RADIO
How Concerned Should Fantasy Managers Be About Rashee Rice?
After an encouraging rookie season in 2023, injuries and off-field issues have limited Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice to just 12 games over the last two seasons. After serving a six-game suspension to begin 2025, Rice recorded 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 78 targets across eight games. However, Rice finished the year on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. He hasn't exactly had the greatest offseason leading into 2026, as he spent time in jail due to a failed drug test and also underwent knee surgery. If Rice can stay on the field in 2026, he carries top-12 fantasy wide receiver upside in PPR-scoring formats. However, Rice's persistent injury concerns and the ever-present risk posed by his off-field issues make him an extremely risky selection for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denzel Boston is Gaining Traction After Strong Showing in Camp
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston has been one of the most impressive players in this offense during training camp. The Browns are extremely pleased with the results they've been getting from the second-round rookie. According to the Browns' unofficial depth chart, Boston is listed as a starting wideout alongside Jerry Jeudy. The Browns don't have many viable options to count on as pass-catchers, so both Boston and fellow rookie KC Concepcion could play significant roles right away. The 22-year-old is looking like a sleeper target in the late rounds during redraft formats. It might take some time, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Boston makes a big impact in Cleveland this upcoming season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jared Goff Offers Top Late-Round Value
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff isn't going to be the first QB taken off the draft board in fantasy leagues. The strong value of Goff is sometimes forgotten, which could be a benefit to fantasy managers. This past season, Goff threw for over 4,500 passing yards with 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The 31-year-old has finished within the top-10 at his position for four straight years. Despite continuing to play above expectations, Goff is sometimes pushed to the side during fantasy drafts. The veteran quarterback is an excellent late-round option with a high floor given the talent in Detroit and past performances.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Deebo Samuel Sr. Could Shine in San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is back with the organization and is ready to make an impact. Samuel spent the first six years of his career in San Francisco before heading to the Washington Commanders last season. The 30-year-old posted decent stats, 72 receptions with 727 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in 16 games. The hope is that a return to a familiar place in San Francisco will give Samuel a boost this upcoming season. Samuel is familiar with both the staff and playbook in San Francisco, which is always a good thing. The 49ers are already banged up before the season starts, which could give Samuel a boost as well. Sometimes, Samuel is a forgotten man, but he has the potential to be a top-20 player at his position.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dalton Schultz has Path to No. 2 Receiving Role
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is coming off one of the best seasons of his eight-year professional career. This past season, Schultz recorded a career-high 82 receptions with 777 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. The 30-year-old saw a career-high 106 targets, and he actually might be able to top that this upcoming season. The Texans did little to improve this receiving room outside of adding wideout Kayshon Boutte. Nico Collins is the No. 1 option in this offense, but the No. 2 job is up for grabs right now. Schultz showed last season that he's capable of being a top-10 player at his position. Given the lack of viable options, Schultz could become the No. 2 option in the passing game in 2026.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Mark Sanchez to Plead Guilty in Assault Case
Former FOX Sports analyst and NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez plans to plead guilty rather than continue with a trial next week stemming from an October fight with a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel, according to court records that were filed on Thursday. Online records do not indicate which charges Sanchez plans to plead guilty to. He faces a felony battery charge, along with three misdemeanor charges, for what prosecutors have said was a fight over parking. Sanchez and FOX Sports also face a civil lawsuit filed by the truck driver, Perry Tole. "We are pleased with the constructive and professional conversations we've had with Mr. Sanchez's team," attorney Matt Golitko, who represents Tole, said in a statement. "Our discussions have been productive, and we're on a positive path toward an agreement that will allow the parties to move forward. Mr. Tole appreciates the progress we have achieved and looks forward to an amicable resolution." Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, allegedly accosted Tole before Tole doused Sanchez with pepper spray and stabbed him in his upper right torso. FOX Sports replaced Sanchez with former QB Drew Brees last November.
Source: The Associated Press
Source: The Associated Press
Kenny Gainwell Could See Larger Workload
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell was brought in to be additional depth in the backfield this upcoming season. The Bucs have Bucky Irving as their lead back, but that doesn't mean that Gainwell won't be involved. Gainwell received a two-year, $14 million deal from the Bucs this past offseason. He'll likely fill the pass-catching role in the backfield similar to what Rachaad White did the past few years. Given the injuries the Bucs are facing right now, Gainwell might be asked to do more than expected early in the season. Both Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) are banged up heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs could lean on Gainwell more as a receiving option if the Bucs are limited early in the year. The 27-year-old is looking like an intriguing PPR option heading into Week 1.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Travis Hunter Trending Toward Full-Time Corner, Backup Receiver
Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter appears to be headed toward being a full-time cornerback and a part-time receiver in 2026, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. Hunter spent practice time at both corner and receiver in the first few weeks of training camp, although he did get more snaps on defense. However, over the last two weeks of camp, there was a "noticeable shift," as Hunter began to spend the "vast majority of his time at cornerback" with only a few reps on offense. It signals that the Jaguars will use the former Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado as a starting cornerback in Week 1 and then as a rotational player on offense. The current structure of the team's roster makes Hunter more valuable at defensive back than as a receiver. The 23-year-old former second overall pick is an elite athlete with perhaps the best overall ball skills on the team, but he will take a back seat on offense to Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., and Jakobi Meyers. Hunter caught 28 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown in seven games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending knee injury. His transition to more of a full-time defender in 2026 has caused him to go undrafted in some 12-team fantasy leagues this summer.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Cam Skattebo Could See 20-Plus Carries Per Game
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo suffered a gruesome dislocated ankle injury that ended his rookie season after just seven games last year, but that might not stop new head coach John Harbaugh from giving the second-year back a heavy workload in 2026, according to Chris Bumbaca of USA Today Sports. "We talk a lot. When he walks up to me and tells me, 'Are you ready for 20-plus carries a game?' I think I'm in a pretty good spot," Skattebo said. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder from Arizona State admitted that he briefly considered retirement after his injury last year, but Skattebo is back in the fold for his sophomore season and figures to lead the G-Men in backfield touches, even with Tyrone Tracy Jr. (neck) and Najee Harris being involved. Skattebo averaged 19.5 touches per game in his first eight contests in 2025, rushing for 410 yards and five touchdowns on 101 rushing attempts. He also added 24 receptions for 207 yards and another two scores. His three-down upside is evident, and if he sees 20-plus touches a game, Skattebo could approach RB1 territory in Year 2. RotoBaller has Skattebo ranked as the No. 21 fantasy back.
Source: USA Today Sports - Chris Bumbaca
Source: USA Today Sports - Chris Bumbaca
Cowboys Could be Mindful of Javonte Williams' Workload
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams enjoyed a career year in 2025 in his first year in Dallas, carrying the ball 252 times for 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 starts. He added 35 receptions on 51 targets for 137 yards and another two touchdowns as a receiver. The Cowboys and fantasy managers are expecting something similar for an encore in 2026 behind a strong offensive line. However, The Dallas Morning News' Joseph Hoyt reports that the Cowboys mentioned that they "wanted to be conscientious of the tread he was putting on his tires." Hoyt thinks that Williams getting back to the 252-carry mark from a year ago "feels like a stretch," and Dallas could lean more on No. 2 back Malik Davis. Still, Hoyt has Williams projected for another 1,000-yard season with nine rushing touchdowns on 215 carries. Fantasy managers selecting Williams as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 would be fine with that final stat line. RotoBaller currently has the former Denver Broncos RB ranked as the No. 12 overall option at his position.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
George Pickens to be Best Cowboys Receiver Again in 2026?
