March 29, 2026
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told Judy Battista of the NFL Network that there is "no doubt about it" that
Geno Smith will be the team's starting quarterback in 2026. "Listen, he's done it. I mean, those years in Seattle, when he was, I think, Comeback Player of the Year. Man, he was up for MVP early in the season. There's no doubt in my mind that we brought a competent starter here to this team," Glenn said. The 35-year-old veteran signal-caller was a Pro Bowler in back-to-back seasons with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 and 2023, but in his lone season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, it was ugly for Smith. He completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts. The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft thanks to Smith, and the Jets might be hoping he can do the same for them going into the 2027 NFL draft as they search for their next franchise QB. Smith is merely a bridge option under center and should be considered a low-end QB2 in fantasy this fall with little upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Judy Battista
March 29, 2026
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that tight end
George Kittle (Achilles) is doing "very good" in his recovery from a torn Achilles in the postseason and that the team is hopeful that he'll be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2026 season, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Kittle will be managed carefully during training camp this summer, but "he's progressing at a good rate." The 32-year-old veteran tore his Achilles tendon in the team's Wild-Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11 and went under the knife a week later. Fantasy managers shouldn't take this as gospel that Kittle will be ready for the start of the regular season, as ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported over a month ago that the Pro Bowl tight end might not return until around Week 5. Kittle is a high-end TE1 option for fantasy managers when he's healthy, but the uncertainty around his injury going into 2026 will cause his price to drop. He finished as the TE11 in half-PPR scoring in 2025 with 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in only 11 regular-season games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
March 29, 2026
TCU wide receiver
Eric McAlister (foot) ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash during his school's pro day earlier this week but was then forced to stop working out after running 15 routes, according to Tony Pauline of Yahoo Sports. Doctors diagnosed McAlister with a Jones fracture in his foot, according to sources. McAlister previously had a right-knee scope, which kept him from participating in the Shrine Bowl and the NFL scouting combine at the end of February. His injuries will surely affect his stock for next month's NFL draft, and it's uncertain when he'll be able to resume football activities. It's very possible that McAlister won't be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. McAlister had a Big 12-high 1,190 receiving yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns on 72 receptions in 13 games for the Horned Frogs in his senior year in 2025. In four collegiate seasons (two years at Boise State), McAlister had a combined 169 catches for 3,084 yards and 24 touchdowns in 48 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Yahoo Sports - Tony Pauline
March 29, 2026
Seattle Seahawks running back
Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore his ACL in a Divisional Round playoff win over the 49ers, making him extremely unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. The Seahawks watched Super Bowl MVP
Kenneth Walker III take a top-of-market deal with the Chiefs in free agency and have done little to address the running back position, heading into April's NFL Draft with
Emanuel Wilson,
George Holani, and
Kenny McIntosh as the top healthy backs on the roster. Seattle holds the 32nd overall pick and has become a buzzy landing spot for whoever becomes the second running back drafted behind top prospect
Jeremiyah Love. The team has reportedly hosted Jonah Coleman and Chip Trayanum on official visits, and depending on exactly how early they make a move at the position, Charbonnet could see a mid-season return to one of the most wide-open backfields in the league.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. has seen his name floated in trade rumors since last season's trade deadline, despite repeated claims from the front office that they are not shopping their former first-round pick following a disappointing second season. After making 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, Thomas was held to 707 yards and two scores on only 48 receptions in 2025. Regardless of where he plays in 2026, he could be viewed as a buy-low candidate. Stuck in a muddled receiver room after a down year, he is currently being drafted as a low-end WR2 in dynasty startups, less than a year after topping out as a top-five receiver in most dynasty circles. The talent he displayed both in college and as a rookie is real, though motivation issues have hounded him since his time at LSU. Should he remain in Jacksonville, Thomas has the explosive playmaking abilities to regain the most fantasy-relevant role on the team, while a new home and a fresh start would likely also see his value spike.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
When the Washington Commanders spent a third-round pick on former quarterback turned wide receiver
Luke McCaffrey in 2024, many fantasy managers feared he may have been over-drafted, but chased the draft capital and spent a late rookie pick on him anyway. Through his first two seasons in the NFL, he's accumulated only 371 yards on 29 receptions, though his usage and production were both on the upswing prior to a season-ending collarbone injury suffered in Week 9. McCaffrey scored the first three touchdowns of his career while averaging 18.5 yards per reception. Between
Deebo Samuel and
Zach Ertz, Washington looks set to enter 2026 without its two highest target-earners from 2025. While a healthy
Terry McLaurin and the recently acquired
Rachaad White and
Chig Okonkwo will certainly help to fill that vacuum, McCaffrey could settle into a meaningful downfield role. In parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders promoted from within, naming 30-year-old assistant quarterbacks coach
David Blough as their new offensive coordinator, meaning McCaffrey will have familiarity with the system and a potential inside track to claim some of those vacated looks.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt was a zero-star recruit who saw stops at Saint Francis and James Madison before winning a National Championship with the Hoosiers in 2025. He is a big-bodied receiver who excelled on back-shoulder throws and contested-catch situations, but those traits that led to success at the collegiate level are increasingly seen as red flags for fantasy managers. In recent years, receivers like N'Keal Harry and
Keon Coleman have entered the NFL with similar profiles, and while they were able to bully their way to success in college, a lack of separation became a quick concern at the professional level. Outside of
Jordyn Tyson,
Carnell Tate, and
Makai Lemon, this appears to be a deep but imperfect receiver class, and NFL GMs and fantasy managers alike will be forced to decide exactly what types of flaws they are willing to live with.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
After injuries limited him to only five offensive snaps as a rookie, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Roman Wilson saw the field more in Year 2, but was still unable to take advantage of his limited opportunities, finishing 2026 with only two touchdowns and 166 yards on 12 receptions. A third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Wilson has been a popular dynasty stash following a productive National Championship-winning senior season at Michigan, but having shown little to warrant the roster spot, he figures to be heavily dropped as dynasty managers clear space for the incoming rookie class. With the Steelers trading for
Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with last season's prized acquisition,
D.K. Metcalf, the Steelers now boast arguably their most potent receiving duo since
Diontae Johnson and
George Pickens, leaving Wilson fighting with a handful of capable pass-catching running backs and tight ends for any remaining targets. And with the quarterback position still unsettled heading into April, the quality of those sporadic looks will likely be incapable of sustaining fantasy relevance in the immediate future.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid acknowledged quarterback
Patrick Mahomes' (knee) progress from a torn ACL and LCL suffered late last year, but he did not commit to an exact recovery timeline, according to Judy Battista of the NFL Network. Mahomes posted a video of a throwing session on Wednesday, and he is hoping to be ready for a Week 1 return later this year after having surgery to fix a torn ACL and LCL in his knee. "He's doing great," Reid said. "He spends a ton of time in the building. ... He's in there for seven hours a day. It's showing, the progress. Now, to tell you a timeline? I mean, I know what he's striving for. We'll just see where it goes from there." The Chiefs' ability to bounce back on offense in 2026 depends heavily on Mahomes' recovery. If he's not ready for Week 1, the Chiefs could be in trouble, as
Justin Fields is their current backup. Coming off major knee surgery, Mahomes will be riskier in fantasy football drafts this fall, dropping to more of a low-end QB1 signal-caller if he's on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Judy Battista
March 29, 2026
A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Tre' Harris was largely blocked off from significant playing time as a rookie. Across 17 games, the 24-year-old recorded 30 receptions for 324 yards and one touchdown on 43 targets and spent most of the year as the Chargers' WR4 behind
Ladd McConkey,
Quentin Johnston, and
Keenan Allen. However, the soon-to-be 34-year-old Allen currently remains unsigned, which could open up a path to a starting role for Harris in 2026. Additionally, Los Angeles faces a May 1 deadline to decide on whether or not to exercise Johnston's fifth-year option for the 2027 season. If the Chargers decline the option, Harris would almost certainly be the team's succession plan for Johnston in a starting role on the outside. For dynasty managers, buying low on Harris before the Chargers' long-term roster-building plans are out in the open could be a smart move.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Dont'e Thornton Jr. struggled to establish himself as a rookie. Across 15 games (eight starts), the 23-year-old recorded just 10 catches for 135 yards and zero touchdowns on 30 targets. However, Thornton Jr. should have a significantly improved offensive ecosystem around him in Las Vegas in 2026. The Raiders hired former Seattle Seahawks play-caller Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and are also widely expected to select University of Indiana quarterback
Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick in the upcoming draft. Additionally, the Las Vegas wide receiver depth chart currently looks like an open competition for playing time between incumbents Thornton Jr.,
Jack Bech, and
Tre Tucker, as well as free agent additions
Jalen Nailor and
Dareke Young. Thornton Jr. did not show much reason for optimism as a rookie, so fantasy managers should proceed with caution. However, he also stands out as a buy-low candidate who could likely be acquired on the cheap after his underwhelming 2025 campaign.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
New York Jets running back
Braelon Allen (knee) suffered through a lost season due to injury in 2025 after he went down with a season-ending MCL sprain in Week 4. Leading into 2025, Allen was one of the buzzier running back names in fantasy circles due to reports that the Jets were planning for a more even workload split between him and fellow back
Breece Hall. That obviously never came to fruition, and Hall wound up logging over 1,400 yards from scrimmage across 16 games. However, the Jets placed the franchise tag on Hall earlier this offseason, and the two sides have yet to come to a long-term extension agreement. If he can get back to full health, Allen could still feature heavily in New York's future plans at the running back position. For dynasty managers, now might be the best time to buy low on Allen.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
The 35th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders right end
Michael Mayer flashed some upside by hauling in 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns on 40 targets as a rookie. However, Las Vegas drafted superstar tight end
Brock Bowers in the first round in 2024, blocking Mayer from the Raiders' lead receiving tight end role. Even in a season in which Bowers missed five games due to injury in 2025, Mayer still finished the year with just 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets. The 24-year-old is now entering the final year of his rookie deal with Las Vegas and has yet to establish himself as a tight end who is worthy of a significant role in his team's passing game. In the deepest of dynasty leagues, Mayer could be worth buying low on in case he winds up on a different team in 2027. Still, his dynasty value has never been lower than it is entering 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
KaVontae Turpin has established an NFL role for himself as an All-Pro return man and a gadget piece on offense. Across 15 games in 2025, the 29-year-old recorded 26 receptions for 396 receiving yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 89 yards on 17 attempts. However, Turpin has not cracked 50 total touches in any of his four NFL seasons, limiting his fantasy utility. Heading into 2026, the Cowboys have three wideouts firmly ahead of Turpin on the depth chart in
CeeDee Lamb,
George Pickens, and
Ryan Flournoy. Dallas also made a significant free agent commitment to running back
Javonte Williams, who profiles as a three-down workhorse. While Turpin's role on the Cowboys' roster is safe, he may not have a path to a consistent role in the Dallas offense in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 29, 2026
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) required surgery to fix a broken bone in his right foot following his eighth season in the NFL, but new head coach Joe Brady told NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero that Allen is "good to go." Allen should be fine for all of Buffalo's offseason workouts as the Bills look to finally get over the postseason hump and to the Super Bowl in 2026. The 29-year-old has come short of the 4,000-yard passing mark in each of the last two seasons, but he should have more help in the passing game with the offseason acquisition of receiver
DJ Moore. The four-time Pro Bowler and former MVP was still the QB1 overall in fantasy scoring in 2025, thanks to his elite rushing abilities. In 17 regular-season starts, Allen threw for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding a league-high 579 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground on 112 carries. Allen's rushing prowess will make him the top QB off the board in fantasy football drafts again this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
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