RADIO
Makai Lemon Set for Major Role in Debut Season?
When the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, it was clear they were planning for life without three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. With the trade of Brown to New England becoming official on Monday, the spotlight on Lemon grows notably brighter. In his four seasons with the Eagles, Brown never earned less than a 27.3% target share, twice topping the 30% mark, and his absence creates the opportunity for Lemon to immediately claim a meaningful role in Philadelphia's new-look offense. After spending the past two seasons in Green Bay, Sean Mannion steps in as the Eagles' fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons, creating a fresh slate for every pass catcher on the roster. While DeVonta Smith has become the focal point of Philadelphia's passing offense in a small sample of games played without Brown over the past two seasons, he's done so without another target-earner of Lemon's caliber on the roster. While some early-season growing pains are to be expected, Lemon has both the talent and opportunity to quickly establish himself as a legitimate 1B in Philadelphia, and he is RotoBaller's rookie WR3 and dynasty WR21.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Latest Addition Put Drake Maye Among the Upper Echelon of Fantasy Elite?
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the MVP runner-up in his first full season as a starter, and with the Patriots officially trading for three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown on Monday, he gets not only a new No. 1 weapon, but one who marries up perfectly to his own rare abilities. Maye's 1,149 passing yards and 18 touchdowns against man coverage in 2025 were both top-four numbers in the NFL, and since 2022, Brown has ranked first in receptions, first in receiving yards, and fourth in receiving touchdowns against man coverage. Maye was arguably the best deep-ball thrower in the league last season, with a number one downfield target in Kayshon Boutte, who has never topped 589 yards in a season, while Brown has built a career out of dominating at the second level. While the Patriots are not acquiring the prime version of Brown, who received an MVP vote in his first year with the Eagles, he is undoubtedly the top receiver that Maye has had in his young career. With Romeo Doubs and a well-rounded supporting cast also getting a boost by being allowed to slot into more natural secondary or tertiary roles, it should come as no surprise if the 23-year-old Maye, currently RotoBaller's dynasty QB2, claims the top spot in the rankings by season's end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Hurts Could Face Regression After Loss of Top Pass Catcher
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has finished as the fantasy QB3, QB2, QB8, and QB8 over four seasons played with A.J. Brown as his number one wideout. While 10 rushing touchdowns and a career-high 784 yards on the ground resulted in a QB9 finish in his last season without Brown, it's undeniable that his best football has been played with the 6'1", 226-pound three-time Pro Bowler on the outside. With Brown being dealt to the Patriots on Monday, Hurts will be tasked with running a new-look offense under his fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons. In the four games that Hurts has played without Brown since 2022, he's averaged 19.7 fantasy points per game, which, while still impressive, is notably lower than the 23.0 points scored in games played together. With the Brown trade having been in the works for months, the Eagles prepared for this moment by adding Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and 2026 draft picks Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers, so the cupboard is by no means bare. With Philadelphia featuring one of the league's run-heaviest offenses and Hurts already accumulating many of his fantasy points with his legs, he is in a unique position to better absorb the loss of his number one receiver than most would be. Heading into his age-28 season, Hurts sits at QB7 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeVonta Smith Poised for WR1 Role in the Aftermath of Trade?
