RADIO
DeMario Douglas Working His Way Back Into the Redraft Mix
DeMario Douglas was barely involved for the New England Patriots last season, but his summer has put him back on the redraft radar. He finished 2025 with 31 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns, playing only 26% of the offensive snaps after that number sat at 62% the year before. Douglas has been running as New England's primary slot receiver in camp and was held out of the preseason opener along with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. The production has shown up, too. He caught two touchdowns in the team's August 7 Blue-White scrimmage and continued finding room underneath during joint practices with Philadelphia. Brown and Doubs are still going to lead this passing game, so Douglas suddenly becoming a major target hog is a stretch. That's not really what fantasy managers need from him at this price. RotoBaller currently has Douglas 294th overall in its PPR rankings. If the slot job sticks and Drake Maye keeps looking his way over the middle, Douglas has a much better chance of mattering in deeper leagues than he did a year ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Jacobs Sits Out Friday's Preseason Action
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) did not play in Friday's second preseason game against the Denver Broncos, according to Mike Spofford of the team's official website. Jacobs was back at training camp practice on Tuesday after missing some time this summer with a groin injury, so the Packers' decision to hold their RB1 out on Friday in Denver was likely out of an abundance of caution. Barring a setback in practice, Jacobs should be ready to roll for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September as the team's primary back. The 28-year-old missed two regular-season games last year due to injuries and finished with 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 234 carries while adding 36 receptions for 282 yards and a score through the air. Jacobs has had a nose for the end zone in his career, but especially in his first two seasons with Green Bay, scoring 28 times on the ground in 32 starts. He is a workhorse with a grinding style, which makes him a bit more susceptible to injuries. Treat him as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in upcoming fantasy drafts as the Packers' starting RB.
Source: Packers.com - Mike Spofford
Source: Packers.com - Mike Spofford
Kimani Vidal Operates as the Chargers RB3 in Their Second Preseason Game
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal had four carries for six yards in his team's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francsicio 49ers Thursday night. Vidal also had two catches for 10 yards on two targets. The 24-year-old entered the game with the second-team unit and played the rest of the first half. Vidal operated as the third back in the rotation and didn't get playing time until after Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell were pulled. McDaniels' plan for his running back rotation becomes a little clearer with how much the three backs have played and, more specifically, when they played during the game. Vidal looks to be utilized as the No. 3 back in the three-man rotation. With fantasy drafts ramping up, he should be viewed as a handcuff back in the later rounds.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Oronde Gadsden Continues to See His Fantasy Stock Drop
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had two catches for 24 yards on three targets in his team's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Most notably, Gadsden did not see a snap with the first-team unit, as Charlie Kolar and David Njoku took all of those snaps. Gadsden only played with the backups and caught a target from Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei. The 23-year-old produced as a solid fantasy option as a rookie, which had managers excited to see him in his sophomore campaign. However, with training camp reports and his preseason usage, that excitement has come to a screeching halt. With Gadsden playing well into the second half with the No. 3 quarterback, it will be interesting to see how much he plays in the regular season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Blake Corum Has Standalone Value at a Backup Price
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum doesn't need a Kyren Williams injury to have a place in redraft lineups. Corum ran 145 times for 746 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry while playing 30.5% of the offensive snaps. His role grew as the year went along, and that two-back setup worked well enough for Los Angeles to keep leaning on it. Corum has carried that momentum into camp, where the Rams have noted the extra speed and agility he worked on during the offseason. Williams is still the starter and remains the better receiving option after catching 36 passes to Corum's eight last year. That keeps Corum from having the same weekly floor. The rushing work is already there, though. RotoBaller's Aug. 22 breakout analysis lists Corum at an ADP of 101 and points to his standalone value in one of the league's best offenses. That's a good range for a back who can contribute without an injury and would see his value jump if Williams ever missed time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Njoku Does Not See a Target in Chargers Debut
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku saw no targets in his limited action in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Njoku shared the field with fellow tight end Charlie Kolar in 12-personnel sets during the first few drives of the game. After a handful of plays, Njoku was removed from the game with other starters. Njoku may not have seen a target in his limited action, but he played with the first-team offense and only one series with backup quarterback Trey Lance. His usage could point towards a key role in the offense during the regular season. Managers should continue to monitor the Chargers' tight end room before investing in Njoku. He is currently being drafted outside the top 20 tight ends in fantasy but has interesting upside.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Christian McCaffrey Sits Out Second Preseason Contest
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) sat out of the team's second preseason game on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. McCaffrey was on the field for pre-game warmups, but as expected, he did not play in the contest as the team continues to be cautious with the oft-injured star RB as he works his way through undisclosed "tightness." Head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier in the week that if it were the regular season, McCaffrey would be practicing and playing. Given CMC's lengthy injury history and the fact that the rest of the backfield has been banged up in training camp, it makes total sense for the Niners to put McCaffrey in bubble wrap and save him for the Week 1 regular-season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. He doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing the first game of the regular season. McCaffrey has proven he has league-winning upside, but his injury history makes him a high-risk/high-reward top-end RB1 in fantasy. RotoBaller has CMC ranked behind only Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson at the RB position.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Charlie Kolar Catches Lone Target in Preseason Loss
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar caught his lone target in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. His catch was the only completion Justin Herbert had that went for nine yards. Kolar saw limited action in his Chargers debut and was removed from the game with most of the starters. The 27-year-old has had a strong camp so far, and his limited action could signify a key role in the Chargers offense. If Kolar becomes that pass-catching tight end, he is going too late in fantasy drafts and will have a good opportunity to outperform his ADP. Kolar is a sneaky TE2 option with upside for managers to target in deeper leagues late in drafts.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Evans Should be Ready for Week 1
NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco thinks the San Francisco 49ers are playing it safe with veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (ankle) and that he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. Maiocco does not think Evans is dealing with any strain or a pulled muscle after he was pulled early from Tuesday's joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. Evans is not expected to do much practicing between now and Week 1, and Maiocco does not expect the future Hall of Famer to suit up for the final preseason game next week against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 33-year-old had some quad tightness earlier this week and had his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced, but head coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed any injury issues for Evans this week. Evans missed time with a minor quad injury earlier in training camp, and the Niners are likely being extra cautious with an aging wideout who has had his share of soft-tissue injuries. When fully healthy, Evans should be QB Brock Purdy's No. 1 target, but durability concerns make him a shaky low-end WR2/high-end WR3/flex for fantasy managers as he enters his first season in the Bay Area.
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Ladd McConkey Gets a Target in Limited Action During Preseason Loss
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey saw his first preseason action in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. McConkey was removed with the rest of the starters after a quick three-and-out on the team's opening drive. The 24-year-old was unable to haul in his one target on third-and-short to extend the drive. McConkey has the opportunity to reprise his role as Justin Herbert's go-to receiver on third down. In 2025, Keenan Allen led the team in third-down targets and overall targets, which took a significant toll on McConkey's fantasy production. With Allen recently signing with the Indianapolis Colts, McConkey's fantasy ADP might rise as we get closer to Week 1. Managers should feel confident in drafting McConkey without the fear of Allen coming back to swoop up targets again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Omarion Hampton Gets All Three Snaps with Chargers First-Team Offense
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton took all three snaps with the first-team offense in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Hampton was removed with the rest of the starters after a quick three-and-out on the team's opening drive. The 23-year-old had one carry for a loss of a yard that began their offensive drive. Hampton's fantasy stock took a boost on Thursday after being the only back to play with the first team. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has hinted at using all three running backs during the regular season and riding the "hot hand" in games, but Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal only played with the backups. Mitchell ran with the second team, and Vidal played well into the second half. Hampton should remain a trendy draft target in the first 15 picks of fantasy drafts, and could see his ADP sneak into the late first round by early September.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Skyler Bell Dealing With Groin Injury
The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia reports that Buffalo Bills rookie fourth-round wide receiver Skyler Bell (groin) has been dealing with a groin injury in training camp. Bell initially suffered the injury during practice at the team's new stadium on Aug. 8 and has not practiced since, although the 24-year-old from Connecticut was seen on Thursday doing drills with the training staff. He is hoping he will be cleared to play in the team's final preseason contest on Thursday, Aug. 27, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bell's time away from the team this summer will make it even more difficult for the rookie to make an immediate impact on a team that added receiver DJ Moore in the offseason. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can ignore Bell for now, while he is a developmental stash in dynasty/keeper formats. In his fifth collegiate season for the Huskies in 2025, Bell put up some numbers, catching 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games played. Bell is primarily competing for playing time with Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, and Tyrell Shavers for a role behind Moore and Khalil Shakir.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Justin Herbert Sees First Preseason Action Against the 49ers
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert got the start in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Herbert was removed after a quick three-and-out on the team's opening drive. The 28-year-old completed one of two passing attempts for nine yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was able to connect to Charlie Kolar on his first pass attempt but was unable to connect with Ladd McConkey on third down to extend the drive. Chargers team reporter Eric Smith noted that Harbaugh planned for Herbert to play only one drive, which means he didn't consider putting him back out for a second drive. This was Herbert's first action this preseason and his first time playing under new OC Mike McDaniel in a game. He will have to continue getting comfortable in a new offense through practice reps since the team is expected to limit his usage in their preseason finale next week against the Los Angeles Rams.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Washington Jr. Earning Praise from His Head Coach
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. is "doing a great job running the ball" and "hinted that Washington Jr. has done enough as a runner to earn his shots," per Sam Warren of The Athletic. A fourth-round pick out of Arkansas, Washington Jr. recorded 1,296 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 195 touches across 12 games with the Razorbacks in 2025. Raiders RB1 Ashton Jeanty profiles as a three-down workhorse, which may make it difficult for Washington Jr. to see the field as a rookie. Warren also reports that the Raiders want to see the 23-year-old improve his all-around game, so the team may need to see improvements in pass protection and as a receiver before he is entrusted with a steady role in the offense. Still, Washington Jr. has stood out this summer and looks like the clear favorite to be the RB2 in Las Vegas. Fantasy managers looking for a handcuff option to Jeanty may want to prioritize Washington Jr. in drafts.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Cyrus Allen Gaining the Trust of His Quarterback
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen "appears to be gaining" the trust of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), per Jesse Newell of The Athletic. A fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Allen recorded 51 catches for 674 yards and 13 touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season at the University of Cincinnati. The 23-year-old has been a buzzy name throughout Chiefs' camp and hauled in two catches for 20 yards on a team-high five targets in Kansas City's first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams last Saturday. The Chiefs appear to have a veteran trio of wideouts ahead of Allen on the depth chart in Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton. However, Kansas City has been searching for reliable receiving talent for the last several seasons. Fantasy managers should not overreact just yet, but Allen could be a name to keep an eye on in deeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
