RADIO
Sam LaPorta Poised for Resurgent Season with Improved Health Outlook
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta's 2025 campaign came to a premature end after he suffered a back injury in Week 10 that ultimately required season-ending surgery. The 25-year-old was productive before getting hurt, recording 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets across nine games played. LaPorta gave fantasy managers a scare when he suffered a hip injury that caused him to miss some time this summer. However, the young tight end was able to return to practice and looks to be on track to start the regular season fully healthy. Between wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, as well as running back Jahmyr Gibbs, LaPorta faces plenty of target competition in Detroit. Still, the Lions enter the year with questions on defense and a new-look offensive line, both of which could force them to turn to the air early and often in 2026. As long as LaPorta remains healthy, he could be poised for a bounce-back season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Rising Amidst Preseason Buzz in Jacksonville
After recording 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries across 11 games for the Washington Commanders in 2025, veteran running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. signed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for 2026. In Jacksonville, Rodriguez Jr. looks to be competing with second-year back Bhayshul Tuten for the team's RB1 role. While Tuten flashed more explosive upside during his rookie campaign with the Jags, recent reporting out of Jacksonville indicates that Rodriguez Jr. is playing well in practice. The 25-year-old profiles as the more physical runner of Jacksonville's top two backs, which could help earn the majority of the goal-line work. Rodriguez Jr. could also be the Jaguars' top pass-protecting back, particularly while third-down specialist LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) is sidelined by a soft-tissue injury. As a later-round pick in many drafts, Rodriguez Jr. could end up being a value selection for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Olave Has a Clear Path to Massive Early-Season Target Share
After an injury-marred 2024 campaign, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave re-emerged as a high-end pass-catcher in 2025. Across 16 games, the 26-year-old recorded 100 catches for 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets. Olave finished the season on an absolute tear while playing alongside then-rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, recording 24 catches for 352 yards and four touchdowns across his final three games played. Entering 2026, Olave and Shough look well-positioned to continue building on the chemistry they formed at the end of last season. With Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) starting the year on Injured Reserve, Olave also appears poised to dominate target share in New Orleans, at least early on. Particularly in PPR-scoring formats, Olave carries top-12 fantasy wide receiver upside into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Warren Should Still Have Significant Role in Pittsburgh
ESPN's Dan Graziano believes that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren will still have a "significant" backfield role in 2026 after the team signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year, $12.25 million deal in free agency. New head coach Mike McCarthy will not be shy about giving Dowdle most of the early-down carries, but Graziano reminds us that Warren caught 61 passes on 74 targets in his second year in the league in Pittsburgh in 2023. His 61 receptions that year are 22 more than Dowdle has ever had in a season, and last year's pass-catching back in the Steel City, Kenny Gainwell, broke out with 73 catches. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to want to check the ball down some more to avoid sacks, and the recipient of those check-downs will be Warren in 2026. In his four-year NFL career, the 27-year-old Warren has 167 catches on 199 targets for 1,227 yards (7.3 yards per catch) and two touchdowns (both in 2025). He will be the team's primary pass-catching outlet, which will make him a PPR sleeper as an RB3/flex as he shares the backfield with Dowdle.
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Primed to Begin WR1 Campaign on Wednesday Night
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a league-winner across all formats in the 2025 season. The former Ohio State standout smashed his ADP, finishing as the overall WR2, joining Puka Nacua as the only players at his position to average more than 20.0 PPR points per game. He would catch 119 of his 163 targets (fourth-most in football) for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. During the regular season, he would only fall below double-digit PPR points in one game (Week 13) and would eclipse the 25.0 PPR point mark in five contests. On Wednesday night, Smith-Njigba and the reigning Super Bowl champions will host the New England Patriots, whom they faced in last February's season finale. In this contest, Smith-Njigba was relatively quiet, catching only four of his 10 targets for a mere 27 yards. However, despite the modest effort, Smith-Njigba enters the 2026 season as the clear alpha of this WR room and should draw a massive target share against this New England defense. Smith-Njigba carries elite upside at his position, even though his matchup on paper is a bit tough, facing a New England secondary that allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards last season. He profiles as the definition of a must-start in all season-long formats and is a top play in all DFS single-game showdown competitions.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Has More Working in His Favor This Year
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey has a much better setup heading into his third season. His numbers slipped last year, going from 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie to 66 catches for 789 yards and six scores. The Chargers responded by moving on from Greg Roman and bringing in Mike McDaniel to run the offense. McDaniel's use of motion, spacing and quicker throws should suit McConkey, who was at his best as a rookie when he could find space and create after the catch. There's also a chunk of work available after Keenan Allen led Los Angeles with 122 targets and 81 receptions last season before departing. Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris will still be involved, but McConkey enters the year as one of Justin Herbert's primary options. He also got through training camp after dealing with a hamstring strain during the spring. McConkey checks in at WR15 on RotoBaller's latest rankings, and the change in offensive direction gives him a good shot to rebound after last year's quieter season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rico Dowdle More Likely for Early-Down Work in Pittsburgh
ESPN's Dan Graziano does not think anyone should be surprised if Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has a third straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2026 in his first year with the Steelers. Dowdle's first 1,000-yard season came in 2024 with the Dallas Cowboys, when Mike McCarthy was the head coach. He is now the Steelers' head coach, and he knows Dowdle can be his lead back. Graziano's understanding is that Dowdle "is more likely to get early-down work" ahead of Jaylen Warren. Graziano does not think McCarthy will be shy about giving Dowdle plenty of work after he averaged 20.3 carries per game over the final seven games of the 2024 season in Dallas. He had a combined 471 carries over the last two seasons with the Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, and he made it a point to sign a two-year, $12.25 million deal with Pittsburgh so that he could have a real chance to be the RB1. Warren will still have a significant role, mostly as a pass-catcher, which means that Dowdle will be a better low-end RB2/high-end RB3 target in standard-scoring fantasy leagues in 2026. The 28-year-old has back-to-back seasons of exactly 39 receptions, but that number should drop with Warren handling most of the pass-catching work in the Steel City.
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Keaton Mitchell Missing Another Practice
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) was not practicing on Thursday during the portion open to the media, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was working off to the side with a trainer, and he has now missed six straight practices. It is unclear what the 24-year-old is dealing with as the start of the 2026 regular season quickly approaches, and Mitchell's status for the Week 1 contest on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Arizona Cardinals is now in question. If Mitchell is limited or out to begin the year, second-year back Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal will both have higher fantasy ceilings against Arizona. A former undrafted free agent from East Carolina, Mitchell played in just 26 games (two starts) in his first three NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens due to injuries, although he has always been an intriguing big-play threat out of the backfield with explosive tendencies. When Mitchell, Hampton, and Vidal are all healthy in 2026, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel plans for them all to have a role, although Hampton is the clear favorite to lead the Bolts in backfield touches. Mitchell's fantasy ceiling and floor will not be very high unless Hampton misses time with an injury, but Mitchell himself must get healthy first. RotoBaller has him ranked as the RB46.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Jordan Addison's Outlook Improves With More Stability at Quarterback
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has a much better quarterback setup than he dealt with for most of 2025. Addison finished last season with career lows of 42 catches, 610 yards and three touchdowns on 79 targets while Minnesota cycled through J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. The Vikings have settled things down this summer, naming Kyler Murray the starter on Aug. 11. Addison was involved right away. He caught back-to-back corner routes from Murray during his first practice working exclusively with the starters, then moved the chains on an eight-yard catch from him in Minnesota's preseason opener. That's encouraging for a receiver who scored 19 touchdowns through his first two NFL seasons before dropping to three last year. Justin Jefferson will still dominate targets, and Jauan Jennings and T.J. Hockenson give the offense other proven options, so Addison isn't walking into huge volume. RotoBaller ranks Addison at WR35 in its latest half-PPR rankings. After a down 2025, the steadier quarterback situation gives Addison a real shot to get back into the weekly WR3 mix.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
TreVeyon Henderson Missing From Thursday's Practice
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) was missing from Thursday's practice due to an ongoing ankle injury that he suffered early last week, according to Evan Lazar of the team's official website. The Patriots have been saying that Henderson escaped a major injury, but after not practicing for the last 10 days, fantasy managers have to be wondering if the 23-year-old will be active for a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks next Wednesday night to kick off the 2026 regular season. The second-year back's ankle injury has caused Rhamondre Stevenson to jump ahead of him on most fantasy football draft boards as New England's RB1 to open the new season. After being taken in the second round in last year's draft out of Ohio State, Henderson had an impressive 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries in 17 regular-season games, adding 35 receptions for 221 yards and one receiving TD. But Henderson was barely used in the playoff run to the Super Bowl, and he had not taken the next step in pass protection in training camp before his ankle injury. It will be hard to recommend Henderson as an RB3/flex play if he is active next Wednesday against a strong Seattle backfield, with the chance that he is limited from a workload perspective while sharing the backfield with Stevenson.
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Garrett Wilson's Stock Rebounds After Healthy Summer
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson looks a lot easier to buy into after making it through the summer without any issues from the knee injury that derailed his 2025 season. Wilson played only seven games last year, finishing with 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets after opening his career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons. This summer has looked much more normal. He practiced throughout camp, aside from one illness-related absence, and caught three passes for 42 yards across two preseason appearances. The connection with new quarterback Geno Smith showed up repeatedly in practice, including a five-for-five stretch when Smith targeted Wilson during team work on Aug. 7. Wilson is still the clear No. 1 receiver on New York's depth chart, even with Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr. and a deeper group of pass catchers around him. RotoBaller has him at WR18 in its latest half-PPR rankings. After last year's lost season, a healthy Wilson looks like a solid WR2 with room to climb back toward the WR1 conversation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Makai Lemon's Rough Summer Has Cooled His Draft Appeal
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon came into the summer with a real shot to seize a major role right away, but things never quite got rolling. The No. 20 overall pick injured his hamstring on Aug. 3 and did not return to full participation until Aug. 24, costing him nearly three weeks of camp while Dontayvion Wicks made a push for work opposite DeVonta Smith. Lemon finally got on the field in the preseason finale against Cincinnati and looked rusty. He caught three of five targets for three yards, muffed a punt and had a drop that was intercepted. None of that changes why Philadelphia traded up for him after a 79-catch, 1,156-yard, 11-touchdown season at USC, and the Eagles say he is now fully healthy. It does make him harder to count on early. RotoBaller ranks Lemon WR48 in its September half-PPR rankings, which feels about right after a choppy August. There is still upside here, especially as the season goes on, but Lemon is better drafted as bench depth than as an immediate weekly option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Could be on Snap Count in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) traveled with the team to Australia for the Week 1 regular-season opener next Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but that does not mean that he will play a full game if he is active next week. If Kittle is active, The Athletic's Matt Barrows is "sure he won't be on the field for his usual 95 percent of the offensive snaps." The 49ers must consider the long ride back for Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the playoffs back in January. The 32-year-old veteran is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, but he also has a lengthy injury history and managed to play in just 11 regular-season games in 2025 in his ninth year in the NFL, catching 57 of his 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. The 49ers are most likely looking to slowly ease Kittle back into the offense so that he can be peaking late in the year if he manages to stay healthy in 2026. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups in Week 1 should be fading Kittle at the TE position.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Eli Raridon Still Rising in a More Crowded Tight End Room
New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon hasn't exactly been handed a clean path to fantasy relevance, but his summer still looks like a win. Hunter Henry signed a two-year extension in August after catching 60 passes for a career-high 768 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and New England added Cameron Latu off waivers this week. Raridon, though, remains No. 2 on the Patriots' current unofficial depth chart, ahead of Tanner Arkin and Latu. That's notable after the third-round rookie spent camp earning first-team work and praise from head coach Mike Vrabel for the progress he made as a blocker. Raridon caught only one pass for eight yards in preseason action, so this isn't a case built on exhibition numbers. It's more about where he finished the summer. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder went from a developmental pick behind Henry to a rookie who looks capable of getting on the field right away. RotoBaller ranked him TE45 in its August 24 redraft outlook, which still makes him more of a deep-league target than a standard starter. The path is crowded, but Raridon's stock is still moving the right way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce Practices in Full on Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday for the first time this summer after having ankle surgery in the spring, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. The Colts are just 10 days away from the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, but now that Pierce is a full-go in practice, he should be expected to be active to kick off the season. General manager Chris Ballard said earlier this week that the "hope" is that the 26-year-old big-play receiver will be ready to roll versus Baltimore on Sunday, Sept. 13. Indy gave Pierce a new four-year, $114 million contract extension in March after he had a career-high 1,003 receiving yards and 47 receptions for six touchdowns in 15 games in 2025 in his fourth year in the league. The former second-rounder from Cincinnati has led the NFL in each of the last two years in yards per catch, and he is expected to have a bigger role in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. out of town. As Pierce nears a return to full health for the start of the season, he should begin to rise up draft boards as a WR3/flex with plenty of boom potential.
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
