Player News
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Kaytron Allen Needs a Preseason Push to Earn Redraft Value
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Kyle Pitts Sr. "Moving Better," Fully Healthy for 2026
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Ja'Kobi Lane Offers More Long-Term Than Immediate Fantasy Value
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Tua Tagovailoa Likely to be Falcons' Week 1 Starting QB
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Carson Beck to Start Hall of Fame Game on Thursday
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Aaron Rodgers Played Through Illness in Wild-Card Loss
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Kaytron Allen Needs a Preseason Push to Earn Redraft Value
Washington Commanders running back Kaytron Allen has a clear selling point. The sixth-round rookie left Penn State as the program's career rushing leader with 4,180 yards and 39 touchdowns, and Washington drafted him to handle the kind of physical, short-yardage work that can keep drives alive. The fit is easy to understand. The role is not. Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 805 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, then caught all three of his targets during what the team called his best practice of camp. Rachaad White broke a long outside run in the first padded session and remains the most accomplished receiver in the group. Jeremy McNichols, Jerome Ford, and Robert Henry Jr. are still around as well. RotoBaller has Allen at RB55 in PPR, RB58 in half-PPR, and RB8 among rookie backs. His quickest route to fantasy value is winning the goal-line job, but Washington has not handed it to him. Allen remains a worthwhile dynasty stash because the room could open quickly. Redraft managers should wait for the preseason to show whether he has a real weekly role. -
Kyle Pitts Sr. "Moving Better," Fully Healthy for 2026
Some Atlanta Falcons people on the ground think that tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. is "moving better than he has in years," according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Pitts' confidence has wavered in previous seasons while battling a lingering knee injury, but he's at full health this offseason, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense is set up for him. The Falcons' receiver depth is still a major question mark behind WR1 Drake London, leaving Pitts as "a certified first or second option" in the passing attack. Fowler mentions that Pitts has been going as a top-five fantasy TE in drafts after his big 2025 season in which he caught a career-high 88 passes on 118 targets for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 17 starts. We know that the former fourth overall pick in 2021 from the University of Florida is going to have a big role in 2026, but it's just a matter of whether QBs Tua Tagovailoa/Michael Penix Jr. can get him the ball consistently. Pitts finished last year as the No. 2 fantasy TE and has high-end TE1 potential yet again this year, albeit with some risk based on Atlanta's less-than-ideal QB situation. -
Ja'Kobi Lane Offers More Long-Term Than Immediate Fantasy Value
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane has already shown why the team spent a third-round pick on him. The 6-foot-4 rookie went over Marlon Humphrey for a leaping catch from Lamar Jackson on the second day of camp, a play that matched the contested-catch profile he showed at USC. Lane caught 49 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns last season after scoring 12 times in 2024. There is real upside here. The immediate role is less certain. Zay Flowers is Baltimore's No. 1 receiver, Rashod Bateman is still projected to start, and Lane is competing with Elijah Sarratt and Devontez Walker for the remaining work. Jesse Minter said there could be major opportunities for at least one of the rookie receivers, not necessarily Lane. RotoBaller ranks him WR94 in PPR leagues and WR17 among rookies. That makes Lane a reasonable final-round swing in deeper redraft formats, but managers in ordinary 12-team leagues can wait for more evidence. Dynasty is different. His size, third-round investment, and red-zone history are worth stashing while Baltimore sorts out the depth chart. Lane offers more long-term appeal than immediate fantasy value. -
Tua Tagovailoa Likely to be Falcons' Week 1 Starting QB
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back), who returned to a limited practice on Tuesday, is likely to be the team's Week 1 starter under center. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team work in training camp after tearing his ACL last year, leading to Tagovailoa getting all of the first-team reps so far in camp. Tagovailoa's fantasy stock is rising for those in two-QB superflex leagues as he enters his first season in Atlanta. The 28-year-old former fifth overall pick from the University of Alabama led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and a 72.9% completion percentage in Miami in 2024, and he'll have plenty of weapons around him in Atlanta to bounce back in 2026. However, durability remains a major concern (mostly in relation to head injuries), and when Penix returns to full health, Tagovailoa could be on a short leash in the starting role if he struggles. The arrow is pointing up for Tagovailoa, but RotoBaller still has him ranked as the No. 30 fantasy QB as he heads into his seventh year in the NFL. -
Carson Beck to Start Hall of Fame Game on Thursday
Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck will start Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers, according to head coach Mike LaFleur. The third-round pick is part of an open competition with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew for Arizona's regular-season starting job, so the assignment gives him the first live-game opportunity to make his case. Beck completed 72.4% of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions over 16 games during his final season at Miami, helping the Hurricanes reach the national championship game. Arizona selected him with the 65th overall pick in April. A strong performance Thursday would not settle the competition, but it could earn Beck additional preseason work and strengthen his standing with the new coaching staff. His experience and accuracy give him a chance to make the race interesting, though he remains primarily a dynasty and deeper Superflex option until the Cardinals provide more clarity under center. -
Aaron Rodgers Played Through Illness in Wild-Card Loss
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed that he was dealing with flu-like symptoms before last season's wild-card loss to the Houston Texans. Rodgers told Mike Silver that he had a fever and was vomiting on the day of the game. He said he appeared so pale when he arrived at the facility that the Steelers sent him home, though he returned later and made the start. Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception while taking four sacks in Pittsburgh's 30-6 loss on January 12. The Steelers failed to score an offensive touchdown, and Rodgers' final pass was returned for a touchdown by Texans safety Calen Bullock. The illness offers additional context for one of the poorest postseason performances of Rodgers' career, though he did not use it as an excuse afterward. He has since returned to Pittsburgh for what he says will be his final NFL season. -
Alvin Kamara Seeing Third-Down Work in Passing Situations
New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara has been splitting the backfield with newcomer Travis Etienne Jr. in training camp this summer, with Etienne taking the bulk of the first-team reps on early downs and Kamara "getting first call on third down and in passing situations," according to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. It's an evolving situation in head coach Kellen Moore's offense, but Duncan said he'd be surprised if it's a 50-50 split with Etienne and Kamara when all is said and done. Behind Etienne and Kamara, the RB room is crowded with contenders for the RB3 role among Devin Neal, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler, and C.J. Donaldson. The 31-year-old Kamara is set to take on a much smaller role in New Orleans' backfield as mostly a third-down pass-catching back, which will make him more of an RB4/flex option in point-per-reception leagues in his 10th year in the league. Etienne, who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 16 fantasy RB, is the back to roster for the Saints in 2026, but fantasy managers should temper expectations with him as an RB2 because of the presence of Kamara in passing situations. -
Malik Benson Running With Raiders' Top Three Receivers
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Malik Benson has worked with the team's top receiver group through the first six practices of training camp, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. McFadden identified Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, and Benson as the Raiders' current top three, though the early rotation does not amount to an official depth-chart announcement. Las Vegas selected Benson in the sixth round with the 195th overall pick after he caught 43 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns during his final season at Oregon. His speed and strong offseason have helped him gain ground in a crowded competition that also includes second-year receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. Tucker led the Raiders with 696 receiving yards last season, while Nailor joined the team after recording 444 yards and four touchdowns for Minnesota. Benson's early placement gives him a legitimate path to offensive snaps, but he still needs to maintain that standing throughout camp and the preseason before becoming a serious redraft consideration. -
Seth McGowan has Been Impressive in Training Camp
Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan continues to be impressed with Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan in training camp. When he was asked about McGowan on Tuesday, starting RB Jonathan Taylor compared McGowan's style to veteran RB David Montgomery. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder from the University of Kentucky is competing for change-of-pace touches with DJ Giddens behind Taylor in his first NFL season with the Colts in 2026. The RB2 role in Indy hasn't been fruitful for fantasy purposes as long as Taylor has been healthy, which means both McGowan and Giddens will probably go undrafted in most standard-sized 12-team leagues this fall. In his final collegiate season with Kentucky in 2025, McGowan ran for 725 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns on 165 rushing attempts, adding 19 receptions for 126 yards through the air in 11 games played. McGowan isn't much of a third-down back, so his best path to fantasy value will probably be as a goal-line vulture in Indy as he looks to earn more work behind Taylor. -
Tutu Atwell Emerges as Top-Three Receiver in Miami
