RADIO
Antonio Williams No Longer Being Pushed Up Draft Boards Out of Necessity
The Washington Commanders spent a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams after leaving the position largely unaddressed through free agency. Although he projects as something close to a slot-only player, Washington's lack of receiver depth behind Terry McLaurin pushed Williams up draft boards out of perceived necessity. Once training camp opened, free agent tight end Chig Okonkwo was reportedly used as the de facto second receiver until the late free agent signing of veteran Stefon Diggs allowed the rest of the room to fill in more naturally as depth pieces. Now part of a rotation featuring Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane, Williams appears unlikely to carve out a significant role as a rookie and has fallen to RotoBaller's WR98 for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Fernando Mendoza Throws Pick-Six in First Preseason Start
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza got his first professional start in Thursday night's preseason matchup with the Texans, and on the team's opening drive, he threw an interception to rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. Playing the entire first half, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft led four more drives, resulting in a field goal and three punts before Aidan O'Connell took over in the second half and managed a come-from-behind victory. Along with a handful of starters, veteran Kirk Cousins was given the night off following a productive joint practice with the Texans, but after the game, head coach Klint Kubiak declined to name a starter for the regular season. "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job... It should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going." Barring an unforeseen surprise, Mendoza will begin his rookie campaign backing up Cousins. Still, he has reportedly impressed behind the scenes and could find the field earlier than initially projected, making him an intriguing late-round pick in superflex leagues as RotoBaller's QB29.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Washington Jr. Leads Raiders in Carries and Rushing Yards
With the Las Vegas Raiders giving a handful of their starters the night off, rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. drew the start and looked sharp in Thursday night's 22-20 preseason win over the Texans. Washington took his first carry of the game 33 yards through the middle of the Texans' defense before first overall pick Fernando Mendoza threw an interception on the next play that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. Washington ended the night with a team-leading 56 yards on nine carries and looks to have positioned himself well as the primary backup to 2025 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. As RotoBaller's RB67, Washington does not project to see enough of a standalone role to garner fantasy consideration in 2026, but as a handcuff to Jeanty, he offers valuable insurance after a promising showing on Thursday night.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
No Determination Made on Whether Jayden Daniels Will Play Saturday
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and the rest of his staff have yet to decide whether or not quarterback Jayden Daniels will play in the team's second preseason game. Ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Lions, Quinn met with the media and shared that "a good amount of starters" will get some playing time, but that he would look at each player on a case-by-case basis, according to senior team writer Zach Selby. Daniels is a player on whom a determination has yet to be made, as Quinn wants to know the health of the players around him first. Daniels is looking to bounce back from a disappointing, injury-marred second season, and by all accounts, he has looked sharp and decisive in new offensive coordinator David Blough's under-center system. The former second overall pick and 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year is RotoBaller's QB3.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Jaguars Preparing Travis Hunter to Be the No. 1 CB
Billed as football's answer to Shohei Ohtani when he was selected second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter spent the majority of his rookie campaign on the offensive side of the ball before an LCL injury ended his season right when he looked to be on the verge of a breakout. Heading into his second season, the Jaguars' depth chart has dictated that he will spend most of his time on defense, and the team is preparing him to be the number one cornerback. In defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's zone-based system, Hunter is unlikely to follow the opponents' top receiver across the formation, but after gaining 10-12 pounds of muscle over the offseason, he will be trusted to shut down one side of the field. Hunter projects to see time on offense still, but with a receiver room of Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., and Jakobi Meyers manning the top reps, he will be hard-pressed to find any consistent fantasy value outside of IDP leagues with positional delineations and a cornerback requirement.
Source: Jeff Howe - The Athletic
Source: Jeff Howe - The Athletic
KC Concepcion Moved Everywhere Within WR Room
The Cleveland Browns spent a 2026 first-round pick on wide receiver KC Concepcion, and since Day 1, head coach Todd Monken and the offensive staff have not held back in loading up his plate. "He's handled us moving him around at an elite level," Monken told team reporter Kelsey Russo. "It's not easy to - all right, you're at Z, OK, you're at F, you're at X. We're going to ask you to do all of these things within our offense, and he's been impressive." Concepcion won the Paul Hornung Award in 2025 as the most versatile player in college football, and that versatility was on full display in his first preseason game, in which he caught three passes and scored on a 14-yard touchdown run while also returning punts. Concepcion projects to feature heavily in three-receiver sets along with veteran Jerry Jeudy and fellow rookie Denzel Boston, and the ability to play all three spots should help to keep him on the field regardless of alignment. At RotoBaller's WR46, the 21-year-old is a high-floor target in the middle rounds of drafts who could also offer week-winning spike performances.
Source: Kelsey Russo
Source: Kelsey Russo
Parker Washington Expected Back Next Week
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (undisclosed) is expected to return to practice next week after missing time with an undisclosed injury, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Coming into training camp as part of a crowded receiver room, Washington quickly reestablished the connection he formed with quarterback Trevor Lawrence down the stretch of the 2025 season. Washington was the WR12 over the final nine weeks of the regular season, while Lawrence was the QB1 over that same span. By most accounts, Washington has again proven to be Lawrence's favorite target for much of camp, and with his availability for Week 1 not looking to be in question, the fourth-year receiver still represents a value in the middle rounds of drafts, priced as the WR31 by current ADP.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Tetairoa McMillan to Be a "Huge Part" of Panthers Offense
The Carolina Panthers recently participated in a joint practice with the Jaguars ahead of Friday night's preseason matchup. While the session got off to a slow start for the Panthers' offense, things quickly settled into place once quarterback Bryce Young started looking in the direction of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. "Bryce just started finding TMac in different ways," head coach Dave Canales told reporters after practice. "Explosive passes, touchdowns, things that went into the end zone. It was fantastic to see." Young connected with the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year on a number of plays throughout practice, including a leaping catch in the corner of the end zone that beat double coverage. Afterward, Young spoke about McMillan's importance to the team. "It makes my job so much easier, having a guy like him out there that you can trust one-on-one," he shared. "Obviously he's a huge part of what we do." Following a WR15 finish as a rookie, McMillan is being drafted as the WR17 but has a chance to crack the top 12 as a focal point of the Panthers' offense.
Source: Alex Zietlow - The Charlotte Observer
Source: Alex Zietlow - The Charlotte Observer
Raiders Not Ready to Name a Starting Quarterback for Week 1
The Las Vegas Raiders open the regular season by hosting the Miami Dolphins on September 13, but head coach Klint Kubiak is not ready to name a starting quarterback, according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden. With veteran Kirk Cousins held out of Thursday's preseason matchup against the Texans, first overall pick Fernando Mendoza received his first professional start, throwing an interception on the opening drive that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. When asked after the game about who would start the regular season, Kubiak told reporters, "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job... It should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going." By all accounts, Mendoza has impressed behind the scenes with his work ethic and mentality, but McFadden reported on Tuesday that the coaching staff is still looking for the improved timing and anticipation that will come with additional reps. Regardless of who begins the season under center for the Raiders, Mendoza is projected to take the job from Cousins before the end of his rookie season, making him a dart-throw third quarterback in superflex drafts as RotoBaller's QB29.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Luther Burden III Looks "Mostly Fine"
The Chicago Bears were in Cincinnati on Thursday for a joint practice with the Bengals, and while second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) did not participate as he works his way back from the groin injury that has caused him to miss most of training camp, podcast hosts Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns expressed a lack of concern, saying that Burden looks "mostly fine." After a strong finish to his rookie season, Burden was the star of the opening days of training camp before getting tangled with a teammate and exiting practice on August 8. The hope has since been that he would be ready for the team's regular season opener against the Panthers on September 13. While the groin injury has caused an ADP dip in recent weeks, Burden is still RotoBaller's WR22, as all signs pre-injury pointed to the 22-year-old receiver becoming the focal point of a high-powered Bears offense.
Source: Hoge & Jahns
Source: Hoge & Jahns
De'Zhaun Stribling Continues To Impress In Preseason Action
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling had four catches for 46 receiving yards on five targets in Thursday's preseason win over the Chargers. Stribling's stats might not be eye-popping, but his ability to secure the ball while in traffic or going to the ground on each reception in the game added to his burgeoning popularity. Stribling was not listed as a starter but was on the field for the 49ers' first two offensive drives before being removed from the game. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season and Mike Evans (foot/ankle) already hobbled by injuries, Stribling may have a significant role in the 49ers' offense when the regular season begins. His next opportunity to build on his impressive preseason performance will come on August 27 against the Raiders.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Khalil Herbert Finds End Zone In Preseason Win
San Francisco 49ers running back Khalil Herbert handled four carries for 17 yards and caught his lone target for no gain in Thursday's 41-17 drubbing of the Los Angeles Chargers. He also handled one kickoff for a 29-yard return. The five-year veteran showed flashes of talent with the Bears in the first years of his career, but timeshares and injuries barred him from fully breaking out. In 2025, Herbert appeared in seven games with the New York Jets. Now with the 49ers, Herbert is among a handful of running backs vying for the team's RB2 role behind Christian McCaffrey. Aside from the touchdown on Thursday night, Herbert has done little to set himself apart from the rest of the group. He will have one more chance to do so in San Francisco's preseason finale on August 27.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Sincere McCormick Improves His Stock In Preseason Win
San Francisco 49ers running back Sincere McCormick led the team in rushing for another week in the team's preseason meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers. While starter Kaelon Black and backup Zamir White handled more carries, McCormick finished with a team-high 53 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in the 49ers' 41-17 win. McCormick got the bulk of his yardage after taking advantage of solid blocking and weaving his way through traffic and then exploding for a 37-yard gain. Two plays later, McCormick fought his way into the end zone from seven yards out. Despite being used as an alternate, McCormick has outshone his teammates for the second game in a row. The 49ers' depth chart at running back is yet to be settled, but whoever wins might be worth a late flyer as Christian McCaffrey's handcuff. McCormick's last preseason audition to be San Francisco's RB2 will come on August 27 against the Raiders.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Adrian Martinez Extends Lead In Rout Of Chargers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Adrian Martinez captained the team's offense in the second half of Thursday's preseason clash with the Los Angeles Chargers. Martinez went 8-for-17 for 57 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, and added 10 more yards and another touchdown on four scrambles in the 41-17 win. Martinez got off to an inauspicious start, going three-and-out in his first series and throwing a pick-six in his second. Martinez righted the ship on the 49ers' next possession, leading a 14-play drive that culminated in a Khalil Herbert touchdown. Martinez himself ran in for a score on the following drive, and hit Jordan Watkins for a 17-yard score on the possession after that. With Brock Purdy and Mac Jones firmly positioned ahead of him on the depth chart, the best Martinez can hope for is a solid showing in the 49ers' preseason finale on August 27 to retain his third-string role.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Brock Purdy Sees First Preseason Action Against Chargers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy got the start in Thursday's preseason meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers. Purdy was removed after the 49ers' opening drive, and he finished the game 4-for-6 for 29 passing yards and one rushing attempt for three yards. Purdy's first pass went to Deebo Samuel Sr., who recently re-signed with the 49ers after spending last season with the Commanders. Purdy missed Deebo on his next attempt but completed his next three consecutive throws to De'Zhaun Stribling. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season and Mike Evans (foot/ankle) already slowed by injuries, it is imperative that he rekindles his relationship with the recently reunited Samuel and develops chemistry with Stribling. Purdy's next and final tune-up before the regular season will come on August 27 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
