Aug 29, 2026, 9:59 PM ET

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo should open the 2026 season as the top option on the depth chart, and although the team has a very crowded backfield, the second-year ball-carrier should continue to produce in fantasy football. Skattebo was the overall RB7 from Weeks 2-8 last year before suffering multiple leg injuries, including a dislocated ankle. He's healthy now, but managers have grown concerned about the number of veteran running backs that surround him in the backfield. New York entered this year with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, and they also recently added Najee Harris. Tracy could carve out some standalone fantasy value, but for the most part, we don't expect these ball-carriers to negatively impact Skattebo's outlook. In fact, having more depth could actually be helpful for Skattebo, as sharing some of the workload will allow him to stay fresh while he (theoretically) still gets on the field for the highest-leverage rushing attempts. Skattebo has an ADP of 42.9 and currently ranks as the RB22 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 9:54 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McMaffrey has an average draft position of 6.4, making him a mid-first-round pick in most fantasy leagues this year. That's a hefty price tag, but McCaffrey's track record suggests that he's absolutely worth it. Last year, the star running back tallied 1,202 rushing yards, 102 catches, 924 receiving yards, and 17 total touchdowns, which allowed him to rank as the clear-cut overall RB1 in fantasy football. He has now been the RB1 in two of his last three seasons, as well as a top-two fantasy running back in three of his last four. There has been plenty of dialogue this draft season about McCaffrey's injury risk impacting his draft stock, but that seems a bit excessive. First of all, McCaffrey has only been truly plagued by injuries in one of his last four seasons (2024). He missed zero games in 2022, one game in 2023, and zero games in 2025. Additionally, passing on a player just because they might get injured is bold. In the NFL, nobody is safe from injuries, so passing on McCaffrey certainly doesn't guarantee that the other player you choose to draft will stay healthy. All in all, the 30-year-old running back continues to prove that he's a star in this league with league-winning upside in fantasy football. He should be drafted as such in the early or middle portion of the first round in 2026 drafts.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 9:48 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson had an incredible breakout season in 2025 as he ranked as the overall WR10 in PPR leagues with 78 catches, 1,006 yards, and seven touchdowns. He was particularly dominant after Jacoby Brissett took over as quarterback, and he ranked as the overall WR2 in PPR leagues from Weeks 11- 18. Brissett will be the Cardinals' starter again in 2026, and while components of Arizona's offense look a little different, the top of the wide receiver room is quite similar. Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. round out the top of the depth chart, although it's worth noting that Harrison has been incredibly disappointing in his first two pro seasons. Therefore, Wilson should continue to be Brissett's favorite wide receiver, as well as his favorite target not named Trey McBride. Although Wilson is coming off such an incredible year, his price tag is treating him as somewhat of a mediocre player. He currently has an ADP of 93.7, which corresponds to the eighth round of fantasy drafts and makes him the 37th receiver off the board. Therefore, managers have a chance to draft him at a discount before the regular season gets underway.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 9:41 PM ET

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has been a top-eight fantasy option each of the last two seasons, and he shows no signs of slowing down ahead of the 2026 campaign. Cook rushed for a career-high 1,621 yards last year, added another 33 catches and 291 receiving yards, and scored 14 total touchdowns. His touchdown total dipped slightly from 2025 to 2026, but he improved in every other category. In addition to the overall counting stats, we're very impressed by the fact that he rushed for 5.25 yards per carry, which is the highest mark since his rookie campaign in 2022. Last year, fantasy managers said they were concerned about drafting Cook because he was due for touchdown regression and was going to lose volume to Josh Allen in the rushing game. Neither of those things happened, and even though Allen remains a presence in the rushing attack for 2026, this backfield belongs to Cook. He's an every-down back who should command a ton of volume (including around the goal line) in a very powerful offense. That's a recipe for success in fantasy football, and it's why Cook is a consensus first-round pick in drafts once again. Specifically, he ranks as the RB5 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 9:37 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has finished as the QB8 in fantasy football each of the last two seasons, but he has top-five upside heading into the 2026 campaign. The Eagles' offense is projected to improve this year under new coordinator Sean Mannion, and Hurts is one of several players who stand to benefit. For starters, the tush push is expected to remain a staple of Mannion's offense, leaving plenty of touchdown opportunities for Hurts. Meanwhile, he reportedly looks faster and is expected to run more in the new system, giving him additional volume and yardage in the rushing attack. Furthermore, Hurts only has 11 interceptions over his last two seasons, so his lack of turnovers should also help his fantasy stock. Even after five consecutive top-10 fantasy finishes, Hurts finds himself trending upward once again. He ranks as the overall QB3 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 9:20 PM ET

Detroit Lions running back Trayveon Williams strengthened his case to make Detroit's initial 53-man roster on Saturday, recording 57 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in his team's 25-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Williams finished the preseason strong, recording over 100 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns across Detroit's final two exhibition contests. The Lions have star running back Jahmyr Gibbs as their RB1, but the team's RB2 role is currently a bit unsettled with veteran back Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) battling back and knee injuries. If Pacheco misses time to start the year, Williams could be in the mix with running backs Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki for playing time behind Gibbs in Detroit. The veteran Williams may be the most experienced back of the bunch, as he's appeared in 75 games across seven NFL seasons. In deeper fantasy leagues, Williams is a name to monitor as Detroit sets its 53-man roster in the coming weeks.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com