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith has seen his dynasty cost rise throughout the offseason as rumors of an A.J. Brown trade grew louder and more credible. With the deal finally becoming official on Monday, and Brown heading to New England for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, Smith steps into a role at the top of the depth chart in which he's thrived with limited opportunities. In three of the four games Smith has appeared in without Brown over the past two seasons, he's earned at least a 29% target share. A limited snap count in last season's finale is all that kept him from going four out of four, but his extrapolated full-season pace across those four contests is 98 receptions for 1,237 yards, legitimate WR1 numbers. Obviously, the trade was not made in a vacuum, as the Eagles planned for this moment by signing Hollywood Brown, trading for Dontayvion Wicks, and drafting Makai Lemon and tight end Eli Stowers, but Smith should be the most significant benefactor of Brown's absence, as he has been in a small but impressive sampling. Smith is RotoBaller's dynasty WR27, but that ranking could continue to rise as the season draws closer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Daniel Jones Participating in 7-on-7s
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones was cleared to participate in 7-on-7 drills on Monday as he continues to work his way back from the torn right Achilles that ended his 2025 season in December. Jones has been throwing throughout organized team activities, but progressing to 7-on-7 work is a significant milestone in his recovery and puts him one step closer to participating in full-team drills. Prior to the Week 14 injury, Jones was the fantasy QB7 in his first season with the Colts. With the team's leading target-earner from each of the past five seasons, Michael Pittman Jr., traded to Pittsburgh this offseason, big things are expected of wide receivers Alec Pierce and Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren, though that obviously hinges on the health and availability of Jones. Behind him on the depth chart are Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard, but head coach Shane Steichen has suggested that Jones could take part in full-team workouts by the start of training camp with a goal of having him ready for Week 1.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
A.J. Brown Traded to Patriots in Blockbuster Deal
The Philadelphia Eagles have traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Both teams have been linked for a potential trade through most of the offseason, and the agreement has finally been reached. Brown began his career with the Titans but has since moved to the Eagles, where he turned in four-straight 1,000-yard campaigns. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Brown tallied at least 1,400 yards in each campaign. The veteran pass catcher will now operate as the clear WR1 in a New England offense and catch passes from Drake Maye, who was the MVP runner-up during the 2025 campaign. In Philadelphia, Jalen Hurts will now look to DeVonta Smith to be his WR1, and potentially first-round pick Makai Lemon as the No. 2 option.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Russell Wilson Taking a Job with CBS for 2026 Season
Ten-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson is reportedly finalizing a deal with CBS to become part of the network's in-studio pregame show alongside James Brown, Nate Burleson, and Bill Cowher, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The Super Bowl champion and 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year was said to have been weighing his options in a backup role, but will step away from the field for at least the 2026 season. Wilson has started over 200 NFL games, most recently with the New York Giants, but is best remembered for his time with the Seahawks. Should the move into the media signal his official retirement from the game, his 46,966 career passing yards would rank 16th in league history.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Giants Adding JuJu Smith-Schuster on a One-Year Deal
The New York Giants have agreed to terms with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a one-year deal after he took part in a Monday morning workout with the team. Veterans Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios were part of the same workout that has now reportedly resulted in contracts for all three. With the status of 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers unclear for the start of the season after missing 13 games in 2025 with a serious knee injury, the Giants have added an influx of depth to the position after signing Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III earlier in the offseason and spending a third-round pick on Malachi Fields. Smith-Schuster will reunite with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who held the same position during the former Pro Bowler's second stint with the Chiefs, in which he caught 51 passes for 576 yards and three touchdowns across 31 games.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
New York Giants Agree to One-Year Deal with Braxton Berrios
Veteran wide receiver Braxton Berrios has agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Giants, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Berrios took part in a Monday morning workout with the team, alongside fellow veterans Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster, and all three reportedly agreed to deals shortly thereafter. Knee and hamstring injuries have limited Berrios to only 10 games played over the past two seasons with the Dolphins and Texans, but the former All-Pro punt returner offers special teams upside as well as receiver depth should 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers miss any time to begin the year after tearing his ACL in 2025. The Giants have now added six new faces to the receiver room, including veterans Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, and third-round pick Malachi Fields.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Odell Beckham Jr. Signing with Giants
Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has agreed to a deal that will bring him back to the New York Giants for his 11th season in 13 years. Now 33 years old, Beckham was the first-round pick of the Giants in 2014, where he won the offensive Rookie of the Year Award and set receiving records throughout his first five years in the league. Beckham last played for the Dolphins in 2024, making nine catches in nine games for 55 yards and no scores, but has reportedly been in contact with the team for months. With the status of 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers seemingly in doubt to begin the year after a catastrophic knee injury landed him on injured reserve in 2025, the Giants hosted Beckham, along with fellow veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios, for a Monday morning workout that resulted in contracts for both Beckham and Berrios.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Myles Garrett and Jared Verse Swap Teams in Blockbuster Deal
The Cleveland Browns are finalizing a deal that would send two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, and additional compensation that is still being negotiated, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Garrett's 23 sacks in 2025 broke the NFL record and helped him earn his second DPOY Award in the past three seasons. He will join a Rams defense that already added Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie in exchange for a package of picks that included their 2026 first-rounder. With MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford leading the offense and two significant splashes made on defense, the Rams will undoubtedly be an early Super Bowl favorite heading into 2026.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Mason Taylor's Dynasty Value Takes a Hit for Now
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor saw his dynasty value drop this past offseason. The Jets spent a first-round pick on Kenyon Sadiq, who projects to be the Jets' primary tight end from Day 1. That leaves Taylor, who was a second-round pick in 2025, in a backup role. Although there's still a possibility for Taylor to carve out standalone value, managers should temper expectations. First of all, the Jets had the 10th-fewest snaps in 12 personnel last year, which means we didn't see them use two tight ends a lot. They should roll out 12 personnel more often this year now that they have both Sadiq and Taylor, but we question whether it'll happen more than the league-average rate. Additionally, this offense is not set up to support two fantasy-relevant tight ends at once. It's very challenging for any NFL offense to achieve that, and the Jets probably aren't up for the challenge in a rebuild year with Geno Smith under center. Taylor is a solid handcuff in case Sadiq gets hurt, but he's falling out of favor in most fantasy leagues. He has dropped to TE23 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zachariah Branch a Steal in the Second Round of Rookie Drafts?
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch has emerged as a very intriguing target in 2026 rookie drafts. A third-round pick out of Georgia, Branch stays local as he joins a Falcons roster that desperately needed a wide receiver upgrade this offseason. Drake London is the clear alpha here, but there weren't any flashy names behind him leading up to the draft. Branch should compete for the No. 2 role right away, as he could have more of an immediate impact than players like Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. Atlanta will enter the season with some combination of Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Both passers (especially Tagovailoa) have shown that they can support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers in years past. Branch's skill set fits well with these quarterbacks, too, because he's a speedy receiver who can get open deep downfield and haul in passes from the strong arms of either Penix or Tagovailoa. He projects as an early second-round pick in most rookie drafts, and he ranks as the WR63 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings. Not only does he have impressive long-term upside, but there's the potential for him to contribute as a relevant option in 2026 redraft leagues, too.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eli Stowers Worth Targeting Now Before Eventual Breakout?
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eli Stowers is an intriguing target in dynasty leagues ahead of his rookie season. The Eagles spent a second-round pick on Stowers, and while he won't have immediate fantasy relevance since Dallas Goedert is still under contract, the Vanderbilt product does project as the tight end of the future in Philadelphia. Goedert is expected to leave the Eagles after 2026, which means Stowers could earn a large snap share this season in anticipation of him taking on the starting role in 2027. Because he's behind Goedert right now, he can be acquired at a discount before taking on top-12 upside next year and beyond. He's a very intriguing target for dynasty managers near the end of the first round in rookie drafts. At the moment, he ranks as the overall TE12 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Germie Bernard Expected to Require Some Patience in Dynasty Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard has an encouraging draft stock as a second-round pick and has drawn praise from the coaching staff, but his position on the depth chart could prevent him from having immediate fantasy relevance. Managers may need to exercise a little patience in dynasty leagues, as Bernard projects to open 2026 as the Steelers' No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. That's not to say that he should be avoided in dynasty leagues, though. Metcalf has missed at least two games in each of the last two seasons, so injuries could strike at any time and result in Bernard taking on a larger role. Plus, as a second-rounder from Alabama, we know he's a talented player who could earn more playing time simply by producing this summer and early in his rookie season. Managers may have to be a little patient, but the upside is very encouraging. Bernard is a solid target at the end of the first round or start of the second round in 2026 rookie drafts. He ranks as the WR60 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
