April 18, 2026

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen was limited to just four games played in 2025 after suffering a season-ending torn MCL in Week 4. The 22-year-old had been expected to play a significant role as a complementary piece to fellow Jets back Breece Hall, but instead was limited to just 93 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 20 touches for the year. Allen should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season. While Hall remains with the Jets and profiles as the team's clear lead back, he is currently signed via the franchise tag, and his future in New York beyond 2026 is uncertain. Allen currently profiles as a high-end handcuff option for dynasty managers, and his long-term value could surge if the Jets move on from Hall. In dynasty formats, now might be the best time for managers to buy low on Allen.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned heading into the back half of April. As the NFL Draft approaches, Rodgers still hasn't given any indication as to where (or if) he'll be playing in 2026. The future Hall of Famer is coming off a solid season, all things considered. Now 42 years old, he has managed to rank as a top-18 fantasy quarterback each of the last two years. Across 16 games in 2025, he completed 65.7% of his pass attempts for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. It was the lowest passing yards total of his career (minimum 10 games), but that can be explained by the fact that he had a weak receiving corps around him. DK Metcalf didn't operate like a true WR1 in his first season with the Steelers, and Calvin Austin III failed to take a fourth-year leap. Heading into 2026, Rodgers still has the ability to keep teams in a competitive position, as he did with the Steelers last year. We wouldn't be surprised to see him sign shortly after the NFL Draft. That's what he did in 2025 with the Steelers; once it was clear they didn't select an immediate starter in the draft, he was essentially assured the starting job, so he put pen to paper. There are rumors that the Steelers, whose current QB1 is Mason Rudolph, won't draft a quarterback in the first round. At this point, a post-draft return to Pittsburgh (and a reunion with head coach Mike McCarthy) seems like the most probable outcome for Rodgers. He's a low-end QB2 in redraft leagues, and he's merely a one-year bridge option in dynasty formats.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen continues to be an elite option in fantasy football, and his ceiling might be getting even higher now that he's healthy and has a new weapon at his disposal. Allen underwent surgery to fix a broken bone in his right foot following the 2025 season, but head coach Joe Brady said that the superstar quarterback is fully healthy. It doesn't sound like the surgery will have any limitations on his performance during training camp or the 2026 regular season. Additionally, Allen will benefit from the Bills' acquisition of wide receiver DJ Moore. While Moore is coming off a down year in which he was essentially pushed down to third on the depth chart in Chicago, he should bounce back as the No. 1 receiver in Buffalo. He'll operate ahead of Khalil Shakir, serving as a reliable medium to deep threat for Allen. It should be no surprise that Allen, who ranked as a top-two fantasy quarterback in each of his last six seasons, remains the QB1 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray remains somewhat of an unknown commodity in dynasty leagues following his offseason change of scenery. After being released by the Cardinals, Murray signed a one-year deal with the Vikings to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting quarterback role. So far, it has been hard to gain much insight into the quarterback competition. On one hand, McCarthy is the incumbent starter. On the other hand, the Vikings actively went out and signed Murray, so we know that Kevin O'Connell has confidence in starting him if needed. McCarthy is coming off an ugly season in Minnesota, but the same can be said of Murray in Arizona. We may be looking at a lesser of two evils situation here, as both quarterbacks are grasping for the opportunity to start meaningful football games. Murray made five starts before missing the rest of the 2025 season due to injury. The former No. 1 pick finished last year with 962 passing yards, 173 rushing yards, seven total touchdowns, and four total turnovers. He was the QB17 in fantasy football from Week 1-5, so he'd likely rank in a similar range if named the Vikings' starter. Having Justin Jefferson would boost his fantasy value, but more importantly, his output would hinge on his ability to stay mobile and rush for yards. Given that Murray was quite literally cut loose during the middle of a $230.5 contract, it's safe to say that his football outlook is approaching rock bottom. As a result, he can be acquired in dynasty leagues at a very minimal cost. Quarterback-needy dynasty managers should entertain the idea of acquiring Murray. If it doesn't pan out, then you've lost a late-round rookie pick, or the equivalent; no big deal. If it does pan out, you're left with a multi-year fantasy starter, and it only cost you a negligible pick.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White is trending up in dynasty leagues after his recent change of scenery. Following four seasons in Tampa Bay, White left for the Commanders in free agency. It was an understandable move, as White went from tallying 1,500+ yards in 2023 (RB4 in PPR leagues) to operating as the Bucs' backup running back in 2024 (RB22) and 2025 (RB32). White won't have the backfield all to himself in Washington, but he also won't face the same level of competition that Bucky Irving presented in Tampa Bay. White will use this summer to try to win the lead-back role over Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was promising in his own regard with 4.6 YPC and eight touchdowns as a rookie last year. Croskey-Merritt was essentially a non-factor in the receiving game last year. That's where White thrives, so at the very least, he should be the primary passing-down back. He'll need to earn the rushing attempts, but that's not such an extreme ask given that he has 4.3 YPC and 13 total touchdowns over the last two seasons. White can be a low-end RB1 in an every-down role. In all likelihood, though, he'll end up as a low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 while sharing some of his volume with Croskey-Merritt. Still, that's a nice boost from his RB32 finish in 2025, so dynasty managers would be wise to send out trade offers for White in anticipation of his bounce-back campaign.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs remains unsigned as we head into the back half of April. Diggs was cut loose after one season with the New England Patriots, during which he caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked as the overall WR17 in PPR leagues, which was an improvement from when he missed nine games in 2024. However, it was still a significant drop-off from his four-year stint in Buffalo, where he was a top-10 fantasy receiver every year. Coming off a 1,000-yard season, it's a little surprising we haven't heard more about Diggs' free agent market. Perhaps at this point in the offseason, NFL teams are waiting to see how the draft unfolds before deciding whether to make a big free agency addition. Presumably, we'll see some more chatter about potential landing spots for Diggs when the 2026 NFL Draft concludes one week from today.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) doesn't have a direct path to fantasy relevance in dynasty leagues. Benson was once viewed as the running back of the future in Arizona after the Cardinals selected him with a third-round pick. However, James Conner was healthy and productive in 2024, leaving Benson in a backup role for most of his rookie season. Then, when Conner suffered a season-ending right foot/ankle injury, it seemed like Benson might finally have an opportunity to shine. Instead, he started one game before suffering a season-ending knee injury of his own. Now, Conner is healthy again, and he's expected to occupy the lead-back role in 2026. New head coach Mike LaFleur also went out and signed Tyler Allgeier, who presumably will operate as the No. 2 running back, pushing Benson to third on the depth chart. Benson is still 23, so we're not completely out on him yet, but it seems like it will take either a lot of patience or a lot of teammate injuries before he has a chance to prove his fantasy relevance. He can be stashed at the end of your bench in most dynasty leagues, as there's really no motivation to buy or sell here.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was one of the most fun stories heading into the 2025 season, and through the first month of his rookie campaign, the man known simply as "Bill" looked to be making good on all the preseason hype. Playing behind an above-average offensive line, Croskey-Merritt was able to churn out chunk plays at a league-leading level, averaging 11.6 fantasy points per game through Week 5 despite minimal usage in the passing game. Unfortunately, the big plays eventually dried up, and Croskey-Merritt finished the year as RB31, working in almost a true 50/50 split with Chris Rodriguez Jr. by the end of the season. The Commanders have since replaced Rodriguez with Rachaad White, which could be viewed as a win for Croskey-Merritt managers, as White's greatest contributions have come catching the ball, a market that Croskey-Merritt was never going to own. However, Washington is one of the teams picking in the top 10 of the upcoming NFL Draft that has been tied to Notre Dame prospect Jeremiyah Love. Should he become their pick on Day 1, Croskey-Merritt would be relegated to little more than change-of-pace duty. If the Commanders opt to go in a different direction, or if Love has already been selected by the time they're on the clock, Croskey-Merritt, who is currently RotoBaller's dynasty RB44, could still provide value as a low-end RB2 or flex play.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker had some usable fantasy moments and one week-winning performance in 2025, operating primarily as the third option in a top-loaded rotation. While some of the names have changed for 2026, Tucker's situation appears to be quite similar, with any fantasy relevance still tied to an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. His 140-yard, three-touchdown blowup in Week 11 came with Bucky Irving sidelined with foot and shoulder injuries and Rachaad White falling out of favor. White has since been replaced by Kenneth Gainwell, who will likely carve out the lion's share of the running back receiving work after banking a career-high 73 receptions with the Steelers in 2025. Irving, even while banged up and inefficient in his second season, still saw more than double Tucker's total carries while playing in five fewer games. With an expected return to health in 2026, that ratio could grow even more lopsided, leaving the 2023 undrafted free agent with very little standalone value.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

