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Sam Darnold Working to Gain Comfort in New Offensive Scheme
After helping the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl in his first year with the team in 2025, veteran quarterback Sam Darnold has been looking to get more comfortable in training camp this summer in new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury's scheme, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Darnold and Fleury overlapped with the San Francisco 49ers, but Fleury has never called plays before. It gives the two men "a nice foundation with a ton of carryover within the system," but they need experience together. The 29-year-old signal-caller has been trying to fine-tune elements of his game while also working to get more comfortable with Fleury, and on the exterior, Darnold "looks to be at ease." Although Darnold hit the 4,000-yard mark for the second straight year in 2025 and made the Pro Bowl for a second straight season, he wasn't in the top 10 in fantasy scoring at his position. And outside of Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle's WR corps is rather weak. On volume alone, Darnold should have a safe floor as a low-end QB2 target, but expecting more than that doesn't seem wise.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
Browns Undecided on Which QB Will Start Preseason Game
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders continue to battle for the starting job during training camp. According to Mary Kay Cabot, head coach Todd Monken hasn't decided who is going to be the starter for this week's preseason game against the Chicago Bears. Whoever doesn't start this game will start against the Buffalo Bills next week. It's worth noting that Sanders was getting first-team reps during Monday's practice. This remains a close competition that probably won't be resolved until after the preseason games have concluded.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Payton Pritchard Downplays Celtics Extension Talks
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is not rushing into extension talks, telling NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg that he still has two years left on his deal and is more focused on improving. The 28-year-old becomes eligible on Oct. 1 for a three-year extension worth up to $67.1 million, but there is no urgency on either side. Pritchard is coming off a career year, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes while starting 50 games. His scoring role should remain useful for fantasy managers, especially if Boston keeps leaning on his on-ball creation and three-point volume.
Source: NBC Sports Boston
Source: NBC Sports Boston
Bengals Offense, Joe Burrow "Showing Their Teeth" in Camp
The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. wrote that the Cincinnati Bengals offense bounced back in training camp practice on Sunday by posting two scores, and quarterback Joe Burrow "still looked like himself with touchdowns to receivers Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas." The Bengals' offense has "started to show their teeth" with more unscripted periods in practice, which began on Friday in the new stadium with a bomb from Burrow to All-Pro receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Big moments like that for the Bengals' offense have "become increasingly more frequent" after the defense had mostly dominated early in camp. Burrow looks to be at full health this summer and set for another big year leading Cincy's offense in his seventh year in the NFL. The 29-year-old former first overall pick from LSU is the highest-ranked fantasy QB who doesn't have a high-end rushing skill set. Burrow makes up for it with a strong arm, precision passing, and one of the best WR duos in the league in Chase and Higgins. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 5 fantasy signal-caller for the 2026 campaign.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Tucker Kraft Running Routes in Full Pads
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) was running routes in full pads while catching passes from Jordan Love during Monday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports. Kraft continues to work his way back from a torn ACL injury that he suffered last season. The biggest takeaway here is that Kraft wasn't wearing a sleeve on his right knee that he has been wearing all training camp. Kraft is eyeing a Week 1 return, but he might not be fully ready yet, considering he tore his ACL in Week 9 of last season. He's unlikely to play during the preseason, but that shouldn't surprise fantasy managers. The Packers are hopeful he can return to his TE1 ways once he's back to full health.
Source: Ryan Wood
Source: Ryan Wood
Peyton Watson Draws Serious Cavaliers Interest
The Cleveland Cavaliers are viewed as a serious candidate to land Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin via Sam Amico of HoopsWire. Watson broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three across 54 games. Denver is believed to be seeking a first-round pick and a rotation player, so nothing sounds close. A Cleveland move would likely reduce Watson's scoring chances next to Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, but his threes, steals, and blocks would keep him fantasy-relevant if the minutes hold.
Source: Sam Amico
Source: Sam Amico
Jalen Hurts Gaining Chemistry With New Receiver
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has developed some nice chemistry in training camp this summer with new wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who has emerged as the team's WR2 behind DeVonta Smith, according to Geoff Mosher of Philly Voice. Wicks has had an impressive start to camp as the Eagles' offense looks to bounce back and adjust to life without Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, who was traded to the New England Patriots in the offseason. Smith and rookie Makai Lemon have been sidelined lately with a hamstring injury, too, which has allowed Wicks to get even more looks from Hurts. "Just the work off the field, the talking, the connections off the field that build up to connections on the field and chemistry," Wicks said when asked about his chemistry with his new QB. "Getting together off the field, like we did in the summer, that also built up for now, and will build up for the season." Wicks already had familiarity with Eagles' new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion from his time in Green Bay, and now that he's been standing out in camp, he's been a riser on fantasy football draft boards. The Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski recently wrote that it's "reasonable to assume" that Lemon won't be ready for a starting role to open his rookie season in 2026.
