RADIO
Emeka Egbuka Missing Practice on Monday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) sprained his toe in a joint practice with the New York Jets, and after sitting out the team's preseason opener on Friday, Egbuka is still not in attendance as the team returns to practice on Monday. The Buccaneers remain optimistic that the injury will not affect Egbuka's regular season availability, and expectations are high for the 2025 first-round pick in an offense in search of a new identity following the departure of the franchise's all-time leading receiver, six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans. Egbuka became the first player in NFL history to record 25 receptions, 400 yards, and five touchdowns in his first five career games, but his connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield trailed off later in the year as the Buccaneers' offense was derailed by injuries. Still working to reestablish chemistry with Mayfield in what should be the team's primary pass-catching role, any missed time is less than ideal, but as RotoBaller's WR19, Egbuka profiles as a high-ceiling WR2 who should only prove to become a better value if the injury pushes down his ADP.
Source: Rick Stroud
Source: Rick Stroud
C.J. Stroud and Texans Offense are Clicking
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has enjoyed a solid training camp, but he reportedly took things to a whole new level on Sunday, at one point connecting on seven straight completions during competitive sessions. Acknowledging the gravity of his assessment, Texans analyst John Harris wrote, "This was one of the best overall offensive practices that I can ever remember, if not the best I've seen." After becoming only the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in 2023, Stroud has had two disappointing seasons, but with a healthy group of dynamic pass-catchers around him, he could surprise in 2026 with an ADP that has fallen to QB22. With the Texans boasting one of the league's premier defenses, Stroud will rarely be tasked with winning a shootout, lowering his potential ceiling. Still, he has the ability to stabilize a roster as a second quarterback in superflex leagues, and his performance against that vaunted defense on Sunday is a reminder of what he can do when everything is clicking.
Source: John Harris
Source: John Harris
Drake Maye Taking Advantage of Surrounding Talent
As a rookie in 2024, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw to a group of receivers consisting of Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, and the recently retired Ja'Lynn Polk. Just two short years later, his receiver room has transformed into one of the strongest in the league, and in the team's first practice since a preseason opening tie with the Colts, his pass-catchers were putting on a show. In a Saturday session working primarily out of the low red zone, Maye went 10-of-16, while receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams combined for seven touchdown grabs. Tight end Hunter Henry added two of his own, while Kayshon Boutte continued to make highlight plays, as he has throughout training camp. Maye was the MVP runner-up and the fantasy QB2 in 2025, and in an offense that by most accounts has gotten significantly better in its second season under Josh McDaniels, he's now being drafted as a top-three quarterback and could realistically push for an overall QB1 finish.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
TreVeyon Henderson Deployed in Rotational Role in the Red Zone
The New England Patriots put in heavy work out of the short area of the field over the weekend, and in all low red zone periods, second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson was the second back to see work with the first-team offense, rotating in behind veteran Rhamondre Stevenson. Neither back played in Thursday's preseason opener, but they both took carries in Saturday's red zone sessions, working behind fullback Reggie Gilliam, who was signed in free agency and should help a Patriots' rushing attack that too frequently came up short in critical situations in 2025. As a rookie, Henderson led the team in red zone opportunities, and he found some success as both a runner and receiver. However, with few signs throughout training camp that he's set for an expanded role in year two, another split with Stevenson is likely in 2026. With a current ADP of RB24, drafters are betting on upside and an eventual backfield takeover, but even in what projects to be a high-powered offense, there could again be early-season frustrations.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Jalen Nailor "Will Thrive" in Kubiak's System
After four years in a depth role with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Jalen Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and former All-Pro Steve Smith Sr. believes a 1,000-yard season is well within his realm of possibilities. In speaking with NFL Insider James Palmer, Smith indicated that Nailor would not leave the field in Klint Kubiak's offense and will be the team's clear-cut number one receiver. With All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers in and out of the lineup, Tre Tucker led the Raiders with 696 receiving yards in 2025, but Smith points to his limited vertical route tree as an area where Nailor can step in and add significant improvement. Both Smith and Palmer were in agreement that the free agent addition can thrive in Kubiak's system, and with Nailor being drafted as the WR61, he is the exact type of upside swing that drafters should be targeting in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: James Palmer
Source: James Palmer
Rhamondre Stevenson Sees First-Team Reps in Red Zone
The New England Patriots spent Sunday's walkthrough practice in T-shirts and bucket hats, but in their latest competitive session on Saturday, the team worked heavily out of the low red zone, and it was veteran Rhamondre Stevenson who led off all periods with the first-team offense. Second-year player TreVeyon Henderson, who actually led the Patriots in red zone carries as a rookie, rotated in, and both backs took carries behind fullback Reggie Gilliam. Stevenson and Henderson each scored five rushing touchdowns from within the ten-yard line in 2025, and they project to see another fairly even split, though they could both see their efficiency rise in that area of the field with Gilliam ahead of them. Stevenson is RotoBaller's RB26 and a player who should add significant value from the middle rounds of drafts with his underrated work in the receiving game and his share of high-value touches near the goal line.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Jayden Higgins Looking to Build Off Strong Finish to 2025 Season
After a solid finish to his rookie season, Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins is poised for a strong second season in 2026. Higgins hauled in 41 of 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games last season, finishing as the WR46 in half-PPR formats. The 34th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft started slowly, totaling just 159 yards in the first eight games, but finished strong, averaging over 40 receiving yards per game and scoring four touchdowns in nine games. Amid quarterback C.J. Stroud's struggles toward the end of the season, Higgins was fantasy-relevant as the WR2 in this offense. While Nico Collins remains the lead receiver in this offense, Higgins should continue to be a factor and could have a big year if Stroud returns to the level of play he showed during his rookie season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isiah Pacheco Will Not Practice Next Week
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will not practice this week, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain during last week's practice, and it reportedly won't affect his Week 1 status. However, with Pacheco's injury and Jacob Saylors (ankle) dealing with a minor injury, the team signed running back Trayveon Williams to a one-year contract. If this knee sprain lingers as the season approaches, Pacheco could lose reps to star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has proven he can be a full workhorse back. Fantasy managers of Gibbs and Pacheco should monitor the former Kansas City Chiefs back's status closely, since missed time could impact both players in fantasy.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Jahmyr Gibbs to See Heavy Workload Early in Season?
