RADIO
DeMario Douglas "Has Become Nearly Automatic" Against Man Coverage
New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas has the type of can't-cover-in-a-phonebooth shiftiness that has allowed him to thrive in each of his four training camps since being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he has never had the level of surrounding talent he now finds himself with, and Patriots senior reporter Evan Lazar believes his skill set makes a ton of sense for a featured role out of the slot. Douglas has been a mainstay in three-receiver sets throughout camp, and Lazar notes that he has been "nearly automatic" against man coverage. He caught only 31 passes for 447 yards in 2025, but with Stefon Diggs no longer on the roster, the 25-year-old profiles as the team's most prototypical slot receiver, and he could find important chain-moving work in what again projects to be one of the league's highest-scoring offenses. At RotoBaller's WR99, he is not a player likely to be drafted in most 2026 leagues, but with the Patriots opening the NFL season in primetime with a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks, a strong start to his season could make Douglas a popular Week 2 waiver wire pickup.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
More RB3 Reps For Demond Claiborne
Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne appears to have a solid hold of the RB3 role after starting Friday's game against the Denver Broncos. The rookie rushed eight times for only 21 yards in a 34-6 loss, but he played alongside a heavily limited Vikings offense that played mostly reserves, including fourth quarterback Max Brosmer for most of the night. Neither Aaron Jones Sr. nor Jordan Mason played, but Claiborne featured first without them, suggesting he'll be the third running back ahead of special teams ace Zavier Scott. Claiborne, who also returned kicks Friday, is mostly a dynasty stash for now, but he could be a waiver wire factor in redraft leagues should either Mason or Jones miss extended time.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tua Tagovailoa May Have Shown Just Enough When Most Needed
Starting against his former team, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had his ups and downs in the team's final outing of the preseason, a 17-12 win over the Miami Dolphins. He looked sharp on an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to open the night, and he finished the game with 95 passing yards and only one incompletion on eight attempts, but he also lost a fumble on an under-center snap on the second drive of the game, his second fumble in as many preseason games. Tagovailoa has struggled with consistency throughout his first training camp with the Falcons, unable to take advantage of the opportunity provided by Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) prolonged absence. Penix was recently cleared to participate in team drills, and while he did not suit up for the team's final preseason contest, he believes he will be ready for Atlanta's Week 1 matchup with the Steelers. Tagovailoa may have done just enough on Friday night to hold the starting job heading into the regular season, but with Penix in the third year of his rookie deal, the Falcons will soon be faced with a decision on his fifth-year option, all but ensuring he will at some point assume starting duties. Tagovailoa is RotoBaller's QB32 for 2026 and not a player who needs to be drafted.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ja'Seem Reed Leads Panthers Receivers in Final Push for a Roster Spot
An undrafted free agent in 2025, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed spent his rookie year on the practice squad, but after a solid training camp and another productive preseason outing, he has made a strong push for a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster. With the Panthers giving Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette the night off, the top of the depth chart appears settled, but an early training camp injury to third-round rookie Chris Brazzell II has left Reed among a handful of players battling to round out the room. Three or potentially four roster spots will come down to Reed, John Metchie III, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Brycen Tremayne, and by leading all Panthers pass-catchers with 37 yards in Friday's preseason win over the Texans, Reed continues to strengthen his case, now totaling 11 catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns through three preseason appearances. While there is likely little fantasy value to be found near the bottom of the Panthers' roster in a run-heavy offense, if Reed can make the team, he could eventually find himself an injury or two away from DFS relevance.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Max Brosmer's Future In Doubt After Preseason Finale
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer turned in a lackluster performance in the Vikings' final preseason game at Denver on Friday, which leaves the second-year quarterback on shaky ground as cutdown day approaches. Brosmer played the majority of snaps after J.J. McCarthy (ankle) was ruled out, finishing 20-for-35 for 165 yards and rushing once for one yard, but the Vikings failed to find the end zone in a 34-6 loss. Minnesota already named Kyler Murray the starter, and as it stands, also rosters Carson Wentz in addition to McCarthy. If the Vikings keep all three, Brosmer likely would be the odd man out. Even if the Vikings keep him on the 53-man roster, however, Brosmer is unlikely to have any fantasy relevance in 2026.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Audric Estime Looks Sharp While Battling for Important Depth Role
New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime is battling with Kendre Miller for a depth spot behind Travis Etienne Jr., a role made all the more important by the questions surrounding Alvin Kamara's (knee) early-season availability after the 10th-year veteran suffered an MCL injury early in training camp. In Friday night's preseason matchup with the Cowboys, both backs saw action, and it was Estime who led the team with 46 rushing yards on only four carries, setting up a first-half touchdown by bouncing off contact for an impressive 33-yard run to the Cowboys' 8-yard-line. He added 22 yards on three catches, and has now racked up 90 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown across his two pre-season appearances. After putting up nearly identical rushing stat lines a season ago, neither Estime nor Miller has truly separated, and should Kamara miss extended time, they could split carries behind Etienne. While neither is a particularly palatable fantasy option, Estime's involvement in the passing game at least has the potential to provide a usable floor in a worst-case scenario.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Hassan Haskins Could Power His Way into Patriots' RB3 Role
Veteran running back Hassan Haskins was a late training camp addition of the New England Patriots, but he has made an impression in his limited time with the team. In Thursday's preseason loss to the Browns, Haskins converted two short-yardage situations through hard running, and Patriots staff writer Evan Lazar believes the team's decision on the third running back spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) will come down to style of play. At 6'2" and 228 pounds, Haskins stands out as a physical complement to the two roster locks, but Lazar notes that if the Patriots value versatility and upside, the edge could still go to second-year player Lan Larison. The NFL's roster cutdown deadline is Sunday, and although Henderson's recent ankle injury has been downplayed, there's a chance that whoever earns the team's third running back spot could see more involvement early in the year.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Emeka Egbuka "Hopefully" Available for Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles met with the media on Saturday, and while he expressed hope that second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) will be ready for Week 1, further context suggests he could still be dealing with something significant. Team reporter Greg Auman points out the difference in language after Bowles told the media in the same session that he expects Jalen McMillan (knee) to be ready for the season opener while adding a "hopefully" to Egbuka's update. Bowles did say that he does not anticipate adding any additional receivers to offset the short-term injuries, but with the Buccaneers' first game of the season just over two weeks away, Egbuka's status will need to be monitored, particularly when the team is required to provide its first practice report the Wednesday before kickoff.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Jalen Milroe Delivers Solid Outing on Friday
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe had the opportunity to play a full game in Week 3 of the preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs. He delivered 223 passing yards and a touchdown, along with 20 rushing yards on seven carries. This performance came after a fair amount of average play from Milroe throughout the preseason. As a developmental prospect, it is great to see that Milroe is making progress. It does not mean much for fantasy at the moment. At best, Milroe will be the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart. It remains to be seen if Milroe will receive any playing time in rushing packages this season, a concept the Seahawks abandoned in 2025. Either way, he will not have any fantasy value for the foreseeable future.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jacardia Wright Inefficient in Preseason Finale
Seattle Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright led the team in rushing in the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. Wright recorded 33 rushing yards on 15 carries, and he added one reception for 11 yards. Wright's presence in the game suggests that he is relatively low on the depth chart. Seattle did not even really play its No. 2 offense on Friday. Wright is not currently listed in the top four on the depth chart, suggesting that he is a cut candidate for the team. However, Wright was effective in preseason Week 2 with 81 rushing yards on eight carries. He is likely competing with Emanuel Wilson for a roster spot. Should Wright make the team, he could be a name to watch as the Seahawks sort out their running back hierarchy before Zach Charbonnet (knee) returns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Emmanuel Henderson Jr. Impresses in Preseason Finale
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. caught three passes for 58 yards in Seattle's preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday. Henderson has been relatively quiet throughout the preseason, but the rookie took a nice step forward on Friday. Seattle has a deep stable of wide receivers behind Jaxson Smith-Njigba. As a sixth-round draft pick in 2026, Henderson will hope to be a part of the equation for Seattle this season. With uncertainty surrounding Tory Horton's undisclosed injury and Jake Bobo (knee) done for the season, Seattle will be looking for other players to step up. Henderson should not be on the fantasy radar yet, but he is a talented prospect to keep an eye on.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cody White Leads Seahawks in Receiving on Friday
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cody White hauled in three passes for 69 yards on Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs. White has been with Seattle since 2023, primarily in a special teams capacity. His services will likely be necessary with Jake Bobo (knee) done for the season. His performance on Friday was encouraging for his chances to make the team. Given his role on special teams, he should be a part of the Seahawks' equation for the coming season. He should be nowhere near fantasy rosters, but White's potential presence on the roster will be interesting to see how it affects the ability of talented young players such as Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and Montorie Foster Jr. to make the active roster.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Makai Lemon Struggles to Shake Off the Rust in Preseason Debut
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon missed the team's first two preseason games while dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for much of training camp, and in Friday night's loss to the Bengals, he struggled to shake off the rust despite a concerted effort to get him involved early. Lemon was targeted five times in his first professional game, ending his night with three yards on three receptions, but he also muffed a punt and had a drop that led to an interception. "I'm glad it happened in the preseason, so come around September, those things won't happen," he said after the game. Expectations were high after the team traded up to select Lemon with the 20th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but his prolonged absence allowed Dontayvion Wicks to emerge as the team's second receiver alongside DeVonta Smith, and the rookie will need to spend the early weeks of the season playing catch-up as he looks to carve out a primary slot role. At RotoBaller's WR46, he is still a player to take a swing on in 2026 drafts with the understanding that his best production is likely to come later in the year.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dohnte Meyers has Another Team-Leading Performance
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers has been one of the best stories out of training camp, and in Friday's preseason win over the Eagles, he turned in another strong performance in his push to earn a role behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Playing on only the first drive of the night, Meyers caught three passes for 51 yards, with head coach Zac Taylor saying after the game, "He's trying to take advantage of the opportunity. He's done a great job of that." An undrafted free agent out of Division II Delta State, Meyers played the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League, but he finishes the 2026 preseason with a team-leading 121 receiving yards on 11 receptions, and he has a realistic chance not only to make the team but to find early-season involvement in what has long been a top-heavy receiver room.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Packers "Fully Anticipate" Josh Jacobs Will Remain on Roster
One day after Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was formally charged with two misdemeanors stemming from an alleged incident that led to his arrest in May, head coach Matt LaFleur addressed his standing with the team. "Well, I fully anticipate him being a member of our team," LaFleur told the media on Friday. "You've got to let everything play out," he continued. "But I anticipate him being a member of our football team." Jacobs was charged with battery and criminal damage to property, and the NFL does not need to wait for the legal process to play out before deciding whether to suspend him, with a league spokesperson saying on Wednesday that his case "remains under review." When healthy and available, Jacobs is one of the biggest fantasy difference-makers at the position, but uncertainty around his situation has pushed him to RB16 by current ADP.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