Source: Philly Voice - Geoff Mosher
Source: Philly Voice - Geoff Mosher
Marvin Mims Jr. is Back in Pads on Monday
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (undisclosed) was spotted working on the side during Monday's practice, according to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. Mims left Friday's practice with an undisclosed injury and didn't work out at all on Saturday. He's back in pads on Monday, which is a step in the right direction. It seems like the Broncos are easing him back into action, which isn't shocking this early into camp. Fantasy managers should consider Mims day-to-day ahead of Friday's preseason matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons.
Source: Parker Gabriel
Source: Parker Gabriel
Jaylen Waddle Misses Monday's Practice
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (leg) was not seen practicing on Monday, according to Parker Gabriel. Waddle hasn't practiced since leaving early during this past Wednesday's session due to muscle tightness. Fantasy managers don't need to panic as this doesn't sound like a long-term issue. Head coach Sean Payton said he expected Waddle to return to practice this week. It's early in camp, so the team will hold out players even with minor issues. Fantasy managers should expect Waddle to be fully healthy and ready to go for the start of the season.
Source: Parker Gabriel
Source: Parker Gabriel
Anthony Gill Could Return to Washington
Free-agent forward Anthony Gill remains an in-house candidate for the Washington Wizards' final standard roster spot, according to Greg Finberg of Bullets Forever. The 33-year-old is the team's longest-tenured player, and a return would mark his seventh season in Washington after years spent as a locker-room veteran for a young roster. Gill averaged 5.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 62.8 percent shooting across 55 games last season. Even if he re-signs, he would sit behind Anthony Davis, Alexandre Sarr, and Deandre Ayton in a crowded frontcourt, keeping him off fantasy radars.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
Gabe Vincent Linked to Wizards' Open Roster Spot
Free-agent guard Gabe Vincent has been floated as a candidate for the Washington Wizards' final standard roster spot, with Bullets Forever's Greg Finberg noting the team's need for another point guard. Vincent was linked to Washington earlier in free agency after averaging 4.4 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.4 assists while shooting 34.1 percent from three across 53 games with the Lakers and Hawks last season. His playoff experience helps the veteran depth case, but Trae Young controls the offense while Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington need developmental minutes. Vincent would be backcourt insurance, not a fantasy factor.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
Lamar Jackson Building Trust with Rookie Wide Receiver
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane has been impressing everyone during training camp. According to Ryan Mink, quarterback Lamar Jackson has been building strong chemistry with the rookie wideout. Jamison Hensley of ESPN went as far as to say that Lane is the best rookie he has seen in training camp during his 27 years covering the team. Lane is making a highlight play on a daily basis in camp. Given his performance, Lane should be able to snag the WR3 job, but he might even surpass Rashod Bateman for the WR2 job soon. The third-round rookie is shaping up as an interesting late-round option in dynasty leagues.
Source: baltimoreravens.com
Source: baltimoreravens.com
Derek Carr Joins UCLA Coaching Staff
Former Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is joining the UCLA football staff as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney, according to On3's Pete Nakos. The 35-year-old will assist the offensive staff with game planning and work with the Bruins' quarterbacks. After throwing for over 40,000 yards and 257 touchdowns in 169 career pro starts, Carr's presence in the program could be significant for junior quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The former Tennessee transfer had an up-and-down debut season for UCLA, completing 208 of his 323 passing attempts for 1,928 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He tallied 505 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
Kawhi Leonard Believes Raptors Move Is on Track
Forward Kawhi Leonard is operating under the belief that the NBA's investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention by the Los Angeles Clippers will conclude before training camp, keeping him on course to join the Toronto Raptors, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Toronto has paused the long-agreed-to deal until the league resolves the probe, so Leonard officially remains with the Clippers for now. The 35-year-old averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals on 50.5 percent shooting and 38.7 percent from three last season. His fantasy stock remains tied to the trade and any possible penalty, but a healthy Leonard in Toronto would cut into the usage ceilings for Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Devin Fitzgerald Flashing for Notre Dame
Notre Dame wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald "has shown a ton of promising signs" since enrolling in school, according to Jack Soble of BlueandGold.com. The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald missed practice to attend his father's enshrinement ceremony but did not miss a beat upon his return to camp. Fitzgerald was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2026 after posting 82 receptions for 1,230 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final high school campaign in Arizona. While the Irish have plenty of talent in their wide receiver room consisting of Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, and Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, Fitzgerald could see action as a freshman in a rotational role. If he doesn't make a significant impact this year, he likely will in the near future.
Source: Jack Soble - BlueandGold.com
Source: Jack Soble - BlueandGold.com
