April 16, 2026

Georgia wide receiver Zacharia Branch is expected to receive Day 2 capital in the upcoming NFL Draft, but with one of the more unique prospect profiles in recent history, there are questions about how his game might translate to the next level. At just 5'9" and 177 pounds, over a third of Branch's career receiving yards came on screen plays, while an astonishing 45.5% of his targets came behind the line of scrimmage, which is higher than any player ever selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. While some have pointed to Luther Burden III as evidence that a player with a similar profile can succeed in the NFL, Branch's career ADoT was a full four yards lower than Burden's, and players with similar collegiate usage have had a frighteningly low fantasy hit rate. In the right landing spot, Branch could become a useful gadget player for an NFL offense, but he's unlikely to find any consistently bankable fantasy usage.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 16, 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has been a reliable NFL producer who has made the occasional blip on the fantasy radar, most notably when a handful of high-volume games allowed him to land as the TE13 in 2024. While it's unlikely that many dynasty managers are rostering Otton as their TE1, he's been a fine depth piece to have for the occasional bye week or injury spot start. However, with Tampa picking at number 15 in the upcoming NFL Draft, the team has frequently been linked to Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, an athletic marvel whose presence on the roster could push Otton toward fantasy irrelevancy. Even if the Buccaneers elect to go in another direction on Night 1, this is a deep tight end class with a number of prospects capable of creating at least a messy timeshare. While praising the group he already has in-house, general manager Jason Licht recently told reporters, "It would be great to add a tight end to the roster who brings an element that some of the others don't." Otton is currently RotoBaller's TE30 in dynasty rankings.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 16, 2026

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan finished his first professional season as the fantasy WR15 on his way to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and his arrow is realistically still pointing up. While it took him six weeks to score his first NFL touchdown, with only two receiving touchdowns through Week 10, he eventually found a knack for it, scoring five times over his final seven games. McMillan led the Panthers with a 26.3% target share, with an even more impressive 32.4% share of all first-down targets. While he could benefit from an improvement to the quality of targets, it's unlikely that anyone currently on the roster poses a serious threat to eat into his workload in year two. The Panthers have spent their last two first-round picks on the wide receiver position, and even with general manager Dan Morgan recently insinuating a third straight swing would not be out of the question, it seems improbable with several more glaring needs on the defensive side of the ball. McMillan is RotoBaller's WR9 in dynasty rankings, and he could be one of the safest young assets to build around.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 16, 2026

After finishing as the TE5 or better in three of four seasons from 2020 through 2023, Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has seen a steep decline in production, with his 5.8 fantasy points per game in 2025 the lowest output since his rookie season. Perhaps reassuringly, all of Minnesota's pass catchers shared a similar story in 2025, hampered by some of the worst quarterback play in the league, with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer combining to throw only 17 touchdown passes on fewer than 3,200 yards. The Vikings have since signed Kyler Murray to a one-year deal, and his past affinity for involving his tight ends has contributed to four combined top-10 seasons from Zach Ertz and Trey McBride. The soon-to-be-29-year-old Hockenson avoided an influx of target competition when Minnesota opted to stand pat at the position in free agency. If he can survive what looks to be a deep tight end draft class, a later career resurgence isn't out of the question with him still slated to be a primary target-earner behind only Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 16, 2026

After arriving on the scene as the QB5 in his first year as a full-time starter in 2023, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has ended back-to-back seasons in the middle of the fantasy pack. While lingering early-season injuries were thought to affect his play in 2024, he remained relatively healthy until an end-of-season concussion in 2025, finishing respectively as the QB17 and QB15 with strikingly similar numbers across both years. In 2025, his path to the middle was relatively straight. He finished four different weeks as a top-10 fantasy quarterback, tying for 15th in that regard and providing a mostly healthy floor by keeping the ball out of harm's way. He was one of 11 players with two finishes as the QB2 or better, but he also finished with fewer than 10 fantasy points at a rate slightly higher than the top-24 players at the position. With Green Bay saying goodbye to two of its leading receivers from 2025 and expecting a return to health from Josh Jacobs, the team will likely skew run-heavy enough to again cap Love's fantasy ceiling. Tucker Kraft should also be back and healthy early in the season, and the team is expecting significant growth from last year's first round pick, Matthew Golden, so there are legitimate reasons to believe the 27-year-old Love could return to his 2023 form, but the safer presumption is that he's closer to what he's shown over the past two seasons: a strong QB2 in superflex leagues who is just as likely to win you a week as he is to cost you.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

The No. 46 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson had a quiet year as a rookie. Across 14 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 11 receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 25 targets. Ferguson's path to playing time in Los Angeles was largely blocked off by Rams tight ends Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee, both of whom will be back in the mix in 2026. Still, Ferguson's impressive average of 21 yards per reception as a rookie and his pre-draft pedigree dictate some reason for upside for fantasy managers. Additionally, Los Angeles uses multiple tight end sets as much as any offense in the NFL, which could allow Ferguson to carve out a significant role alongside the Rams' veteran tight ends. In dynasty formats, now might be the ideal time for managers to buy low on Ferguson.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Across 17 games in 2025, Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz recorded 82 receptions for 777 yards and three touchdowns on 106 targets. The 29-year-old's production surge came as a bit of a surprise, as he posted three consecutive seasons with fewer than 60 receptions and 90 targets from 2022 through 2024. Still, despite the bump in volume, Schultz's fantasy upside is limited by his lack of explosiveness. He averaged fewer than 10 yards per reception in 2025 and has never averaged more than 10.8 yards per catch in any of his eight NFL seasons. Schultz's 2025 production was also boosted by the absence of fellow Texans tight end Cade Stover, who missed eight games with a foot injury. Schultz maintains some fantasy value as a high-floor PPR streamer, but his dynasty upside remains capped heading into 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

After starting the 2025 season on the practice squad, Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal was not expected to play a significant role in his team's offense. However, early-season injuries to Chargers backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris led to Vidal spending a sizable chunk of the year as his team's lead rusher. Across 13 games, the 24-year-old collected 779 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 171 touches. Los Angeles re-signed Vidal this offseason, so he will be back in the mix for the Chargers in 2026. Still, Hampton is expected to be fully healthy and will likely return to the RB1 role. Additionally, Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell in free agency, which could push Vidal to the Chargers RB3 role. Despite the surprisingly strong year in 2025, Vidal's fantasy value in dynasty formats is questionable heading into 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 77 receptions for 889 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets across 17 games. The 29-year-old's 102 targets were good for second on the team behind only star wide receiver Chris Olave. While New Orleans signed veteran tight end Noah Fant in free agency, Johnson should function as the Saints' lead receiver at the position once again in 2026. Additionally, the outlook for New Orleans' pass game overall is trending up after quarterback Tyler Shough's emergence as a capable signal-caller down the back half of 2025. Johnson may not offer fantasy managers explosive upside, but he should provide a safe production floor, especially in PPR-scoring formats. Johnson's short-term dynasty value is rising after his solid year in 2025.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard opened the 2025 season as his team's RB1. However, an early-season calf injury forced Hubbard to the sidelines and opened the door for Rico Dowdle to emerge as Carolina's new feature back. While Hubbard worked his way back into a more even playing time split down the stretch of the season, he finished the year with just 734 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 164 touches. Luckily for Hubbard, Dowdle signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, reopening the door for Hubbard to get his starting role back. The 26-year-old Hubbard is just one year removed from his breakout 2024 campaign with Carolina, when he racked up 1,366 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 293 touches. Hubbard's dynasty value is firmly trending upwards heading into 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

A fourth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm worked his way into a regular role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 16 games, the 23-year-old recorded 44 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets. Helm split playing time with veteran tight end Chig Okonkwo, which limited the production upside for both players. However, Okonkwo signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency, opening the door for Helm to emerge as the Titans' clear lead tight end. While Tennessee signed wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson over the offseason, the Titans do not have any other clear high-volume target-earners standing in Helm's way. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues may want to consider buying low on Helm ahead of a potential 2026 breakout.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 15, 2026

The Green Bay Packers are "clearing the way" for wide receiver Matthew Golden to move up the depth chart as he heads into his second season in the NFL, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN. The Packers let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency and then recently traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers never made Golden, a first-rounder (23rd overall) in 2025, a focal point of the offense last year, and he finished with just 29 catches for 361 yards and no touchdowns in 14 regular-season games. Golden caught four passes for 84 yards and his first career touchdown reception in the playoff loss to the Chicago Bears. "I think his ceiling is very, very high. We're very, very excited about what he's going to do for our football team moving forward," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. Christian Watson will be the Packers' No. 1 wideout and big-play threat, but he's also been very injury-prone in his career. Jayden Reed is also expected to have a bigger role, but with both Doubs and Wicks out of town, Golden should be much more involved in 2026 after he let his frustration with his rookie role be known. In single-year leagues, Golden will be a WR4/flex option with big-play abilities and still plenty of upside.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky

April 15, 2026

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is on a top-30 pre-draft visit with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday, according to Field Yates of ESPN. It's the final day that draft prospects are allowed to make visits with NFL teams. Arizona released Kyler Murray this offseason and signed Gardner Minshew. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is still on the team, too, and he's fully expected to open the 2026 campaign this fall after putting up career-best numbers in the desert when he took over for the injured Murray in Week 7 of last year. The Cardinals have the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft, although that wouldn't be where they'd target Simpson. The No. 34 overall selection at the top of the second round might be right in the wheelhouse for Simpson, who is viewed as more of a project at the QB position at the next level after starting just one season at Alabama. If Simpson were drafted by the Cardinals, he'd most likely enter his rookie season as the QB3 behind both Brissett and Minshew.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates

April 15, 2026

Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said that running back De'Von Achane is "not available for trade" and that contract talks with the Pro Bowler are progressing this offseason, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. The Dolphins released receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa while also trading away receiver Jaylen Waddle, so many were wondering if they'd also pull the trigger on dealing Achane as part of a full rebuild. The Dolphins continue to say that they want to build around Achane and new quarterback Malik Willis in the upcoming NFL draft, so Achane apparently isn't going anywhere. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Texas A&M was the RB6 in half-PPR fantasy scoring last year, and he's now the clear centerpiece of Miami's offense. As one of the most explosive dual-threat RBs in the NFL, Achane should still have a pretty strong floor as an RB1 in 2026, even if the Dolphins' offense continues to be inefficient and inconsistent.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques

April 15, 2026

Sports Illustrated's John Shipley writes that Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter (knee) will still play wide receiver in his second year in 2026. A TV segment recently expressed disappointment that Hunter will "no longer" play both sides of the ball, which is incorrect. General manager James Gladstone said back in January that the former Heisman Trophy winner will play more cornerback in his sophomore season, but he will still play some receiver. In seven games in his rookie campaign, Hunter caught 28 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets through seven games before suffering a season-ending knee injury that required surgery. The 22-year-old second overall pick had a breakout game in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams with eight catches for 101 yards and his only touchdown before injuring his knee in practice the following week. Hunter's fantasy value is by no means dead going forward, but it will be even more difficult to make a consistent fantasy impact in 2026 if he's playing fewer snaps on offense.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley