April 8, 2026

Through the first two seasons of his career, Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has failed to consistently deliver on the promise that made him the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie season battling for targets with veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and by year two, it was the rookie tandem of Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. With Caleb Williams yet to top 4,000 yards, that division of labor has led to disappointing production from Odunze, but the flashes have been there to support the case that he could still become a fantasy gamebreaker. Through the first four weeks of 2025, Odunze was the WR3 in Half-PPR formats, and reports out of Chicago indicated that new head coach Ben Johnson, figuring out in real-time just how good his young receiver was, loaded his plate with additional responsibilities. Odunze's game slowed, and nagging injuries eventually led to missed time, allowing for the late-season breakouts of Loveland and Burden. Loveland alone saw 25 targets in the team's two postseason games, leading many to believe he will become the focal point of Chicago's passing offense in 2026. While Loveland could realistically lead the team in targets, and Burden's yards per route run had him among the league's elite as a rookie, Odunze's downfield usage should still provide the highest weekly ceiling, especially if he sees an increase in catchable targets in a year that many are calling for a monumental step forward from Williams.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby began his 2025 season as a Jacksonville Jaguar, with fantasy managers hoping he could carve out something close to a lead-back role. Those hopes were dashed early when a Week 2 trade sent him to an Eagles team that has now seen Saquon Barkley handle almost 23 opportunities per game over the past two seasons. While it became evident early that the former third-round pick was acquired largely for his work as a kick returner, those duties were eventually turned over to Will Shipley and Britain Covey, leaving Bigsby to function primarily as a change-of-pace back and as a direct backup to Barkley. While Bigsby's touches were limited, he was efficient with the work he got, averaging nearly six yards per carry and topping 100 total yards in his lone start of the season, a meaningless Week 18 game in which he also scored a touchdown. Heading into 2026, his role remains unchanged, but his value as an insurance back makes him a must-roster player in dynasty and even deeper redraft leagues. Philadelphia's offensive line still ranks in the top half of the league, and the 29-year-old Barkley's career-long durability concerns have only been amplified by the exorbitant workload he's received with the Eagles.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

When the Green Bay Packers made Matthew Golden only their sixth ever first-round wide receiver, and the first since 2002, many in the fantasy space feared he may have been overdrafted, and a disappointing rookie season did little to quell those concerns. Golden finished the 2025 season with only 361 yards on 29 receptions, and he failed to find the end zone until the Packers' lone playoff game, at least offering a glimpse of what a year two breakout could look like, also topping 80 yards for only the second time on the year. The list of NFL receivers who have become fantasy stars after similarly low-impact rookie seasons is not a particularly long one, and even those who were able to turn things around tended to show more than Golden's 1.35 yards per route run from 2025. The Packers allowed their leading receiver, Romeo Doubs, to walk in free agency, which should open a path to more work in two-receiver sets. However, both Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft, who each missed significant time last year, are expected to be healthier in 2026 and could help to maintain the fantasy jumble we've seen for years from Green Bay's wide receivers.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis has failed to establish any sort of standalone value in fantasy football, leading to him being nothing more than a mid-range handcuff. The Kentucky product drew excessive hype during and after the 2024 NFL Draft, but he has yet to get on the fantasy radar consistently with RB40 and RB61 finishes. James Cook III's availability has been tremendous since he was drafted, but he did miss one game in 2024. During that contest, Davis exploded for 97 rushing yards and 55 receiving yards. The talent is indisputable, but the role is far from favorable and will require dynasty managers to exercise more patience. At this point, he's already 26 years old, so his role as a backup/handcuff isn't as intriguing when Cook is healthy for just about every game. Davis would only get onto the fantasy radar if Cook were to miss time next yar, and even then, managers would want to make sure the Bills prioritize Ty Johnson over Davis.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had a terrific season in 2025 from a fantasy football perspective, ranking as the overall WR4 with 125 catches, 1,412 yards, and eight touchdowns. It was a step back from his overall WR1 finish in 2024, but at least he can still say that he was a top-12 fantasy receiver through each of his first five seasons in the NFL. What made Chase's 2025 stats even more impressive was the fact that he spent more than half of his games without Joe Burrow, instead catching passes from Jake Browning and Joe Flacco. If Browning and Flacco can support a top-five finish, then Burrow will certainly have no trouble doing it, too. The 29-year-old quarterback is healthy once again, which bodes well for Chase's potential to reclaim his spot as the top-scoring receiver in fantasy football.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams had the backfield to himself for most of the 2025 season, and we could see a similar dynamic in 2026. The Cowboys re-signed Williams to keep him in tow as their primary ball-carrier. He's coming off a breakout campaign in which he finished as the overall RB12 with 1,201 rushing yards, 35 catches, 137 receiving yards, and a career-high 13 total touchdowns. That type of production typically earns a big role the following year, and Williams should continue to thrive with consistent volume. It's great news that the Cowboys' lead back faces minimal competition within his position group. Jaydon Blue, the current favorite to back up Williams, was a healthy scratch more often than not, playing in just five games. The Cowboys have a willingness to get running backs more involved in Year 2 after a patient rookie season, but Blue might need a little more time than that. As a result, Williams' track record as a low-end RB1 is simply too hard to ignore.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin continues to face minimal competition for volume ahead of the 2026 season. McLaurin finished last year with 38 catches, 582 yards, and three touchdowns across 10 games. Missing seven weeks hurt his fantasy stock, but he made the most of his opportunities when on the field, especially in a low-volume passing offense. Moving forward, the offensive scheme should be McLaurin's only concern. The next receivers on the Commanders' depth chart are Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks, and Luke McCaffrey, so it's not like McLaurin needs to panic about his job. In fact, managers might see him as a buy-low target in dynasty leagues since the Commanders' revamped passing offense could funnel through him. All in all, he's a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside in redraft leagues, and he could be an intriguing buy-low candidate in dynasty formats, given his bounce-back potential.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is coming off his best fantasy season since 2021, and there's a real chance that he could continue to trend upward going forward. Herbert was the overall QB10 in fantasy football last season, tallying 26 passing touchdowns but throwing 13 interceptions. It was his highest interception since, ironically, that aforementioned 2021 campaign. Managers should be optimistic about the future outlook of the first-round pick, given the state of the offense. For starters, the Chargers hired offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, a potential play-calling mastermind who can maximize the potential of his players. The Chargers also made a concerted effort to bolster their league-worst offensive line. Now, Herbert will have Cole Strange and Tyler Biadasz in front of him, and he should also get star tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) back from injury. The only glaring subtraction is wide receiver Keenan Allen, but Herbert should still have plenty of reliable targets in Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Oronde Gadsden III. With a solidified offense around him, Herbert can be a top-10 fantasy quarterback with top-five upside in 2026 and beyond. He's an intriguing target in dynasty leagues this offseason.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins continues to trend up across fantasy football. He posted a career-best WR15 finish in 2025, catching 59 passes for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns. The reception and yardage totals weren't amazing, but his tendency to find the end zone allowed him to solidify himself as a high-end WR1 on a consistent basis. Higgins had such a productive season despite playing without quarterback Joe Burrow for more than half of his games. As Burrow missed more time due to injury, Higgins was forced to catch passes from a combination of Jake Browning and Joe Flacco. It wasn't the greatest quarterback play, but the 27-year-old still contributed, oftentimes bailing out his quarterbacks with spectacular catches down the field. Higgins has proven capable of handling a more versatile route tree, and we're intrigued about his ability to continue posting double-digit targets while seeing a bump in catches and yards with Burrow fully healthy. Given that Higgins has top-12 upside going forward, he's an intriguing offseason trade target in dynasty leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

April 7, 2026

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who is unhappy with his current contract and has demanded a trade, is expected to demand $30 million annually, a source told Connor Hughes of SNY. The Giants gave Lawrence a four-year, $90 million extension in 2023 that made him one of the five highest-paid defensive tackles in the league. But at $20 million per year, he's now the 12th-highest-paid interior defensive lineman. The decline in Lawrence's production in 2025 (only half a sack) will likely prevent him from resetting the market at the position, but he's still going to ask for plenty. Another front-office source could see Lawrence demanding as much as $35 million a year on a new deal because of the salary cap increase this year. Most external sources expect the two sides to work something out, possibly before the NFL draft starts on April 23, but head coach John Harbaugh also said that "no one is untradable."--Keith Hernandez
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes

April 7, 2026

The Houston Texans acquired linebacker Marte Mapu from the New England Patriots on Tuesday, a source told Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. The two teams are also swapping late-round picks in the 2027 NFL draft. Mapu will head to the AFC South division after spending his first three years of his NFL career in New England, totaling 89 tackles (53 solo), half a sack, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and five forced fumbles in 44 games (10 starts). The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Sacramento State had 25 tackles (18 solo), one interception, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season games (zero starts) in 2025. Mapu will most likely fill a role on special teams in Houston and can be ignored in IDP fantasy football leagues in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander

April 7, 2026

ESPN's Field Yates said that he "would lean" toward the Cleveland Browns taking either Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate or University of Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Either way, the Browns would be looking to upgrade their offense under new offensive-minded head coach Todd Monken. Tate, who caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025 for the Buckeyes, would be the more immediate contributor on offense and would give either quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson (Achilles) an explosive playmaker through the air that the team has been lacking. Tate, if in Cleveland, could immediately become the Browns' top wideout over Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond. Mauigoa is tempting as well as the Browns look to upgrade an O-line that was among the worst at blocking for their RBs in 2025.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates

April 7, 2026

The Athletic's Zac Jackson said that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), who hasn't played since October of 2024 due to a twice-torn right Achilles tendon, has "been medically cleared for competition." The Browns have put a positive spin on Watson's recovery all offseason and will give him the chance to compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting job this summer. Sanders, a fifth-rounder last year, started the final seven games of last season and was predictably erratic, although he did show signs of being an explosive playmaker at QB. Jackson adds that Sanders "seems most likely to get the first crack at the starting job and operate as the No. 1" early in spring workouts. However, new head coach Todd Monken continues to stress that "nothing is settled." Watson has the better resume (a three-time Pro Bowler), but he's also 30 years old and is coming off a serious injury. And with Watson's contract expiring after 2026, "logic says" the Browns should prefer the younger option in Sanders. Whoever wins the job this summer will merely be a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy football leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson

April 7, 2026

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) was present on Tuesday for the start of the team's voluntary strength and conditioning program, according to Bo Brack of PHNX Sports. Conner was limited to just three games last year due to a foot injury that required surgery, but he's back for offseason workouts as he heads into his 10th year in the NFL. The 30-year-old two-time Pro Bowler will not only see a big drop in fantasy value going into next season because of his injury, but also because the Cardinals added Tyler Allgeier in free agency on a two-year, $8 million deal. Trey Benson (knee), who is also rehabbing from a season-ending injury in 2025, remains on the roster as well. Conner has been the Cardinals' lead back since the start of the 2021 season, but that is definitely going to change in 2026, as he'll be battling for playing time among two other very capable backs. In addition, the Cardinals have been rumored to be considering taking Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft.--Keith Hernandez
Source: PHNX Sports - Bo Brack

April 7, 2026

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (ankle) was in attendance on Tuesday for the start of the team's voluntary offseason workouts, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. Head coach John Harbaugh said that Skattebo is ahead of receiver Malik Nabers (knee) in his rehab, and it's possible that he'll be on the field for some workouts this spring. Nabers' timeline following ACL surgery is closer to training camp or the start of the 2026 regular season. The 24-year-old Skattebo suffered a dislocated right ankle in late October, which ended what was looking like a very promising first year in the NFL. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is still in New York's backfield, but when fully healthy, Skattebo figures to at least be the team's preferred choice on early downs and short-yardage and goal-line situations. The fourth-rounder out of Arizona State had 101 carries for 410 yards and five touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 207 yards and another two scores in his first eight NFL games (five starts). All signs point to Skattebo being full-go for Week 1 of the regular season this fall.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Kevin Patra