RADIO
Should Fantasy Managers Temper Expectations for Makai Lemon?
"Expectations should be tempered early" for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.com. Lemon entered the league with plenty of upside, fueled by his first-round draft capital. However, some of that excitement faded away after he struggled in the preseason, catching just three passes for three yards. He also missed a portion of training camp due to a hamstring injury. The rookie noted that he needs to be more professional about how he conducts himself off the field in regard to proactively avoiding injuries, and the coaching staff followed that up by encouraging him to learn from experienced receiver DeVonta Smith. The rookie's slow summer will likely result in a slow start to the regular season, so he's unlikely to make a big impression right away. Instead, he's more of a developmental option in fantasy leagues, especially after falling to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Smith and Dontayvion Wicks. Currently, he has an ADP of 106.4 in redraft leagues; that corresponds to the ninth round of fantasy drafts, which feels like a bit of a reach given the latest chatter from Philly-based media.
Source: Tim McManus
Source: Tim McManus
Tyler Allgeier a Top Running Back Target in the Later Rounds
Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier should take on a larger role early in the season, making him a very appealing late-round target for fantasy managers in 2026. Rookie Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is at risk of missing a few weeks and James Conner (foot) will open the year on injured reserve, leaving Allgeier in line to start at running back in Week 1. The ex-Falcons ball-carrier has a track record of producing on the ground and through the air, giving him upside in all league formats, from standard to full-PPR. Over the course of the full season, he ranks as RotoBaller's overall RB48. However, for Week 1, he should break into the top-25 range. Managers looking for him to step into the RB3/flex role in their lineup can currently get him at an ADP of 140.7 (RB44) in fantasy drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Stefon Diggs Set for High-Volume Role in Washington
Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs is set for a high-volume role with his new team. Diggs is coming off an impressive season with the Patriots, in which he caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He finished as the overall WR17 in PPR leagues and turned in his seventh 1,000-yard campaign in the last eight years. Now with the Commanders, Diggs finds himself in a slightly different role compared to last year. This year, he'll operate as the No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin. While that could lower his ceiling and threaten his chance of another 1,000-yard season, it should also benefit him by taking away some of the defense's attention. In other words, he'll likely be covered by opponents' No. 2 cornerbacks, while the top corners lock onto McLaurin. As long as quarterback Jayden Daniels stays healthy for most of the season, Diggs has a great chance to be a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 this year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs the Consensus 1.01 in Fantasy Drafts
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has an ADP of 1.1, which means he is consistently being taken with the first pick in 2026 fantasy football drafts. There are plenty of intriguing names near the top of the draft, including running backs Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey, but managers who have the luxury of picking first are selecting Gibbs more often than not. Gibbs has been a top-10 fantasy running back in each of his three pro seasons, including RB1 and RB3 over the last two years, respectively. In fact, despite finishing as the RB3 last year, he posted the highest fantasy points total of his young career. Despite sharing touches with David Montgomery, Gibbs broke out for 1,223 rushing yards, 77 catches, 616 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. Assuming he stays healthy for 17 games this year, he's a pretty safe bet to finish among the top three at his position, with a very real chance at the overall RB1 title.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nick Emmanwori Iffy for Week 1 After Ankle Surgery
Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) is iffy to play in the Week 1 season opener against the New England Patriots next Wednesday after having arthroscopic ankle surgery in July, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. The Seahawks took Emmanwori off the Injured List on Aug. 11, but he still might not be ready for the start of the 2026 season. The 22-year-old played a key role in Seattle's secondary in his first year in the NFL in 2025 after the Seahawks took him in the second round out of South Carolina. In 14 regular-season games (11 starts), Emmanwori produced 81 tackles (56 solo), 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, an interception, and 11 pass breakups. We should have a better idea of whether Emmanwori will be ready for the Super Bowl rematch next week, but the Seahawks will not rush him to be ready to start the season. The Seahawks will release their first official practice report of the year on Monday.
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Brock Bowers Projected for a Massive Target Share
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is likely headed for an enormous target share in 2026. Injuries and subpar quarterback play limited Bowers to just 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns last year. However, he had 112 catches on 153 targets as a rookie in 2024, and he's looking to get back to that level of volume this year. The good news is that he's fully healthy and got a quarterback upgrade this offseason, as the Raiders moved on from Geno Smith. Kirk Cousins will lead the offense for now, and we know that he's capable of elevating his tight ends to the next level. After Cousins took over the Falcons' offense last year, tight end Kyle Pitts averaged 8.0 targets, 0.6 touchdowns, and 16.3 fantasy points per game. That should be Bowers' floor, and his ceiling is significantly higher. There's a legitimate chance that Bowers will finish as the overall TE1 this year if he stays healthy for all 17 games. For now, he has an ADP of 19.8, which corresponds to the second round of fantasy drafts and makes him the first tight end off the board.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordyn Tyson's Redraft Value Fading Amidst Injury Concerns
After being selected eighth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) was initially expected to play a significant role in his team's offense as a rookie. However, the 22-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during training camp that will cause him to start the year on Injured Reserve and could be serious enough to keep him out longer than the mandatory four games. Tyson's hamstring issue is made a bit more concerning by the fact that he also suffered two separate hamstring injuries that caused him to miss time during his final collegiate season at Arizona State. Even when he is eventually cleared to return, it could take Tyson a while to be fully integrated into the New Orleans offense. The young wideout remains a high-upside prospect in dynasty formats, but his redraft value is highly questionable ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colston Loveland Poised for High-End TE1 Season in Year 2
Across 16 games as a rookie in 2025, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland recorded 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns on 82 targets. The 22-year-old got off to a bit of a slow start, failing to record more than three catches or 38 receiving yards in any of his first six games as a pro. However, Loveland finished the year on a tear. Across his final four games of the year (including the playoffs), Loveland recorded 28 catches for 378 yards and two touchdowns on 38 targets. Entering 2026, Loveland looks poised for an even larger role in Chicago's passing game following the team's offseason trade of veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Bears wideout Luther Burden III (groin) also missed significant time this summer with a groin injury, which could lead to him facing a reduced workload to begin the year. Loveland's value in drafts is soaring, but he carries high-end fantasy TE1 upside into his second NFL season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devaughn Vele Enters 2026 with a Clear Path to Early-Season Targets
Across 13 games (seven starts) in 2025, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele recorded 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. The 28-year-old got off to a slow start to his first season in New Orleans, recording just five catches across his first eight games with the team. However, Vele got hot in his final five games played before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, recording 20 catches for 254 yards and a touchdown on 29 targets. Vele's increased usage came after the Saints traded away then-WR2 Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline. Entering 2026, Vele could be in a similar situation early in the season. Projected Saints WR2 Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) will begin the year on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury, leaving a void in the team's wide receiver room behind star wideout Chris Olave. As a late-round sleeper, Vele is a worthy target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
LeQuint Allen Jr. Likely to Miss Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) is "most likely" to miss his team's Week 1 contest against the Cleveland Browns, per John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. The 22-year-old has been battling a soft-tissue injury for much of the summer, and it appears that the injury is likely to linger into the start of the regular season. Allen Jr. played a limited role in terms of touches as a rookie in 2025, recording 148 yards from scrimmage on 33 touches across 17 games. However, he specializes as a pass-down back whom Jacksonville relies upon for his pass protection and receiving skills. For as long as Allen Jr. is sidelined, Jaguars running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez could both be in line for a few more snaps and a few more pass-catching opportunities in Jacksonville.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Matthew Stafford a High-Floor, Late-Round QB Option Entering 2026
The reigning NFL MVP, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, is coming off a season in which he completed 65.0% of his pass attempts for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Entering 2026, it's reasonable to believe that the 38-year-old's numbers are poised to regress. Stafford's touchdown rate spiked to a career-high 7.7% last season, well above his career mark of 4.8%. Still, Stafford remains in an ideal situation for success in Los Angeles. The Rams have a solid offensive line, an elite wide receiver duo in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and arguably the NFL's best play-caller in head coach Sean McVay. At his average draft position of a low-end fantasy QB1, Stafford profiles as a high-floor pick with some upside for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
How Concerned Should Fantasy Managers Be About Rashee Rice?
After an encouraging rookie season in 2023, injuries and off-field issues have limited Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice to just 12 games over the last two seasons. After serving a six-game suspension to begin 2025, Rice recorded 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 78 targets across eight games. However, Rice finished the year on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. He hasn't exactly had the greatest offseason leading into 2026, as he spent time in jail due to a failed drug test and also underwent knee surgery. If Rice can stay on the field in 2026, he carries top-12 fantasy wide receiver upside in PPR-scoring formats. However, Rice's persistent injury concerns and the ever-present risk posed by his off-field issues make him an extremely risky selection for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denzel Boston is Gaining Traction After Strong Showing in Camp
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston has been one of the most impressive players in this offense during training camp. The Browns are extremely pleased with the results they've been getting from the second-round rookie. According to the Browns' unofficial depth chart, Boston is listed as a starting wideout alongside Jerry Jeudy. The Browns don't have many viable options to count on as pass-catchers, so both Boston and fellow rookie KC Concepcion could play significant roles right away. The 22-year-old is looking like a sleeper target in the late rounds during redraft formats. It might take some time, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Boston makes a big impact in Cleveland this upcoming season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jared Goff Offers Top Late-Round Value
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff isn't going to be the first QB taken off the draft board in fantasy leagues. The strong value of Goff is sometimes forgotten, which could be a benefit to fantasy managers. This past season, Goff threw for over 4,500 passing yards with 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The 31-year-old has finished within the top-10 at his position for four straight years. Despite continuing to play above expectations, Goff is sometimes pushed to the side during fantasy drafts. The veteran quarterback is an excellent late-round option with a high floor given the talent in Detroit and past performances.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Deebo Samuel Sr. Could Shine in San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is back with the organization and is ready to make an impact. Samuel spent the first six years of his career in San Francisco before heading to the Washington Commanders last season. The 30-year-old posted decent stats, 72 receptions with 727 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in 16 games. The hope is that a return to a familiar place in San Francisco will give Samuel a boost this upcoming season. Samuel is familiar with both the staff and playbook in San Francisco, which is always a good thing. The 49ers are already banged up before the season starts, which could give Samuel a boost as well. Sometimes, Samuel is a forgotten man, but he has the potential to be a top-20 player at his position.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
