RADIO
Josh Allen to Sit Along with Most of Bills' Starters
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and most of the team's starters will sit out Saturday's preseason matchup with the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe, who adds that a few young starters may play. A perennial MVP candidate and one of the most prolific fantasy quarterbacks of all time, Allen enters his ninth season as RotoBaller's QB1 following six straight finishes as a top two quarterback, with 2025 accounting for his fourth QB1 finish in that span. While Allen hasn't topped 4,000 passing yards since 2023, the arrival of wide receiver DJ Moore should raise his passing ceiling, while he remains a threat to score a rushing touchdown every week. Representing fantasy's safest option at the position, Allen is currently being drafted around the middle of the second round in single-quarterback leagues.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Rhamondre Stevenson Projected as the Patriots' Lead Back to Begin the Season
The New England Patriots recently completed two joint practices with the Eagles ahead of Saturday night's preseason matchup, and while the stout interior of Philadelphia's defensive front allowed for very little running room, veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson did manage to pop a handful of outside runs, and team writer Evan Lazar sees him emerging as the team's lead back to begin the season. While Lazar notes that second-year back TreVeyon Henderson will still have a major role in a change-of-pace capacity, particularly if he can continue to make strides in pass protection, he believes that Stevenson has more consistently made plays between the tackles while seeing the bulk of the work with quarterback Drake Maye and the first team offense. Stevenson missed three games in 2025, but he outscored Henderson by half a fantasy point per game and was the back most commonly on the field during New England's four-game postseason run. Even still, he is currently being drafted as the RB28, almost two full rounds behind Henderson.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Geno Smith 7-of-7 with a Touchdown in Jets Return
It had been almost 10 full years since veteran quarterback Geno Smith last started a game for the New York Jets, but in his 2026 preseason debut, he offered a glimpse of what his second stint with the team could look like. Smith was 7-of-7 on his lone drive of the night, completing passes to six different receivers, including a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Jelani Woods to cap off a 10-play, 69-yard drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A second-round pick of the Jets in 2013, Smith went 12-18 as the team's starter and never truly found his footing until he landed with Seattle as a free agent and earned the starting job in 2022. Following three redemptive seasons with the Seahawks, Smith led one of the league's worst offenses with the Raiders in 2025, but after a low-stakes trade brought him back to the Jets, he has, by all accounts, put together an eye-opening training camp. A near-perfect preseason debut should see his draft cost rise, but at his current ADP of QB37, Smith could prove to be a severely underrated fantasy quarterback with every-week usability.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
RJ Harvey Catches a Touchdown in Limited Work with Starters
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey had a short but successful outing in Friday night's preseason matchup with the Packers. With his work limited to the first drive of the game, the second-year back gained five yards on his only carry, but added 25 yards on two receptions, including a 21-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Bo Nix to cap off a six-play, 65-yard scoring drive. Harvey caught five touchdown passes as a rookie, and the backfield receiving role looks to still be his amid what has the potential to develop into a formidable three-man committee with veteran J.K. Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman. With all three backs likely to earn work in first-year playcaller Davis Webb's offense, individual fantasy ceilings will likely be capped, though Harvey's pass catching should help to establish a consistent floor, and he could provide safe value as RotoBaller's RB34.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Zeke Nnaji Emerges as Nuggets' Likely Salary Dump
Denver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji is a strong candidate to be traded as the franchise works to dip below the second apron after DeMar DeRozan agreed to join Denver, according to NBA insider Evan Sidery. The Nuggets may need to attach draft capital to move Nnaji, who is owed roughly $7.5 million next season and has a player option for the same amount in 2027-28. The 25-year-old holds little fantasy appeal after averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes across 52 games last season. DeRozan is the actual fantasy-relevant piece here after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds with Sacramento. His arrival could squeeze touches for Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Omar Cooper Jr. Runs with Starters in Second Preseason Game But Finishes with Only One Catch
New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. got some run with the team's first-team offense during Friday's preseason win over the Steelers, but he stayed in the game well beyond most of the starters, who were pulled after a 10-play, 69-yard touchdown drive to open the night, and he didn't crack the stat sheet until the final series of the second quarter. Cooper ended his night with a single catch for nine yards, with the game serving as a continuation of what has been a quiet training camp. A first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the rookie has yet to secure anything close to a locked-in starting role, still competing with Isaiah Williams, who led the team with five targets on Friday, for the primary slot role in three-receiver sets. One of the least hyped first-rounders in recent memory, Cooper is being drafted as the WR65 in 2026 lineup leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Phil Handy Finalizing Deal to Join 76ers Staff
Phil Handy is finalizing a deal to join the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant coach under Nick Nurse, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears. Handy most recently worked on the Dallas Mavericks' staff and previously overlapped with Nurse during Toronto's 2019 title season while also working with LeBron James during championship runs in Cleveland and Los Angeles. The three-time NBA champion brings a strong player-development reputation to a staff built around a veteran-heavy core. This hire does not change the fantasy outlook for James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, or Jaylen Brown, but VJ Edgecombe is the younger name to watch if Handy's development work translates into a larger two-way role.
Source: Marc J. Spears
Source: Marc J. Spears
Naji Marshall Backed by Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall received strong public backing from general manager Mike Schmitz after signing a three-year, $52.2 million extension. Schmitz used a Friday appearance on 1310 The Ticket to praise Marshall's toughness, versatility, feel and ability to play with or without the ball. The 28-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes last season while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, though his 29.1 percent mark from three remains the swing skill. Klay Thompson's buyout removes one veteran wing, but Dallas still has a crowded forward mix around Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher. Marshall's role looks stable enough to keep him in the late-round fantasy conversation, with more upside if the jumper improves.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Bo Nix Near-Perfect in Preseason Debut
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and most of the team's starting offense worked only two series in Friday night's preseason loss to the Packers, but they made their efforts count, ending both drives with points. On the night, Nix was 6-of-9 for 76 yards with a touchdown, connecting with five different pass-catchers, including a 35-yard strike to his newest receiver, Jaylen Waddle. Nix has finished as the fantasy QB7 in each of his first two seasons, leading the league in pass attempts in 2025 while adding 356 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and despite the team trading for a true number-one receiver in Waddle, he is currently being drafted as the QB15. As one of the most potentially mispriced quarterbacks to be found in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts, Nix offers a safe floor and legitimate week-winning upside, though the Broncos face one of the league's most daunting opening schedules with games against the Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, Chargers, and Seahawks across the first six weeks.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Neemias Queta Could be in Line for Offensive Leap
Boston Celtics forward/center Neemias Queta could take another step forward offensively after a breakout season that earned him a four-year, $56 million extension. The 26-year-old averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 65.3 percent from the field, giving Boston efficient rim-running production around its creators. Jack Simone of Boston Sports Journal noted that the Celtics scored 1.35 points per possession on Queta pick-and-roll looks, a strong sign that more touches could be available next to Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. Jaylen Brown's move to Philadelphia also opens up creation elsewhere, but Mitchell Robinson's arrival adds center competition. Queta's fantasy value still leans on field-goal percentage, rebounds, and blocks, with minutes deciding how high the ceiling climbs.
Source: Jack Simone
Source: Jack Simone
Will Sheppard Leads Green Bay in Receiving on Friday Night
Most of the Green Bay Packers' starting offense played only one series in Friday's preseason win over the Broncos, a 12-play, 63-yard touchdown drive to open the night, and so it was 24-year-old wide receiver Will Sheppard who led the team with six catches for 47 yards, adding a touchdown grab of his own in the second quarter. An undrafted free agent out of Colorado in 2025, Sheppard spent the majority of his first season on the Packers' practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract in January, but following the departures of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, he is competing for a depth role in 2026. Behind a locked-in trio of Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, and Jayden Reed, the Packers still have a capable group of pass-catchers in Savion Williams, Bo Melton, and Skyy Moore, so even if Sheppard earns a spot on the initial 53-man roster, any contributions in 2026 project to be minimal. Still, Sheppard's showing on Friday night could help him land with a wide receiver-needy team if he's unable to stick in Green Bay. Either way, he is not a player who needs to factor into fantasy draft plans.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalen Duren Negotiation Gets Messy
Restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren remains unsigned as extension talks with the Detroit Pistons drag on. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective that he did not know whether Duren would sign an extension, calling the situation "an awfully nasty negotiation." At the same time, Marc Stein has reported that Duren could still play on his $9.6 million qualifying offer. The 22-year-old averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 70 games last season before slipping to 10.2 points and 8.5 boards in the playoffs. Detroit has continued to brush aside sign-and-trade scenarios, so Duren's fantasy outlook is still tied to a likely return as the Pistons' starting center next to Cade Cunningham. The contract noise is real, but the role remains strong enough to keep him valuable for points, rebounds, field-goal percentage and blocks.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
John Metchie III Leads Team in Receiving, Builds Momentum Toward WR3 Role
Carolina Panthers wide receiver John Metchie III caught six of seven targets for 77 yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Metchie showed a strong rapport with backup quarterback Kenny Pickett and led the Panthers in targets, catches, and receiving yards. Xavier Legette (ankle) had his ankle "rolled up on" during Wednesday's practice and did not play Friday, opening an opportunity for Metchie. Legette is also dealing with foot soreness and is day-to-day, according to Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Metchie made the most of Legette's absence with a strong showing. However, he did not get any work with the first-team offense and didn't log his first catch until the second half. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are the unquestioned starters and top wideouts for the Panthers. With third-round rookie Chris Brazzell (knee) out for the season, Metchie is battling Legette, Jimmy Horn Jr., and David Moore for Carolina's WR3 gig. If Metchie can win Carolina's WR3 role, he becomes a late-round flier in deep leagues and remains a dynasty stash for now.
Source: Pro Football Focus
Source: Pro Football Focus
Jonathon Brooks Sees Large Role on Friday With Starters, Punches in TD
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks rushed for 18 yards on five attempts during Friday's 34-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. His longest run on the day was for 11 yards, and he punched it in from the one-yard line for his first touchdown in the NFL. With Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) out, Brooks played nearly every snap with the first-team offense on Friday. The 23-year-old has been running with the starters in Carolina's first two preseason games and has been healthy after being limited to just three games in his first two NFL seasons. Hubbard remains week-to-week, but Panthers head coach David Canales believes Hubbard will be available for the regular season opener against the Bears. Brooks currently has a Yahoo Fantasy ADP of 74, which could continue to rise after a strong preseason showing.
Source: Adam Schefter of ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter of ESPN
Rico Dowdle Splits First-Team Work in Preseason Debut
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle turned five carries into 18 rushing yards and caught his lone target for two yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. While teammate Jaylen Warren took the field first with the starters, Dowdle ultimately played 10 snaps to Warren's nine and finished with one additional touch. The seventh-year pro handled the entirety of Pittsburgh's second drive before splitting work with Warren on the third possession. Dowdle is unlikely to command a workhorse role as long as Warren stays healthy, but he should still see plenty of opportunities both on the ground and through the air as a reliable pass-catching option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He profiles as a fantasy RB3 with upside if the Steelers' offense takes a step forward under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
