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Darius Slayton Listed as Starting WR on Unofficial Depth Chart
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton was listed as a starting WR on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. Slayton was listed alongside star wideout Malik Nabers as the only two wideouts named starters, with Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Odell Beckham Jr., and Malachi Fields listed behind them. In 2025, Slayton was forced to step up after Nabers' knee injury and, despite costly drops, did quite well, averaging about 40 receiving yards per game. While Mooney, Beckham, and Austin have all worked with the first-team offense in recent practice, Slayton's current contract will likely force the team to hold onto him in 2026. The offense under head coach John Harbaugh will use more heavy personnel this season, but any wideout besides Nabers is unlikely to produce fantasy-relevant numbers.
Source: New York Giants
Source: New York Giants
Xavier Legette Having Strong Training Camp
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette is having a strong camp as he enters an important 2026 season. After a sophomore season marred by critical mistakes, Legette is in great shape and appears to have sharpened his connection with quarterback Bryce Young. The former 32nd overall pick had 363 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season, but his snap count dropped significantly toward the end of the season. While the team appeared poised to replace him with third-round pick Chris Brazzell III (knee), the Panthers' rookie wideout suffered an LCL injury that required season-ending surgery, opening the door for Legette to play a role in 2026. While he will remain behind 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and emerging wideout Jalen Coker, Legette may still have a role in deeper fantasy leagues this season.
Source: Darin Gantt - Carolina Panthers
Source: Darin Gantt - Carolina Panthers
George Pickens Has Been Dominant at Cowboys Camp
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has been dominant at training camp as he enters a "contract year" in 2026. Pickens has put on a clinic on 50/50 balls, leaving Cowboys fans excited about the team's offense with him and a healthy CeeDee Lamb. In his first year with the Cowboys in 2025, Pickens had a career year, hauling in 93 of 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, finishing as the WR5 in half PPR formats. While a holdout loomed for Pickens in 2025, he will play under the franchise tag as he awaits his extension. With the way he's been practicing and entering his second season with the offense, he could be in line for a monster contract if he has another great showing in 2026.
Source: Dan Rogers - Blogging The Boys
Source: Dan Rogers - Blogging The Boys
A.J. Brown a Top Target at Joint Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was a top target during the team's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Brown remained the top option in team drills, finding the ball early and often, and led the team with five receptions, including one that would've been a touchdown. The former Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles wideout was traded to the AFC Champions in early June and initially struggled to connect with quarterback Drake Maye. Now, both appear to be on the same page, and Brown looks poised for a massive year in New England. The seven-year wideout has had six 1,000-yard seasons and might have his best quarterback yet in Maye, while Maye has yet to play with a talent like Brown. This connection could break fantasy in 2026, and fantasy managers should look to buy into this duo.
Source: Ethan Hurwitz - Sports Illustrated
Source: Ethan Hurwitz - Sports Illustrated
Justin Jefferson's Rapport With New QB "Seems to be Growing"
Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kyler Murray had another crisp day of training camp practice on Wednesday that included a number of connections with top wide receiver Justin Jefferson, according to Vikings beat writer Will Ragatz. "Their rapport seems to be growing," Ragatz wrote. Jefferson is no stranger to working with a lot of different signal-callers during his six years in the NFL -- this will be the fourth different QB he's worked with for the fourth straight season. The 27-year-old former 22nd overall pick from LSU has produced with all of the different QBs in Minnesota, recording a 1,000-yard season in all six of his seasons to this point, including a whopping 42 touchdown receptions in 94 regular-season games. Jefferson had a career-low 1,048 receiving yards and only two touchdowns in 17 starts a year ago, but the four-time Pro Bowler should be primed for a bounce-back in 2026 with Murray, who might be the most talented all-around QB he's worked with, if he can stay healthy. Jefferson is a no-brainer top-10 fantasy WR and is ranked No. 6 at his position at RotoBaller.
Source: Will Ragatz
Source: Will Ragatz
Nico Collins Shining in Training Camp
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has looked strong at training camp, according to Texans analyst John Harris. During the team's indoor practice on Tuesday, Collins made big play after big play. Collins is coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons and has averaged 14 half-PPR fantasy points per game since 2023. With players like Jayden Higgins emerging in his second season and Tank Dell returning from injury, volume may become more volatile. He will need to rely more on efficiency and touchdowns in 2026, which will hinge on quarterback C.J. Stroud's performance this season. When healthy and playing well, Collins is a sure-fire WR1 in fantasy, so fantasy managers should consider the sixth-year receiver this season.
Source: John Harris - Houston Texans
Source: John Harris - Houston Texans
Fernando Mendoza Has "Real Chance" to Win Starting Job
The Las Vegas Raiders are facing a real quarterback battle between veteran Kirk Cousins and first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, according to Vincent Bonsignore. Bonsignore said he still believes Cousins will be the starter in 2026, "but it's not etched in stone. Fernando has a real chance to win the job." Most have speculated that the team would let Mendoza sit behind veteran Cousins and develop before throwing him into the fire. Reports from Raiders training camp indicate that Cousins has held off Mendoza in the competition and that the rookie has struggled. While Cousins was listed as the QB1 on the team's unofficial depth chart over Mendoza, a strong preseason from the rookie could force the Raiders to start the National Championship-winning quarterback in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.
Source: Vincent Bonsignore - California Post
Source: Vincent Bonsignore - California Post
Quarterback and Coaching Changes May Affect Drake London in 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is coming off a strong 2025 season, hauling in 68 of 112 targets for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. However, his current price may be too high to consider him in 2026. London is likely facing a quarterback change in 2026, with former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa coming to town. London did damage in the last two seasons with Michael Penix Jr., catching 82 of 133 targets for 1,162 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games, averaging 17.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game. In the two seasons without Penix, he had 86 receptions for 1,028 yards and 8 touchdowns in 17 games, averaging just under 14 points per game. The real concern is his slot usage, which ranked among the highest in the league in 2024 and 2025 under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Now with Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta, London could return to a more outside receiver role in 2026. Fantasy managers should understand the risk with London and potentially pivot to a safer option in drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rashid Shaheed to be Major Factor in 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is expected to be a major factor in 2026, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler wrote in his 2026 NFL Training Camp Buzz that Shaheed has been moving around the formation at camp, including time in the backfield. A full offseason in Seattle makes him a more viable option across the field, from short to deep. The former Saints playmaker was traded to the Seahawks at last season's trade deadline and hauled in 15 of 26 targets for 188 yards and no touchdowns in nine games. With a full offseason to get acclimated to the offense and build chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold, Shaheed could be a great value in the late rounds of fantasy leagues this season.
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
C.J. Stroud Enters Make-or-Break 2026 Season
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is entering the all-important 2026 contract year after back-to-back down years. After winning the 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud has averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game over the past two seasons, a nearly five-point drop from his stellar rookie season. The Texans declined to extend Stroud's contract this offseason following his postseason struggles, including four interceptions in the divisional-round game against the New England Patriots. With their elite defense, the Texans have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl this season if Stroud bounces back to rookie form in 2026. Currently listed as QB23 on RotoBaller's positional rankings, Stroud is a strong sleeper with upside this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Listed as Co-Starter on Unofficial Depth Chart
Minnesota Vikings running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason are listed as co-starters on the team's unofficial depth chart. Both backs split carries nearly evenly last season, with Jones averaging 11 carries per game and Mason averaging 9.9. However, the tides are turning at Vikings' training camp, with most sideline reporters saying Mason looks like the clear RB1 and that he's "taking a leap" in camp. The former 49ers' back averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 2025, while the former Packer posted a career-low 4.2 yards per carry. With Mason looking like he could handle goal-line work and receive more carries overall, Jones is likely too high a price in 2026. While the offense is set to improve with Kyler Murray at quarterback, Jones may still not have the workload to live up to his ADP in 2026.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
James Conner Still Not Participating in Team Drills
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle) still has not participated in 11-on-11 drills in practice as he recovers from a significant ankle injury in 2025. Conner suffered an ankle dislocation that required surgery in Week 3 of last season, marking just shy of 11 months since the surgery. With the veteran back still not participating in team drills, it's unclear whether Conner will be ready for Week 1's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and drafted rookie Jeremiyah Love with the third-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the former workhorse for Arizona could be a factor in the latter part of 2026, fantasy managers should probably pivot to another option in this season's drafts.
Source: Blake Murphy - Bleav's Network
Source: Blake Murphy - Bleav's Network
Jordan James' Status in Question After Niners Add a RB
The San Francisco 49ers signed veteran running back Zamir White to a one-year contract after White's Monday workout with the team. White is joining a backfield decimated by injuries during training camp. Second-year back Jordan James (ribs) fractured his ribs on the second day of training camp after a hit from All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. The 2025 fifth-round pick was expected to miss several weeks, with no timetable for return. White's addition heightens concerns about James's availability for the start of the 2026 season. Both White and James, along with third-round pick Kaelon Black, are expected to back up running back Christian McCaffrey this season. With the star running back dealing with minor soreness and a lengthy list of previous injuries, the backup in this offense has fantasy value as a handcuff.
Source: David Lombardi - SF Standard
Source: David Lombardi - SF Standard
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Entrenched as Commanders' RB1
Even though Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is up after an impressive joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, Bleeding Burgundy & Gold suggests that Jacory Croskey-Merritt is firmly entrenched as the RB1 right now because he is such a great fit in the team's new outside zone scheme. Croskey-Merritt has had some huge runs in the offense, and the Commanders are hoping that the second-year back takes a Year 2 leap in 2026. The 25-year-old has reportedly improved this offseason in the passing game, although White's pass-catching chops most likely will give him a leg up on third downs in his first year in D.C. The seventh-rounder last year out of the University of Arizona had 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries as the team's leading rusher a year ago, adding only nine catches for 68 yards. As long as he keeps improving, JCM is in line to be the Commanders' lead back while also seeing most of the goal-line work, making him the more attractive RB3/flex target in standard-scoring leagues over White.
Source: Bleeding Burgundy & Gold
Source: Bleeding Burgundy & Gold
Rachaad White's Stock Up After Joint Practice
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is trending up after Wednesday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, according to Bleeding Burgundy & Gold. The chemistry has been evident between White and quarterback Jayden Daniels, and White has been the QB's "easy button." He had a huge outside zone run where he ran through contact and showed good contact balance on Wednesday. The caveat is that second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is still "firmly entrenched" as the RB1 in Washington right now because he's a great fit in the outside zone scheme. The 27-year-old White averaged just 3.9 yards per carry on the ground in his four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he caught 205 passes for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns as a pass-catcher in 67 games played. The Commanders are giving JCM every opportunity to earn more of a three-down role in their backfield in Year 2, but White isn't going away and should have a key role, at least on third downs. Fantasy managers should be looking to target him as an RB3/flex sleeper in PPR formats.
Source: Bleeding Burgandy & Gold
Source: Bleeding Burgandy & Gold
