RADIO
Zach Ertz Could Still Contribute in Dynasty Leagues
Free agent tight end Zach Ertz remains unsigned as most teams around the league gather for organized offseason workouts, but he has gone on record that he intends to return for 2026. Ertz suffered a devastating ACL tear in a Week 14 loss to the Vikings, but he is determined not to have that be the final play of his career. The 35-year-old three-time Pro Bowler was playing well before the injury, on a 17-game pace of 69 catches for 698 yards after his first season in Washington ended with 654 yards and seven touchdowns. A nine-month recovery timeline would put Ertz in line to return to action for the start of the 2026 season, and depending on where he lands, he could still carve out a fantasy-relevant role as the NFL shifts to a new normal of having multiple tight ends on the field at once. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE44, he's a practically forgotten-about trade target who could add depth for contending managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dyami Brown Holds Little Dynasty Value in His Return to Washington
Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown signed a one-year deal this offseason to return to the team that drafted him in 2021. Brown's single season with Jacksonville in 2025 was an unproductive one, finishing the year with only 227 yards on 20 receptions, and even though the receiver room he rejoins in Washington doesn't boast the top-to-bottom target competition of the one he left in Duval, expectations remain low from a fantasy perspective, reflected by his standing as WR129 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings. Veteran Terry McLaurin is all but locked in as the top option in new coordinator David Blough's offense, and free agent additions Chig Okonkwo and Rachaad White are expected to see a healthy dose of receiving work from their respective tight end and running back positions. 2026 third-round pick Antonio Williams projects to eventually earn a full-time role in the slot, leaving Brown in competition with Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane for additional targets in what has been one of the league's run-heaviest offenses since Dan Quinn took over as head coach. Having never topped 308 receiving yards or three total touchdowns in a season, Brown is not a player who needs to be rostered heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trevor Etienne Could Still Find Dynasty Relevance After Quiet Rookie Season
Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne was a non-factor for fantasy after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the door remains at least partially open for him to claim a role in his second season. With the team's leading rusher from 2025, Rico Dowdle, signing a two-year deal with the Steelers, the lead back job has been turned back over to Chuba Hubbard, who did what he could to fight through injuries but ultimately disappointed in the first year of the four-year extension he signed in 2024. Behind him on the depth chart is 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, who was the first running back selected in his draft class but has become a giant question mark after tearing his ACL for the second time in 13 months as a rookie and missing the entirety of his sophomore campaign. With Hubbard one of the least efficient pass-catching backs in the league over the past two seasons, how much Brooks can provide as a receiver will prove to be the single biggest obstacle to Etienne finding work in 2026. Etienne was a capable receiving back in college, and if he can carve out any sort of third-down role with the Panthers, he at least has a chance to outplay expectations as RotoBaller's dynasty RB95.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bam Knight's Dynasty Value Has Run Dry in Crowded Running Back Room
Arizona running back Bam Knight took advantage of a depleted Cardinals depth chart in 2025, finishing as the fantasy RB24 or better in five different weeks while leading the team with four rushing touchdowns. Knight signed a one-year deal to return to Arizona this offseason, but with an entirely revamped running back room in the desert, any meaningful contributions in 2026 will likely be made on special teams. James Conner and Trey Benson played in a combined seven games in 2025, and while both are expected to be healthy heading into the season, they themselves will be battling for the third and fourth spots on the Cardinals' newly stacked depth chart after the team signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and spent the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on future bell cow Jeremiyah Love. With no realistic path to playing time, Knight has fallen to RB93 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings and is no longer a player worth rostering.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mac Jones and 49ers Agree to a Revised Contract
Quarterback Mac Jones and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a revised contract for 2026, adding a $300,000 roster bonus that will allow him to earn up to $5.8 million with incentives before reaching free agency in 2027. Following a 2024 season in Jacksonville in which he stepped in for an injured Trevor Lawrence and maintained fantasy relevance not just for himself but also for the team's pass catchers, he did the same for San Francisco in 2025. With 49ers starter Brock Purdy impacted by a significant turf toe injury, Jones started eight games, finishing as the QB15 or better in five of them while keeping some of San Francisco's fantasy juggernauts afloat. He returns to the 49ers on the reworked final year of the two-year pact he signed in 2025, and at Rotoballer's QB45, Jones remains one of the most capable backups in the league, and a player who should be rostered in every superflex dynasty league.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Tory Horton Could Do Some Stuff "Toward the End of Spring"
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that second-year wide receiver Tory Horton (shin, groin) got some good news that should allow him to accelerate his process for getting back on the field, according to John Boyle of the team's official website. Macdonald said there's "a chance he can do some stuff toward the end of spring." Horton, who was selected in the fifth round last year out of Colorado State, didn't play beyond Week 9 due to shin and groin injuries. When he was on the field, though, he made plenty of noise, catching 13 of his 22 targets for 161 yards (12.4 yards per reception) and five touchdowns in eight games played (three starts). Additionally, Horton was an asset on special teams, which will continue to make him an asset for the defending Super Bowl champions going into his sophomore campaign. He's still an interesting dynasty/keeper hold for his big-play prowess, but the return of Rashid Shaheed for the 2026 season has put a damper on his 2026 fantasy value as a depth piece for Seattle. RotoBaller has him ranked outside the top-100 wideouts for the upcoming campaign.
Source: Seahawks.com - John Boyle
Source: Seahawks.com - John Boyle
Patrick Mahomes Takes Part in First OTA Practice on Tuesday
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) was on the field with a brace on his left knee on Tuesday for the team's opening OTA practice after having surgery on Dec. 15 to fix a torn ACL and LCL that he suffered on Dec. 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Tuesday's practice was closed to the media, so it's unclear exactly how much the star signal-caller did. Mahomes' goal is to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sept. 14, and him being on the field late in May is a good first step. The Chiefs are optimistic that Mahomes will be ready for the season opener. Still, there's no guarantee that the 30-year-old six-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP will be ready for Week 1 against Denver, which clouds his 2026 fantasy value as a QB1. Despite another disappointing year from Mahomes fantasy-wise, he still finished as the QB5 in fantasy points per game, although his serious knee injury has made him a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 target in single-year drafts this year.
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Derwin James Jr. Becomes Highest-Paid Safety for the Second Time in his Career
Los Angeles Chargers five-time Pro Bowl selection Derwin James Jr. became the highest-paid safety for the second time in his career on Tuesday after agreeing to a three-year, $25.2 million per year contract extension that includes $57.5 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 29-year-old strong safety dealt with injuries early in his career after the Bolts selected him with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of Florida State, but he quickly bounced back after getting healthy and has been one of the best all-around safeties in the game in his seven years with the Chargers. James has had 100-plus combined tackles four times in his career, and he had 94 tackles (50 solo) with two sacks, six tackles for loss, eight QB hits, a career-high three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 16 regular-season starts in 2025. He finished as the No. 20 defensive back in IDP fantasy formats and should once again be in play as an every-week starting DB in those formats in 2026 in his eighth year in the league as a catalyst for L.A's defense.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chris Brooks Emerging as Top Handcuff to Stash?
