Jul 21, 2026, 2:16 PM ET

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield will reach a contract extension before Week 1 of the regular season in early September. Mayfield said in June that the two sides weren't close to a new deal and that he didn't want to negotiate after training camp started this summer. The Buccaneers made an official offer back in June, and the reality is that Mayfield's camp wasn't pleased with the offer and hasn't made a counteroffer yet. There hasn't been much progress since, but Breer reports that Tampa is "prepared to dive in on negotiations this week," with the first day of practice set for next Wednesday. The 31-year-old is due to make $40 million in 2026, the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract. Something in the range of $165 million over another three years for Mayfield makes the most sense. For fantasy purposes, the two-time Pro Bowler failed to reach the 4,000-yard passing mark for the third straight year in 2025 while battling through injuries. Better health should help him in 2026, but in a new offense without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans, a bounce-back isn't guaranteed. Fantasy managers should treat Mayfield as more of a low-end QB2 in superflex formats for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer

Jul 21, 2026, 1:59 PM ET

A first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2022, current Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks was never able to live up to his draft-day pedigree in Tennessee. However, the 26-year-old could have a second chance to establish an NFL career in Washington. After latching on with the Commanders midway through the 2025 season, Burks recorded 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets across eight games (three starts). While Burks' numbers do not leap off the page, Washington does not currently have an obvious WR2 behind star wideout Terry McLaurin. Health has been one of the main reasons why Burks has struggled as a pro, as he's missed 33 games across four seasons due to toe, knee, concussion, and collarbone issues. If he can stay on the field in 2026, Burks could establish a role in Washington going forward. Dynasty managers in deeper league formats may be wise to take a low-cost flyer on Burks.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:52 PM ET

The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that optimism persists for quarterback Max Brosmer. The Vikings wished he didn't have to play during his rookie season, but circumstances put him into the spotlight last year due to injuries to J.J. McCarthy, and he completed 66.2% of his pass attempts for 328 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions in seven games (two starts). Lewis adds that if the Vikings were to release him, there would be plenty of interest around the league. The 25-year-old didn't have much help from the offensive line in front of him, and he was sacked 14 times in 85 dropbacks in his first year in the league. It's unclear what the Vikings will do with their QB room heading into the 2026 regular season, as they also have McCarthy, Kyler Murray, and veteran Carson Wentz. The QB1 battle between McCarthy and Murray is expected to go right up to the start of the regular season in early September. At best, Brosmer is most likely being groomed for the backup QB job in the long run.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis

Jul 21, 2026, 1:46 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition is set to go "right up to the start" of the 2026 regular season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Vikings acquired veteran Kyler Murray over the offseason to compete with incumbent signal-caller J.J. McCarthy, who battled both injuries and underperformance in 2025. Murray was limited to just five games in 2025 by a foot injury and has struggled with inconsistency himself in recent seasons. However, he's demonstrated a much higher ceiling than McCarthy to this point in their respective careers and was a productive dual-threat quarterback as recently as 2024, when he threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 572 yards and five scores. Fantasy managers with an interest in Vikings wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and/or Jauan Jennings may be better served if Murray wins the job, as the veteran quarterback likely offers the higher floor. Still, McCarthy is only entering his age-23 season and could be a higher-upside option.--Will Brady
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Jul 21, 2026, 1:37 PM ET

A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has missed 14 games across his first two professional seasons due to both knee and ankle injuries and recovery from a gunshot wound. The 25-year-old was productive when on the field in 2025, recording 36 catches for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games. Despite his health issues to this point in his career, Pearsall remains well-positioned as a key piece in the San Francisco offense going forward. Entering 2026, the 49ers' top three pass-catchers are wide receiver Mike Evans, tight end George Kittle (Achilles), and running back Christian McCaffrey. All three players are now in their 30s and are likely nearing the tail end of their respective careers. If Pearsall can put together a fully healthy and productive season in 2026, he could profile as the team's number one option in the passing game as soon as 2027. Dynasty managers should be exploring buy-low opportunities on Pearsall ahead of a potential breakout campaign.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:28 PM ET

The first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward completed 59.8% of his pass attempts for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 17 games as a rookie. The 24-year-old largely struggled in his first taste of NFL action, leading the league in sacks taken (55) and averaging just 5.9 yards per pass attempt. However, Ward should have a significantly better support system around him in 2026. Tennessee overhauled its coaching staff over the offseason, including bringing in former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as its new offensive coordinator. The Titans also made a pair of high-profile additions to their wide receiver room, selecting Carnell Tate with the fourth pick in the 2026 Draft and signing Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency. While Ward may not have top-12 fantasy QB upside in his second professional season, he could be undervalued at his current redraft ADP of QB25.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:20 PM ET

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen put together another highly productive season in 2025, throwing for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for 579 yards and 14 scores. With the Bills shifting to a more run-heavy scheme in recent years, Allen has now recorded consecutive seasons with fewer than 4,000 passing yards and has not reached 30 touchdown passes in a single campaign since 2022. However, the 30-year-old's legs remain extremely valuable for fantasy managers, as he's logged three straight seasons with at least 500 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. In that time frame, Allen has finished no lower than the overall QB2 in per-game fantasy scoring. Entering 2026, Allen may be working with his most potent wide receiver corps in a while following Buffalo's offseason acquisition of veteran wideout DJ Moore. As long as he stays healthy, Allen may have the highest floor of any quarterback option in fantasy football.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 1:10 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet's (knee) status for the start of the 2026 regular season is currently up in the air as he works his way back from the torn ACL that he suffered in mid-January. Charbonnet was productive while splitting reps with former Seahawks back Kenneth Walker III in 2025, recording 874 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns on 204 touches across 16 games. While Walker III departed Seattle in free agency, the team used its first-round pick in the 2026 Draft on running back Jadarian Price and also signed veteran back Emanuel Wilson. Still, Charbonnet profiles as the team's clear short-yardage and goal-line back once healthy, and he could easily assume more of a three-down role if Price gets off to a slow start to his rookie season. The injury obviously adds some risk to Charbonnet's profile, but he could end up being a bargain as the 41st running back off the board by current redraft ADP.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 12:49 PM ET

Houston Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins was limited in organized team activities this spring, but he explained that he wasn't dealing with any injuries, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. "Not at all, not at all. They did that. I listened to the coaches, listened to the GMs, saying yes sir. And they told me to be ready for camp, yes sir," Collins said. The 27-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Michigan has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two years and has three straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but he has yet to play a full season in his five years in the NFL due to injuries. He missed time last year with head injuries, and he missed five games in 2024 with a hamstring issue. When healthy, he's Houston's clear WR1 for QB C.J. Stroud, and he had 71 catches on 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season games in 2025. Collins should continue to see a large target volume, but there remain questions about the Texans' offense as a whole, and both second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel should have bigger roles in 2026. Collins should still be considered a WR1 in fantasy, he's on the lower end in RotoBaller's rankings in Tier 3.--Keith Hernandez
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson

Jul 21, 2026, 12:40 PM ET

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) is expected to be good to go for the start of training camp next week, according to Sean Keeler of The Denver Post. Head coach Sean Payton has been saying the same thing after Nix was limited during mandatory minicamp following offseason ankle surgery and a follow-up procedure earlier this year. The 26-year-old is expected to be a full-go for the start of camp, which means he shouldn't be limited at all for the start of the 2026 regular season on Monday night in Week 1 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The former 12th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Oregon has finished as a top-10 fantasy QB in his first two seasons, even though he hasn't had much success deep down the field in Payton's offense. Nix threw for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on a league-high 612 pass attempts in 17 regular-season starts in 2025, completing 63.4% of his passes. The hope is that the addition of receiver Jaylen Waddle will help the Broncos stretch the field and become more explosive through the air, but ultimately, Nix's ability to run the ball after ankle surgery could determine whether he'll finish as a top-10 QB for a third straight season. Fantasy managers should consider the third-year signal-caller as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 with a little more risk coming off a serious ankle injury in last year's postseason.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Denver Post - Sean Keeler

Jul 21, 2026, 12:25 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins and All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks agreed to a three-year, $51.3 million contract extension on Tuesday that includes $35 million guaranteed, sources told Jordan Schultz. Brooks earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors last year by leading the NFL in tackles with 183 (99 solo), and he added 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 17 starts in his sixth year in the league (second with Miami). The new Dolphins regime identified Brooks as a key piece of the team's future, and they backed it up just before the start of training camp by signing the 28-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 out of Texas Tech with a new contract. Brooks finished as the No. 2 linebacker in IDP fantasy formats in 2025 and will be one of the top options at the position in those same formats as he heads into his seventh year in the NFL. He has a total of 839 tackles (494 solo), 13 sacks, an interception, 25 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries in 97 games (89 starts) in his career.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Jordan Schultz

Jul 21, 2026, 11:02 AM ET

A series of injuries has limited Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd to only six career carries since being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but the team is hopeful that he can make an impact yet. Lloyd missed the entirety of the 2025 season with a recurring hamstring injury, and recent testing has revealed the ailment could be tied to an ACL tear suffered in college. With a plan in place to help him navigate the offseason program, the 25-year-old will enter training camp healthy and with the potential to emerge as Josh Jacobs' primary backup. With Jacobs' availability still somewhat in question following a domestic violence situation that has yet to result in charges, that role could be a crucial one for both the Packers and fantasy managers alike. Currently RotoBaller's RB63, Lloyd's spot in the rankings would surge if he's suddenly thrust into a larger role, but even as a change-of-pace back, he has the ability to work his way into weekly flex conversations should the Packers opt to lighten the load on their 28-year-old starter.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Wes Hodkiewicz

Jul 21, 2026, 10:49 AM ET

When veterans and rookies report for Philadelphia Eagles training camp at the end of the month, it will be quarterback Jalen Hurts' first extended opportunity to build chemistry with his new receiving corps. In trading away three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, the Eagles are relying on a number of new faces to fill the ranks alongside incumbents DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert in an effort to rebound from a shaky 2025 offensive outing. Veterans Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown join rookies Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers in what could be a more balanced passing attack that allows Hurts to spread the ball around. Regardless of any criticism he's faced in recent years, Hurts has never failed to deliver for fantasy, finishing as the QB9 or better in each of the past five seasons despite playing under four different offensive coordinators in that span. Hurts is RotoBaller's QB6 in 2026, but in a year where so many different quarterbacks elicit strong reactions from the fantasy community, he has been seen regularly slipping into the later rounds of drafts, making him a near can't-miss pick with one of the safest floors at the position.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 10:38 AM ET

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte served as the team's most reliable downfield weapon in 2025, but there is little reliability to be found in his role for 2026. The subject of trade rumors throughout much of the offseason, Boutte remains with the team as the Patriots prepare to open training camp with their first public practice on Saturday, but major changes to the receiver room create questions of where he fits into an ascending offense. The Patriots traded for three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown after signing Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million deal, and with both players spending the majority of their careers on the outside, Boutte could be pressed for playing time if he does indeed stick in New England. While a camp injury elsewhere could rekindle trade conversations and land Boutte in a more favorable situation, as it stands today, the former sixth-round pick holds little fantasy appeal in 2026 redraft leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 21, 2026, 10:25 AM ET

For the first time since his final season with the Bears in 2022, Houston Texans running back David Montgomery enters the year as the unquestioned leader of his team's backfield. With the Texans thrown an offseason curveball last year by the mysterious foot injury of presumed starter Joe Mixon, they were forced to piece the position together with a combination of veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks, neither of whom proved particularly effective for an offense built to play with a lead. Despite sharing the Detroit backfield with perennial Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs for the past three seasons, Montgomery has remained fantasy-relevant through his continued usage near the goal line, and as a player with a proven history of handling heavy workloads, he allows Marks to slip back into a more natural pass-catching role. With a defense that can help to create positive game scripts in a hurry, Montgomery should serve as the closer that this Texans offense was sorely lacking in 2025, and as RotoBaller's RB21, he represents reliable value often available in the middle rounds of drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller