RADIO
Garrett Wilson's Stock Rebounds After Healthy Summer
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson looks a lot easier to buy into after making it through the summer without any issues from the knee injury that derailed his 2025 season. Wilson played only seven games last year, finishing with 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets after opening his career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons. This summer has looked much more normal. He practiced throughout camp, aside from one illness-related absence, and caught three passes for 42 yards across two preseason appearances. The connection with new quarterback Geno Smith showed up repeatedly in practice, including a five-for-five stretch when Smith targeted Wilson during team work on Aug. 7. Wilson is still the clear No. 1 receiver on New York's depth chart, even with Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr. and a deeper group of pass catchers around him. RotoBaller has him at WR18 in its latest half-PPR rankings. After last year's lost season, a healthy Wilson looks like a solid WR2 with room to climb back toward the WR1 conversation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Makai Lemon's Rough Summer Has Cooled His Draft Appeal
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon came into the summer with a real shot to seize a major role right away, but things never quite got rolling. The No. 20 overall pick injured his hamstring on Aug. 3 and did not return to full participation until Aug. 24, costing him nearly three weeks of camp while Dontayvion Wicks made a push for work opposite DeVonta Smith. Lemon finally got on the field in the preseason finale against Cincinnati and looked rusty. He caught three of five targets for three yards, muffed a punt and had a drop that was intercepted. None of that changes why Philadelphia traded up for him after a 79-catch, 1,156-yard, 11-touchdown season at USC, and the Eagles say he is now fully healthy. It does make him harder to count on early. RotoBaller ranks Lemon WR48 in its September half-PPR rankings, which feels about right after a choppy August. There is still upside here, especially as the season goes on, but Lemon is better drafted as bench depth than as an immediate weekly option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Could be on Snap Count in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) traveled with the team to Australia for the Week 1 regular-season opener next Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but that does not mean that he will play a full game if he is active next week. If Kittle is active, The Athletic's Matt Barrows is "sure he won't be on the field for his usual 95 percent of the offensive snaps." The 49ers must consider the long ride back for Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the playoffs back in January. The 32-year-old veteran is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, but he also has a lengthy injury history and managed to play in just 11 regular-season games in 2025 in his ninth year in the NFL, catching 57 of his 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. The 49ers are most likely looking to slowly ease Kittle back into the offense so that he can be peaking late in the year if he manages to stay healthy in 2026. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups in Week 1 should be fading Kittle at the TE position.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Eli Raridon Still Rising in a More Crowded Tight End Room
New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon hasn't exactly been handed a clean path to fantasy relevance, but his summer still looks like a win. Hunter Henry signed a two-year extension in August after catching 60 passes for a career-high 768 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and New England added Cameron Latu off waivers this week. Raridon, though, remains No. 2 on the Patriots' current unofficial depth chart, ahead of Tanner Arkin and Latu. That's notable after the third-round rookie spent camp earning first-team work and praise from head coach Mike Vrabel for the progress he made as a blocker. Raridon caught only one pass for eight yards in preseason action, so this isn't a case built on exhibition numbers. It's more about where he finished the summer. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder went from a developmental pick behind Henry to a rookie who looks capable of getting on the field right away. RotoBaller ranked him TE45 in its August 24 redraft outlook, which still makes him more of a deep-league target than a standard starter. The path is crowded, but Raridon's stock is still moving the right way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce Practices in Full on Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday for the first time this summer after having ankle surgery in the spring, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. The Colts are just 10 days away from the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, but now that Pierce is a full-go in practice, he should be expected to be active to kick off the season. General manager Chris Ballard said earlier this week that the "hope" is that the 26-year-old big-play receiver will be ready to roll versus Baltimore on Sunday, Sept. 13. Indy gave Pierce a new four-year, $114 million contract extension in March after he had a career-high 1,003 receiving yards and 47 receptions for six touchdowns in 15 games in 2025 in his fourth year in the league. The former second-rounder from Cincinnati has led the NFL in each of the last two years in yards per catch, and he is expected to have a bigger role in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. out of town. As Pierce nears a return to full health for the start of the season, he should begin to rise up draft boards as a WR3/flex with plenty of boom potential.
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Alvin Kamara Absent From Thursday's Practice
New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) was not seen on the practice field on Thursday in the portion open to the media, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara still has another week to work himself back into practice and be cleared for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions after suffering a sprained MCL in his knee over two weeks ago. Kendre Miller has also been sidelined this week with a minor undisclosed injury, which leaves only Audric Estime and Travis Etienne Jr. as the team's healthy RBs. At this point, it seems more likely that Kamara is unavailable to play in the 2026 season opener, but he was not placed on Injured Reserve to begin the year, which means the Saints believe he will be ready to make his season debut within the first four weeks. Once one of the best dual-threat backs in the league, the 31-year-old five-time Pro Bowler has ended each of the last two years with injuries and played in a career-low 11 contests in 2025, rushing for only 471 yards and one touchdown on 131 carries while catching a career-low 33 passes for 186 yards. Now that Etienne is in town as the primary RB1 in the Big Easy, Kamara is merely a handcuff option with some pass-catching upside in PPR formats late in fantasy drafts.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Jeremiyah Love "Progressing" in Recovery From Ankle Injury
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said that rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is "progressing" as he rehabs an ankle injury that he suffered late in training camp, according to Howard Balzer of Cards Wire. Love appears to be making progress from what is believed to be a low-ankle sprain, but he could end up being questionable on next week's final injury report for the Week 1 clash against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 13. Fantasy managers will have a much better idea of whether the Notre Dame product will be ready for the season opener next weekend once the Cardinals start releasing their official injury reports next Wednesday. Even if Love is cleared to face the Chargers in his regular-season NFL debut, he is expected to share valuable touches in the backfield with Tyler Allgeier as he is eased in. The third overall pick in April has obvious three-down workhorse potential in the NFL after combining for 3,014 scrimmage yards and 40 total touchdowns in 28 games in his final two seasons for the Fighting Irish, but his short-term upside could be limited in an Arizona backfield that will eventually have James Conner (foot) fighting for touches. RotoBaller has the talented young back ranked as the RB18 as he heads into his first season in the NFL.
Source: Cards Wire - Howard Balzer
Source: Cards Wire - Howard Balzer
Jadarian Price Should be Featured on Early Downs
The Athletic's Andrew Destin writes that rookie running back Jadarian Price was not selected with the final pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft to be the direct replacement for Kenneth Walker, nor should he be a replacement for Zach Charbonnet (knee) as he nurses back to health following an ACL tear in last year's postseason. Price, a Notre Dame product, missed some time early in training camp with "upper-leg soreness," which has made it easier for Seattle to embrace a platoon with him and George Holani to start the 2026 season. Destin thinks Price will be featured plenty on first and second downs, with George Holani being used on third downs and in short-yardage and goal-line situations. It is a similar role that TreVeyon Henderson had with the New England Patriots last year as a rookie, which produced 1,132 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns (nine rushing, one receiving) in 17 regular-season games. The difference is that Price could find it more difficult to score if Holani is the goal-line back, and his volume will likely shrink once Charbonnet makes his season debut. Ideally, Price makes for a strong RB3/flex option in standard-scoring fantasy leagues entering Year 1, while also possessing RB2 upside if Charbonnet's recovery lingers into the second half of the season.
Source: The Athletic - Andrew Destin
Source: The Athletic - Andrew Destin
De'Zhaun Stribling to Begin as Starting Slot Receiver?
The Athletic's Matt Barrows thinks the plan is for rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to be the team's primary F slot receiver and Mike Evans' understudy at the X spot. The Niners brought in veteran Christian Kirk as a free agent, and he has plenty of experience as a slot receiver, but he will start the 2026 campaign on Injured Reserve with a calf injury, opening up a regular role for Stribling out of the slot to begin his first year in the NFL. The 23-year-old from Ole Miss has been one of the biggest risers on draft boards at the receiver position this summer due to a strong training camp and preseason, and the fact that wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee) has already been ruled out for the season. Stribling is a big body at WR at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, and he combined for 1,693 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 107 receptions in his final two seasons at Ole Miss. He was held out of the preseason finale due to a minor shoulder injury, but he should be ready for Week 1 in Australia next Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, where he could quickly start producing alongside Evans. Stribling will be a popular flex option in fantasy football drafts this weekend.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
George Holani the Seahawks' Goal-Line Back?
The Athletic's Andrew Destin anticipates Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani being used on third downs and in short-yardage and goal-line situations, with rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price being featured plenty on first and second downs. Price was slowed by "upper-leg soreness" early in training camp, making it easier for Seattle to embrace more of a platoon backfield as they open the 2026 regular season without Zach Charbonnet (knee), who tore his ACL in the playoffs in January. Free-agent signee Emanuel Wilson will occasionally mix in behind Holani and Price. When Charbonnet makes his season debut, he should pair well with Price, which "should allow Holani to slide back into a third-string role." Price has more short- and long-term fantasy appeal with more upside than Holani, which is why RotoBaller has Price ranked as the RB22 and Holani ranked at No. 75. If anything, Holani might be a thorn in Price's side early on in 2026. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent from Boise State has seen only 25 carries for 83 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and one touchdown in 16 games (zero starts) in his first two years in the NFL in Seattle.