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks could be emerging as a top handcuff to stash in fantasy football leagues after news broke on Tuesday that starting RB Josh Jacobs has been arrested and booked into jail on five charges, including domestic abuse. If Jacobs is eventually suspended by the NFL to begin the 2026 season, both Brooks' and MarShawn Lloyd's short-term fantasy value for the upcoming season could skyrocket with Emanuel Wilson now out of town. The 26-year-old Brooks, a former undrafted free agent out of BYU, began his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins in 2023, but he has spent the last two seasons in Green Bay. In 32 games (zero starts) with the Packers, he has seen 63 carries for 289 yards (4.6 yards per tote) and one touchdown on the ground, adding 24 catches for 160 yards and no TDs as a pass-catcher. Because of Lloyd's lengthy injury history, Brooks is ranked a tad higher (No. 71 RB) in half-PPR formats for the 2026 campaign. Brooks could be Green Bay's go-to back if Jacobs is hit with a suspension.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
MarShawn Lloyd Sees Short-Term Value Soar
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd could see his short-term fantasy value soar going into drafts this summer after the news broke on Tuesday that starting RB Josh Jacobs has been arrested and booked into jail on five charges, including domestic abuse. Lloyd has been a bust so far in his NFL career after the Packers selected him in the third round of the 2024 draft out of USC. Due to injuries, the 25-year-old has played in just one game in Green Bay back in his rookie campaign. But with Jacobs now potentially facing a lengthy suspension to begin the 2026 season, depending on how the legal process plays out, both Lloyd and Chris Brooks could be elevated to much bigger roles in the Packers' backfield. RotoBaller currently has Lloyd ranked as the No. 76 RB in half-PPR formats for the 2026 season, but his ranking could rise dramatically if Jacobs is eventually suspended by the NFL. Stay tuned for more on this situation and how it might affect the Packers' RB pecking order.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Bucky Irving is Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) continues to recover from offseason surgery but is not expected to face many limitations during training camp. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the lead running back is not expected to participate in the upcoming min-camp but will "likely" be ready for training camp at some point. While this report does not suggest the former Oregon standout will enter camp with a clean bill of health, he is trending in the right direction. Last season, Irving had a disappointing sophomore season, appearing in just 10 games, and saw his production decline sharply after suffering this injury. Over his last six contests, he averaged a mere 11.2 PPR points per game, a stark decline from the 18.5 PPR points per game he averaged from Weeks 1 through 4. Managers should continue to monitor his status over the summer, but he should be at full strength come the start of the season. If his workload were to be limited, newly signed Kenneth Gainwell will likely take on RB1 duties.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jaguars Think Parker Washington Can Replicate Second-Half Production
According to Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, the team believes wide receiver Parker Washington is capable of replicating his dominant second-half production. Coach Udinski also noted that the staff believes the young wideout could take another step forward in 2026. After a quiet start to the season where he averaged just 6.4 PPR points over his first seven contests, the 24-year-old emerged as a legit league-winner in the second half, averaging an elite 14.2 PPR points per game over his last nine games. During this stretch, Washington found the back of the end zone four times and drew an impressive 6.8 targets per game despite sharing the field with Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. While Washington will face similar target competition once again in 2026, he began to establish a true connection with Trevor Lawrence. Managers should continue to monitor his usage in training camp, as he could be set up for a complete breakout campaign if he can carry this momentum into the new season.
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Jacobs Arrested on Five Charges, Booked Into Jail
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been arrested on five charges and booked into the Brown County Jail earlier on Tuesday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. According to the report, the running back has been charged with battery, criminal damage of property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. While the league has yet to issue an official statement on the event, fantasy managers should closely monitor the situation, as he may be handed some form of punishment. Last season, Jacobs continued to operate as Green Bay's lead running back, punching in 13 scores on the ground while totaling 929 rushing yards. In the event Jacobs is forced to miss time due to a suspension, MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks will likely operate as the lead backs on the roster.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls on Josh Sweat
The Arizona Cardinals have received trade calls on Pro Bowl defensive end Josh Sweat, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Sweat recorded a career-high 12 sacks in his first year in the desert in 2025 and had a close relationship with former head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was fired following last season. The 29-year-old pass-rusher also had 30 tackles (20 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 17 starts for the Cardinals in his eighth year in the NFL. The Cardinals gave Sweat a four-year, $76.4 million deal in free agency last March after he spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, but they could be moving on from him after just one season. Sweat finished tied for eighth in the NFL in sacks in 2025 and finished as the No. 20 defensive lineman in IDP fantasy formats.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Tetairoa McMillan Working With the Training Staff on Tuesday
Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (undisclosed) is not practicing with the rest of the team during OTA practice on Tuesday and is working with the training staff, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers haven't announced a specific injury for McMillan, but it's expected to be a minor ailment as the club begins their OTAs this week. The 23-year-old impressed in his first year in the NFL in 2025 after Carolina selected him with the eighth overall pick out of the University of Arizona. McMillan quickly developed a strong relationship with quarterback Bryce Young and was his go-to target all year, leading the team with 70 receptions, 1,014 yards, and seven touchdowns on 122 targets across 17 regular-season starts. He finished as the WR15 in half-PPR scoring and will be a high-end WR2 target in fantasy drafts this fall with upside to become a true WR1 in his sophomore season for the Panthers. The arrow is pointing directly up after McMillan was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
