January 27, 2026
The Athletic's Dan Wiederer writes that it's not hard to envision Chicago Bears tight end
Colston Loveland becoming an "even more complete weapon" and a "major force" in the offense in his second season in 2026. "He's going to be a weapon for a long time," head coach Ben Johnson said. The 21-year-old Loveland, who was taken 10th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Michigan, is overflowing with talent. But what makes him even more intriguing for the long term is that he's united with quarterback
Caleb Williams and Johnson, one of the smartest play-callers in the league. Williams continues to point out how Loveland is a very friendly target because of his size, catch radius, fluidity, and ability to separate. Loveland got off to a slow start in his first year in the NFL, but he came on strong at the end of the year and finished as the TE12 in half-PPR scoring with a 58-713-6 slash line in 16 regular-season games. Going into Year 2 in 2026, Loveland will have high-end TE1 upside for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Wiederer
January 27, 2026
New England Patriots (shoulder) should be fine to play in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. "This is a sport where there's gonna be things that come up. We'll talk about whatever status each player has for the game once we're required to," head coach Mike Vrabel said when asked if Maye injured his shoulder in the AFC Championship win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. It doesn't sound like the second-year signal-caller's injury is very serious, and the good news is he'll have an extra week to recover before the big game in Santa Clara, Calif. It was hard to throw the ball in snowy conditions in Denver, as the 23-year-old went 10-for-21 passing for 86 yards, but he also added 10 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. As long as Maye's shoulder doesn't affect his throwing, he should bounce back with better numbers against the Seahawks.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 27, 2026
Heading into 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall was a popular pick to have a breakout season. However, the former first-round pick battled through a knee injury and recorded just 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games played. Availability has been a consistent issue for Pearsall so far in his NFL career, as he's played in just 20 games across his first two seasons. Even when on the field, the 25-year-old has not yet emerged as a featured option in the San Francisco passing game. He's logged just 99 targets in his career, an average of fewer than five per contest. However, Pearsall will likely have an opportunity for a larger role with the 49ers in 2026. Star San Francisco tight end
George Kittle (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the team's NFC Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and will likely miss time in 2026 as a result. Additionally, 49ers wideout
Jauan Jennings is set to hit unrestricted free agency in mid-March after leading the team's wide receiver corps in targets in 2025. Fully buying in on Pearsall remains difficult until he proves the ability to stay healthy for an extended stretch. Still, he appears to have a clear pathway to a lead role in the San Francisco passing game in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 27, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Omarion Hampton battled through an injury-marred rookie season in 2025, playing in just nine out of 17 games. However, the 22-year-old was productive when healthy, recording 737 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 156 touches. Beyond just improved health, there are reasons to think that the offensive environment around Hampton in Los Angeles in 2026 will be enhanced. For one, Chargers offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) should be back in the lineup after the two combined to play just six games in 2025. Additionally, Los Angeles will have a new play-caller after moving on from former offensive coordinator Greg Roman and hiring former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. During his tenure in Miami, McDaniel consistently showed an ability to boost running back production. Under McDaniel, Dolphins running back
De'Von Achane has posted back-to-back seasons with at least 60 receptions, 1,400 scrimmage yards, and double-digit touchdowns. Fantasy managers in both redraft and dynasty formats should view Hampton as a high-upside running back option heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 27, 2026
Across 17 games in 2025, Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan recorded 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets. The number eight overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, McMillan established himself as the number one wide receiver in Carolina right away as a rookie. The 22-year-old also closed the season strong, recording five of his seven touchdown catches from Week 11 onwards. Heading into 2026, McMillan should have the benefit of stability in Carolina. The Panthers made the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2017 and figure to retain both quarterback
Bryce Young and play-calling head coach Dave Canales. Carolina struggled to find reliable pass-catchers outside of McMillan in 2025, so the team could look to bring in additional talent. However, any potential additions seem unlikely to unseat McMillan as the option in the pass game. All in all, McMillan profiles as a fantasy wide receiver on the rise in both dynasty and redraft formats after his strong rookie season.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 27, 2026
The Tennessee Titans are set to hire former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll to be their new offensive coordinator, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter notes that Daboll taking the Titans job is contingent on him not getting the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching position, which remains unfilled. Daboll was fired in the middle of the 2025 season by the Giants after the team got off to a 2-8 start. He led New York to the number 18 offense in the NFL by total yardage in his first year at the helm in 2022, but the team regressed to 29th in 2023 and 30th in 2024. Prior to his stint with the Giants, Daboll served as the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. He helped lead Buffalo to back-to-back top-five finishes in total yardage in 2020 and 2021. In Tennessee, Daboll will have a chance to work with a young quarterback in 2025 number one overall pick
Cameron Ward. The Titans hired defensive-minded Robert Saleh as their new head coach, so Daboll will likely function as the team's lead offensive voice.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 27, 2026
After an excellent rookie season in 2024, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey posted a relatively disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025. Across 16 games played, the 24-year-old recorded 66 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets. McConkey's production fell off sharply down the stretch of the season, as he recorded just one game with more than 40 receiving yards after Week 10. After losing in the AFC Wild Card Round to the New England Patriots, the Chargers decided to move on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman, replacing him with former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. While McDaniel's tenure in Miami went downhill over the last couple of seasons, he coached the Dolphins to top-five offenses by measure of total passing yardage in both 2022 and 2023. By contrast, Roman-coached teams have never finished better than 13th in passing yardage in any of his 12 seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator. Given the change in offensive infrastructure around him, McConkey could be in line for a bounce-back season in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 27, 2026
Across 15 games in 2025, Chicago Bears wide receiver
Luther Burden III recorded 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. While the 22-year-old's full-season numbers may not jump off the page, he closed his rookie season on a strong note. Across his final seven games, including postseason play, Burden III hauled in 31 catches for 423 yards and a touchdown on 46 targets. In that same seven-game stretch, Burden III earned at least six targets in every game but one. Heading into 2026, Burden III could be poised to hit the ground running as one of the featured pieces in the Chicago passing game. It's worth noting that the Bears have other talented pass-catchers in wide receivers
Rome Odunze and
DJ Moore, as well as tight end
Colston Loveland, who are also worthy target-earners. Still, Burden III's late-season breakout demonstrates his upside. He profiles as a wide receiver option on the rise for fantasy managers in both dynasty and redraft leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 27, 2026
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne is one of the top 10 ball carriers in the 2026 NFL Draft class after finishing his career in Winston-Salem with two seasons of at least 1,040 yards from scrimmage. Over the last two years, he tallied 458 total touchdowns for 2,350 yards and 23 touchdowns in 24 games as the engine of the Wake Forest offense. Claiborne has absurd lateral agility and homerun speed, making him a perfect pairing with a physical bruiser in a committee in an NFL backfield. The two-time All-ACC performer is currently projected to be a fifth-round pick, but an impressive predraft process could give him a shot at Round 3 or Round 4 in April.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Sports Reference CFB
January 27, 2026
The Buffalo Bills are promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Brady, who has spent the last four years on Buffalo's coaching staff, will be replacing Sean McDermott after his nine-year run as the Bills' head coach. Brady took over as the OC for Ken Dorsey and has been in the role the last two seasons, developing a close relationship with star quarterback
Josh Allen. All along, the Bills wanted their new head coach to be offensive-minded and someone who could develop a strong relationship with Allen. Brady already has a strong working relationship with Allen, so the move makes plenty of sense. He'll have big shoes to fill, as McDermott led the team to eight playoff victories in his nine years at the helm. Ultimately, the move to promote Brady to head coach is great news for Allen's fantasy outlook in the years to come.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 27, 2026
Indiana running back
Roman Hemby was likely considered an undrafted free agent NFL prospect following four years at Maryland, but his performance in his final season with the College Football Playoff National Champion Indiana Hoosiers could propel him into being a Day 3 pick in April's 2026 NFL Draft. After compiling 3,268 total yards and 27 touchdowns in 42 games with the Terps, Hemby led the Indiana running backs in attempts (230), rushing yards (1,120), receptions (17), and receiving yards (165). While Fernando Mendoza and the passing attack rightfully got a ton of shine, Hemby was an unsung hero of the offense and ran hard throughout the College Football Playoff. Hemby is an explosive runner with good vision, but his lack of size will likely keep him in a complementary back role in the NFL.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
January 27, 2026
ESPN's Rich Cimini writes that the New York Jets still believe in head coach Aaron Glenn and are optimistic that he can turn things around in 2026 after a miserable 3-14 season in his first year on the job. It won't be easy, as only four head coaches out of 23 since 2000 to win three or fewer games in their first season have rebounded to make the playoffs during their tenure, so Glenn could be fighting an uphill battle. A former general manager with four decades in personnel said he thinks Glenn's first-year decisions were very poor. "He did nothing with the culture," the former GM said. Jets players praised Glenn for being consistent and a good communicator, but that just didn't translate on game days. Owner Woody Johnson said Glenn is "the real deal." The Jets may believe in Glenn, but he'll have to turn things around quickly if he's going to last beyond Year 2. New York's defense was the first in league history to go the entire season without an interception, and the Jets also became the first team in NFL history to lose five straight games by 23 or more points.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
January 27, 2026
Kentucky running back Seth McGowan is expected to be a Day 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he could carve out a role as an early-down grinder with the right landing spot in April. McGowan had an eventful collegiate career, starting in 2021 at Oklahoma. He did not play in 2022 after being dismissed from the Sooners' program. He then spent one season at Butler Community College, one season at New Mexico State, and one season with the Wildcats. In 2025, he rushed 165 times for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns. At 6'1" and 215 pounds, McGowan is a violent downhill runner, but he lacks big-time ability to evade tackles and doesn't have high-end speed at the position. Either way, he could make his mark as a goal-line back and in short-yardage situations at the next level.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
January 27, 2026
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said after the Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship on Sunday that quarterback
Matthew Stafford plans to return for the 2026 season. But on Monday's new episode of the Let's Go podcast, Stafford made it sound like he's still contemplating retirement. "It'll be a lot that goes into it," Stafford told Jim Gray. "It's a physical, a mental, and emotional decision, a personal and a family decision as well. So, we'll figure all that kind of stuff out with some time." The 37-year-old is the front-runner to win the 2025 NFL MVP award after leading the league in passing yards (4,707), touchdown passes (46), touchdown percentage (7.7%), and yards per game (276.9) in 17 regular-season starts. It was arguably the best year of his 17-year career, so he'll most likely run it back in 2026, when he'll be a popular QB1 target as he looks for another Lombardi Trophy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Let's Go Podcast
January 26, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks have opened as 3.5-point favorites over the New England Patriots for Super Bowl LX, according to Doug Greenberg of ESPN. The Seahawks then quickly jumped up to 4.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings odds. If the Patriots close as underdogs for the big game in two weeks, it will break a streak of eight straight Super Bowls in which they've been favored. The last time New England was an underdog in a Super Bowl was in 2002, when they upset the St. Louis Rams for the franchise's first title. This year's Patriots and Seahawks both entered the year at +6000 to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots were as long as 120-1 to win it all in 2025 after Week 3, when they started 1-2. Underdogs have won the last three Super Bowls outright and have covered the spread in five straight. Against the spread in Super Bowls all time, underdogs are 30-27-2.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Doug Greenberg
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