April 18, 2026

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was one of the most fun stories heading into the 2025 season, and through the first month of his rookie campaign, the man known simply as "Bill" looked to be making good on all the preseason hype. Playing behind an above-average offensive line, Croskey-Merritt was able to churn out chunk plays at a league-leading level, averaging 11.6 fantasy points per game through Week 5 despite minimal usage in the passing game. Unfortunately, the big plays eventually dried up, and Croskey-Merritt finished the year as RB31, working in almost a true 50/50 split with Chris Rodriguez Jr. by the end of the season. The Commanders have since replaced Rodriguez with Rachaad White, which could be viewed as a win for Croskey-Merritt managers, as White's greatest contributions have come catching the ball, a market that Croskey-Merritt was never going to own. However, Washington is one of the teams picking in the top 10 of the upcoming NFL Draft that has been tied to Notre Dame prospect Jeremiyah Love. Should he become their pick on Day 1, Croskey-Merritt would be relegated to little more than change-of-pace duty. If the Commanders opt to go in a different direction, or if Love has already been selected by the time they're on the clock, Croskey-Merritt, who is currently RotoBaller's dynasty RB44, could still provide value as a low-end RB2 or flex play.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker had some usable fantasy moments and one week-winning performance in 2025, operating primarily as the third option in a top-loaded rotation. While some of the names have changed for 2026, Tucker's situation appears to be quite similar, with any fantasy relevance still tied to an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. His 140-yard, three-touchdown blowup in Week 11 came with Bucky Irving sidelined with foot and shoulder injuries and Rachaad White falling out of favor. White has since been replaced by Kenneth Gainwell, who will likely carve out the lion's share of the running back receiving work after banking a career-high 73 receptions with the Steelers in 2025. Irving, even while banged up and inefficient in his second season, still saw more than double Tucker's total carries while playing in five fewer games. With an expected return to health in 2026, that ratio could grow even more lopsided, leaving the 2023 undrafted free agent with very little standalone value.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

After three years in the league in which he never caught a single pass, San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges seemingly came out of nowhere in 2025 in relief of the injured George Kittle. Kittle missed parts of six games with an early-season hamstring injury, and in those games, the 2022 undrafted free agent averaged 4.2 receptions for 37.3 yards while scoring three touchdowns and ranking as the fantasy TE11. With Kittle tearing his Achilles in the team's Wild Card win over the Eagles, and his availability in doubt for the beginning of the 2026 season, Tonges is once again a must-roster player in dynasty leagues, and of particular importance to Kittle's managers. While his 8.8-point per game pace over the best six-game stretch of his career still falls well below anything Kittle has done since his 2017 rookie season, Tonges' usage around the goal line offers enough value to dynasty managers simply looking to stay afloat at the position through the opening stretch of the season. His current status as RotoBaller's dynasty TE34 reflects his lack of standalone value once Kittle returns to full health.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

USC prospect Ja'Kobi Lane is a long, lean outside receiver who took more than 83% of his snaps on the boundary across his three seasons in Southern California. He tested well at the Combine, running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at 6'4" and 200 pounds, displaying the traits that have at least kept him in the late-Day 2 conversation throughout the pre-draft process despite his relatively lackluster collegiate production. He was never able to put together more than 525 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the same season, and his 1.95 career yards per route run land comfortably outside the top 20 in this class, though he played all three seasons alongside presumed first-round pick Makai Lemon, and he is one of only a handful of early-declare wide receivers in 2026. The biggest hurdle to Lane's success will be the physicality of the NFL game. His 33% career contested target rate ranked at the very top of the class, often indicating an inability to separate, and with such a slender frame, his already pedestrian 49% win rate on such throws is certain to take even more of a dip at the next level. Lane has a unique physical skill set and is ranked as RotoBaller's rookie WR13, but he will likely require a longer acclimation period than many of his peers if he's to ever reach a usable fantasy ceiling.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Even before signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Washington Commanders, tight end Chig Okonkwo was a popular breakout candidate as he hit free agency after four promising seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Despite never finishing higher than TE22 in Half-PPR formats, Okonkwo's 4.52 speed and ability to gain yards after the catch are rare for the position, and many fantasy managers were banking on an improved situation where his skills could be put on display with regularity. He appears to have found that with the Commanders. When quarterback Jayden Daniels was fully healthy in 2024, his 78.2% on-target throw rate ranked 12th in the league as a rookie. Okonkwo never saw a quarterback finish inside the top 25 in that regard during his time in Tennessee, but he was still able to top 50 receptions in each of the last three seasons. The Commanders are expected to add pass-catchers in the upcoming NFL Draft, but as it currently stands, the talent gap between eight-year veteran Terry McLaurin and the rest of the room is notable, providing Okonkwo plenty of space to slide in as the secondary option in the passing game. He is currently TE20 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, but it's extremely possible he is still being slept on.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 18, 2026

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expects plenty of fireworks in the first round of this year's NFL draft, which begins next Thursday night, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "It should be an entertaining night," Veach said Thursday. "There'll probably be a lot of trades." Most analysts think that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the only QB taken within the top 10 picks, and it's also a weird draft in that some of the top prospects don't play premier positions. The Chiefs are one of five teams this year that have two first-round selections, so they could be one of the teams trading up or back next Thursday. KC acquired a second first-round pick (29th overall) from the Los Angeles Rams this offseason in the trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to L.A.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor

April 17, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz thinks that both offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) will participate at some point in the team's offseason program, which begins next Monday, according to Eric Smith of Chargers.com. "Yeah, I think they'll be involved in some capacity. Coming back from injuries, you don't rush anything, there's no need to rush it," Hortiz said. "Let them come back, be healthy, the target is for the start of training camp. But I think they'll be out there getting some work." Slater suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in training camp last summer and missed the entire 2025 season, while Alt made the Pro Bowl despite playing in only six games due to a season-ending ankle injury. With both Slater and Alt sidelined for all but six games last season, the protection for quarterback Justin Herbert really broke down. Having a healthy Slater and Alt in 2026 could be a difference-maker for the Chargers' QB and the entire offense in general under new coordinator Mike McDaniel.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Chargers.com - Eric Smith

April 17, 2026

Multiple people around the NFL that ESPN's Jordan Raanan has spoken to in the past few days said that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was their "top-graded player." The question now is where NFL teams place Love on their draft board given the position he plays and their individual needs. Running backs haven't typically been top-10 picks in the first round of the draft, but Love could just be special enough to go within the top five picks in 2026. The Arizona Cardinals, who don't really have a huge need at the position, have been rumored to be considering the Fighting Irish alum with the No. 3 overall pick, and both the Tennessee Titans (No. 4) and New York Giants (No. 5) would make sense as landing spots in this year's draft. It's hard to imagine Love making it past the G-Men at fifth overall. In fantasy, even in single-year leagues, Love should be in play as an early-round consideration. In his junior season at Notre Dame, Love had 1,652 scrimmage yards and a whopping 21 total touchdowns in just 12 games played.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan

April 17, 2026

After topping 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2024, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. struggled through a down year in 2025. The 31-year-old missed five games due to injury and finished the year with just 747 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 160 touches. While Jones Sr. was still Minnesota's nominal starter in the games he was healthy for, the team largely split carries between him and Jordan Mason. At this point in their respective careers, Mason profiles as a more reliable short-yardage back, which could leave Jones Sr. limited to third-down and pass-catching duties. Jones Sr.'s production should benefit from the Vikings' offense having more overall stability in 2026 after the signing of veteran quarterback Kyler Murray. Still, Jones Sr.'s dynasty value is firmly trending in the wrong direction, given his age and the split backfield in Minnesota.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 17, 2026

After spending the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Romeo Doubs signed a four-year contract with the New England Patriots as a free agent this past March. The 26-year-old posted solid but unspectacular numbers with the Packers in 2025, recording 55 receptions for 724 yards and seven touchdowns on 85 targets. With New England, Doubs profiles as the team's WR1 and could have a chance to break 100 targets for the first time in his career. The Patriots have other quality wideouts in Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams, but Doubs figures to be locked into every-down playing time, given the team's sizable investment in him. He may not carry high-end fantasy upside, but Doubs has established a solid production floor, and his dynasty value is rising after the move to New England.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 17, 2026

Veteran running back Isiah Pacheco had a disastrous year in his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025. Across 13 games, the 27-year-old recorded 563 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 137 touches. Pacheco signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions in free agency, where he will serve as the RB2 behind star Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco's star has fallen quite a bit in recent seasons, as he's failed to average four yards per carry since 2023 and has missed 14 games over the past two years due to injury. Still, Detroit is a solid landing spot for his fantasy value. Former Lions back David Montgomery scored 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons in a role similar to the one Pacheco will likely fill in 2026. Additionally, any injury to Gibbs would immediately vault Pacheco into the RB1 role in Detroit. In dynasty formats, Pacheco could be a decent buy-low target for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 17, 2026

Veteran running back Rico Dowdle had a standout year with the Carolina Panthers in 2025, racking up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches across 17 games. The 27-year-old parlayed his strong season into a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he will likely share lead running back duties with Steelers back Jaylen Warren. Dowdle is the stronger short-area and goal-line back between the two, which could lead to him earning a larger role in the red zone. However, Warren is a standout pass-catcher, which might lead to a drop-off in Dowdle's fantasy value in PPR formats. Dowdle was able to thrive while paired with Panthers back Chuba Hubbard in 2025, so he's proven the ability to provide fantasy production in a split backfield. Still, dynasty managers may want to value Dowdle more as an RB3/flex option than a no-doubt starter at the running back position.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 17, 2026

After being acquired from the New Orleans Saints at the 2025 trade deadline, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed's production fell off a cliff. Shaheed recorded 15 receptions for 188 yards and zero touchdowns across nine games with Seattle, compared to 44 receptions for 499 yards and two touchdowns across nine games with the Saints. Shaheed saw fewer than three targets per game as a member of the Seahawks and was utilized almost exclusively as a downfield deep-ball threat. Still, Seattle re-signed Shaheed to a three-year contract in free agency. The team could either have larger plans for him in 2026, or it could be satisfied with the production Shaheed provided last season. Star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba is firmly entrenched as Seattle's WR1, leaving Shaheed to fight with wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Tory Horton for targets. Shaheed's big-play ability allows him to maintain some fantasy upside, but his dynasty value is fading now that he's out of New Orleans.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 17, 2026

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota saw more playing time than his team probably would have preferred in 2025, thanks to Commanders QB1 Jayden Daniels' myriad injury issues. Across 11 games (eight starts), Mariota completed 61.2% of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 32-year-old also impacts the game with his legs, recording 297 rushing yards and a score on 50 attempts. When he gets the chance to play, Mariota's dual-threat ability makes him an appealing streamer option for fantasy managers. Daniels should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season, which will relegate Mariota to backup duties. Still, Daniels' considerable injury track record could make Mariota worth rostering as a handcuff quarterback in deep dynasty formats.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 17, 2026

The Jacksonville Jaguars are acquiring defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro from the Atlanta Falcons on Friday in exchange for defensive tackle Maason Smith, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Orhorhoro was a second-round pick (35th overall) by the Falcons in 2024 out of Clemson. The 24-year-old played in just eight games in his rookie season, but he had a bigger role in Year 2 and recorded 25 tackles (12 solo), his first 3.5 career sacks, and six QB hits in 17 games played (eight starts). Smith, meanwhile, was taken by the Jaguars in the second round as well in 2024 out of LSU. The 23-year-old interior defensive lineman had 17 tackles (10 solo), three sacks, and three pass breakups in 11 games (five starts) in his rookie year, and he finished with 15 tackles (four solo) and just one pass breakup in 13 games (two starts) in the regular season in 2025 in Year 2. Both Orhorhor and Smith will be hoping to land bigger roles in their new digs going into their third year in the NFL in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter