RADIO
Bryce Young a Non-Factor in 2026 Single-QB Drafts
By fantasy finish alone, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has shown steady improvement in each of his three seasons, rising from QB23 as a rookie to QB20 in year two and a QB19 finish last season. Obviously, his actual path has not been as linear, with a performance-based benching in 2024, and he now enters into a critical fourth season. Young demonstrated some of the highest highs of his career in 2025, throwing for 448 yards and three scores in a Week 11 overtime win over the Falcons, but he also failed to reach 200 passing yards in 12 of 17 outings. With few notable additions on the offensive side of the ball and the Panthers slated to face a first-place schedule in 2026, much will be asked of Young as he looks to earn a long-term extension. And even if he proves capable of taking another small step forward, in a year with so many fantasy-viable options at the position, Young is not a player who should factor into draft plans in single-quarterback leagues. He enters the year as RotoBaller's QB26.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lan Larison to Battle for RB3 Job in New England This Summer
New England Patriots running back Lan Larison is expected to compete with Terrell Jennings for the RB3 role in training camp this summer behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, according to The Boston Globe's Christopher Price. Larison, 24, went undrafted last year out of UC Davis before latching on with the Patriots. He was unable to get on the field at all in 2025 due to a broken foot that he suffered in the preseason, spending the entire campaign on Injured Reserve. Now healthy, Larison will attempt to win a depth role in New England's backfield while also competing for playing time with rookie Jam Miller and Myles Montgomery. The 5-foot-11, 209-pounder has a real shot to win the RB3 job going into the start of the 2026 regular season in early September, but he can be ignored for now in single-year fantasy football leagues.
Source: The Boston Globe - Chrisopher Price
Source: The Boston Globe - Chrisopher Price
Kyle Williams to Compete for Snaps in Three-Receiver Sets
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams' path to consistent targets didn't get any easier heading into his sophomore campaign in 2026 after the Patriots added A.J. Brown via trade and Romeo Doubs in free agency, but Evan Lazar of Patriots.com writes that Williams is set to compete with Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas for snaps in three-receiver sets in training camp this summer. Specifically, Williams and Douglas could be competing for a "speed" receiver role deep down the field. Hollins' versatility and willingness to do the dirty blocking work have endeared him to the coaching staff, and he gives the offense a more physical presence at the WR position. The 23-year-old Williams caught 10 of his 21 targets for 209 yards (20.9 yards per catch) and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after he was taken in the third round in last year's draft out of Washington State. Williams' numbers didn't exactly stand out, but he has long-term appeal as a big-play wideout in dynasty/keeper leagues after averaging 20 yards a catch as a rookie. The volume probably won't be there again for him to matter much in 12-team fantasy leagues in 2026.
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Rashod Bateman Still Considered a Starter in Baltimore
Clifton Brown of the Baltimore Ravens official website lists veteran wide receiver Rashod Bateman as a projected starter for the 2026 season. Brown adds that Bateman is "looking for a healthy and productive campaign" after playing in 13 games and catching just 19 passes on 38 targets for 224 yards and two touchdowns in his fifth year in the NFL. It was even more of a disappointment after the 26-year-old had a career-best 756 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 45 catches in 17 regular-season games in 2024. Bateman could be considered a bounce-back candidate in 2026, but with no ties to the new regime in Baltimore after they fired long-time head coach John Harbaugh this offseason, it's extremely hard to recommend the former first-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Minnesota as anything more than a low-upside dart throw late in deep-league drafts. The Ravens don't have excellent WR depth behind WR1 Zay Flowers, but they did draft rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, who both should have more short- and long-term upside than Bateman.
