RADIO
Mike Trout Back From the Injured List
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Wednesday that they reinstated outfielder Mike Trout (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list before their game against the division-rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field and designated infielder Donovan Walton for assignment in a corresponding move. Trout is serving as the Angels' designated hitter and will bat second in Wednesday's game against Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The 34-year-old three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star makes his return to the Halos' lineup without going on a minor-league rehab assignment after missing almost three weeks with a strained right hamstring. Although the former 25th overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft has had a resurgent 2026 season, nobody is expecting him to return to an MVP level the rest of the way, and injuries will probably continue to be an issue. But fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups after he has hit .234/.394/.472 with an .866 OPS, 17 homers, 36 RBI, 54 runs, and seven steals in his 265 at-bats this year. Trout is hitting .200 with an RBI in just five career at-bats against Gore.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Bailey Ober Expected to be Activated and Start on Thursday
The Athletic's Dan Hayes reports that it sounds as if right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start on Thursday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. It will be Ober's first start for the Twins since going on the IL in late May with a right flexor strain in his elbow. In his two minor-league rehab starts on the farm, Ober gave up seven runs with six strikeouts and no walks in 8 1/3 total innings. He got up to 76 pitches in his final rehab outing, so he shouldn't be faced with a pitch-count limit in his return to Minnesota's starting rotation this week. The 30-year-old veteran lacks considerable fantasy upside because of his decreased velocity and career 23.2% strikeout rate. In his 66 2/3 innings pitched with the Twins in 2026, Ober has a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate while going 6-3 with a 4.59 ERA (4.98 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, and 46:18 K:BB in 12 starts. In five starts in May, Ober went 3-2 with a rough 5.97 ERA (6.08 FIP), 17 strikeouts, and five walks in 28 2/3 innings. Nobody should be in a rush to scoop him up off the waiver wire or start him on Thursday against Cleveland.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Brendan Donovan Could Start Rehab Assignment Any Day Now
Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) worked out on Tuesday in Arizona and will go through another workout on Wednesday, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. The hope is that he will start playing in minor-league rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League after that. The 29-year-old utility man is making progress, but he's not going to be ready to rejoin Seattle's major-league roster before the end of the first half of the season this Sunday. Depending on how Donovan's rehab assignment goes, though, he could be ready for the start of the second half on Friday, July 17. The former seventh-rounder of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018 out of the University of South Alabama was expected to be a key contributor for the M's in 2026, but he's managed to play in just 25 games due to injuries, going 23-for-84 (.274) with three homers, eight RBI, nine runs, and a stolen base. Donovan is more attractive in real baseball than fantasy because of his low power/speed ceiling, but he hits for average and is eligible at second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield in Yahoo leagues. He's currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Devon Dampier Overlooked Among Star Quarterbacks in 2026
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier had a fantastic showing in his first year with the program, racking up 2,490 passing yards, 835 rushing yards, and 34 total touchdowns. He threw just five interceptions and led the Utes to 11 wins. Despite this, there isn't a ton of buzz surrounding the senior signal-caller entering 2026. Utah has the 17th-most experienced wide receiver group in the country (total snaps) according to PuntandRally.com and should not experience significant growing pains transitioning from Kyle Whittingham to Morgan Scalley, who has been on staff at Utah since 2007. Dampier and Utah are likely being overlooked in 2026, but the Utes could remain Big 12 title contenders in Scalley's first season at the helm. In 33 career games with New Mexico and Utah, Dampier has totaled over 8,000 yards of total offense and 75 touchdowns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Willson Contreras to Take Part in Home Run Derby
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras will take part in the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 13, during next week's All-Star break, becoming the first Red Sox player to participate in the event in 15 years, since Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz participated in the event in 2011 in Phoenix. In his first year in Boston, the three-time All-Star is in the midst of a career season, slashing .287/.381/.545 with a career-best .926 OPS, 20 home runs, 16 doubles, 61 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 87 games played and 362 plate appearances. Contreras' 20 home runs in the first half match his home run total from a year ago in 2025 in 135 games played in his final season with the St. Louis Cardinals. He's easily on pace to shatter his career high in the category of 24, which was set in 2019 with the Chicago Cubs in his fourth year in the league. The former catcher won't be one of the favorites in this year's Home Run Derby as a first-time participant.
Source: MassLive.com
Source: MassLive.com
Josh Jung Still Absent on Wednesday
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (knee) remains absent for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field, per MLB.com. Ezequiel Duran will make another start at third base and will bat fifth against Angels rookie right-hander Walbert Urena. Jung will sit out for a third straight game due to discomfort in his knee after he fouled a ball off his leg during the loss on Saturday to the Detroit Tigers. He's considered day-to-day for now, and fantasy managers will want to check back to see if he's available for the series finale on Thursday. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger has already had his fair share of injuries in the big leagues since debuting with Texas in 2022, but he has managed to stay healthy in 2026 and is having an excellent year at the plate. Through 83 games in his fifth year in the big leagues, Jung is slashing .297/.362/.449 with an .811 OPS, nine home runs, 34 RBI, 41 runs scored, and a steal in 359 plate appearances. Jung doesn't have as much power as the high-end fantasy third basemen, but he should be rostered in more than his current 43% number in Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Pirates Call Up Prospect Rafael Flores Jr., a Worth Waiver-Wire Target?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up catcher/first base prospect Rafael Flores Jr. from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday to take the roster spot of catcher Endy Rodriguez (glute), who is going on the 10-day injured list with a left-glute strain, manager Don Kelly told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Flores, 25, made his big-league debut last year and played in only seven games. He also was up with the Pirates' big-league squad earlier this year, but he appeared in just two games. In 22 total plate appearances in the majors, Flores has gone 5-for-18 with a homer, two RBI, two runs, four walks, and seven strikeouts. The former undrafted free agent out of Rio Hondo College will most likely just serve as catching depth behind Henry Davis to close out the first season this week, so fantasy managers in most leagues can ignore him off the waiver wire for now. In 65 games and 276 plate appearances at Indy this year, Flores has hit just .228/.362/.342 with a .704 OPS, four homers, 38 RBI, and 33 runs scored.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Tory Horton Still Waiting on a Clear Role in Seattle
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton is still interesting enough to hold in deeper dynasty leagues, but he needs more than last year's touchdown burst to become a real redraft target. Horton caught only 13 passes for 161 yards in eight games as a rookie, though five of those catches went for touchdowns, and he added a 95-yard punt-return score before a shin injury sent him to injured reserve. That kind of splash keeps him from being forgotten, especially with a full training-camp return expected. The problem is the receiving role. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and Rashid Shaheed are the names on Seattle's official depth chart, and Shaheed is also listed first on both return spots. RotoBaller has Horton buried outside the top 260 overall and around WR107, with no listed ADP, so the market is not asking managers to pay much. He is fine as a dynasty bench hold, but redraft managers can wait until camp reports show an actual offensive role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Giants Recall Catching Prospect Jesus Rodriguez From Triple-A
The San Francisco Giants announced on Wednesday that they recalled catcher/infielder/outfielder Jesus Rodriguez from Triple-A Sacramento and placed outfielder Jonah Cox (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 6) with a strained left oblique. Rodriguez, the Giants' No. 16-ranked prospect at MLB Pipeline, gets the call to the big leagues after hitting .274/.353/.405 with a .758 OPS, five home runs, 28 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 29 runs scored in 49 games at Triple-A. The 24-year-old Venezuelan made his major-league debut with the Gigantes earlier this year and went 9-for-39 (.231) with two home runs, seven RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base in 14 games and 43 plate appearances. Rodriguez is eligible only at catcher in Yahoo leagues, but he'll give San Fran versatility all over the diamond, as he's appeared at catcher, second base, third base, left field, and right field in the minors and majors in 2026. Daniel Susac (back) remains on the injured list, but it remains to be seen if Rodriguez will see enough playing time with the Giants to be worth a waiver-wire look in NL-only leagues.