After three years in the league in which he never caught a single pass, San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges seemingly came out of nowhere in 2025 in relief of the injured George Kittle. Kittle missed parts of six games with an early-season hamstring injury, and in those games, the 2022 undrafted free agent averaged 4.2 receptions for 37.3 yards while scoring three touchdowns and ranking as the fantasy TE11. With Kittle tearing his Achilles in the team's Wild Card win over the Eagles, and his availability in doubt for the beginning of the 2026 season, Tonges is once again a must-roster player in dynasty leagues, and of particular importance to Kittle's managers. While his 8.8-point per game pace over the best six-game stretch of his career still falls well below anything Kittle has done since his 2017 rookie season, Tonges' usage around the goal line offers enough value to dynasty managers simply looking to stay afloat at the position through the opening stretch of the season. His current status as RotoBaller's dynasty TE34 reflects his lack of standalone value once Kittle returns to full health.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

USC prospect Ja'Kobi Lane is a long, lean outside receiver who took more than 83% of his snaps on the boundary across his three seasons in Southern California. He tested well at the Combine, running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at 6'4" and 200 pounds, displaying the traits that have at least kept him in the late-Day 2 conversation throughout the pre-draft process despite his relatively lackluster collegiate production. He was never able to put together more than 525 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the same season, and his 1.95 career yards per route run land comfortably outside the top 20 in this class, though he played all three seasons alongside presumed first-round pick Makai Lemon, and he is one of only a handful of early-declare wide receivers in 2026. The biggest hurdle to Lane's success will be the physicality of the NFL game. His 33% career contested target rate ranked at the very top of the class, often indicating an inability to separate, and with such a slender frame, his already pedestrian 49% win rate on such throws is certain to take even more of a dip at the next level. Lane has a unique physical skill set and is ranked as RotoBaller's rookie WR13, but he will likely require a longer acclimation period than many of his peers if he's to ever reach a usable fantasy ceiling.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Even before signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Washington Commanders, tight end Chig Okonkwo was a popular breakout candidate as he hit free agency after four promising seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Despite never finishing higher than TE22 in Half-PPR formats, Okonkwo's 4.52 speed and ability to gain yards after the catch are rare for the position, and many fantasy managers were banking on an improved situation where his skills could be put on display with regularity. He appears to have found that with the Commanders. When quarterback Jayden Daniels was fully healthy in 2024, his 78.2% on-target throw rate ranked 12th in the league as a rookie. Okonkwo never saw a quarterback finish inside the top 25 in that regard during his time in Tennessee, but he was still able to top 50 receptions in each of the last three seasons. The Commanders are expected to add pass-catchers in the upcoming NFL Draft, but as it currently stands, the talent gap between eight-year veteran Terry McLaurin and the rest of the room is notable, providing Okonkwo plenty of space to slide in as the secondary option in the passing game. He is currently TE20 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, but it's extremely possible he is still being slept on.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expects plenty of fireworks in the first round of this year's NFL draft, which begins next Thursday night, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "It should be an entertaining night," Veach said Thursday. "There'll probably be a lot of trades." Most analysts think that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the only QB taken within the top 10 picks, and it's also a weird draft in that some of the top prospects don't play premier positions. The Chiefs are one of five teams this year that have two first-round selections, so they could be one of the teams trading up or back next Thursday. KC acquired a second first-round pick (29th overall) from the Los Angeles Rams this offseason in the trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to L.A.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor

April 17, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz thinks that both offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) will participate at some point in the team's offseason program, which begins next Monday, according to Eric Smith of Chargers.com. "Yeah, I think they'll be involved in some capacity. Coming back from injuries, you don't rush anything, there's no need to rush it," Hortiz said. "Let them come back, be healthy, the target is for the start of training camp. But I think they'll be out there getting some work." Slater suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in training camp last summer and missed the entire 2025 season, while Alt made the Pro Bowl despite playing in only six games due to a season-ending ankle injury. With both Slater and Alt sidelined for all but six games last season, the protection for quarterback Justin Herbert really broke down. Having a healthy Slater and Alt in 2026 could be a difference-maker for the Chargers' QB and the entire offense in general under new coordinator Mike McDaniel.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Chargers.com - Eric Smith

April 17, 2026

Multiple people around the NFL that ESPN's Jordan Raanan has spoken to in the past few days said that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was their "top-graded player." The question now is where NFL teams place Love on their draft board given the position he plays and their individual needs. Running backs haven't typically been top-10 picks in the first round of the draft, but Love could just be special enough to go within the top five picks in 2026. The Arizona Cardinals, who don't really have a huge need at the position, have been rumored to be considering the Fighting Irish alum with the No. 3 overall pick, and both the Tennessee Titans (No. 4) and New York Giants (No. 5) would make sense as landing spots in this year's draft. It's hard to imagine Love making it past the G-Men at fifth overall. In fantasy, even in single-year leagues, Love should be in play as an early-round consideration. In his junior season at Notre Dame, Love had 1,652 scrimmage yards and a whopping 21 total touchdowns in just 12 games played.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan