RADIO
Mason Rudolph Dominating Steelers' Backup Competition
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a third and a sixth-round pick at quarterback over the course of the past two drafts, but according to beat reporter Alan Saunders, the battle for the primary backup job behind Aaron Rodgers has been dominated by veteran Mason Rudolph. Saunders lists both Will Howard and Drew Allar among his losers of the second week of Steelers training camp, with them all but handing the competition to Rudolph. While Rudolph himself has done little to stand out, Howard has reportedly been unable to close the gap that looked to be tightening during OTAs, making too many errors to overcome a limited skill set. Allar, meanwhile, has flashed standout athleticism, but is still a long way away from running an NFL offense after a near-total teardown of his fundamentals. With Rodgers preparing for his 22nd and final season, the rookie still has the best chances to eventually take over, but the backup job for 2026 is expected to remain with Rudolph.
Source: Alan Saunders
Source: Alan Saunders
Carson Beck Back Working with the Threes
After an impressive starting debut in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck was back working primarily with the third-unit offense during Sunday's practice, and he was not particularly sharp, according to team reporter Darren Urban. While he did rally with a pair of touchdown throws late in practice, the offense was reportedly a step behind the defense for much of the day. Beck was a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and there is an expectation that he could see starting work at some point as a rookie. His performance in the Hall of Fame Game offered reassurance to fantasy managers weighing the late-season upside of players like Trey McBride or Jeremiyah Love. However, Beck will still need to establish consistency and show he can run the offense without significant drop-off to remove some of the lingering doubt surrounding his high-profile teammates.
Source: Darren Urban
Source: Darren Urban
Oronde Gadsden Listed as Co-Starter on First Unofficial Depth Chart
The Los Angeles Chargers released their first unofficial depth chart on Sunday ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Texans, and tight end Oronde Gadsden is listed as a co-starter along with both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. The "or" designation is used throughout the lineup, including at running back where both Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal are listed in the primary backup spot, but with the highest statistical upside of the tight end group, fantasy managers are likely looking for more signs of encouragement surrounding Gadsden after he spent much of the early offseason as a popular breakout candidate. The second-year tight end was candid in recent remarks to the media about needing to improve as a blocker, and with Kolar and Njoku both excelling in that area, Gadsden could be hard-pressed to make consistent contributions in 2026, and he enters the year as RotoBaller's TE20.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Isiah Pacheco Has MCL Sprain, Should Be Ready for Week 1
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is dealing with a sprained MCL, but head coach Dan Campbell told the media that the team still feels good about his Week 1 availability, according to beat writer Nolan Bianchi. Pacheco signed a one-year deal in the offseason but having now missed a string of training camp practices, the Lions have leaned on third-year back Sione Vaki to handle an expanded workload as three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs ramps back up from an early training camp hold-in that resulted in him becoming the league's highest paid running back. After splitting the backfield with David Montgomery for his first three seasons, Gibbs is expected to handle close to a bell cow role in 2026, limiting Pacheco's standalone value but making him one of fantasy's most important handcuff backs and a player who can generally be found in the closing rounds of drafts as RotoBaller's RB44.
Source: Nolan Bianchi
Source: Nolan Bianchi
Xavier Legette Returns to Practice
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (neck) was back at practice on Sunday after suffering a stinger while hauling in a touchdown catch and leaving Tuesday's practice on a cart. The third-year player was a full participant in what was one of the more intense sessions of the summer, according to team reporter Kassidy Hill. With 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II (knee) already ruled out for the entirety of his rookie season after tearing his LCL in the early days of training camp, Legette's presence becomes all the more important as the potential third receiver alongside Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Head coach Dave Canales has indicated that he will play his starters in Saturday's next preseason matchup with the Bills, and barring any setbacks, Legette, who is RotoBaller's WR109, should be a part of that group.
Source: Kassidy Hill
Source: Kassidy Hill
Antonio Williams at the Bottom of Commanders' Depth Chart
The Washington Commanders have released their first unofficial depth chart of the season ahead of their first preseason tilt with the Dolphins, and like many of the team's rookies, wide receiver Antonio Williams is listed near the bottom of his position group. A low spot on the depth chart is typical for rookies at this time of year, though it's worth noting that first-round pick Sonny Styles is already listed as one of the team's starting linebackers. Williams currently sits behind at least four wide receivers, including Stefon Diggs, who signed with the team on Friday, and with tight end Chig Okonkwo reportedly seeing extensive work out of the slot, calls of a sleeper season have quieted significantly for the third-round pick in recent days. Now sitting at RotoBaller's WR95, Williams offers little fantasy upside in 2026.
Source: Nick Jhabvala
Source: Nick Jhabvala
Hunter Henry Signs Two-Year Extension with Patriots
Veteran tight end Hunter Henry and the New England Patriots have agreed on a two-year extension that will keep him with the team through his age-34 season, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Henry signed with the Patriots in 2021, and the new deal increases the likelihood that he finishes his career in New England. The 11th-year pro caught 60 passes in 2025 for a career-high 768 yards, and he's become a favorite target for quarterback Drake Maye. While the Patriots spent a Day 2 pick on rookie Eli Raridon, and the addition of A.J. Brown could add touchdown competition in the red zone, those concerns are thoroughly baked into Henry's draft cost, giving him a chance to once more surpass ADP expectations as the 16th tight end off the board after top 12 finishes in each of the past two seasons.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Jordan Mason a Standout Throughout Vikings Camp
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason led the team in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in 2025, and after arriving at training camp in exceptional shape, he's drawn the praise of beat reporters throughout the summer, with The Athletic's Alec Lewis the most recent to label him as a camp standout. Listing Mason as one of four running backs to make the team in his latest 53-man roster projection, Lewis points out the explosiveness he's shown in team drills while also acknowledging the trust that head coach Kevin O'Connell has in veteran Aaron Jones Sr. Jones is now 31 years old and missed five games in 2025, so the team could opt to keep him fresh in his 10th season by limiting some of his between-the-tackles touches and using him more in the passing game, opening an opportunity for Mason to claim the bulk of early-down and goal-line work. At RotoBaller's RB37, Mason is a late-round target with double-digit touchdown potential in what should be an improved Vikings offense.
