February 15, 2026

New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (back) is expected to resume throwing from the mound on Tuesday. The Yankees have been cautious with Schlittler, who is currently dealing with back inflammation. Schlittler should be fine in the long term, but the team doesn't want to risk aggravating the issue. For the time being, Schlittler is expected to be fully ready to go in time for Opening Day. He's coming off an excellent rookie campaign in 2025. He posted a 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and an 84/31 K/BB ratio in 14 starts. The 23-year-old is expected to be a mainstay in the Yankees' rotation in 2026.--Andy Webb
Source: Gary Phillips

February 15, 2026

Atlanta Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrep (elbow) will visit with a doctor after experiencing elbow soreness following a live batting practice session. He underwent an MRI, which revealed loose bodies in his elbow, but no ligament damage. The visit with Dr. Keith Meister should help give the Braves a better timetable on when Waldrep will be able to pitch again. At the moment, it's unclear if the 23-year-old will be ready in time for Opening Day. Waldrep looked solid during his time with the Braves last season. He registered a 2.88 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 55/22 K/BB ratio across 10 games (nine starts) in 2025. The Braves were hopeful Waldrep could make a bigger impact in 2026, but this elbow issue could be a setback.--Andy Webb
Source: Mark Bowman

February 15, 2026

St. Louis Cardinals infielders JJ Wetherholt and Nolan Gorman could be stationed at new primary positions in 2026. As of this weekend, Wetherholt is playing second base, while Gorman is taking reps at third base. Wetherholt has yet to make his MLB debut, but he should be in St. Louis soon. He has primarily been playing shortstop, but has seen some action at second base. It looks like the Cardinals would like Wetherholt to take over second base with the team trading Brendan Donovan this offseason. As for Gorman, he came up as a second baseman, but has been transitioning to the hot corner. He played a career-high 54 games over there last season. Nolan Arenado has been traded, so the spot is open full-time for Gorman. The Cardinals will likely move them around, but offseason trades have given these two players a chance to play full-time infield positions.--Andy Webb
Source: Jeff Jones

February 15, 2026

Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II saw his name linked to fantasy waiver wires throughout the year, but he ultimately spent most of his rookie season playing second, or even third fiddle to De'Von Achane. With a new head coach and offensive coordinator set to take over in Miami, many have speculated whether the sub-190-pound Achane will continue to handle bell-cow duties. Unfortunately for Gordon, even if Jeff Hafley and Bobby Slowik choose to preserve Achane by moving to a more committee-based approach, 23-year-old Jaylen Wright could stand in his way. After missing the first six weeks of the season as a result of injury and performance, Wright took over as the team's primary change-of-pace back behind Achane, out-touching Gordon 75 to 50. And when given work, Gordon's 2.8 yards per carry ranked among the league's worst. With Gordon's Doak Walker Award-winning season in 2023 now feeling a lifetime away, there were very few signs in 2025 that a sophomore breakout could be on its way.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams is working hard to shake up his pitching repertoire this spring. According to Laura Albanese, Williams is incorporating a cutter and adding a gyro slider to his mix of pitches. The hope is that using the gyro slider will help protect his changeup. Williams has been throwing these pitches in bullpen sessions and will soon get a chance to use them versus live hitting. The 31-year-old is coming off the worst season of his career with the New York Yankees in 2025. He registered a 4.79 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 90/25 K/BB ratio with 18 saves in 67 appearances. The Mets gave Williams over $50 million this offseason, so he's expected to be the primary closing option. The hope is that the addition of new pitches will help Williams bounce back in 2026.--Andy Webb
Source: Laura Albanese

