RADIO
Chris Bell a Dark Horse Candidate to Lead Dolphins in Receiving Yards
Miami Dolphins beat writer Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post lists rookie wide receiver Chris Bell leading the team in receiving yards as one of his "bold predictions" for the 2026 season. A third-round pick out of Louisville, Bell had his final collegiate season cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in late November. While the injury was originally expected to sideline Bell early in his rookie season, the 22-year-old was able to suit up for Miami's final preseason game and now appears to be on track to be ready for Week 1. Bell was a highly productive player at Louisville, recording 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games before getting injured. The Dolphins wide receiver room should also offer plenty of opportunities for Bell, as the team enters 2026 without an established number one pass-catcher. As a late-round target in drafts, Bell profiles as a worthy dart throw for fantasy managers.
Source: Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Source: Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Tetairoa McMillan Set for More Versatile Usage in 2026?
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see more usage out of the slot in 2026, speculates ESPN's Mike Kaye. McMillan was used almost exclusively as an outside receiver as a rookie in 2025 and had plenty of success, recording 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets across 17 games. However, Kaye writes that the Panthers have spoken about wanting to use McMillan's size and strength to get him more targets in the middle of the field in his second season. McMillan already projects to be the dominant target-earner in Carolina's offense, as he finished with nearly 60 more targets than any other Panthers pass-catcher in 2025. If he does indeed see more slot usage and an even larger target share in 2026, McMillan could emerge as a fantasy WR1.
Source: ESPN - Mike Kaye
Source: ESPN - Mike Kaye
Jonathon Brooks' Stock Back on the Rise Amidst Improved Health Outlook
A second-round pick in 2024, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (undisclosed) has been limited by knee injuries to just three career games and nine career carries through his first two NFL seasons. The 23-year-old has also been working through an undisclosed injury that has prevented him from practicing in recent days, which is obviously a concern given his track record. However, Panthers coach Dave Canales recently said that the team is very optimistic that Brooks will be able to play in Week 1. Reporting throughout the summer also indicated that Brooks was impressive in training camp and that the team could be planning on him playing a significant role in their offense. While veteran running back Chuba Hubbard will likely open the year as Carolina's RB1, Brooks could be the higher-upside option of the two. As a mid-to-late round pick in most drafts, Brooks profiles as a high-risk, high-reward selection for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kenneth Walker Could Be Poised for Monster Year in Kansas City
After spending the first four years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, running back Kenneth Walker is entering his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026. Across 17 games with Seattle in 2025, Walker III recorded 1,309 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 252 touches. While the 25-year-old was a productive player, his overall and goal-line usage was limited by the presence of Seahawks back Zach Charbonnet (knee). In Kansas City, Walker III currently projects to be backed up by 2026 fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson and 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith, neither of whom projects to take him off the field in high-value situations. Walker III has also drawn rave reviews for his work in Kansas City this summer, with reporting indicating that he may play a significant role as both a rusher and receiver in 2026. If he stays healthy, Walker III has a chance to reach 300 touches for the first time in his career and could finish as a high-end fantasy RB1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emeka Egbuka's Stock Falling Amidst Injury Uncertainty?
Across 17 games as a rookie in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) recorded 63 catches for 938 yards and six touchdowns on 127 targets. When longtime Bucs wideout Mike Evans departed the team in free agency this past spring, it looked like Egbuka would be his successor as the team's WR1. While that may still be the case, Egbuka suffered a sprained toe in training camp that has limited his participation throughout the summer and now has his status for Week 1 in question as well. Egbuka's production also tailed off throughout the course of his rookie season, as he failed to record a touchdown after Week 10 and only topped 50 receiving yards just once in his final eight games. The 23-year-old should still play a significant role in the Tampa Bay passing game once he's fully healthy, but his current injury uncertainty brings some risk to his profile entering 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty A Riskier Pick Due to Ankle Injury
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) suffered a sprained ankle in the preseason rather than a more serious injury that was feared, and ESPN Insider Adam Schefter said he has a "legitimate chance to play in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins." However, with the injury and the emergence of rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. in camp, there is real worry in selecting Jeanty in the late first round, which was where he was projected prior to his injury. The good news is it was only a sprained ankle; the bad news is there could be more of a split in carries than originally thought with Washington. Washington has looked good in camp and is averaging 7.3 yards per carry in preseason games. General manager John Spytek has praised Washington this fall: "We have an expectation that he's going to help us win football games this year," Spytek told Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com.
Source: ESPN.com, Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com, Ryan McFadden
Jaxson Dart Feeling More Comfortable In Giants Offense
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is reportedly gaining confidence in his second year in the Giants' offense, according to Darryl Slater of NJ.com. Dart even looks back to this spring and says he already notices a difference in camp this fall. "I feel so much better," Dart said of where he's at now, compared to the spring. "I feel in command. I feel confident. In this offense, there's a lot that's put on the quarterback's plate, but it's exactly how I want it. It's exactly how I viewed this coming together." The Giants' new offense is led by offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and head coach John Harbaugh, and it already feels like a good fit for Dart. Last season, Dart was 216-for-339 passing for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions. He also rushed 86 times for 487 yards and nine touchdowns. Dart looks like a nice risk at the quarterback position in drafts with league-winning upside because of his rushing ability.
Source: Darryl Slater, NJ.com
Source: Darryl Slater, NJ.com
Chase Brown Ready For Three-Down Role in Bengals Offense
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown is looking like an elite fantasy player with his every down role in what should be one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Stacked in the Bengals offense with quarterback Joe Burrow, and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Brown figures to be heavily involved in the passing game apart from his role as the early down running back. That makes for a potential first round draft pick in leagues still drafting. According to Ben Baby of ESPN, Burrow praised Brown's versatility and pass-blocking ability. "I think there's very few backs in this league that you can say that about," Burrow said. "And when you have a guy like that, you don't have to take him off the field." Brown ranked ninth in the league last season with 1,456 total scrimmage yards and included in that was 437 receiving yards ranking sixth in the league. Look for even more involvement for Brown this season.
Source: Ben Baby, ESPN.com
Source: Ben Baby, ESPN.com
Jordan Mason Turning Heads In Vikings Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason has had a great training camp, so much so that he was reportedly listed as a co-starter with Aaron Jones at running back on the team's first unofficial depth chart, according to Rob Kleifield of the Vikings' official site. Mason had a productive season for the Vikings in 2025 with 159 carries for 758 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and also caught 14 passes for 51 yards. Mason played in 16 games last season, carving out a nice role even with Aaron Jones on the team. At 5-foot-11 and 230 pounds, Mason is a big-time presence in the backfield and looks like a nice between-the-tackles runner, while Jones could feature more on the passing downs. While he will likely continue to split carries, Mason still could be a good late-round draft pick.
Source: Rob Kleifield, Vikings.com
Source: Rob Kleifield, Vikings.com
Parker Washington's Stock Soaring Amidst WR1 Buzz in Jacksonville
Across 16 games (seven starts) in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington recorded 58 catches for 847 yards and five touchdowns on 95 targets. While Washington's year-long production may not leap off the page, he finished the year on a tear. Across his final four games (including the playoffs), the 24-year-old hauled in 26 receptions for 454 yards and three touchdowns on 41 targets. The buzz around Washington has been extremely consistent this summer, as he's drawn rave reviews for his work in training camp from both Jaguars personnel and Jacksonville reporters. While the team has other capable wideouts in Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers, Washington appears to have excellent chemistry with Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and could lead the team in targets in 2026. Carrying a mid-round ADP in most drafts, Washington could end up being a steal for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
CeeDee Lamb a Faller in Drafts Amidst Target-Share Questions in Dallas
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's production dropped off significantly in 2025, as he finished the year with 75 catches for 1,077 yards and three touchdowns on 117 targets across 14 games. Part of that was due to an early-season ankle injury, which caused Lamb to miss three full games and most of a fourth. However, another factor in Lamb's reduced usage was the emergence of Cowboys wideout George Pickens, who recorded over 1,400 receiving yards and nine touchdown grabs. Pickens has also consistently drawn rave reviews for his work in Cowboys camp throughout the summer, with several reporters in Dallas categorizing him as the team's best wide receiver. While Lamb will surely see plenty of targets as well, Pickens' presence may limit his high-end production upside, particularly in the red zone. Lamb remains a worthy early-round pick for fantasy managers, but his status as a no-doubt fantasy WR1 may be in question entering 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carnell Tate Should See Heavy Usage as a Rookie
The fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate is expected to play a significant role in his team's passing game right away. The 21-year-old proved his big-play ability in his final collegiate season at Ohio State, recording 51 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns across 11 games. While the Titans have a pair of capable veteran pass-catchers in wide receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley, Tate profiles as the team's highest-upside target earner. The Titans offense as a whole should also improve in quarterback Cam Ward's second NFL season and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's first year in Tennessee. Daboll has also shown he is willing to heavily feature a rookie wide receiver, as New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers saw 170 targets as a rookie under Daboll's watch. All in all, Tate profiles as a fantasy WR3 with significant upside entering his rookie season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luther Burden III Poised for Breakout Season Amidst Improving Health
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) missed a large chunk of training camp after suffering a groin injury in early August. However, the second-year wideout returned to the practice field on Tuesday, and he appears to be trending toward being a full-go for Week 1. Across 15 games (five starts) as a rookie in 2025, Burden III recorded 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. His best stretch came at the end of the year, as he recorded 21 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown over his final four games of the regular season. Entering 2026, Burden III appears poised to play an even larger role in the Bears' passing game following the team's offseason trade of veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. As long as he remains on the field, Burden III could be in line for a breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Downs Looks Well-Positioned for a Resurgent Season in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs had a down year in 2025, setting career lows in targets (88), receptions (58), and receiving yards (566). The offseason has been a roller coaster ride for his fantasy value, as Downs' stock appeared to be trending up following the Colts' trade of veteran star wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then, Indianapolis signed veteran slot receiver Keenan Allen, throwing Downs' role in the team's offense back into question. Downs has also battled back and calf injuries this summer, limiting his availability for stretches of training camp. However, Downs has returned to practice and looks like he will be ready to go for the start of the regular season. The Colts wide receiver room outside of Downs also has questions, as Allen was recently arrested and charged with DUI, and top wideout Alec Pierce (ankle) has missed most of the summer while he recovers from ankle surgery. All in all, Downs profiles as a sleeper target in fantasy drafts ahead of what could be a resurgent season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyren Williams May Face Reduced Role in Rams Offense in 2026
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is coming off another highly productive season in 2025, recording 1,533 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns on 295 touches across 17 games. Since 2023, Williams has recorded three consecutive seasons with at least 1,350 scrimmage yards and 13 scores. However, the emergence of fellow Rams back Blake Corum has led to questions around Williams' workload entering 2026. While sharing the backfield with Corum in 2025, Williams averaged just 17.4 touches per game after averaging 21.9 touches per game in 2024. Over the final eight games of the regular season, Williams recorded more than 13 carries just twice. Williams remains a borderline fantasy RB1 entering 2026, but his production upside may be limited as long as both he and Corum are healthy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
