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Makai Lemon Signs Four-Year Rookie Deal With Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon signed his four-year, fully guaranteed rookie contract on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. The Eagles traded up with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys to take Lemon at 20th overall and steal them away from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were reportedly ready to take Lemon at pick No. 21. The selection of Lemon only reinforces the expectation that the Eagles will trade Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots around June 1. Lemon, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 294 pounds, profiles as more of a slot receiver, but he could be moved around the offensive formation alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon plays bigger than his size and has plenty of yards-after-the-catch potential in a Philly offense looking for a spark. As long as Brown ends up heading out of town, Lemon should have immediate value in single-year fantasy formats in 2026. In rookie-only keeper drafts this year, Lemon should be considered a top-five player.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
George Kittle Trying to Return in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told ESPN that tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is "shooting to return" Week 1 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs against the Philadelphia Eagles in January, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. It's unclear if Kittle is actually on track to be ready for the season opener, but it's where he's aiming. Kittle suffered a clean tear of his Achilles, which is expected to allow him to return quicker than usual for someone with a torn Achilles. While Kittle is hoping to be ready for Week 1, there's still a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the 2026 season, which will make him a pretty risky and volatile high-end TE1 target in fantasy football drafts. If Kittle is not ready to go by Week 1, Jake Tonges will be in play as a streaming option at the position early on. The 32-year-old Kittle only played in 11 games last year due to injuries and finished as the TE13 in half-PPR scoring. When healthy, he's been one of the top TEs in the league, though, catching at least six touchdown passes in five straight seasons.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to Lead the Jaguars in Carries?
John Shipley of Sports Illustrated has Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. listed atop the team's RB depth chart ahead of training camp. His gut feeling says that Rodriguez will lead the team in carries, but then writes that he doesn't know if there will be "enough of a difference between his workload" and Bhayshul Tuten's. LeQuint Allen Jr. projects as the RB3 as the top passing-down back, while DeeJay Dallas and undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor will battle for the RB4 spot. Travis Etienne Jr. is now in New Orleans, which was paving the way for Tuten to be an easy breakout candidate in fantasy football in 2026, until the Jags signed C-Rod. The 25-year-old got a two-year, $10 million deal from Jacksonville, and he has familiarity with head coach Liam Coen from their time at Kentucky. Tuten surely has plenty of explosive potential, but the team also likes Rodriguez's abilities as a tough inside runner. Rodriguez averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his three seasons with the Commanders, and he added seven total touchdowns in 13 games in 2025. Right now, both Rodriguez and Tuten are shaping up to be WR3/flex options every week in fantasy if their workload is split mostly down the middle.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Ravens Sign Former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia
The Baltimore Ravens signed former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to a three-year deal earlier this week, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Pavia was scheduled to try out during the team's rookie minicamp this weekend, but the Ravens scooped him up before that could happen. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent will compete with fellow rookie Joe Fagnano in training camp this summer for the Ravens to see who will enter the 2026 season as the QB3 behind starter Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley. Surprisingly, the Heisman Trophy finalist in college did not attract the interest from a single team during seven rounds of the NFL draft. Pavia produced in college, but he lacks size (5-foot-10), and he's old for a rookie at 24 years of age. At the very least, he should be on Baltimore's practice squad this year, but he lacks the measurables to be a very exciting stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues. Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns at Vandy last year while also adding 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chiefs "Super High" on Emmett Johnson
The Kansas City Chiefs were "super high" on former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson before selecting him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft, and vice president of player personnel Ryne Nutt said the team was surprised he was still available in the fifth round when they traded up to take him. Johnson was the only player in college football to average more than 150 scrimmage yards per game last year, and he led the Big 10 with 1,451 rushing yards and finished second among all RBs in catches (46) while also scoring 15 touchdowns. He was graded as high as a third-round pick by some analysts. "He's a juke button, he has very good feet, vision, feel, and he's very good out of the backfield," Nutt described. The Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in free agency, but they signed former Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III. Johnson is projected to be the immediate backup to Walker in the lead-back role, and Arrowhead Pride's Ron Kopp Jr. doesn't think we should be surprised if he earns his way onto the field on passing downs. At the very least, Johnson will be a handcuff option as a late-round flier in fantasy football redraft leagues in 2026.
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Ron Kopp Jr.
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Ron Kopp Jr.
Ty Simpson Met With Sean McVay Before the Draft
Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said on ESPN Radio that he had secret meetings with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay before the Rams took Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. It was a bit of a surprise that the win-now Rams took Simpson with their first-round pick, a year after Matthew Stafford won the MVP. McVay said that he and general manager Les Snead were in lockstep and in agreement to take Simpson as the QB of the future in L.A., while also making sure to notify Stafford beforehand that they would select Simpson in the draft. McVay made it clear that this is still Stafford's team as they seek another Super Bowl championship in 2026 and beyond. Without much of a collegiate resume (Simpson started just one year at Alabama), the 23-year-old is expected to compete with Stetson Bennett for the backup role this year. The Rams think Stafford is capable of playing beyond 2026, too, so fantasy managers in dynasty leagues must be prepared to play the long game with him as he develops behind Stafford.
Source: ESPN Radio
Source: ESPN Radio
Jonah Coleman has Clear "Three-Down Potential" in Denver's Offense
Denver Broncos rookie fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman has clear "three-down potential" in the team's offense, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. However, with the Broncos already having second-year back RJ Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins, his first task in his rookie season might be giving the Broncos a "more complete presence in the third-down role." "The thing I would say is he's very physical," head coach Sean Payton said. "He can play on third down." The Broncos lost that physical rushing presence when Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury midway through last season. Denver struggled to run the football consistently with mostly Harvey after that, including into the playoffs. The 22-year-old Coleman is a bruising back (5-foot-8, 220 pounds) who has drawn comparisons to Dobbins for his tough rushing style between the tackles. He has clear three-down potential long-term, but in the short-term, he'll be a short-yardage asset for the Broncos while also helping in pass protection on third downs. Because of Dobbins' lengthy injury history, Coleman could become a weekly fantasy option quickly in 2026 if Dobbins misses more time with an injury.
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Austin Ekeler 100 Percent Medically Cleared for Football Activities
Veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) is 100% fully medically cleared for all football activities after suffering a torn right Achilles last September against the Green Bay Packers, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Ekeler intends to play in 2026 and is expected to draw plenty of interest. The 30-year-old was one of the premier pass-catching backs in the NFL in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before he signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season. He appeared in 12 games (six starts) for Washington in 2024, carrying the ball 77 times for 367 yards and four touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 366 receiving yards. Ekeler missed some time due to a concussion that year before playing in just two games in 2025 before tearing his Achilles. Ekeler might not be the same shifty back in space after his season-ending injury, but he could still give a team some solid pass-catching depth out of the backfield as he nears the end of his career.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Darius Slayton Undergoes Core-Muscle Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Camp
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (abdomen) recently had core-muscle surgery, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Slayton will miss spring workouts, but he's expected to be a full-go for training camp this summer. Barring a setback in his recovery, Slayton should be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. Top wideout Malik Nabers (knee) is also recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered early last season, so there are some definite question marks for New York's receiving room heading into the upcoming campaign. Wan'Dale Robinson departed in free agency, but the G-Men added Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III in free agency, and drafted Malachi Fields in the third round. The 29-year-old Slayton has seven years of experience in the NFL (all with the Giants), but he's never cleared 770 receiving yards, and he hasn't had more than four touchdowns in a single season since his rookie year, when he had eight. Slayton's roster spot in New York should be secure, but he'll be battling for targets with Mooney, Austin, and Fields, and he won't be a very intriguing late-round flier in standard 12-team fantasy leagues going into his eighth year in the league.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Keaton Mitchell's Dynasty Value Rising Heading into 2026
After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, running back Keaton Mitchell landed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this offseason. Mitchell's playing time in Baltimore was limited by injury issues and the presence of star Ravens running back Derrick Henry. However, Mitchell has averaged a highly efficient 6.8 yards per touch across a limited sample size of 140 career touches. 2025 first-round running back Omarion Hampton profiles as the clear RB1 in Los Angeles ahead of Mitchell. Still, Mitchell should have a chance to carve out a consistent RB2 and pass-catching role behind Hampton. He also has the benefit of working with new Chargers play-caller Mike McDaniel, who has proven the ability to produce offenses with multiple fantasy-relevant running backs during his time as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Dynasty managers should approach Mitchell with cautious optimism following his offseason move to Los Angeles.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jadarian Price Not Expected to Lead Seahawks' Backfield Right Away
