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Michael Mayer Could See Increased Role
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer put together a career-year last season. Across 13 games, Mayer hauled in 35 receptions for 328 receiving yards and one touchdown. Both the receptions and yardage are career highs for the 25-year-old. His overall ceiling is going to be limited because Brock Bowers is ahead of him on the depth chart. The good news for Mayer is that new head coach Klint Kubiak deploys a two tight end set at the same time. The assumption is that more time on the field will lead to more involvement in the offense for Mayer. He's not someone who needs to be rostered in 12-team formats to start the season. However, he'll be a popular waiver wire candidate if Bowers ever goes down.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Nick Emmanwori has Ankle Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Week 1
Seattle Seahawks standout safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle), who was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday, will miss time in training camp after having surgery on his right ankle, but he's expected to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, sources told Brady Henderson of ESPN. The 22-year-old dealt with two right-ankle injuries in 2025 after being selected in the second round (35th overall) out of the University of South Carolina, which limited him to 14 games (11 starts) in his first year in the NFL. When healthy, Emmanwori had 81 tackles (56 solo), 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one interception, and 11 pass breakups. He suffered a high sprain on the first series of the season opener, and he also suffered a low sprain in practice four days before Super Bowl LX, but he was able to play in the win over the New England Patriots. Emmanwori will continue to serve as a versatile playmaker on the back end of what was a shutdown Seattle defense a year ago.
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Jake Elliott Expected to Open the Season as Eagles Kicker
Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott doesn't currently have any competition as he enters training camp this summer, leading Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice to assume that he'll open the 2026 season as the team's placekicker again. The 31-year-old veteran and former fifth-rounder by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017 out of the University of Memphis made just 74.1% of his 27 field-goal attempts (4-for-8 from 50-plus yards) in 17 regular-season games in 2025 in his ninth year with the Eagles, and it didn't help matters that the offense had a hard time starting and sustaining drives. It was Elliott's second straight season and third overall in his career with a field-goal percentage under 80%. The Eagles are hoping to turn things around on offense and have the weapons to do so in 2026, but fantasy managers in standard 12-team leagues should have higher-floor options to choose from. Elliott finished as the No. 23 kicker in fantasy a year ago.
Source: Philly Voice - Jimmy Kempski
Source: Philly Voice - Jimmy Kempski
Jaycee Horn Expected to Come Off NFI List Soon
Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said on Wednesday that cornerback Jaycee Horn (foot) is expected to come off the Non-Football Injury list in "a matter of days," according to NFL.com. Horn was placed on the NFI list by the Panthers after recently suffering a cut on his foot, but it's not serious, and Horn should be ready to roll for the start of the 2026 regular season. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of the University of South Carolina was named a Pro Bowler in 2025 for the second straight season in his fifth year with the Panthers after recording 37 tackles (26 solo), a career-high five interceptions, and eight pass breakups in 16 regular-season starts. Horn was once again a big part of a Carolina defense that helped get the team to the postseason last year.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Brevyn Spann-Ford Expected to Operate in Backup Role
Dallas Cowboys tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford is expected to earn a spot on the 53-man roster in a backup role to top pass-catching TE Jake Ferguson in 2026, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Spann-Ford has played in all 17 games in both of his two NFL seasons in Dallas since joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota. The 26-year-old has mostly been used as a blocker on offense, though, so he hasn't been on the fantasy football radar at all. He has had exactly nine receptions in each of his first two seasons, combining for 178 yards and just one touchdown reception in 34 games played (five starts). Spann-Ford had 90 receiving yards and a touchdown catch last year, which included all five of his career starts. If Ferguson were to miss time due to an injury, Luke Schoonmaker, not Spann-Ford, would likely be the better waiver-wire target as a streaming tight end in fantasy.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Jimmy Garoppolo Open to Playing in the Right Situation
Free-agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo considered retirement this spring, but he is still open to playing in 2026 in "the right situation," according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. With that said, Garafolo added that nothing is imminent in terms of Garoppolo signing with a team, and it might take an injury to a current QB on a roster for an NFL team to reach out to him before the start of the regular season this fall. The 34-year-old former second-rounder by the New England Patriots in 2014 out of Eastern Illinois was the insurance policy for veteran Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams the last two seasons, but he played in only four games (one start) and attempted just 41 passes in that time. The Rams have now moved on after surprising everyone by drafting Ty Simpson in the first round back in April. Jimmy G has 12 years of NFL experience under his belt, but if he does sign with a team for 2026, it will most likely be as a mentor and experienced backup rather than a guaranteed starter.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Isaiah Davis the Early Favorite for Jets RB2 Role
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt thinks that New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis is the early favorite to win the RB2 role in training camp this summer behind starter Breece Hall. Davis' primary competition will be Braelon Allen. Both backs will have opportunities in change-of-pace roles behind Hall. Allen isn't big and strong like Allen, but what he lacks in power, he has made up for in efficiency, averaging 5.6 yards on 73 career rushing attempts while also catching 30 of his 40 targets as a receiver. Allen has looked great in the summer the last two years, but it hasn't translated to production during the regular season, as he has averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 110 rushing attempts for 410 yards and three touchdowns, adding 21 catches for 165 yards and another TD as a receiver. Allen was developing some momentum in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Both Davis and Allen are nothing more than handcuff options for managers who select Hall in deeper fantasy leagues in 2026. The 24-year-old Davis has more standalone fantasy appeal in deep PPR leagues this year.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Chris Rodriguez Jr. a Late-Round Sleeper to Target at Current Redraft ADP
After spending the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Washington Commanders, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is entering his first year with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2026. Across 13 games (seven starts) with Washington last season, Rodriguez Jr. recorded 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries. The 25-year-old's fantasy upside is limited by his inability to impact the game as a receiver, as he's logged just six total catches across 35 career NFL games. Fellow Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten has more of a three-down profile, which could lead to Rodriguez being limited to RB2 duties in Jacksonville. However, Rodriguez Jr. has averaged an efficient 4.6 yards per carry for his career, and his physical running style could make him the Jaguars' preferred option in short-yardage and goal-line situations. As the RB53 by current redraft ADP, Rodriguez Jr. is worth targeting as a late-round flier.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Remains a Solid Pick at Current Redraft ADP
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was arguably the best pass-catcher in the NFL in 2025, recording 119 catches for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns on 163 targets across 17 games. The 24-year-old finished the year as the WR2 in per-game PPR scoring, averaging over 21 fantasy points per contest. Entering 2026, Smith-Njigba once again profiles as the clear number one option in the Seahawks' passing game. Seattle could also be forced to throw the ball a bit more this season, as the team lost running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency after logging the NFL's third-highest run rate in 2025. By current redraft ADP, Smith-Njigba is coming off the board as the WR3 and a late first-round pick in 12-team leagues. Even if Smith-Njigba's production regresses to some degree in 2026, he profiles as a high-end fantasy WR1 who has a good chance to pay off his current draft-day price.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justin Fields Could Still Be Worth Stashing in Deeper Leagues
As he enters his sixth season in 2026, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Justin Fields will be suiting up for his fourth NFL team. The 27-year-old opened the 2025 season as the starter for the New York Jets, but he struggled mightily across nine starts before eventually being benched. At this point, the high-end prospect pedigree that followed Fields in the early portion of his career is likely gone. Still, Fields has proven to be an elite rushing quarterback when given the chance to play, which allows him to maintain some fantasy appeal. Across 59 career NFL games (53 starts), Fields has rushed for nearly 2,900 yards and 23 touchdowns. As long as Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) stays healthy this season, Fields has no path to fantasy production. However, with Mahomes returning from a torn ACL, Fields could be worth targeting in the late rounds of deeper two-quarterback leagues as a handcuff option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Stafford a Prime Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Ahead of 2026
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford put together a dominant season in 2025, completing 65.0% of his pass attempts for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 17 games. By measure of per-game scoring, Stafford finished the year as the QB3 behind only Josh Allen and Drake Maye. However, fantasy managers may be wise to project regression from Stafford in 2026. For one, the veteran signal-caller is entering his age-38 season. Secondly, Stafford's production in 2025 was fueled by a spike in his touchdown rate to 7.7%, which is well above his career mark of 4.8%. Because Stafford provides zero fantasy production with his legs, his profile is extremely reliant on passing touchdowns. With a 3.9% touchdown rate in 2024, Stafford finished the year as the QB25 in per-game scoring. In dynasty formats, managers should explore selling high on Stafford now, while his value is likely at its peak.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Calvin Ridley May Be Undervalued at Current Redraft ADP
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) battled through an injury-ravaged 2025 season, as hamstring and leg injuries limited him to just seven games. While the veteran wideout is expected to be ready to go for the start of 2026, his place on the Titans' wide receiver depth chart has changed following the team's offseason additions of wideouts Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson. Ridley is also entering his age-32 campaign, and the overall offensive environment in Tennessee remains questionable ahead of quarterback Cam Ward's second NFL season. However, Ridley was a productive player as recently as 2024, when he recorded 64 catches for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns on 120 targets across 17 games. While he should not be expected to provide the same production he once did at his peak, Ridley's draft-day cost in redraft leagues has plummeted all the way down to WR71. At that price, Ridley could be a late-round sleeper worth targeting.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Kincaid a Worthy Dart Throw in Redraft Leagues
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid is entering his final two seasons with the Bills after the team exercised his fifth-year option in late March. Kincaid appeared poised to become a TE1 last season, but his season was derailed by multiple soft-tissue injuries. Heading into 2026, Kincaid's fantasy outlook has not changed much despite the addition of DJ Moore to the offense. The 26-year-old still has the opportunity to secure the No. 2 pass-catching role in a Josh Allen-led offense and be a red-zone threat capable of double-digit touchdowns. If Kincaid stays healthy, he has the chance to finally become the TE1 everyone thought he could be when he was drafted in the first round in 2023.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Anthony Richardson Sr. Still Worth a Roster Spot in Dynasty Leagues?
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the team decided to decline the fifth-year option on his contract in April. The Colts permitted him to seek a trade partner, but he has been unable to find a new suitor. Richardson may not have much fantasy value heading into 2026, but it could all change when he eventually gets a chance for a change of scenery. The 24-year-old still possesses his rare athleticism and scrambling ability to be a QB1 in fantasy football. In a small sample size, we have seen Richardson outproduce some of the league's best quarterbacks in fantasy and post big fantasy numbers. It may be a long shot, but with patience, Richardson could be given a starting role next season and be projected yet again as a worthy QB1 option solely on his rushing ability.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals, Rookie QB Carson Beck Agree to Four-Year Deal
The Arizona Cardinals and rookie third-round quarterback Carson Beck agreed to terms on Wednesday, and he will sign his four-year, $7.4 million deal, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Beck is one of the last 2026 NFL draft picks to sign before the start of training camp. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound signal-caller will likely open training camp competing with Kedon Slovis for the QB3 job behind veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Beck spent five seasons at the University of Georgia before playing for the University of Miami in 2025, where he led the ACC in completions (338) and completion percentage (72.4%) while throwing for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 16 games. He should have a shorter development window because of his experience, but he lacks high-end talent, and his ceiling in fantasy might be that of a midrange QB2 because of his lack of rushing ability. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can ignore Beck, while in dynasty formats, he's merely a low-upside stash in 2026.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
