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Kayshon Boutte Wants to Stay in New England
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason after the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, but he wants to stay with the Patriots, according to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. For what it's worth, head coach Mike Vrabel said Boutte's approach has been "exactly the same as last year," when the 24-year-old wideout caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high six touchdowns while starting 10 games. Vrabel had nothing but positive things to say about the former sixth-rounder from LSU, but the head coach also acknowledged that the team is open to trading a receiver while they pare down the roster. Early in training camp, the WR position is one of New England's deepest positions, as they have Brown, Doubs, Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism all on the 90-man roster. The Patriots have also been expanding Douglas' route tree early on, potentially signaling that Boutte is the odd-man out going into 2026. As long as Boutte remains with the Pats, he'll have a difficult path to fantasy relevance in his fourth year in the league.
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
DeMeco Ryans Sees Year 2 Jump From Woody Marks
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks is showing second-year growth during training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans said, according to DJ Bien-Aime. Marks played 16 games with eight starts as a rookie, leading Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also caught 24 of 36 targets for 208 yards and three scores, giving him five total touchdowns despite averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Houston added David Montgomery during the offseason after struggling to run the ball consistently in 2025, and the coaching staff has described the veteran as a three-down back. Marks has also been learning a broader route tree as the Texans explore ways to feature his receiving ability. Ryans' assessment is an encouraging sign that Marks is progressing after handling significant responsibility as a rookie. Montgomery's arrival limits his path to another lead-back workload, but continued development in the passing game could help Marks retain a meaningful complementary role in Houston's backfield.
Source: DJ Bien-Aime
Source: DJ Bien-Aime
Calvin Ridley Returns From Illness on Thursday
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (illness) practiced in full on Thursday after he was held out on Wednesday due to a stomach bug, according to Ben Arthur of FOX Sports. Ridley's fantasy value is in full decline after he played in just seven games due to a broken fibula in 2025 in his second year in Tennessee. In those seven games, the 31-year-old veteran caught only 17 of his 36 targets for 303 yards and zero touchdowns. The Titans are expecting the former first-rounder in 2018 from the University of Alabama to be involved in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme in 2026, but he's going to be more of a secondary option instead of the primary one after the team drafted Carnell Tate in the first round and added target hog Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency. Ridley could also be battling for targets with second-year receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike after they both had standout moments as rookies in 2025. First and foremost, he'll try to prove himself to Daboll in training camp and the preseason, but most likely, Ridley is going to struggle for consistent targets in his eighth year in the league. RotoBaller has dropped him all the way down to No. 62 at the WR position.
Source: FOX Sports - Ben Arthur
Source: FOX Sports - Ben Arthur
A.J. Brown Shows More Chemistry With New QB on Thursday
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Drake Maye struggled to get their connection going in the early days of training camp, with Maye going 4-for-9 with an interception when targeting Brown. However, in a padded practice on Thursday, the two started to turn things around, with Maye matching that production and hitting Brown four of five times, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. One of Brown's catches came against star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, with another one coming against Charles Woods for a touchdown. Thursday's practice could be a sign of things to come for Brown and Maye as they begin to build their chemistry for the 2026 regular season. The Patriots suddenly have a pretty crowded WR room with Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism, but after the Pats sent the Philadelphia Eagles a first-rounder, Brown should be the unquestioned alpha WR1 in New England. Brown showed signs of decline in 2025 in Philly's stagnant offense, averaging a career-low 12.9 yards per catch, but he also had his sixth 1,000-yard campaign. In what should be a more explosive Patriots' passing game, Brown should be considered a low-end WR1, at worst.
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Puka Nacua Stands Out Early at Rams Camp
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been the offense's standout through four training camp practices, leading the team in catches and explosive plays, according to The Athletic. He highlighted Wednesday's session by separating from cornerback Jaylen Watson down the left sideline for a deep touchdown from Matthew Stafford and has looked quicker in his vertical routes. Nacua already led the NFL with 129 receptions in 2025, totaling 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games, with 27 catches of at least 20 yards. He also added 105 rushing yards and a score. The 25-year-old is entering the final season of his rookie contract and has continued practicing fully while seeking a long-term extension. The early work has come before full pads, so the camp results should not be overvalued, but Nacua's combination of established volume and improved downfield movement is encouraging. He remains the centerpiece of Los Angeles' passing game and one of fantasy football's elite wide receivers.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Jahmyr Gibbs Dealing With a Back Issue
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he's "not even sweating it" when discussing running back Jahmyr Gibbs' hold-in as he seeks a contract extension early in training camp, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Gibbs completed a conditioning test on Wednesday, in which Campbell said he "had a little bit of a back" issue, so it's unclear if the star RB will start practicing with the team right away once he inks a new deal. The 24-year-old's back injury might not be all that serious, but it's definitely something that we will keep a close eye on as camp rolls on. Fantasy managers probably have nothing to worry about right now with Gibbs' back injury and his hold-in, but the longer it lasts, the more concerning it will become for a player who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 1 overall fantasy RB. He has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three NFL seasons after Detroit took him 12th overall from the University of Alabama in 2023. Gibbs' production speaks for itself, as he's racked up an incredible 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 181 receptions for 1,449 yards and another 10 scores as a receiver in 49 regular-season games. He's in his prime in an up-tempo, high-scoring offense as the best dual-threat back in the league.
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
Christian McCaffrey Could See Even Larger Target Share
With the news that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is facing season-ending surgery for a PCL injury, it means that San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey could see an even larger target share in the passing game in 2026. McCaffrey, who has a lengthy injury history of his own, was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2025 after he played in just four games due to injury in 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro was the top fantasy RB after running for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns on 311 carries while adding a whopping 102 receptions for 924 yards and another seven TDs on 129 targets across 17 starts. At this point in CMC's career as he heads into his 10th NFL season, it seems likely that the Niners would be looking for ways to reduce his workload, especially when considering his injury history and coming off a career-high 413 touches last year. But the 49ers might not have that luxury, with their players already dropping like flies due to injury early in training camp. As long as he's healthy, McCaffrey should continue to be the engine of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, cementing him as a no-doubt top-five fantasy RB.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
49ers Don't Expect Ricky Pearsall to Make Any Contributions in 2026
It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are expecting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) to miss the entire 2026 season, according to NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco. "This doesn't look good... I think it's reasonable, rational, logical, for the 49ers to NOT expect Ricky Pearsall to make any contribution in 2026," Maiocco said. The 25-year-old former first-rounder from the University of Florida played in only nine regular-season games in 2025 in his second year in the league due to a PCL injury in his knee. The 49ers were hoping that the PCL issue would heal itself in the offseason, but that doesn't appear to be the case after Pearsall experienced swelling in the same knee after running all the routes in the first few days of training camp. It now appears that Pearsall is headed for season-ending surgery, which will obviously make him undraftable in all single-year fantasy leagues in 2026. The oft-injured pass-catcher's dynasty/keeper-league stock also takes a big hit. With Pearsall likely done for the year, it gives rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling a real opportunity to lock down the WR3 role in San Fran behind veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
LeQuint Allen Jr. Continues to Make Noise in Jaguars Backfield
Jacksonville Jaguars second-year running back LeQuint Allen Jr. has been a name to watch early in the team's training camp practices, and he had another explosive run on Thursday while stiff-arming a defender, according to Jaguars beat writer Travis Holmes. Keep in mind that Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot) is being limited to individual drills early in camp after having foot surgery and missing the entire offseason program. Still, the 21-year-old Allen's work so far this summer is noteworthy as he works to be the team's primary pass-catching option on third downs in Year 2. After he was selected in the seventh round from Syracuse last year, Allen found little work behind Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten, carrying the ball 23 times for 94 yards and zero touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (one start). He added 10 receptions for 54 yards. Allen is unlikely to do much as a pure runner as the RB3, but he could offer some deep-league PPR appeal in a larger role in an ascending Jaguars offense. Fantasy managers in standard-sized 12-team leagues can likely leave Allen to the waiver wire to begin the 2026 season.
Source: Travis Holmes
Source: Travis Holmes
Tyjae Spears Heavily Involved in Passing Game
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has been heavily involved in the team's passing game early in training camp and has made the most of his screens and dump-offs through two days, according to PaulKuharsky.com. Spears is still sharing a backfield with Tony Pollard, and the Titans added more competition in this year's draft with fifth-rounder Nicholas Singleton, but the 25-year-old could be in a position to succeed in 2026 with Brian Daboll now running the Titans' offense. He has been impressive all offseason and should have the RB2 role locked down going into the start of the regular season, and the former third-rounder in 2023 from Tulane could operate as more of the 1B this year to Pollard's 1A. Spears has never had more than 453 rushing yards or four rushing touchdowns in any of his three NFL seasons, but he does have 127 catches on 155 targets in his 42 games played, and he could become an even bigger pass-catching weapon in Tennessee as second-year QB Cam Ward looks to take the next step. Fantasy managers should consider Spears as a sneaky late-round sleeper in point-per-reception leagues.
Source: PaulKuharsky.com
Source: PaulKuharsky.com
Things are Slowing Down for Rookie Tight End Eli Raridon
New England Patriots rookie third-round tight end Eli Raridon said at training camp on Thursday that things are slowing down for him, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. Raridon said it has been night and day from the spring. Even though the Patriots still have Hunter Henry as their top pass-catching tight end, and after they added receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in the offseason, Raridon could make an impact as a receiver in 2026 in his first year in the NFL. The 22-year-old should be considered the favorite for TE2 duties with Julian Hill (knee) already ruled out for the season. He needs to refine his blocking skills, but Raridon is certainly a young TE name to keep an eye on for those in deep fantasy leagues in 2026. Raridon has excellent size (6-foot-6, 245 pounds), athleticism, and speed to give New England another weapon to challenge opposing defenses down the field. He doesn't come without durability concerns, though, having already torn his ACL twice. Raridon is a fine TE to stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he can be ignored for now in most redraft formats.
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle Alternating First-Team Reps
DK Pittsburgh Sports reports that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle got reps ahead of Jaylen Warren in training camp practice on Thursday, which was the opposite of Wednesday. However, both RBs took reps with the first-team offense. Warren lost considerable pass-catching work to Kenny Gainwell in 2025, but he still managed a career-high 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 211 carries while adding 40 receptions for 333 yards and another two TDs as a receiver in 16 regular-season games in his fourth year in the NFL. Gainwell is gone, with Dowdle taking his place in Pittsburgh's backfield alongside Warren. With Dowdle now in the picture, Warren's rushing workload will likely take a hit, but he could replace that volume with more work as a pass-catcher, and we all know how veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers loves to dump off the football late in his career. This could be a true even split between Warren and Dowdle in 2026, with RotoBaller ranking Dowdle as the No. 30 overall fantasy RB, and Warren at No. 31. Warren should have slightly more upside as an RB3/flex option in PPR formats.
Source: DK Pittsburgh Sports
Source: DK Pittsburgh Sports
Matthew Golden Flashing Big-Play Upside Early in Camp
Green Bay Packers second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden is flashing big-play upside early in training camp, and he had another 20-plus-yard catch in practice on Thursday, per Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports. Golden, who was the 23rd overall pick last year from the University of Texas, failed to stand out in his rookie campaign in the team's crowded WR picture, ultimately finishing with 29 receptions on 44 targets for 361 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (five starts). But with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks no longer on the team, the 22-year-old is primed for a much larger role in the Packers' passing attack in 2026. Golden was the team's most productive pass-catcher late last year as well, so fantasy managers targeting him are banking on a Year 2 breakout. He caught four passes for 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown in the playoff loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears. Given his current ADP, Golden is undervalued and profiles as an excellent value pick later in fantasy drafts in 2026.
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Roman Wilson has Been Steelers' "Most-Targeted" Pass-Catcher
Penn Live's Nick Farabaugh writes that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson is getting a lot of looks from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in training camp practice on Thursday, and he's "easily been the most targeted player" through two days. The Rodgers-Wilson connection has already looked a lot better on Thursday after the two had two miscommunications on Wednesday. The 25-year-old saw the majority of the reps as the WR3 on Wednesday in three-receiver sets alongside DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., and he's looking to get more involved in 2026 after catching just 12 of 21 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played in 2025 in his second year in the NFL. Wilson's main competition for the WR3 role this summer is rookie second-rounder Germie Bernard, but so far, it looks like Wilson's job to lose. The former third-rounder is a name to watch in Steelers camp, but the WR3 role in Pittsburgh with Rodgers leading the show in his final NFL season probably won't amount to much volume to make him all that intriguing in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Chris Brazzell II to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery
Carolina Panthers rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (knee) will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee, a league source with knowledge of the situation told Joseph Person of The Athletic. The Panthers initially planned to go with a non-surgical path for Brazzell's moderate LCL tear, which would have kept him out for two months. But after receiving a second opinion, they have decided to do what's best for the young wideout's long-term health. The University of Tennessee product injured his knee during 7-on-7 drills in training camp practice on Wednesday. It's a tough break for the 6-foot-4 pass-catcher, as he entered camp with a realistic chance to unseat Xavier Legette for WR3 duties in 2026 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Legette will now obviously be the favorite for the No. 3 receiver job, although he could face competition from David Moore and John Metchie III, who played with quarterback Bryce Young at Alabama. Fantasy managers can avoid Brazzell now in all single-year leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
