Jun 11, 2026, 4:59 PM ET

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) is coming off a frustrating first year with the team, in which he missed five regular-season games due to an ankle injury. The 26-year-old wasn't relevant at all in fantasy football, catching a career-low 22 passes on 37 targets for 303 yards and no touchdowns across 12 regular-season games (eight starts). However, Palmer is "feeling a lot better" this offseason and is optimistic he'll be better in his second season in Buffalo in 2026. He worked off to the side during organized team activities but has been back on the field during mandatory minicamp this week. The former third-round pick (77th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 out of the University of Tennessee averaged 12.6 yards per catch and had 182 receptions for 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns on 282 targets in 58 games in his first four years in the league with the Bolts. Palmer surely has bounce-back potential after being banged up in 2025, but with the addition of receiver DJ Moore to the fold as a deep threat in the Bills' offense, it's hard to imagine him having a consistent enough role to excite fantasy managers going into the start of the 2026 season this fall.--Keith Hernandez
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Alec White and Maddy Glab

Jun 11, 2026, 4:50 PM ET

According to Ben Standig of Last Man Standig, Washington Commanders second-year running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (undisclosed) is missing valuable repetitions during organized team activities this offseason due to a soft-tissue injury. It's unclear what exactly Croskey-Merritt is dealing with or whether he'll be ready to return for the team's mandatory minicamp that runs from June 16-18. Bill has the opportunity to become Washington's clear lead back in Year 2 in 2026, but to do so, he'll need to improve his ball security and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, and Jerome Ford slot in behind Croskey-Merritt in Washington's RB room, but JCM is the only one of the group with a realistic chance for lead-back duties. The 25-year-old former seventh-rounder out of the University of Arizona worked his way into a big role in his first NFL campaign in D.C., rushing for 805 yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries while adding nine receptions for 68 yards. Because he won't be guaranteed a three-down role, though, fantasy managers should target JCM as more of an RB3/flex in drafts this fall.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Last Man Standig - Ben Standig

Jun 11, 2026, 3:57 PM ET

Ex-NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was denied parole almost five years after he killed a woman in a car crash in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to The Associated Press. Ruggs, who was the Las Vegas Raiders' first-round pick in 2020, drove his sports car at speeds up to 156 mph on Nov. 2, 2021, and slammed into a car, killing driver Tina Tintor and her dog, Max. Prosecutors at the time said Ruggs' blood-alcohol level taken within the required two hours after the crash was 0.16%. He pleaded guilty in May of 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Ruggs was sentenced in August of 2023 to a three- to 10-year prison sentence. He'll go before the parole board again three months before his Aug. 24, 2027, mandatory parole release date. The 27-year-old was the 12th overall pick in 2020, and he caught 50 of his 79 targets for 921 yards and four touchdowns in 20 games (19 starts) in his only two years in the league.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Associated Press

Jun 11, 2026, 3:07 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette said he lost seven to nine pounds in the offseason and is now down to 221 pounds, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Legette also said he's tried to "bulletproof" his hamstrings after previously having issues with them. The 25-year-old, who was the 32nd overall pick in 2024 out of South Carolina, has failed to live up to his lofty draft capital in his first two years in the NFL in Carolina. Legette has totaled 84 receptions on 148 targets for 860 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 31 regular-season games (25 starts). His production took a dip last year, too, as he finished with a 35-363-3 line on 64 targets across 15 regular-season contests. Last year's first-rounder, Tetairoa McMillan, looks like the real deal, and Jalen Coker appears primed to be a breakout candidate in his third year as the team's WR2. That leaves Legette battling with John Metchie III and rookie Chris Brazzell II for targets as the Panthers' WR3. In standard 12-team fantasy leagues in 2026, Legette should go undrafted.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person

Jun 11, 2026, 2:57 PM ET

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) is expected to practice next week at mandatory minicamp, head coach Sean Payton told Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Nix did a walkthrough before Thursday's practice, which is an encouraging sign for his availability next week. The 26-year-old fractured his right ankle at the end of the team's Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills and had surgery in late January. Nix also had a cleanup procedure on his ankle in late April, but he's trending in the right direction to participate in minicamp next week and for the start of training camp at the end of July. For what it's worth, Payton thinks that Nix will be "completely clean, mobility-wise" once he returns to the field in preparation for his third year in the NFL. The former 12th overall pick out of the University of Oregon in 2024 has thrown for 7,706 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in 34 regular-season games in his first two years in the league, adding 786 rushing yards and nine rushing scores. Nix has been a top-10 fantasy QB in each of his first two seasons, but coming off ankle surgery, there is some concern he won't be as effective as a runner, especially with Payton looking to make the offense more balanced. Nix's dual-threat abilities give him RB1 upside, but in fantasy drafts, managers should target him as more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens

Jun 11, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles), who is just over six months removed from rupturing his right Achilles tendon on Dec. 7, has so far been limited to seven-on-seven drills during organized team activities this offseason, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. However, head coach Shane Steichen said the 29-year-old signal-caller is expected to resume taking part in 11-on-11 drills in training camp next month. "It's my back leg, my push leg," Jones said, explaining the importance of his right Achilles. "There's a strength component. I think there's still work to be done," Jones conceded. "I wouldn't say I'm all the way there at this point." The Colts aren't rushing Jones back, but barring a setback this summer, he looks to be on track to be ready for the Week 1 2026 regular-season opener on Sept. 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. Jones was playing great in 2025 in his first year in Indy before tearing his Achilles, completing 68% of his pass attempts for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. However, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Jones as a QB2 after the Colts traded away his top wideout this offseason in Michael Pittman Jr. Remember, the Colts' offense will continue to run through running back Jonathan Taylor.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd

Jun 11, 2026, 2:37 PM ET

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) got a late start to his rookie season in 2025 and then suffered a dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16, putting an end to his first year in the NFL. Judkins averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on his 230 rushing attempts for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in his 14 starts, also adding 26 catches for 171 yards as a pass-catcher. Per the Akron Beacon Journal's Chris Easterling, the former second-rounder (36th overall) out of Ohio State has looked more physical, confident, and aggressive during offseason workouts with his ankle/leg injury in the rearview mirror. New head coach Todd Monken said it looks like Judkins has "got his confidence back, his explosion." With a mostly new offensive line in tow in 2026, the Browns view Judkins as part of their core, and he should be their unquestioned RB1 in his sophomore campaign. Cleveland's offense is a big question mark considering their QB situation, but with better health, Judkins should continue to rise as a low-end RB2 target in fantasy drafts with upside.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Akron Beacon Journal - Chris Easterling

Jun 11, 2026, 1:57 PM ET

The Denver Broncos and head coach Sean Payton agreed to a new five-year contract on Thursday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Payton has led the Broncos to the third-most wins in the NFL over the last two years, including an appearance in the AFC Championship game last year. Owner Greg Penner now has both Payton and general manager George Paton under contract through the 2030 season. The 62-year-old Payton had two years remaining on his current contract, with the new five-year deal replacing the old contract. In his third season at the helm in Denver, Payton led the Broncos to a 14-3 regular-season record. The team has gone 32-19 during his three seasons at the helm, increasing their win total each season. The Broncos sent a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder to the New Orleans Saints in 2023 to hire Payton, with the team also receiving a 2024 third-round pick in the deal. It's safe to say that the trade has worked out for Denver, as they head into Payton's fourth season in 2026 with playoff aspirations once again.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Jun 11, 2026, 1:38 PM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) was seen working out at organized team activities on Thursday. Irving is being worked back in slowly this offseason after having shoulder surgery, but he looked good on Thursday while catching passes at OTAs while doing other work as well. Although he might not be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of next month, all signs point to the 23-year-old back being ready at some point this summer and for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. The former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Oregon impressed with a 1,000-yard season and eight touchdowns on 207 carries while adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a pass-catcher in 17 games as a rookie, but he played in only 10 games in 2025 due to injury and finished with 588 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Bucs. Irving's fantasy stock has fallen a bit going into his third year in the league because of durability concerns as he learns a new offense. Newcomer Kenneth Gainwell is also likely to steal valuable pass-catching reps from him. He still has clear RB2 upside if he can stay healthy, but Irving has fallen to No. 26 in RotoBaller's RB rankings for the 2026 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jun 11, 2026, 1:27 PM ET

When asked if wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) will be ready for the start of training camp in late July, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, "I think he will be. He gets out [of jail] next week. We'll see where it goes. He'll be back up here and working." Rice has had another rough offseason, violating his probation and being sentenced to 30 days in jail due to a positive test for marijuana. In addition to ongoing legal trouble, the 26-year-old had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to remove loose bodies, keeping him out of organized team activities this offseason. It sounds like Rice's knee surgery won't prevent him from being ready for a Monday night affair in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season against the division-rival Denver Broncos, but another potential suspension hanging over his head has caused him to fall to No. 22 in RotoBaller's WR rankings for the upcoming campaign. The former second-round pick in 2023 out of SMU is KC's clear WR1 when he's available, but he's played in just 12 games in the last two seasons due to suspension and injury. Rice showed his true upside in 2023 in his rookie year, catching 79 of his 102 targets for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (eight starts).--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor

Jun 11, 2026, 1:21 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid hinted on Thursday that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) will be active in training camp this summer, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "Looks like he'll be able to do some things in [training] camp. We'll see where it goes. So far, it's been a steady climb up the hill," Reid said. Mahomes has been recovering from a torn ACL and LCL that he suffered in Week 15 last year against the Los Angeles Chargers, but he has made significant progress in his rehab and has been taking part in seven-on-seven drills during organized team activities this offseason. He has so far been held out of 11-on-11 work, but the 30-year-old six-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP is trending in the right direction to be ready for a Week 1 showdown on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Nobody should be counting out the former 10th overall pick in 2017 out of Texas Tech University after all he's done in his nine years in the league, but coming off a serious knee injury with a questionable group of pass-catchers has him ranked as more of a high-end QB2 in fantasy football for the 2026 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor

Jun 11, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson took on a high-volume role in his team's offense in 2025, finishing the year with 82 catches for 600 yards and eight touchdowns on 102 targets across 17 games. However, a significant chunk of Ferguson's production came in the four games where star Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb was either sidelined or forced to exit early due to injury. Across the 13 games where Ferguson shared the field with Lamb, he averaged 5.3 targets and four receptions per game. The 27-year-old needs a high volume of targets to be productive for fantasy managers, as he's averaged under six yards per target in each of the last two seasons. Ferguson's 2026 spike in red zone production may not be sustainable either, as he failed to record a single touchdown grab across 14 games in 2024. With the Cowboys' star wide receiver duo of Lamb and George Pickens likely to demand a significant chunk of the team's targets in 2026, dynasty managers may want to explore selling high on Ferguson.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 11, 2026, 12:49 PM ET

After recording 65 catches for 665 yards in his first season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, tight end Mike Gesicki's production fell off in his second year with the team in 2025. The 30-year-old missed four games with a pectoral injury and finished the season with 28 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets. Gesicki is back with Cincinnati for 2026, and he could be in position for a bounce-back campaign after the team let tight end Noah Fant walk in free agency. Gesicki is not assured of the TE1 role for the Bengals, as he will have to compete with Drew Sample, Erick All Jr., and Tanner Hudson. Still, Gesicki has proven an ability to be productive in the Cincinnati offense before, particularly in games where Bengals wideout Tee Higgins is sidelined by injury. In dynasty formats, Gesicki could be a worthy buy-low dart-throw for managers after his down year in 2025.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 11, 2026, 12:41 PM ET

Across 12 games (eight starts) in 2025, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) recorded 22 catches for 303 yards and zero touchdowns on 37 targets. The veteran wideout missed five games due to knee and ankle issues in the middle of the year, and was ultimately placed on Injured Reserve ahead of the postseason due to lingering effects from the injuries. Palmer is still working his way back to full strength as of OTAs, but he's expected to be ready to go for the start of the season. With improved health, the 26-year-old could be in position for a bounce-back year in 2026. However, his role in the Buffalo offense is less secure after the team's offseason trade for veteran wideout DJ Moore and its selection of wide receiver Skyler Bell in the 2026 NFL Draft. Bills wideout Keon Coleman is reportedly impressing his coaching staff in the spring after a down year in 2025 and could also pose a threat to Palmer's playing time on the outside. Given his health issues, limited production track record, and uncertain playing time situation, Palmer checks in as RotoBaller's dynasty WR126 entering 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 11, 2026, 12:30 PM ET

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is entering his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026. Cousins' production has fallen off considerably in recent years, and he finished 2025 with 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 10 games (eight starts) for the Atlanta Falcons. The 37-year-old appears set to enter training camp as the nominal QB1 in Las Vegas. However, Cousins is highly unlikely to hold the starting job for the Raiders all season long after the team's selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Even if Cousins opens 2026 under center for Las Vegas, he may struggle to put up fantasy-relevant production in an offense that is light on pass-catching talent outside of star tight end Brock Bowers. Cousins also averaged just 6.4 yards per pass attempt with the Falcons in 2025, his first season under seven yards per attempt since 2013. Dynasty managers should feel comfortable moving on from Cousins ahead of 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller