Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.
Sept. 7: What Tua being named starter means for Falcons
By Matt Bowen
With the Atlanta Falcons naming Tua Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback for the Week 1 game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, let's discuss the fantasy implications for head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense.
From a scheme perspective, Tagovailoa is a fit for what Stefanski wants at the position. A timing and rhythm thrower, Tagovailoa can be set up to throw with accuracy (68% career completion percentage) in a heavy play-action pass game. Look for deep in-breakers to Drake London here, along with the crossers and intermediate throws to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. Plus, I do see Stefanski scripting isolation targets for both London and Pitts to generate positive matchups for Tagovailoa.
As it stands, Tagovailoa has some value in deeper 2QB Superflex formats. London will stay as a lower-tier WR1 in my ranks, while Pitts remains a mid-tier TE1 -- with breakout game ability.
In the Falcons backfield, there is no change with Bijan Robinson. Stefanski's offense will cater to Robinson's dual-threat ability with high-end rushing volume and receiving opportunities. You can lock him as an elite RB1.
Sept. 4: Names to know in deep/keeper leagues before this weekend's draft
By Michael F. Florio
Drafting this weekend in a deep or a keeper league and need some names to keep in mind? In deep leagues, you are looking for stashes that have the chance to return value later in the season. In keeper leagues, you are looking for the same, but more so with players that could be values in drafts next year as well. Here are players that you should not forget about if you're in these types of leagues.
WR Jordyn Tyson was a middle-round pick before his hamstring injury. The New Orleans Saints first-round pick is extremely talented, with a playcaller in Kellen Moore who has run a pass-first offense in the past. He is a fantastic IR stash who could blossom into a second-half contributor. Those in keeper leagues should draft and stash, as he is sure to be more expensive next season.
Seattle Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet is eligible to return in Week 5. He likely returns to RB3 value shortly thereafter and can be found in the late rounds.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza is not starting to open the season, meaning he is likely going to be undrafted in many formats. Still, the No. 1 pick is tied to a strong play caller and two elite offensive players (Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty) around him. He will play at some point and, if he hits, he will shoot up draft boards next season. Those are the kind of chances worth taking in the later rounds of keeper leagues.
Miami Dolphins QB Malik Willis can be found in the later rounds of drafts and brings QB1 upside. Here is the stat to know: Since 2000, 44 QBs have ran 100-plus times in a season, with 60% of them averaging 20 fantasy PPG. All but five averaged 17.4 points per game, which was the criteria to be a QB1 in fantasy last season.
WRs Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell are potentially the top targets for Willis in Miami this year. Douglas has received rave reviews from Dolphins camp and played every snap in preseason with Willis. Bell had first-round NFL Draft hype before he tore his ACL. Both have the upside to become weekly contributors.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter is simply a bet on talent. We are unsure what his role/usage will look like and, due to that, he can be had in the late rounds of drafts. He has the capability to be a weekly fantasy contributor if the offensive role is big enough. Plus, think of the hype in a keeper league if he hits!
Baltimore Ravens WR Ja'Kobi Lane has a chance to become the WR2 this season. His red zone capabilities on an offense led by Lamar Jackson means he has the potential to "touchdown his way" to fantasy relevance, even as the WR3. With a strong rookie showing, Lane could climb into the middle rounds of drafts next year, making him worth a late-round flier in keeper leagues.
San Francisco 49ers RB Kaelon Black played over Jordan James in the preseason and seems like the RB2 for the Niners. We have seen many backup backs become fantasy relevant under Kyle Shanahan. He has RB2 upside if Christian McCaffrey were to miss time.
Tennessee Titans RB Nicholas Singleton is more for those in keeper leagues. He likely will not contribute early, but we could see him take over as the season goes on. The key here is that both Titans RBs (Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears) are free agents after the season.
Sept. 3: When to pick Swift and Odunze if you're drafting Thursday?
By Eric Moody
D'Andre Swift and Rome Odunze both left Chicago Bears practice Thursday with injuries, which creates some uncertainty for anyone drafting tonight.
Odunze appeared to injure his right leg early in practice. He reportedly tried to stay on the field and didn't seem overly concerned, but trainers eventually shut him down for the day. Swift left later after a carry while holding his midsection or core area and appeared to be in significant discomfort. The Bears have not provided an official diagnosis for either player yet.
So, what should you do if you're drafting tonight?
I'm not taking either player off my board, but ultimately it comes down to whatever your risk tolerance is.
Swift is currently the RB20 in ESPN leagues, while Odunze is the WR26. With so little information available, both could fall tonight as managers react to the news. If either player slips about a round past his usual draft spot -- Swift (51.7 ADP) and Odunze (64.9) -- I'd be willing to take him.
Swift carries a little more risk because of how uncomfortable he reportedly looked. Chicago is also dealing with an injury to Kyle Monangai, who is working his way back from a knee issue. If Swift were to miss Week 1 and Monangai wasn't ready, Roschon Johnson would be next in line. Odunze's situation sounds a little more encouraging. He tried to keep practicing before the training staff pulled him, and so far, there hasn't been anything suggesting the injury is serious.
If you draft either player, make sure you have another option you'd be comfortable starting in Week 1. Chris Godwin Jr. and Quentin Johnston are receivers available later in drafts with favorable Week 1 matchups, while Jordan Mason is an intriguing late round running back option. Aaron Jones Sr. and Mason had nearly identical preseason usage, which suggests they could split the rushing workload evenly this season.
If you don't like taking on injury risk, stay away.
But if your league starts pushing Swift or Odunze well past their normal draft range, you might want to be willing to take the discount. One round past ADP is where I'd be comfortable smashing the draft button on either player.
Sept. 1: Lions' Pacheco heads to IR, out four games
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
Signed in March to a one-year, $1.81 million deal to replace David Montgomery as Jahmyr Gibbs' backfield partner/primary backup, Isiah Pacheco on Tuesday was placed on injured reserve by the Detroit Lions, ruling him out for the season's first four games. Pacheco had been dealing with an MCL sprain, but coach Dan Campbell raised more recent concerns about the 27-year-old's back, which ultimately led to the IR decision.
Pacheco's absence thrusts Gibbs, already a fantasy football superstar and the No. 1 player being picked on average in ESPN leagues, further into the spotlight. Already an explosive runner -- he's nicknamed "Sonic" for a reason -- Gibbs is also one of the game's best receiving running backs as well as a sound goal-line runner who has converted 11 of his 15 career chances into scores. There's little to quibble about with his game, and with his backup situation no longer completely clear, he could be in for the kind of workload that produces historic stat totals.
Though I have had Bijan Robinson ranked ahead of Gibbs all preseason, I've swapped them following this news. Gibbs now has a clear edge at the position.
As for that backup situation, zero-RB drafters can add a new name to their list of late-round candidates: Jacob Saylors. The former UFL standout averaged 6.0 yards per carry this preseason and took four of his 31 rushing attempts for 10-plus yards. Fantasy managers in ESPN standard leagues can monitor Saylors' usage in Week 1, as the Lions had previously leaned heavily upon Montgomery, but Saylors is beneath the roster-worthy threshold unless his workload is within range of that.
Aug. 30: What to know about the Packers' RB situation
By Eric Moody
The NFL placed Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list Sunday after he was formally charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. Jacobs has denied the allegations.
The commissioner's exempt list is an administrative move, not a suspension or a final ruling. Jacobs will continue to be paid, but he cannot practice or play while he's on the list and does not count against Green Bay's 53-man roster. There is no timetable for how long he'll remain on the list, and the NFL could still issue discipline later. That makes Jacobs difficult to value in fantasy drafts. There's no way to know how many games he might miss, and his placement on the exemption list does not make him eligible for the fantasy injured reserve list.
For now, it is safe to assume that MarShawn Lloyd will be the starting running back in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay also traded for Kaleb Johnson, who had 69 yards on 28 carries as a rookie in Pittsburgh. Lloyd has looked good this preseason and has worked with the starting offense, but durability remains the concern. Injuries have limited the 2024 third-round pick to just one career regular-season game. As long as Jacobs remains away from the team, Lloyd has a legitimate chance to lead this backfield. He should move up draft boards and immediately enters the flex conversation based on the volume alone. If I were drafting tonight, I'd be looking at Lloyd in Round 7 or 8, after Jadarian Price, Bhayshul Tuten and TreVeyon Henderson are off the board. I might still be willing to take Jacobs in the double-digit rounds, assuming my roster build can take on the risk. Lloyd's injury history also makes Johnson worth a late-round pick in deeper leagues where players such as Tank Bigsby and Dylan Sampson have marginal value.
Aug. 30: Aaron Donald returns to stacked Rams D/ST
By Adam Rank
Perhaps one of the worst-kept secrets in the NFL, kind of like when CM Punk returned to the WWE at Survivor Series 2023. We knew it was going to happen, we just weren't sure when. But Aaron Donald is back with the Los Angeles Rams. And a defense that was already pretty good has a chance to become elite. But what does this have to do with fantasy football? I'm glad you asked.
The Rams are currently listed at the D/ST No. 5 (173) in our ESPN Top 300 list. I know a lot of folks tend to think of D/ST as an afterthought. Something you draft at the very end of the draft, or sometimes not at all because you're going to stream a defense in Week 1. I'll even admit that I sometimes adhere to that strategy.
The Houston Texans are currently ranked as the top defense, followed by the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks. The Rams should immediately jump to the top three. The Rams open with the San Francisco 49ers (Mac Jones beat them pretty well last year), New York Giants (intriguing) and the Broncos. But Los Angeles appears to be matchup-proof at this point, as this defensive line should be able to generate sacks and turnovers against some of the best defenses in the league.
Week 1 lookahead
All three of the top defenses have rather tough matchups out of the gate. The Texans have the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. The Broncos have the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Philosophy is the biggest thing here. Do you want to draft a defense you can set or forget? Or do you want to work to find the best option each week? For Week 1, you might look for the Jaguars (vs. Cleveland Browns) or Green Bay Packers (at Minnesota Vikings).
Aug 30: What I noticed on Saturday
By Adam Rank
The final weekend of NFL preseason can be rather uneventful. Most starters are on the bench. Many of the games feel like the opening act of a concert as you wait for the headliner. But here is what stood out on Saturday night.
Can we talk about Zavion Thomas? He caught all five of his targets for 140 yards and a 97-yard touchdown. He was even out there returning punts. Pretty much doing it all. This is great news for Bears fans. Ben Johnson has so many weapons to play with right now. It's going to be grueling for fantasy managers who are going to need to navigate this situation every week. We all know Luther Burden III has garnered the most headlines during the pre-draft season. Buzzing up draft boards. Watching Thomas could be a problem. In fact, the Bears still have Kalif Raymond, Ray-Ray McCloud and others who will get some significant targets. Even Sam Roush was showing out against the Titans in joint practices during the week. I've been telling folks if you want to get into the Bears business this year, you're probably safer taking Caleb Williams and enjoying the points, no matter who he is throwing the ball to. It's going to be very crowded.
Aug. 29: What you need to know from Friday's games
By Michael Florio
There were 10 NFL preseason games on Friday night, and though many teams did not dress their starters and used the game to figure out the back end of their rosters, some regulars were out there. Here are the key fantasy takeaways from those games and other happenings around the NFL.
Tua Tagovailoa started for the Atlanta Falcons and threw for 95 yards and a botched snap for a fumble. The Falcons have yet to name a starting QB. Those who draft Drake London might be hoping Michael Penix Jr. starts, as London averaged over 20 fantasy PPG with him last season. The star of the game was Kyle Pitts Sr., who turned three targets into 59 yards, including a 37-yard catch-and-run. Pitts brings a lot of upside with Kevin Stefanski, who targeted tight ends at the third-highest rate during his Cleveland Browns tenure.
Rookie receiver Makai Lemon got his first preseason action after missing time this preseason due to a hamstring injury. He finished with three catches for three yards on five targets. There is not much to take away, as the Philadelphia Eagles' regulars did not dress, but it was nice to see Lemon healthy again and back out there. He is an upside shot worth taking at his current ADP of WR52.
Miami Dolphins receivers Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington both sat with the starters, indicating they are atop the depth chart. While both are later-round fantasy picks, I have been taking Douglas in a lot of my drafts. He has been the star of Dolphins camp this summer. The story of the game last night was Chris Bell making his debut. Bell was expected to potentially go in the first round of the NFL draft before he tore his ACL. He finished with two catches for 22 yards on five targets. This was likely just him getting some work in as he returns from injury. It might take a few weeks for him to fully get up to speed, but there is potential here in the later rounds or as a waiver wire name this season. Dynasty players should take note.
The Kansas City Chiefs played their starting skill position players, with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy operating in two-receiver sets. Tyquan Thornton, not Cyrus Allen, was the WR3. Running back Emmett Johnson started and saw the bulk of opportunities early on, turning seven carries and two targets into 54 total yards. Pending an outside addition, he appears locked in as Kenneth Walker III's insurance back.
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary did not dress for Friday's game, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. started and shared work with Najee Harris. This is a telling sign that Singletary is the current insurance back to draft behind Cam Skattebo.
Giants reporter Jordan Raanan wrote that it was likely that Malachi Fields starts the season as the No. 2 receiver, in part due to his size and blocking ability. Fields can be an immediate red zone weapon, which we have already seen in the preseason. He sat with the starters Friday night, while Darius Slayton and Odell Beckham Jr. both suited up. This puts Fields in the late-round range in 12-team leagues or deeper.
The Denver Broncos held out all their regulars, which included running backs RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman. Harvey is the high-upside RB2 worth drafting in the middle rounds. Coleman has clearly made a good impression and could take the lead role if J.K. Dobbins misses time. He is worth taking in the later rounds of drafts. Pat Bryant was also held out after running with the starters as the WR3 last week. He seems locked into that role to start the season. He is more of a dynasty stash to start the year.
Alec Pierce was activated off the PUP list and returned to practice Thursday. He said Friday that Week 1 was still his goal. When healthy, Pierce is one of the best field-stretchers in the NFL, having led the league in yards per catch each of the last two seasons. After signing the largest free agent wide receiver contract ever, a bump in usage could be coming his way. Pierce's WR36 ADP is a fair price given the risk and reward. I have been targeting him once I fill out my starting lineup and reach the reserve picks.
Raiders reporter Ryan McFadden believes Mike Washington Jr.'s play this preseason has changed the staff's perspective of the RB room. Ashton Jeanty is still an RB1 who should be drafted in the second round, but Washington is quickly climbing draft boards into the middle-round range. He is a top insurance back and could have standalone value.
Aug. 28: Who stood out Thursday night?
By Liz Loza
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
The Steelers and Bills rested their top-tier starters, locking in both teams' premier fantasy talents. Buffalo started fourth-round rookie WR Skyler Bell, who had missed previous playing time while working through a groin issue. The 24-year-old UConn product put forth a solid debut effort, leading the offense in rushing and receiving. Bell excels at gaining separation via crafty route technique while compiling extra yardage courtesy of his change-of-direction ability. He projects as a slot or "Z" receiver at the next level. He's not expected to be a factor in redraft leagues, but his dynasty stock should be monitored.
New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns
Neither team's core starters suited up Thursday night. However, Patriots WR Kyle Williams continued to make noise. With Kayshon Boutte off to Houston, the speedy Washington State alum appears to have earned a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Williams hauled in his third touchdown grab of the preseason Thursday evening. He's battling with Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas for No. 3 WR duties. Williams' presence as a vertical threat could lead to boom efforts, particularly in best-ball formats, but his overall profile doesn't offer much regular fantasy value.
San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders
Leaning on the leg of Eddy Pineiro, San Francisco topped Las Vegas by a score of 18-12 in both teams' final preseason showing. Rookie sensation De'Zhaun Stribling sat, solidifying his regular-season starting status. Khalil Herbert led the squad in rushing, likely securing his role as a depth option behind Christian McCaffrey.
Klint Kubiak refused to state the obvious and officially name Kirk Cousins as the Raiders' Week 1 starter after the team's preseason loss to San Francisco. The vet took the field first, completing 8 of 11 attempts while leading the squad to two field goals. Fernando Mendoza followed shortly thereafter, tossing one pick and collecting two sacks. Clearly still in the developmental stage of his career, Mendoza remains a waiver wire option only in redraft and a high-investment hold in dynasty formats.
Fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. stepped into the Raiders' RB1 role with Ashton Jeanty sidelined (ankle). The Arkansas product broke off numerous chunk gains early in the contest. In possession of 99th percentile speed (4.33), Washington is a high-motor RB who has the size and strength to break tackles while picking up extra yards after contact. He's firmly entrenched as the squad's RB2, offering elite backup value in the double-digit rounds of ESPN Fantasy drafts.
Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers
Sean McVay rested the Rams' key starters. Jim Harbaugh, on the other hand, teased fantasy fans by briefly rolling out Justin Herbert. The QB completed 2 of 3 passes, losing a fumble and then connecting with Quentin Johnston on a gorgeous 65-yard touchdown. It's a positive sign for the team's aerial attack, now under the design of new OC Mike McDaniel. Herbert remains one of the virtual game's most intriguing values, offering top-10 positional upside in the 10th round of drafts. Meanwhile, Johnston, who appears fully recovered from a lower-body malady, endures as a late-round bounce-back candidate, worthy of being redeemed in an offense suited to explosive playmaking and YAC prowess.
Aug. 27: Why 49ers' Evans is worth taking at his current ADP
By Eric Moody
Managers got some encouraging news on Mike Evans this week. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Evans' recent groin injury is considered minor and that the 33-year-old plans to play in the San Francisco 49ers' Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Evans also dealt with a quad issue during training camp, however, so his health is still worth monitoring.
The good news is that some of that concern is already reflected in Evans' draft cost. Evans currently is being selected as the WR34 in ESPN leagues. At that price, you're not drafting the version of Evans who opened his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. You're also not paying for that version.
Evans has been one of the most consistent receivers of his generation, having accumulated 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns, with six seasons of double-digit scores. Last year was different. Injuries limited him to eight games, and his efficiency dipped. Evans ranked 49th in yards per route run and 55th in yards per catch. However, he averaged 7.5 targets and 12.7 fantasy points per game over the final four games of the season, showing that he's still a capable receiver at this stage of his career.
One thing I'll be looking for early on is his chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy. Evans has missed enough practice time that the two haven't had much work together. It may take a little time before everything clicks.
The fit in San Francisco is also fascinating. Kyle Shanahan has gotten plenty out of his outside receivers over the years, and Evans could see more opportunities on in-breaking routes and over the middle of the field. He hasn't been used that way very often, but over the past six seasons he has averaged 3.47 yards per route run on in-routes.
The opportunity for targets should be there. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, Brandon Aiyuk isn't expected to play for San Francisco and George Kittle is coming back from a torn Achilles. Evans has a legitimate chance to be one of Purdy's top targets, and our projections reflect that.
Touchdowns are where Evans can really pay off in fantasy. Purdy has a 6.2% touchdown rate since entering the league. Our own Mike Clay projects Evans for 101 targets -- most among 49ers players -- and six touchdowns. That would be solid production for a player being drafted as WR34.
Yes, there is the age factor. Since 2000, 73% of wide receiver seasons with at least 15 FPPG have come from players between the ages of 23 and 29. It's rare to see that type of production from a receiver Evans' age. Managers won't complain if Evans averages somewhere between 12 and 15 FPPG this season. That's within the realm of possibility if he stays healthy and capitalizes on his red zone opportunities.
You don't need Evans to look like he did five years ago for this pick to work. You're drafting him as a flex or WR3. If Evans stays on the field, there's a good chance he outperforms his average draft position.
Aug. 24: Streaming potential for Boutte in Houston
By Matt Bowen
On Monday, the Houston Texans traded for veteran wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, so let's discuss any fantasy implications from this deal.
Boutte scored 8.9 PPG last season in New England, posting double-digit production in five of 14 games played, which included the 26.3 points he dropped on the Saints in Week 6. He's a steady player on tape, one who displays route savvy, toughness and ball skills. However, Boutte lacks the speed to separate consistently, and he's not a true deep ball target.
Now, I get why Houston made the move here. Jayden Higgins went down last week with an ACL injury, plus Tank Dell -- who made a brief appearance earlier in camp -- is still recovering from a major knee injury at the end of the 2024 season. As of now, Boutte will be in competition for the No. 3 role with the Texans.
With the expected No.1 volume for Nico Collins and an improved Texans run game, Boutte most likely projects as a matchup-based streaming option this season.
Aug 24: How to monitor Jeanty if you're drafting Monday
By Matt Bowen
Fantasy managers went through it Sunday night with the news on Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, who went down in practice with an injury. Original reports mentioned a potential knee injury as well as pointing out that Jeanty had to be helped off the field and couldn't put weight on the leg. However, with more updates, that injury in now considered a right ankle sprain, but the news is still pretty lean on a timetable for return, rehab and more.
While we wait for further reports, and most likely more testing on Jeanty's ankle, how do we approach this situation in Vegas?
Jeanty is currently my RB8 in the rankings, and I like the fit under new head coach Klint Kubiak behind an offensive line that added some players this offseason. He can finish as a top-five scorer at the position this season.
But if I'm in a league that is scheduled to draft Monday, well, I have to drop Jeanty a couple of spots into that RB10-12 range. And that seems fair knowing that Jeanty might not be ready for Week 1. Plus, we also have to mention Raiders' rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. The Arkansas product has flashed this preseason, showing his speed and contact balance to rip off explosive plays. The same stuff we saw on his SEC tape here. He can roll.
Washington should be targeted as a draftable player in 10- and 12-team leagues. In addition to being a prime insurance back (I would really try to land Washington if you draft Jeanty), the rookie could see No.1 volume in the opening week matchup versus the Miami Dolphins at home.
Yes, this is still a wait-and-see approach given Jeanty's uncertain status, and we will update the situation as more news rolls in.
Aug. 23: What you need to know from Saturday's games
By Adam Rank
It would figure that one of the most polarizing battles in the fantasy community is for the Dallas Cowboys' RB2 position. You have the Jaydon Blue truthers (myself included) and the others. And Blue had a monster game on Saturday ... OK, fine, it was pretty good. The numbers are the numbers. But Blue showed some good burst and then went full Ezekiel Elliott, hurdling a Cardinals defender. Was it enough to cement his spot as the No. 2 guy? I'm guessing not. Malik Davis also had his moments, including an 8-yard touchdown reception. So really, you have to pick your side and dive in.
Here are some other notes I picked up watching a full day of football:
Speaking of the Cowboys, Camden Brown continues to impress with a 70-yard reception. The Cowboys are loaded at receiver, and we might not see him get into the top five behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin. But dang, he's fun to watch.
RB Emmett Johnson is making it nearly impossible to handicap who is going to be the insurance play behind Kenneth Walker III in the Kansas City Chiefs' offense. Johnson logged 21 snaps to lead all Chiefs backs over Brashard Smith (19) and Emari Demercado (14). Smith and Johnson had two targets each.
TE Colston Loveland avoided injury on a blatant hip-drop on Saturday night. Let's go ahead and put the Chicago Bears' offensive stars in bubble wrap (which now includes Jahdae Walker) and see you in September. Also, Ben Johnson looked irked ... terrible for the Chicago players in practice this week, great for us.
I really liked what I saw from Miami Dolphins WR Kevin Coleman Jr., with two receptions on six targets. He also had one highlight catch. I get it, I'm reaching. I'm spending a lot of time on guys who might not be drafted in your leagues, but QB Malik Willis needs to throw to somebody this season. And the Dolphins could be really bad, which means positive game scripts for Dolphins offensive players.
Shedeur Sanders looks like the obvious quarterback choice for the Browns. He outplayed Deshaun Watson, who doubled down on a bad performance by saying that if he was to start, he'd play 17 road games. I don't want to say you're drafting Sanders in redraft, but he's fine for super-flex leagues. What I really like this for is players like WR KC Concepcion who I have already been taking a lot of fliers on.
Do we put too much in what we saw on Detroit Lions TE Jackson Meeks? Is he the pivot if Sam LaPorta is out? I'm not ready to make him the insurance policy for LaPorta if he's unable to go in Week 1. However, we see you, Meeks. Your four receptions (on six targets) did not go unnoticed. Certainly keep him on your radar, but he's not going to be somebody you take in your traditional redraft leagues.
Forgive me if I go back to Friday night, but it's worth noting: Did you see the connection between Bo Nix and Jaylen Waddle? I know a lot of you want to pretend that Nix isn't a great (or even good) quarterback, but I think he's legit. We always talk about waiting on a quarterback, and the reason is that players like him will be available if you end up on the other side of a quarterback run. Nix finally got his receiver, and this is going to be a huge year for him. One more quick note: You're not drafting Waddle enough.
Aug. 22: What you need to know from Friday's games
By Michael Florio
Preseason Week 2 rolled on Friday night with five teams giving their starters playing time. Here is the fantasy impact you need to know!
New York Jets QB Geno Smith went 7-for-7 for 65 yards and a touchdown on his only drive. He targeted six different receivers. Garrett Wilson saw only one target, but he played every snap with Smith and remains the lone Jets pass catcher that should go in the early rounds. Adonai Mitchell caught both of his targets for 29 yards and is in play in deeper leagues as a boom-or-bust option. Lastly, rookie Omar Cooper Jr. played seven of 10 snaps with the starters. He was seeing time in three-receiver sets and remained in the lineup with the backups. Cooper is more of a dynasty league play, with a chance of blossoming into a waiver wire option.
We got our first look at the new-look Pittsburgh Steelers backfield, with Jaylen Warren drawing the start. He played the entire first drive (three snaps), while Rico Dowdle played the entire second (four snaps) before the duo split their third and final drive. Dowdle finished with 10 snaps, six opportunities and 20 yards, while Warren had nine snaps, five opportunities and 17 yards. This will likely be close to a 50-50 split to open the season. Warren has the slight ADP edge as RB28 to Dowdle's RB30.
Jonathon Brooks scored his first NFL touchdown for the Carolina Panthers. He played 10 of 12 snaps with Bryce Young and finished with five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown. His ADP should continue to climb into the top 30 among RBs. Wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker played all 11 snaps with the starters. Notably, McMillan played three of those snaps in the slot. While I find his WR17 ADP slightly high, he is a very safe WR2 pick. Coker is an upside pick worth taking a shot on in 10-team leagues in the late rounds of drafts. Brycen Tremayne was the third receiver and played eight snaps with the starters and remained in with the backups.
Running back MarShawn Lloyd started and played eight of 12 snaps with the Green Bay Packers' starters. He turned four carries into eight yards and caught his long target for an 11-yard touchdown. Lloyd starts the season as one of the top insurance backs in the game. He has a chance to carve out a large enough role to have standalone value and has RB2 upside if Josh Jacobs misses time. Christian Watson was the top target for Jordan Love. Watson has breakout upside and is an excellent value at his WR36 ADP. Both he and Matthew Golden played nine snaps. Golden was the clear WR2 for the Packers in this game. His WR39 ADP is a little steep, but the opportunity is there.
Running back RJ Harvey started for the Denver Broncos and played all six snaps on the opening drive. He had one carry for 5 yards and thrived in the passing game, catching both targets for 25 yards and a touchdown. While J.K. Dobbins is the starter, Harvey can carve out a large enough role to outpace his RB39 ADP. Jonah Coleman played all eight snaps on the second drive, but he was not nearly as effective as he was last week. Coleman is a later-round pick, but he could play the Dobbins role if the starter were to miss time. QB Bo Nix looked healthy, which is the biggest thing. He threw for 76 yards and a touchdown and remains a low-end QB1 with upside. Wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle played all six snaps on the Broncos' opening drive. Waddle showed his explosiveness and with an ADP of WR22, he remains a WR2 with WR1 upside. Sutton, who had an impressive catch overturned, remains a solid middle-round WR3. Pat Bryant was the WR3, playing five snaps on the opening drive, but he remained in on Nix's second drive. Bryant has upside as a later-round dart throw in 12-team leagues or deeper.
Aug. 21: What you need to know from Thursday's games
By Eric Moody
Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason kicked off with two games Thursday night. With players fighting for snaps and roles, here are five who caught my attention and what it could mean for their fantasy value.
Tre Tucker looks like one of the Las Vegas Raiders' top receivers after being held out of the preseason game against the Houston Texans with the starters while Jalen Nailor played into the second quarter. Tucker is locked into the Z role, with Nailor working at X and Jack Bech in the slot. If you're taking a swing on a Raiders receiver, Tucker is the best bet right now. He's finished in the top 10 among wide receivers in both snaps and routes run in both of the last two seasons. Tucker is the WR66 in ESPN leagues and projected for 82 targets this season, third most on the team behind Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.
Woody Marks looked great for the Texans. He had four rushing attempts for 37 yards and a touchdown. Marks is the RB42 in leagues and one of my favorite insurance backs this season. He's a player I want on my bench in every draft. The Texans' offensive line also appears to be much improved from last year's unit.
De'Zhaun Stribling is making a strong case for a role with the 49ers. He caught three passes from Brock Purdy on the 49ers' first nine offensive plays on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers and added a 21-yard catch from Mac Jones. That comes after seven catches in the preseason opener. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season and George Kittle is still working his way back, which gives Stribling a real opportunity to contribute right away. Given the injury histories of Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr., Stribling is a bench stash who could pay dividends sooner rather than later for fantasy managers.
New Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel used a three-man tight end rotation with the Miami Dolphins last season, and that appears to be carrying over to Los Angeles after the team added David Njoku and Charlie Kolar this offseason. Oronde Gadsden did not play any snaps on the Chargers' first two drives against the San Francisco 49ers. I'd avoid this tight end room in fantasy drafts, with Njoku (58), Gadsden (42) and Kolar (21) all projected to see targets.
Keaton Mitchell dominated the Chargers' snaps on their second and third offensive drives, further solidifying his role as Omarion Hampton's insurance back. That's important because Mitchell could be a league winner if Hampton were to miss time. Mike McDaniel's offense in Miami helped propel De'Von Achane to top-five fantasy finishes in 2024 and 2025.
Aug. 20: Despite injury scare, Tyler Warren's fantasy ceiling is still massive
By Eric Moody
Tyler Warren gave fantasy managers a scare Wednesday when he left the Colts' joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons because of an injury. The early news has been encouraging. Warren reportedly suffered an adductor strain and could be back as soon as next week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Indianapolis plans to be cautious, but right now this doesn't sound like an injury that should put Week 1 in serious jeopardy.
Warren has a chance to take another step forward in 2026. As a rookie, he caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns on 106 targets. He finished third among tight ends in targets, fifth in receiving yards and seventh in receptions.
Warren's numbers with QB Daniel Jones were especially impressive. Warren averaged 13.1 fantasy points per game and scored five TDs in 12 games with Jones healthy. In five games without him, Warren averaged just 6.3 fantasy points and didn't score a TD.
There's room for more TDs in 2026, as Warren ranked fifth among tight ends with seven end-zone targets but caught only four. The Colts also gave him three goal line carries, so they were already looking for ways to get him involved near the end zone.
His role could be even bigger this season. Michael Pittman Jr. is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alec Pierce is still working his way back from ankle surgery and Shane Steichen has talked about finding more ways to get Warren the football. He's already the TE4 in our draft trends after putting up elite volume as a rookie.
Warren is projected for 116 targets this season. If he stays healthy and the TDs start matching the opportunities he's already getting, he has a shot to finish 2026 as the top TE in fantasy football.
Aug. 19: Texans WR Jayden Higgins to miss the 2026 season
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
Houston Texans WR Jayden Higgins, who left Tuesday's joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders with a knee injury, has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, per Ian Rapoport. It's a season-ending injury, dashing the second-year wide receiver's breakout hopes before the season even begins.
Higgins was expected to fill the X receiver role in the Texans' offense, aligned across from Nico Collins. With the news, the Texans will need to turn to the winner of a competition amongst Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Tank Dell and Justin Watson to fill that role, with Hutchinson the current favorite to emerge. Hutchinson played expanded roles in Weeks 8 and 18 of last season (games Collins missed), scoring 30.3 fantasy points on 15 targets combined. Once an afterthought in fantasy leagues, he should now elevate to late-round status in leagues of 12 teams or larger.
Injuries could prove an obstacle for both Dell (who missed the entire 2025 season following a knee reconstruction) and Noel (who has been dealing with a hamstring issue in the early preseason). Both have the upside to warrant late-round consideration in similarly sized leagues -- and maybe on the fringe of ESPN standard drafts if either emerged in a starting role -- but there's no guarantee either will be ready to play come Week 1.
In fact, if either progresses slowly in his recovery, the Texans might be forced to seek wide receiver help from the free agent market. After all, Watson is more of a depth option than a realistic candidate to start for the team.
One other player to keep an eye on: Lewis Bond, a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft who has been generating positive reactions from coaches and teammates alike. While it's a stretch to think Bond could step into Higgins' spot come Week 1, this news could expand his opportunity enough that he'd be a good dart throw in leagues of 14-plus teams, as well as those with deep benches and dynasties.
Aug. 19: What does Alvin Kamara's injury mean for the rest of the Saints RB room?
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara suffered a sprained MCL in his knee during Tuesday's joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys, and while he reportedly suffered no tears in the joint, the veteran running back is expected to miss one month. That timetable takes him beyond the Saints' Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions, and considering the difficulties NFL players often have recovering from lengthier injury absences, it could put his availability into question deeper into September.
Kamara, 30, was a massive fantasy disappointment last season, a fourth rounder on average in ESPN leagues (and the RB14) who delivered his fewest fantasy points in a season (100.7, in 11 games). There were rumors he was a prospective trade candidate leading up to the November deadline, but subsequent reports that he preferred to remain in New Orleans to finish out his career quashed those. The Saints then held him out of their final six games due to ankle and knee issues.
New Orleans subsequently signed Travis Etienne Jr. -- a top-10 scoring running back in two of the past three years (2023, 2025) -- to a four-year, $52 million contract of which $24 million is guaranteed, at the time giving the team one of the league's most expensive backfields (the team since reworked Kamara's contract). Kamara's early absence now vaults Etienne into the clear starter/three-down back role, something Etienne desperately needs if he's to repeat last year's RB10 finish in what's a significantly weaker offense than the one in which he played in Jacksonville.
Etienne is going 19th among running backs somewhere in the fifth round on average in early ESPN drafts, but the news strengthens his case for fantasy RB2 status. I had already slotted him ahead of Cam Skattebo as my No. 18 running back in the rankings, which is the opposite of how they're going in early drafts. Between this news and Najee Harris' arrival in New York on Tuesday, Etienne should be the superior pick between the two.
As for Kamara, he was generating reserve/late-round interest in early drafts, going 44th at the position. I've been down on him more than most, as he's now 31 years old with an average 3.8 games missed across the past five seasons, and the Saints made it clear late last year that they were fine with slotting him into a supporting role. This news doesn't make Kamara a non-factor in drafts, but he's sure to teeter around the No. 50 cutoff for our positional rankings, depending upon how I feel about the other sleepers around him over the next couple of weeks.
Incidentally, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal currently have the depth-chart advantage over Audric Estime, per the team's official release. But that signals a three-man competition for the No. 3 spot -- and now primary backup role -- meaning there's no clear insurance policy for Etienne to be had just yet. Look elsewhere for running back depth.
Aug. 18: Colts sign Keenan Allen, Giants adding Najee Harris
By Matt Bowen
The Indianapolis Colts agreed to a one-year deal with Allen late Monday night, so let's take a look at what kind of fantasy impact we can expect from the veteran wide receiver in Shane Steichen's offense.
Allen's play speed has declined at this stage of his career, but he's still a very savvy route runner and has the coverage awareness to find space. He can get open. And that leads to targets, especially in critical situations (third downs, for example). In 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, Allen scored 10.7 PPG, catching 81 passes for 777 yards (22.1% target share).
We know the Colts' wide receivers room has been really lean all offseason and into camp, and that has been magnified by Alec Pierce's long recovery from ankle surgery. Pierce has yet to practice, and he isn't expected to hit the field for the remainder of camp. Now, I'm not going to speculate on when Pierce will suit up, but signing Allen does protect the Colts heading into the start of the season.
When Pierce does return, Allen could slide into the perimeter role that was held by Michael Pittman Jr. last season and also see reps in the slot, as Josh Downs can play inside or outside. And that works from a scheme perspective in Steichen's offense.
For me, Pierce remains an upside WR3 (with explosive play ability), while Tyler Warren stays as a high-end TE1. Nothing changes there. And I still value Downs as one of my later-round targets, while Allen should be viewed as a potential bench stash/streaming option based on Pierce's timeline and what we see next month.
Giants signing former Steelers RB Harris
The New York Giants are signing veteran running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal. For fantasy managers, it's best to take a wait-and-see approach with Harris, who suffered a left Achilles injury early last season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Giants roster Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, who are all healthy and competing in camp, so I don't currently see a clear path for Harris here to earn a role as a potential backup. However, given his past production in Pittsburgh, Harris is still a name to monitor for the rest of camp. We can do that.
Harris rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his of his first four seasons in the league with the Steelers, catching 35 or more passes in three. I see him as a volume grinder, a downhill runner who lacks explosive ability on the perimeter, though he can provide receiving numbers as an underneath outlet on backfield releases.
Aug. 17: Jordyn Tyson to miss significant time
By Matt Bowen
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who injured his right hamstring in practice last week, could miss the next two months. Let's discuss the fantasy fallout for Tyson and the team moving forward.
For starters, hamstring injuries are really tough on skill players. I saw it during my time in the league. It's not a quick fix. And Tyson had hamstring and knee injuries in college, as well, so we must change our approach on the rookie.
Even with the receiving traits and ball skills to make an impact for an ascending Saints offense -- I really like him as a player -- Tyson should now be viewed only as a potential later-round bench stash or a target for your IR slot (depending on your league rules). You simply can't use a quality draft pick on a player who won't be active for months.
So, where does that leave the Saints' passing offense?
I'm going to bump Chris Olave up a couple of spots in my rankings as a lower-tier WR1. Last season, from Weeks 10 to 18, after the team traded away Rashid Shaheed, Olave scored 20.1 fantasy points per game and saw a 30.3% target share (9.9 targets per game). You can view Olave as a three-level volume target with big-play juice.
Tight end Juwan Johnson should see a bump in volume too. He's a now midtier TE2 with streaming upside. Wide receiver Devaughn Vele is also back in the mix as a late-round dart throw, plus rookie wideouts Bryce Lance and Barion Brown should be placed on your fantasy radar for the rest of camp and into September. Keep an eye on what they do with the increased reps.
At quarterback, I had mentioned Tyler Shough in multiple columns this summer as a potential sleeper due to his production over the second half of his rookie season in 2025 and his fit as a passer in coach Kellen Moore's offense. I still see Shough as a quality QB2, a rhythm thrower with the mobility to add rushing totals that raise his fantasy floor. But without Tyson, Shough's ceiling is lower -- at least until (and if) Tyson is able to return and be a factor for the Saints.
Aug. 17: Jeremiyah Love expected to miss rest of preseason
By Eric Karabell
Fantasy football managers (foolishly) want to see their top players perform in preseason games, but this is often only to the player's detriment, especially if a player boasts an established role. Injuries can happen to anyone. Arizona Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love suffered a high ankle sprain against the Raiders on Thursday night, and it should affect his fantasy value. The problem is determining how much it should matter.
Great fantasy things were expected from Love, the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft out of Notre Dame, and they may still occur. Love curiously handled 14 touches in the preseason opener, accruing 72 yards. He averaged 5.3 yards per rush, with his longest going for 16 yards, and he caught three passes on three targets. Love sure looked like a fantasy star, and we covet running backs with potentially large workloads, but we can question why he was playing at all in a meaningless contest.
We will not see Love for the rest of the preseason, and it is plausible that he is compromised enough to miss September regular-season games as well. High ankle sprains can be mighty problematic in recovery time. Experts often use four to six weeks as a baseline, but we do not know the degree of this sprain. Love should be reevaluated this week, but the hopeful Cardinals are under no obligation to reveal specifics.
Love entered Monday morning as the No. 15 option overall in ESPN live drafts, a solid second-round selection, and ninth among running backs. However, this injury news should be enough to push him down a round, and out of the top 10 at the position, behind Baltimore's Derrick Henry, new Chief Kenneth Walker III and perhaps others.
We may find that it creates a solid value opportunity for drafting Love, for he might still play in Week 1 (Sept. 13) against the Chargers -- and he may play great. It is also possible Love may miss September and be affected by this injury for months. It's not like the Cardinals are expected to win the Super Bowl this season. They should be cautious and patient.
Former Atlanta Falcons bruiser Tyler Allgeier appears next in line for touches, especially with James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) not practicing. Allgeier, who rushed for 1,035 yards as a rookie in 2022 and then handled reserve duties behind superstar Bijan Robinson for three years, is not nearly as dynamic as Love, but he is certainly a capable fill-in, albeit not much of a pass-catching option. The physical Allgeier rushed for eight touchdowns last season, and he thrives running between the tackles. It is possible he would have carved out a significant role in this offense even with a healthy Love.
Some of this is guesswork as we lack clarity, but it is sensible to move Love down a few slots in the running back rankings, perhaps as far as the Javonte Williams and Kyren Williams range two rounds later in ADP. Also consider bumping Allgeier up to the point of being worth choosing in standard drafts. Perhaps fantasy managers will never need to utilize Allgeier, either because Love returns for Week 1 or because they don't need him, since NFL teams do not serve bye weeks in September, but injuries happen all season. Be prepared.
Aug. 16: What you need to know from Saturday's games
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
Fantasy managers got their first preseason glimpses of New York Giants sophomores Jaxson Dart, who averaged a fifth-best-among-quarterbacks 20.1 fantasy points per game last year, and Cam Skattebo, whose 16.0 points per game were ninth best among running backs, during Saturday's slate.
Dart went 3-for-4 passing for 26 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' preseason opener, the touchdown a 15-yard pass to Malachi Fields, the team's third-round pick, in the second quarter. But Dart's past injury concerns -- he required five concussion checks for hard hits taken during his rookie season -- resurfaced late in the first quarter, when he was sent for another concussion evaluation after taking a sack. He'd return for the Giants' first drive of the second quarter, concluding with the completion to Fields. The touchdown was a reminder of Dart's immense fantasy upside; the brief absence underscored the injury risk he brings as a result of his aggressive approach to play.
Skattebo, who has received generally positive reports in his recovery from the right leg injury that prematurely ended his 2026, started the game and snuck in four attempts for 19 yards rushing, sprinkling them in across the Giants' first two drives. He was used interchangeably with backups Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, but that's probably more of an indication of the Giants' plan to ease their star running back in slowly this preseason than something that'll carry into the regular season.
Meanwhile, Malik Nabers, the team's star wide receiver, sat out the preseason opener as expected. It appears unlikely that Nabers will suit up for any of the team's three preseason contests, as he is participating in team drills but has not yet been cleared for contact. His prognosis has improved to the point that he could be ready to play for Week 1, but fantasy managers will need to follow his practice updates to guide their lineup decisions for the season opener rather than expect to see him in preseason action.
Among the seven total preseason games from Saturday, here are four other players whose performances caught my eye and how to best react to them in fantasy:
Jonathon Brooks picked up his first preseason start in place of the injured Chuba Hubbard (hamstring), rushing three times for 5 yards and catching his only target for 9 yards. The statistics don't move the needle for our purposes, but bear in mind that the Carolina Panthers' entire offense struggled throughout that night, as Brooks was in for each of the team's first three series, all of which were three-and-out. That's something that might be commonplace in Carolina this season, but Brooks' status as the clear starter and go-to back here is an indication that he'd handle that role for Week 1 should Hubbard prove not ready, and there's a very real chance he could overtake Hubbard outright in season. Frankly, I've swapped these two in my rankings, preferring Brooks to Hubbard, and you should too.
Ja'Kobi Lane continues to have the preseason of preseasons, catching all three of his targets for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Baltimore Ravens' preseason opener. Though Lane's touchdown came from undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano, an indication that he's not yet a prime member of the "A" team, the third-rounder's stock continued to rise to the point that he's now the WR66 in ESPN ADP, and rostered in 9.4% of leagues. Lane is one of my favorite deep sleepers -- if he hasn't removed the "deep" label from that at this point -- who should improve the team's red zone deficiencies from 2025.
The Cleveland Browns gave us some fantasy-relevant returns ... yes, the Cleveland Browns! KC Concepcion caught 3 of 4 targets for 27 yards, but perhaps more importantly turned his lone rushing attempt into a 14-yard touchdown on an end-around. If the Browns are to continue to find creative ways to get their star rookie involved, he could provide WR3/flex value on a fairly regular basis, even from what projects to be one of the league's weaker offenses.
Dynasty leaguers got a lengthy glimpse of Los Angeles Rams Ty Simpson, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL draft and second quarterback selected, as the Alabama standout completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the team's preseason opener. Simpson played the near entirety of the game, and he'll likely log a lot of time in the team's second game next week, as he attempts to secure the primary backup role to Matthew Stafford. Bearing in mind Stafford's 38 years of age, Simpson is a worthy stash in those formats.
Aug. 15: What you need to know from Friday's games
By Eric Moody
Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason continued with three games on Friday night. With players fighting for snaps, here are five who caught my attention and how I think their fantasy expectations might change.
Breece Hall played nearly all the snaps on the New York Jets' opening drive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and handled four carries, a notable change from how the Jets used him last preseason. He also stayed on the field for two third downs. Hall is only 25, remains explosive and has finished as a top-20 back in fantasy points per game in each of the last three seasons, including an RB6 finish in 2023. With Geno Smith under center and with the potential for more work on passing downs, Hall could easily outperform his RB15 price.
Rookie running back Jonah Coleman already appears to be ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie despite being listed sixth on the Denver Broncos' unofficial depth chart. RJ Harvey handled the early work against the Atlanta Falcons, but Coleman took over late in the second drive and played every snap on the third. Denver returns all five starters from an offensive line that finished fourth in run-block win rate, and Coleman is an intriguing late-round option, given J.K. Dobbins' injury history and Harvey's inability to take control of the backfield last season.
Jahan Dotson looks locked in as the Falcons' No. 2 wide receiver after playing every snap with the starters over two drives against the Broncos, primarily at X. Olamide Zaccheaus worked mostly from the slot, while rookie Zachariah Branch saw limited first-team work, leaving Dotson with little competition for outside snaps. His career production has been modest, but the opportunity makes him worth a look in the later rounds of deeper leagues.
Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington look like the Miami Dolphins' clear top two receivers after playing every snap with the starters across multiple personnel groupings on the opening drive against the Washington Commanders. Tight end Greg Dulcich has gotten a lot of attention this summer, but Douglas and Washington shouldn't be overlooked late in drafts.
Aug. 14: What you need to know from Thursday's games
By Eric Moody
Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason got underway in earnest with six games on Thursday night. With so many games and players fighting for snaps, here are eight players who caught my attention and how I think their fantasy expectations might change.
Jeremiyah Love started the Arizona Cardinals' preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders and played the majority of the snaps over the first three drives while handling 14 touches. Love had 11 carries for 58 yards and caught three passes for 14 yards. The performance could lead to a slight spike in Love's average draft position, but regardless, he remains firmly on the RB1 radar.
Matthew Golden played in 12-personnel snaps with the starters against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jayden Reed still looks mostly tied to the slot, which should keep Golden on the field more often. He should see more targets with both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone. Golden is projected to lead the Green Bay Packers in targets, although no Green Bay receiver has surpassed a 21% target share since Davante Adams (who left following the 2021 season). Even with that concern, Golden looks like a nice value at WR40.
Josh Downs was held out of the preseason game against the New England Patriots, along with most of the Indianapolis Colts' starters, another sign that he could have a vital role heading into 2026. Michael Pittman Jr.'s departure leaves behind 111 targets, and Downs has already shown what he can do with more volume, catching 72 passes for 803 yards and five touchdowns on 107 targets in 2024. Ashton Dulin appears to have a grip on the third receiver spot, while Alec Pierce remains on the PUP list. Downs is projected for 110 targets and is currently WR45 in ESPN leagues. He's someone fantasy managers shouldn't overlook late in drafts.
Tyjae Spears played more snaps than Tony Pollard in the Tennessee Titans' preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, and the rotation looked much closer to 50-50 than it did last season. Pollard still started, but both backs mixed in on early downs, third downs and short-yardage situations before leaving at the same time. Spears also broke off a 25-yard run. Brian Daboll has historically favored committees, and Spears is RB50 while Pollard is RB27. As of now, that gap appears to be too wide.
Carnell Tate lined up primarily at Z with the starters, while Calvin Ridley worked more at X -- a little different from what many expected. That could actually help Tate's outlook, especially since Daboll used Malik Nabers in a similar Z role with the Giants. Wan'Dale Robinson stayed almost exclusively in the slot, while Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike rotated in more than expected. Tate is projected to lead the Titans with 127 targets.
Colbie Young is already getting snaps with the starters -- including in both 11- and 12-personnel against the Detroit Lions while Joe Burrow was still in the game. He might be closer to Andrei Iosivas than expected for the Cincinnati Bengals No. 3 role and could be the next man up if Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins miss time.
MarShawn Lloyd started for the Packers with Josh Jacobs sidelined and played every snap on the opening drive, including all three downs. That usage is encouraging and makes Lloyd a worthwhile stash in the later rounds of drafts, especially with Jacobs already dealing with a groin injury and the possibility of a suspension.
Jayden Higgins was inactive against the Los Angeles Chargers, while Xavier Hutchinson played. That's a good sign for Higgins' role for the Houston Texans. He appears to be ahead of Hutchinson at Z, while Hutchinson could see more work in the slot. Tank Dell's role is still worth monitoring, but Higgins is projected for the second-most targets on the team. If that usage holds, he has sleeper appeal at his WR57 draft price.
Aug. 13: Big opportunity for Jonathon Brooks; Jordyn Tyson injured
By Liz Loza
Brooks steps in while Hubbard is out
Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring issue and is "week-to-week," per David Canales. The team's head coach later clarified that he's confident the 27-year-old will be ready for Carolina's regular-season opener versus Chicago on Sept. 13. However, the vet will be held out of the Panthers' second preseason effort at the Bills this coming Saturday. Instead, third-year back Jonathon Brooks will mix in with Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon.
Brooks' 2026 debut has been a highly anticipated event. Despite being the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL draft (46th overall), the former Texas standout has been limited to just three pro efforts. Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee twice over a span of 13 months. Currently 19 months removed from his second knee surgery, the 23-year-old has been a full participant in training camp. A versatile and instinctive three-down player at the position, Brooks is expected to carve out a significant role in Carolina's backfield.
Hubbard ceded command of the Panthers backfield to Rico Dowdle after dealing with a calf strain in Weeks 5 and 6 of last year. Carolina let Dowdle walk during the offseason, potentially freeing up 275 touches. While Hubbard is expected to begin the season as the team's RB1, there's a clear opportunity for Brooks to overtake the starting spot. Were Hubbard's hamstring issues to linger, Brooks' ascent could be fast-tracked. He's currently being drafted a round and a half after Hubbard, who is generally coming off boards in the middle of the 12th round (115).
Injuries already a concern for Saints rookie Tyson?
Jordyn Tyson reportedly left Thursday's practice early with what's believed to be a hamstring issue. Bi-lateral hamstring strains limited Tyson to nine games during his final season at Arizona State in 2025. Lingering soft tissue issues additionally forced the rookie to skip on-field workouts and physical testing at the NFL Combine earlier this year. Nonetheless, New Orleans selected the former Sun Devil No. 8 overall at the draft in April.
A versatile player with outstanding ball skills and route savvy, Tyson was expected to fill the Saint's No. 2 WR role, working as a dynamic complement to Chris Olave. The rookie had his reps managed during the team's offseason program and was medically cleared for training camp in late July. It's concerning that barely two weeks into practice, the hamstring issues have resurfaced. Were Tyson to miss time, Olave and Juwan Johnson would continue to lead the team in pass-catching opportunities.
Aug. 12: More volume for Chase Brown, Denzel Boston turning heads
By Cameron Wolfe
Big season coming for Chase Brown?
The Cincinnati Bengals will count on Brown to take on a heavier load this season with a focus on more under-center runs and usage in the pass game. Watching practice Sunday, it was eye-opening how much versatility the offense had with play formation and motion/shifts. It was a far cry from the Bengals' traditional shotgun-heavy, productive yet sometimes static offense. Brown will be the biggest beneficiary as a receiver and runner.
Joe Burrow said the team's No.1 priority is to get the ball in Ja'Marr Chase's hands but "a close second" is getting the ball to Brown.
Brown told me after practice, "I'm excited for it. There's going to be a lot of big plays we create."
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told me he wants the Bengals to be prepared to go on lengthy, methodical touchdown drives rather than relying on deep shots defenses have prioritized stopping. The under-center focus isn't new -- they did it plenty in their Super Bowl season -- and one Bengals source said a key reason why there should be more snaps under center is to help keep Burrow healthy.
"Under center makes us a little more unpredictable," Brown said. "We have a lot of play-action and runs called from under center. When you're in I-formation, the ball can go either way. It keeps defenses on their heels more. If you look at the statistics from last year, almost all the most explosive run teams were majority under-center run teams. I look forward to continuing to build on that."
This is completely Brown's backfield in a contract year, so fantasy owners have plenty of reason to be confident in his heavy dual-threat usage, with eyes also on whether this focus limits the Bengals' secondary receiving weapons.
Denzel Boston: WR1 in Cleveland?
One Cleveland Browns source told me in camp last week that the rookie second-round wide receiver "looks like he can be Drake London for us. His ability to go get the ball is special, but he's more than that. I don't care what he runs in a 40. He's quicker than you think."
Boston has had a tremendous camp, so much so that head coach Todd Monken announced Boston will be moving into the starting lineup to play the "X" receiver with a plan to move around the formation with veteran Jerry Jeudy, who is having uneven training camp. Monken also said Boston's catch radius is an aspect he shares similarities with Mike Evans.
The transition paves the way for Boston to eventually become the Browns' No. 1 receiver. When I watched practice last week, Boston took over with catches on all three levels from both Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. The trust was there. The QB situation is troubling for fantasy prospects, but if you were to make any upside play in this receiver room it feels like it's Boston.
First-round rookie KC Concepcion has flashed strong play in camp as well and should have a notable role, but the 6-foot-4 Boston already looks like a draft steal and could become the go-to receiver for a Browns team that has had notable early struggles offensively in training camp.