February 15, 2026

Running back Devin Singletary was the only New York Giants RB to play all 17 games in 2025, but he finished well behind Tyrone Tracy Jr. in carries, receptions, and total yards, while lacking the efficiency of rookie Cam Skattebo in both the running and passing game. Entering 2026 on the final year of the three-year pact he signed in 2024, he could be viewed as a cut candidate if Skattebo projects to enter camp fully healthy following a season-ending ankle injury. If Singletary does stay in New York, he projects as the third man in a rotation, with incoming head coach John Harbaugh having spent the past two seasons giving nearly all of his team's groundwork to Derrick Henry. While nobody on the Giants' roster should rightfully be compared to Henry, the 28-year-old Singletary could easily find himself buried on a depth chart behind two more versatile runners.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo is expected to function as the leadoff hitter and play right field, according to manager Skip Schumaker. This was expected to happen, but it's nice to finally have confirmation on the situation. Nimmo was traded to the Rangers in the deal that sent Marcus Semien to the New York Mets earlier this offseason. The left-handed slugger is hopeful to give a boost to this lineup after a strong campaign in 2025. Nimmo slashed .262/.324/.436 with 25 home runs, 92 RBI, and 13 steals in 155 games with the Mets last season. The 32-year-old is a consistent hitter and durable, with 150-plus games played in each of the last four seasons. His fantasy value should remain strong, especially with him hitting in the leadoff spot.--Andy Webb
Source: Kennedi Landry

February 15, 2026

Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant finished his rookie campaign with fewer than 400 yards and only one touchdown, but based on glimpses he showed in two abbreviated playoff appearances, he could see a much larger role in 2026. Having the dubious distinction of exiting both games early with injury, it's difficult to project how much of the game plan would continue to revolve around him, but Bryant touched the ball five times on a total of 12 postseason snaps. The Broncos have been tied to the receiver position in what looks to be a strong incoming draft class, but the only pass catcher currently on the roster who clearly projects ahead of Bryant is 30-year-old Courtland Sutton. While Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. have both shown flashes at times in their young careers, Bryant seems the most likely to take the next step in 2026 and could be an important weapon for newly elevated offensive coordinator Davis Webb.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) recently underwent surgery on his left hamate bone. Lindor is back in the Mets camp now and is very optimistic that he'll be ready to play on Opening Day. The expectation is that Lindor will need about six weeks of recovery time after having surgery. He underwent surgery last Wednesday and believes he'll be ready in time for the regular season. This certainly seems like great news, but who knows if Lindor will truly be 100 percent healthy by then. His fantasy stock should still take a hit, but possibly being ready for Opening Day is fantastic news for the Mets.--Andy Webb
Source: Anthony DiComo

February 15, 2026

Running back J.K. Dobbins (foot) signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Denver Broncos late in the 2025 offseason, and through the first 10 weeks of the season, he looked like one of the best values of the year. Dobbins ran for 772 yards and four touchdowns before going down to a Lisfranc injury that ultimately ended his season. Once again set to hit the open market, Dobbins has recently indicated a preference to return to Denver. Should he sign another short-term deal with the Broncos, he would likely be given the inside track to starting duties over second-round pick RJ Harvey. While Harvey showed a knack for finding the end zone as a rookie, he could not come close to matching Dobbins' efficiency behind one of the premier offensive lines in the league, averaging 3.7 yards per carry to Dobbins' 5.0. Where Harvey truly excelled was in the passing game, and if Denver runs back the same pairing in 2026, it's difficult to envision another landing spot for Dobbins with more clearly defined roles or higher upside within what will likely be some form of committee.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

Once viewed as the dynasty QB1, a string of disappointing seasons has sunk Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray's value to an all-time low, with him currently going outside the top 20 at the position in dynasty startups. While his relationship with the previous coaching staff led many to believe he'd taken his last snaps in Arizona after a soft benching to end his 2025 season, the Cardinals cleaned house this offseason, hiring a new head coach and offensive coordinator. Signs still point to Murray being released or traded before a portion of his contract becomes guaranteed in mid-March, but his status remains one of the biggest question marks of the offseason. With an uninspiring incoming quarterback draft class, Murray could be the first domino to fall in the trade/free agent market, but with so much uncertainty surrounding him, he remains a risky dynasty buy. Based on name value alone, his cost in a trade is likely still higher than his current startup placement reflects, and while his perceived value will ultimately rise if he finds a preferable landing spot, his asking cost may not. As such, he remains a hold in most dynasty leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

The Cleveland Browns are conducting in-person interviews with the Houston Texans' Cory Undlin and the Atlanta Falcons' Mike Rutenberg for their defensive-coordinator position this weekend, a source told Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Head coach Todd Monken could name his defensive coordinator in the next day or two. Undlin is Houston's defensive passing-game coordinator and has worked with the team since 2023. Before that, he was the secondary coach for the San Francisco 49ers, and he was also the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator in 2020. Rutenberg is the Falcons' pass-game coordinator. Before joining Atlanta in 2025, he worked under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich for four seasons as the linebackers coach with the Jets. Cleveland is looking to replace Jim Schwartz, who resigned after he was not named the Browns' head coach.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot

February 15, 2026

The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to promote run-game coordinator/defensive-line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday. Leonard, who has worked directly with disgruntled All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby, has been a D-line coach since 2023. The Raiders will also retain Joe Woods as defensive passing-game coordinator, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Vegas finished 25th in points allowed (25.4) and 14th in total yards allowed (317.8) under former DC Patrick Graham and head coach Pete Carroll, while opponents converted 46.3% of their third-down attempts. The Raiders were solid against the run, though, allowing 3.9 yards per carry, which ranked fourth-best in the NFL. Leonard spent a season as an outside linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 before joining the Raiders. He also coached for the Dolphins from 2019 to 2021 and for the New York Giants from 2013 to 2018.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

February 15, 2026

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that infielder Colt Keith will focus on third base and first base in spring training, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Keith will only return to second base if there are injury issues this year. The 24-year-old former fifth-round pick in 2020 spent most of his time at the keystone in his rookie season in 2024, but he played 24 games at second, 33 at third base, and 52 as the designated hitter for Detroit in 2025. Despite moving around the diamond last year, Keith was productive at the plate, slashing .256/.333/.413 with a .746 OPS, 13 home runs, 45 RBI, and 65 runs scored in 414 at-bats over 137 games played. The former top prospect must improve against left-handed pitchers (he had reverse splits), but with regular playing time and multi-position eligibility, he's a decent corner infield target in the later rounds of drafts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Detroit News - Chris McCosky

February 15, 2026

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) will skip pitching in this year's World Baseball Classic due to a "little cranky" right shoulder, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The good news is that the Rays are "very confident" that Uceta will be ready for Opening Day on March 26. The 28-year-old Dominican will play a key role at the back end of Tampa's bullpen this year and is expected to share high-leverage closing duties with Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger now that Pete Fairbanks is no longer in town. Manager Kevin Cash said the decision to keep Uceta out of the WBC was a precautionary move. In 76 innings last year, Uceta had a 3.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, one save, 21 holds, a career-high 103 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 70 appearances. His 38.7% whiff rate on his four-seam fastball ranked second overall in the big leagues, and he was just one of five relievers to reach 100 K's. While he may not rack up a ton of saves, Uceta will be useful for his ratios and holds.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin

February 15, 2026

Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes said he'll work at first base, second base, and third base in camp this year, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Paredes also said he'll be a 100% participant in activities this spring after tearing his hamstring last year. The 26-year-old has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason and could be a man without a position on Opening Day, with Carlos Correa set to start at third base and Jose Altuve moving back to second base full-time. Despite playing in only 102 games in 2025 in his first year in Houston due to his hamstring injury, Paredes hit .254/352/.458 with an .809 OPS, 20 home runs, 53 RBI, and 53 runs scored in 438 plate appearances. His hamstring recovery could still be an issue, but the biggest setback for his 2026 fantasy value is his uncertain playing time if he sticks with the Astros. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 14 fantasy third baseman.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome

February 15, 2026

Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (knee) will do drills independently when the team holds its first full-squad spring training workout on Sunday, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. Casas has some catching up to do after tearing his left patellar tendon on May 2 of last year. Offseason acquisition Willson Contreras has taken his primary position (first base), but Casas thinks the BoSox will find a place for him when he's fully healthy. "When I'm healthy, I fit on any team," said Casas. Browne writes that designated hitter could be a "nice fallback" for Casas once he's 100% healthy. However, Boston could need the DH spot to deploy whichever player can't fit in the outfield on a given day. Casas said that medical professionals told him his injury typically takes a year of full recovery, which would put him on track to play again around May 1. The Red Sox's lineup lacks power, so they could use Casas' bat in their lineup, but the 26-year-old might not be ready for Opening Day, and he might not have a full-time role when he makes his season debut.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne

February 15, 2026

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (lat) said he finally feels fully healthy this spring after missing all or parts of the last three years due to a 2023 shoulder surgery and a lat strain that ended his 2025 campaign early, according to Michael Reynolds of MLB.com. Although the Brewers are being cautious with Woodruff in camp, manager Pat Murphy fully expects Woodruff to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. "It feels like I'm finally to the point where I can do stuff and I just don't have to think about my shoulder, which is a good thing," Woodruff said. The 33-year-old two-time All-Star showed diminished velocity upon his return last year, but other than that, he was excellent, going 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 83 K's in his 12 starts. He showed last year that he can still keep hitters off balance. He'll be a high-risk, high-reward No. 3 starting pitcher target in fantasy baseball drafts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Michael Reynolds

February 15, 2026

Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez will be the team's starting catcher again in 2026, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Manager Alex Cora revealed on Saturday that Narvaez's knee started to bother him in just the third game of the season and his first start behind the plate on March 29 against the Texas Rangers. "He was banged up the whole season," Cora said. Narvaez had a left-knee meniscesctomy right after the 2025 season ended. He missed three straight games from Aug. 6-9 but avoided going on the injured list during his rookie campaign. The 27-year-old was still one of the best defensive catchers in the league, although his offensive numbers tailed off in the second half. The Venezuelan backstop finished with a .241/.306/.419 slash line .726 OPS, 15 homers, and 50 RBI in 118 regular-season games. Narvaez has decent offensive skills for a catcher, but his poor plate discipline should keep his ceiling on the lower side as a No. 2 catcher in fantasy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith

February 15, 2026

The Philadelphia Phillies were seeking lineup protection for first baseman Bryce Harper and more right-handed pop this offseason, which is why they brought in outfielder Adolis Garcia in free agency on a one-year deal. NBC Sports' Cole Weintraub writes that the Phillies are hoping Garcia can return to his 2022-23 form in Texas and slide into the team's cleanup spot. However, a cold spring from Garcia could push designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to the four-hole after he had a .955 OPS in 2025. The 32-year-old Garcia will start in right field in his first year in Philly, but he's a gamble in fantasy baseball drafts after posting a sub-.700 OPS in back-to-back seasons. His .675 OPS last year ranked 117th out of 123 qualified hitters, and he also hit fewer than 20 homers for the first time in his career. Still, there are worse players to take a chance on in a favorable hitting environment with plenty of RBI opportunities. Remember, Garcia hit 39 homers and drove in 107 runs just two seasons ago.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Cole Weintraub

February 15, 2026

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (abdomen) underwent sports hernia surgery in November, and the procedure required six weeks of recovery, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Profar doesn't have any restrictions in spring training, though. He felt discomfort in September and again when he began his offseason workouts, prompting him to have surgery. Profar tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in March of last year and was suspended for 80 games in his first year in Atlanta. But when he was on the field, he was solid, slashing .245/.353/.434 with 14 home runs and nine stolen bases over 371 plate appearances. The 32-year-old veteran switch-hitter is expected to be the Braves' primary designated hitter in 2026. Profar is in a favorable home park and still has elite plate discipline, but fantasy managers should not expect a return to his 2024 numbers with the Padres.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman

February 15, 2026

Joey Logano of Team Penske will start third for this year's Daytona 500, taking place at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 22 Ford driver earned his starting position by being the winner of the first America 250 Florida Duel race at Daytona. In 34 starts at the site, Logano has one win, an average finish of 18.7, and has 11 top-10 finishes. At drafting tracks last season, Logano has two top-20 finishes in six events at the track type. Despite leading in every Daytona Cup race dating back to 2018, Logano has a history of struggling to finish towards the front in most drafting track events. With his starting position being so close to the front, Logano is not recommended to be used in DFS this week.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: racing-reference.info

February 15, 2026

Team Penske's Ryan Blaney will be starting in the fifth position for this year's Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Blaney obtained his starting position for this week's race after finishing second in the first America 250 Florida Duel race at Daytona. In 21 starts at the site, Blaney has two wins, nine top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 18.2. At drafting tracks last season, Blaney has three top-10 finishes, including a win at the summer Daytona race. The No. 12 Ford driver from Penske does have great history at drafting tracks, but his starting position provides almost no upside, making him hard to recommend outside of tournaments for DFS. Although Blaney could be a contender for the win, especially since Penske brings some of the fastest cars on drafting tracks, it may be better to consider alternative picks for cash games. --Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: racing-reference.info

February 15, 2026

Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing is starting on the outside of the front row in second for this year's Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Briscoe earned his starting position by setting the second-fastest overall single lap time in qualifying. He also participated in the second America 250 Florida Duel race at Daytona, where he led 38 laps, the most of all drivers in that race, until he faded back to a 20th-place finish. In 10 races at Daytona, Briscoe has three top-10 finishes with an average finish of 19.0. The No. 19 Toyota driver also finished in the top 15 in three of the last four Daytona Cup races. At drafting tracks last season, Briscoe has three top-15 finishes in six events at the track type. Although Briscoe's history at drafting tracks is decent, his starting position leaves almost no upside and makes him a huge risk to use in DFS. Fantasy players should consider other drivers with more upside than Briscoe, especially since he has one of the lowest score ceilings for DFS this week.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: racing-reference.info

February 15, 2026

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott will start in the fourth position for this year's Daytona 500, taking place at Daytona International Speedway. Elliott was awarded his high starting position as a result of winning the second America 250 Florida Duel race at Daytona. In 20 races at the site, Elliott has six top-10 finishes, an average finish of 20.5, and has never won. He also finished in the top 15 in four of the last five Cup events at Daytona. At drafting tracks last season, the No. 9 Chevrolet driver finished in the top 20 in five of six events at the track type, including a win at Atlanta. Despite having solid history at drafting tracks, Elliott's starting position makes him one of the riskiest drivers to utilize in DFS this week. Elliott can only be considered for tournaments, and even then, there are better alternatives available for less salary and more upside.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: racing-reference.info

February 15, 2026

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) could be headed for a change of scenery during the NFL offseason. Hill tore his ACL during Week 4 of the 2025 campaign, finishing the year with just 21 catches, 265 yards, and one touchdown. The former superstar pass-catcher now faces an uncertain future in Miami as he works his way back to full health. It seems unlikely that Hill would flat-out retire at this point, so we do expect him to come back and contribute somewhere in 2026. However, he'll have plenty of suitors if Miami decides to trade or release him. His contract is structured to give the Dolphins a potential out this offseason, as a post-June 1 cut would create $35.2 million in cap space with $15.9 million in dead money. Almost 32 years old, Hill has passed the peak of his career, but his talent is still undeniable. He remains one of the fastest receivers in football, and he's just two years removed from an eight-year streak of making the Pro Bowl. He's also only two years out from a phenomenal 2023 campaign, during which he caught 119 passes for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns. It looks like Miami could be pursuing a soft reset this offseason with head coach Mike McDaniel gone, and Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa potentially headed for new teams. Change can be difficult for any player, but a fresh start might be exactly what Hill needs as he returns from injury and looks to get back above 1,000 yards for the first time since 2023. He's a firm hold in dynasty leagues right now, as his 2026 fantasy value will depend on where he's playing and which quarterback is throwing passes to him.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

Austin Cindric will start 36th for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 2 Team Penske Ford driver obtained his starting position through a 17th-place finish in the second America 250 Florida Duel race. In nine races at Daytona, Cindric has one win and five top-20 finishes, including three inside the top 10. The Penske driver also finished eighth in last year's Daytona 500. At drafting tracks last season, Cindric had two top-10 finishes in six events, including a win in the spring Talladega race. Cindric should be one of the top drivers to consider rostering for this year's Daytona 500, especially since he is with one of the fastest teams at drafting tracks with extremely high upside.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: racing-reference.info

February 15, 2026

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed proved to be a valuable contributor down the stretch, ultimately helping his team get in position to win Super Bowl LX. Shaheed opened the year with the New Orleans Saints, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2022, but was dealt to the Seahawks at the 2025 trade deadline. He stepped into a share of the No. 2 role alongside Cooper Kupp, and the two paired their respective playing skills with the elite productivity of No. 1 receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Shaheed finished the year with 687 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 59 catches, ranking as the overall WR39 in full-PPR leagues. His fantasy stock was boosted a bit by punt and kick return yards, although he didn't score a special teams touchdown in the regular season. All in all, Shaheed's big-play upside left him in a boom-or-bust pattern of performances. He had six games with fewer than 5.0 points in full-PPR leagues, but he also had six games with at least 11.8 points. Shaheed is a free agent this offseason, and while a Seattle return seems quite possible, we'd expect him to remain a boom-or-bust wherever he ends up. He'll likely be a fringe top-50 fantasy receiver entering 2026 fantasy football drafts.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) has been dealt some very unfortunate injury luck since entering the NFL. Brooks tore his ACL in November 2023 while still at Texas, causing him to fall to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The injury cost him the first few weeks of his NFL career, but he debuted in Week 12 of the 2024 season with a very small workload. He ultimately played just three games that season before suffering another ACL tear, and he has been sidelined ever since. Brooks' recovery timetable suggests that he should be healthy for the 2026 season. It's fair for fantasy managers to have their doubts about Brooks, given that he has just 12 touches through two years, but we can't forget how productive he was at Texas. Additionally, he should benefit from a clear path to productivity in Carolina. Rico Dowdle is expected to depart in free agency and Trevor Etienne had an underwhelming season, resulting in a wide-open competition for the No. 2 running back role behind Chuba Hubbard. If healthy, Brooks could be the favorite for that role. He'd presumably be eased back into action, but he has top-40 running back appeal if he's healthy for Week 1.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

February 15, 2026

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is trending up ahead of the NFL offseason. Fellow Niners receiver Jauan Jennings is headed for free agency, and given that his relationship with the team is rocky, it seems likely that he'll sign somewhere else. If Jennings does leave, and Brandon Aiyuk also departs as expected, that will open the door for Pearsall to step into the No. 1 receiver role. He showed the ability to handle a top role at times in 2025, but injuries prevented fantasy managers from being able to fully evaluate him. He ultimately finished his second pro season with 36 catches, 528 yards, and zero touchdowns across nine games. Because of his injury history, it might be tough for the 49ers to trust Pearsall as their No. 1 receiver. We wouldn't be surprised to see them go out and grab a top pass-catcher via trade or free agency, leaving Pearsall in the No. 2 role once again. He can absolutely still offer upside in fantasy football, though. The 49ers have a very capable offense, so Pearsall will be able to turn any workload into fantasy points. He ranks as a fringe top-36 fantasy receiver for 2026 and would jump into the top 24 if the 49ers don't bring in any competition for him.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller