RADIO
Jayden Reed Totals 19 Yards in Preseason Opener
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was on the field with the starters in the Packers' 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first preseason game for Green Bay. Reed, who signed a three-year extension to stay with the Packers through the 2029 season, earned two targets, catching one of them for 19 yards. Notably, per PFF's Nathan Jahnke, Reed did not play outside of 11 personnel, when three wide receivers were in the formation. The Packers played two snaps of 12 personnel with the starters in and Matthew Golden was in the game while Reed was not. That is a clear signal that things will likely remain the same for Reed as it's been in previous seasons with him being a slot-only player. Reed should be a focal point in the Packers' offense, but he's behind Tucker Kraft and potentially Golden and Christian Watson in the pecking order. The Packers' next preseason game comes on August 21st against the Denver Broncos. For fantasy football purposes, Reed is a volatile WR3 with upside for 2026.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Trevor Lawrence, Starters Won't Play on Saturday
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen told the media that quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the team's starters will not play on Saturday when they face the New Orleans Saints. Coen wanted to emphasize getting first-team reps during their joint practice on Thursday, while resting for their preseason contest on Saturday. Lawrence has had a solid training camp and is far ahead of where he was last year at this time. His stellar finish to the season was well documented, as he led all quarterbacks in fantasy points from Week 9 on. Fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to select Lawrence for his solid rushing upside, weapons, and feel for Coen's offense.
Source: Josh Alper - Pro Football Talk
Source: Josh Alper - Pro Football Talk
Kaleb Johnson Gets Little Work in Preseason Opener
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson handled just two carries for three yards in Thursday night's preseason win over the Green Bay Packers. Johnson, a third-round pick in last year's NFL Draft, doesn't appear to have won over Pittsburgh's new coaching staff just yet, as he didn't enter the contest until late in the third quarter. Although he was listed as the team's RB3 on the updated depth chart released earlier this week, Johnson played behind veterans Travis Homer and Lew Nichols and was out-touched by rookie running back Eli Heidenreich in the second half. Johnson could see an uptick in opportunities as the preseason continues, but it's becoming increasingly unlikely that he will have a meaningful role in the offense this season behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. While he remains worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats, Johnson is off the fantasy radar for redraft purposes.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tory Horton Looks Fast and Ready for Second Season
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton looks "fast and ready" for his second NFL season. Horton's efficient rookie season was cut short by a shin stress fracture that required surgery. Now healthy and fully participating in camp, former wideout Bryan Walters says, "I've been loving watching Tory Horton back and healthy. He looks fast again out there. He looks like he's ready to pick up where he left off." Horton is likely to be a rotational player behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and veteran Cooper Kupp. While he has immense upside if given the opportunity, he is likely to be non-fantasy-relevant in 2026.
Source: Cameron Van Til - Seattle Sports
Source: Cameron Van Til - Seattle Sports
Jalen Coker Lining Up for Third-Year Breakout in 2026
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker is coming off a stellar finish to the 2025 season after starting on the PUP list with a quad injury. Coker hauled in 33 of 43 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns in just 11 games, averaging 6.7 half-PPR fantasy points per game. He turned it up late last season, recording 28 receptions for 378 yards and four touchdowns over his final six games. The third-year receiver is looking to emerge even further in 2026, with a fully healthy training camp and preseason. Currently ranked WR52, Coker offers upside as a young, talented receiver with a strong connection to quarterback Bryce Young.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Germie Bernard Stands Out in Preseason Victory
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard hauled in four of five targets for 51 receiving yards in a 28-9 preseason win over the Green Bay Packers. Bernard, a second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, saw time with the first-team offense and immediately looked the part. He caught quarterback Mason Rudolph's first pass attempt and later impressed with a 25-yard catch-and-run that saw him shed multiple defenders. Bernard nearly scored a touchdown early in the second quarter but couldn't get his second foot in bounds despite a valiant effort. The Alabama product is unlikely to be drafted in many fantasy formats this fall, but he is a name to monitor as the season progresses given the uncertainty surrounding the Steelers' wide receiver room behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. He'll get his next preseason action against the New York Jets next Friday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Klint Kubiak Says Raiders' Starting QB Job is Kirk Cousins' to Lose
When asked about the team's quarterback battle, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said it is Kirk Cousins' job to lose. Following their 27-14 preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Kubiak said, "Kirk's been getting the reps with the 1s, and it's his job to lose." Cousins had a strong first drive in Thursday night's game, completing five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown to tight end Michael Mayer. While rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a solid night as well, Kubiak's commitment to Cousins has dropped Mendoza on fantasy draft boards this season. If Cousins starts in Week 1, he will likely be a non-factor in fantasy leagues this season, while Mendoza's stock will fall in Superflex leagues.
Source: Ryan McFadden - ESPN
Source: Ryan McFadden - ESPN
Rookie Running Back Noah Whittington Has a Busy Start to the Preseason
Houston Texans running back Noah Whittington finished his team's preseason loss to the Chargers with 13 carries for 40 yards and also caught his only target for a loss of four yards. The undrafted rookie from Oregon fits the profile of a potential rotational back due to his compact frame and powerful running style. His heavy workload could lead to him earning a spot on the team, and since Houston likes to rotate running backs, he could end up with fantasy value at some point this season. Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan are back to carry the load alongside newcomer David Montgomery, though, so Whittington will need to show more explosiveness before he threatens for enough work to be fantasy relevant. It is worth noting, though, that he got plenty of chances to make an impact in Preseason Week 1 against the Chargers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jared Wayne Scores the Texans Only Touchdown
Houston Texans wide receiver Jared Wayne stepped into an expanded role for his team with the key starters at skill positions not playing on Thursday night in their preseason contest against the Chargers. Wayne led the team in targets with five and tied for the lead in catches with three. He snagged a touchdown pass from Davis Mills and finished with 17 receiving yards. Wayne has been on the fringes of Houston's roster since he first joined them as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He made his debut with two catches for 20 yards when injuries tested the team's receiver depth against the 49ers last year, and he will likely be a depth option on the roster again this year. If injuries deplete the receiver room, he could be a deep-league sleeper to watch. His touchdown came on a contested catch in the front corner of the end zone and gave the Texans the lead at that point of the first quarter.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeremiyah Love Suffers Ankle Injury, Could Have Returned
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) suffered an ankle injury during the team's 27-14 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Mike LaFleur told the media that Love had a minor ankle injury but could've returned and should be good to practice next week. The third-overall pick had a strong showing on Thursday night, totaling 72 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts. Love was the first back on the field tonight, with veteran Tyler Allegeier spelling him. While it's possible the team was trying to get their inexperienced back more work during the preseason, seeing him dominate the time share is a great sign for fantasy managers. As long as Love is healthy, he should be a strong RB2 in 2026.
Source: Theo Mackie - AZC Sports
Source: Theo Mackie - AZC Sports
Drew Allar Shines in Preseason Debut
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Drew Allar turned in an excellent showing Thursday night, completing 10 of 13 pass attempts for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score in a 28-9 preseason win over the Green Bay Packers. Although Allar did not enter until late in the third quarter, he made an immediate impact by leading a five-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. He connected with fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen on a slant that nearly went the distance, but Wetjen was eventually brought down at the three-yard line after a 74-yard gain. Allar finished the drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown. The 22-year-old later found Wetjen for a five-yard touchdown and rookie fullback Riley Nowakowski for a four-yard score that sealed the victory late in the fourth quarter. While it seems unlikely that Allar will surpass both Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on the depth chart before the regular season, a few more performances like this could keep him in the conversation for the QB2 job behind Aaron Rodgers. His next opportunity comes next Friday against the New York Jets.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kyle Monangai More Than Just a Handcuff Running Back
Chicago Bears 24-year-old running back Kyle Monangai enters his second full season as the RB2 in an elite Bears offense, and during his rookie season he rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries (4.63 YPC), and saw 30 targets for 164 yards. The Bears ranked fifth in the NFL last season in team run plays per game, and Monangai benefited greatly from that. He was 17th in the NFL in yards per touch. While he was successful on a per-touch basis, his explosiveness and efficiency left room for improvement. He was 31st in explosive rating and 34th in juke rate, to go along with 44th in yards created per touch, which accounts for all yards above and beyond what was blocked per carry and reception after the first evaded tackle. Backfield mate D'Andre Swift remains the clear No. 1 running back in this offense, but Monangai still carries fantasy appeal with Swift in the picture. RotoBaller ranks him as the RB35 off the board, and fantasy managers looking to stash a running back with some upside should look to target Monangai in redraft formats. Given his age, he is also a good dynasty option as well.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Davante Adams Could be in Line for Early-Season Explosion
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams could see a heavy workload in the first few games of the season. In his first season with the Rams in 2025, Adams recorded 789 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games, finishing as the WR8 in half-PPR formats. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that the NFL is reviewing a potential suspension of star receiver Puka Nacua for making antisemitic slurs and allegedly biting a woman during the offseason. Depending on the severity of any suspension, Adams will be assigned a heavy workload during that period. He is currently ranked WR20 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, which could be an incredible value if Nacua misses time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shedeur Sanders Carries Some Fantasy Appeal in Deeper Formats
Cleveland Browns second-year quarterback out of Colorado, Shedeur Sanders, enters the 2026 season in a quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson, who missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from a re-ruptured right Achilles. Sanders played in eight games in 2025 and threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, and rushed for 169 yards and one touchdown. While he does provide some fantasy appeal with his rushing upside and big-play ability, it remains to be seen if he will have that opportunity. Watson hasn't performed at a high level since 2020, but he is still 30 years old and likely has a fast track to be the starter for the Browns over Sanders. Sanders was extremely inefficient in 2025, ranking 30th in yards per attempt, 38th in true passer rating, and 38th in adjusted yards per attempt. Sanders offers some dynasty appeal given his age, and in superflex formats, he could be used as a bench spot if he wins the starting job. RotoBaller ranks Sanders as the QB34 entering the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brenton Strange Faces Crowded Jaguars Passing Attack
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange faces heavy target competition heading into the 2026 season. Strange had a solid third season, hauling in 46 of 60 targets for 540 yards and three touchdowns in just 12 games, averaging 7.9 half-PPR fantasy points per game. However, the Jaguars' receiving corps looks loaded, with the addition of second-round tight end Nate Boerkircher and the return of emerging players Parker Washington and Travis Hunter. Despite a strong showing in 2025, Strange is likely the fourth or fifth option in this passing offense. Currently listed as the TE17 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Strange seems like too high a price to pay in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
