RADIO
Ravens Using Rashod Bateman "Much Differently"
Baltimore Ravens veteran wide receiver Rashod Bateman said on Friday that new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is using him much differently than in his previous years with the Ravens, according to Bobby Trosset. "I'm moving around all over the place. In the past, I've been a one-dimensional receiver. I feel like he sees my talent. As a receiver, you want somebody to believe in you, to see your ability. I'm in the slot, outside. That's a blessing for me. I appreciate him for doing that so I get to show my talent more & more," Bateman said. It's something for fantasy managers to consider before completely writing off the 26-year-old former first-rounder in 2021 from the University of Minnesota. However, it's still hard to fathom Bateman being a weekly fantasy starter after disappointing in all but one of his five NFL seasons to this point, outside of his 45-756-9 line in 17 games in 2024. That feels especially true after Baltimore added rookie receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, who will be looking to take valuable targets away from Bateman in 2026. Unless WR1 Zay Flowers misses time with an injury, Bateman probably won't be much more than a deep-league bench stash at the WR position.
Source: Bobby Trosset
Source: Bobby Trosset
Emmett Johnson Named as a Faller in Chiefs Camp
The Athletic's Jesse Newell considers Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson a faller early in training camp this summer after he was selected in the fifth round in April's NFL draft. Newell likes Johnson's long-term prospects with the organization, but as of now, he has "been a clear fourth in the RB pecking order in practices," behind both Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado. At minimum, KC should have plenty of special teams work for the rookie. Head coach Andy Reid said earlier this week that the team wants to see Johnson keep his pad level lower while running. "You go high at this level, and you're going to get rearranged," Reid said. "And you don't want that to happen." Right now, the Chiefs feel more comfortable with their other depth options at the position behind RB1 Kenneth Walker III. The 22-year-old from the University of Nebraska could make up some ground as camp goes on and in preseason action, but as things currently stand, he's merely a dynasty/keeper stash.
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Jaxson Dart Looks Much Better in Friday's Practice
New York Giants second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart has struggled early on in training camp while learning the team's new offense under head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, but Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports that Dart had his best practice of camp on Friday. He looked "much more decisive vs. pressure" and made the "proper reads." The football hit the ground only once on the final drive-the-field period against a mix of first- and second-team defenders. To cap it off, Dart hit receiver Darius Slayton for a touchdown. The 23-year-old former first-rounder from Ole Miss has the high-end dual-threat abilities to become a strong QB1 option for fantasy managers sooner rather than later. He quickly took over the Giants' starting QB job in 2025 and threw for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 14 games (12 starts), adding 487 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground to finish as the QB14 in fantasy. New York's expected run-first offense in 2026 could cap Dart's fantasy upside, but at the very least, he should be considered a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 for his rushing upside.
Source: The Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
Source: The Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
Cam Skattebo Doesn't Return to Friday's Practice After a Collision
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (leg) went down in training camp practice on Friday after a collision with linebacker Arvel Reese, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Skattebo was seen stretching his left leg and didn't return to practice, although he stayed on the sideline. It's unclear what the severity of Skattebo's leg injury is, but it's definitely concerning after he suffered a season-ending right-ankle injury as a rookie in 2025 that consisted of an ankle dislocation, an open-tibia fracture, and a ruptured deltoid ligament. The 24-year-old entered camp as a full-go, and all expectations are that he will be the team's RB1 in new head coach John Harbaugh's offense in 2026, which is expected to be more run-heavy. We will closely monitor his new injury, and if it ends up being something that keeps him from playing in Week 1 against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s fantasy stock will skyrocket. RotoBaller has Skattebo ranked as the No. 20 RB in half-PPR fantasy leagues as he enters his sophomore campaign. UPDATE: Harbaugh said Skattebo's exit from practice on Friday is "nothing serious at all," per The Athletic's Dan Duggan.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Marvin Mims Jr. Leaves Friday's Practice With Apparent Injury
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (undisclosed) left Friday's training camp practice with an apparent injury after pulling up short on a deep-ball route, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. The fourth-year pass-catcher was examined by trainers on the field before being taken to the trainer's room. Any injury that causes Mims to miss extended time would really hurt his chances of securing a key role in the Broncos' passing attack for the start of the 2026 regular season. The former second-rounder in 2023 from the University of Oklahoma had a career-best 39 catches for 503 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2024, but he regressed last year with a 37-322-1 line in 15 regular-season games, and his path to fantasy relevance took a hit in the offseason when the Broncos traded for speedy wideout Jaylen Waddle. Whenever Mims gets back on the field, he'll be competing with Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant for WR3 duties behind Waddle and veteran Courtland Sutton. At best, Mims is shaping up as a boom/bust deep threat bench stash in the deepest of fantasy football leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Dont'e Thornton Jr. Leaves Practice Early on Friday
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (undisclosed) was forced to leave training camp practice early on Friday with an undisclosed injury, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. It's unclear at this time if Thornton's injury will keep him out for an extended period of time this summer as he competes for the WR3 job with Jack Bech and Malik Benson behind Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker. After being selected in the fourth round (108th overall) last year from the University of Tennessee, Thornton caught just 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards and zero touchdowns in 15 games (eight starts) in a pretty dysfunctional offense. It remains to be seen if he'll be in line for a bigger offensive role in Year 2 under new head coach Klint Kubiak, but reports early in camp have suggested that Benson could be leading the competition for the WR3 role in Vegas. The Raiders are expected to rely more heavily on two-tight-end sets in 2026, so as things currently stand, Thornton is a receiver to avoid for fantasy managers in standard-sized 12-team leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Titans, Guard Peter Skoronski Agree to Four-Year Extension
The Tennessee Titans and standout offensive guard Peter Skoronski agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal on Friday with $88 million guaranteed that makes him the highest-paid guard in the league, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 25-year-old was taken with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft from Northwestern, and he'll now be locked up long-term as one of the top protectors of second-year quarterback Cam Ward. The move comes after the Titans already picked up Skoronski's $19.07 fifth-year option for the 2027 campaign back in April. He will remain as the Titans' starting left guard for the 2026 season after starting all 48 games that he's appeared in over his first three NFL seasons with Tennessee. Skoronski has not missed a game since the start of the 2024 campaign after playing in 14 games as a rookie in 2023.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Broncos Rookie RB Jonah Coleman Stands Out in Camp on Friday
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman "had the best run of any RB in pads so far this camp" on Friday, according to Cody Roark of Mile High Sports. Head coach Sean Payton has singled out the fourth-rounder from the University of Washington as being one of the team's pleasant surprises early in training camp, and the 22-year-old will have a role in Denver's backfield in his first year in the NFL. However, despite his impressive performance this summer, Roark believes that J.K. Dobbins and second-year back RJ Harvey will get the primary reps and touches in the Broncos' backfield in 2026, with Coleman playing more of the Tyler Badie role as the RB3. At 5-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Coleman will give the Broncos' RB room something they've been lacking: a physical and tough presence between the tackles. But his weekly volume, at least to begin his rookie season, probably will not be there. Payton appears to be leaning towards more of a backfield committee, but that could all change if the oft-injured Dobbins misses more time in 2026. At best, Coleman will be an RB to stash in redraft fantasy leagues as a handcuff for Dobbins.
Source: Mile High Sports - Cody Roark
Source: Mile High Sports - Cody Roark
Mike Vrabel Says Kyle Williams Will be "Large Part" of Offense
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams has seemingly been on the roster bubble during training camp this summer, but not if you ask head coach Mike Vrabel, according to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. The former third-rounder has looked like the team's No. 7 wideout in camp and has seen limited reps with quarterback Drake Maye, but Vrabel, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and receivers coach Todd Downing are planning on finding ways to get the speedy pass-catcher the ball. "I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us," Vrabel said. "His speed is going to help us." Williams had some big plays in 2025 as a rookie, but he only caught 10 passes on 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns. The 23-year-old from Washington State worked in the offseason to become more physical and versatile, and the Patriots have some more of a willingness to use him as a ball-carrier. "His release skills, his speed, his vertical speed, those are all things that we have to continue to take advantage of as we progress," Vrabel added. Time will tell if Vrabel's words hold up, but as things currently stand in New England's crowded WR room, it's hard to envision Williams having a big weekly role while competing for playing time with the likes of A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kayson Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Efton Chism.
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Utilized Near the Goal Line in Friday's Scrimmage
Sports Illustrated's John Shipley reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars' backfield plans are starting to come into focus during their scrimmage at training camp on Friday. New running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was limited at the start of camp due to a foot injury that required surgery in the spring, but he has been mixing in more this week and shared the backfield with Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. during Friday's scrimmage. Friday only reinforced the notion that head coach Liam Coen is leaning toward a backfield committee with Tuten, Rodriguez, and Allen. Tuten started the first drive and only came off the field on third down for Allen. Then C-Rod started the second drive before rotating with Tuten. Eventually, Tuten started the drives, but he came off the field in favor of Rodriguez when the team got within the 10-yard line, with Allen playing all the third downs. Both Rodriguez and Tuten had some nice runs, with Allen scoring a receiving touchdown. Fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into the team's first training camp scrimmage, but it suggests that Rodriguez and Tuten will split early-down carries, with Rodriguez potentially serving as the goal-line back.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Bhayshul Tuten Splits Backfield, Comes Off the Field Near Goal Line
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten started the first drive during Friday's scrimmage and only came off the field on third down for LeQuint Allen Jr., according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. Chris Rodriguez Jr. then started the second drive before rotating with Tuten. The team eventually settled into "a rotation where Tuten would start the drives, Rodriguez would come on the field when the Jaguars got within the 10-yard line, and then Allen would play all of the third downs." Tuten and Rodriguez each had some positive runs, and Allen caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence. We're starting to finally get some answers as to how head coach Liam Coen's backfield will shape up for the regular season, but Shipley cautions that it's dangerous to glean too much from a scrimmage in training camp. However, he says it felt meaningful to see all three backs be used in their specific roles. Tuten is still the most explosive and highest-upside fantasy option from this backfield, but with a committee most likely to be utilized, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Tuten as a low-end RB2 in 2026.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Parker Washington Hype Hits New High
There may not be a player who has garnered more hype this offseason than Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington. During Friday's scrimmage, Washington caught six passes from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, including two third-down grabs and a touchdown. He was Lawrence's favorite target on Friday and throughout camp. The former sixth-round pick had 847 yards and five touchdowns last season, but he emerged down the stretch, averaging 6.5 receptions for 113.5 yards and scoring three touchdowns in his final four games. He should play the slot role in Liam Coen's offense, a position that has been a strength in Coen's scheme. Players like Cooper Kupp and Chris Godwin Jr. have had monster seasons under Coen, and Washington will hope to do the same in 2026.
Source: John Shipley - Sports Illustrated
Source: John Shipley - Sports Illustrated
Colston Loveland Eyeing Second-Year Breakout
After a stellar finish to the 2025 season, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland is aiming for a massive second season in 2026. Loveland hauled in 58 of 82 targets for 713 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, but he really hit his stride after Week 9. He had 41 receptions on 57 targets for 479 yards and four touchdowns in the nine regular-season games after he took over as Chicago's starting tight end. And in two playoff games, Loveland caught 12 of his 25 targets for another 193 receiving yards. Not only is he further cemented in Ben Johnson's offense, but he could also develop a better connection with Caleb Williams. With wide receiver D.J. Moore gone, that should open up more work for Loveland. A 25% target share could be in the making, as Johnson loves featuring tight ends in the passing game, as he did with Sam LaPorta in 2023 and 2024. While Loveland's price is high, going as the TE3 in RotoBaller's rankings, he could contend for the number one tight end in fantasy if Williams improves on last year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Terry McLaurin Still a Good Value Despite WR Addition
The Washington Commanders officially signed veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Thursday, finally cementing Diggs as their WR2 opposite Terry McLaurin. While Diggs should see substantial volume in 2026, McLaurin is still set up for a big year. After a wasted 2025 season, during which McLaurin dealt with a nagging groin/hip injury, he is looking to replicate his 2024 season, when he had just under 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns with quarterback Jayden Daniels. The offensive coordinator change should also benefit McLaurin, as former OC Kliff Kingsbury used him as a primary X receiver. In 2025, he scored 96% of his fantasy points on the outside, the most of any receiver in the NFL. New coordinator David Blough publicly said he wants to get McLaurin "10 targets a game" in 2026 and should be used in motion and in different spots across the formation. McLaurin remains the WR1 on this offense. With both him and Daniels healthy, he is in position to finish among the top 10 wide receivers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elic Ayomanor Good to Go After Suffering Shoulder Injury on Thursday
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (shoulder) will participate in Friday night's scrimmage after leaving practice early Thursday. Ayomanor walked off with a trainer during practice Thursday, holding his left shoulder. Head coach Robert Saleh said, "It feels stable, but we'll get more information later." Now that he's good to go, the rising star hopes to remain a key part of the Titans' camp. The second-year receiver had 515 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie year and is currently competing with veteran Calvin Ridley for the WR3 role. If Ayomanor can win that battle against Ridley, he could flirt with being a late-round draft pick in most fantasy formats.
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Source: Paul Kuharsky