The Seattle Seahawks made a major addition to their backfield on draft night, selecting University of Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the final pick of the first round. Given that Seattle lost star running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs, Price should eventually have a chance to take over as the Seahawks' RB1. However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the sense around the Seahawks is that Price "won't have to be a bell cow right away." Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) suffered a torn ACL in January, but should be able to make an impact once healthy. The Seahawks also signed former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson in free agency. While Price is unquestionably the highest-upside running back in Seattle, it appears as though the team may look to bring him along slowly in his rookie season.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Isaiah Bond's Dynasty Value Fading Following NFL Draft
Across 16 games as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond recorded 18 receptions for 338 yards on 44 targets. While the 23-year-old's numbers don't necessarily leap off the page, he flashed some intriguing big-play upside while working with less-than-ideal quarterback play in Cleveland. Heading into his second NFL season in 2026, Bond could be in the mix for a prominent role with the Browns. Unfortunately for Bond and his dynasty value, Cleveland added a pair of well-regarded wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Browns used a first-round pick on Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion and a second-round pick on University of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, both of whom could easily leapfrog Bond on the team's wide receiver depth chart. The Browns quarterback situation also remains as unsettled as ever, which throws the team's overall offensive environment into question. Bond still carries some fantasy upside, but his dynasty value has taken a hit following the NFL Draft.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can James Cook Continue to Ascend in 2026 and Beyond?
Although Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was a highly productive player in his first three NFL seasons, he took his game to a new level in 2025. Across 17 games, the 26-year-old recorded 1,912 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns on 342 touches. Cook has always been an extremely efficient rusher, but the Bills coaching staff finally entrusted him with a true RB1 workload in 2025. Cook averaged 20.1 touches per game last season, well beyond his previous career-high of 16.5 touches per game in 2023. While the Bills shook up their coaching staff heading into 2026, former offensive coordinator Joe Brady is now the head coach in Buffalo and appears unlikely to drastically alter Cook's usage. Entering his age-27 season with an excellent offensive environment around him in Buffalo, Cook profiles as an elite dynasty running back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lamar Jackson Remains an Elite Dynasty Quarterback Despite Injury-Marred 2025
After back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson battled through a down year due to injuries in 2025. Back and hamstring injuries forced Jackson to miss four games, and he set career lows in both single-season rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (two). The 29-year-old Jackson is currently in the midst of contract extension negotiations with the Ravens, but he was reportedly in attendance for the start of the team's offseason program in early April. In 2026, Jackson will be working with a new head coach for the first time in his career and will have to adjust to a new play-caller in former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. While the new offense could lead to some early-season struggles, it could also help Jackson get back to his MVP form. As long as he stays healthy, Jackson remains the best dual-threat quarterback in fantasy football and still offers dynasty QB1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Williams' Dynasty Value Limited by Uncertain Role in New England
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams struggled to carve out a consistent role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 17 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 10 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 21 targets. Heading into 2026, Williams still projects to be behind Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kayshon Boutte on the Patriots' wide receiver depth chart. Boutte's name has come up in trade rumors, which could clear a path for Williams to step in as New England's primary deep-ball threat. However, the Patriots are also widely considered the favorites to land current Philadelphia Eagles superstar wideout A.J. Brown. If Brown does eventually end up in New England, it's difficult to imagine a world where Williams sees a significant playing time increase in his second season. Williams retains some dynasty upside due to his big-play ability, but his overall value is limited by his uncertain role with the Patriots.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