Source: San Francisco Giants
Source: San Francisco Giants
Nico Collins is More Hold Than Buy at WR1 Price
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is not the easiest dynasty player to buy right now, but that does not make him someone to dump at a discount. Collins has cleared 1,000 yards in three straight seasons, including 71 catches for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns across 15 games last year. He is still only 27, still tied to C.J. Stroud, and Houston just bumped up his pay for 2026 and 2027 while keeping him under contract through next season. The price is the tricky part. RotoBaller has Collins as the WR8 in 2026 redraft rankings and WR13 in its July dynasty wide receiver rankings, so managers are already paying for a stable WR1. Tank Dell, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Dalton Schultz also give Stroud more places to go with the ball. Collins probably is not a screaming dynasty buy unless the price has softened, but he remains a strong hold and a reasonable contender target if his manager is worried about the deeper target tree.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
A's Send Max Muncy Down to Triple-A
The Athletics optioned infielder Max Muncy to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday to clear a roster spot for the return of first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (hip) from the 10-day injured list, according to MLB.com. Muncy will most likely be back in Sacramento with the A's at some point in the second half of the season for infield depth, but for now, he'll head to the farm and work on making more contact with the baseball. In his second big-league season, the 23-year-old former 25th overall pick in 2021 has hit just .227/.303/.396 with a .699 OPS, five home runs, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, three stolen bases, and a 33.1% strikeout rate in 46 games across 175 plate appearances. Muncy hit only .214 (44-for-206) with nine homers, 23 RBI, 17 runs, and a 30.9% strikeout rate in his first 63 major-league games for the A's in 2025. The right-hander has eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop and has decent power, making him attractive to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Right now, Muncy is only rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Travis Etienne Jr. Better as a Win-Now Piece Than Rebuild Hold
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. still has plenty of short-term dynasty value, but he fits contenders better than rebuilding teams. Etienne is entering his age-27 season after giving Jacksonville 1,107 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 36 catches, 292 receiving yards, and six receiving scores in 17 games last year. New Orleans then brought him home on a four-year deal, so this is not a throwaway veteran signing. The tricky part is figuring out how clean the workload will be. Alvin Kamara is still in the building, and Kellen Moore has talked about finding roles for multiple backs rather than simply handing everything to one player. That does not kill Etienne's value, but it does make him easier to like for 2026 production than as a long-range dynasty anchor. RotoBaller has him ranked as the RB15 across formats, which is already starter pricing. Contenders can still buy if they need points now, but rebuilders should be willing to cash out if someone is paying near low-end RB1 value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Breece Hall Still Worth Buying for Dynasty Contenders
New York Jets running back Breece Hall is not cheap in dynasty, but he still looks more like a buy for contenders than a player to sell before the 2026 season. Hall is only 25, just signed a multi-year extension, and gave the Jets a career-high 1,065 rushing yards last year despite another uneven offensive season. He also caught 36 passes for 350 yards, giving him 1,415 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns in 16 games. The one thing holding him out of the top dynasty RB tier is workload certainty. His passing-game role was much lighter than it was in 2023, and the Jets still want Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis involved enough to make this more than a one-man backfield. Even so, Hall is locked in as the lead back, carries RB14 value in RotoBaller's July dynasty rankings, and has the contract security rebuilding managers usually want from young backs. Rebuilders do not need to overpay, but win-now teams should be buying if his manager is worried about the committee talk.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elijah Sarratt Needs Camp Buzz Before Redraft Appeal
Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Elijah Sarratt has enough dynasty appeal to keep stashed, but his redraft case still needs help. The fourth-round rookie brings a real college resume after catching 65 passes for 830 yards and an FBS-leading 15 touchdowns at Indiana last season, and Baltimore's own draft coverage has pointed to his size, contested-catch ability, and possible red-zone usefulness. That matters in a Ravens offense that could use more big targets after adding Sarratt and third-rounder Ja'Kobi Lane. The problem is that Sarratt is not walking into a clean role. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman sit atop the depth chart, Devontez Walker has been framed as the current favorite for No. 3 receiver work, and Lane was drafted a round earlier. RotoBaller's board also has Sarratt outside the top 240 overall and around WR99, with no listed ADP. He is a good taxi-squad stash and late rookie-draft swing, but redraft managers can leave him alone unless August reports point to a real offensive role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Roman Hemby Strictly a Deep Dynasty Watch in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Raiders running back Roman Hemby is not a redraft name to force into 2026 drafts, but he is at least worth filing away in deeper dynasty leagues. The 6-foot, 210-pound rookie went undrafted, then landed with a Raiders backfield that already has Ashton Jeanty locked into the lead role and fourth-rounder Mike Washington Jr. positioned for a real shot at No. 2 work. Hemby does bring something to the table. He rushed for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns at Indiana last season, added 17 catches, and had a productive four-year run at Maryland before transferring. He also played with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, which does not guarantee anything but gives him some built-in familiarity if he sticks. The issue is roster math. Dylan Laube has special-teams value, Chris Collier is also competing for reps, and Hemby has no draft capital pushing him onto the field. He is a taxi-squad stash in deep dynasty formats, not a player redraft managers need to draft.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eric McAlister Carries Deep-League Stash Appeal for Dynasty Managers
As a senior at TCU in 2025, wide receiver Eric McAlister (foot) recorded 72 catches for 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns across 13 games. Despite the standout production against high-major competition, McAlister was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft and currently remains a free agent. The 23-year-old is recovering from a Jones fracture in his foot that he suffered during his pro day and also has a history of some off-field issues, both of which have likely factored into his current free agent status. Still, McAlister's talent and collegiate production should make him an appealing prospect for NFL teams once he's fully healthy. In deeper dynasty leagues, managers may want to consider stashing McAlister before he finds an NFL home and his value skyrockets.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
A's Reinstate Tyler Soderstrom From the Injured List
The Athletics announced on Wednesday that they reinstated first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (hip) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Max Muncy to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Soderstrom should be right back in the A's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest in Detroit against right-hander Troy Melton after missing just one day over the minimum on the 10-day injured list due to a left-hip impingement. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger will return to being the team's primary left fielder on an everyday basis. Soderstrom is returning to a .242/.343/.460 slash line with an .803 OPS, 13 homers, 41 RBI, 41 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 289 at-bats in 2026. After breaking out in 2025 with 25 homers and 93 RBI in 158 games played, Soderstrom is a burgeoning power asset for fantasy managers in all formats, especially at home at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. Get him back into your starting lineups immediately to close out the first half of the regular season this week.
Source: A's Communications
Source: A's Communications
Bryan Woo's Road Struggles Masking Second-Half Value?
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo has not been automatic away from home, and that may be the only opening fantasy managers get in trade talks. The 26-year-old gave up nine hits, one walk, and four runs, three earned, over five innings Tuesday, July 7, against Miami. His home-road split is hard to ignore, with Woo sitting at 6-0 with a 2.10 ERA in Seattle and 1-6 with a 6.28 ERA on the road. The full profile is still a lot better than the road blowups. Woo has a 4.23 ERA, but the 1.07 WHIP, 102 strikeouts, 20 walks, and 3.06 FIP are not the numbers of a pitcher to panic-sell. Since he is already rostered in roughly 98% of leagues, this is a trade-market play, not a waiver chase. Check in if his manager is annoyed, but do not sell low.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pitching Prospect Hayden Mullins Gets the Call to Triple-A
The Boston Red Sox have promoted left-handed pitching prospect Hayden Mullins from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, according to Milb.com. Mullins, the club's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned the promotion to the highest minor-league level by going 3-1 with a 5.85 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 73:31 K:BB in 47 2/3 innings pitched across 12 appearances (11 starts) for Portland in the first half. The 25-year-old former 12th-round pick in 2022 out of Auburn University didn't have great numbers at Double-A, but his 34.8% strikeout rate ranked second in the Eastern League. The 6-foot, 194-pounder could eventually make his way into Boston's big-league starting rotation by the end of the 2026 season because of his swing-and-miss fastball. Mullins' low-80s slider is also viewed as a plus secondary pitch, and he adds a sinking changeup and a work-in-progress cutter. A complicated delivery with a lot of moving parts needs to be refined, though, and can get him in trouble with his control. Mullins' ceiling might be as a backend starting pitcher at the next level.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Has Jakobi Meyers' Redraft Stock Fallen Too Far?
