RADIO
Cyrus Allen a Top Waiver Wire Stash Heading Into Week 1
Kansas City Chiefs' fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati, Cyrus Allen, burst onto the scene throughout training camp and generated a lot of positive buzz and praise from Chiefs players and the coaching staff; however, he had a bit of a quiet preseason, catching six of his 12 targets for only 39 yards. Additionally, Allen was labeled as a reserve on the depth chart on Tuesday behind Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton. While it may take an injury for Allen to immediately provide WR3 or flex appeal, the positivity he gained throughout training camp garners a bench spot for fantasy managers taking a late-round flier or looking to fill a bench spot off the waiver wire. Allen has a more diverse route tree than Thornton, who is known as a deep-ball specialist. Allen remains a top waiver-wire stash heading into week one based on his training camp buzz and the potential to be getting passes from Patrick Mahomes. RotoBaller ranks Allen as the WR82 off the board and the 213th player overall.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zavion Thomas an Intriguing Deep-League Stash Candidate Entering 2026
Entering 2026, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas projects to be his team's WR4 behind Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III (groin), and Kalif Raymond. Bears tight end Colston Loveland is also expected to be heavily featured in the team's passing game, pushing Thomas even further down the target pecking order. However, Thomas showed an ability to impact games as both a pass-catcher and a rusher during his college career, recording 488 receiving yards, 99 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns across 13 games at LSU in 2025. The 21-year-old also ran a blazing 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the Draft Combine, which likely played a role in the Bears using a third-round pick on him this past April. If Thomas can work his way into a consistent role in Chicago, he could become an explosive big-play threat in the Bears' offense. As a stash candidate in deeper league formats, Thomas could be an intriguing waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Phil Mafah Tries Out for Packers Amid Backfield Uncertainty
Free agent running back Phil Mafah tried out for the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, per Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com. A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Mafah played in just one game as a rookie and was waived by the Cowboys in late August. While it's not yet clear if he will find his next NFL home in Green Bay, the Packers enter 2026 with significant questions in their backfield. Star Packers back Josh Jacobs is currently on the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List due to an offseason arrest, and it's unclear when or if he will be cleared to play. As a result, the team's running back room currently consists of the unproven trio of MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Kaleb Johnson. The team is reportedly planning to take a committee approach to the backfield early in the year, and the fact that the Packers hosted Mafah on Tuesday could indicate that they do not have great confidence in any of their current options.
Source: DallasCowboys.com - Tommy Yarrish
Source: DallasCowboys.com - Tommy Yarrish
Puka Nacua Not Listed on Rams' Initial Week 1 Injury Report
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is not listed on his team's initial injury report ahead of its season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. Nacua dealt with a psoas muscle injury towards the end of the preseason, but it appears that he is fully ready to go heading into Week 1. The 25-year-old put together a dominant season in 2025, recording 129 catches for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns on 166 targets across 16 games. Across the first 44 games of his professional career, Nacua is the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yards per game (95.3). As long as he's on the field, Nacua profiles as an elite fantasy wide receiver who could finish the year as the overall WR1.
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Christian McCaffrey Avoids 49ers Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is not among the players listed on the injury report ahead of his team's season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. McCaffrey's participation in training camp was limited due to undisclosed tightness, but it appears he is fully ready to go ahead of Week 1. The star running back led the NFL with 413 touches in 2025, so San Francisco may simply have been taking every available precaution to limit his workload over the summer. The ability to stay healthy throughout the entire season remains a concern for McCaffrey, who is entering his age-30 campaign and has missed 10 games or more in three of his nine career NFL seasons. Still, McCaffrey looks to be healthy entering 2026, and he remains a high-end RB1 option for fantasy managers as long as he is on the field.
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
De'Zhaun Stribling Not Listed on 49ers Injury Report on Tuesday
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling was not listed on the team's initial injury report ahead of its season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. Stribling dealt with a shoulder injury during the preseason, but he was able to practice in full on Tuesday and looks to be a full-go for Week 1. A second-round pick out of Ole Miss, Stribling recorded 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns across 15 games in his final collegiate season. With 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) expected to miss the entire 2026 season due to a knee injury, Stribling should play a starting role in San Francisco alongside veteran wideouts Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. The 23-year-old may not provide high-end fantasy production right away, but his upside makes him worth stashing in a bench spot in most league formats.
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Mike Evans Not Listed on 49ers Week 1 Injury Report
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans is not listed on the team's initial injury report ahead of its season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. Evans dealt with a groin injury during training camp, but the veteran wideout said it wasn't serious, and he appears to be a full-go for the start of the regular season. Evans is entering his age-33 season and missed nine games in 2025 due to hamstring and collarbone injuries. Even ahead of his first season with the 49ers, Evans has little to prove in training camp practices, so it makes sense that the team would be extra cautious with him over the summer. Evans remained a productive player when healthy last season, recording 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns on 62 targets across eight games. He profiles as a high-end WR3 option for fantasy managers entering 2026.
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Source: Associated Press - Josh Dubow
George Kittle is Limited During Tuesday's Practice
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was a limited participant during Tuesday's practice session, according to Josh Dubow. Kittle has been able to practice both Monday and Tuesday, which is a good sign ahead of Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Rams. The 32-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the season opener. It wouldn't be shocking to see the 49ers limit his playing time until he's back to full speed. Kittle did suffer a torn Achilles in January, so the fact that he's basically ready to play again is incredible. When healthy, Kittle is one of the best tight ends in the league and should offer low-end TE1 offer if he suits up on Thursday.
Source: Josh Dubow
Source: Josh Dubow
Terrance Ferguson is Not Listed on Injury Report
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, Josh Dobow reports. Ferguson is ready to go after being sidelined during recent practices due to an ongoing soreness issue. The 23-year-old is one of the more intriguing tight end stashes this upcoming season. The Rams used a second-round pick on Ferguson during the 2025 draft. He saw limited usage last season, but is expected to take a step forward in 2026. The Rams do have a handful of options at tight end, but Ferguson is looking like the best of the bunch. He could pay off big time for fantasy managers if they're willing to be patient with him
Source: Josh Dubow
Source: Josh Dubow
Jordyn Tyson is a Late-Round Stash Option
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) won't be ready for the season opener against the Detroit Lions. The Saints were forced to place Tyson on the Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury. The Saints expect the rookie wideout to miss roughly two months of action. Once he's cleared to play, Tyson figures to be a focal point in the Saints' passing game. The fact that Tyson won't be ready for at least the first four games of the season is obviously dropping his draft stock. Although fantasy managers should strongly consider snagging Tyson in the later rounds if he's available. He's a high-upside prospect who could be a difference maker for fantasy managers in a few months.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Sam Darnold Not in Streaming Conversation for Week 1
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is not in the streaming conversation when Seattle hosts the New England Patriots in Week 1. The Patriots boast a quality defense, and this feels like a game in which Seattle will rely more heavily on the running game. The Patriots were near the top of the pack against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy in 2025 as well. While they were not exactly facing the most quality opponents, this was still a defense that took care of business when it needed to. Darnold was the QB13 in 2025 due to his scorching first half of the season. However, the Seahawks' offensive strategy shifted down the stretch once Darnold began to struggle with turnovers. Darnold turned it around for the playoffs, but there are plenty of other quarterback options in Week 1 who have a narrower range of outcomes. Leave Darnold on waivers for this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Willis Could Offer Late-Round Value
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis will get a chance to show what he can do against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. The 27-year-old will get an opportunity to be a full-time starter after playing sparingly throughout his first four seasons in the league. The Dolphins haven't set Willis up for success with one of the worst receiving rooms in the league. They have superstar running back De'Von Achane, but this offense will likely struggle no matter who is under center. Rotoballer currently has Willis ranked at QB20, but Willis has the potential to be better than that. Given his lack of viable targets, Willis could be asked to use his legs to pick up first downs. He might be worth a late-round gamble, with there being some upside of a dual-threat quarterback.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jadarian Price an Intriguing Flex Option in Week 1
Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price figures to lead the backfield in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Price was the No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was brought in to replace the departing Kenneth Walker III. The knock on Price all offseason has been his lack of a college production profile due to his playing behind Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) while at Notre Dame. However, all reports out of camp suggest that Price is playing lights out and looks like the real deal. New England was stout against opposing running backs in fantasy in 2025. This is a quality defensive front that will match up with an equally good offensive line in Week 1. However, Price figures to see his fair share of snaps, and he should be involved in the passing game. Based on where you likely drafted Price in fantasy, it is unlikely that you will have to start him in Week 1. However, he should provide a decent floor as a flex option this week. He should have decent volume and scoring opportunities.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
AJ Barner a Potential Tight End Option in Week 1
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (oblique) is entering Year 3 entrenched as the No. 1 tight end option in the offense. He could be a solid play in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Barner subtly broke out in 2025. He finished as the TE14 with 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns. While nothing elite, Barner seemed to steadily improve as the season wore on. Through seven games, Barner was averaging 3.14 targets per game. Following Seattle's Week 8 bye, that number crept up to 4.6. Barner remained a large part of the offense into the playoffs, suggesting that he could be a huge offensive piece as we enter the 2026 season. New England was middle-of-the-pack against tight ends in 2026. Week 1 games can be sloppy, and Barner could benefit as an outlet for quarterback Sam Darnold. If you punted on tight end in your draft, and you need a start, Barner is certainly an option you could turn to.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cooper Kupp Not Worth Rostering in Week 1
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp has entered an era in which he is far more important to the real-life Seahawks than he is to fantasy managers. Kupp is not a player you should be starting or even rostering in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Kupp finished as the WR53 in 2025 on 47 receptions for 593 yards. He made plays when Seattle needed him to, but he was not a needle-mover for fantasy. Additionally, Kupp's role in the passing game waned as the season wore on. He only surpassed four targets in a game once following the team's Week 8 bye. With Rashid Shaheed and Tory Horton (hamstring) in line for more touches this coming season, Kupp feels like he could be the odd man out in fantasy football. Additionally, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba soaking up so many targets in a low-volume offense, as well, Kupp should not be considered in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