Source: The Athletic - Andrew Destin
Source: The Athletic - Andrew Destin
Mike Vrabel Offers No Reaction to The Athletic's Internal Review
Asked on Thursday about his reaction to The Athletic's internal review of his relationship with reporter Dianna Russini, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters, "No, I don't have any reaction. We're moved on and focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots and focused on getting better this week." The investigation concluded that Russini violated The Athletic's conflict-of-interest rules by failing to disclose her relationship with Vrabel, but no clear evidence was found that she used her platform to promote Vrabel or help his teams. Asked if he feels the situation is now fully behind him, Vrabel reiterated, "[I'll] try to just say that I've moved on, and excited about this new opportunity here as we start this season." The Patriots open the 2026 season with a Wednesday night primetime rematch with the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks on September 9.
Source: Ari Meirov
Source: Ari Meirov
RJ Harvey has Value in PPR Leagues in Passing Role
Denver Broncos second-year running back RJ Harvey could be a key part of the team's passing game in 2026, according to Jon Heath of Broncos Wire. After the Broncos took Harvey in the second round last year out of Central Florida, the 25-year-old took on a huge role after J.K. Dobbins' season-ending foot injury and finished with 540 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 146 carries in 17 regular-season games, adding 47 receptions on 58 targets for 356 yards and another five TDs. His receiving skills were evident when he took a pass from quarterback Bo Nix for 21 yards and a touchdown last week. "That's where you felt the initial impact," head coach Sean Payton said of Harvey's receiving ability, "and you saw marks of that in college, and you also saw him as a runner. He's having a good camp in both areas [rushing and receiving], but it's certainly a strength of his." Denver's three-back rotation this year of Dobbins, Harvey, and rookie Jonah Coleman will limit Harvey's overall fantasy upside, but he still qualifies as a sleeper flex option in point-per-reception leagues in a Broncos offense that could be much more explosive in 2026.
Source: Broncos Wire - Jon Heath
Source: Broncos Wire - Jon Heath
An Improved Surrounding Cast Only Strengthens Josh Allen's QB1 Case
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has finished no lower than the QB2 in six consecutive seasons, making a strong claim to the greatest fantasy quarterback of all time while racking up four overall QB1 finishes over that span. With the addition of wide receiver DJ Moore and the potential return to health of tight end Dalton Kincaid, Allen could find himself leading one of Buffalo's most complete offenses in years, creating the possibility of another 4,000-yard passing campaign after falling short of that mark in each of the past two seasons. With one of the safest rushing floors the league has ever known and the potential of a vintage passing ceiling, it should come as no surprise that Allen ranks as RotoBaller's QB1 and stands alone as the only player at the position routinely going in the first two rounds of 2026 single-quarterback drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Otton a Potential Early-Season Streamer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has rarely flashed for fantasy since coming into the league as a fourth-round pick in 2022, but he has reliably done what's been asked of him, and with the Buccaneers opening the season with a receiver room at less than full strength, he could again be asked to step up. Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) have both been dealing with lingering injuries, putting their Week 1 availability in question. Even if both should suit up for the Buccaneers' season-opener against the Bengals, they could each face a snap count of sorts, providing Otton with a pathway to heavier involvement and an increased target share. Cracking the top 15 of the position four times in 2025, Otton has become a prototypical streamer, and although he ranks as RotoBaller's TE24 for 2026, he has the opportunity to re-enter that conversation straight out of the gate, making him a potentially usable piece early in the year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye's Growth Has Stood Out to His Head Coach
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye came one vote away from winning the MVP Award in his first full season as a starter, and head coach Mike Vrabel has seen notable improvements since he took over the team in 2025. In speaking with reporters on Thursday about Maye's growth, Vrabel pointed out, "More comfort in what we're doing. More command. More understanding." Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns to only eight interceptions, adding 450 yards and four scores on the ground on his way to a QB2 finish, and the Patriots spent the offseason improving his offensive line and pass-catchers, most notably adding receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, both of whom have reportedly established a quick rapport with the 24-year-old signal-caller. Questions about how much a historically easy schedule played into Maye's success have lingered throughout the offseason, particularly after a significant postseason dropoff, but an improved offensive environment could serve to raise a fantasy ceiling that was already among the highest in the league, making him a potential value at RotoBaller's QB6.
Source: Mark Daniels
Source: Mark Daniels
