Jun 12, 2026, 2:15 PM ET

The NFL closed its review of the matter involving free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs and his former chef, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The league said there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a personal-conduct policy violation. Diggs was found not guilty a month ago on charges that he assaulted his private chef during a dispute. The 32-year-old four-time Pro Bowler had his seventh 1,000-yard season in 2025 and led the New England Patriots in receiving as they marched to the Super Bowl. Despite his solid year in New England, the Pats released Diggs in the offseason for salary cap reasons, and he remains on the open market. With no potential suspension hanging over his head for the 2026 season, interest in Diggs on the free-agent market should increase as the start of training camps around the league approaches in late July. The Patriots are unlikely to re-sign him, leaving the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens as the most likely landing spots for the 11-year veteran. In dynasty leagues, Diggs isn't a bad buy-low candidate for managers in win-now mode.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Jun 12, 2026, 2:05 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange said this week that he's being asked to line up in "a lot more positions," but despite the added responsibilities, he feels that his second year in head coach Liam Coen's offense is "a lot less chaotic," per Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie deal after catching 91 passes on 122 targets for 986 yards and six touchdowns in 43 games (26 starts) for the Jags over his first three years in the NFL. The former second-rounder (61st overall) out of Penn State in 2023 is the team's clear No. 1 pass-catching tight end going into the 2026 season, even though Jacksonville added rookies Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol in the NFL draft in April. Strange had career highs across the board in catches (46), targets (60), receiving yards (540), and touchdowns (three) in his 12 regular-season starts a year ago, and even though the offense is expected to feature plenty of two-TE sets this year, his production should improve because of his versatility. In a contract year, Strange could be an excellent value pick in fantasy as a TE2 with upside in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Jacksonville Florida Times-Union - Garry Smits

Jun 12, 2026, 1:56 PM ET

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, who followed head coach John Harbaugh over from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, was quarterback Jaxson Dart's "favorite target in open practices this spring," according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The athletic tight end was dangerous on crossing routes, and his needle is pointing firmly up in fantasy football as the 2026 season nears. The 26-year-old former fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2022 out of Coastal Carolina never had more than 477 yards in his four seasons in Baltimore, but he should be a featured piece of the Giants' offense after he saw a career-low 36 targets in 2025. Duggan writes that the G-Men gave Likely a three-year, $40 million contract based on the projection that he "will thrive" after spending the last four years in Mark Andrews' shadow. We should expect the Giants to "manufacture touches for Likely on screens." RotoBaller has likely ranked as the No. 12 fantasy TE right now, and if receiver Malik Nabers (knee) isn't ready for the start of the season, Likely's role will be even bigger early on.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan

Jun 12, 2026, 1:47 PM ET

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on 92.3 The Fan that "everything is on the table" with regards to quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) this year. "Honestly, the public discourse doesn't really have a factor in terms of how we think about putting together the team or Todd in terms of putting together the best lineup...that really doesn't play a factor into it," Berry said when asked how past comments about the Watson trade play into the future. Watson, who missed all of last season with a twice-torn Achilles tendon, is competing with second-year QB Shedeur Sanders for the starting job in new head coach Todd Monken's offense. Last spring, owner Jimmy Haslam said that the trade for Watson was "a big swing and a miss." The Browns have acknowledged that the trade for the 30-year-old was a disaster after they signed him to a five-year, $230 million deal in March of 2022. Watson has played in just 19 games for the team since he joined them in 2022, but all of that is history now, and Berry isn't ruling anything out, including a potential new deal for the QB as he heads into his final year under contract with the organization. For fantasy purposes, Watson will be a low-end QB2 target in superflex leagues if he wins the job over Sanders. He hasn't played a full season since 2020 with the Houston Texans, and he's completed 61% of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his 19 games with Cleveland.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 92.3 The Fan

Jun 12, 2026, 1:39 PM ET

The Athletic's Jesse Newell writes that if the Kansas City Chiefs handed out an MVP award for their organized team activities this offseason, the recipient would have been wide receiver Xavier Worthy. And Worthy did it all while wearing a no-contact jersey while in the final stages of his recovery from a torn labrum that he suffered in 2025. "Xavier really had a nice camp," head coach Andy Reid said. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder and former first-rounder in 2024 added strength in the offseason as part of the process while rehabbing from surgery in January to fix the torn labrum in his shoulder. Newell thinks there are plenty of reasons for optimism around Worthy in 2026 after he caught just 42 passes for 532 yards and one touchdown in 13 games a year ago. The 23-year-old tore his labrum on the first drive of Week 1, and he wasn't the same weapon afterward. Reid admitted in March that the coaches changed Worthy's role late in the year to shield him from further injury. His shoulder is close to 100% and is improving daily. RotoBaller currently has Worthy ranked as the No. 45 WR for 2026, but if Rashee Rice (knee) faces another suspension, his draft stock will receive a huge boost.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell

Jun 12, 2026, 1:26 PM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Thursday that there is "absolutely no question" he wants veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield around long term, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Mayfield said just last week that he and the team are "not anywhere close to what we were thinking" as he seeks a new deal going into the final year of his three-year, $100 million deal. The 31-year-old wants a new deal done before the start of training camp at the end of July. If a deal isn't reached by then, Mayfield and his agent, Tom Mills, plan to shut down negotiations and focus on the 2026 season. If no deal is struck during or after the season, Mayfield would become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Mayfield led Tampa to back-to-back NFC South titles in 2023 and 2024 immediately after Tom Brady retired. The team has gone 27-24 with Mayfield as their starter, and he was a Pro Bowler in both 2023 and 2024 while throwing for over 4,000 yards in both seasons. He took a step back last year, though, throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 picks in 17 starts. Mayfield's fantasy stock is down entering his ninth NFL season due to durability concerns and the fact that he lost his top wideout, future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, in free agency. RotoBaller currently has Mayfield ranked as the No. 20 QB for the 2026 campaign.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine

Jun 12, 2026, 1:18 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell plans to have quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy compete for the starting job in training camp, but The Athletic's Alec Lewis reports that O'Connell said he "doesn't plan to take the competition until the end of training camp." Over the five practices open to the media in recent weeks, neither Murray nor McCarthy "performed drastically better than the other." Both players split reps evenly. O'Connell suggested both QBs will play in the preseason, but he cautioned against reading too much into circumstances and reps. Murray's "arm talent surfaced early," and McCarthy's "experience in the offense showed itself" in seven-on-seven situations. O'Connell acknowledged the hurdle that Murray faces in "absorbing the most complex scheme of his career in a confined period of time." None of Minnesota's players have hinted at a favorite, but Murray feels like the favorite before the start of training camp, especially when considering McCarthy's injuries and inconsistency as the Vikings' starter a year ago. Right now, Murray is the more attractive low-end QB2 target in best-ball drafts with upside for plenty more because of his scrambling ability if he ends up being named the starter.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis

Jun 12, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, finished his rookie year with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 17 games. While the 24-year-old mostly struggled in his first season, he remains the unquestioned starter in Tennessee heading into 2026 and should have a vastly improved offensive ecosystem around him. The Titans brought in a new play-caller in Brian Daboll, selected wide receiver Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and signed veteran slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency. Ward also reportedly showed up to OTAs looking noticeably slimmer, which could help improve his rushing production after he logged 159 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries in 2025. Ward's underwhelming rookie season brings some risk to his dynasty profile, as it may become clear that he's not the long-term answer in Tennessee if he disappoints again in 2026. However, the dysfunctional nature of the environment around him last season cannot be discounted. Dynasty managers may be wise to try to buy low on Ward ahead of 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 12:48 PM ET

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman saw his production drop off across the board in 2025, as he finished the year with 21 receptions for 270 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. The 26-year-old suffered an early-season hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve and may have ultimately derailed his campaign. However, injuries have been a persistent issue for Tillman, as he's missed 13 games over the first three years of his NFL career. As he enters the final season on his rookie contract with the Browns, Tillman may no longer be a part of the team's long-term plans. Cleveland enters 2026 with a new coaching staff in place and used a pair of top-40 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. A change of scenery could be what Tillman needs to get his career off the ground, but he's done little to this point to prove he's worthy of a spot on dynasty rosters.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 12:39 PM ET

After a highly productive career at the University of Nebraska, running back Emmett Johnson was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson dominated the Big Ten in 2025, recording 1,821 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns on 297 touches across 12 games. His path to the starting job with the Chiefs is blocked by running back Kenneth Walker III, whom Kansas City signed to a big-money deal in free agency in March. However, Johnson could emerge as the team's RB2 in 2026 if he can beat out fellow Kansas City backs Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith. Walker III was fully healthy in 2025, but he missed 10 games over the first three seasons of his NFL career from 2022 to 2024. If Johnson establishes himself as the primary backup running back for the Chiefs, his three-down skill set makes him a high-end handcuff option for fantasy managers. In dynasty formats, Johnson's stock is rising entering his rookie campaign.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 12:28 PM ET

Across 13 games in 2025, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele recorded 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. Vele played a minimal role in his team's passing game early in the year, but he emerged as a larger piece after the Saints traded wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks at the 2025 trade deadline. Across a four-game stretch from Week 12 to Week 15, Vele recorded 19 receptions for 236 yards and a score on 26 targets. However, Vele suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 15 and may now be facing another uphill battle for playing time in New Orleans in 2026. The Saints were aggressive in pursuing wide receiver talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, using a first-round pick on Jordyn Tyson and day three selections on wideouts Bryce Lance and Barion Brown. Although Vele is only in his third NFL campaign, he's already entering his age-29 season and likely offers limited upside for dynasty managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 12:20 PM ET

After recording 54 receptions for 1,054 yards and six touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season at Mississippi State, wide receiver Brenen Thompson was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers. Thompson is known as a vertical field stretcher with elite speed, as evidenced by his 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 Scouting Combine. The 22-year-old will be part of a crowded wide receiver room in Los Angeles and projects to play a reserve role as a rookie behind Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris. Still, Thompson may have found an ideal landing spot with the Chargers thanks to the presence of new play-caller Mike McDaniel, who has a proven track record of weaponizing players with speed from his time with the Miami Dolphins. In dynasty formats, Thompson's long-term outlook is trending upwards ahead of his rookie campaign.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 12:10 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor put together a dominant year in 2025, recording 1,963 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns on 369 touches. The 27-year-old averaged 4.9 yards per carry while also setting career-highs in targets (55), receptions (46), and receiving yards (378). Entering 2026, Taylor once again projects as the focal point of a Colts offense that will get quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) back from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely. However, fantasy managers may have a reason to be concerned about Taylor's ability to hold up after shouldering such a large workload last season. After recording 372 touches in 2021, Taylor proceeded to miss 16 games over a three-season span between 2022 and 2024. He also has a history of recurring ankle injuries, which could easily pop back up in 2026. While Taylor is still a high-level fantasy running back, dynasty managers may want to explore selling high on him for a monstrous package ahead of 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 10:58 AM ET

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) had a lost season in 2025 after suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Nabers underwent surgery to repair both his ACL and meniscus, and the severity of the injury has his status for the start of the 2026 season currently in question. Nabers looked like a future superstar at the wide receiver position before getting hurt, recording 127 receptions for 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns on 205 targets across the first 19 games of his NFL career. Until he shows he is fully healthy and back to the player he was before the injury, Nabers' profile obviously comes with some risk for dynasty managers. Still, Nabers is only entering his age-23 season and still profiles as the obvious centerpiece in an improving Giants passing game. Even if he misses games to start 2026, he profiles long-term as a high-end dynasty WR1 as long as he eventually makes a full recovery. In dynasty formats, managers may have a golden opportunity to pursue Nabers at what could be the absolute low point in his value entering 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 10:48 AM ET

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerged as a superstar in 2025, recording 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns on 163 targets across 17 games. The 24-year-old put together one of the most preposterously efficient pass-catching seasons in NFL history, averaging 3.61 yards per route run. Entering 2026, Smith-Njigba may face some standard regression to the mean from an efficiency perspective. However, the Seahawks were one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL last season, finishing the year ranked 30th in pass rate. If Seattle is forced to turn to the air a bit more this upcoming season, a slight volume bump for Smith-Njigba could help make up for any drop-off in efficiency. Either way, Smith-Njigba is entering the prime of his career and appears poised to be one of the best wide receivers in fantasy football for the foreseeable future. In dynasty formats, he has a legitimate case to be valued as the number one overall wide receiver.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller