushed for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns at Indiana last season and caught 55 passes across his college career. James did have 55 scrimmage yards on nine touches Thursday, so the competition is not completely dead. Still, Black looks like the favorite to open the season as McCaffrey's primary backup.
Source: Matt Barrows
Source: Matt Barrows
Jonah Coleman "Squarely" in Broncos' Backfield Rotation
ESPN's Jeff Legwold writes that rookie fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman is "squarely" in the team's backfield rotation and "will get plenty of work" in his first NFL campaign. Coleman only had one 13-yard run in the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, and that was all head coach Sean Payton needed to see. The 23-year-old product of the University of Washington could eventually be a three-down back in Denver, but for now, he will open his rookie campaign as a powerful change-of-pace back alongside the oft-injured J.K. Dobbins and second-year back RJ Harvey, who will most likely be the team's preferred third-down option. It is hard to say exactly how this three-headed backfield will shake out for the Broncos, but if Dobbins misses more time with injury in 2026, Coleman could become an every-week flex option, at the very least. In standard 12-team fantasy leagues, Coleman may go undrafted, but he will surely become a popular waiver-wire pickup if one of Dobbins or Harvey gets hurt at any point. RotoBaller has Coleman ranked as the RB52 for now.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Tony Pollard Finishing Camp on a High Note
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is finishing August with some momentum behind his redraft outlook. Pollard has produced whenever Tennessee has used its starters this preseason, totaling 34 yards and a touchdown on six carries while also catching a 33-yard pass from Cam Ward against Seattle. He followed that with another strong showing during Thursday's joint practice with Chicago, making a difficult catch on a 50-yard throw and powering through several would-be tacklers for a touchdown despite feeling under the weather. Pollard is coming off his fourth straight 1,000-yard rushing season after carrying 242 times for a career-high 1,082 yards and five scores in 2025. He also topped 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games late last year. Tyjae Spears will keep this from becoming a one-man backfield, particularly in the passing game, where he has been much more active throughout camp. Still, Pollard remains first on Tennessee's depth chart and has continued to produce with the starting offense. RotoBaller currently ranks him RB29 in half-PPR, giving him solid RB3/flex appeal with enough rushing volume and touchdown upside to deliver RB2 weeks.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce's Goal is to be Ready for Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) came off the Physically Unable to Perform list and practiced with the team for the first time this summer on Thursday after having offseason ankle surgery. After the session on Thursday, Pierce said that "Week 1 is the goal," according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. Last year, Pierce caught 47 passes for a career-high 1,003 yards and six touchdowns, and he has led the league in yards per catch in each of the last two years. It is no secret that he has big-play ability, and Pierce should have more upside in the Colts' passing attack now that Michael Pittman Jr. is no longer in town. Pierce has time to be ready to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, but fantasy managers should be wondering how productive he will be early on, given all the time he missed early in training camp and the preseason. Pierce's draft stock should continue to rise as he gets his legs back under him, but fantasy managers should consider him more of a boom/bust WR4/flex option right now.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Myles Simmons
Source: Pro Football Talk - Myles Simmons
Cameron Dicker "Working Through Something"
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that placekicker Cameron Dicker (undisclosed) is "working through something," according to Alex Insdorf. However, Harbaugh also said that he is not concerned with Dicker's injury. "Just something that came up tonight," Harbaugh said after the team's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. We will keep an eye on the 26-year-old kicker's status heading into the team's Week 1 regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, but it sounds like he should be just fine to kick to begin the season. The former Texas product should be considered a top-five fantasy kicker in a Chargers offense that could be much more explosive under new coordinator Mike McDaniel in 2026. Dicker was a first-time Pro Bowler last year after making 92.7% of his 41 field-goal attempts (5-for-6 from 50-plus yards) and 97.1% of his 35 extra-point attempts in 17 regular-season games. RotoBaller has Dicker ranked as the No. 5 fantasy kicker for the 2026 season.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Steelers Could Keep Four QBs on 53-Man Roster
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has expressed confidence in all four of his quarterbacks' futures with the organization and said that it is "a very accurate evaluation" when asked on Thursday if he believed all four QBs had earned a roster spot, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I feel good about the quarterback room," McCarthy said. "I've been saying it for quite some time, and they've showed it on the field. We got two veterans that we can win with, and we got two young guys that we're excited about the future." The new Steelers head coach has strongly hinted that he was leaning towards keeping all four QBs on the roster this preseason, even though it is something he has never done going into Week 1 in his 18-year career as a head coach. Aaron Rodgers is the starter, and Mason Rudolph is set as the backup, but both second-year QB Will Howard (head) and rookie Drew Allar have done enough to potentially win roster spots going into Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Howard went 9-for-15 for 69 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in Thursday's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills, and it is unclear if a head injury he suffered will have any impact on him making the final roster.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Rams Have No Update on Aaron Donald
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said he has no update on retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. McVay said earlier this week that the team is prepping a 53-man roster with Donald on it and one without him. Donald, who is seriously considering coming out of retirement to join pass-rusher Myles Garrett in a strong Rams defense, has already worked out with L.A. a few times this month, but it remains to be seen if he will rejoin the team, either before the regular season starts or after. The 35-year-old 10-time Pro Bowler and eight-time first-team All-Pro is in incredible shape, but he is still in the process of determining whether he can get into good enough football shape to realistically return and make an impact for a Rams team that is one of the favorites to win this year's Super Bowl. Donald had 111 sacks in his 10 NFL seasons with the Rams, but if he comes out of retirement to rejoin the organization, he is expected to serve in more of a rotational pass-rushing role on the interior of the Rams' D-line.
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Rams Still Undecided on Backup QB Job After Preseason Finale
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay did not commit to rookie first-round quarterback Ty Simpson or Stetson Bennett as the No. 2 QB behind starter Matthew Stafford after the team's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night, according to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com. "Not pigeon-holing myself into any sort of decision other than I feel really good about Stetson Bennett, feel really good about Ty Simpson," McVay said. Bennett did not play on Thursday night, while Simpson played the first half and then briefly returned toward the end of the game after Matthew Caldwell left with a knee injury. Bennett went 23-for-37 for 291 yards in his two preseason games, with two carries for nine yards and two rushing touchdowns. Simpson, meanwhile, went 47-for-60 passing for 382 yards and three touchdown passes in his three preseason contests. The Rams clearly took Simpson in the first round in April to be the heir apparent to Stafford, who could be in his final season in 2026, but to begin his rookie campaign, it wouldn't be surprising if McVay goes with the more experienced Bennett as Stafford's backup.
Source: TheRams.com - Stu Jackson
Source: TheRams.com - Stu Jackson
Tank Bigsby Has Become a Premium Insurance Back
Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby has quietly strengthened his redraft case throughout his first full training camp with the team. Bigsby remains firmly behind Saquon Barkley, but Philadelphia's current depth chart has him second at running back ahead of Will Shipley, and he has regularly mixed in with the first-team offense this summer. A toe injury cost Bigsby one practice in mid-August, but he returned two days later without limitations and has maintained his place in the backfield. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound runner was explosive after joining Philadelphia last season, rushing 58 times for 344 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He also showed what a larger workload could look like in Week 18, when Barkley rested and Bigsby turned 16 carries and one reception into 106 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Barkley remains the clear centerpiece, and Bigsby's limited receiving involvement makes dependable standalone fantasy production difficult to project. Still, Bigsby has separated himself as Philadelphia's No. 2 back and has already shown he can handle more work when needed. That makes him one of the more appealing insurance backs to target late in deeper redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Najee Harris Expected to Play in Preseason Finale
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is expecting New York Giants running back Najee Harris to get his first game action with the team in their preseason finale on Friday night against the New York Jets, which will be his first action in the NFL since tearing his Achilles with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3 of last year. Harris is fully recovered from his Achilles tendon tear and could be a significant part of the Giants' backfield in 2026, even with Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. already on the roster. The 28-year-old former 24th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 from Alabama had four straight 1,000-yard seasons in the Steel City to begin his NFL career before playing in only three games with the Bolts in 2025 before tearing his Achilles. Harris probably is not going to have much, if any, standalone fantasy value with the G-Men unless one of Skattebo or Tracy misses time with an injury, but he is an experienced RB to have as an RB3 as insurance. Right now, RotoBaller has Harris ranked as the No. 60 fantasy RB for the 2026 season.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
David Montgomery Carries Strong RB2 Appeal
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery has strengthened his redraft outlook as the regular season approaches. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has called Montgomery a "number one back," and Houston has spent much of camp managing the veteran's workload to keep him fresh. When the Texans turned him loose during an August 18 joint practice with Las Vegas, team analyst John Harris called Montgomery the story of the day after he repeatedly found room between the tackles and broke into the second level. The 29-year-old is coming off a career-low 158 carries with Detroit, but he still produced 716 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Woody Marks remains a real part of the backfield after rushing for 703 yards as a rookie, and his receiving ability should earn him passing-down work. Nothing from camp suggests Montgomery has lost the primary rushing role, though, and he was still taking first-team carries during Houston's final joint practice with Carolina. RotoBaller currently ranks him RB21. With the Texans clearly valuing his physical running style, Montgomery looks increasingly secure as a redraft RB2 with strong touchdown upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malachi Fields Projected to Open Season as Giants' WR2
New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields is projected to open the season as the team's No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers, according to ESPN. New York traded back into the third round to take Fields 74th overall, and the rookie has spent the summer showing why the Giants were willing to move up for him. His size, physicality and ability to win contested catches have all translated, while his blocking has helped his case for regular snaps. Fields caught 36 passes for 630 yards and five touchdowns at Notre Dame last season. He also made an immediate impression in the preseason opener, catching all three of his targets for 34 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. The Giants' current unofficial depth chart still lists Darius Slayton with the first group, so Fields has not officially been named a starter. ESPN's projection is another sign, though, that the rookie has pushed himself into a significant role heading into Week 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
J.K. Dobbins Back on Track for Lead Role
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins has steadied his redraft outlook after an early-August injury scare. Dobbins left practice on August 10 with a soft-tissue issue, but Sean Payton said at the time he expected the veteran to be fine. Dobbins returned to individual work the next day and said after Denver's second preseason game that he was fully healthy and "feels great." More importantly, the Broncos' August 25 unofficial depth chart still lists him first at running back, ahead of RJ Harvey. Dobbins earned that standing last season, rushing 153 times for 772 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games while averaging 5.0 yards per carry before a foot injury ended his regular season. Denver then brought him back on a two-year deal in March. Harvey should remain involved, particularly in the passing game, while fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman has impressed Sean Payton and gives the Broncos another physical option. That keeps Dobbins from projecting as a true workhorse. Still, the latest health concern has passed without costing him the top spot. RotoBaller's August 25 half-PPR rankings have Dobbins 80th overall, and his early-down role remains intact entering Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
