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Jaylen Warren Listed as Starter on Steelers' Depth Chart
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is listed as the team's RB1 on their unofficial depth chart heading into a Week 1 meeting against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Newcomer Rico Dowdle is expected to be the leader on early downs in Pittsburgh's backfield, but Warren is the incumbent at the position. Fantasy managers should take the Steelers' latest depth chart with a grain of salt, as Dowdle should still have a sizeable role in his first year in the Steel City, with a path to a third straight 1,000-rushing season with his third team in the last three years if he can stay healthy. Warren, meanwhile, could be a sneaky low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex in point-per-reception fantasy leagues as the Steelers' primary receiving back out of the backfield. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State did have a career-high 61 receptions for 370 yards back in 2023 in his second year in the league, and he could be a staple in PPR leagues with quarterback Aaron Rodgers showing a high tendency for dump-offs and checkdowns in this offense. Last year, Warren had 40 receptions on 45 targets for 333 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 16 regular-season games, and that was with Kenny Gainwell catching a whopping 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr. Listed as Co-Starters at RB
On the Jacksonville Jaguars' unofficial depth chart heading into Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are listed as co-starters at the RB position. Tuten, a second-year back who had 307 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in his rookie campaign last year, is expected to see most of the early-down rushing opportunities for the Jaguars this year, and he has the most fantasy football upside because of his explosive big-play abilities out of the backfield. However, Rodriguez's presence as a pass-catching and goal-line option for head coach Liam Coen's offense will certainly lower Tuten's overall ceiling in Year 2 in Duvall. Fantasy managers should keep in mind that pass-catching specialist LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) is trending towards missing the season opener, which could give C-Rod more work as a receiver out of the backfield. Going into the Week 1 matchup against Cleveland, Tuten is the preferred fantasy option as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex, while Rodriguez will be more of a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex option in PPR formats.
Source: Mia O'Brien
Source: Mia O'Brien
Breece Hall Trending Towards Being Active in Week 1
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said on Tuesday that running back Breece Hall (groin) is trending towards being ready for Week 1 this Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Tennessee Titans, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Hall has been trending this way for a while after initially suffering a minor strain of his right groin during training camp practice on Aug. 17. The Jets held Hall out as a precaution to close out camp and the preseason, but he should be ready to return to practice on Wednesday, and as long as he does not have a setback later this week, he should be ready to take on his role as the bell-cow back for Gang Green on Sunday against Tennessee. If Hall is limited at all, though, look for Braelon Allen to take on a bigger change-of-pace role to get the season started. The 25-year-old Hall had his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 in his fourth year in the league, adding four touchdowns on 243 rushing attempts across 16 starts. The former second-rounder added 36 catches for 350 yards and another score as a receiver. Hall should see enough volume alone to operate as a strong RB2 for fantasy managers in his fifth year in the NFL in a new offense led by veteran quarterback Geno Smith.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Makai Lemon Listed as Starting WR, Punt Returner
On the Philadelphia Eagles' unofficial depth chart released before Week 1, rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon is listed as a starting WR and as the team's top punt-return option, according to Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com. Although Lemon missed valuable development time in training camp this summer with a hamstring injury, he was always a lock to be a starter in three-wide sets to begin his rookie campaign in 2026 after the Eagles traded A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in the offseason. However, Lemon should be viewed as more of a WR3 than a WR2 because of his quiet summer and Dontayvion Wicks' strong camp. The former USC star certainly has the potential to pass Wicks on the depth chart in 2026 by the end of the season, but early on, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for Lemon. He is coming off a very productive final season with the Trojans in 2025, in which he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games played. It is not a bad idea to keep Lemon on the bench in his NFL debut this Sunday night against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. Lemon is rostered in 75% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: InsideTheBirds.com - Andrew DiCecco
Source: InsideTheBirds.com - Andrew DiCecco
Tyler Shough Belongs in the Week 1 Streaming Conversation
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is worth considering if you're already looking for a Week 1 streamer. He settled in once New Orleans gave him the job last season, throwing for 2,256 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions across nine starts while adding another 174 yards and three scores on the ground. That little bit of rushing helps here. Shough will go into 2026 as the starter, with Chris Olave still leading the receiver room, although rookie Jordyn Tyson will miss the beginning of the season on injured reserve. The matchup sends him to Detroit on Sunday, and the current Week 1 rankings have Shough at QB16 despite being rostered in only 43% of Yahoo leagues. He still makes the most sense in 14-team leagues or for managers who don't love their current starter, but this isn't just a desperation QB2. Shough can actually be used right away.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaac TeSlaa Shouldn't Be Ignored in Deeper Leagues
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has a better path to playing time than his rookie numbers would suggest. He caught only 16 passes for 239 yards last season, but six went for touchdowns, and Detroit enters Week 1 with just four receivers on the active roster. Greg Dortch was released, Kalif Raymond left in free agency, and general manager Brad Holmes said TeSlaa is stepping into the No. 3 job behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. The Lions also liked the progress he made as a route runner this summer. That does not make him a Week 1 starter. St. Brown, Williams, Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs are still going to command most of the touches, and RotoBaller has TeSlaa at WR71 for the opener against New Orleans. He is rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues and is best left for 14-team formats or deeper benches, where the new role is worth taking a shot on before we see what the target share looks like.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Smith to Go on Injured Reserve After Thumb Surgery
Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith (thumb) had surgery on his left thumb on Tuesday and will be placed on Injured Reserve, which will cause him to miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Smith tried to play through the injury, but ultimately, he and the team decided it was in the best interest of both sides to undergo surgery, which will fix a ligament tear. The earliest Smith could return to Dallas is on Oct. 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 on Thursday Night Football. The more realistic date for Smith's return might be the following week on Oct. 18 against the Green Bay Packers. The 25-year-old is a key piece of Dallas' offense, as he has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons, joining only Larry Allen and Zack Martin as the only guards in franchise history to accomplish that feat in their first four seasons. Smith also had a clean-up procedure on his right knee in February. With Smith out for at least the first four games this year, T.J. Bass is expected to replace him in the starting lineup after starting 10 games in his first three NFL seasons.
Source: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
Source: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
Cowboys Ready to Swing Another Trade?
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones pointed out on 105.3 The Fan that the team's recent moves to restructure the contracts of defensive tackle Kenny Clark, cornerback DaRon Bland, and tight end Jake Ferguson, which freed up a little more than $19 million in salary-cap space, have given the team financial room to make a trade going into the 2026 season, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. "That does show that we have really viable, serious room financially to make a trade if we wanted to right now," Jones said. Per NFLPA figures, the Cowboys have $33.6 million in cap room, but if it goes unused, it will be rolled over to next year's cap. Jones has been open to making another trade -- the Cowboys sent pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers right before the start of last season -- although nothing is currently on the table. Dallas acquired offensive tackle Broderick Jones and a fourth-round pick for third- and sixth-round picks from the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Cowboys were to make another trade soon, Jones admits that it would likely come on the defensive side of the ball. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10.
Source: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
Source: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
Sam Darnold Best Left on Waivers in Standard Leagues
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is a tougher sell as a Week 1 pickup than the name value suggests. He threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, so the passing production itself isn't the concern. The problem for fantasy is what happens when the touchdowns don't come. Darnold added only 95 rushing yards and no scores on the ground in 2025, and he opens against New England, the team that held him to 202 yards and one touchdown in Super Bowl LX. Seattle still has Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed, so there is enough around him to get by if you're stuck. RotoBaller has Darnold at QB24 for Week 1 and rostered in 38% of Yahoo leagues, with the current waiver recommendation limited to 14-team formats. In a standard one-QB league, that's not enough to make him a priority. Leave him on the wire unless your options are already getting thin.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Kolar Listed as Chargers' Starting Tight End
The Los Angeles Chargers have listed Charlie Kolar as the No. 1 tight end on their depth chart as they get set for their Week 1 matchup this Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Arizona Cardinals. Oronde Gadsden is listed behind Kolar, followed by David Njoku, Scott Matlock, and Evan Svoboda. It was clear from the outset that the Bolts had big plans for Kolar in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme when they signed him to a three-year, $24.3 million contract in free agency in March. Despite catching only 30 of his 41 targets for 409 yards and four touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, the 27-year-old has a complete skill set at the position that the Chargers clearly value. Kolar is ahead of Gadsden on the depth chart for now, but it does not necessarily mean that he will become a must-start at the position in fantasy football leagues. For now, Kolar is an option for a waiver-wire pickup in deeper leagues for managers in need of TE depth. He is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Ja'Kobi Lane a High-Upside Stash in Deeper PPR Leagues
Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane has done enough this summer to be worth tracking, though the waiver case is better in deeper PPR leagues than standard 12-team formats. Baltimore took Lane 80th overall in April after he caught 49 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns in his final season at USC, and he kept showing up during camp. The Ravens said after roster cuts that Lane's emergence helped settle their No. 3 receiver question and projected him for a substantial role. That still leaves Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman ahead of him, with Mark Andrews involved underneath, so there may not be enough targets right away to use Lane against Indianapolis. RotoBaller currently has him rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues and recommends him in 14-team PPR leagues. That feels like the right range. Lane is not a Week 1 starter, but the size, draft investment and camp buzz make him a worthwhile bench stash in deeper formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Kincaid Looks Set for Bigger Role With Improved Health
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid's on-field role with Buffalo has suffered in the last two years with the team because of injuries, but he just wrapped up the healthiest training camp he has had since his rookie year and had a big role in the offense during practices open to the media, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Kincaid could become one of the most important pieces on the Bills' roster if he can "become a 60-65% snap player" and be just competent enough in blocking when he is on the field. The 26-year-old had 73 catches for 673 yards and two touchdowns on 91 targets as a rookie, but his snap counts fell in each of the last two years while dealing with nagging injuries. The former first-rounder from Utah did have a career-best five touchdowns in 12 games in 2025, but he played fewer than 50% of the offensive snaps. If Kincaid can maintain his high-end pass-catching efficiency and see the field more, he will have clear TE1 upside for fantasy managers in an offense that could be opened up by new deep-threat receiver DJ Moore.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
DJ Moore Could be on the Field Constantly
The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia writes that wide receiver DJ Moore could help swing the Bills' 2026 season after he was their "crown jewel" of the offseason when they acquired him in a trade from the Chicago Bears. His contributions during training camp were "immediate and obvious" for the offense, with quarterback Josh Allen "routinely pushing the ball downfield" to Moore. Allen made a "concerted effort all summer" to build on-field chemistry with Moore. It is no secret that Buffalo brought Moore in to be their WR1. The days of "everybody eats" in the Bills' offense "seem to be in the rearview mirror," and Buscaglia does not think it would be surprising to see Moore on the field "consistently and for Allen to default to looking his way." With that said, Buscaglia also cautions that Moore could be a letdown. After all, he averaged only 824 yards per season the last two years in Chicago and seemed to have a disconnect with QB Caleb Williams. The good news for fantasy managers is that Moore should be guaranteed a high snap and target role in Buffalo, making him a high-floor WR3/flex each week. Ultimately, Moore's success (or lack thereof) could depend on the connection he develops with Allen.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
T.J. Hockenson Only a Deep-League Waiver Add for Week 1
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is still sitting on plenty of waiver wires, but that does not make him one of the better Week 1 tight end pickups. He is rostered in only 22% of Yahoo leagues after finishing 2025 with 51 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns on 66 targets in 15 games. Minnesota's offensive-line problems were part of it. Hockenson had to stay in and chip more often, which cut into his routes. There has been at least one encouraging sign this summer, with Hockenson and new starting quarterback Kyler Murray connecting repeatedly in the red zone during camp. The target tree is still crowded with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings, though, and Hockenson has not been a reliable weekly fantasy starter lately. RotoBaller has him at TE22 for Week 1 and lists him as an add in 14-team leagues. That is probably where he belongs. In a standard 10- or 12-team league, there are better streaming bets on the wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chargers D/ST an Excellent Option Against Cardinals
The Los Angeles Chargers D/ST is looking like a great streaming option for a Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals offense could struggle this season with Jacoby Brissett leading the way at quarterback. While they do have options with Trey McBride at tight end and Marvin Harrison Jr. at wide receiver, rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is still working his way back from injury. The Chargers still feature playmakers in Khalil Mack, Denzel Perryman, and Derwin James. Look for the Chargers to come out aggressive in Week 1 under new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary and have a solid game against the Cardinals offense. With home matchups against the Cardinals and the Raiders in the first two weeks, the Chargers D/ST looks like a great play to begin the season
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
