RADIO
Steelers Restructure DK Metcalf's Contract
The Pittsburgh Steelers restructured the contract of wide receiver DK Metcalf on Thursday, converting his base salary into a signing bonus to create nearly $18 million in salary cap space in 2026, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The restructure comes after the Steelers signed the veteran wideout to a four-year, $132 million deal in March of last year. In his first year in the Steel City, the former second-rounder by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 from Mississippi caught 59 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season games while working with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers gave Metcalf some help this offseason by trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and drafting Germie Bernard, but a true bounce-back to the 1,000-yard mark might not be in the cards in a new offense that could continue to run through the ground game. The two-time Pro Bowler recently returned from a nagging, undisclosed injury in training camp and should be fine for the regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Metcalf is best valued as a WR3/flex as one of Rodgers' best red-zone weapons in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
Kaden Davis Impressing Coaches, Could Make a Push for Spot Roster Spot
The Chicago Bears signed wide receiver Kaden Davis in mid-June, after he had spent several months with the Houston Gamblers of the UFL, and with training camp winding down, he has made a strong push for a spot on Chicago's initial 53-man roster. An undrafted free agent in 2022, Davis has spent time with the Broncos, Cardinals, and Lions and appeared in three regular-season games for the Browns over the past two seasons. Working primarily as a special teamer, he has been given some run with the first-team offense, and on Wednesday special teams coordinator Richard Hightower couldn't help but sing his praises. "Kaden was a great acquisition that the front office made," he told reporters. "He works his tail off, really a joy to be around... I'm happy and excited to see what he'll bring to the table this week. He'll get more opportunities." The Bears pass-catching group is loaded at the top with tight end Colston Loveland and receivers Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, so even if Davis makes the team, offensive opportunities will be few and far between, but he has become an easy player to root for and should see plenty of involvement in Chicago's preseason finale against the Titans.
Source: Larry Mayer
Source: Larry Mayer
Cedric Tillman Released by Browns
The Cleveland Browns are releasing fourth-year wide receiver Cedric Tillman, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Tillman flashed in a three-game stretch midway through the 2024 season, but a serious concussion ended his year, and he has been unable to find any consistent production since. The Browns spent two top-40 picks on wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston joining veteran Jerry Jeudy and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to top a deep and dynamic group of pass-catchers, Tillman was viewed as a long-shot to make the initial 53-man roster. With the roster cut deadline approaching on Sunday, Tillman will now need to clear waivers to become a free agent at a difficult time on the NFL calendar, making him a potential candidate to return to Cleveland's practice squad.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Alec Pierce Activated Off PUP List
The Indianapolis Colts are activating wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday, as reported by Mike Chappell. After signing a four-year, $114 million free agent deal to return to the Colts, Pierce underwent ankle surgery in late March after a platelet-rich plasma injection failed to alleviate the pain he has played through since the end of the 2024 season. After a career-year in 2025, big things were expected of the fifth-year receiver following the departure of Michael Pittman Jr., but a lack of availability coupled with the recent signing of veteran Keenan Allen has seen him slip to WR38 by current ADP. With just over two weeks until the Colts open the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens, Pierce faces a steep ramp-up period in hopes that he could still participate. One of the league's premier deep threats when healthy, there is potential value to be found in a mid-round swing for a player who should still factor heavily into the Colts' offensive plans for 2026.
Source: Mike Chappell
Source: Mike Chappell
Amon-Ra St. Brown as Reliable as Ever
When the Detroit Lions have needed a clutch play or a key conversion in recent years, they have generally turned to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and as pointed out by Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman, that was again the case during Wednesday's practice. In a fourth-and-two scenario during full-team work, St. Brown beat cornerback D.J. Reed with a nifty inside move and took a well-placed pass from Jared Goff for a 32-yard touchdown. The three-time All-Pro has become one of the most reliable receivers in the league, with that consistency translating to three straight WR3 fantasy finishes. Hitting at least 115 receptions in each of those seasons, St. Brown remains a safe bet to earn targets while his elite red zone usage has led to triple-digit touchdowns every year since 2023. Barring injury, few conceivable paths could lead the four-time Pro Bowler to finish outside the top-five at the position, and he is RotoBaller's WR4 for 2026.
Source: Tim Twentyman
Source: Tim Twentyman
Tyler Shough Still Being Underdrafted After a Promising Rookie Season
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough showed signs as a 2025 rookie that he was a player worth building around, and that's precisely what the team did this offseason. New Orleans made a splash in free agency by acquiring running back Travis Etienne Jr. on a four-year, $48 million deal before spending five of its eight 2026 draft picks on the offensive line or skill positions, including wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) with the eighth overall pick. While Tyson has since dealt with a serious hamstring injury likely to cost him time at the beginning of his career, there are still pieces in place for Shough to take a sizable step forward in his second season in Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense. After throwing at a 4,420-yard pace over the back half of the year that was good enough to make him the fantasy QB10 over that time, Shough is currently being drafted as the QB20, making him a low-cost, high-ceiling player to target at the end of 2026 drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
D'Andre Swift Could Follow His Career Year with Another Strong Start
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has often been criticized for being a better athlete than NFL running back, but in his 2025 reunion with head coach Ben Johnson, he showed improved patience and better vision, leading to the best season of his career. Swift had the sixth-highest rushing success rate in the league on his way to an RB15 fantasy finish, and his ceiling could be even higher in year two of Johnson's Bears offense. Second-year player Kyle Monangai (knee) is dealing with a hyperextended knee, and with Chicago favored in five of its first six games, Swift has the opportunity to get off to a white-hot start in his seventh season. At RotoBaller's RB18, he is a player to target in the middle rounds of drafts who could see his value rise early in the year, presenting the opportunity to later flip him as a potential sell-high candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
We Could See "One of Most Explosive Versions" of Lamar Jackson in 2026
Through the first three games of 2025, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson averaged more than 30 fantasy points per game, looking like his usual dominant self before injuries derailed his season, and NFL Network's Trevor Sikkema believes a return to health could lead to big things in 2026. "I'm really excited for what Lamar Jackson could be this year," he said while appearing on NFL Report. "To me, we could see not only the regular version of Lamar Jackson, which is pretty dang spectacular, but we could see maybe one of the most explosive versions of Lamar Jackson in this Declan Doyle offense." The Ravens were one of the most aggressive passing offenses on first down last year, helping to set up the third-and-manageable situations in which they thrived, and Sikkema believes Doyle will put the ball in Jackson's hands even more on early downs. Jackson is RotoBaller's QB1 and has one of the highest ceilings in the history of the game, as evidenced by two different seasons of 400+ fantasy points, and if he can manage close to a full slate of games in 2026, he should again be a league-winner.
Source: Trevor Sikkema
Source: Trevor Sikkema
Rashod Bateman Shines in Joint Practice with Commanders
The Baltimore Ravens have long been in need of a reliable No. 2 receiver behind two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers (undisclosed), and during Wednesday's joint practice with the Commanders, wide receiver Rashod Bateman made arguably his most compelling case of the summer that he can be that guy. With Flowers sidelined by what head coach Jesse Minter called a "minor thing," Bateman was uncoverable in 1-on-1s, 7-on-7s, or full-team drills, prompting team reporters Ryan Mink and Quentin Corpuel to praise him for what could have been his best day of training camp while acknowledging he may have been the Ravens' best offensive player on Wednesday. Bateman had a strong start to camp, but the growing hype around rookie Ja'Kobi Lane, as well as his own recent legal troubles, have slowed any momentum he had built going into his sixth season. But in some of the closest simulations of in-game scenarios the team has seen all summer, Bateman dominated, and the former first-round pick remains a player worthy of late-round consideration as RotoBaller's WR80.
Source: Ryan Mink & Quentin Corpuel
Source: Ryan Mink & Quentin Corpuel
Kaytron Allen Splitting First-Team Work with Undrafted Free Agent
The Washington Commanders were short-handed at running back during Wednesday's joint practice with the Ravens, providing sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen with some of his most extensive work with the first-unit offense, but he was not the only rookie to benefit from the absence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) and the limitation of Rachaad White (hamstring). With the team's top two backs both dealing with short-term injuries, Allen split first-team reps with undrafted free agent Robert Henry Jr., with both players making their share of positive plays, according to Commanders senior writer Zach Selby. Through two preseason games, Allen has more than doubled Henry's touch count, but the latter has been more efficient with his opportunities, averaging a full yard more per carry. As a Day 3 pick, Allen was never guaranteed a fantasy-viable workload, but still splitting time in what could essentially be seen as a best-case scenario, any bull case he had takes a serious hit, and there appears to be little reason to pay him mind in 2026 drafts.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Drake Maye's Fantasy Environment Has Only Gotten Better
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the MVP runner-up and fantasy QB2 in his second season, his first with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and since then his weaponry has only grown stronger. The Patriots' top two receivers in 2025 were Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. The former spent most of the summer as a free agent before finally signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Commanders, while the latter was traded to the Texans on Monday for what amounted to a 2025 sixth-rounder and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Meanwhile, the Patriots spent a first and a fifth to acquire A.J. Brown after signing Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract. New England also ran the league's lowest percentage of plays while trailing in 2025, so a more difficult schedule could lead to even more pass attempts for Maye and a higher fantasy ceiling. The soon-to-be-24-year-old is RotoBaller's QB6, but he has the skill set and the environment to threaten for an overall QB1 finish.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isiah Pacheco Can Follow in the Footsteps of a Different Ball-Carrier
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco didn't have the greatest stint in Kansas City, but landing with the Lions should allow him to be utilized in a more appropriate fashion. We expect the Lions to use Pacheco in short-yardage scenarios, giving Jahmyr Gibbs an opportunity for a breather. That's similar to what we have seen in years past from David Montgomery, who handled some early-down work and got involved near the line to gain or the goal line. That role saw Montgomery score 33 touchdowns over the last three seasons, so there's a real growth opportunity here for Pacheco, who has never scored more than seven touchdowns in a single season. While Gibbs is the undisputed No. 1 back here, Pacheco is a solid handcuff who also has some standalone fantasy value because of his ability to score touchdowns in a really favorable system and environment. The 27-year-old currently ranks as the RB57 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Should Continue to Excel on a Large Workload
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as a superstar in the NFL, ranking as a top-three fantasy running back in each of the last two seasons. The Lions' backfield looks a little different this year now that Isiah Pacheco has replaced David Montgomery, but the vision for Gibbs should look pretty similar. He remains the undisputed lead back, offering a spectacular ability to run the ball, catch passes, score touchdowns, and even block a little. Pacheco should mix in on short-yardage opportunities, but it's worth noting that Montgomery did the same in Detroit, and Gibbs still scored 38 touchdowns over the last two years. In other words, we're not worried at all about Pacheco's presence. In fact, it could help Gibbs over the long run, as it keeps him fresh and healthy for the full 17-game span. He hasn't missed a single regular-season game since his rookie season in 2023. The University of Alabama product ranks as the RB1 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026, ahead of even Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Bech Projected as the Primary Slot Receiver in Vegas
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech only played three snaps in the first quarter of the team's second preseason game. However, he was likely used sparingly because he already has the primary slot receiver role locked up for the 2026 season. Bech caught a touchdown during Week 1 of the preseason, but according to Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official website, what has really solidified the receiver's role is his blocking ability. "He's the best blocking wide receiver on the roster," Edwards wrote about Bech. "He had a key block that led to a 53-yard rush from Mike Washington Jr. against the Arizona Cardinals. It's certainly a determining factor as to how Bech has remained the team's primary starting slot receiver throughout camp." All signs point to Bech getting a very healthy dose of snaps once the regular season arrives, which could put him onto the fantasy radar as a low-end WR3/flex in deeper leagues. At the moment, he's flying somewhat under the radar as the WR102 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026.
Source: Levi Edwards
Source: Levi Edwards
Dylan Sampson Can be a Receiving Outlet for Veteran QB
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson remains in the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but he should still carve out a role this season as a key pass-catching option for veteran starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. Sampson had 33 catches for 271 receiving yards (and just 175 rushing yards) as a rookie last year. For the most part, he operated behind fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins and mostly saw the field on passing downs. Judkins is expected to be the lead back once Week 1 comes around, so the big question is whether Sampson can have enough involvement to get on the weekly fantasy radar. It's not as simple as Judkins getting the early downs and Sampson getting the passing downs, as the former is a very capable pass catcher, and the latter does earn some carries from time to time, too. For now, Sampson has a little bit of RB3/flex appeal in deeper full-PPR leagues, but in all other formats, he's a better fit as a handcuff for fantasy managers who already have Judkins on their roster. Sampson is the RB53 in RotoBaller's latest half-PPR and full-PPR draft rankings for the 2026 fantasy football season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
