March 7, 2026
Undersized Georgia wide receiver
Zachariah Branch tested extremely well at the NFL Combine, running a 4.35 40-yard dash while his vertical and broad jumps reinforced the explosiveness shown on film. Working primarily out of the slot, his short arms and imprecise route-running led to a handful of off-the-mark targets in college, but he showed rare explosiveness with the ball in his hands. Given his profile, he may find himself as more of a gadget player than an every-down receiver early in his career, contributing more as an NFL player than a fantasy asset. Branch is currently clustered with a large group of receivers in the second or third tier of this rookie class, and NFL draft capital should help to further clarify rookie draft rankings.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 7, 2026
Tennessee receiver
Chris Brazzell II ran a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine after measuring in at 6'4". That rare combination of size and speed contributed to the types of downfield explosive plays that littered his senior film. While the wide-open offensive scheme of the Volunteers has not always translated well to the NFL, Brazzell's traits are undeniable, and the fact that he was able to produce as a redshirt freshman at Tulane before his transfer is another feather in his cap. He has been on the rise throughout the pre-draft process, and he could work his way into the early parts of the Day 2 NFL Draft conversation.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 7, 2026
Notre Dame wide receiver
Malachi Fields measured in at over 6'4" and 218 pounds at the NFL Combine, and while he put up impressive numbers in the vertical and broad jumps, his 4.61 40-yard dash reinforced some of the slow releases seen on his tape. The fifth senior has had an up-and-down pre-draft showing, consistent with some of the inconsistencies that marred his college career. He profiles as a physical boundary receiver who might struggle to create separation but will hold an advantage in most contested catch situations. After the top three receivers come off the board in rookie drafts, Fields could be in play in the next tier but will likely fall into the mid rounds.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints quarterback
Spencer Rattler started the first eight games of the 2025 season before being benched in favor of rookie
Tyler Shough. Questions now exist about how the 25-year-old, who is still under contract through the 2027 season, fits into the team's future plans, but according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, the Saints have not received any calls about his potential trade value. Rattler is now 1-13 as an NFL starter, largely assuming the role out of necessity, but it would seem that his future in the league will be that of a backup, either in New Orleans or elsewhere.
--Patrick McGrathSource: ESPN
March 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints tight end
Taysom Hill's football future remains uncertain heading into the 2026 offseason, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. The Saints gave Hill a fitting send-off in his final home game of the 2025 season, in case he decided to retire after the year ended. Fast forward two months later, and the 35-year-old remains undecided on what the future holds. On one hand, he still has some production left in the tank after amassing 114 rushing yards, 91 receiving yards, and 57 passing yards last year. On the other hand, his stats took a step backward, and he dropped to the overall TE58 in PPR leagues, his lowest mark since 2018. Further complicating matters is the fact that Hill is an impending free agent, so within just a few days, he'll no longer have an NFL contract. It's possible that Hill will test the market before deciding whether to play football in 2026. Even if he does come back for another year, he's no longer a dependable option in dynasty or redraft leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Katherine Terrell
March 7, 2026
The New York Giants are expected to move linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux this offseason, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Thibodeaux comes with a salary of nearly $15 million, and Raanan expects the Giants to move on from the former first-round pick so that they can spend money on "others in their defensive front, whether it be middle linebacker or defensive line." If this is indeed the end of Thibodeaux's time in New York, he finishes his Giants stint with 23.5 sacks, 152 tackles, 55 quarterback hits, and six forced fumbles across four seasons (53 games, 53 starts). Health has been somewhat of a concern with the 25-year-old, who missed 12 games over the last two years. He'll look to get back to his 2022 and 2023 form; he finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2022, and he had 11.5 sacks in 2023. Upon his anticipated departure, Abdul Carter and Brian Burns will continue to make an impact as edge rushers on either end of the defensive line.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jordan Raanan
March 7, 2026
The Carolina Panthers intend to replace backup quarterback
Andy Dalton this offseason, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. "Moving on is the plan, even if it means releasing Dalton and leaving $3.83 million in dead cap money with a post-June 1 parting," Newton wrote. This loosely echoes previous comments from Panthers general manager Dan Morgan, who said the team wants to develop a young backup behind
Bryce Young and that Dalton would have to compete for a roster spot. At this point, it sounds unlikely that he'll be back for 2026, with the Panthers perhaps looking toward free agency or the NFL Draft for a younger replacement. Newton identified veteran journeyman quarterbacks
Kenny Pickett,
Zach Wilson,
Trey Lance, and
Sam Howell as potential QB2 options in Carolina going forward.
--Andersen PickardSource: David Newton
March 6, 2026
Free agent running backs
Rachaad White and
Kenneth Gainwell "might make sense" for the Jacksonville Jaguars if they don't re-sign
Travis Etienne Jr., according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. White, 27, spent his first four NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. He consistently flashed upside as a dual-threat back with the ability to score touchdowns, but he was held in check each of the last two years due to
Bucky Irving's breakout. We have seen what White can do in a shared backfield (or by himself), and he could be a 1A to the 1B of
Bhayshul Tuten in Jacksonville. There's real optimism that White could return to 2023 form, which included 990 rushing yards, 549 receiving yards, nine touchdowns, and an overall RB4 finish in PPR leagues. Notably, White has a connection to Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who was previously his offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay. Gainwell, on the other hand, is coming off a breakout season in Pittsburgh. During his lone year as a Steeler, he ranked as the RB16 in PPR leagues with 537 rushing yards, 486 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He split the workload with
Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, and he'd presumably do the same with Tuten in Jacksonville. Either running back would have appeal as an RB2 or RB3 option if they sign with the Jaguars.
--Andersen PickardSource: Michael DiRocco
March 6, 2026
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Baltimore Ravens are acquiring superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick. The five-time Pro Bowler has been in trade discussions for several months and has finally found a suitor. Crosby has spent his entire NFL career with the Raiders since joining them in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Crosby has recorded four double-digit sack seasons and averaged 9.9 sacks per season. Since 2022, Crosby has hit the double-digit sack mark in all but one season (2024), where he only played in 12 games. In 2025, Crosby logged 10.0 sacks with 73 tackles, one interception, and six deflections. The 28-year-old will bring high upside to the Baltimore defensive line, which tallied only 30 sacks last season, tying them for the third-fewest in the sport.
--Andy SmithSource: Adam Schefter
March 6, 2026
The San Francisco 49ers have an interest in impending free-agent wide receivers
Alec Pierce and
Romeo Doubs, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will be released soon, and it "sure seems" like
Jauan Jennings won't be retained at the wide receiver position in the Bay Area. Former first-rounder and injury-prone wideout
Ricky Pearsall would be the team's top wideout if both Aiyuk and Jennings leave, which is why it's not a surprise at all that the 49ers are looking at both Pierce and Doubs. Both wideouts are coming off career years with the Colts and Packers, respectively, and are in line for bigger roles with new teams in 2026 and beyond. Pierce, 25, had 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 47 catches in 15 games as Indy's leading receiver. Doubs, 25, had a 55-724-6 line in 16 regular-season games. Pierce has a higher fantasy ceiling because of his big-play ability; he's led the league the last two years in yards per reception.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
March 6, 2026
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has heard that Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) has interest in the Indianapolis Colts as he looks for his next team. Breer adds that Murray's preference is probably to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, but all options are on the table right now, with the Cardinals expected to release him. As long as the Colts can retain
Daniel Jones (Achilles) -- he received the transition tag -- the Colts wouldn't exactly make sense for Murray from a playing-time standpoint. The 28-year-old former first overall pick back in 2019 out of Oklahoma is one of the quickest QBs in the game, but injuries have been an issue, and he just hasn't been able to take the next step as a dual-threat signal-caller in the NFL. Before a season-ending foot strain in Week 5, Murray had 962 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three picks in 2025. Landing in Minnesota would be the best thing for Murray's fantasy value as he looks to rebound in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
March 6, 2026
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer thinks that Jacksonville Jaguars impending free-agent running back
Travis Etienne Jr. could wind up at over $10 million per year in free agency, and he could be a good fit with a team like the New Orleans Saints. Long-time lead back
Alvin Kamara (knee) played in a career-low 11 games last year due to a knee injury, and the Saints restructured his contract on Friday with the potential to move on from the aging back. If the Saints were to move on from Kamara or he were to retire, Etienne would be firmly in play for Etienne and the other top RBs on the open market this offseason. The 27-year-old is the total package as a runner and receiver, having totaled 1,107 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries while adding 36 catches for 292 yards and another six TDs in 17 regular-season games with the Jags in 2025. Etienne's fantasy arrow is pointing up, but his final 2026 value will be determined once we know where he'll be playing.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
March 6, 2026
Denver Broncos free-agent running back
Tyler Badie plans to sign his one-year, $1.075 million tender "soon," according to Chris Tomasson of The Athletic. Badie could sign the tender as soon as Saturday. The Broncos are expected to explore the free-agent RB market, so at best, the 26-year-old could be relegated to RB3 duties again in Denver in 2026. In his third year in the NFL in 2025, the former sixth-rounder of the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 out of Missouri had carried the ball only eight times for 23 yards, adding 19 receptions on 31 targets for 141 yards and no touchdowns as a pass-catcher. Badie added 452 return yards on 17 attempts on special teams. There's a good chance both
J.K. Dobbins (foot) and
Jaleel McLaughlin won't be back in the Broncos' backfield next season. Badie is off the fantasy radar in the majority of leagues this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Denver Gazette - Chris Tomasson
March 6, 2026
The Chicago Bears are acquiring center Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots on Friday, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal won't officially be processed until the new league year begins next Wednesday. The move comes after former Bears center Drew Dalman surprisingly announced his retirement earlier this week. The 30-year-old veteran started all 17 regular-season games for the second straight year in 2025 and helped the Patriots get all the way to the Super Bowl, but he wasn't particularly effective as a run-blocker last season. He signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with New England in March of last year. Bradbury, a former 18th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019 out of North Carolina State, could face competition at the center position in Chicago if the Bears add another center in free agency.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 6, 2026
The Athletic's Chad Graff thinks Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent wide receiver
Alec Pierce "fits a lot of what New England is likely to be looking for in a receiver" in free agency this offseason. Graff took it a step further and predicted that the Patriots would sign Pierce to a four-year, $104 million contract. The 25-year-old will be in high demand on the open market after posting his first 1,000-yard season in 2025 while catching 47 of his 84 targets for six touchdowns in 15 games. Pierce has led the league in yards per catch in each of the last two years in Indy. The second-round speedster and the Colts have mutual interest in a reunion, but Pierce could also bolt to the highest bidder, as long as they have a stable quarterback situation. Pats QB
Drake Maye was extremely accurate deep down the field, which would make Pierce an ideal fit after New England just cut their top wideout in
Stefon Diggs this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
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