RADIO
Rashid Shaheed to be Major Factor in 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is expected to be a major factor in 2026, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler wrote in his 2026 NFL Training Camp Buzz that Shaheed has been moving around the formation at camp, including time in the backfield. A full offseason in Seattle makes him a more viable option across the field, from short to deep. The former Saints playmaker was traded to the Seahawks at last season's trade deadline and hauled in 15 of 26 targets for 188 yards and no touchdowns in nine games. With a full offseason to get acclimated to the offense and build chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold, Shaheed could be a great value in the late rounds of fantasy leagues this season.
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
C.J. Stroud Enters Make-or-Break 2026 Season
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is entering the all-important 2026 contract year after back-to-back down years. After winning the 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud has averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game over the past two seasons, a nearly five-point drop from his stellar rookie season. The Texans declined to extend Stroud's contract this offseason following his postseason struggles, including four interceptions in the divisional-round game against the New England Patriots. With their elite defense, the Texans have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl this season if Stroud bounces back to rookie form in 2026. Currently listed as QB23 on RotoBaller's positional rankings, Stroud is a strong sleeper with upside this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason Listed as Co-Starters on Unofficial Depth Chart
Minnesota Vikings running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason are listed as co-starters on the team's unofficial depth chart. Both backs split carries nearly evenly last season, with Jones averaging 11 carries per game and Mason averaging 9.9. However, the tides are turning at Vikings' training camp, with most sideline reporters saying Mason looks like the clear RB1 and that he's "taking a leap" in camp. The former 49ers' back averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 2025, while the former Packer posted a career-low 4.2 yards per carry. With Mason looking like he could handle goal-line work and receive more carries overall, Jones is likely too high a price in 2026. While the offense is set to improve with Kyler Murray at quarterback, Jones may still not have the workload to live up to his ADP in 2026.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
James Conner Still Not Working in 11 on 11's
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle) still has not participated in 11-on-11 drills in practice as he recovers from a significant ankle injury in 2025. Conner suffered an ankle dislocation that required surgery in Week 3 of last season, marking just shy of 11 months since the surgery. With the veteran back still not participating in team drills, it's unclear whether Conner will be ready for Week 1's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and drafted rookie Jeremiyah Love with the third-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the former workhorse for Arizona could be a factor in the latter part of 2026, fantasy managers should probably pivot to another option in this season's drafts.
Source: Blake Murphy - Bleav's Network
Source: Blake Murphy - Bleav's Network
Zamir White Signing Adds Question Marks to Jordan James' Status
The San Francisco 49ers signed veteran running back Zamir White to a one-year contract after White's Monday workout with the team. White is joining a backfield decimated by injuries during training camp. Second-year back Jordan James (ribs) fractured his ribs on the second day of training camp after a hit from All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. The 2025 fifth-round pick was expected to miss several weeks, with no timetable for return. White's addition heightens concerns about James's availability for the start of the 2026 season. Both White and James, along with third-round pick Kaelon Black, are expected to back up running back Christian McCaffrey this season. With the star running back dealing with minor soreness and a lengthy list of previous injuries, the backup in this offense has fantasy value as a handcuff.
Source: David Lombardi - SF Standard
Source: David Lombardi - SF Standard
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Entrenched as Commanders' RB1
Even though Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is up after an impressive joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, Bleeding Burgundy & Gold suggests that Jacory Croskey-Merritt is firmly entrenched as the RB1 right now because he is such a great fit in the team's new outside zone scheme. Croskey-Merritt has had some huge runs in the offense, and the Commanders are hoping that the second-year back takes a Year 2 leap in 2026. The 25-year-old has reportedly improved this offseason in the passing game, although White's pass-catching chops most likely will give him a leg up on third downs in his first year in D.C. The seventh-rounder last year out of the University of Arizona had 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries as the team's leading rusher a year ago, adding only nine catches for 68 yards. As long as he keeps improving, JCM is in line to be the Commanders' lead back while also seeing most of the goal-line work, making him the more attractive RB3/flex target in standard-scoring leagues over White.
Source: Bleeding Burgundy & Gold
Source: Bleeding Burgundy & Gold
Rachaad White's Stock Up After Joint Practice
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is trending up after Wednesday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, according to Bleeding Burgundy & Gold. The chemistry has been evident between White and quarterback Jayden Daniels, and White has been the QB's "easy button." He had a huge outside zone run where he ran through contact and showed good contact balance on Wednesday. The caveat is that second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is still "firmly entrenched" as the RB1 in Washington right now because he's a great fit in the outside zone scheme. The 27-year-old White averaged just 3.9 yards per carry on the ground in his four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he caught 205 passes for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns as a pass-catcher in 67 games played. The Commanders are giving JCM every opportunity to earn more of a three-down role in their backfield in Year 2, but White isn't going away and should have a key role, at least on third downs. Fantasy managers should be looking to target him as an RB3/flex sleeper in PPR formats.
Source: Bleeding Burgandy & Gold
Source: Bleeding Burgandy & Gold
J.J. McCarthy Wants to Stay in Minnesota After Losing QB Competition
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy said losing the QB competition to Kyler Murray was "out of my control" and that he wants to stay with the organization, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. With veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz also on the roster, a trade could become a possibility. "This is the place I want to be," McCarthy said. "And I love every single person in this building. I love the state. I love the fanbase. And I'm going to continue to just do whatever I can for this team and this organization." The Vikings drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Michigan. He missed his entire rookie season after having knee surgery, and he started only 10 games last year while dealing with injuries. Murray was the heavy favorite to win the QB job in Minnesota this year after McCarthy threw 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season. If Murray stays healthy and rebounds in the Vikings' offense, McCarthy's best path back to fantasy relevance might be a trade out of town.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Darren Waller Reaches Agreement With Panthers on One-Year Deal
Former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller and the Carolina Panthers reached an agreement on Wednesday on an undisclosed one-year deal, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Waller, 33, will join a TE room in Carolina that already includes Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, and Mitchell Evans. The former sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech came out of retirement (after not playing in 2024) to play in nine games last year with the Miami Dolphins, catching 24 of 34 targets for 283 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-foot-6 and 238 pounds, Waller has always been a problem for defenses in the red zone, and he has 26 total touchdown catches in his nine years in the NFL. However, injuries were an issue for most of his career, and he missed time in 2025 with hip, groin, and pectoral issues. It's unclear right now how much of a role Waller will have with the Panthers, but his addition cannot be good news for Sanders' fantasy value. At best, Waller will be a touchdown-dependent, TE2 option in two-TE leagues in 2026 if he can actually stay on the field.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jadarian Price Returns to Team Drills on Wednesday
Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round running back Jadarian Price (lower body) returned to team drills in training camp practice on Wednesday for the first time in five practices, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. It should be noted that Wednesday was a walkthrough session as the team gets ready to face off against the Dallas Cowboys in their preseason opener this Saturday. The 22-year-old is in line for a key role immediately in his first year in the NFL in Seattle as the Seahawks look to replace Kenneth Walker. Along with Price, George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will be involved until Zach Charbonnet (knee) returns from a torn ACL that he suffered last postseason. While Price will certainly have a role early on, fantasy managers will want to be careful not to overvalue the Notre Dame product in a backfield that could change significantly once Charbonnet returns. Price has a wide-open opportunity to become the favorite for early-down work in Seattle, but he likely won't see enough weekly work to be much more than a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex.
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Terrance Ferguson Stands Out in Joint Practice With Cowboys
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson is gaining hype heading into the 2026 season, and that continued with a strong day in Tuesday's joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed multiple passes to Ferguson, including a big gain on a deep crosser on what looked to be a busted coverage. Ferguson also shook defender Donovan Ezeiruaku in drop coverage on a wheel route for a big gain. The 23-year-old second-rounder from the University of Oregon last year had a big day, but it should be noted that star receiver Puka Nacua left early with a groin injury, which opened up additional targets. Still, Ferguson is a rising young TE who averaged 21 yards per catch on his 11 catches over 14 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie. Even though L.A.'s TE room is crowded, Ferguson might have the most long-term upside of the group, and he should have an expanded role in an explosive Rams offense in Year 2. Target Ferguson as an upside TE2 in upcoming drafts.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Travis Kelce Says he Can Still "Play at a High Level"
In what could be his final NFL season in 2026, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce thinks he can still "play at a high level," according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "I've still got a lot of love for this game," Kelce said Wednesday. "I want to go out there and prove to myself that I can play at a better level than I did last year. That's probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I'm accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I'm out there." The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $12 million deal to return to KC back in March after leading the team in targets (108), receptions (76), yards (851), touchdowns (five), and receiving first downs (45) in 2025. Despite his age, Kelce still managed to finish as a top-five fantasy football TE in half-PPR scoring last year. Kelce will still have fantasy value in 2026 in what could be his last season in the league, but he's no longer a top-flight TE1 and is ranked as the No. 12 TE at RotoBaller.
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Deshaun Watson to Start Browns' First Preseason Game
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken informed the QBs on Wednesday afternoon that quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Monken plans to start Shedeur Sanders in the team's second preseason game at home against the Buffalo Bills next Saturday. While Watson starting the team's first preseason game could mean he's in the lead over Sanders in Cleveland's QB competition this summer, it also might mean absolutely nothing. Watson and Sanders have been splitting first-team work during training camp, with no clear leader having emerged yet. How the two signal-callers perform in preseason action could be the deciding factor for who will start in Week 1 of the regular season in September. Regardless of who wins the competition for the Browns' starting QB job, they should be avoided in all single-QB formats and considered a low-end QB2 with limited upside and a short leash in two-QB superflex formats.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Bo Nix to Sit Out of Preseason Opener on Friday
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday that quarterback Bo Nix's recovery from multiple surgeries on his right ankle continues to go well this summer, but he will not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday versus the Atlanta Falcons, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. Payton said that Nix will play in the team's final two preseason games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, which will both be in Denver. Although Payton didn't specifically mention the artificial turf playing surface in Atlanta, it could be a reason as to why the Broncos will hold out their QB on Friday. Nix fractured his right ankle in the closing moments of the AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills in January, with his initial surgery coming days after, before needing a follow-up procedure in April to treat bone spurs in the same ankle. The 26-year-old missed most of the on-field work during the offseason program, but he's been a full-go since the start of training camp in late July and should be 100% healthy for a Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Nix said he has felt "completely normal" during camp, and his ankle surgeries won't make him hesitant to run in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Aaron Rodgers Needs an Invite to Return to Lambeau Field
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said that the 2026 season will be his last in the NFL. If he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is expected, his name would go up on the Lambeau Field facade in five years with the other former Packers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rodgers' No. 12 would likely be retired, and he could be inducted into the Packers' Hall of Fame after four seasons of retirement. "Well, there first has to be an invite back," Rodgers told ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "We'll see about that, but yeah, I'm always going to have such a strong tie to Green Bay and the organization. If that comes to fruition, that could be a cool deal." Rodgers spent 18 years with the Packers before he was traded to the New York Jets in 2023. The Jets didn't play the Packers in either of his two seasons with the Jets, and the Steelers faced the Packers at Acrisure Stadium in 2025. The 42-year-old was hoping that the Steelers' preseason game this year was in Green Bay, but it, too, will be held in Pittsburgh. "When I heard it was possible to play both my former teams, I was really hoping this one was going to be in Green Bay," Rodgers said. If 2026 is indeed Rodgers' final NFL season, he will end his career without playing at Lambeau Field as a visitor.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
