RADIO
Is Jalen Hurts Poised for a Bounce-Back in New-Look Offense?
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has finished as the fantasy QB9 or better in each of the past five seasons, but even with a Super Bowl victory in 2024, there is mounting pressure on the seventh-year veteran to show more as a professional passer. While Hurts still has three years left on the extension he signed back in 2023, the deal includes no guaranteed money after the upcoming 2026 season, and the team is rumored to be looking for improvement both on the field and as a leader before further investing in him. While it seems nearly inevitable that the Eagles will move on from A.J. Brown after June 1st, they have made significant steps to fill the void his absence will leave. After acquiring Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks via free agency and trade, the team spent its first two picks on USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and pass-catching Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. Both players led their teams in targets in 2025 and, along with DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley, will provide Hurts with playmakers at all levels of the field. Hurts' 421 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and 39 first downs on the ground in 2025 were the lowest since his rookie season, but the spacing created by Philadelphia's revamped crop of pass-catchers could open lanes to reinvigorate that element of his game. Having already shown the ability to be a league-winner, his new surrounding cast and an expected sense of urgency could help to make the 27-year-old Hurts a smart buy at his current price of RotoBaller's dynasty QB6.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zach Charbonnet's Long-Term Upside Now in Doubt
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore his ACL in the team's Divisional Playoff win over the 49ers, but even with his availability in doubt to begin the season, if he could have gotten through the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft without seeing a running back selected by Seattle, he would have been in the best position of his young career. That obviously did not happen, with the Seahawks spending their first-round pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. With only four total selections heading into the draft, Seattle was tabbed as a team likely to trade back, but they felt enough conviction to use the 32nd overall pick on Price, an indication that he will likely be given starter's reps out of the gate and should be viewed as the future of the position in the Emerald City. With Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III departing in free agency, the presumed path to a Charbonnet starting role, once back and healthy, involved merely beating out low-money free agent acquisition Emanuel Wilson, 2023 7th-round pick Kenny McIntosh, and 2024 undrafted free agent George Holani. As the second running back off the board in this year's draft, Price now represents a significantly sturdier barricade to overcome. Even as the less efficient option in the pair, Charbonnet found moderate fantasy success splitting the backfield with Walker, and he has a chance to reclaim a similar role in year one under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. That said, any hopes of a featured role in Seattle have all but disappeared with the drafting of Price, and Charbonnet enters the final season of his rookie contract as a high-end RB3 in dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is DeVonta Smith Still the Long-Term WR1 in Philadelphia?
For the first time since his 2021 rookie year, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is expected to go into a season without three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown lined up opposite him. While Brown's 8.4 vacated targets per game from the past four seasons could create opportunities for a career year from Smith, the first two days of the NFL Draft have completely reshaped Philadelphia's pass-catching depth chart. After acquiring Marquise Brown through free agency and Dontayvion Wicks via trade, the Eagles spent respective first and second-round picks on USC receiver Makai Lemon and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, both of whom led their teams in targets in 2025. In a year where quarterback Jalen Hurts is being counted on to take a step forward, Philadelphia is likely to see a more even distribution of targets, but given his skillset and time in the system, Smith should still be able to hold off all challengers to continue earning targets at an elite level. After leading the team in all receiving categories as a rookie, Smith's response to the addition of Brown via trade from the Titans was to put up the best season of his career, with 110 receptions for 1,393 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022. At 27 years old, if he can respond similarly to a new challenge in 2026, he would be a steal as RotoBaller's dynasty WR28.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Chris Olave Continue to Dominate Target Share?
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave finished 2025 as the fantasy WR6, largely on the strength of a 27.3% team target share, and he came into the offseason as the undisputed top option in New Orleans. The addition of Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency will add a wrinkle to Kellen Moore's evolving offense, but having topped a 10% target share only once in his four professional seasons, he posed no major threat to Olave's week-winning volume. The same can not be said about some of the talent added through the first two nights of the NFL Draft. The Saints selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick and added Georgia tight end Oscar Delp in the third round. While durability concerns shaded Tyson's profile heading into the draft, many believe he has the most upside of any receiver in a deep 2026 class, and Delp is thought to have untapped potential as a pass catcher after being utilized predominantly inline by the Bulldogs. Since being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Olave has never faced significant target competition. Even while missing 13 games across his first four seasons, Olave's 111.5 targets per season radically outpaced the 53.5 per year average of the team's WR2 over that time. While the Saints have long involved their tight ends and running backs in the passing game, the offense they are building around Tyler Shough will provide answers at all levels of the field and make him less reliant on any one player. While Olave still has a claim as the most talented receiver on the team, the 9.4 targets per game that he earned, partly out of necessity, in 2025 could very well stand as a career-high.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Where Will Makai Lemon Slot into Crowded Group of Philadelphia Pass-Catchers?
When the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, they got a player who spent his final collegiate season as the unquestioned alpha in Lincoln Riley's pass-heavy Trojans offense. In his Biletnikoff Award-winning season, Lemon earned a 26.8% target share, even while taking the field with another early NFL pick in Ja'Kobi Lane, who the Baltimore Ravens selected in the third round on Day 2. Moving to the next level, Lemon is unlikely to see that sort of opportunity as a rookie. The Eagles threw the ball at the sixth-lowest rate in the league in 2025 and were one of only nine teams with fewer than 500 total pass attempts. While the presumed trade of three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown will open up 127 targets from 2025, the Eagles have revamped their receiver room on the fly, adding Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks through free agency and trade, and after drafting Lemon on Day 1, they added the pass-catching tight end Eli Stowers in the second round. Incumbent receiver DeVonta Smith is still the safest bet to lead the team in targets in 2026, but Lemon represents his most significant competition both long-term and in the here and now. Given their complementary skill sets, it's possible that Smith and Lemon could form a new one-two punch in Philadelphia, with the rest of the new additions settling into more periphery supporting roles, which would still make Lemon one of the most valuable selections in dynasty rookie drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Patriots Select Tight End Eli Raridon With 95th Overall Pick
The New England Patriots selected Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon with the 95th overall pick late in the third round in the 2026 NFL draft on Friday evening. All four of Raridon's collegiate seasons came with the Fighting Irish, and he accumulated 48 catches for 623 yards and only three touchdowns in his 40 total games. The 22-year-old dealt with some knee injuries early in his collegiate career, but he was healthy in his junior and senior seasons and had 32 receptions for a career-high 482 yards in 12 games in 2025, although he didn't score a single touchdown. At the very least, the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder will give young quarterback Drake Maye a big target in the passing attack next to Hunter Henry after Austin Hooper left in free agency this offseason. Raridon should enter his rookie season as the TE2 in New England behind Henry as the Pats look to get back to the Super Bowl. Raridon is developing as a pass-catcher. He won't be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues unless Henry misses time with an injury.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Dolphins Take Another Receiver in Chris Bell at 94th Overall
The Miami Dolphins selected Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) with the 94th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night. All four of Bell's collegiate seasons came at Louisville, and he had a total of 2,166 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 151 catches in his four seasons. Despite tearing his ACL in 2025, Bell finished the year with 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games played. At 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, he will give new quarterback Malik Willis a big target down the field and in the red zone whenever he's ready to resume playing. He will join rookie Caleb Douglas in the passing attack for a Dolphins team that really needed to add to their receiver room in this year's draft after cutting Tyreek Hill (knee) and trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos. Bell and Douglas will join Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell. The rookie wideouts will have plenty of opportunity, but Bell's short-term fantasy value is clouded by the fact that he could be rehabbing his knee into the start of the regular season this fall. Because of his size, Bell has often been compared to A.J. Brown.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
49ers Select Kaelon Black With 90th Overall Pick
The San Francisco 49ers have selected University of Indiana running back Kaelon Black with the 90th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Black spent the first two years of his college career at James Madison before transferring to Indiana for his final two collegiate seasons. Across 16 games with the Hoosiers in 2025, he recorded 1,040 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 186 carries. Black had just eight total receptions across his final 29 games in college, so he doesn't profile as much of a receiver out of the backfield. However, he's considered to be a physical downhill runner who could excel in short-yardage situations at the NFL level. With the 49ers, Black could have a chance to emerge as the primary backup to star San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey with a strong showing in training camp.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zavion Thomas Selected 89th Overall by Bears
The Chicago Bears have selected LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas with the 89th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Across 13 games as a senior in 2025, Thomas recorded 41 receptions for 488 yards and four touchdowns and added 19 carries for 99 yards and a score. At just 5'10" and 190 lbs., Thomas is undersized but possesses elite speed and big-play ability when he gets his hands on the football. In Chicago, Thomas' main utility may end up being on special teams as a returner. However, Bears play-caller Ben Johnson's proclivity for trick plays could mean that Thomas plays a regular role on offense as a gadget piece.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dolphins Select Will Kacmarek With 87th Overall Pick
The Miami Dolphins have selected Ohio State tight end prospect Will Kacmarek with the 87th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kacmarek spent three years at Ohio before joining the Buckeyes for his final two collegiate seasons. He had just 15 catches and two touchdowns during his final year at school, but he snuck his way into Day 2 of the draft because of his blocking ability. Widely regarded as the best blocking tight end in this year's draft, Kacmarek will provide plenty of protection for Malik Willis and De'Von Achane in a Dolphins offense that is expected to adopt a run-heavy approach in 2026. Although he should make an impact right away in the trenches, there's not much fantasy appeal here. He ranks outside the top 85 tight ends in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings, and he can be avoided in most rookie drafts.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Buccaneers Draft Ted Hurst 84th Overall in NFL Draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Georgia State wide receiver prospect Ted Hurst with the 84th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He contributed during both of his seasons in the Sun Belt Conference, totaling 127 catches for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns. This is more of a developmental selection for the Bucs, as Hurst has a history of drops and may deal with some adversity while adjusting to the NFL style of play. With that said, he has impressive upside in a Bucs offense that loves spreading the ball around to multiple receivers. Presumably, Hurst will have a chance to immediately compete for the No. 4 receiver role behind Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. He's the overall WR90 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Panthers Select Chris Brazzell II in the Third Round
The Carolina Panthers have selected University of Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II with the 83rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4 pass catcher opened his collegiate career at Tulane before transferring to Tennessee. In 12 games last season, he caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and an SEC-leading nine touchdowns. Brazzell was a vertical receiver who stretched the field at school, but he's capable of flashing versatility and occupying a variety of roles. That will fit nicely in a Carolina receiver room that already features Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette. Brazzell might not have fantasy relevance as soon as Week 1 in his rookie season, but there's plenty of long-term upside here. He ranks as the WR68 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Ja'Kobi Lane Heading to the Ravens With 80th Overall Pick
The Baltimore Ravens selected USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft at No. 80 overall. Lane has good size at the position at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds. Lane had a career-high 12 touchdowns in his sophomore season for the Trojans in 2024 and finished his collegiate career with a 49-745-4 line in 11 games last year. Unsurprisingly, he offers a big catch radius and is a prototypical X receiver that should really help Baltimore's offense in the red zone. The Ravens really needed the help through the air behind Zay Flowers after another disappointing season from Rashod Bateman in 2025. Depending on how Lane develops in training camp and the preseason, and how much chemistry he can develop with quarterback Lamar Jackson, he has the potential to open his rookie campaign as the WR2 behind Flowers. With the landing spot in Baltimore, Lane will have plenty of long-term upside for dynasty/keeper managers, and he could become a touchdown-dependent flex in redraft leagues in 2026.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Drew Allar Selected 76th Overall by Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a move at the quarterback position, selecting Penn State signal-caller Drew Allar with the 76th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Allar played just six games for the Nittany Lions in 2025 due to a fractured ankle, which ended his season in mid-October. Across 45 career collegiate contests, Allar completed 63.2% of his pass attempts and threw 61 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions. He also showed some ability to make plays with his legs during his junior season in 2024, rushing for 302 yards and six touchdowns on 96 attempts. The Steelers quarterback room is currently unsettled as the team waits for Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will play in 2026. If Rodgers returns, Allar will likely play a reserve role as a rookie. Should Rodgers decide to retire, Allar could be competing with veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph for the starting role in Pittsburgh.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Falcons Select Speedy Receiver Zachariah Branch At 79 Overall
The Atlanta Falcons selected University of Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch with the 79th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night. Branch can fly, has plenty of after-the-catch ability and explosiveness, and he should also factor in on special teams as a punt/kick returner. Branch spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at USC before playing for Georgia in 2025, where he caught an SEC-high 81 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games played. The 5-foot-9, 177-pounder is an absolute burner with elite speed and acceleration. He clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in February. His game-changing speed will give him plenty of upside in dynasty fantasy leagues, and he could have a pretty big role in his first year in the NFL in Atlanta behind Drake London. The biggest concerns about Branch at the next level are his lack of size and his limited route tree.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