Aug 29, 2026, 9:19 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan rushed for 20 yards on five carries during Saturday's preseason contest against the Detroit Lions. He also had a five-yard reception in the loss. McGowan finished the preseason with 74 scrimmage yards across three games, and he might have done enough to win the backup job behind Jonathan Taylor. Entering the summer, the backup competition was between McGowan and DJ Giddens, a 2025 fifth-round pick who had 96 rushing yards last year. In addition to out-producing Giddens this preseason, McGowan is younger, although he has slightly lower draft capital as a seventh-round pick. It's important to note that both running backs are merely competing for a handcuff role here, as Jonathan Taylor is the undisputed every-down back in Indianapolis. Taylor was responsible for a whopping 86.6% of the Colts' running back carries last year, and he figures to achieve a similar mark in 2026. If McGowan is confirmed as Taylor's backup, he'll still be avoidable in shallower redraft leagues, and he'll be a mere stash in dynasty and deeper redraft formats.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 9:15 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens had two carries, eight rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown during Saturday's preseason contest against the Detroit Lions. He also tallied an eight-yard reception. It was a rewarding game for the second-year back, as the entire bench cleared out and celebrated with Giddens after he scored the first touchdown of his career. However, it may not have been enough to solidify him as the No. 2 running back behind Jonathan Taylor. His primary competition for the backup role is rookie Seth McGowan, who ended up tallying 25 scrimmage yards in the loss, bringing his preseason total to 74 yards. If Giddens somehow opens the regular season as the No. 2 back, he can be stashed in deeper fantasy leagues as a handcuff for Taylor. However, if he drops to third on the depth chart, he will become droppable in almost all leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 9:13 PM ET

Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors impressed in his team's preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, recording 17 carries for 100 yards and two catches for 12 yards on four targets. Saylors appeared in 16 games for Detroit in 2025, but he recorded just two carries on the season. Entering 2026, star Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is firmly atop the team's depth chart at the position. However, RB2 favorite Isiah Pacheco's (back, knee) availability for the start of the season is currently in question as he battles back and knee injuries. As a result, Saylors looks to be competing with Sione Vaki and Trayveon Williams for an early-season role in the Detroit backfield. Saylors helped his case with a strong performance in the preseason, rushing for 187 yards on 31 carries across three games played. In deeper leagues, Saylors could be worth rostering until more is known about Pacheco's health.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com

Aug 29, 2026, 9:06 PM ET

Detroit Lions quarterback Joshua Dobbs put together a strong performance in his team's final preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, completing 15 of 19 pass attempts for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Dobbs was signed by Detroit midway through the summer after the surprise retirement of former Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The veteran Dobbs is competing with undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer for Detroit's QB2 job behind starter Jared Goff. However, Dobbs outplayed Altmyer on Saturday and may have solidified himself as the Lions' backup quarterback to open the year. Assuming he makes Detroit's 53-man roster, the Lions will be Dobbs' seventh team as he heads into his seventh NFL season. His last extended run of playing time came in 2023, when he threw for 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across 13 games (12 starts) split between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. As long as Goff remains healthy, Dobbs should not be on the radar of fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com

Aug 29, 2026, 8:54 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. completed seven of his 10 pass attempts for 80 yards during Saturday's preseason contest against the Detroit Lions. He finished the game without a touchdown or interception, and he took just one sack along the way. There has been plenty of chatter about Richardson's future with the Colts after he requested a trade, but for now, he remains on the roster as the projected backup behind Daniel Jones. With that being said, there are fewer than 24 hours until NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players, so we can't rule out the possibility of a surprise trade or release involving Richardson. Assuming he remains on the Colts' roster, he can be avoided in all fantasy football leagues. He'd only get onto the fantasy radar as a QB3 if Jones were to suffer an injury.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 29, 2026, 8:32 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys have acquired offensive tackle Broderick Jones and a fourth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Essentially, in return for Jones, the Steelers are moving up a round in the middle of the draft and also picking up a late Day 3 selection in the process. The 25-year-old tackle was a first-round pick out of Georgia in 2023. He played all 17 games in each of his first two seasons, but his participation total dropped to 11 games last year due to a season-ending neck injury. He had a career-worst 50.6 PFF run-blocking grade last year, but he also posted a career-best 59.0 PFF pass-blocking grade. Jones should offer impressive depth as the backup right tackle behind Terence Steele. He's heading into a contract year after Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Jeremy Fowler

Aug 29, 2026, 8:27 PM ET

The Jacksonville Jaguars have acquired quarterback Quinn Ewers from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft, according to an announcement from both teams. Ewers, a University of Texas product, showed glimpses of promise during his rookie season last year. He made three starts at the end of the season, completing 67% of his pass attempts for 569 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also took six sacks across his final two games of the season. For Miami, this trade reaffirms the team's confidence in Malik Willis to start all 17 games this upcoming year. The move leaves Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski, who have a combined zero snaps in the NFL, to back up the 27-year-old. For the Jaguars, the trade strengthens their depth behind Trevor Lawrence. Having quarterback depth is important for a prospective playoff team like the Jags, and they evidently believe Ewers can at least keep them afloat if Lawrence misses any time. Ewers had limited action this preseason, going 1-for-8 on pass attempts with 27 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception, and one sack.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars

Aug 29, 2026, 5:22 PM ET

According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to name veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starter. Even though Cousins was slated to take the starting job back at the beginning of training camp, newly appointed head coach Klint Kubiak has kept the door open for a competition. However, the veteran earned the starting gig over first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell. Cousins has been sharp in the preseason, going 5-for-6 in the opener and 8-for-11 in their preseason finale this past Thursday evening. Last season, Cousins appeared in 10 games for the Falcons and averaged 205.5 passing yards per game with a 10:5 TD:INT in the eight games in which he logged more than 50 offensive snaps. Given that the Raiders lack many proven options in the passing game outside of star tight end Brock Bowers, the 38-year-old carries low-end QB3 appeal in their Week 1 opener against the Miami Dolphins.--Andy Smith
Source: Matt Zenitz