February 23, 2026
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle's (Achilles) optimism for a speedy return in 2026 following a torn Achilles that he suffered in the Wild-Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles is realistic, according to Dr. Daniel Kaplan, an orthopedic surgeon. Kittle suffered a clean tear that happened high up by his soleus. "They didn't have to drill into my heel," Kittle said. "And where the repair was is where there's more blood flow. And so, it takes some time off the recovery time." Barring a setback during his rehab, it's possible that Kittle could return to the field sometime around September. "It's reasonable to think Week 5 or so would be on the long end of a return," according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Kittle and the Niners are hopeful that when he's back, he'll be able to "return to somewhere close to his usual level of production." The 32-year-old will obviously be pretty risky in fantasy in 2026, but he'll be worth stashing everywhere. If Jake Tongues returns as a restricted free agent, he'll be a low-end TE1 sleeper in the first part of the year until Kittle returns.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
February 23, 2026
Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will not throw at the NFL scouting combine this week, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Indiana quarterback will instead throw at the Hoosiers' pro day on April 1, when the school has multiple receivers that Mendoza wants to help showcase. The 22-year-old doesn't really need to do anything more at this point for the Las Vegas Raiders to be comfortable taking him with the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft. On his way to leading Indiana to a perfect season and the national title in 2025, the Heisman Trophy winner threw for 3,535 yards and a league-high 41 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions in 16 games played. Mendoza also ran for 276 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground on 90 rushing attempts. He could have some ups and downs in his first year in the NFL with the rebuilding Raiders, but he will be the unquestioned top pick in all rookie-only dynasty drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
February 23, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons are planning to use the franchise tag on standout tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr., sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Pitts will receive a one-year, fully guaranteed deal worth more than $15 million in 2026 if the two sides don't come to a long-term contract extension before the deadline in July. The 25-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida finally came through for fantasy managers in 2025 in his fifth year in the league, finishing as the TE2 in half-PPR scoring with career-highs in catches (88), targets (118), and touchdowns (five) while recording 928 receiving yards in 17 games played. He will certainly be a TE1 in fantasy this fall, but there is still some volatility with Pitts, especially with quarterback
Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) health in question. Pitts came on strong in the final six games in 2025, going for 39 receptions for 469 yards and four TDs during that stretch.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 23, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys will finalize the franchise tag for wide receiver
George Pickens in the next week, according to executive vice president Stephen Jones. The Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins writes that if Pickens gets franchise-tagged, "there's a strong possibility he will not report to the offseason programs as the team engages in contract talks with his agents." Edge rusher Micah Parsons didn't show up for the offseason program last year while in contract talks with the club before eventually being traded to the Green Bay Packers. Pickens, 24, will be back with Dallas in 2026 after earning his first Pro Bowl berth with career-highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdowns (nine). The franchise tag for receivers is projected at $28 million. A tag-and-trade scenario is possible, but both sides have an interest in a reunion in 2026 and beyond. With Pickens expected to be in Dallas again this year, he'll be firmly in the WR1 range in fantasy football drafts this fall after his big 2025 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Calvin Watkins
February 23, 2026
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that no NFL team has offered a proposal to ban the tush push, and there have been no recent talks about changing the rule, competition committee co-chairman Rick McKay said. The Green Bay Packers pushed hard last year to have the play banned, but NFL rules require approval from 24 owners to enact a rule change, and only 16 supported the ban as it was written at the time. The short-yardage play has mostly been utilized by the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, but more tush pushes occurred in 2025, with other teams experimenting with using tight ends rather than quarterbacks to take the snap. The NFL saw slightly more tush pushes last year (112) than in 2024 (101). The Eagles (27) and Bills (17) led the league by far in tush-push attempts. The conversion rate was slightly lower in 2025, with teams succeeding 76.8% of the time, which was down from 82% from 2022 through 2024.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
February 22, 2026
Across 17 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Rachaad White recorded 790 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 172 touches. White seemingly had a golden opportunity to reclaim a workhorse role in Tampa Bay after fellow Bucs running back
Bucky Irving went down early in the year with injuries that ultimately cost him seven games. However, White struggled with rushing efficiency and ultimately lost out on snap share to Tampa Bay back
