RADIO
Calvin Austin III the Giants' Top Slot Option at Wideout
The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that although New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III's strong spring hasn't carried over to the start of training camp this summer, he's "still the team's top slot option." With that said, the slot role in New York isn't expected to be featured as much in new head coach John Harbaugh's offense as it was when Wan'Dale Robinson was racking up targets at will the last two seasons. Austin is going to have a role, sponging up the short targets in the passing game that Robinson once received. The 27-year-old, who stands at just 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, failed to take advantage of extra opportunities with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, with just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games played in his third year in the NFL. Austin could have more of a role early on with the Giants this year if Malik Nabers (knee) isn't all the way back from his torn ACL, but every week, Austin's role in the offense is unlikely to yield enough targets to make him a worthy target in fantasy drafts in 12-team leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Xavier Worthy Still Sidelined on Friday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) remains sidelined in Friday's training camp practice, according to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride. Worthy injured his shoulder last weekend and has been sitting out ever since, but the good news is he's just dealing with a minor shoulder sprain and is considered day-to-day, so there's a good chance we'll see him back on the field this weekend. Fantasy managers had to have been a bit worried initially, as Worthy's 2025 season was derailed by a separated shoulder that he suffered in the Week 1 season opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old speedy pass-catcher came into camp this summer at full health with obvious bounce-back potential for fantasy managers at a reduced cost. The former first-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas figures to be KC's WR2 behind Rashee Rice (knee) if he's back to full health in 2026 in his third year in the NFL. Durability remains a concern, but at a reduced cost this year, Worthy is absolutely worth pulling the trigger on in the middle rounds of drafts.
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Pete Sweeney
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Pete Sweeney
Malachi Fields Making a Claim for Giants' WR2 Role
Behind Pro Bowler Malik Nabers (knee), the New York Giants have one of the league's more wide-open competitions for meaningful receiver work, and The Athletic's Dan Duggan believes that rookie Malachi Fields has made an early claim to the No. 2 role. Duggan highlights Fields' size and physicality, which have allowed him to work through underneath traffic while still making downfield plays in contested catch situations. Duggan sees his 2026 role as that of a vertical field stretcher, and with the Giants expected to see an uptick in 12 personnel usage, the rookie could become a staple of two-receiver sets. Fields is RotoBaller's WR89, making him a potential bargain if he's able to earn regular usage in what could be an ascending offense.
Source: Dan Duggan
Source: Dan Duggan
Makai Lemon Misses Another Practice
After a closed walkthrough session on Thursday, Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon is absent from his third straight public practice as he deals with a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Tuesday. With DeVonta Smith also missing time, the offense has reportedly faced some stumbles in recent practices. While Smith's role atop the depth chart is not in question, Lemon's absence has opened the door for offseason acquisition Dontayvion Wicks to stake a claim to the Eagles' WR2 spot, as seen by several reporters on the beat. Used primarily as a slot receiver on his way to earning the Biletnikoff Award at USC, Lemon should still see an important role in Philadelphia's offense as Wicks profiles more as a boundary replacement for A.J. Brown. Lemon is RotoBaller's WR46, and if he can return without missing extended time, an expectation to see the second most targets on the team is still not out of the question.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
DeVonta Smith Absent Again on Friday
Dealing with a hamstring injury, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is missing another practice on Friday, as reported by Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Smith has been absent from practice since Tuesday, with the offense working through a pair of up-and-down practices without him before a closed walkthrough session on Thursday. With Sean Mannion serving as the team's fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons, the Eagles are looking to establish some consistency following the departure of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. With Smith and 2026 first-round pick Makai Lemon both dealing with hamstring injuries in recent days, much of that responsibility has fallen to offseason addition Dontayvion Wicks, though Smith still profiles as a fantasy difference-maker who ranks as RotoBaller's WR12 in his first season in a primary role.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
Cyrus Allen Returning to Practice
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen (shin) is in pads on Friday and expected to see his first full-contact work of training camp after exiting Saturday's practice on a cart and missing almost a week with a shin injury. At 5'11" and 180 pounds, Allen had earned praise as one of the Chiefs' early camp standouts after being selected in the fifth round of the 2026 draft, and he will look to keep that momentum going in a more physical setting. While he remains outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, he has become a popular dynasty pickup in recent weeks and could prove to be a valuable stash if he's able to carve out a role in an Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes offense looking to rebound from a pair of down seasons.
Source: Jesse Newell
Source: Jesse Newell
Romeo Doubs Returns to Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs returned to practice on Friday, with team reporter Karen Guregian noting that his absence from the last two practices was personal in nature and not injury-related. After signing a four-year, $68 million contract this offseason, Doubs had gotten off to a slow start in his first training camp with the Patriots but was picking up momentum in more recent, and more physical, padded practices. The fifth-year receiver has acknowledged that Josh McDaniels' offense is unlike any he was a part of in Green Bay, but having made obvious strides before his absence, he'll look to pick things back up where he left them. At RotoBaller's WR53, Doubs could provide excellent late-round value as the WR2 in an offense that scored the third most touchdowns in 2025 and appears to have only gotten better in year two under McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye.
Source: Karen Guregian
Source: Karen Guregian
Kenny Gainwell Not Practicing Friday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is not practicing on Friday, as indicated by Pewter Report. Gainwell has drawn praise from the local beat as a training camp standout, with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson recently telling reporters, "He is super versatile, and he is great with the ball in his hands," adding, "we will continue to find out where we can put him in the best spots." Gainwell's 73 receptions were the fourth most by a running back in 2025, and assuming his absence is not a prolonged one, he could step seamlessly into Rachaad White's vacated pass-catching role that has allowed for at least 50 receptions in three of the last four seasons. How much additional work he sees on the ground remains to be seen, but at RotoBaller's RB36, Gainwell is a potential late-round sleeper who could thrive in Robinson's wide zone offense.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Jaylin Noel Activated from NFI
Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel has been activated from the Non-Football Injury list and should soon resume practicing after missing the start of training camp with a finger injury that did not allow him to catch passes. With former third-round pick Tank Dell recently taking part in his first padded practice since his season-ending 2024 knee injury, the Texans have seen a sudden influx of talent in the receiver room, with fellow second-year receiver Jayden Higgins drawing headlines for his standout play throughout training camp and two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins remaining one of the league's most unheralded superstars. After splitting slot work with veteran Christian Kirk in 2025, Noel is in line for additional snaps in year two, and at RotoBaller's WR78, he could provide a usable fantasy floor from the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Houston Texans
Source: Houston Texans
Ashton Dulin Working as Wide Receiver Only
After seeing extensive special teams work throughout his first six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, veteran wide receiver Ashton Dulin is working exclusively with his position group, with beat reporter Zach Hicks noting that he has not been given his normal special teams reps. The change in usage could indicate how the team feels about his place on the depth chart as he battles Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for the third receiver spot alongside Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. With Pierce missing training camp practices while on the PUP list following offseason ankle surgery, there could also be an element of preservation in what is already a thin receiver room, but for the time being, cornerback Johnathan Edwards has served in Dulin's usual gunner role with the punting unit.
Source: Zach Hicks
Source: Zach Hicks
Seth McGowan Taking Advantage of RB2 Duties
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan came into training camp competing with second-year runner DJ Giddens for the primary backup role behind the newly extended Jonathan Taylor, and with Giddens recently missing time with a hamstring injury, Colts beat reporter Zach Hicks has been impressed by what he's seen from McGowan in the RB2 role. Taylor recently praised the seventh-round pick, telling reporters, "Everybody thinks he's just like a big power back, but Seth has some moves... If you look at his feet, he reminds me of like a David Montgomery." While unlikely to force the type of committee role Montgomery has been part of in recent seasons in Detroit, McGowan has the opportunity to seize the all-important handcuff role to Taylor, raising his value as a dynasty stash and making him a player to at least keep tabs on in deep redraft leagues.
Source: Zach Hicks
Source: Zach Hicks
D'Andre Swift Could Have Expanded Role in 2026
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift ran for a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, but in catching a career-low 34 passes, head coach Ben Johnson views that as an area where he can still get his lead back more involved. Swift earned 148 targets in his two seasons with Johnson at passing game coordinator and offensive coordinator in Detroit, and while praising Swift as a runner, Johnson recently told reporters he wants to "continue to look at and challenge him" on receiving opportunities. How many opportunities will truly present themselves in an offense with Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, and Colston Loveland is a question for debate, but even a modest increase to his receiving production could push Swift into RB1 territory after a top 15 finish in 2025.
Source: Jason Lieser
Source: Jason Lieser
Zachariah Branch The Most Noticeable Player on the Field
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch was a spring standout during organized team activities, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa comparing him favorably to former teammate Jaylen Waddle, and the third-round rookie continues to make plays throughout the dog days of summer. The Athletic's Josh Kendall believes Atlanta may have found a budding star, pointing to Branch as the player who has most consistently stood out all offseason long and calling him the most noticeable player on the field. A former five-star prospect and the number one receiver in the 2023 recruiting class, Branch never topped 700 yards or four touchdowns in his three seasons with USC and Georgia, but he appears to have found his stride in Falcons camp. On a depth chart in need of playmaking wide receivers behind Drake London, Branch could make an early impact and is a player to target in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Josh Kendall - The Athletic
Source: Josh Kendall - The Athletic
Bryson Green Catches Late Touchdown In Preseason Loss
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Bryson Green did not see much action in Thursday's preseason opener, but he did have an impact late in the game, however brief. Just inside the two-minute warning, Green caught a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kedon Slovis to give the Cardinals the lead in the back-and-forth affair against the Carolina Panthers. The glory of the go-ahead score was short-lived, as the Panthers put together a game-winning drive on their ensuing possession. Still, Green did himself a favor with his sure-handed play as he needs to demonstrate his value at every opportunity afforded to him. An undrafted free agent and member of Arizona's practice squad in 2025, Green is vying for a roster spot as much as he is jockeying for placement on the depth chart. His next opportunity to prove himself will come against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 13.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Simi Fehoko Catches Touchdown Pass In Preseason Opener
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko caught his lone target for a five-yard touchdown in Thursday's 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Fehoko had the second-highest snap count among Arizona's wide receivers, but was ignored in the pass game outside of his end zone target. The score came on a five-yard fade route midway through the second quarter. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Fehoko got outside his defender and pulled in the pass from quarterback Carson Beck with one arm to secure the touchdown. Fehoko will be fighting this preseason for a role in the back end of the Cardinals' wide receiver depth chart. He has been in the NFL since 2021, having previously played for the Cowboys and Chargers, but has never played in more than eight games in a season. This is his second year with the Cardinals. His next chance to work his way up the ladder will come against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 13.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
