RADIO
Kirk Cousins has Superflex Appeal in Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is ready to make his team debut against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The veteran quarterback will have a tough task ahead of him this weekend. The Raiders' top target, tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is ruled out for this game, which is bad news for this offense. Now, Cousins will need to rely on newcomer wide receiver Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and backup tight end Michael Mayer as his primary targets. The 38-year-old can handle himself under center, but he can only do so much with the options that he has alongside him. Fantasy managers in one-quarterback leagues can avoid Cousins, but the veteran single-caller could be an option in superflex formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Parker Washington Unlikely to Agree on Extension Before Season Starts
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is unlikely to get a contract extension done before the beginning of the season, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports. There was speculation that the two sides would get a deal done, but it looks like they'll wait for now. Washington is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so a strong performance on the field could land him a big payday. The 24-year-old is coming off a breakout season where he recorded 58 receptions with 847 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 16 games with the Jaguars last season. We'll see if the two sides are able to get a deal done before Washington hits free agency.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Judge Seals Video Altercation in Josh Jacobs Case
According to ProFootballTalk, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has requested that the judge seal the video of the altercation in his case. This situation makes it tricky for the NFL going forward. They could tell Jacobs he can't play until the video is released to the public. Otherwise, the league risks another Ray Rice situation, where the media somehow releases the video while they continue to let Jacobs play. For now, Jacobs is on paid leave, and he'll remain there until the NFL determines the correct discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy. It will be difficult for the league to decide on a punishment when Jacobs is having the judge seal the evidence.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Lamar Jackson Won't Receive New Contract Before Season Begins
According to Adam Schefter, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won't be receiving a new contract before the beginning of the 2026-2027 season. There was speculation that Jackson would get a deal done, but the two sides aren't expected to agree on a deal before 2027. His current contract runs through 2027, so they could agree on an extension during the summer. Jackson has spent the first eight years of his career in Baltimore. He has won multiple MVP awards with the team and is expected to sign a new deal with the organization at some point.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Bo Nix Carries Sneaky Upside in Superflex Leagues vs. Chiefs in Week 1
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will face off against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on the road to open up the season on Monday Night Football. The 26-year-old was an ankle injury away from having the opportunity to lead his team to a Super Bowl appearance last season. The team opted to go all in by trading for star wideout Jaylen Waddle in hopes of taking the offense to the next level. Nix will play against a star-depleted Chiefs secondary that lost its three top cornerbacks in the offseason. However, the Chiefs' defense allowed the fifth-fewest passing touchdowns and eighth-fewest passing yards last season. As a result, he enters Week 1 as RotoBaller's QB20 with an opportunity to produce low-end QB1 numbers to start the season. Nix should be viewed as a must-start in superflex leagues and carries sneaky upside with an upgraded receiver room in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
J.K. Dobbins Offers RB2 Upside vs. Chiefs in Week 1
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins will open the regular season in Kansas City on Monday Night Football. The 27-year-old was the RB18 overall in PPR formats before suffering a Lisfranc foot injury to end his 2025 season. This year, Dobbins will attempt to hold off fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman as the lead back on early downs. Coleman is expected to be Dobbins' backup but has already become a fantasy favorite within the community. Dobbins is RotoBaller's PPR RB25 against a Chiefs defense that saw multiple key players leave the team in free agency. However, they allowed the 10th fewest rushing yards and the 12th fewest rushing touchdowns last season. Dobbins should be viewed as a low-end RB2 and could sneak into the top 20 scoring running backs if he can find the end zone in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
C.J. Stroud and Texans Agree to Put Contract Talks on Hold
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans have mutually agreed to wait until after this season to work out a long-term deal. Both sides made a run at completing an extension before the regular season began, but both sides agreed they prefer to focus on the season at hand. Stroud is entering the final year of his rookie contract, but the team exercised his fifth-year option this April to keep him through the 2027 season. The 24-year-old has been unable to build off his historic rookie season and has struggled at times in big games. The last time we saw Stroud, he completed 20 of his 47 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in a losing effort in the playoffs. Stroud will enter a critical year that will determine if he is worthy of a monster extension worth over $50 million per year.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
RJ Harvey a Low-End Flex Option vs. Chiefs
