RADIO
Phil Mafah Falling Out of Roster Spot?
Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah could be on the outside looking in to make the Cowboys' final 53-man roster. The Cowboys drafted him in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Clemson. Teams around the league will have to shrink their roster from 90 players to 53 players on Sunday in order to be ready for Week 1. Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted Mafah got the majority of the running back work during the preseason finale Friday night. This signaled Mafah had one last shot to prove to the coaching staff that he should win a spot on the Cowboys' final roster. Mafah has been battling Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis all summer for the backup running back role behind starter Javonte Williams. After stiff competition, Mafah could be the odd man out of the running back room.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Seahawks Officially Sign Terrion Arnold
The Seattle Seahawks have officially signed cornerback Terrion Arnold, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The former first-round pick was released by the Detroit Lions late in June after he was arrested and faced eight felony charges, including robbery and kidnapping. Arnold will now be placed on the commissioner's exempt list, which means he will be unable to practice or play with the team. As a result, Arnold is not expected to be part of the Seahawks' 53-man roster when the team has to drop to that number on Sunday. If Arnold gets to play, it would be a major addition to the reigning Super Bowl Champions' defensive secondary and create one of the best cornerback duos in the league alongside Devon Witherspoon. It would allow Mike Macdonald to get more creative on defense and make it a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators to scheme receivers open.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Kimani Vidal the Chargers' Best Pass-Protector?
Bolt Beat's Alexander Insdorf noted that running back Kimani Vidal is probably the best pass protector in the Los Angeles Chargers backfield. Omarion Hampton still has to prove he is the better pass blocker until he takes that title away from Vidal. The Chargers running back room remains one of the most monitored situations by fantasy managers heading into draft weekend. The team is expected to roster Hampton, Vidal, and Keaton Mitchell (knee) this season. All three backs offer fantasy appeal and will have a role in the Chargers' offense under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel has said all three backs will be used and he will use a "hot hand" approach. With three backs fighting for snaps, Vidal could find his way onto the field on obvious passing downs if he is viewed as the best pass protector out of the three. If this happens, Vidal could be fantasy relevant this season outside of being a handcuff to Hampton.
Source: Bolt Beat - Alexander Insdorf
Source: Bolt Beat - Alexander Insdorf
Jordan Addison a Sleeper to Target in Redraft Leagues
Minnesota Vikings wideout Jordan Addison is currently being slept on in fantasy drafts with a valuable ADP outside of the top 40 receivers on most sites. The former Biletnikoff Award winner posted career lows across the board due to a three-game suspension and poor quarterback play last season. This year, Addison could get back on track and be fantasy-relevant again with Kyler Murray named the starter. Murray is a functional NFL quarterback who can keep an offense on schedule and, at times, raise the floor of the playmakers around him. Additionally, Addison and Murray have been working together all offseason to build chemistry and a connection on the field. If they can connect on the field, Addison can return to being a WR2 for managers like he was during his first two seasons in the league.
Source: Underdog
Source: Underdog
Omarion Hampton Set to Break Out in His Sophomore Season
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton is eyeing a breakout year in 2026. The 23-year-old is coming off an injury-riddled rookie season, where he finished as the RB12 in fantasy points per game (15.1) out of running backs who played in at least nine games. This season he will have an improved offensive line to run behind and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to run for. McDaniel has produced a top-5 fantasy running back in each of the last three seasons, with four running backs averaging over 17 fantasy points per game. Additionally, McDaniel weaponized the running back position in Miami with De'Von Achane seeing 85-plus targets, 480-plus receiving yards, and catching at least four receiving touchdowns in each of his last two seasons. Hampton has had a strong offseason and received praise from his coaches all summer. It is within his range of outcomes this season to finish as a top-five running back in fantasy football.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Garrett Wilson's Pure Talent Finally Equate to Fantasy Success?
New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson is entering the 2026 season with a clean bill of health after missing the majority of last season with a knee injury. The 26-year-old was the WR7 overall and averaged 16.6 PPR points per game before being shut down for the season. Heading into this season, it isn't a far stretch to say Wilson will be playing with the best quarterback of his career in Geno Smith. Wilson has played with eight different shaky quarterbacks but still has found ways to produce elite statistical numbers. Wilson is only the fifth player in NFL history to record at least 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. In addition, he is the first Jet in franchise history to start a career with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Wilson is currently being drafted as a value as the WR21 on Yahoo. It is within his range of outcomes to finish as a top 10 receiver in fantasy football this season.
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Jack Bell
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Jack Bell
Luther Burden III "Moving Well," Trending Toward Week 1 Availability
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is "moving well," the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported on Saturday. The 2025 second-round pick is "maybe not 100%, but he's running routes and getting in and out of his breaks," Biggs reported. Burden was injured in practice on Aug. 8 and only just returned to individual drills on Aug. 26. The Missouri product caught 47 receptions on 60 targets and had two touchdowns for Chicago in his rookie season in 2025. He is expected to have a larger role alongside Rome Odunze in his sophomore campaign since DJ Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Burden has breakout potential for 2026, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on his health since his status is not yet confirmed for Week 1. RotoBaller lists him at WR22, and he has a lot of upside if he starts the season healthy.
Source: Brad Biggs
Source: Brad Biggs
Stefon Diggs Ready to Outplay His ADP in 2026?
Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs enters his first season with the Washington Commanders as WR2 behind Terry McLaurin and the potential to be a sleeper in 2026. The four-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal with the Commanders on Aug. 5 and played a few series alongside starting quarterback Jayden Daniels in a 17-13 loss to the Detroit Lions on Aug. 22, although he didn't record any stats in that game. Diggs caught 85 of 102 targets for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns for the New England Patriots in 2025, marking his seventh 1,000-plus-yard season. Daniels dealt with an injury-hampered 2025 season and is anticipating a bounce-back campaign in 2026, which could further benefit Diggs as he joins first-year offensive coordinator David Blough's system. Diggs' ADP hasn't caught up to his potential yet, and he is listed at WR44 in RotoBaller's position rankings. He is a WR3 with a lot of projected upside if he stays healthy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Eagles Plan to Release Running Back Carson Steele
The Philadelphia Eagles have revealed plans to release running back Carson Steele, Jordan Schultz reported on Saturday. Steele had eight carries for 24 yards and added eight catches for 52 yards and a touchdown in the air in Philadelphia's 30-13 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday. The 23-year-old emerged as an intriguing pass-catcher out of the backfield in preseason play, but remained a long shot to make the Eagles' 53-man roster with running backs Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley all ahead of him on the depth chart. The former UCLA product logged 56 carries for 183 yards and no touchdowns during his rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, then spent the entire 2025 season on the Chiefs' practice squad before being signed by the Eagles in January 2026. While he had an interesting training camp, Steele is not a roster-worthy asset in fantasy since he didn't make the Eagles' final cut.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Patrick Mahomes On Track to Play in Week 1
Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is on track to start in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 14, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday. "Maybe [the Chiefs] will have to adjust to a little more run game, a little more defense; we shall see," Rapoport said of Kansas City's Week 1 scheme. "But Patrick Mahomes is tracking to be on the field when the season begins." The 30-year-old signal-caller has been a full participant in training camp but has not seen any game action since tearing his ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers last year. The two-time Pro Bowler has seen dips in his production over the last two seasons, and he ended 2025 with a 62.7% completion rate and a 22:11 TD:INT ratio. Given the major knee surgery and the fact that the Chiefs' offense lacks the downfield explosiveness it had a few years ago, fantasy managers should consider Mahomes a high-end QB2 heading into the 2026 season.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Running Back Corey Kiner Traded to Patriots
The Arizona Cardinals traded running back Corey Kiner to the New England Patriots on Saturday in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Kiner, 24, logged significant playing time for the Cardinals in preseason play, with James Conner (ankle) working his way back from a season-ending injury and Jeremiyah Love (ankle) nursing a preseason sprain. He now joins a Patriots running back room that is thin behind Rhamondre Stevenson, with TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) injured in a preseason practice and Terrell Jennings (undisclosed) placed on injured reserve. However, Kiner's role at RB3 will likely be minimal if Henderson is healthy enough to play in Week 1. Kiner doesn't hold significant fantasy value for redraft leagues at this time, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on the health of the Patriots' backfield leading up to their drafts.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Najee Harris Has 12 Touches in Giants' Preseason Debut
New York Giants running back Najee Harris had 11 carries for 39 rushing yards and added one reception for an additional 20 yards in Friday's 23-6 preseason win against the New York Jets. It was the first game the 28-year-old participated in since tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 3 of last year when he played for the Los Angeles Chargers. Harris is expected to play a significant role in the Cam Skattebo-led running back corps for the Giants, especially since Tyrone Tracy Jr. (neck) left Friday's preseason finale after being injured. The former Alabama product and 24th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 logged over 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons before last season's Achilles injury held him to just three games and 15 carries. RotoBaller ranks Harris at RB60 in the positional rankings, but he could end up being more valuable if Tracy or Skattebo are sidelined by injuries. Harris could offer fantasy managers insurance as an RB3 this season.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Alec Pierce Out for Colts' Preseason Finale
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) participated in warmups but won't play in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Mike Chappell reported on Saturday. The fourth-year wideout came off the Physically Unable to Perform list last week and practiced with the team for the first time on Thursday since having offseason ankle surgery. Pierce is reportedly shooting for a Week 1 return as he looks to repeat his 2025 success, having set career highs with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. The 26-year-old has the opportunity to capitalize on those numbers by inheriting a larger workload now that Michael Pittman Jr. has departed for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, fantasy managers should temper their expectations early in the season since it is unclear how long it will take Pierce to get up to speed after missing training camp. Pierce's fantasy stock is on the rise, but he should be considered a WR4/flex option until he's fully healthy.
Source: Mike Chappell
Source: Mike Chappell
J.J. McCarthy Projected to be Left Off 53-Man Roster
The Athletic's Alec Lewis is projecting Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) to lose out on the QB2 job to veteran Carson Wentz and to be left off the initial 53-man roster to begin the 2026 season. McCarthy struggled in last week's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, came out of it with a minor ankle injury, and was held out of the preseason finale on Friday against the Denver Broncos. Wentz made the start on Friday and appears to be in line to be the Vikings' backup behind starter Kyler Murray. McCarthy's "comfort (or lack thereof) with being the QB3 could dictate his future in Minnesota," Lewis writes. Max Brosmer's future with the organization is also in doubt after a poor preseason performance. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick from Michigan in 2024, missed his entire rookie campaign after having surgery to fix the meniscus in his knee. In his first go as a starter in the NFL last year, McCarthy flopped, playing in only 10 games due to injuries and throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. A trade out of town at this point might be the best thing for McCarthy's long-term fantasy value in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Jahan Dotson With a Solid Showing in Final Preseason Game
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson caught all three of his targets for 27 yards in Friday's 17-12 victory over the Dolphins. The former first-round draft pick played in just the first quarter with the other starters and appears to be locked in as the team's No. 2 wide receiver to begin the season behind Drake London, who did not play in the contest. We'll see how significant a role that will be under the new coaching staff in Atlanta, as last season that role was filled by Darnell Mooney, who fell well behind London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson in the receiving pecking order. The 26-year-old's current RotoBaller ranking as the 87th overall wide receiver indicates he should be an afterthought in most fantasy drafts, with Atlanta's rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch actually ranked higher at RotoBaller despite likely starting the season as the team's WR3/4.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
