RADIO
Dylan Sampson's Handcuff Case Is Not That Simple
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson has a clear role behind Quinshon Judkins, but fantasy managers should not assume every Judkins touch would fall to him. Sampson was much better as a receiver than a runner during his rookie year, catching 33 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns while managing only 175 yards on 65 carries. Jerome Ford is gone, which leaves Sampson as the leading passing-down option in the backfield. That gives him some standalone value in deeper PPR leagues. The handcuff case is less straightforward. Judkins returned to full work during the offseason after recovering from a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula, and Cleveland still has 6-foot, 230-pound Raheim Sanders for heavier carries. The Browns also added fullback Michael Burton as Todd Monken installs more gap concepts and short-yardage looks. RotoBaller ranks Sampson RB53 in PPR and RB52 in half-PPR. He is worth a late pick in deeper formats, especially for managers looking for catches from the back end of the roster. Just do not draft him expecting a three-down role if Judkins misses time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton Given Some Time Off in Training Camp
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was given his second consecutive day off from training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. With Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) also sitting out, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant got the bulk of the work with the starters. The Denver Post's Luca Evans reports that Sutton was seen working on a side field on Thursday. The 30-year-old veteran is not believed to be dealing with any sort of injury, so it's likely that head coach Sean Payton is using this time to give Sutton a little rest while evaluating the rest of the receiver group. In his eighth year in the league in 2025, Sutton caught 74 of his 124 targets for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season games for the third 1,000-yard season of his career. The former second-rounder from SMU has 25 touchdown receptions in the last three seasons and has lots of chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix, but his ceiling and floor will come down in 2026 after the addition of speedy wideout Jaylen Waddle in the offseason. Fantasy managers are now better off targeting Sutton as more of a WR3/4 flex than a legitimate No. 2.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Spencer Rattler Drawing Positive Buzz at Saints Camp
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler is reportedly putting together the best training camp of his three-year career. The former fifth-round pick has started 14 games over his first two seasons, including eight in 2025, when he completed 67.7% of his passes for 1,586 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. Rattler was eventually replaced by Tyler Shough, who enters 2026 as New Orleans' starter. That leaves Rattler competing with Zach Wilson for the backup job, but a strong summer could help him secure the No. 2 role and rebuild some value after an uneven start to his career. He remains a deep Superflex and dynasty option rather than someone to consider in standard redraft leagues.
Source: Rookie Watch
Source: Rookie Watch
Greg Dulcich Returns in No-Contact Jersey
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (undisclosed) returned to practice Thursday in a red no-contact jersey, according to C. Isaiah Smalls II. Dulcich had been sidelined by an undisclosed injury, and head coach Jeff Hafley previously said the issue was not considered serious. The 26-year-old caught 26 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown in 10 games last season, finishing third on Miami in receiving yards. His return is a step forward, but the red jersey shows the Dolphins are still easing him back. Dulcich will need to resume full participation before Miami's tight-end pecking order becomes any clearer.
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Rookie Receiver Barion Brown Standing Out in Training Camp
New Orleans Saints rookie sixth-round wide receiver Barion Brown has been standing out through seven training camp practices, according to Ross Jackson of LouisianaSports.net. Brown has made plays in one-on-one drills, stretching the field, and showing his ability with the football in his hands. He made the highlight play of the day on Thursday when he hauled in a 46-yard catch for a touchdown in an end-of-game two-minute simulation. The 22-year-old from LSU has put himself in position to be more than just a camp darling going into his first year in the NFL. At the very least, Brown should make noise on special teams as a returner, having six kick returns for touchdowns in his collegiate career, all of which went for 99 yards or more. Chris Olave, rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson, and Devaughn Vele are expected to be the Saints' top-three receivers entering the 2026 campaign, but Brown is certainly stating his case to be included on the 53-man roster to begin the regular season in September in a depth role. He's a name to monitor in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: LouisianaSports.net - Ross Jackson
Source: LouisianaSports.net - Ross Jackson
Isaiah Davis to Miss a Few Weeks With Knee Injury
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (knee) will miss a few weeks, head coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday, according to Antwan V. Staley. Glenn did not sound overly concerned, but the team has not provided a specific diagnosis. Davis was competing with Braelon Allen for the backup job behind Breece Hall after averaging 5.5 yards per carry and totaling 422 scrimmage yards on 64 touches last season. The timing will cost him a meaningful stretch of camp and gives Allen a chance to create separation in the RB2 battle. Davis will need to work his way back into the competition once he is cleared to return.
Source: Antwan V. Staley
Source: Antwan V. Staley
Elic Ayomanor Suffers Shoulder Injury on Thursday
Tennessee Titans second-year wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (shoulder) left practice with a trainer on Thursday due to a left-shoulder injury and did not return, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. The severity of Ayomanor's shoulder injury is unclear, but we'll consider him day-to-day until we have more information. The 23-year-old former fourth-rounder last year from Stanford had plenty of opportunities as a rookie and caught 41 of his 89 targets for 515 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games played. The efficiency definitely wasn't there, but he was hardly to blame for all of it while working with rookie QB Cam Ward in an inconsistent offense. Going into Year 2, it's going to be hard for Ayomanor to stand out after the Titans added rookie first-rounder Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency to new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme. If he's healthy entering Week 1, Ayomanor is expected to be competing with fellow second-year wideout Chimere Dike for the WR4 role behind Tate, Robinson, and veteran Calvin Ridley.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Romeo Doubs Remains Absent From Patriots Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (undisclosed) remained absent from Thursday's practice, according to Taylor Kyles. Doubs also missed Wednesday's walkthrough, and the team has not given a reason for either absence. The 26-year-old joined New England after catching 55 passes for a career-high 724 yards and six touchdowns with Green Bay last season. His absence has opened first-team work for Efton Chism III, who filled in during Wednesday's session. With no injury or timetable reported, Doubs' status is worth tracking when the Patriots return to the field Friday.