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Clifton Brown
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com - Clifton Brown
Phil Mafah on the RB Bubble in Dallas Heading into Training Camp
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris lists Dallas Cowboys running backs Phil Mafah, Jaydon Blue, and Malik Davis as on the bubble heading into training camp this summer. Behind workhorse Javonte Williams, the Cowboys don't have a clear-cut favorite for the RB2 role, "which will create a fascinating battle in training camp and the preseason." The 23-year-old Mafah, who was a seventh-rounder last year out of Clemson, played in only one game and had five rushing attempts for 18 yards and a touchdown. He also caught both of his targets for 11 yards. He's fully healthy and looking to keep the momentum going after a strong offseason "in the eyes of his coaches." Harris writes that Blue has more natural ability than Mafah and Davis due to his explosive speed and receiving abilities, but he will have to win over the coaches after he showed immaturity as a rookie in 2025. Going into training camp, Mafah is only a hold in deep dynasty/keeper leagues as he battles for a depth role in Big D.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Javonte Williams has Cemented Himself as Long-Term Starting RB in Dallas
After a strong first year with the Dallas Cowboys, running back Javonte Williams has "cemented himself as the long-term starter," according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The 26-year-old was rewarded with a three-year, $24 million contract in February of this year after he had a career-high 252 rushing attempts for a career-high 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 starts, adding 35 receptions for 137 yards and two scores as a pass-catcher. At the very least, Williams will be the team's early-down back again in 2026, or a bell-cow back once again "at the worst." There aren't any real threats to his heavy volume going into his second year in Dallas, with Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah, among others, behind him on the RB depth chart. Williams loses some luster in PPR leagues, but at the very least, he should be treated as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in upcoming fantasy football drafts as Dallas' unquestioned RB1. RotoBaller currently has Williams ranked as the No. 15 fantasy RB for 2026, just behind the Los Angeles Rams' Kyren Williams.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Pat Freiermuth Could Have a Bigger Role for Steelers in 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth could have an expanded role in 2026 in his sixth year with the organization in new head coach Mike McCarthy's offense, according to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Freiermuth took a step back in 2025 in the Steel City in the first year with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers running the offense, and he had to share valuable targets with both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington, which led to a disappointing 41-486-4 line in 17 regular-season games (eight starts) for fantasy managers. The Steelers added veteran receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who figures to be a big part of the Steelers' passing attack this year, but Smith and running back Kenneth Gainwell, who had a career-high 73 receptions in 2025, are gone. With all that said, fantasy managers still probably shouldn't consider Freiermuth as much more than a low-end TE2 target in TE-premium leagues. The former second-rounder in 2021 out of Penn State has never exceeded 732 receiving yards or seven touchdowns in his five seasons, and Rodgers hasn't typically relied heavily on the tight end position in his Hall of Fame career.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Ray Fittipaldo
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Ray Fittipaldo
Derrick Henry Has Become a Sneaky Sleeper Option in Redraft Leagues
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry turned in yet another highly productive season in 2025, recording 1,595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 307 carries across 17 games. As he enters his age-32 season with nearly 15,000 career touches under his belt, the aging curve is an obvious red flag in Henry's profile. However, Henry has shown little sign of slowing down to this point in his career, and he should have a better offensive ecosystem around him in Baltimore this season after Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed four games due to injury in 2025. Henry has played in all 17 games in three consecutive seasons and recorded double-digit rushing touchdowns in eight straight campaigns. As long as he's on the field, Henry is a solid bet to provide top-12 fantasy production. At his current redraft ADP of RB13, Henry should be a draft-day target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Wan'Dale Robinson May Be Undervalued by Current Redraft ADP
After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the New York Giants, wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson signed a four-year, $70 million ($38 million guaranteed) contract with the Tennessee Titans this past spring. Robinson is coming off his best season as a pro in 2025, as he recorded 92 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns on 140 targets across 16 games. After star Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 4, Robinson emerged as the number one option in the New York passing game. The 25-year-old may not be the WR1 in Tennessee following the Titans' selection of wide receiver Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Robinson's ability to win from the slot should make him a high-usage security blanket for young Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward. As the 45th wide receiver off the board by current redraft ADP, Robinson may be a value selection for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Shough Looks Like a Prime Redraft Sleeper Entering 2026
The 40th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough took over as his team's starter under center in Week 9 of his rookie season. The 26-year-old held his own in his first taste of NFL action, completing 67.6% of his pass attempts for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 195 yards and three scores across 11 games (nine starts). From Week 9 through the end of the season, Shough ranked as the fantasy QB12 by measure of per-game scoring. Entering 2026, Shough is the unquestioned QB1 in New Orleans and has some new weapons at his disposal after the Saints added wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (undisclosed) in the 2026 draft and running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency. If Shough can continue his development as a passer while also adding some extra fantasy juice with his legs, he could be a steal for fantasy managers at his current redraft ADP of QB21.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Garrett Wilson Carries Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal After Injury-Marred 2025
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson had his 2025 season ruined by a season-ending knee injury that limited him to just seven games played. However, the 25-year-old is healthy heading into 2026 and remained a productive player when on the field last season, finishing the year with 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets. The Jets added some talent to their pass-catching corps in the 2026 NFL Draft, using first-round picks on tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. Still, Wilson is by far the most established option in New York's passing game and has a chance to average over nine targets per game for the third time in the last four seasons in 2026. The offensive ecosystem around Wilson with the Jets is definitely a concern, but New York should at least have more competent quarterback play after adding Geno Smith in free agency. In dynasty formats, managers may want to explore buying low on Wilson ahead of the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Thomas Jr. is Capable of Outperforming His Current Redraft ADP
After recording 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. entered 2025 as a consensus top-12 fantasy wideout. Unfortunately, Thomas Jr. put together a disappointing season, hauling 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns on 91 targets across 14 games. Entering 2026, Thomas Jr. has plenty of target competition in Jacksonville between wide receivers Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and Travis Hunter, as well as tight end Brenton Strange. However, Thomas Jr. is clearly the highest-upside pass-catcher on the Jaguars' roster. He also should be healthier this season than he was in 2025, at least to open the year. Thomas Jr. played through early-season shoulder and wrist issues in 2025 and then missed time with a high-ankle sprain late in the season. As the WR31 by current redraft ADP, Thomas Jr. has the potential to significantly outperform his draft-day price.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Olave Could Be Poised for a Career Year in 2026
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave put together the best season of his career in 2025, recording 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets across 16 games. Olave was held out of Saints OTAs in the spring due to a blood clot issue, but he's expected to be full go for the start of training camp. The 26-year-old will get some new target competition in New Orleans this season from rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (undisclosed), whom the Saints selected eighth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Olave should still be the number one option in his team's passing game, at least to start the year. New Orleans also looks to be on track to have their best offense in a while, as the team will have emerging quarterback Tyler Shough under center for his first full season as the starter. Olave could be in line for a monster year in 2026 and profiles as a prime target for dynasty contenders even with his value surging.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Makai Lemon "Feeling Great", "100 Percent" Ready for Camp
Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) said that he's "feeling great" and is "100%" ready to go for the start of training camp after dealing with a hamstring injury during the offseason program, according to Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Lemon could be eased into camp at the end of July, but once he's a full-go, he has an opportunity to become Philly's WR2 behind DeVonta Smith in his first year in the NFL after the Eagles traded Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots this offseason. The 20th overall pick out of USC comes to the NFL after having recorded 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions in 12 games in 2025 in his third and final year at USC for the Trojans. Lemon has the clear runway to become a weekly flex option for fantasy managers in his first year in the league, but there should be some hesitation from managers with the Eagles coming off a frustrating 2025 campaign on offense in which they really struggled to move the ball through the air. In redraft leagues, RotoBaller has Lemon ranked as the No. 45 pass-catcher. He'll be more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues for his athleticism and big-play abilities out of the slot.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Olivia Reiner
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Olivia Reiner
Isaiah Likely Showing Strong Connection With New Quarterback
The New York Giants have a lot riding on new tight end Isaiah Likely after they signed him to a three-year, $40 million deal in free agency in March, so it's good to hear from John Fennelly of Giants Wire that he and new quarterback Jaxson Dart "have already shown a connection in early workouts this past spring." The former fourth-rounder by the Baltimore Ravens out of Coastal Carolina in 2022 could never get out of Mark Andrews' shadow in his four seasons with the Ravens, but he'll have a chance to immediately break out in 2026 in his first year in the Big Apple after following head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants. The G-Men think that the 26-year-old can become offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's receiving tight end out of the slot to create mismatches for opposing defenses. Likely can also be used as a blocker, but the Giants will probably have others do most of that. After catching 135 of his 194 targets for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons with the Ravens, Likely will enter 2026 as a low-end TE1 target/high-end TE2 target in fantasy drafts with the potential for a true breakout in New York.
Source: Giants Wire - John Fennelly
Source: Giants Wire - John Fennelly