Source: Alec Lewis - The Athletic
Source: Alec Lewis - The Athletic
Fair to Doubt Makai Lemon's Starting Status
When the Philadelphia Eagles spent a first-round pick on wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring), he was viewed as a critical piece to replacing the production of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, with expectations that he could earn a starting role out the gates. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury has sidelined him for much of training camp, and when he has been on the field, his impact has been minimal, leading beat reporter Jimmy Kempski to note, "It's fair at this point to doubt that he will start, at least early in the season." A strong camp has positioned Dontayvion Wicks to begin the year as the team's second receiver opposite DeVonta Smith, but Lemon still has a chance to earn early reps out of the slot, making the team's three-game preseason slate and a pair of joint practices with the Patriots all the more important for his development. The rookie sits at RotoBaller's WR50, but a further prolonged absence could push him into the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Jimmy Kempski
Source: Jimmy Kempski
Luther Burden III Expected to Miss the Preseason, Could Still Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is expected to miss about a month, with the hope that he'll be available for the season opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 13, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The second-year wideout had been one of the team's training camp standouts before exiting Saturday's practice with a groin injury after getting tangled with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson during one-on-one drills. After a strong finish to his rookie year, Burden has been tabbed as a breakout candidate and was one of the fastest risers throughout much of the offseason with a current ADP of WR20, but the injury is likely to cause uncertainty and could cause him to slip in upcoming drafts.
Source: Matt Zenitz
Source: Matt Zenitz
Jayden Daniels: A Boom or Bust QB1 in 2026
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has experienced the highs and lows of the NFL in his first two seasons. In 2024, Daniels won the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year, finished as QB5 in fantasy formats, and helped the Commanders reach their first NFC Championship Game since 1992. The next season was brutal, as Daniels suffered several injuries and the team went 5-12. Now, Daniels will have to operate without his star left tackle, Laremy Tunsil (triceps), who will miss most of the 2026 season. While the former second-overall pick has significant upside, with upgraded weapons and elite rushing ability, his floor is very low. His injury history and potential offensive line concerns make him a high-risk/high-reward option in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jason Myers One of the Best Kicker Options in Fantasy Drafts
After an elite 2025 season, Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers enters this season as one of the best at the position. Myers made 41 of 48 field goals (a league-high) and all 48 extra-point attempts, helping the Seahawks win the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. Myers averaged 11.9 fantasy points per game last season, finishing as the second-best kicker on a per-game basis, behind Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn. While the volume was there, his accuracy could've been better: he made 85.4% of his field goals, which ranked below the league average in 2025. While he may not be able to fully replicate his fantastic season, Myers should be among the top kickers off the board in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacoby Brissett Struggles with Deep Ball on Sunday
Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett has struggled with the deep ball in training camp, missing roughly seven throws in Sunday's practice, including four to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., according to Bo Brack of PHNX Sports. Brissett signed a reworked one-year, $15.5 million contract in late July and started the final 12 games of the 2025 season, going 1-11 despite posting solid numbers. With the team using the 65th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on quarterback Carson Beck (who was fantastic in Thursday's Hall-of-Fame Game), Brissett's status in Arizona remains uncertain. If Brissett struggles to start the season, the Cardinals could opt to start the rookie to assess whether he's the future at quarterback. In Superflex formats, Brissett is a solid late-round option, but expectations should be tempered after his extremely high-volume 2025 season.
Source: Bo Brack - PHNX Sports
Source: Bo Brack - PHNX Sports
Justice Hill a Great Fit in Ravens' New Offense
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill enters his seventh NFL season as he prepares for his first coaching change. Hill had a down year in 2025, totaling 262 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, averaging 5.5 half-PPR fantasy points per game. The good news: former Bears' offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is now the team's play caller. Doyle comes from the Sean Payton coaching tree, and in all the years he's been in the NFL, running backs have caught more than 50 passes in five of the seven seasons. Payton's offense favors throwing to running backs, which is good news for Hill, who is clearly the best receiving back in the offense. Hill's role in Baltimore is solidified, but with star running back Derrick Henry expected to take most of the snaps in this backfield, Hill doesn't carry much fantasy value in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Red Flags Surrounding Rachaad White's Value This Season
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White enters the 2026 season amid concerns about his situation. Over the past two seasons, White has averaged 54 scrimmage yards and scored 13 touchdowns in 27 games, posting 11 half-PPR fantasy points per game. After running behind one of the NFL's strongest run-blocking units, White now joins Washington, where the team will be without star left tackle Laremy Tunsil (triceps) for most of the season. His career average of 3.9 yards per carry, aided by the Buccaneers' solid offensive line, could drop substantially if the Commanders' offensive line struggles without Tunsil. He will also have to contend with second-year running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who has stood out in the passing game this camp and averaged 4.6 yards per carry in 2025. With offensive line concerns and a young back standing out, White has plenty of red flags heading into the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