The Dallas Morning News' Joseph Hoyt predicts that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens will have a better fantasy football season in 2026 than CeeDee Lamb for the second straight year. Hoyt projects Pickens to come down with 90 catches, 1,380 yards, and 12 touchdowns after the 25-year-old caught 93 of 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns as a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025 in his first year with the Cowboys. Pickens was late to some team meetings and did not always appear to be locked in, but teammates and coaches have said he has been different as he heads into a contract year. The former second-rounder by the Pittsburgh Steelers has continued to make plays in training camp and looks as comfortable as ever in a pass-happy offense. It might be difficult for Pickens to outproduce Lamb for a second straight season, but even if he doesn't, he should have a pretty high fantasy floor. RotoBaller has Pickens ranked as the No. 8 fantasy WR for 2026, with Lamb coming in at No. 5. If Pickens stays healthy, he should have another big season.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
Jalen Hurts Buying into New Eagles Offense
The "feedback internally has been positive" in regard to how Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has acclimated to offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's new West Coast-style system, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. Mannion's system is a significant departure from how the Eagles' offense has operated in the past under head coach Nick Sirianni, and it involves a "heavy under-center operation." Passing-game coordinator Josh Grizzard has described it as a "timing-based aerial attack" that will require Hurts to have consistent footwork and trust in his receivers to be in the right place at the right time. It has not been perfect this summer as Hurts adjusts to the new scheme -- he threw double-digit interceptions during training camp -- while making more over-the-middle throws. McManus concludes by saying that the consensus is that Hurts is "bought in and fighting hard through the learning curve." Despite the Eagles offense struggling last year, Hurts threw for a career-high 25 touchdowns and added 421 rushing yards and eight rushing scores to remain a top-10 fantasy QB. With improved offensive-line play, the three-time Pro Bowler has a chance to be even better in this new offense, giving him clear top-five QB upside in fantasy football.
Source: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
Source: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
Kayshon Boutte Developing Chemistry With New QB
Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said he has been working every day to build chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud after he was acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots, according to Cole Thompson of Texans Wire. "Big playmaking ability. Whether it's short routes, mid-routes, deep routes, go ball, I'm going to always build that trust every day with C.J. [Stroud]," Boutte said when asked about what he brings to Houston's offense. The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder by New England in 2023 from LSU was buried on the Pats' WR depth chart this summer after offseason additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, but in Houston, he is expected to operate as the WR2 behind Nico Collins after Jayden Higgins (knee) was ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL. Boutte never reached 600 receiving yards in three seasons with the Patriots, but he did score a career-high six times on 33 receptions in 14 regular-season games in 2025. He will have to hold off Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, and eventually Tank Dell (knee), but with more opportunities coming in his new digs, Boutte is in play as a late-round flier at WR.
Source: Texans Wire - Cole Thompson
Source: Texans Wire - Cole Thompson
A.J. Brown Primed for Resurgent Season as Focal Point of Passing Game
Entering his first season with the team in 2026, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown looks like the clear focal point of his team's passing game. Even in a tumultuous 2025 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, in which he publicly agitated for more targets and a larger role, Brown recorded 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 games. With the Patriots, Brown should be rejuvenated and could have a chance to get back to his peak form, when he recorded 2,952 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns across two seasons with the Eagles in 2022 and 2023. Brown's profile carries some risk for fantasy managers, as he's entering his age-29 season and has missed six games over the past two years due to knee and hamstring injuries. Still, Brown is in a strong position in New England to recapture his top-12 fantasy WR status.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Flournoy an Intriguing Late-Round Target Amidst Training Camp Buzz
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy established a role in his team's passing game in 2025, recording 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets across 16 games (four starts). Flournoy has a pair of high-volume target earners ahead of him on the Cowboys wide receiver depth chart in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, which may make it difficult for him to provide consistently fantasy-relevant production. However, Flournoy routinely garnered praise from both Cowboys coaches and reporters for his work throughout training camp and the preseason. If either Lamb or Pickens goes down with an injury for any stretch of time in 2026, Flournoy could immediately step into a high-value role in Dallas. As a late-round draft target, Flournoy should be on the radar of fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