Sean Tucker. White is now set to hit free agency, which could help him find a new home that can offer a less crowded running back room. Still, White is averaging fewer than four yards per carry on 677 career attempts and may not be suited for a lead rushing role. The 27-year-old should still be a fantasy-relevant player due to his pass-catching ability, as he's hauled in 205 receptions for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns across 67 career games. At the same time, his dynasty value is fading as he slides back into a more complementary phase of his career.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson emerged as a breakout pass-catcher in 2025, recording 78 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns on 126 targets across 17 games played. The 25-year-old's rise coincided with the Cardinals' mid-season quarterback change from
Kyler Murray to
Jacoby Brissett, as well as injury issues in the team's backfield that led Arizona to become one of the NFL's most pass-heavy offenses. Entering 2026, the Cardinals will have an entirely new coaching staff led by former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Arizona could also have a new quarterback under center, as Brissett is a career journeyman and the team is reportedly looking to move on from Murray. The turnover in Arizona creates some uncertainty that Wilson will be able to repeat his 2025 success in 2026 and beyond. However, his breakout season cannot be ignored, and Wilson's value in dynasty formats should be on the rise.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams got off to a slow start to the 2025 season, recording just 16 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns on 17 targets across the first seven weeks of the year. However, the 24-year-old emerged following Detroit's Week 8 bye, hauling in 49 receptions for 828 yards and five scores over his final 10 games played. Williams became a bigger focal point in the team's offense once Lions head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties from former offensive coordinator John Morton, who was fired after the season. At the same time, Williams' production surge can also be correlated to the absence of Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta (back), who went down for the season in Week 10 with a back injury. If LaPorta can make a healthy return in 2026, it's fair to wonder if Williams may fall back into a low-volume role in a Lions' offense that also includes star wideout
Amon-Ra St. Brown. Still, Williams has continued to make small steps up in production in each of his four NFL seasons, and he remains an explosive playmaker with fantasy upside in dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Across 13 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Sterling Shepard recorded 39 receptions for 371 yards and one touchdown on 53 targets. With veteran Buccaneers wideouts
Mike Evans and
Chris Godwin Jr. sidelined for a significant portion of the year by injury, Shepard saw increased opportunity for playing time, particularly early in the season. However, he was largely unable to hold off Bucs rookie wide receivers
Emeka Egbuka and
Tez Johnson, and the late-season return of second-year wideout
Jalen McMillan pushed Shepard even further down the depth chart. Shepard is now set for unrestricted free agency, and a change of scenery away from the crowded wide receiver room in Tampa Bay could help his fantasy outlook. Still, Shepard is entering his age-33 season and has not recorded 40 receptions in a season since 2020. Regardless of where he ends up in 2026, Shepard's fantasy-relevant days may be behind him.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Across 15 games in 2025, Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins recorded 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets. Collins is one of the NFL's most talented wideouts, but his fantasy production has been held down by a middling offensive situation in Houston over the past two seasons. Injuries have also been an issue for the 26-year-old, as he's never played more than 15 games in a season and has missed 19 total games across his five NFL campaigns. Still, Collins is the unquestioned number one target in the Texans' passing game and has recorded three consecutive seasons with at least 68 catches, 1,006 yards, and six touchdowns despite missed time in all three. If he can ever put together a fully healthy campaign and Houston's passing game takes a marginal step forward, Collins could put together a truly elite fantasy season. As is, he profiles as a low-end fantasy WR1 and should hold his dynasty value as he hits his late-twenties.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze got off to a scorching start to the 2025 season, recording 20 catches for 296 yards and five touchdowns on 35 targets across his first four games of the year. However, the 23-year-old's production slowed down over the course of the season. Over his next eight games played, Odunze hauled in 24 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown on 55 targets. Odunze also suffered a foot injury that caused him to miss Chicago's final five games of the regular season. The 23-year-old was able to return for the playoffs, so he should be good to go for 2026 from a health perspective. However, Odunze has not yet shown the elite fantasy production upside some projected when Chicago selected him ninth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Odunze also has significant target competition around him with the Bears in the form of wide receivers
DJ Moore and
Luther Burden III, as well as tight end
Colston Loveland. Odunze still has time to break out as a star, but his dynasty outlook took a slight hit in 2025.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Luke McCaffrey (collarbone) had been ascending into a larger role on offense before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 9. McCaffrey suffered a broken collarbone on a kickoff return, ending his season roughly halfway through the year. He only had 11 catches at the time, as most of his contributions had come on special teams. However, he had started to take on more volume just prior to the injury. From Week 3 through Week 8, McCaffrey had 10 catches, 184 yards, and three touchdowns. He ranked as the overall WR42 in PPR leagues during that six-week span. Once the former third-round pick out of Rice recovers from his injury, he'll have a chance to compete for even more targets in this Commanders offense led by new offensive coordinator
David Blough.
Terry McLaurin remains the top pass-catcher in Washington, but veteran wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. and veteran tight end
Zach Ertz (knee) are both headed for free agency. There are plenty of vacated targets to go around, and while the Commanders will surely add pass-catchers in the draft and free agency, McCaffrey might get first dibs on the lion's share of those targets because of his experience and familiarity within the Washington system.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Detroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff had another strong season in 2025, completing 68% of his passes for 4,563 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also lost five fumbles. Goff ranked as the overall QB9 in fantasy football, delivering his fourth consecutive top-10 finish. The Lions dealt with a lot of adversity last season, including the departure of superstar offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Detroit ultimately missed the playoffs. However, from a fantasy perspective, Goff appeared unaffected. He turned in his lowest interception total since 2022, though his increased fumble total wasn't ideal. Part of Goff's fantasy success can be attributed to the superstar group of offensive weapons around him, but he deserves plenty of credit, too. The veteran quarterback has learned how to protect the football while still making aggressive passes that rack up yards or result in a touchdown. Goff doesn't have the rushing upside that makes so many fantasy quarterbacks great, but his talent as a passer keeps him in the top-10 range for 2026 redraft leagues. Dynasty managers might consider selling high on Goff, because he is a candidate for regression over the next few seasons, even if it doesn't happen right away.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Baker Mayfield had a very disappointing 2025 season. Just one year removed from ranking as the fantasy QB4 with 44 touchdowns, the former first-round pick responded with just 3,693 passing yards, 27 total touchdowns, and 14 turnovers. He ranked as the QB12 in fantasy football, which was his lowest mark since 2022 with the Panthers and Rams. Wide receiver injuries and poor coaching could be to blame, as the Bucs' entire offense struggled in their first year without Liam Coen. Tampa Bay fired their Coen replacement, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, after just one year, replacing him with Zac Robinson for 2026. It's unclear how much that will change, but Mayfield is certainly a candidate for positive regression (bouncing back to top-10 form) next year. He's worth buying low in dynasty leagues if his current manager is looking to sell at a discount.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 22, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase had another strong season in 2025. While he wasn't able to replicate his WR1 finish from 2024, he still had a big year with 125 catches, 1,412 yards, and eight touchdowns across 16 games. He was the WR4 in PPR leagues, extending his streak to five consecutive finishes within the top 12. It was impressive to see Chase thrive even without
Joe Burrow throwing him passes for the whole season. He spent plenty of games with
Joe Flacco and
Jake Browning, which limited his upside on a week-by-week basis. That partial-season quarterback downgrade is likely why Chase only scored eight touchdowns, relative to his 17 from the year before. Burrow's health is never a guarantee, but if the quarterback can stay healthy for most of 2026, Chase and fellow receiver
Tee Higgins should both benefit. He's still a top-three receiver with overall WR1 upside in both redraft and dynasty leagues. If there's ever a time to get him at a slight discount in dynasty trades, it might be now.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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