RADIO
Camden Brown "Seems Like a Lock" to Make Cowboys Roster
Dallas Cowboys rookie Camden Brown has made highlight catches "pretty much every practice" and "seems like a lock" to make the team's 53-man roster, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. An undrafted free agent signee out of Georgia Southern, Brown recorded 65 catches for 1,079 yards and 14 touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season. He was one of the stars of Dallas' first preseason game last Saturday, catching three passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Between wideouts CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin, the Cowboys have both high-end talent and depth in their wide receiver room. Still, it appears that Brown is forcing his way into the discussion in Dallas with his play so far this summer. Particularly in deeper leagues and dynasty formats, Brown could be a name for fantasy managers to be aware of entering 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Israel Abanikanda Exceeding Expectations in Cowboys Camp
Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda has exceeded expectations in training camp so far, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Abanikanda has not appeared in an NFL game since his rookie season in 2023, when he recorded 113 scrimmage yards on 29 touches across six games with the New York Jets. He spent the final portion of the 2025 season on the Cowboys' practice squad and is now competing for a spot on the team's 53-man roster this summer. Dallas has a clear leader in the backfield in running back Javonte Williams. However, the team's RB2 job appears to be an open competition between Jaydon Blue (shoulder), Malik Davis, and Phil Mafah. With all three of those players largely unproven as NFL contributors, Abanikanda may have a chance to work his way into the mix for the Cowboys. In deeper league formats, Abanikanda may be a name for fantasy managers to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the preseason.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Ollie Gordon II Has Earned Another Look in Deeper Drafts
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II has at least made the backup race worth watching again. Gordon was rough as a rookie, finishing with 199 yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries, but his first preseason showing was much better. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound back ran seven times for 39 yards against Washington while splitting reserve work with Jaylen Wright. Miami still lists Wright second behind De'Von Achane and Gordon third, so one good night hasn't changed the depth chart. The roles are different, too. Miami used Gordon more in short-yardage situations last season, while Wright was the back asked to fill in for Achane. That probably keeps Gordon from being a clean handcuff even if he keeps running well. RotoBaller has him 309th overall in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings, which is deep-draft territory. Gordon isn't a standard-league target yet, but after a better start to this preseason, he's at least earned another look in deeper formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeAndre Hopkins Reunion With Texans Not Expected
A return to Houston apparently isn't in the cards for free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans are looking around for receiver help after losing Jayden Higgins for the season, but Aaron Wilson reports that they aren't expected to pursue a reunion with Hopkins. The 34-year-old spent his first seven NFL seasons in Houston, though things look much different now. Hopkins joined Georgia Tech's staff as an assistant wide receivers coach earlier this month after catching 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns with Baltimore last season. He hasn't officially retired and made a point of saying so after taking the coaching job. That leaves open the possibility of playing again somewhere, just apparently not with the team that drafted him. There isn't much reason for fantasy managers to count on any 2026 production.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Rashod Bateman Emerges in Houston's Receiver Search
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has come up in Houston's search for outside help after Jayden Higgins' season-ending injury. Aaron Wilson reports that the Texans have made exploratory trade calls about Bateman, but there is no indication that Baltimore is shopping him. Bateman is under contract through 2029 after signing a three-year, $36.75 million extension last offseason, and the Ravens are finding different ways to use him in their new offense. The 26-year-old said earlier this month that he's moving around more under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle after feeling like a one-dimensional receiver in the past. Bateman is trying to rebound from a rough 2025 season in which he caught 19 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He had 756 yards and nine scores the year before. Houston's interest is still in the exploratory stage, but Bateman would be a much more established addition than a typical depth signing if talks ever went anywhere.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Kayshon Boutte On Texans' Trade Radar
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is one of the players Houston has checked on as it searches for help at receiver. Aaron Wilson reports that the Texans have made exploratory trade calls about Boutte following Jayden Higgins' season-ending injury. There is no indication that a deal is close, and Boutte doesn't completely match Houston's reported preference for a bigger receiver at 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds. He does bring some downfield production. Boutte caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high six touchdowns last season, averaging 16.7 yards per reception. He's also entering the final year of his rookie contract, while New England added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs during the offseason. Boutte has already acknowledged the trade rumors surrounding him this summer. Houston is now one team actually making calls, and a move would give Boutte a chance to find a clearer place in a receiver rotation.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Jordan Whittington Has More Real-Life Value Than Fantasy Appeal
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington has a role Sean McVay clearly values, but it still isn't much of a fantasy role. Whittington played all 17 games last season and started six, yet finished with only 18 catches for 171 yards on 25 targets and never found the end zone. He remains directly behind Puka Nacua on the Rams' unofficial depth chart and is also their top kick returner. McVay has called him steady and consistent, and Whittington was one of the receivers who stepped in when Nacua left the Aug. 11 joint practice. Nacua was still out Thursday with psoas soreness, so Whittington has gotten another look. The problem hasn't changed. Nacua and Davante Adams sit at the top of the passing game, and Los Angeles leaned heavily on three-tight-end personnel last season. RotoBaller has Whittington 347th overall and WR128 in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings. He's useful depth for the Rams, but standard redraft managers don't need to force him onto a roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Tonges Has a Short-Term Window for Fantasy Value
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges has a chance to matter early, but the window may be shorter than it looked a few weeks ago. George Kittle is still on Active/PUP after tearing his Achilles in January, which has left Tonges atop the current unofficial depth chart. Tonges earned some trust last year when Kittle missed time, catching 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games. He also had seven catches for 60 yards and a score against Chicago in Week 17, so there is at least some proof he can handle more than a blocking-only role. The 49ers brought him back on a two-year deal in March, and he's stayed involved with Brock Purdy during camp. The catch is Kittle's recovery. He said this week that Week 1 remains the goal, and the latest signs have been encouraging. Luke Farrell is getting work too. If Kittle isn't ready right away, Tonges could have some early streaming value. If Kittle is back on schedule, there isn't much season-long redraft appeal here.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Davis Refuses to Go Away in Dallas' Backfield
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis looked like the forgotten man in this backfield earlier in camp. He's making that harder to justify now. Davis led Dallas with 39 yards on seven carries in the preseason opener, and Brian Schottenheimer praised his vision and feel for the blocking scheme afterward. He was also the first back on the field after Javonte Williams during team work earlier this week. Davis has handled a bigger load before. When Williams went down in Week 17 last season, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound back ran 20 times for 103 yards. He finished the year with 250 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries. Dallas' unofficial depth chart still has Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah ahead of him, so Davis hasn't won the backup job. Blue's shoulder issue and Mafah's recent injury have given him another opening, though, and he's taking advantage of it. RotoBaller has Davis at RB92 in PPR. He's outside normal redraft range, but this backup race is a lot less settled than it looked earlier in camp.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Higgins Placed on Season-Ending IR
Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins was officially placed on season-ending injured reserve Friday, according to Adam Schefter. Higgins tore his ACL during Tuesday's joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders, ending his second NFL season before it could begin. The 23-year-old was coming off a promising rookie year in which he caught 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns while starting 10 of 17 games. His role had grown as the season went along, making this a tough loss for a Houston passing game that was expecting more from him in Year 2. The Texans will now have to replace those snaps and targets behind Nico Collins. Higgins can be dropped in all redraft leagues, while dynasty managers will have to stash him through what will be a lengthy recovery.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Cam Ward Putting Together a Strong Training Camp
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward hasn't been perfect this summer, but Robert Saleh has liked a lot more than he hasn't. Saleh told Terry McCormick that Ward has had practices where he's been "elite," along with a few days he'd probably like back. More often than not, though, Saleh said Ward is "doing a hell of a job" and making good decisions. The swings have shown up over the past week. Ward completed 21 of 25 passes with five touchdowns during arguably his best practice of camp, then went just 5-for-12 for 57 yards in Tennessee's preseason opener, despite leading a 95-yard touchdown drive to start the game. Ward threw for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a rookie, with another 159 yards and two scores on the ground. There is still plenty of room for him to grow, but Saleh clearly likes the progress Ward is making heading into his second season.
Source: Terry McCormick
Source: Terry McCormick
Jake Bobo Suffers Major Knee Injury
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo suffered a major knee injury during Friday's joint practice with the Tennessee Titans, head coach Mike Macdonald said, according to Gregg Bell. Bobo went down after linebacker James Williams broke up a pass intended for him, and players from both teams took a knee while he was being checked out. Macdonald said his heart goes out to Bobo, who he described as a beloved player, and noted that both teams said a prayer for him. Bobo was able to get back to his feet with help before leaving the field on a cart. He isn't much of a fantasy factor after catching only two passes for 20 yards last season, but the Seahawks value him for much more than receiving production. Bobo has carved out an important role as a blocker, special-teams contributor and depth receiver, making this a tough loss for Seattle this late in the summer.
Source: Gregg Bell
Source: Gregg Bell
George Pickens Continues to Stand Out in Cowboys Camp
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has been one of the biggest standouts of training camp, and Dak Prescott says it is exactly what he expected. Jon Machota reports that no Cowboys player has stood out more this summer. Prescott praised Pickens for his energy, catches and playmaking, then pointed to the different ways Dallas can use him alongside CeeDee Lamb. Pickens is coming off a career year in his first season with the Cowboys, finishing with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He is playing 2026 on the franchise tag, but there has been no sign of that affecting his work. Dallas has seen Pickens make plays throughout camp, and Prescott believes the next step is figuring out how he and Lamb can stress defenses together, including using one to create openings for the other. Pickens already proved he can produce at a high level in this offense. Nothing from camp suggests that is about to change.
Source: Jon Machota
Source: Jon Machota
Keaton Mitchell Is Becoming a Sneaky Late-Round Target
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell has a little more separation in the race behind Omarion Hampton. The Chargers' current depth chart lists Mitchell second at running back, with Kimani Vidal on the next line, and Mitchell was involved early Thursday night before a 21-yard catch was wiped out by penalty. The 5-foot-8, 191-pound back doesn't need many touches to change a game. He ran for 341 yards on 59 carries last season, averaged 5.8 yards per attempt and added nine catches for 63 yards. Los Angeles also noted that Mitchell led the NFL in average run speed in 2025 at 14.49 mph and had 11 runs of at least 10 yards. Mike McDaniel has already said he expects to use Hampton, Mitchell and Vidal every week and could ride the hot hand, so this isn't a clean backup situation. Hampton still leads the room. Mitchell just looks like the best bet for the change-of-pace work right now, and his speed gives him enough standalone upside to stay interesting late in deeper redraft drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyreek Hill Not Expected to Sign Before Season
Free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill is not expected to sign with a team before the regular season begins. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said on "The Pat McAfee Show" that Hill looked good in a recent video of him running hills, but added that Hill still feels he has a long way to go, according to David Furones. Hill is trying to make his way back from the serious left knee injury he suffered last September, when he dislocated the knee and tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL. He underwent two surgeries and was released by Miami in February after failing a physical. Hill had 21 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown in four games before the injury last season. There is still a path to a 2026 return, but this latest update makes September look increasingly unrealistic. For fantasy managers, Hill is a speculative stash in deeper leagues rather than someone to draft with an early-season role in mind.
Source: David Furones
Source: David Furones