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs could see a heavy workload early in the season due to backup Isiah Pacheco's injury. Gibbs recorded over 1,800 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, though he lost significant snaps to running back David Montgomery, who will start in Houston this season. The team signed former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who was expected to spell Gibbs in 2026. However, Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in practice last week, which could affect his Week 1 status. Even if Pacheco is active in Week 1, he is losing valuable practice reps and may need to be eased in. When Montgomery missed time in Detroit, Gibbs averaged 22.7 attempts per game, 143 scrimmage yards, and 10 touchdowns over seven games. In one of the league's most potent offenses, Gibbs is the favorite to be the first-overall pick in fantasy drafts this season.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Romeo Doubs Ascending at Patriots Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs has risen during training camp and delivered a stellar practice on Saturday. Doubs caught three touchdown passes in Saturday's practice and has had his best practices over the past week. Head coach Mike Vrabel said that Doubs is "trending in the right direction. I think he found where Rome can really help us -- be big, fast and aggressive." The former Green Bay Packers wideout had 55 receptions for 724 yards and six touchdowns last season, playing as a primary X receiver under Matt LaFleur. Now in New England, Doubs is expected to move around much more and, hopefully, be a key outside playmaker alongside former Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown. Ranked WR54 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Doubs looks like a potential steal at his current value in a new situation.
Source: Mike Reiss - ESPN
Source: Mike Reiss - ESPN
Blake Corum Listed as Backup on Unofficial Depth Chart
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum was listed as the backup to Kyren Williams on the team's unofficial preseason depth chart. Corum had a strong second season in 2025, totaling 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 17 games, while adding only 36 receiving yards on eight catches. Although Corum and Williams split work late last season, the team left the veteran back as the RB1, with Corum as the RB2. While the unofficial depth chart isn't a definitive indicator of the team's backfield plans, it does support the Rams' belief in Williams, who recorded over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Corum is currently ranked RB32 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, which may be too high a price if he sees a workload similar to last season.
Source: Los Angeles Rams
Source: Los Angeles Rams
DeMeco Ryans Views David Montgomery As No. 1 Back
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans considers running back David Montgomery the team's lead back this season. Ryans said on the SiriusXM NFL show last week, "I see David as a number one back. He's a really good runner; he's always been a runner whenever he touches the ball. Strong, runs low, runs behind his pads." Montgomery spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Lions, splitting carries with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite a timeshare, he averaged 75 scrimmage yards per game and scored 33 touchdowns in 45 games. Now he heads to Houston, where he expects to lead a committee with second-year back Woody Marks. Ranked RB21 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, the veteran back has a chance to be a solid RB2 in fantasy leagues this season.
Source: Houston Stressans
Source: Houston Stressans
Can Jack Bech Remain Involved Despite Raiders' Wide Receiver Additions?
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech seems like a natural fit for a Year 2 breakout, but the team's offseason moves could serve as an obstacle in his development. There are no flashy names in Vegas' receiver room, but the Raiders deliberately signed both Jalen Nailor and Noah Brown. Both receivers are veterans in the NFL, and they have the ability to serve as dependable (albeit not very flashy) targets for Kirk Cousins and, eventually, Fernando Mendoza. Although Bech might have more long-term upside than Nailor and Brown, he's not exactly a proven veteran target who can form a rapport with Cousins and Mendoza right away, so it would be tough to justify drafting him in redraft leagues. In addition to Nailor and Brown, he faces competition for targets from Tre Tucker and Dont'e Thornton. At this point, Bech is avoidable in most redraft leagues, but we would continue to stash him on the back end of dynasty rosters, as he still represents a key part of the Raiders' offense long-term.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Warren Poised to Handle Massive Target Share in Year 2
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren is expected to take on a much larger target share during his second NFL season. The Colts traded away Michael Pittman Jr. this past offseason and didn't bring in any big names to fill his shoes, so a lot of his vacated targets will go to Warren. The tight end is heading into his second NFL season and will look to build on an impressive rookie campaign in which he caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns. The Penn State product was the overall TE4 in PPR leagues last year, and he achieved that mark despite playing several games without quarterback Daniel Jones, who suffered an Achilles injury. Now, Jones is healthy and Pittman is gone, setting the stage for Warren to have a massive Year 2 breakout. In the short term, he could also step into a larger role if wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) isn't quite at 100 percent in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce to Miss All of Training Camp
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (left ankle) will miss all of training camp as he continues to recover from left ankle surgery, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The surgery occurred in April, and while the Colts remain confident that he'll be ready for the regular-season opener on Sept. 13, it would have been nice to see Pierce get some preseason reps beforehand. He's still at least a week away from handling a normal practice workload, which could potentially have an impact on the number of snaps he plays in Week 1. If Pierce isn't at 100 percent for the season opener, we'd expect to see Daniel Jones distribute more targets to Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, as well as standout tight end Tyler Warren. As it stands, the newly extended Pierce ranks as the overall WR46 in RotoBaller's latest redraft fantasy football rankings.
Source: James Boyd
Source: James Boyd