After being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders by the Jacksonville Jaguars at the 2025 trade deadline, veteran wide receiver Jakobi Meyers recorded 42 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns on 61 targets across nine games with the Jags. Meyers was a major fantasy asset following the trade, checking in as the WR23 in per-game PPR scoring from Week 10 onwards. Entering his first full season with Jacksonville in 2026, Meyers could see more competition for targets. Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. could be in line for a bounce-back season after an injury-marred 2025, and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (knee) had already suffered his season-ending knee injury by the time Jacksonville acquired Meyers. Still, Meyers may be the most reliable option available for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. With a current redraft ADP of WR47, Meyers now projects as a value pick for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Freddy Peralta a Buy-Low Arm Before the Break?
New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta has not made life easy on fantasy managers, but the buy-low window is at least worth checking before the All-Star break. The 30-year-old is 5-7 with a 4.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts through 100 innings, which is a long way from the SP2 value managers thought they were getting. His latest outing against Atlanta was not a clean win either, though six strikeouts and only one earned run over 4 2/3 innings were a step in the right direction. There is still enough here to avoid panic-selling. Peralta's 4.29 FIP and .301 xwOBA are better than the surface damage, so this is more hold-and-shop than cut bait. Since he was still rostered in 93% of Yahoo leagues in RotoBaller's latest Cut List, Peralta is a cautious buy-low target only if the other manager is fed up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Khalil Shakir Could Be Facing a Reduced Workload in 2026
Across 16 games (10 starts) in 2025, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir recorded 72 catches for 719 yards and four touchdowns on 95 targets. The 26-year-old has been a high-floor, low-ceiling wide receiver option for fantasy managers in recent seasons, finishing as the WR37 in per-game PPR scoring in 2024 and the WR43 by the same measure in 2025. Shakir's primary usage in the Bills offense is as a short-area target out of the slot, as he averaged 10 yards per reception and 7.6 yards per target last year. Shakir has averaged 6.3 targets per game since the start of 2024, but he may not see such steady volume in 2026 following Buffalo's offseason acquisition of veteran wideout DJ Moore. Given Shakir's dependence on target volume for fantasy production, dynasty managers may want to consider moving him ahead of a possible workload decline in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Javier Assad Back on the Waiver Radar While Starting?
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Javier Assad is not a strikeout play, but he is at least back in the rotation conversation after Sunday's useful turn against St. Louis. The 28-year-old held the Cardinals to two hits and two walks over 4 2/3 scoreless innings on July 5, though he only struck out two and did not factor into the decision. Assad now owns a 6-1 record, 4.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings, with seven starts and seven relief appearances. That last part matters. Assad has helped the Cubs as a swingman, and his 5.27 K/9 and 5.11 FIP make this more of a matchup/volume play than a breakout arm. Still, ratios and wins can matter in deeper leagues. With RotoBaller's latest waiver rankings listing him at 11% rostered, Assad fits 15-team formats or NL-only leagues for managers who need a back-end starter while the role holds.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Whisenhunt Coming Up to Start on Thursday?
The San Francisco Giants are listing TBA for Thursday night's game against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, and the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser suggests it seems like where left-handed pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt would slot in. Manager Tony Vitello has not committed to Whisenhunt returning to make his second start in the big leagues this year on Thursday, but he acknowledged that the southpaw is a candidate to start before next week's All-Star break. If Whisenhunt comes up from Triple-A Sacramento, it would push all of Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, and Trevor McDonald to the final three games of the first half of the season. In his lone start with the Giants this year on June 17 against the Atlanta Braves, Whisenhunt gave up two runs while walking two and striking out two in five innings. The 25-year-old has posted a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 82:37 K:BB in 77 1/3 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this year on the farm. Per MLB Pipeline, he's San Fran's No. 11 prospect, and the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has one of the best changeups among all pitching prospects. Because he could just be a spot starter for the Giants once again to close out the first half, fantasy managers in redraft leagues won't want to spend too much to acquire him if he returns this week.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Gunnar Helm a Priority Redraft Sleeper Target Entering 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm hauled in 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets across 16 games as a rookie. While Helm's numbers don't leap off the page, he compiled them while primarily playing behind tight end Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo has departed Tennessee for the Washington Commanders in free agency, leaving Helm atop the Titans tight end depth chart heading into 2026. With a new play-caller in place in Brian Daboll and quarterback Cam Ward entering his second season, Tennessee should also field a more productive pass game overall this year. Helm may not have elite fantasy upside, but he could easily emerge as a steady contributor and a trusted target for Ward. As the 26th tight end off the board by current redraft ADP, Helm profiles as a priority sleeper target for fantasy managers entering 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Iowa State Has Zero Returning Starters in 2026
After the departure of longtime head coach Matt Campbell, Iowa State enters the 2026 campaign with zero returning offensive or defensive starters. Jimmy Rogers' first year at the helm is likely to feature significant growing pains, but the 39-year-old is not conceding to having a rough season. "There's a lot of curiosity about our roster, but I'm very confident in the players we've been able to bring in," Rogers said. "We'll be very competitive." Rogers takes over the Cyclones program after a 6-6 season at Washington State that followed a 27-3 run and an FCS National Championship in two seasons at South Dakota State. While the odds are stacked against his program in 2026, he is used to dealing with roster turnover at the FCS level.
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Cooper Pratt Bringing Cheap Speed to Waiver Wires?
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt is still finding his way with the bat, and the reason to care in fantasy is simple: stolen bases. The 21-year-old, MLB Pipeline's No. 63 overall prospect when he came up on June 16, is hitting .217/.342/.283 with no homers, four RBI, nine runs, and six steals through 60 at-bats. He did flash more than speed Tuesday, July 7, going 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs, and a two-run double in the second game of Milwaukee's doubleheader sweep of St. Louis. Before the promotion, Pratt posted a .241/.349/.386 line with six homers and 17 steals in 220 Triple-A at-bats. The power has not really shown up yet, and a 6.4% barrel rate keeps that part of the profile in wait-and-see mode. The walks and speed are more useful right now. At 3% rostered on Yahoo, Pratt fits as a 15-team speed add, not a standard-league priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Should Dynasty Managers Be Looking to Sell Pat Freiermuth?
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth saw his numbers decline across the board in 2025, as he finished the season with 41 catches for 486 yards and four touchdowns on 54 targets across 17 games (eight starts). After finishing as the TE13 by per-game PPR scoring in 2024, Freiermuth slipped down to TE32 by the same measure in 2025. Freiermuth could see a target boost in 2026 following the departure of former Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith in free agency. However, Pittsburgh signed tight end Darnell Washington to a lucrative contract extension and also brought in a high-volume target earner in wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. In dynasty formats, Freiermuth profiles as a sell candidate ahead of what could be another year of production decline.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denzer Guzman a Deep-League Power Target on Waivers?
Los Angeles Angels third baseman/shortstop Denzer Guzman is not exactly forcing his way into shallow-league lineups yet, but there is enough here for fantasy managers in deeper formats to pay attention. The 22-year-old hit his way back to Los Angeles after slashing .336/.403/.571 with 12 homers, 57 RBI, and nine steals over 58 games at Triple-A Salt Lake, and the Angels gave him a real look at third base once he arrived. Through 91 major-league at-bats, Guzman is batting .253/.306/.385 with three homers, 13 RBI, eight runs, and one steal. The profile still needs some patience. His 7.4% barrel rate, 35.3% hard-hit rate, and 86.9 mph average exit velocity do not scream instant breakout, but the minor-league production and regular at-bats give him a path to matter. Rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues, Guzman is more of a 15-team corner/middle-infield flier for cheap power than a player managers need to chase in standard formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Mason Emerging as a Redraft Sleeper Entering 2026
Across 16 games (five starts) in 2025, Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason recorded 809 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 173 touches. The 27-year-old has recorded just 28 receptions in 61 career NFL games, so his fantasy upside in PPR-scoring leagues is limited. Mason will also likely continue to split playing time in Minnesota with veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr., capping the workload potential of both backs. However, Jones Sr. is entering his age-32 season and has missed at least five games in two out of the last three years. Mason profiles as the better early-down and goal line rusher of the two backs, and the Vikings overall offense should be significantly improved with better quarterback play in 2026. As the 41st running back off the board by current redraft ADP, Mason profiles as a sneaky sleeper for fantasy managers to target in drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
