May 12, 2026, 4:21 PM ET

A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough flashed high-end upside down the stretch of his rookie year. Over his last five games of the season, Shough threw for 1,316 yards and five touchdowns while adding 133 yards and three scores as a rusher. The 26-year-old now enters his second NFL season as the unquestioned starter in New Orleans and should be working with a significantly upgraded supporting cast. The Saints used the number eight overall pick in the 2026 draft on wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and signed free agent running back Travis Etienne to a big-money contract in free agency. Shough will have to prove he can produce over the course of a full season, but he appears to be well-positioned for a breakout in year two. In dynasty formats, Shough could emerge as a borderline QB1 as early as the 2026 season.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 4:12 PM ET

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) was limited to just seven games played in 2025 by a knee injury that landed him on Injured Reserve in November. Before getting hurt, the 25-year-old recorded 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets and appeared to be on his way to his fourth consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards. While Wilson has been a productive player to this point in his career, his fantasy ceiling has been limited by consistently substandard supporting casts around him in New York. Wilson is expected to be fully healthy for the start of 2026 and remains the clear number one target in the Jets' passing game. However, New York is entering yet another season with an uncertain situation at quarterback, with veteran Geno Smith set to open the year as the team's starter after a brutal year with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. The Jets also added a pair of first-round pass-catchers in the 2026 NFL Draft in tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr., both of whom could steal a few targets from Wilson. In dynasty formats, Wilson's production upside remains limited until the Jets find a long-term answer at quarterback.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 3:01 PM ET

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that rookie third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst is a "true X" receiver, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Robinson also said there are "so many things" that he likes about Hurst, who has an exciting skill set and great instincts. The 21-year-old product of Georgia State only played two seasons in college, but he has the size (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) and speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) to make noise at the next level in an offense that lost future Hall of Famer Mike Evans in free agency. In his two seasons at Georgia State, Hurst caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will primarily be competing with Jalen McMillan for the WR3 role in 2026 behind Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, but his physical attributes make him a bit more intriguing long-term than McMillan. RotoBaller has Hurst ranked as the No. 73 dynasty pass-catcher, two spots below McMillan.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith

May 12, 2026, 1:15 PM ET

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell "can match each other" in terms of their similar skill sets out of the backfield, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. The Bucs let Rachaad White walk in free agency this offseason, but they added Gainwell to their RB room after the 27-year-old broke out with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 with 114 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns, adding 73 receptions (85 targets) for 486 yards and three more TDs as a pass-catcher in 17 regular-season games. Irving only played in 10 games in his second NFL season due to injuries, but the 23-year-old was efficient as a pass-catcher as well, recording 277 yards and three TDs on his 30 receptions. As long as he stays on the field, Irving is expected to be utilized as Tampa's lead back in 2026, with Gainwell serving in the third-down, pass-catching role. Both will be fantasy relevant, with Irving ranking as RotoBaller's No. 16 dynasty RB, and Gainwell checking in as the No. 45 RB. In PPR leagues, Gainwell will be much more expensive after ranking fifth among RBs in catches.--Keith Hernandez
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman

May 12, 2026, 12:57 PM ET

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will settle into the "Z" role primarily on the outside in 2026 after playing multiple spots as a rookie in 2025, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Egbuka, the 19th overall pick in 2025 out of Ohio State, bounced around inside and outside in his first year in the NFL due to injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. The 23-year-old now figures to mostly play outside this year, though, with Evans now in San Francisco. Third-round rookie Ted Hurst is more of a "true X" wideout, which will allow the Bucs to use Egbuka on the outside more, with Godwin in the slot. The 23-year-old Egbuka was a best in his first five NFL games, catching 25 passes for 445 yards and five touchdowns, but he caught just one more TD the rest of the way and dealt with a hamstring injury to finish his rookie campaign with a 63-938-6 line in 17 games (13 starts). With Evans now gone, Egbuka will have an opportunity to rise as Tampa's WR1 in 2026 and beyond, making him a top-12 dynasty receiver.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith

May 12, 2026, 12:23 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson's dynasty value has plummeted over the last few months. Benson was once seen as the potential successor to James Conner in Arizona -- and, at the very least, an extremely valuable handcuff. However, the Cardinals' new coaching staff brought in two new running backs this season, bumping Benson to fourth on the depth chart. Rookie Jeremiyah Love should take over the lead-back role right away, and Conner and Tyler Allgeier will both carve out significant workloads, too. That leaves Benson on the outside looking in, and we can't rule out the possibility of him being a healthy scratch on gamedays. If that happens, managers in shallower dynasty leagues could justify dropping him. At this point, the ideal outcome for fantasy managers would be Benson getting traded to a team that uses him as a true backup. That way, he would maintain his appeal as a handcuff while offering occasional standalone RB3/flex value. For now, though, he remains on the Cardinals' roster, and his outlook is bleak. He has fallen to #59 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty running back rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 11:59 AM ET

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward showed flashes of upside as a rookie last season, but fantasy managers will look for him to take a significant Year 2 leap in 2026. Ward didn't miss a snap until Week 18 last year, finishing the season with a 59.8% completion rate, 3,169 passing yards, and 159 rushing yards. Between throwing and running, he had 17 touchdowns and 14 turnovers. Cleaning up the turnovers will be a key area of focus for Ward, and he should benefit from being coached by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who helped Jaxson Dart turn in a fantastic rookie season. The former No. 1 pick will also hit the field with a drastically upgraded wide receiver room that now features Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson, in addition to returners Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike. With improved coaching and weapons at his disposal, Ward seems like a prime candidate to break out in his second season. He's a very appealing "buy" in dynasty leagues this offseason, given that he still has top-12 quarterback upside long-term.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 11:34 AM ET

New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has long-term upside in dynasty fantasy football, but managers should prepare for the possibility that he doesn't break out right away as a rookie. The Jets are expected to experience some growing pains this season with Geno Smith at quarterback. Smith had a miserable season in Las Vegas last year, and we question whether he'll be able to support a fantasy-relevant season from Omar Cooper Jr. when he already has Garrett Wilson as his WR1. With that being said, Cooper has proven himself as a winning receiver since he played for the national champion Indiana Hoosiers. He also has long-term appeal in dynasty leagues, because it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Jets will spend a top pick on a quarterback next year. A talented, young quarterback could be exactly what Cooper needs to emerge as a reliable fantasy option, even if Wilson remains the top target. As a result, Cooper is the WR5 in RotoBaller's rookie rankings and the WR37 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 11:21 AM ET

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was a top prospect in this year's NFL Draft, and his landing spot could be conducive to a top-12 finish in fantasy football. Tyson ended up with the Saints, where he should start every game opposite Chris Olave. New Orleans' offense is trending in the right direction under offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore. Quarterback Tyler Shough had a fantastic rookie season, Travis Etienne Jr. was added to the backfield, and Tyson and Olave could end up being the best wide receiver duo in the NFC South. We're not too worried about target share, either, as Shough averaged 35 pass attempts per game following the bye week last year, and that number could increase in 2026. Tyson may initially produce slightly less than Olave, but we wouldn't be surprised to see an even split (or even see Tyson win the top role) by season's end, especially given Olave's concussion history. All in all, Tyson will push to be the top-scoring receiver in the 2026 rookie class, both short-term and long-term. His biggest competition is presumably Carnell Tate, the Titans' first-round pick, who may initially face some growing pains as Cameron Ward continues to develop.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 11:11 AM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins wasn't the flashiest name last season, but he still managed to finish as the WR8 in PPR leagues. That was the best mark of his career, and it was the second time that he finished among the top 12 receivers in the last three years. He had 71 catches, 1,117 yards, and six touchdowns, and he presumably would have ranked even higher if he hadn't missed two games due to injury. Collins managed to produce at a high level despite the inconsistent quarterback play of C.J. Stroud, who had a shaky third season. If Stroud doesn't bounce back in 2026 and beyond, it's encouraging to know that Collins can still be a top-12 receiver with iffy quarterback play. However, if Stroud does have a big year, then Collins has legitimate top-five upside in both redraft and dynasty leagues. He's a firm "hold" for now, and he ranks as RotoBaller's dynasty WR11 at the moment.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

Despite playing in only two playoff games as a rookie in 2025, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland's 25 postseason targets trailed only Puka Nacua, while only Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba amassed more receiving yards. Standing out from a loaded group of pass catchers when the games mattered most certainly drew the attention of dynasty managers, and with the Bears thinning their pass-catching ranks this offseason by trading away veteran DJ Moore, Loveland has become one of the most sought-after assets in fantasy. Loveland's 25 targets against the Packers and Rams were more than All-Pro Trey McBride saw over any two-game stretch in a year in which he broke the tight end reception record. While accuracy issues from quarterback Caleb Williams limited the impact of some of that raw volume, the former first overall pick is expected to take another step forward in his second season in Ben Johnson's offense, potentially elevating the entire Chicago offense. With the passing game expected to run through Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III, the second-year tight end has risen to RotoBaller's dynasty TE3, and at only 22 years old, he is already knocking on the door of the fantasy elite.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 9:48 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers finished the 2025 season with career highs of 86 receptions and 1,211 yards, while his five touchdown grabs matched the previous high mark from his rookie campaign, good enough to land him as the WR7 in Half-PPR formats. With quarterback Lamar Jackson missing four games and hampered in several others, Baltimore's passing offense ranked in the bottom five of the league, but a weak receiver room allowed Flowers to rack up a 30% target share. The Ravens have experienced some offseason shakeups that make Flowers' continued success more challenging to predict, but the path still exists for the 25-year-old former first-round pick to continue rising in dynasty rankings. Baltimore spent third and fourth-round picks to strengthen the receiver room with USC's Ja'Kobi Lane and Indiana's Elijah Sarratt, but new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has stated a clear goal of making the offense more explosive in 2026. With Jackson topping 4,100 passing yards as recently as 2024, Flowers has the opportunity to match his raw production from last season even if his target share takes a hit. At RotoBaller's WR26, Flowers is potentially still undervalued as the clear WR1 in an offense led by a perennial MVP-contender.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. was on the field a surprising amount for a seventh-round rookie, with his superior pass blocking leading to more offensive snaps than his fourth-round teammate Bhayshul Tuten. While his opportunities were still limited, touching the ball only 33 times in year one, the path to a larger workload is there for 2026. With the Jaguars saying goodbye to Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency, the backfield is set to be turned over to the two youngsters and free agent acquisition Chris Rodriguez Jr. Having seen more than 160 targets across his last three seasons in Jacksonville, Etienne's absence creates a major vacuum in the passing game, and while Allen made only 10 catches as a rookie, that's four more than Rodriguez has accumulated in his three-year career. After leaving Syracuse as arguably the most accomplished receiving back in a loaded 2025 draft class, Allen could handle the primary pass-catching duties in what profiles to be a high-powered Liam Coen offense. At RotoBaller's dynasty RB90, he's seen his value steadily rise throughout the offseason, but given the fantasy-friendly opportunity that could be in front of him, it's possible Allen is still being severely undervalued.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 9:24 AM ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has had one of the strangest paths to begin an NFL career in recent memory, first falling to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft before making the Pro Bowl as a rookie despite throwing only seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions and completing fewer than 57% of his passes. With the Browns clearing house this offseason, Sanders will need to impress new head coach Todd Monken to reclaim the starting job with which he finished his rookie campaign. While Dillon Gabriel came off the board two rounds earlier than Sanders and was given the earlier crack at starting duties, and the team also spent a sixth-rounder in 2026 on developmental prospect Taylen Green, the early presumption is that the starting job will eventually go to either Sanders or veteran Deshaun Watson. Monken has stated that he would like to have a starter in place by the beginning of training camp. While some reports have suggested that Watson could have the initial edge, the former first-round pick of the Houston Texans has not thrown a pass in an NFL game since Week 7 of the 2024 season, and he is the only quarterback on the roster whose contract does not extend past 2026. At RotoBaller's QB34, Sanders should be viewed as a dynasty hold who could work his way back into a starting role or even see a bump to his value should the Browns opt to move him to another quarterback-needy team.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 12, 2026, 9:12 AM ET

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins ran with power and purpose in 2025 before a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula ended his rookie season. Even with the presumption of full health heading into year two, there were still concerns that his fantasy ceiling could be capped in a pedestrian Cleveland offense. With the Browns committing heavily to one side of the ball in the 2026 NFL Draft, many of those concerns have been assuaged, and Judkins has risen to RB12 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. With the ninth overall pick, Cleveland made Utah's Spencer Fano the first offensive lineman off the board before spending its next two picks on receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. With 2025 breakout tight end Harold Fannin Jr. already in the mix, the Browns have assembled the pieces of what could be a potent offense, putting Judkins in a far more favorable position if the team can overcome what again projects to be below-average quarterback play. Judkins ran for 827 yards as a rookie, but with defenses often keying on him, only 11.1% of that total came before contact. The additions made by Cleveland through the draft should help to open more space, and if the team can find a quarterback fix through one of the four players currently on the roster or in a loaded 2027 draft class, Judkins' hard-running consistency could soon make him a dynasty running back worth building around.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller