Jun 22, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

In the conversation of the best pure runner in the league as recently as three years ago, four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb has been unable to return to form since the devastating knee injury that ended his 2023 season, and the 30-year-old former second-round pick remains unsigned ahead of 2026 training camps. In his first full season back since the injury, Chubb played 15 games for the Houston Texans in 2025, but lacking the contact balance that made him one of the game's true elites through his first five seasons with the Browns, he ran for only 506 yards on 122 carries. Prior to the injury, Chubb had averaged 5.3 yards per carry in his brilliant career, but that number has fallen to 3.7 in his 23 games since. While a running back injury somewhere across the league could keep the door open for him to return for a ninth professional season, Chubb has fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty RB99, and his days of fantasy relevance appear to be squarely behind him.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 22, 2026, 9:26 AM ET

Following a 2024 rookie season in which he handled himself admirably in an insurance role, San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo took a sizable step backward in 2025, and now he could be on the outside looking in when it comes to a roster spot in 2026. With four-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey limited to only four games in 2024, Guerendo ran for 420 yards and four touchdowns on a 5.0-yard per carry average, but in his second season, he failed to record an offensive snap despite being active for 14 games. The primary backup role in 2025 went to Brian Robinson Jr., and a fully healthy McCaffrey rarely left the field. With Robinson no longer on the team, the high-value handcuff role could come down to a training camp battle in which Guerendo may not be able to participate. After tearing a pectoral muscle during an offseason workout, there's a belief that Guerendo may not be ready to return until late in training camp, giving a seismic advantage to 2025 fifth-round pick Jordan James and 2026 third-round pick Kaelon Black in the competition for primary backup responsibilities. An older prospect coming into the league, Guerendo turns 26 before the start of camp, and if RotoBaller's RB97 is unable to work his way back to meaningful playing time in year three, which at this point looks like an uphill climb, there's very little chance of him restoring dynasty value.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 22, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has predominantly been used out of the slot through his first three seasons in the league, but following the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. via trade to the Steelers, the 5'9" former third-round pick could be moved all over the formation. The Colts committed $84 million in guaranteed money to presumed number one receiver Alec Pierce following a career year in 2025, but behind him, the table is set for Downs to step into an expanded role. Downs was seen lined up on the outside throughout mandatory minicamp, routinely making plays regardless of which quarterback was running the offense, and head coach Shane Steichen told reporters, "I think Downs, his role will step up a little bit more - more targets for him." The 24-year-old Downs is RotoBaller's WR44 for 2026, and, set to reach free agency in 2027, he could be the next Colts receiver to see a massive payday.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Andrew Moore

Jun 21, 2026, 4:02 PM ET

A first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2019, tight end Noah Fant has never quite lived up to the hype with which he entered the league, and the latest chapter in his eight-year career saw him sign a two-year, $8.8 million deal with the New Orleans Saints at the start of 2026 free agency. Playing in 15 games for the Bengals in 2025, Fant caught 34 passes for a career-low 288 yards, and in New Orleans, he's now part of a deep tight end room that could make it difficult for him to see much more than a complementary role. Veteran Juwan Johnson was one of only eight tight ends to see triple-digit targets in 2025, and the Saints spent a third-round pick on Georgia's Oscar Delp in the 2026 NFL Draft. While New Orleans should again have one of the most high-volume passing attacks under head coach Kellen Moore, there are a growing number of mouths to feed, with eighth overall pick Jordyn Tyson joining 2025 second-team All-Pro Chris Olave, and running back Travis Etienne Jr. coming aboard as one of the splashier signings of free agency. Buried on the depth chart and not a strong enough blocker to force his way onto the field, Fant is RotoBaller's dynasty TE51 and not a player to expect much from as he enters his age-29 season.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 3:49 PM ET

A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins saw his usage steadily ramp up over the back half of his rookie season, and after standing out in a non-contact minicamp setting, big things are expected of him in Year 2. Higgins has reportedly impressed teammates and coaches alike with added muscle and increased play speed, and he could become a fixture on the outside opposite two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins. In seven of his final 11 games of 2025, Higgins either caught at least five passes, racked up 50-plus yards, or scored a touchdown, topping 9.0 half-PPR fantasy points in six of those outings. After middle-of-the-pack finishes across most offensive categories, meaningful improvements are expected of a Texans unit that added running back David Montgomery and should see further development from not only Higgins but fellow 2025 Day 2 pick Jaylin Noel. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR44, Higgins is a relatively low-cost trade target who could see his price rise precipitously should the drum beat continue to grow louder when the team reconvenes for training camp.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 3:36 PM ET

When the Arizona Cardinals signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a two-year, $12.5 million deal in 2025, it was presumably to serve as the backup to two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray. With the relationship between Murray and the Cardinals deteriorating shortly after that, Brissett ended up starting the final 12 games of the 2025 season and now finds himself as a bridge quarterback for either 2026 third-round pick Carson Beck or whoever the team hands the reins to in 2027. Seeking a guaranteed commitment in line with the elevated role, Brissett skipped all voluntary offseason activities and did not participate in team drills during mandatory minicamp. While a lot can still happen in the three months leading up to the Cardinals' Week 1 matchup with the Chargers, only a full split from the team would drastically alter Brissett's dynasty value ahead of the 2026 season. Brissett is 33 years old and potentially holding the final starting opportunity of his career, and with the Cardinals signing running back Tyler Allgeier in free agency and spending the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Jeremiyah Love, it's unlikely that he sees the type of passing volume he did a year ago. Still a usable second or third quarterback in superflex leagues, Brissett is RotoBaller's dynasty QB31.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 3:26 PM ET

Despite two top 25 finishes in the past three seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has never seen a preseason ADP inside the top 30 running backs, and that continues to be the case heading into 2026. Warren is currently the consensus RB30 following his RB16 finish in 2025. With the Steelers committing $5 million in guaranteed money to free agent Rico Dowdle, Warren's weekly ceiling appears capped in what could be close to a 50/50 workload split, though he is no stranger to sharing the Pittsburgh backfield. His career-best season came with teammate Kenneth Gainwell trailing only Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs in running back receptions, while his RB25 finish in 2023 saw him end the year more than 100 carries behind Najee Harris. Dowdle perhaps represents his most well-rounded running mate to date, but nothing the fourth-year player can do should be enough to keep Warren off the field and away from his own fantasy-relevant touches. Capable of matching ADP expectations in a true committee split, Warren's upside far exceeds that of other backs taken in his range when considering the full backfield takeover that could befall him in the event of an injury to Dowdle, and he represents some of the best value from the middle rounds of 2026 drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 3:13 PM ET

Since being selected first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, only injuries have been able to slow Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Over his past 25 starts, Burrow has averaged 2.4 touchdown passes per game, and in a fantasy space largely dominated by quarterback mobility, he is one of the few players who can routinely challenge for a QB1 finish on arm talent alone. While the notable improvements made to a Bengals defense that ranked among the worst in the league could put him in more favorable game scripts and ultimately lower his ceiling, Burrow comes into 2026 healthy and still surrounded by one of the NFL's premier pass-catching units. Burrow is RotoBaller's QB5, but if the Bengals offense can stay intact in a way that it has rarely been able to do in recent years, he is as safe a bet as any to lead the league in touchdown passes and could easily outperform ADP.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 10:05 AM ET

Following a rash of injuries, the Washington Commanders elevated wide receiver Treylon Burks from the practice squad to the active roster for eight of the final nine games of the 2025 season. While he made only 10 catches over that time, he showed enough to earn another one-year prove-it deal from the team in free agency, and with one of the thinnest depth charts in the league behind locked-in starter Terry McLaurin, Burks has a chance to carve out a meaningful role in his fifth professional season. 2025 fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane caught only 16 passes as a rookie, but the Commanders selected Antonio Williams in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft and are expecting larger contributions from third-year professional Luke McCaffrey, who was beginning to pick up steam before a broken collarbone ended his sophomore campaign. At 6'2" and 225 pounds, Burks offers a different body type from the rest of the room, but despite a highlight-worthy primetime touchdown grab for the Commanders last season, he's found the end zone only three times in his career. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR140, the door is not completely shut for a fantasy revival, but even as part of a muddied depth chart, Burks' underwhelming history makes him little more than an unexciting stash.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 9:50 AM ET

Despite leading the team in total snaps at the position, by the end of the 2025 season, Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet had clearly been overtaken by rookie Colston Loveland. With Chicago operating out of multi-tight end sets at one of the league's highest rates, Kmet is still expected to be a major part of the team's base offense in 2026, but from a fantasy perspective, he is now well behind Loveland and an exciting pair of young receivers in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. An incredibly durable player throughout his six-year career, Kmet finished as the TE7 in both 2022 and 2023 on the strength of full availability and 13 touchdown receptions over those two years, but he has not since reached 50 receptions or 500 yards. Still only 27 years old, he remains a dynasty hold for his unique insurance upside, but under contract for two more seasons, RotoBaller's TE50 will not reach free agency and a potentially beneficial change of scenery until 2028.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers was given the chance to start the final three games of his rookie season. While he did not look glaringly out of place running an NFL offense, averaging 189.7 passing yards across those starts while throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions, the new Dolphins regime moved quickly to add former Packer Malik Willis on a three-year, $67.5 million deal that would presumably lock him in as the starter for the duration of Ewer's rookie contract. At RotoBaller's QB49, Ewers is still a roster-worthy handcuff in superflex dynasty leagues, though any fantasy consideration he sees is likely to come in a worst-case, emergency situation with no other fill-in options. Even then, his upside will still be capped by his conservative play style and Miami's lack of receiver talent, making him an easy player to move on from for managers facing a roster crunch.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

With the New York Giants having signed or drafted six different wide receivers since the start of the new league year, one of their more under-the-radar additions was veteran Calvin Austin III, who agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal after three seasons with the Steelers. At 5'9" and 162 pounds, he offers a similar body type to free agent departee Wan'Dale Robinson, who led the team with 92 catches in 2025, though their usage has differed, with Austin seeing only about half of his snaps out of the slot over the past two seasons. Deployed more as a field stretcher than a true volume threat during his time in Pittsburgh, Austin has topped 400 receiving yards only once, and in New York, his skill set could overlap significantly with fellow free agent acquisition Darnell Mooney. With no clear picture of exactly how the Giants will utilize their deep group of new pass catchers, the only near certainty is that when healthy, the offense will run through 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers. Ranked outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, Austin is a player who will begin the year on waivers in most leagues and is likely to remain there barring the unforeseen.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 21, 2026, 9:15 AM ET

With NFL teams now in their summer break between minicamp and training camp, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz remains a free agent. The 13-year veteran was enjoying another solid campaign with the Commanders in 2025 before tearing his ACL in early December. Assuming a standard nine-month recovery timeline, he could be ready to return to action for the start of the 2026 season, but at 35 years old, teams might be rightfully hesitant to make a financial commitment at this time. Ertz is on record as recently as April that he intends to return for his 14th season, but it may require a training camp or early-season injury before a landing spot becomes known. In a league trending loudly toward more heavy personnel usage, a team could benefit greatly from Ertz's services, with the crafty route runner racking up 825 career receptions, including a then-tight end record 116 in 2018. Prior to his injury in 2025, Ertz was the fantasy TE20, and he remains a dynasty hold who can likely still make a usable contribution if given another chance.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 20, 2026, 4:02 PM ET

Following four seasons with the Washington Commanders and a 14-catch, 229-yard postseason run in 2024, wide receiver Dyami Brown signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025, but after a disappointing 20-catch, 227-yard performance, he has reunited with Washington on another one-year deal. Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey are familiar faces from his last stint with the team, but the Commanders have spent third and fourth-round picks on Antonio Williams and Jaylin Lane in the past two drafts, while adding tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White as free agents in 2026. Still far from the league's most talented group of pass catchers, the Commanders' depth is notably stronger than what Brown faced in 2024 when he served as the team's third receiver behind Olamide Zaccheaus. Turning 27 this season, the sixth-year veteran has topped 300 yards only once and never bested two touchdowns or a WR99 finish, and at RotoBaller's dynasty WR131, Brown is not a player who needs to be rostered.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 20, 2026, 3:53 PM ET

With running backs Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson both facing restricted free agency after the 2025 season, the Green Bay Packers opted to extend an offer to Brooks while allowing Wilson to depart. With the team bypassing the position in both free agency and the draft, Brooks now finds himself battling with 2024 third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd for what could become one of the most valuable insurance roles in the league. With Josh Jacobs' status up in the air following a Memorial Day weekend arrest, either could be thrust into an unexpected starting role in what has been one of the league's run-heaviest offenses in recent years. A frustrating string of injuries has limited Lloyd to only seven total touches over his two years in the league and positioned Brooks as the presumed favorite to claim the primary backup role, though it stands to reason that neither would handle anything close to the 300-carry workload that Jacobs has been given when at full health. With so much uncertainty surrounding both Jacob's legal situation and any division of labor should he miss time, both Brooks and Lloyd need to be rostered in all dynasty leagues, and at RotoBaller's RB94, Brooks is a cheap trade target and smart insurance policy for all Jacobs managers.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller