RADIO
Darnell Mooney Could be a Sleeper in New York
The New York Giants need at least one more wide receiver to step up this year, even if Malik Nabers (knee) is ready for the start of the regular season, and Alex House of Sports Illustrated writes that it could be veteran Darnell Mooney. The 28-year-old never was able to get on track in 2025 in his second year with the Atlanta Falcons after he suffered a shoulder injury in training camp, and he finished with a 32-443-1 line in 15 starts after catching 64 passes for 992 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 16 games in 2024. The speedster could become a fine downfield threat for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart in 2026, and he already has a built-in rapport with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy from their time together in Chicago, where Mooney had his lone 1,000-yard season in 2021. Mooney has a 12.3 average depth of target in his career and can be effective on intermediate throws. House believes that if Mooney can get on the same page with Dart, he'll have a chance to become the Giants' second-leading target behind Nabers. The biggest obstacle for Mooney achieving that will be new tight end Isaiah Likely, who has been one of Dart's favorite targets in training camp. Mooney is currently ranked as the No. 85 fantasy WR at RotoBaller, making him worth considering as a late-round flier in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex House
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex House
Tee Higgins Returns to Practice on Sunday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (rest) returned to practice on Sunday after a "rest day" during the team's stadium practice on Friday. Higgins has stayed healthy throughout training camp and, despite not dressing for Friday's practice at Paycor Stadium, is fine. The Pro Bowl wideout has dealt with a number of lower-body injuries throughout his career, including several hamstring strains. It's understandable that the team is being cautious with him. Over the past two seasons, Higgins has totaled 1,751 yards and 21 touchdowns in just 27 games, averaging 13.7 half-PPR fantasy points per game. Despite the risk posed by both his and quarterback Joe Burrow's injury histories, Higgins remains a strong WR2 candidate in 2026.
Source: Mike Petraglia - Jungle Roar Podcast
Source: Mike Petraglia - Jungle Roar Podcast
Tetairoa McMillan's Increased Slot Role Could Fuel Breakout Season
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is entering his second NFL season after winning the 2025 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. McMillan hauled in 70 of 122 targets for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging just over 10 half-PPR fantasy points per game. With head coach Dave Canales expecting to use McMillan more in the slot in 2026, the young receiver could see an increased workload this season. McMillan scored 74% of his fantasy points from the outside last season and would face tougher cornerback matchups and a less diverse route tree if he stayed out wide. His slot role is just noise for now, but it could be the difference between him being a low-end WR2 and a top-10 wideout in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kenneth Walker Labeled as a Difference-Maker by his New QB
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the addition of running back Kenneth Walker will be the biggest difference-maker in the team's offense in 2026. When asked what will differentiate their struggling 2025 attack from this season's, Mahomes responded, "Number 9. That's all I can say. The ability to catch, run, pass protect, do everything. To make a play from nothing to a 20-yard gain, that's going to be the biggest impact we'll have. I have to find ways to get him the football." Walker signed with the Chiefs this offseason after a Super Bowl MVP season with the Seattle Seahawks. He's currently ranked RB8 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, but it sounds like a 20+ attempt season is in the works for the new Kansas City starting running back.
Source: Kansas City Chiefs
Source: Kansas City Chiefs
Gunnar Helm to Lose Snaps to Fellow Tight End?
Tennessee Titans second-year tight end Gunnar Helm has been receiving breakout hype for most of the offseason, but one writer doesn't believe the hype is as real as advertised. Buck Reising believes that former New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger will get the bulk of the snaps as a more well-rounded veteran. His experience in offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's system will make him a factor in this offense. Helm had 357 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 44 receptions last season, while working behind now-Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo. Helm is ranked as the TE27 in RotoBaller's positional rankings. While there's upside, the second-year tight end appears to be heading toward a timeshare in Tennessee.
Source: Buck Reising - ATOZ Sports
Source: Buck Reising - ATOZ Sports
Skyler Bell Working Behind Bills Top Four Wideouts in Camp
Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell is expected to work behind the team's top four wide receivers in the rotation. The fourth-round rookie from the University of Connecticut has drawn some hype during this season's training camp, but he remains behind D.J. Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer. While Bell is a "lock" to make the 53-man roster, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia, it wouldn't be surprising to see him be a healthy scratch to start the season. While fantasy managers could target the young receiver in a relatively less productive room, Bell may be a player to pass on if his role doesn't improve toward the end of camp.
Source: Joe Buscaglia - The Athletic
Source: Joe Buscaglia - The Athletic
George Kittle Still on PUP List
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and his status for the season opener is unclear. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in the NFC Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and is only seven months post-surgery, having undergone the procedure in January. The seven-time Pro Bowler had another strong 2025 season, hauling in 57 of 69 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games, averaging more than 12 half-PPR fantasy points per game. With the team beginning its season in Melbourne, Australia, in just over four weeks, Kittle will need to accelerate his recovery to be in the lineup against the division rival Los Angeles Rams. If Kittle is limited early or misses time, tight end Jake Tonges will be the primary replacement and had success in Kittle's absence in 2025.
Source: Nick Wagoner - ESPN
Source: Nick Wagoner - ESPN
Josh Downs Absent Again on Sunday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (groin) is not practicing on Sunday as he deals with a groin issue that has now sidelined him for the past two days. With Alec Pierce (ankle) missing all of training camp on the PUP list as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery, Downs had been a focal point of the Colts' offense, but with his absence testing the team's positional depth, quarterback Daniel Jones will likely take to the field on Sunday with a first-team offense of Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and a potential combination of Anthony Gould and Laquon Treadwell (hamstring). At RotoBaller's WR40, Downs is a popular breakout candidate ahead of his fourth season, but any prolonged absence could see him slip in drafts.
Source: James Boyd
Source: James Boyd
KC Concepcion's Impressive Camp Continues
Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion avoided serious injury after coming down hard on his shoulder in a practice earlier in the week, and on Saturday he was all over the field, flashing the versatility and ball skills that he has put on display throughout the spring and summer. With quarterback Deshaun Watson leading the first-team offense, Concepcion came up with a number of big catches throughout team drills, capping off the sixth consecutive day of work for the Browns. A first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Concepcion is part of an impressive group of young playmakers, alongside fellow rookie Denzel Boston and second-year players Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins. While questions remain at quarterback with Watson still battling Shedeur Sanders for the starting job, Cleveland's offense looks to be on the rise under first-time head coach Todd Monken. With a clear path to a primary role in an offense that could surprise, Concepcion is RotoBaller's WR51 and a low-cost player to target in the late rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Brian D'Aguanno
Source: Brian D'Aguanno
Ashton Dulin Steps Up Amid Absences
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin enjoyed one of his busiest and most productive days of training camp on Saturday. With Josh Downs (groin) and Laquon Treadwell (hamstring) both absent from a practice that saw a heavy emphasis on red zone work, Dulin saw the majority of first-team reps alongside Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Anthony Gould, but it was the eighth-year former UDFA who earned the most looks from Daniel Jones. Dulin scored a toe-tap touchdown on the first drive of 7-on-7 sessions and remained involved throughout the day. With Alec Pierce on the PUP list following offseason ankle surgery, the battle for the team's third wide receiver spot has had an even brighter spotlight shined on it throughout camp, and Dulin appears to have the edge, regularly taking advantage of the opportunities presented. While he could find his way onto the field in three-receiver sets, he still sits well behind Pierce and Downs in any projected pecking order, and with tight end Tyler Warren also expected to see heavy involvement in what has historically been a run-heavy Shane Steichen offense, Dulin is unlikely to find fantasy viability in 2026.
Source: Abby Halpin
Source: Abby Halpin
Kaytron Allen Stacking Days in Padded Practices
With the Washington Commanders into their second week of training camp and practices reaching a heightened level of physicality, rookie running back Kaytron Allen has received regular call-outs from the local beat. Recently described as a bowling ball, the 219-pound Allen has shown an early ability to fight for extra yards, and while Commanders senior writer Zach Selby believes he could end up as the team's short-yardage option, on Saturday it was his underrated burst that stood out as he found a crease during team drills and housed a long touchdown run. While uncommon for sixth-round rookies to make an immediate impact, Allen has routinely found ways to flash, and if he can claim the bulk of the team's goal-line work, he could prove to have surprising fantasy value in year one.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Demond Claiborne Building Momentum and Seeing More Work
Minnesota Vikings sixth-round rookie running back Demond Claiborne missed some time early in camp with an undisclosed ailment that left him working on a side field, but he had the play of the day on Saturday, outrunning the defense for a 60-yard score after making a move at the point of attack. The touchdown came with mostly backups on the field, but Claiborne has stood out in recent days through his heavy involvement as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield, occasionally even mixing in with the first-team offense. He has also shown juice in the return game, and he's a player who could impress in the team's first preseason game on August 15. Still firmly behind Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. on the depth chart, Claiborne offers little standalone value for 2026, but showcasing multiple paths to fantasy relevance, he could find his way into waiver conversations by season's end while remaining a worthwhile dynasty stash.
Source: Rob Klelfield
Source: Rob Klelfield
Fernando Mendoza Makes Leaps and Bounds with First-Team Offense
With Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins held out of Saturday's practice as discipline for his scuffle with Maxx Crosby the previous day, first overall pick Fernando Mendoza saw his most extensive work with the first-team offense, and the rookie impressed with his mobility from under center, according to team reporter Levi Edwards. Mendoza has made an early impression on those in the building, with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan telling reporters, "He's a very diligent, tireless worker... Everything that has been said, that's been portrayed about him as far as the type of young man he is, is true and then some." Given his first real chance to run the offense, Mendoza had the ups and downs typical of a first-year player, but he displayed NFL arm talent and demonstrated a level of comfort in the pocket that resulted in a handful of positive plays. As RotoBaller's QB29, Mendoza is worth a dart throw as a third quarterback in redraft superflex leagues, and his dynasty appeal is obvious with what looks to be a bright future ahead of him.
Source: Levi Edwards
Source: Levi Edwards
Elijah Arroyo Primed to "Blow the Roof Off"
Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo dealt with injuries as a rookie that prevented him from building any true consistency, but now fully healthy in his second professional training camp, the 2025 second-round pick has put his playmaking abilities on full display. After Arroyo made a contested touchdown grab in the team's annual Football Fest scrimmage, head coach Mike Macdonald spoke on his upside, telling reporters, "When Elijah's been out there, he's been productive for us... It's not a fault of his own that sometimes he's gotten nicked up, but if he can continue this trend of having a routine, attacking the details, making those marginal gains every day, then this is the type of stuff that he's capable of, and he can take it even further." While cautioning against drawing too much from two weeks of practice, Macdonald himself then raised the bar by saying, "Let's blow the roof off of the expectations for what you can do, and let's go get it." Arroyo is RotoBaller's dynasty TE30 and a player to pay attention to as a potential breakout candidate.
Source: John Boyle
Source: John Boyle
Expectations Rising Even Higher for Colston Loveland
On a day where a potential injury dominated most of the headlines out of Chicago Bears training camp, tight end Colston Loveland kept the momentum of what has been a strong summer, finding the end zone twice during red zone work. Wide receiver Luther Burden III (lower body) exited practice early, limping off the field after getting tangled with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, and should he miss any time, even more could be asked of Loveland with his year two expectations already sky high. Loveland is RotoBaller's TE3, and following the departure of veteran DJ Moore, there's an assumption that targets will be funneled primarily through Loveland, Burden, and Rome Odunze. While further news is awaited, Burden's early exit from practice serves as a reminder that if one of the three should miss any time throughout the year, the others would boast week-winning potential.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