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey will open the regular season in Kansas City on Monday Night Football. The 25-year-old is expected to specialize as the pass-catching running back in a crowded room after the team brought back J.K. Dobbins and drafted Jonah Coleman in the fourth round. Harvey finished his rookie season as the RB20 in PPR scoring and touchdown-reliant down the stretch. He is RotoBaller's PPR RB44 entering Week 1 with a semi-difficult matchup. The Chiefs' defense allowed the 10th fewest rushing yards and the 12th fewest rushing touchdowns last season. However, the Chiefs did struggle against pass-catching running backs last year, and the secondary took a major talent hit this offseason with the departure of their top three cornerbacks. Harvey should be viewed as a low-end flex option heading into Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Michael Mayer a Worthy Start in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer played a limited role as a receiver in 2025, recording 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets across 13 games. However, with Raiders TE1 Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined, Mayer could step into an elevated target share in the Raiders' 2026 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Across four games with Bowers inactive in 2025, Mayer recorded 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. While his numbers may not leap off the page, Las Vegas should field an improved passing game with new head coach Klint Kubiak calling plays in 2026. The Dolphins also profile as a favorable matchup on paper for Mayer, as Miami allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. All in all, Mayer projects as a low-end top-12 tight end option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Juwan Johnson a High-Floor Tight End Streamer in Week 1
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had the best season of his career in 2025, recording 77 catches for 889 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets across 17 games. With Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on Injured Reserve to begin the year, Johnson appears set to open 2026 as the number two option in the New Orleans passing game behind only star wide receiver Chris Olave. In Week 1, Johnson and the Saints will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions. The Lions fielded a slightly below-average pass defense against tight ends in 2025, allowing the 13th-most fantasy points to the position. However, Detroit will be without starting safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) to begin the year, and the team lost top coverage linebacker Alex Anzalone to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. With a favorable matchup against the Lions, Johnson profiles as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devaughn Vele an Intriguing Deep-League Flex Option in Week 1
Across 13 games in 2025, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele recorded 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. The 28-year-old saw minimal usage early in the year, but his production picked up following the Saints' midseason trade of former wideout Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks. With Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on Injured Reserve to begin the year, Vele could once again be the WR2 alongside Chris Olave in New Orleans. In Week 1, the Saints have a favorable matchup on paper against a Detroit Lions defense that will be without both starting safeties in Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee). Across his final four games of 2025, Vele averaged over 12 PPR fantasy points per game. He profiles as an under-the-radar deep-league flex option in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eli Stowers Placed on Injured Reserve
The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Saturday that rookie tight end Eli Stowers (quad, hamstring) has been placed on Injured Reserve. A second-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Stowers is expected to play a complementary role in his team's tight end room behind Eagles TE1 Dallas Goedert. While Stowers may still eventually carve out a role in the Philadelphia passing game, his NFL debut will now be delayed by at least four weeks. With Stowers on IR, Goedert's fantasy outlook for the Eagles' season opener against the Washington Commanders on Sunday looks a little bit safer. Stowers remains a worthy stash in dynasty formats, but he should be off the radar of redraft managers for the time being.
Source: Philadelphia Eagles
Source: Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper Rush Battling Back Spasms, Still Expected to Play in Week 1
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (back) experienced back spasms on Saturday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. With Falcons quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) both ruled out for Week 1, Rush is in line to start the team's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Schefter reports that Atlanta still expects Rush to be active, but it appears he may not be fully healthy. A career backup, Rush threw for 303 yards, zero touchdowns, and four interceptions across four games (two starts) with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. With a hobbled Rush under center, fantasy managers should downgrade expectations for Falcons wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. If Rush is unable to play, undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Strand would be the next man up for Atlanta.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chris Olave a Must-Start WR1 Option in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave put together the most productive season of his career in 2026, recording 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets across 16 games. The 26-year-old's numbers really took off in the second half of the season after Tyler Shough took over as the Saints' starting quarterback. Entering 2026, Olave will have a full season playing alongside Shough and should dominate target share in New Orleans, with Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) opening the year on Injured Reserve. In Week 1, Olave and the Saints will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions. Detroit's pass defense fell apart down the stretch of the 2025 season, allowing more than 250 passing yards in four out of its final seven games. The Lions' secondary still has major questions in 2026, as the team will be without both starting safeties in Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) to begin the year. All in all, Olave profiles as a high-end WR1 option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alvin Kamara Best Left on the Bench in Week 1
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) looks likely to play Sunday against Detroit, but that does not make him a good fantasy start. Kamara practiced fully on Friday after being limited the previous two days, though he remains questionable with the knee injury that kept him out for most of training camp. The bigger issue is the workload. Travis Etienne Jr. is expected to lead the backfield, and the Saints can also mix in Kendre Miller even with Audric Estime ruled out. Kamara is coming off a 2025 season in which he ran for 471 yards and one touchdown in 11 games while catching 33 passes for 186 yards. Detroit was also one of the tougher matchups for running backs last season. RotoBaller has Kamara at RB63 for Week 1 and recommends leaving him out of starting lineups. His receiving role should eventually bring back some PPR value, but this is not the week to chase it.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
