RADIO
Cooper Kupp Is Slipping Into Deep-Bench Territory
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp is still running with the starters, but the fantasy case keeps getting thinner. He played 16 games last season and caught 47 passes for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba exploded for 119 catches and 1,793 yards, and Seattle has spent this summer talking about a bigger offensive role for Rashid Shaheed. Kupp has made plays in camp, including a one-handed grab from Sam Darnold, so this isn't about him suddenly looking finished. It's about volume. Seattle attempted only 481 passes last season, fourth-fewest in the NFL, and Kupp was already living on a modest target share before Shaheed's role started growing. RotoBaller has dropped Kupp to 222nd overall in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings. At 33, he can still give Seattle useful snaps and have the occasional fantasy week. There just isn't much pointing toward a return to steady starting value. Kupp looks more like deep bench depth than a receiver fantasy managers should be trying to force into drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeVaughn Vele to See More Work Early in 2026 Season
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele is set for an expanded role early in the season. With rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) expected to miss significant time, Vele is positioned to be the team's second-leading receiver behind Chris Olave. The former Broncos receiver hauled in 25 of 39 targets for 293 yards and two touchdowns last season, but found a groove late with quarterback Tyler Shough. To add to Vele's value this season, Olave has struggled with concussions throughout his career and was part of the reason he slipped down fantasy boards last season. If Olave and Tyson miss time at any point this season, Vele becomes a starting-caliber receiver in most fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Hutchinson Moves Back Onto the Redraft Radar
Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson didn't give fantasy managers much in Thursday's box score, catching one of two targets for minus-1 yard in a 22-20 loss to Las Vegas. Both looks came from C.J. Stroud on Houston's opening drive. The bigger story is what happened before the game. Jayden Higgins tore his ACL in Tuesday's joint practice and is out for the season, leaving a lot more work up for grabs behind Nico Collins. Hutchinson has been here before. He started six games last year and finished with 35 catches for 428 yards and three touchdowns, including a five-catch, 69-yard, one-score game against San Francisco when Houston was short-handed at receiver. Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell are still part of this, so Hutchinson hasn't suddenly become the No. 2. But the path is cleaner now, and getting two early looks from Stroud is at least worth noting. He's back on the deep-league radar after being an easy name to ignore a week ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lewis Bond Positioned for Larger Role After Higgins' Injury
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Lewis Bond is poised for a larger role than expected in 2026. The sixth-round pick from Boston College was unlikely to contribute as a receiver this season, but after second-year wideout Jayden Higgins' unfortunate knee injury, Bond may have a chance to play. At Boston College, he hauled in 88 receptions for 993 yards and one touchdown in 2025 under former Texans head coach Bill O'Brien. Bond caught two passes for 12 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, playing most of his snaps with the second-team offense. While the Texans still have Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson on the outside, Bond could carve out a solid role in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Douglas Making Strong Case for WR1 Role in Miami
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas has stolen the show this offseason and in preseason play. The third-round pick entered a crowded receiving room with many veteran and rookie options, yet he has emerged as the top threat for the WR1 role in this offense. The former Texas Tech receiver was listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart, a rare honor for a third-round pick, and made his mark in the team's preseason debut against the Washington Commanders. Douglas played a team-high 14 snaps with the first-team offense in that game and made an acrobatic one-handed catch from quarterback Malik Willis. With fellow third-round pick Chris Bell (knee) missing most of training camp, Douglas has the inside track to lead the Dolphins in receiving this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carnell Tate Back at Practice for Titans
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate returned to practice Friday, according to Turron Davenport. Tate sat out Wednesday after waking up with some stiffness, which head coach Robert Saleh said was unrelated to the collision with safety Kevin Winston Jr. that knocked Tate out of Monday's practice. Saleh said at the time that there was nothing to be concerned about and hoped to have him back for Friday's joint session with Seattle. That's exactly what happened. The fourth overall pick has made plenty of noise this summer, including a three-touchdown practice on Aug. 9, but his preseason debut against San Francisco was quiet. Tate didn't catch any of his three targets. Missing only one practice gets him right back into the mix, and Friday's work against the Seahawks gives him another chance to build reps with Cam Ward before Tennessee's second preseason game Sunday.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Cyrus Allen's Fantasy Value Limited by Rashee Rice
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen continues to stand out at training camp. Despite being a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Allen has been a frequent topic of conversation throughout camp, making plays and earning work with the first-team offense. However, the path to standalone fantasy value in 2026 remains bleak. Rashee Rice has consistently produced in his three seasons in Kansas City, hauling in 156 of 209 targets for 1,797 yards and 15 touchdowns in 28 games. Although the fourth-year receiver underwent offseason knee surgery and spent time in jail, Rice appears to be finding a groove. During Wednesday's practice, Rice totaled nearly double the targets (7) of the next closest receiver, while Allen had just two targets from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Expectations are high for the rookie receiver, but with Rice expected to be a key contributor on offense, Allen will have a tough time securing enough volume to be a factor in 2026.
Source: Pete Sweeney
Source: Pete Sweeney
Najee Harris Brought In to Compete for Significant Work
New York Giants running back Najee Harris is getting a real chance to work his way into an already crowded backfield. Jordan Raanan reports that Harris was brought in with the expectation that he'll be a significant contributor, and the veteran got three carries during Thursday's joint practice with Miami after only three days with the team. Harris is still getting back up to speed after tearing his Achilles last season with the Chargers, but his track record is easy to understand. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with Pittsburgh. Cam Skattebo remains the top option and has been first up most days in camp, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary are still firmly in the mix. So there isn't a clean fantasy role here yet. Harris wasn't signed to sit at the bottom of the depth chart, though. If he keeps showing he can handle live work, he could force his way into a meaningful share of the carries as the season moves along.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Keenan Allen Receives Praise from Shane Steichen
Indianapolis Colts' newly acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen received praise from head coach Shane Steichen, who called him the "most cerebral receiver" he's been around. "He sees the game like a quarterback: how to run routes, how to attack leverage, how he sees coverage, especially inside in the slot, outside, how corners play, how linebackers play them in the slot. That's built-up reps over the years, and he's seen so many different looks, and it's like clockwork for him in his brain." Allen signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Colts on Wednesday. With wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) injured and a gaping hole left after the team traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Allen will have a significant role in this offense. Currently ranked WR60 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Allen offers starting upside if Pierce misses time this season.
Source: Mike Lacett
Source: Mike Lacett
Woody Marks Looks Like More Than a Passing-Down Back
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks got one drive with the starters Thursday and didn't waste it. Marks had five touches for 43 yards against Las Vegas, including a 20-yard touchdown run where he bounced through traffic and finished the drive himself. His final line was four carries for 37 yards and one catch for six. David Montgomery didn't play, so this isn't evidence that Marks has suddenly taken over the backfield. It does make his role a little more interesting. Marks was already getting most of the backfield route work during Tuesday's joint practice, and now he has put some good rushing tape on top of it. The 5-foot-10, 208-pound back led Houston with 703 rushing yards as a rookie and caught 24 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns. Montgomery should still get plenty of work, particularly between the tackles. Marks is starting to look capable of earning touches beyond obvious passing situations, though, and that gives him a better shot at standalone PPR value than a typical No. 2 back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
De'Zhaun Stribling Keeps Earning Brock Purdy's Trust
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling keeps giving Brock Purdy reasons to trust him. Purdy told Jeremy Fowler that Stribling has a unique ability to attack the football, play with strong hands and rip it away from defenders, something he has been showing consistently in practice. Purdy also pointed to how rarely the rookie makes mental mistakes, saying Stribling lines up correctly every play and calling that "a vet thing." The production has followed. Stribling caught seven passes for 63 yards against Tennessee in his preseason debut, then added four catches for 46 yards on five targets against the Chargers on Thursday. That's 11 grabs for 109 yards through two games. The 33rd overall pick still has veterans to battle for snaps, but Ricky Pearsall (knee) is out for the season and Stribling keeps making his case. This has gone beyond a few good camp practices. He's earning Purdy's trust and has a legitimate shot to be involved right away.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Kenneth Walker III Getting Workhorse Treatment in Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III has been everywhere in training camp. The Athletic reports that Walker is getting the ball "all the time," with the Chiefs leaning on him in the screen game and using him as the primary back in the red zone. That's a pretty sharp change from Seattle, where Zach Charbonnet took a big chunk of the work. Walker ran for 1,027 yards on 221 carries last season but scored only five times. Charbonnet, meanwhile, had 12 rushing touchdowns on 184 carries. Walker also caught 31 passes for 282 yards, and Kansas City has been testing that part of his game much more this summer. Andy Reid has rotated backs by series plenty over the years, but The Athletic says that doesn't appear to be the plan here. If the camp usage holds, Walker is headed for more catches, more goal-line chances and a heavier overall workload. That's a big fantasy boost for a back who already showed during Seattle's Super Bowl run that he can carry the load.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Antonio Williams No Longer Being Pushed Up Draft Boards Out of Necessity
The Washington Commanders spent a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams after leaving the position largely unaddressed through free agency. Although he projects as something close to a slot-only player, Washington's lack of receiver depth behind Terry McLaurin pushed Williams up draft boards out of perceived necessity. Once training camp opened, free agent tight end Chig Okonkwo was reportedly used as the de facto second receiver until the late free agent signing of veteran Stefon Diggs allowed the rest of the room to fill in more naturally as depth pieces. Now part of a rotation featuring Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane, Williams appears unlikely to carve out a significant role as a rookie and has fallen to RotoBaller's WR98 for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Fernando Mendoza Throws Pick-Six in First Preseason Start
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza got his first professional start in Thursday night's preseason matchup with the Texans, and on the team's opening drive, he threw an interception to rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. Playing the entire first half, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft led four more drives, resulting in a field goal and three punts before Aidan O'Connell took over in the second half and managed a come-from-behind victory. Along with a handful of starters, veteran Kirk Cousins was given the night off following a productive joint practice with the Texans, but after the game, head coach Klint Kubiak declined to name a starter for the regular season. "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job... It should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going." Barring an unforeseen surprise, Mendoza will begin his rookie campaign backing up Cousins. Still, he has reportedly impressed behind the scenes and could find the field earlier than initially projected, making him an intriguing late-round pick in superflex leagues as RotoBaller's QB29.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Washington Jr. Leads Raiders in Carries and Rushing Yards
With the Las Vegas Raiders giving a handful of their starters the night off, rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. drew the start and looked sharp in Thursday night's 22-20 preseason win over the Texans. Washington took his first carry of the game 33 yards through the middle of the Texans' defense before first overall pick Fernando Mendoza threw an interception on the next play that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. Washington ended the night with a team-leading 56 yards on nine carries and looks to have positioned himself well as the primary backup to 2025 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. As RotoBaller's RB67, Washington does not project to see enough of a standalone role to garner fantasy consideration in 2026, but as a handcuff to Jeanty, he offers valuable insurance after a promising showing on Thursday night.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
