Jalen McMillan Headed for a Bigger Role in 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan should occupy a larger role during the 2026 season after former teammate Mike Evans departed in free agency. Evans signed with the 49ers, leaving McMillan as the Bucs' new No. 3 receiver behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. The Washington product had an impressive rookie season back in 2024, catching 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing four games. He was trending toward being a major breakout candidate in 2025, but that fell apart due to the emergence of Egbuka and a neck injury that sidelined McMillan for 13 games. With the injury behind him and Evans gone, McMillan once again has an opportunity to break out in fantasy football. The pass-heavy Bucs offense has repeatedly shown that it can support three fantasy-relevant receivers, so fantasy managers should feel optimistic about McMillan for 2026. He's still relatively affordable in dynasty trades given his 13-week absence last year, so managers might be able to acquire him for cheap.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty Poised to Break Out with Improved Offense and Protection?
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty had an up-and-down rookie season in 2025, ultimately finishing as the overall RB11 in PPR leagues. His big games were absolutely electric, but he also had some dud performances, finishing with single-digit fantasy points on seven different occasions. Jeanty will look for more consistency in a new-look offense next year. For starters, the game script should improve under projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. He should be able to drive the Raiders down the field and execute a solid passing attack, forcing defenses to place less emphasis on slowing down Jeanty. Additionally, Vegas revamped its offensive line this offseason, and the improvements should allow the Boise State product to find more gaps and have more time to make plays. All in all, an upgraded offense puts Jeanty in a prime position to succeed next year. He should offer more consistency and a higher floor, ranking as a mid-range RB1 in redraft leagues and a high-end RB1 in dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justin Jefferson Poised to Re-Emerge as an Elite Dynasty Wide Receiver in 2026
Since entering the league in 2020, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has established himself as one of the truly elite players in the NFL at his position. However, the 26-year-old battled through a down year by his own lofty standards in 2025, recording 84 receptions for 1,048 yards and just two touchdowns on 141 targets across 17 games. Most of Jefferson's struggles can be chalked up to poor quarterback play in Minnesota, as the team spent most of the year with J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz as its primary signal-callers. While McCarthy could still be in the mix in 2026, the Vikings signed former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray over the offseason. Murray has had his own issues in recent years, but he still brings a much higher level of baseline production and should at least stabilize the Minnesota passing game. As long as Jefferson stays healthy, he should re-emerge as a clear fantasy WR1 in 2026 and beyond. In dynasty formats, now may be the only chance for managers to try and buy low on the four-time All-Pro and 2022 Offensive Player of the Year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.J. McCarthy's Dynasty Value is Fading Heading into 2026
The number 10 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has struggled to get his professional career on track to this point. After missing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus, McCarthy was handed the starting role in Minnesota heading into 2025. Across 10 games, the 23-year-old completed just 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCarthy also missed time due to ankle, hand, and head injuries. The Vikings made a big addition to their quarterback room over the offseason, signing former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. While Murray is also coming off a down year, he's established a far higher level of NFL production than McCarthy heading into 2026. While Minnesota plans to hold an open competition during training camp, McCarthy will have to show major improvement over the summer to hold onto the starting role. In dynasty formats, McCarthy's fantasy value has never been lower than it is right now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brenen Thompson May Struggle to Consistently Earn Targets in the NFL
Across 13 games as a senior at Mississippi State in 2025, wide receiver Brenen Thompson hauled in 57 catches for 1,054 yards and six touchdowns. The 22-year-old showcased blazing speed at the NFL scouting combine in March, running a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, the third-fastest time for a wide receiver since 2003. Thompson's speed makes him an intriguing downfield threat who can force NFL defenses to respect his ability to hurt them over the top. However, at just 5'9" and 164 lbs., Thompson could be a bit of a one-note pass-catcher. He struggled to produce in college before his breakout year at Mississippi State, recording 27 catches across 27 games split between Texas and Oklahoma from 2022 through 2024. Thompson's big-play ability should be enough to get him selected at some point in the middle rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft, but he does not project as a high-volume pass-catcher. RotoBaller currently ranks him as the 144th-best wide receiver for dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Drake Maye Overcome Questionable Supporting Cast in New England?
Drake Maye
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye emerged as a superstar in 2025, leading his team to a Super Bowl appearance and finishing second in the MVP vote. Across 17 games, the 23-year-old completed 72% of his pass attempts for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while also rushing for 450 yards and four scores. Maye's dual-threat ability gives him high-end fantasy upside, and his age makes him a clear dynasty asset. There are some questions around Maye's supporting cast in New England, as the team's starting wide receiver trio of Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins projects as a below-average group. Maye also averaged an unsustainably excellent 8.9 yards per pass attempt in 2025, so a moderate regression in passing efficiency without an uptick in passing volume could lower his numbers across the board. Still, Maye has all the makings of a franchise signal-caller and profiles as an elite dynasty quarterback heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Garrett Wilson Have a More Stable Environment Around Him in New York Going Forward?
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) battled through a lost season in 2025, as he was limited to just seven games played due to a knee injury. When healthy, Wilson was still productive, recording 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets. The 25-year-old is also expected to make a full recovery and should be healthy and ready to go for the 2026 season. Talent has never been the issue for Wilson, but the offensive environment around him in New York has been questionable for his entire career and profiles similarly in 2026. The Jets acquired veteran quarterback Geno Smith over the offseason, and while Smith is coming off a down year with the Las Vegas Raiders, he's still a savvy veteran who could stabilize the team's passing game. Wilson also remains the only highly established pass catcher in New York, and should be consistently force-fed targets. Fantasy managers in dynasty formats should hold Wilson in the hopes that he re-establishes high-end value in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omar Cooper Jr.'s Stock is Rising as Draft Day Approaches
University of Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was one of the stars of the Hoosiers' National Championship-winning squad in 2025, hauling in 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns across 16 games. The 22-year-old profiles as a physical slot receiver with the ability to both make plays in the red zone and create yards after the catch. He may struggle to consistently win at the catch point on downfield throws, so NFL teams could choose to deploy him closer to the line of scrimmage. Cooper Jr. is currently projected as an early Day 2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and could even hear his name called towards the tail end of the first round. RotoBaller currently ranks him as the 53rd-best wide receiver for dynasty formats, and his stock is rising as draft day approaches.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Odell Beckham Jr. Meets with John Harbaugh About Giants Reunion
Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. recently met with New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh to discuss the possibility of him signing with the team, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. The conversation took place during this week's NFL meetings, which Beckham attended in-person. The veteran receiver hasn't played in the league since 2024, when he caught nine passes for 55 yards across nine games with the Miami Dolphins. However, he did recently stir up some social media buzz with his performance in last month's Fanatics Flag Football Classic. Beckham began his career with the Giants, so it would be a full-circle moment to see him re-sign with the organization at the age of 33. He spent five years with the team, making the Pro Bowl in each of the first three seasons of his NFL career. Beckham's prime is far behind now, and he likely wouldn't be anything more than a No. 4 receiver behind Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, and Darius Slayton in New York.
Source: Jordan Raanan
Source: Jordan Raanan
Load Management a Possibility for Dalton Kincaid
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady acknowledged that "load management remains a possibility for frequently injured tight end Dalton Kincaid in 2026," according to Tim Graham of The Athletic. General manager Brandon Beane had previously floated the idea of load management for Kincaid, and now, Brady is echoing that idea. The former first-round pick has missed nine games over the last two seasons, including five in 2025. Even in some of the games where he has been on the field, he was at less than 100 percent. Brady acknowledged that Kincaid had a snap count in some games last year, limiting him to passing downs, which made the offense more predictable. He hasn't finished higher than TE20 since his rookie campaign in 2023, but if the Bills can find a way to keep him healthy for the whole year, he might actually be able to sneak into the top 12.
Source: Tim Graham
Source: Tim Graham
J.K. Dobbins is Fully Healthy for 2026
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton described running back J.K. Dobbins (left foot) as fully healthy, according to Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette. Paton added that Dobbins, who was placed on injured reserve after Week 10, could have returned for the Super Bowl, if Denver had qualified. He also explained that the veteran running back's positive presence in the locker room is a main reason why the team prioritized re-signing him this offseason. Dobbins was limited to 10 games last year, but he was productive when healthy. He finished the season with 772 rushing yards, 37 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Moving forward, Dobbins no longer has fringe top-24 appeal at the running back position in fantasy football. His fall down the rankings can be attributed to RJ Harvey, the rookie who took over as Denver's lead running back after Dobbins went down. As the Broncos look to stay young and fresh on offense, we expect to see Harvey lead the backfield going forward. We still expect Dobbins to have a role, especially on short-yardage and goal-line work, but he's more of a boom-or-bust RB3/flex now. Managers should also take note of his injury history, as he has missed 53 games over the last five years.
Source: Chris Tomasson
Source: Chris Tomasson
49ers Acknowledge Jauan Jennings Won't Return
The San Francisco 49ers have said goodbye to free agent receiver Jauan Jennings, acknowledging that he won't be back in 2026. "He'll find a good home, and Jauan will go play great football for someone," general manager John Lynch told Vic Tafur of The Athletic. "I can't say enough for what that guy did; when that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence, and they had to deal with him, and he won us a lot of games." Lynch noted that Mike Evans, the new No. 1 receiver in San Francisco, made more sense for the 49ers than Jennings because he is more of a "dynamic fit." Jennings, who remains a free agent heading into April, is coming off back-to-back top-34 finishes at the wide receiver position in fantasy football. Just last season, he caught 55 passes for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns in 15 games. His 2026 fantasy outlook will depend on his landing spot, but he's probably a safe bet to finish among the top 36 fantasy receivers again next year.
Source: Vic Tafur
Source: Vic Tafur
Tank Dell Uncertain for OTAs, But Expected to Play in 2026
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said it's unclear if wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) will be ready for organized team activities this spring, but he said he knows "he'll be back for us at some point this year," according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. "As I told Tank, it's not a matter of getting back to OTAs just to get back, it's just a matter of getting back in a really good spot physically to where you stay there. That's the main thing," Ryans said. The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Houston didn't play at all in 2025 after suffering a devastating knee injury in 2024, in which he tore multiple ligaments. Before his knee injury, Dell caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games (18 starts) in his first two NFL seasons, including seven touchdowns in 11 games in his rookie campaign. His fantasy stock in dynasty/keeper leagues is on the rise, and he could even be worth a late-round dart throw in single-year leagues later this year if his recovery is coming along nicely this summer. If fully healthy, Dell could be competing for the WR2 role in Houston with second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, behind Nico Collins.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Saints Still Want to Address Alvin Kamara's Contract
The New Orleans Saints still want to address running back Alvin Kamara's (knee) contract, even after restructuring it to lower their 2026 salary cap from north of $18 million to roughly $10.5 million already this offseason, according to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. It's unclear what else the Saints will do with Kamara's contract, but most likely, they'll ask him to take a pay cut after finishing the year injured for the second straight season. If Kamara doesn't give in, the Saints could trade or cut him, too, especially after signing an RB with similar skills in free agency in Travis Etienne Jr. on a four-year, $52 million contract. If the Saints address their backfield in the draft as well, the writing could be on the wall for Kamara's departure in the Big Easy. For now, Kamara's future in New Orleans and his 2026 fantasy football value are very murky. Reports this offseason have even suggested that the 30-year-old veteran and five-time Pro Bowler could retire. Kamara was a major disappointment in 2025 in his ninth year in the NFL, playing in a career-low 11 games while rushing for just 471 yards and one touchdown on 131 carries.
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Matthew Paras
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Matthew Paras
Cowboys Have "Long-Term Plans" for George Pickens
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on Tuesday that the team has "long-term plans" for franchise-tagged wide receiver George Pickens, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Jones added that he has no issues with negotiations on a long-term extension for Pickens going through agent David Mulugheta. The long-time owner also said that if Pickens "worked without an agent, he'd save a lot of money." The Cowboys have made it clear that they want to keep the 25-year-old around long-term after he broke out to the tune of 93 catches (137 targets), 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns in 17 games in 2025, but Jones and Dallas' front office have a history of taking things down to the wire. Thus, it seems likely that Pickens is destined for a lengthy holdout this offseason that could seep into training camp in the summer as he seeks an extension with the team. At the very least, the former second-rounder will be in Dallas for one more season in 2026, and he'll be a clear WR1 target in fantasy drafts after his big first season with the Cowboys.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
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