RADIO
Austin Ekeler 100 Percent Medically Cleared for Football Activities
Veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) is 100% fully medically cleared for all football activities after suffering a torn right Achilles last September against the Green Bay Packers, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Ekeler intends to play in 2026 and is expected to draw plenty of interest. The 30-year-old was one of the premier pass-catching backs in the NFL in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before he signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season. He appeared in 12 games (six starts) for Washington in 2024, carrying the ball 77 times for 367 yards and four touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 366 receiving yards. Ekeler missed some time due to a concussion that year before playing in just two games in 2025 before tearing his Achilles. Ekeler might not be the same shifty back in space after his season-ending injury, but he could still give a team some solid pass-catching depth out of the backfield as he nears the end of his career.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Darius Slayton Undergoes Core-Muscle Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Camp
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (abdomen) recently had core-muscle surgery, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Slayton will miss spring workouts, but he's expected to be a full-go for training camp this summer. Barring a setback in his recovery, Slayton should be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. Top wideout Malik Nabers (knee) is also recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered early last season, so there are some definite question marks for New York's receiving room heading into the upcoming campaign. Wan'Dale Robinson departed in free agency, but the G-Men added Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III in free agency, and drafted Malachi Fields in the third round. The 29-year-old Slayton has seven years of experience in the NFL (all with the Giants), but he's never cleared 770 receiving yards, and he hasn't had more than four touchdowns in a single season since his rookie year, when he had eight. Slayton's roster spot in New York should be secure, but he'll be battling for targets with Mooney, Austin, and Fields, and he won't be a very intriguing late-round flier in standard 12-team fantasy leagues going into his eighth year in the league.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Keaton Mitchell's Dynasty Value Rising Heading into 2026
After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, running back Keaton Mitchell landed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this offseason. Mitchell's playing time in Baltimore was limited by injury issues and the presence of star Ravens running back Derrick Henry. However, Mitchell has averaged a highly efficient 6.8 yards per touch across a limited sample size of 140 career touches. 2025 first-round running back Omarion Hampton profiles as the clear RB1 in Los Angeles ahead of Mitchell. Still, Mitchell should have a chance to carve out a consistent RB2 and pass-catching role behind Hampton. He also has the benefit of working with new Chargers play-caller Mike McDaniel, who has proven the ability to produce offenses with multiple fantasy-relevant running backs during his time as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Dynasty managers should approach Mitchell with cautious optimism following his offseason move to Los Angeles.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jadarian Price Not Expected to Lead Seahawks' Backfield Right Away
The Seattle Seahawks made a major addition to their backfield on draft night, selecting University of Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the final pick of the first round. Given that Seattle lost star running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs, Price should eventually have a chance to take over as the Seahawks' RB1. However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the sense around the Seahawks is that Price "won't have to be a bell cow right away." Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) suffered a torn ACL in January, but should be able to make an impact once healthy. The Seahawks also signed former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson in free agency. While Price is unquestionably the highest-upside running back in Seattle, it appears as though the team may look to bring him along slowly in his rookie season.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Isaiah Bond's Dynasty Value Fading Following NFL Draft
Across 16 games as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond recorded 18 receptions for 338 yards on 44 targets. While the 23-year-old's numbers don't necessarily leap off the page, he flashed some intriguing big-play upside while working with less-than-ideal quarterback play in Cleveland. Heading into his second NFL season in 2026, Bond could be in the mix for a prominent role with the Browns. Unfortunately for Bond and his dynasty value, Cleveland added a pair of well-regarded wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Browns used a first-round pick on Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion and a second-round pick on University of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, both of whom could easily leapfrog Bond on the team's wide receiver depth chart. The Browns quarterback situation also remains as unsettled as ever, which throws the team's overall offensive environment into question. Bond still carries some fantasy upside, but his dynasty value has taken a hit following the NFL Draft.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can James Cook Continue to Ascend in 2026 and Beyond?
Although Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was a highly productive player in his first three NFL seasons, he took his game to a new level in 2025. Across 17 games, the 26-year-old recorded 1,912 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns on 342 touches. Cook has always been an extremely efficient rusher, but the Bills coaching staff finally entrusted him with a true RB1 workload in 2025. Cook averaged 20.1 touches per game last season, well beyond his previous career-high of 16.5 touches per game in 2023. While the Bills shook up their coaching staff heading into 2026, former offensive coordinator Joe Brady is now the head coach in Buffalo and appears unlikely to drastically alter Cook's usage. Entering his age-27 season with an excellent offensive environment around him in Buffalo, Cook profiles as an elite dynasty running back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lamar Jackson Remains an Elite Dynasty Quarterback Despite Injury-Marred 2025
After back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson battled through a down year due to injuries in 2025. Back and hamstring injuries forced Jackson to miss four games, and he set career lows in both single-season rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (two). The 29-year-old Jackson is currently in the midst of contract extension negotiations with the Ravens, but he was reportedly in attendance for the start of the team's offseason program in early April. In 2026, Jackson will be working with a new head coach for the first time in his career and will have to adjust to a new play-caller in former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. While the new offense could lead to some early-season struggles, it could also help Jackson get back to his MVP form. As long as he stays healthy, Jackson remains the best dual-threat quarterback in fantasy football and still offers dynasty QB1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Williams' Dynasty Value Limited by Uncertain Role in New England
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams struggled to carve out a consistent role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 17 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 10 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 21 targets. Heading into 2026, Williams still projects to be behind Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kayshon Boutte on the Patriots' wide receiver depth chart. Boutte's name has come up in trade rumors, which could clear a path for Williams to step in as New England's primary deep-ball threat. However, the Patriots are also widely considered the favorites to land current Philadelphia Eagles superstar wideout A.J. Brown. If Brown does eventually end up in New England, it's difficult to imagine a world where Williams sees a significant playing time increase in his second season. Williams retains some dynasty upside due to his big-play ability, but his overall value is limited by his uncertain role with the Patriots.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaac TeSlaa Still a Dynasty Depth Piece Worth Holding
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa put himself onto fantasy radars by scoring six touchdowns on only 16 receptions as a rookie, and while that rate is wholly unsustainable, he offers a different archetype to the Lions' receiver room and should see continued scoring opportunities in his second season. Over 38% of TeSlaa's targets came within the 20-yard line in 2025, and while some of that was a byproduct of tight end Sam LaPorta missing eight games, at 6'4" and 217 pounds with a verified 39.5" vertical, the 2025 third-round pick offers an enormous mismatch over smaller DBs and could continue to carve out a role as a jump ball specialist. While touchdowns alone will never match the fantasy predictability of sheer volume, TeSlaa's opportunities will be foreseeably capped in an offense with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and a healthy LaPorta, but if he can continue to convert targets into touchdowns at an above-average rate, he'll have his usable moments and is worth a dynasty stash as RotoBaller's WR86.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Bryant Still a Quality Buy-Low Despite Crowded Broncos Receiver Room
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant was a popular breakout candidate heading into his second season until Denver shook up the depth chart by trading for Jaylen Waddle. 2024 fourth-round pick Troy Franklin, expected to be healthier after dealing with hamstring injuries throughout the 2025 playoffs, represents the biggest barrier to meaningful playing time, but Bryant has the highest ceiling of all the tertiary options in Denver's passing game. Unfortunately, even if he's able to earn the primary slot responsibilities, his upside will be capped on an offense whose offseason moves suggest they could employ more heavy personnel packages in 2026, adding two tight ends and a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Waddle approaching 28 and Courtland Sutton already north of 30, there is still a path towards Bryant's long-term success in Denver, but at RotoBaller's dynasty WR87, acquiring managers will require patience and adjusted expectations.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dynasty Expectations Low for Troy Franklin
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin was one of the more hyped prospects coming out of Oregon and early in the pre-draft process heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Most of that hype went by the wayside when he fell to the fourth round and Denver made him the 103rd overall pick, but he still had his believers in dynasty circles. After two inconsistent seasons, and with the Broncos continuing to add target competition, first by selecting Pat Bryant in the third round of the 2025 Draft and then by shipping out first and third-round picks for Jaylen Waddle, Franklin has fallen to WR73 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. Franklin has shown sporadic flashes on his way to 992 career yards and eight touchdowns, but the wide receiver room in Denver has grown crowded, and with three capable running backs in J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and now fourth-round pick Jonah Coleman, consistent upside will be hard to come by in more of a complementary role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trevor Lawrence's Dynasty Value Remains High Despite Quiet Jaguars Offseason
The Jacksonville Jaguars lost veteran running back Travis Etienne Jr. to free agency and are expected to see 2025 second overall pick Travis Hunter spend most of his time on the defensive side of the ball in Year 2. In the 2026 NFL Draft, outside of dedicated run-blocking tight end Nate Boerkircher, they did not add any offensive weapons until later in day three, and yet the dynasty value of quarterback Trevor Lawrence remains at a two-year high, reflecting his strong finish to the 2025 season, the quality depth around him, and an anticipated leap in his second year in Liam Coen's offense. Lawrence finished his fifth season with 4,007 passing yards, 359 rushing yards, and 38 total touchdowns, pacing as the fantasy QB1 over the final 10 weeks of the season. Even without Etienne, and with limited expectations on Hunter, the Jaguars feature one of the more dynamic groups of pass catchers in the league with Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and tight end Brenton Strange. Jacksonville's running back trio of Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and LeQuint Allen Jr. also offers untapped intrigue, and at RotoBaller's dynasty QB11, Lawrence appears poised to finally reward managers who held him through some of his leaner years.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton's Dynasty Value Unaffected by NFL Draft
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton saw his dynasty stock take a hit when the team traded for Jaylen Waddle, but following the 2026 NFL Draft, his value has leveled off. Having sent away first and third-round picks in the deal for Waddle, Denver entered the draft with only seven total picks, and they ended up spending a fifth and a seventh on tight ends Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley, neither of whom poses a threat to Sutton's role on the outside or as immediate target competition. Sutton has scored 25 touchdowns over the past three seasons, and he remains the Broncos' primary threat in the red zone. While Waddle will certainly eat into his overall workload, Sutton's big game potential still makes him a capable WR3 or flex play for fantasy, reflected by his dynasty ranking of RotoBaller's WR44 as he approaches 31 years old.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jets Pick Up Will McDonald's Fifth-Year Option
The New York Jets announced on Wednesday that they have picked up the fifth-year option on former first-round defensive end Will McDonald, according to Eric Allen of NewYorkJets.com. This move should not come as a surprise to anyone after McDonald recorded 18.5 sacks in 32 games with the Jets over the last two seasons. The Jets selected the 26-year-old with the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Iowa State. He only had three sacks and 14 total tackles (nine solo) in 15 games (zero starts) in his first year with the Jets, but McDonald has looked like a first-round talent the last two seasons. In 15 games (14 starts) in 2025, McDonald had a career-high 30 tackles (19 solo), eight sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 19 QB hits for Gang Green. McDonald is definitely a weapon for the Jets' pass rush, but he hasn't contributed enough as a run-stopper to put him on the map in IDP fantasy formats just yet.
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Eric Allen
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Eric Allen
Texans, Azeez Al-Shaair Agree to Three-Year Extension
The Houston Texans and Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair agreed to terms on a three-year, $54 million contract extension on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Al-Shaair was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025 in his second season with the Texans, and he finished with 103 tackles (48 solo), a career-high two interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season starts. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic has 100-plus combined tackles in three of his seven NFL seasons and has accumulated a total of 535 tackles (288 solo), six sacks, four interceptions, 24 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries in his seven years in the league. The middle linebacker had surgery on his thumb in the offseason, but he should be recovered in time for Week 1 of the upcoming 2026 season to run it back with one of the best overall defenses in the league. Al-Shaair finished as the No. 38 linebacker in 2025 in IDP fantasy formats.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