Source: Taylor Kyles
Source: Taylor Kyles
Chris Olave on the Practice Field on Thursday
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was seen on the practice field at training camp on Thursday after he was forced to leave Wednesday's practice with a trainer due to a heat-related issue. Olave dealt with a blood-clot issue late last year that forced him out of the regular-season finale, but he's past that and is without restrictions in training camp this summer. The Saints likely exercised precaution in removing Olave from the field on Wednesday, and it looks like he's just fine. The 26-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 from Ohio State enters his fifth year in the NFL as the Saints' unquestioned WR1, especially after inking a four-year, $132 million extension with the team recently. Despite missing a game and working with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in 2025, Olave set career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine), giving him a pretty high fantasy floor as at least a low-end WR1 target in upcoming fantasy football drafts. Rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson could take some targets away, but there should be enough to go around in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense.
Source: New Orleans Saints
Source: New Orleans Saints
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Pushing for Goal-Line Work
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. had his busiest practice of training camp Thursday and made his strongest impression in short-yardage work, according to Sports Illustrated. Rodriguez handled several carries during team drills, caught a short pass from Trevor Lawrence, and repeatedly powered the offense away from its own goal line. Every carry reportedly gained positive yardage, continuing a strong start to padded practices for the 5-foot-11, 224-pound back. Rodriguez rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries with Washington last season, but he has caught only six passes through three NFL seasons. The Jaguars have not settled on how they will divide the backfield, though Rodriguez is making a convincing case for the heavy work near the goal line. That role could make him a touchdown-dependent option in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
De'Zhaun Stribling in Uniform for Thursday's Practice
San Francisco 49ers second-round rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) is in uniform for the team's training camp practice on Thursday, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The 49ers are once again already one of the most banged-up teams in the NFL early in training camp, with receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) already ruled out for the 2026 season. In addition, Mike Evans (quadriceps) and Christian Kirk (calf) are nursing injuries, which will give Stribling a nice opportunity to work with the first-team offense if he's allowed to do team drills on Thursday. The 23-year-old Ole Miss product has missed practices recently with a tight hamstring, but he appears to be improving and should be ready for preseason action. What he lacks in physical ability, Stribling makes up for with a high football IQ, and he figures to start in three-wide sets in his first NFL season now that Pearsall is done for the year. Stribling will probably still go undrafted in 12-team fantasy leagues, but he's becoming a more interesting late-round sleeper in single-year formats in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Kyler Murray Gains Ground in Vikings' QB Competition
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray turned in one of his best practices of camp Wednesday as he tries to pull ahead of J.J. McCarthy in the starting competition. According to Sports Illustrated, Murray hit Justin Jefferson during one-on-one drills, found Jauan Jennings for a deep touchdown in seven-on-seven work, and connected with a wide-open Tai Felton on a scoring throw of roughly 60 yards during team drills. He later gave Jefferson a chance between two defenders in the two-minute period, and Jefferson came down with the ball for the simulated winning touchdown. Murray also flashed his speed on a scramble after using his legs sparingly earlier in camp. He appeared in only five games for Arizona last season, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding 173 yards and a score on the ground. Minnesota has not named a starter, but this was the kind of practice Murray needed to strengthen his case.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Texans Agree With Linebacker Henry To'oTo'o on Two-Year Extension
The Houston Texans agreed with linebacker Henry To'oTo'o on a two-year, $16 million contract extension on Thursday, according to the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. The 25-year-old gets paid with a chance to earn another contract in a few years. The deal includes the opportunity to earn another $1 million in incentives. The former fifth-rounder in the 2023 NFL draft from the University of Alabama has had at least 95 combined tackles for Houston in the last two years, and he recorded 95 tackles (42 solo), a career-high 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 17 regular-season games (14 starts) in 2025 in his third year in the league. To'oTo'o was a key piece of one of the NFL's best defensive units last year alongside star linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and he's set to reprise his role in 2026. He finished just inside the top-50 fantasy linebackers in IDP formats a year ago.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Parker Washington is "Feared Across the League"
Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell said on Thursday that wide receiver Parker Washington is "feared across the league" and is an elite return man, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder from Penn State in 2023 isn't just feared on special teams as a returner, though, after breaking out with a 58-847-5 line on 95 targets in 16 regular-season games in 2025 in his third year in the NFL. Washington has been one of the most hyped receivers in the league this offseason, and it looks like his breakout last year was no fluke. Even in a crowded WR room in Duvall that includes Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, most pundits wouldn't be shocked if it was Washington who leads the team in receiving in 2026. He is ranked as the No. 32 fantasy WR at RotoBaller, but don't be surprised if you have to pay WR2 prices to land him in drafts this fall. Washington will have plenty of competition for targets, but it's hard to ignore the chemistry he's displayed with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, which dates back to midseason last year.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions Expected to Finalize a Deal Soon
The Detroit Lions and star running back Jahmyr Gibbs continue to work on a new deal in training camp that is expected to be finalized soon, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Gibbs should be the third RB domino to fall this summer after both Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor signed with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts, respectively, over the last 48 hours. Gibbs, who has also been dealing with a tight back, made an appearance at practice on Thursday. NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports that the two sides could be closing in on a new three-year deal that would make the 24-year-old dual-threat back the highest-paid RB in the league. A deal could be completed as early as Thursday, which would be great news for the Lions, as they'd get the best all-around RB back on the field. Despite his hold-in to start camp, the former 12th overall pick from the University of Alabama should be the top player off the board in most fantasy football drafts after another 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 to go with 18 total touchdowns (13 rushing, five receiving) in 17 starts.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
