February 27, 2026
University of Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon will not run the 40-yard dash at this week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic. Lemon will participate in the gauntlet and run some routes, but he won't take part in official testing. The 21-year-old won the Biletnikoff Trophy in 2025 after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final collegiate season with the Trojans. Lemon will most likely run the 40-yard dash at his school's pro day next month. He's been compared to Lions wideout
Amon-Ra St. Brown and will be a lock to come off the board in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, possibly within the first 10 to 15 picks.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dane Brugler
February 27, 2026
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent running back
Tyler Allgeier will be looking for a contract in the neighborhood of three years and $22 million this offseason, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Kendall adds that it's almost certainly "more than the Falcons will be willing to pay" with
Bijan Robinson's second contract looming down the road in one or two years. Robinson will try to reset the RB market when he begins negotiations. Allgeier had 676 carries for 2,876 yards in his four seasons in Atlanta and set the franchise's rookie rushing record of 1,035 yards in 2022 after he was taken in the fifth round. The 25-year-old was a frustrating play in fantasy because of the unpredictability behind Robinson, but he did have a career-high eight TDs in 2025, and he should be in line for an expanded role in 2026 in a new location.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
February 27, 2026
The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that the New England Patriots "will make a call soon" on wide receiver
Stefon Diggs' future, and it could mean cutting the 32-year-old veteran or restructuring his contract as early as next week. Diggs is set to carry a $26.5 million salary cap hit this year, and his contract guarantees him $6 million if he's on the roster on March 13. New England is in a tough position, as Diggs became the first Patriots receiver in six years to top 1,000 receiving yards in a season, and it would be counterproductive for quarterback
Drake Maye if the team were to cut their best WR. A league source expects the Pats to cut Diggs, unless they're able to "dramatically lower his cap hit with a reworked contract." If the Patriots do cut Diggs, Graff expects them to look at
Mike Evans or
Alec Pierce (if he's available). The other free-agent options at WR are not great.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
February 27, 2026
Dallas Cowboys impending free-agent wide receiver
George Pickens is expected to receive the franchise tag. If the two sides aren't able to work out a long-term contract by the deadline on July 15, Pickens would remain under the tag for the 2026 season. The Athletic's Jon Machota reports that Dallas is "not interested in trading the star wide receiver." "We want George here. It's really important to us," executive vice president Stephen Jones said. It's possible that the 24-year-old wideout might not attend the team's offseason program if/when the franchise tag is slapped on him, but the bottom line is that Pickens most likely will be playing in Dallas again for the upcoming season. The former second-rounder by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 out of Georgia broke out with a career year in his first season with the Cowboys, catching 93 of his 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Pickens will be firmly in the WR1 picture going into 2026 fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jon Machota
February 27, 2026
The Houston Texans are expected to make a "push for a top running back in the free-agent market," but the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander also suggests the team could look to trade for Miami Dolphins running back
De'Von Achane this offseason as they look to improve their RB room. In free agency,
Kenneth Walker III,
Travis Etienne Jr., and
Rico Dowdle could all be targets. The Dolphins aren't exactly looking to trade Achane, though, and they want to build around him with their new front office and coaching staff, so the 24-year-old isn't exactly going to come cheap. Achane was the RB6 in half-PPR scoring in 16 games last year, accumulating 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries while also adding 67 receptions on 85 targets for another 488 yards and four touchdowns. He'd arguably become even more promising in fantasy football with a trade to Houston, although
Woody Marks will have a role after a strong rookie campaign in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
February 27, 2026
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football reports that the New York Giants are "particularly high" on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Campbell suggests it would represent a best-player-available move instead of the Giants reaching for need. Live is a can't-miss prospect in this year's draft class and is a top-10 overall talent. In his last two seasons with the Fighting Irish, the 6-foot, 214-pounder had 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, and he also has strong receiving skills. Campbell lists Love's big-play speed, urgent tempo, reacceleration, and versatility as his top qualities. He's been compared to the Lions'
Jahmyr Gibbs, who has quickly become one of the best all-around RBs in the NFL. If the G-Men were to select Love early in the first round this year, he'd be added to an already strong backfield of
Cam Skattebo and
Tyrone Tracy Jr., who combined for 1,150 rushing yards in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Walter Football - Charlie Campbell
February 26, 2026
The Washington Commanders are releasing center Tyler Biadasz on Thursday, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The former Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 spent the last two years with the Commanders and started all 31 games that he appeared in. The 28-year-old spent the first four years of his career in Dallas after they selected him in the fourth round in 2020 out of Wisconsin. Biadasz has made at least 15 starts in each of the last five years, and he should attract plenty of attention around the league from teams in need of a center this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 26, 2026
Signing defensive end Will Anderson Jr. to a contract extension that will make him one of the highest-paid pass-rushers in the NFL is a "priority" for the Houston Texans this offseason and could come "soon," according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Anderson was the third overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Alabama, and he's been a Pro Bowler in two of his three seasons while also being named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. The 24-year-old pass-rusher has 23 total sacks the last two seasons, including a career-high 12 in 17 regular-season games in 2025. Anderson also had a career-high 54 total tackles (35 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). He was a big reason the Texans had the No. 1 defense in the league last year, and he'll be a popular defensive end target in IDP fantasy leagues this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 26, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a formal meeting with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (ankle) at the NFL scouting combine, a source told Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. Allar suffered a season-ending left-ankle injury last year that caused him to miss the entire All-Star game circuit, but he plans to throw at the combine in Indianapolis this weekend. Pittsburgh's interview with Allar is their first-known QB meeting at the combine as they make plans at the position going into the 2026 season. He played in only six games last year, throwing for eight touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 64% of his passes. He was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions and had 61 total touchdowns at Penn State. Allar has a strong arm, but there are plenty of concerns about his overall game and lack of experience as he heads to the next level, most likely making him a mid-round target in this year's NFL draft. The Steelers are unsure if future Hall of Fame QB
Aaron Rodgers will return in 2026, but they're also high on
Will Howard.
--Keith HernandezSource: PennLive.com - Nick Farabaugh
February 26, 2026
Former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who is projected to be a potential top-five pick this April, believes he's the best defender in this year's draft class, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. "I feel confident every time I stepped on the field," Downs said. "If I would say I walked on the field and thought anybody was better than me, yeah, that's not true." He was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 and also won the Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the country's top defensive back. If Downs is taken in the first five picks, he'll be the first defensive back to do that since Eric Berry was taken fifth overall in 2010. Downs was at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2024. In 14 games in his junior season in 2025, Downs had 68 tackles (45 solo), one sack, two interceptions, and five tackles for loss.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
February 26, 2026
Carolina Panthers general manager and president of football operations Dan Morgan said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he hasn't talked to any teams "about a trade, but if the possibility did come up, I would talk to Andy." ESPN's Adam Schefter reported this week that the Panthers have been getting calls on the availability of veteran quarterback
Andy Dalton. While the Panthers may not be looking to trade Dalton at this moment, it sounds like Morgan isn't opposed to it, especially after telling McAfee that the organization wants to "get a little younger and more athletic" at the backup QB position. The 38-year-old is going into the second year of a two-year, $8 million contract he signed with Carolina in February of 2025. At best, Dalton could be a veteran bridge QB for a team that loses out in free agency and is desperate at the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pat McAfee Show
February 26, 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) appeared to have a golden opportunity to emerge as a workhorse rusher once fellow Cardinals back
James Conner (ankle) suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3 of the 2025 season. Unfortunately, Benson suffered a knee injury the very next week that landed him on Injured Reserve and ultimately ended his year. A third-round pick in 2024, Benson has been an efficient rusher in a small sample through his first two NFL seasons, averaging 4.9 yards per rush attempt on 92 career carries. Provided Benson can get back to full health, 2026 may be the year that he emerges as the RB1 in Arizona. While Conner is technically under contract for 2026, Arizona could release him and save over $7 million against the cap this offseason. Even if Conner remains with the team, he will be in his age-31 season and coming off a serious ankle injury. At the same time, Benson remains a largely unproven player with durability concerns of his own, and the Cardinals will have a new coaching staff in place in 2026 that may be looking to add fresh blood in the backfield in either free agency or the upcoming draft. Still, Benson should have an opportunity to prove himself next season and could be a player worth targeting in dynasty formats, even coming off a lost year.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, tight end
Jonnu Smith recorded 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 54 targets across 17 games played. The 30-year-old's numbers dropped precipitously from his breakout season with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, when he hauled in 88 catches for 884 yards and eight scores. In Pittsburgh, Smith's upside is limited by a crowded tight end room that also includes
Darnell Washington and
Pat Freiermuth. Additionally, 2025 Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is known for favoring formations that feature multiple tight ends, is no longer with the team. As a result, Smith may face an even more difficult path to playing time in Pittsburgh in 2026. Outside of 2024, Smith has just one other season in his nine-year NFL career with at least 50 catches and 500 receiving yards. It seems likely that his 2024 season will stand out as an outlier relative to his overall production, and Smith's dynasty value should be fading heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Across 17 games in 2025, Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo recorded 56 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns on 79 targets. The 26-year-old has established himself as a solid real-life player, as he's logged at least 50 catches in three straight seasons and has never missed a game in his NFL career. However, Okonkwo's fantasy upside has never quite materialized, as he's never reached 80 targets or topped three touchdown catches in a season. Okonkwo is now set to hit free agency and could be with a new organization for the first time in 2026. A change of scenery could be a positive development for Okonkwo's fantasy outlook, as Tennessee has fielded a miserable offense overall in recent seasons and also has a rising young tight end in
Gunnar Helm. Still, Okonkwo has demonstrated a limited production ceiling to this point in his career, and there's no guarantee he will land in a true TE1 role with a new team. His fantasy value in dynasty formats is slowly declining heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Rams running back
Jarquez Hunter played an extremely minimal role in all phases as a rookie. The 23-year-old was active for just five games and did not record a single touch on offense. Hunter's path to playing time is blocked in Los Angeles, as the Rams have arguably the best running back combination in the NFL in
Kyren Williams and
Blake Corum. In 2025, Williams and Corum combined for over 2,300 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns. The pairing has also missed just one game combined over the past two seasons, and both are under contract through at least 2027. As a result, Hunter may need a change in scenery to work his way into a fantasy-relevant role. Even if one of Corum or Williams were to suffer a significant injury, the other is capable of taking on more of a workhorse role, which could still leave Hunter on the outside looking in for touches in Los Angeles. It's hard to say that Hunter can't eventually emerge as a productive NFL running back, as he's had no opportunity to prove himself either way. However, his fantasy value in dynasty formats is virtually non-existent heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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