RADIO
Ted Hurst II a Late Round Sleeper to Target in Redraft Leagues
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected wide receiver Ted Hurst II of Georgia State in the third round with the 84th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Hurst has been a standout during training camp so far and has put himself in a position to be a contributor in the Tampa Bay offense. Sports Illustrated's Caleb Skinner reported Hurst has stepped in for some first-team reps while fellow wideouts have been in and out of practice due to various injuries and has shown why the Bucs selected him in the third round. The 22-year-old is an athletic freak with his 6'4" size and 4.42-second 40-yard dash speed and has the chance to be the team's "X" receiver from the jump. Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan are all slot and Z receivers by nature, which gives Hurst the chance to be the starting X receiver. If this happens, Hurst has the chance to be a fantasy-relevant receiver with touchdown upside in his rookie season.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Caleb Skinner
Source: Sports Illustrated - Caleb Skinner
De'Zhaun Stribling in No-Contact Jersey on Sunday
Updating a previous report, San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (shoulder) returned to training camp practice on Sunday after he missed Saturday's session with a shoulder injury, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Stribling was seen wearing a no-contact jersey in his return. The 23-year-old from Ole Miss is considered day-to-day for now after suiting up for Thursday's 41-17 win in the preseason over the Los Angeles Chargers. He has been standing out in practices and in two preseason games, catching 11 of his 13 targets for 109 yards. Stribling should have a key role in San Fran's passing game right away in 2026 after the Niners learned that Ricky Pearsall (knee) would miss the entire season with recurring PCL issues. The team added veteran Deebo Samuel Sr. to the fold, but Stribling has looked the part all summer and is worth a late-round flier in all single-year fantasy football leagues. He is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 51 fantasy WR for 2026. Barring a setback with his shoulder, Stribling should be fine for Week 1 of the regular season in Australia versus the division-rival Los Angeles Rams.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Mike Evans Participates in "Much" of Sunday's Practice
ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports San Francisco 49ers wideout Mike Evans (ankle) participated in much of practice on Sunday, but did not go all the way through it and stopped participating near the end. Wagoner noted that Evans was "moving fine," and connected with quarterback Brock Purdy for a big gain during practice. However, Evans and the 49ers want to be cautious to get him ready for Week 1 against division rival Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Evans had some tightness in his quad earlier this week and had his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced. The 33-year-old is expected to be the No. 1 receiver in the offense this year and will have a big role in the passing game, especially in the red zone. If Evans can play a full 17-game season, he will have an opportunity to lead the league in receiving touchdowns in 2026.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Christian McCaffrey's Absence Part of the Plan
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) said his absence in training camp was always part of the plan to have him ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "Obviously when you don't practice, the way the media works now it's a firestorm," McCaffrey said. "But this was kind of part of the plan from the jump was to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we're fresh for the duration... And again, I feel great. I feel fresh, and it's good to be back out there." The Niners have been holding out their star RB late with undisclosed tightness, but he returned to practice on Sunday and even jumped into team drills. San Francisco is taking every precaution to keep the oft-injured four-time Pro Bowler as fresh as possible going into Week 1 after he had 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on a career-high 311 carries in 2025 in 17 regular-season games, adding 102 catches for 924 yards and another seven scores. CMC remains one of the most talented dual-threat backs in the league, but his lengthy injury history makes him high-risk, high-reward as RotoBaller's No. 3 overall RB.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Malik Nabers Could Shed No-Contact Jersey This Week
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said there is a chance that wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) could shed the no-contact jersey this week at practice, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "That's a possibility. We'll just have to see where he's at," Harbaugh said. With three weeks until the 2026 opener, Harbaugh does not think it's a necessity for Nabers to take contact this week. The 23-year-old former first-rounder from LSU returned to team drills last week at training camp, but he has yet to be cleared for contact and did not take part in joint practices with the Miami Dolphins before Saturday's 26-3 preseason win. Barring a setback from his torn ACL and meniscus suffered early last year, Nabers is trending in the right direction to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season on Sunday night against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13. He is still a risk for fantasy managers coming off a major knee injury, but Nabers' progress in recent weeks should make him a more attractive low-end WR1 pick in upcoming drafts.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Malik Davis Emerging as the RB2 Favorite in Dallas
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis "seems to be the player with whom the Cowboys are most comfortable" in the RB2 role behind starting back Javonte Williams, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. Davis played in 10 games for Dallas in 2025, recording 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries. The 27-year-old has been competing for the Cowboys' RB2 role in training camp with 2025 draftees Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. While Machota acknowledges that Blue specifically has the higher upside, he predicts that Davis will open the year as Dallas' primary backup. As long as Williams remains healthy, neither Davis nor Blue is likely to see a fantasy-relevant workload. Still, fantasy managers searching for a handcuff option for Williams may want to target Davis with a late-round draft pick.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Carson Steele Making an Impression in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Eagles running back Carson Steele was one of the standout performers from his team's second preseason game against the New England Patriots on Saturday, recording 117 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 18 touches. Philadelphia has three running backs who currently appear to be ahead of Steele on the depth chart in Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley. However, The Athletic's Brooks Kubena reports that Steele's stock is trending up and the Eagles could be looking for a way to sneak him onto the 53-man roster. Steele recorded 56 carries for 183 yards across 17 games (three starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, but did not appear in an NFL game in 2025. In the case of an injury in the Eagles' backfield, Steele could be a name to monitor in deeper league formats.
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Mike Washington Jr. Emerging as a Priority Stash
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. could be in for a much larger role in his team's offense than initially expected. Star Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (knee) had to be helped off the practice field on Sunday after suffering a potentially serious knee injury. While the exact nature of Jeanty's injury is currently unclear, any missed time for Jeanty would open a window for Washington Jr. to take over as the Raiders RB1. A fourth-round pick out of Arkansas, Washington Jr. recorded 1,296 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 195 touches across 12 games for the Razorbacks last season. The 23-year-old has been impressive in preseason action so far, recording 119 rushing yards on 15 carries across two games. Las Vegas also has little in the way of proven competition for Washington Jr. in the backfield, although the team could look to bring in a veteran or two if Jeanty is indeed facing an extended absence. Still, Washington Jr.'s fantasy value is rising and could be set to explode.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ja'Mori Maclin Making a Case to Stick in Buffalo
Buffalo Bills undrafted rookie wide receiver Ja'Mori Maclin has been a standout performer this summer and "has a chance to stick with the Bills past this summer," per Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. The 24-year-old also flashed in Buffalo's second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, recording two catches for 108 yards and a touchdown on three targets. Maclin was not particularly productive as a college player, recording 13 catches for 189 yards and zero touchdowns across 10 games at the University of Kentucky in 2025. However, he appears to have done enough this summer to have a chance to make Buffalo's 53-man roster. The Bills are also currently managing injuries to wide receivers Khalil Shakir (ankle), Keon Coleman (foot/toe), and Skyler Bell (groin). It's too early for fantasy managers to prioritize Maclin, but he could be a name to monitor in deeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Lan Larison Solidifying Case for a Roster Spot?
New England Patriots running back Lan Larison tallied nine carries, 33 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Saturday's preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also caught three of his four targets for an additional 41 receiving yards. A 2025 undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, Larison now has 113 scrimmage yards and one touchdown through two preseason games. Numbers like that will help the 24-year-old in his pursuit of a roster spot, and the fact that he spent last season with the team (albeit on injured reserve) could also work in his favor. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson have a firm grasp on the top two spots in the backfield, but the No. 3 running back role is up for grabs, with Larison and Jam Miller looking like the strongest candidates. Larison possesses the dual-threat skill set that head coach Mike Vrabel values in a running back, so he could carve out a role if he makes the 53-man roster. It's too early to pursue him in redraft leagues, but he's absolutely worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dae'Quan Wright Waived by Browns, Eyeing Return to College
The Cleveland Browns are waiving tight end Dae'Quan Wright, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that if Wright clears waivers, he has an agreement in place to play the 2026 season at LSU, which would make him the first player to play for an NFL team before returning to college. An undrafted free agent signee of the Browns, Wright recorded 39 catches for 635 yards and one touchdown across 15 games at Ole Miss in 2025. He had been competing for a back-end roster spot in Cleveland, but it appears Wright's focus is now on returning to the SEC. The Browns have a clear TE1 in Harold Fannin Jr., leaving rookies Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan to compete with veteran Blake Whiteheart for the team's TE2 role.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Ashton Jeanty Suffers Potentially Serious Knee Injury in Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (knee) left practice early on Sunday after suffering an apparent knee injury, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN. McFadden reports that Jeanty landed awkwardly while attempting to make a diving catch and "couldn't put any pressure on his right leg" while being helped off the field by trainers. While the exact nature of the injury is not entirely clear, a serious knee injury for Jeanty would obviously be a massive blow for both the Raiders and fantasy managers. The sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty recorded 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches across 17 games as a rookie. Before the injury, the 22-year-old appeared to be in line to shoulder a high-volume, three-down workload for Las Vegas. If he misses time, Raiders backs Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube would likely be in line for significantly increased roles in the team's offense.
Source: ESPN - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN - Ryan McFadden
Jordan James' Fantasy Value Rising Following Return from Injury
A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James played in just three games and did not earn a single carry as a rookie. The 22-year-old also suffered a setback early in training camp this season when he suffered multiple fractured ribs while absorbing a hit from star 49ers linebacker Fred Warner. However, James was able to return to the practice field on Saturday, putting him back in the mix for a role in the San Francisco backfield. As long as superstar 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey remains healthy, James is unlikely to see fantasy-relevant playing time. Still, McCaffrey is entering his age-30 season and recorded an NFL-high 413 touches in 2025. If James can beat out rookie Kaelon Black and veteran Zamir White for the 49ers RB2 role, he would immediately be one of the more valuable handcuff running back options for fantasy managers. Now that James is back at practice, his stock is on the rise.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Kelce's Fantasy Stock Improved By Healthy QB Situation
Across 17 games in 2025, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recorded 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns on 108 targets. Now entering his age-37 campaign and his 14th NFL season, Kelce is no longer the same player he once was at his superstar peak. The Chiefs could also look to be more conservative with his snap counts in order to preserve his legs throughout the regular season. Still, Kelce has logged over 100 targets in 11 consecutive seasons. It also looks like he will get a full season playing alongside Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), with whom he clearly has a high level of established chemistry. While Kansas City could get more out of top wide receiver Rashee Rice this season, Rice's history of both injury and off-field issues is always liable to force him off the field. Kelce's ceiling is limited, but he still has value as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Harold Fannin Jr. Could Be on the Verge of a Superstar Breakout
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had an impressive season as a rookie in 2025, recording 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets across 16 games (13 starts). Entering 2026, Fannin Jr. now looks like the undisputed top tight end in Cleveland following the offseason departure of longtime Browns tight end David Njoku. Cleveland did use a pair of top-40 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft on wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, adding some increased target competition for Fannin Jr. The 22-year-old's fantasy value is also clouded by the Browns quarterback situation, which features a pair of underwhelming options in Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. Still, Fannin Jr. has proven that he can be a high-volume safety blanket in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Entering his second NFL campaign, Fannin Jr. should be viewed as a steady TE1 option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