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tutu Atwell emerged from spring practices as one of the team's top three options alongside Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington, according to ESPN. Atwell signed with Miami in March after five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he caught six of 15 targets for 192 yards and one touchdown in 10 games. The opportunity is real in a wide-open receiver room, as Washington's 317 receiving yards were the most any current Dolphins wideout produced last season. Atwell's standing is far from secure, however. Rookies Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman Jr. remain close behind, while Jalen Reagor, Tahj Washington, and Theo Wease Jr. are also competing for work. Chris Bell could eventually challenge for a leading role once he is activated from the non-football injury list. Atwell has a path to early snaps in Malik Willis' offense, but the crowded competition and his limited recent volume make him only a late-round consideration in deeper fantasy leagues. -
Tua Tagovailoa Limited Tuesday With Back Injury
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) will be limited during Tuesday's practice, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Tagovailoa began training camp with a flare-up of back stiffness that kept him from fully participating, but head coach Kevin Stefanski described the issue as minor. The veteran returned to 11-on-11 work Monday and completed one of the best throws of the session to Drake London, although he received only a handful of team reps. Atlanta will continue managing his workload as he competes with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job. Tagovailoa completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions across 14 games with Miami last season. His return to team drills is a positive sign, but the back issue remains worth monitoring until he resumes a full workload. For now, there is no indication that he is in danger of an extended absence. -
Justin Herbert Exceeding Mike McDaniel's Expectations
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has impressed new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel even more than expected, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. McDaniel praised Herbert's rare combination of size, arm strength and field vision, saying the quarterback can play with anticipation and reach areas of the field that most passers cannot. He also called Herbert the team's hardest worker, which has helped the rest of the offense buy into the changes being installed. One of those adjustments has Herbert lining up with his left foot forward in the shotgun, allowing him to get the ball out sooner and better match his throws to the timing of the routes. Herbert completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 16 games last season, while adding a career-high 498 rushing yards. Positive summer reviews do not guarantee a jump in fantasy production, but the early fit between Herbert and McDaniel is encouraging. -
Keon Coleman Continues Strong Start to Bills Camp
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman continued his strong start to training camp during Tuesday's one-on-one period. Rookie Watch reported that Coleman won all four of his reps against cornerback Maxwell Hairston, again using his size and catch radius to make plays at the catch point. The third-year receiver is trying to bounce back after finishing 2025 with 38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. Buffalo added DJ Moore to lead the outside passing game, while Khalil Shakir remains an established target for Josh Allen, so Coleman still has work to do before earning a dependable weekly role. The Bills have praised his improved preparation and understanding of the offense, and his recent camp performances are encouraging. Still, one-on-one drills favor receivers and do not settle the target hierarchy. Coleman is gaining momentum, but fantasy managers should wait to see the progress carry into team periods and preseason games. -
Dillon Gabriel Making Case for Browns' QB3 Role
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel is expected to receive more practice reps after stacking several good days in training camp, according to Cleveland.com. Head coach Todd Monken has narrowed the starting competition to Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders so both can get enough work, leaving Gabriel outside the battle for the No. 1 job. The additional reps should instead give the second-year passer a chance to strengthen his hold on a roster spot and show whether he belongs in the backup conversation. Gabriel appeared in 10 games and made six starts as a rookie, completing 110 of 185 passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. He is not expected to work with the first-team offense based on the current rotation, but his recent play has improved his standing in the quarterback room. Gabriel remains off the standard fantasy radar, though he could become relevant in deeper Superflex formats if he earns the backup role. -
Chris Bell Still a Long Way From Joining Practice
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) remains a long way from joining practice as he continues recovering from a torn ACL, according to C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik did not provide a timetable for the rookie, who remains on the active/non-football injury list. Bell tore the ACL in his left knee during Louisville's November 22 loss to SMU and underwent surgery in December. Miami still selected him 94th overall in April after he caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games last season. Bell has not practiced with the Dolphins, and Slowik's comments suggest his return is not close. There is no confirmation that he will miss the entire season, but fantasy managers should not expect him to contribute early in his rookie year. -
KC Concepcion Ready for Practice on Tuesday
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion (shoulder) was seen in pads before the start of Tuesday's training camp practice, suggesting he's ready to return after suffering what was deemed a minor right-shoulder injury on Monday, according to Dan Labbe of Clevelanddot.com. The 21-year-old 24th overall selection from Texas A&M and fellow wideout Denzel Boston could both push veteran Jerry Jeudy for targets in Cleveland's offense in 2026. Concepcion should be a lock to start in three-receiver sets in his first year in the NFL, but the question is whether the Browns have a capable quarterback who can get the young wideout the ball regularly. The 6-foot, 196-pound burner produced for both the Aggies and at North Carolina State and will be a late-round sleeper worth considering for WR depth in upcoming fantasy football drafts. RotoBaller has Concepcion ranked as the No. 48 fantasy WR as he heads into his first season in the NFL. UPDATE: The Athletic's Zac Jackson reports that Concepcion was limited to individual drills on Tuesday. -
Antonio Williams Continues to Mix In With First-Team Offense
Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams received a handful of reps with the first-team offense during Tuesday's 11-on-11 work, according to Denton Day. The third-round rookie has mixed in with the starters at other points early in camp, so this was not necessarily a sudden promotion. It does show that Washington is giving him a look alongside Jayden Daniels while the receiver rotation takes shape. Williams was selected 71st overall after leading Clemson with 55 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. Head coach Dan Quinn also said Tuesday that Williams is further along than Luke McCaffrey was at the same point as a rookie, though he noted that McCaffrey had only recently moved from quarterback. Terry McLaurin remains the clear lead receiver, with Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Van Jefferson and others competing for snaps. Williams is still only a deeper dynasty option, but repeated first-team work would strengthen his case for an early role. -
Ja'Tavion Sanders Suffers Ankle Injury on Tuesday
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) left Tuesday's training camp practice with an ankle injury, but head coach Dave Canales said he had a great day, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. It doesn't sound like Sanders suffered a serious injury, but we'll keep an eye on his status moving forward. The 23-year-old former fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft from the University of Texas had a disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025, playing in only 13 regular-season games while catching 29 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown. Sanders had a 33-342-1 line in 16 games as a rookie, so he hasn't exactly moved the needle much in fantasy football early in his NFL career. Going into Year 3, Sanders is expected to be Carolina's primary pass-catching TE, but he also has to contend with both Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. The Panthers' offense just hasn't relied enough on the TE position to make Sanders matter in most fantasy football leagues. Sanders is outside of RotoBaller's top-41 rankings at the position for 2026. -
Luther Burden III Slow to Get Up After Goal-Line Hit
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was slow to get up after taking a hit from linebacker Devin Bush near the goal line late in Tuesday's practice, according to Brad Biggs. The contact came from behind on a fourth-down pass during a two-minute period, and Burden walked off the field slowly under his own power. No injury or follow-up evaluation has been reported, so his status should be treated as uncertain rather than assuming he avoided an issue. Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie while adding 37 yards on six carries. He enters his second season as one of Chicago's key receiving options alongside Rome Odunze. The next update from the Bears, or Burden's participation in the next practice, should provide a better idea of whether the hit will cost him any time. -
Chase Brown Continues to Grow as a Receiver
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown continues to show growth as a receiver. Joe Burrow said Brown has taken another leap catching the ball this offseason, while Charlie Clifford noted that the fourth-year back lined up wide for a couple of reps during Monday's 11-on-11 work. Brown already set a franchise record for a running back, halfback, or fullback with 69 receptions last season, turning them into 437 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,019 yards and six scores, giving him 1,456 yards from scrimmage in his first full season as Cincinnati's lead back. A few snaps split out wide do not guarantee a major change in how the Bengals use him, but the look fits Brown's growing role as an all-around weapon. His receiving work remains a major part of his fantasy value, and any further expansion would make him even harder to take off the field. -
TreVeyon Henderson Still a Liability on Passing Downs
The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that it has "looked a bit like last season" with New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson in terms of his inability to separate himself on passing downs. The second-year player out of Ohio State is big and explosive with the ball in his hands, but he continues to make "just enough mistakes in pass protection that it feels like a risk to use him on third downs." The 23-year-old former second-rounder had a very promising rookie campaign in 2025, carrying the ball 180 times for 911 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and nine rushing touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (four starts), adding 35 catches for 221 yards and another score as a receiver. Henderson will once again have a key role in the Patriots' backfield, but his fantasy ceiling will be capped again while he shares the workload with Rhamondre Stevenson. As Graff mentions, Henderson's stock could skyrocket if he improves in pass protection, but until that happens, he should be considered more of a low-end RB2 with upside in Year 2. -
Kayshon Boutte's Stock is Surging
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is already up to four catches in training camp practice on Tuesday, according to the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan, and he continues to see his stock surge this summer as a potential trade candidate before the start of the 2026 regular season. Boutte has stated his desire to remain with the Patriots, but after the offseason additions of Pro Bowler A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, Boutte could be the odd-man out after catching 78 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in 34 games (23 starts) in his first three years in the NFL. The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder from LSU did have a career-high six touchdowns in 14 regular-season games in 2025, but there is just a lot of competition for targets now in New England's WR room. Boutte is competing for a role in 2026 (if he stays in New England) with DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism. For fantasy purposes, Boutte's best path to fantasy relevance in 12-team formats would be a trade out of town. -
Jonathon Brooks Won't Play in Hall of Fame Game
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that running back Jonathon Brooks will not play in Canton, Ohio, in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game versus the Arizona Cardinals, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers aren't planning on playing their starters to open the preseason slate, and it makes all the sense in the world not to put Brooks in harm's way when considering his history of knee injuries. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas has played in only three games for the Panthers due to two torn ACLs. The Texas native is fully healthy this summer, though, and heads into his third NFL campaign as the favorite for change-of-pace duties behind Chuba Hubbard in Carolina. Hubbard will most likely continue to serve as the team's RB1, but Brooks has been impressive so far in camp and could cut into his overall touches, making him an intriguing late-round flier at the position, especially if you have Hubbard rostered. RotoBaller has Brooks ranked as the No. 40 fantasy RB for 2026. -
Xavier Legette Suffers a Stinger, Won't Play in Hall of Fame Game
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Tuesday that wide receiver Xavier Legette (neck) suffered a stinger in training camp practice and isn't dealing with a concussion, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Legette will not play in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, but he's expected to return to the practice field next week. It doesn't sound like the Panthers are worried about Legette's availability for the 2026 regular-season opener in early September, which is good news, considering rookie wideout Chris Brazzell II (knee) is already out for the season. As long as Legette doesn't pick up any more injuries, he figures to be the favorite for WR3 duties to begin the 2026 season in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. The 25-year-old from South Carolina hasn't lived up to expectations after the Panthers took him 32nd overall in 2024, as Legette has recorded 84 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 31 games (25 starts) in his two seasons. He had a 35-363-3 line in 15 games in 2025, which was a step back from his rookie numbers. Fantasy managers in typical 12-team leagues should be avoiding Legette in drafts. -
Jets Confident That Kenyon Sadiq Will be Ready for Week 1
New York Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) had a setback after having surgery in the offseason for a hernia, head coach Aaron Glenn told Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Glenn said that Sadiq will "be out for a little bit." However, Glenn also said he's not worried about Sadiq and that he's "very confident" he'll be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in September. The 21-year-old former 16th overall pick from the University of Oregon will continue to sit out of practice at training camp. Ultimately, Sadiq should be good for the start of the regular season, but he is missing valuable reps in camp that could put him behind the eight ball in terms of his involvement in New York's offense early in his rookie season, especially since the Jets already have a very capable pass-catching TE in Mason Taylor. Sadiq's elite athleticism and pass-catching prowess down the field make him a popular dynasty/keeper pick going into his rookie campaign, but fantasy managers in redraft formats might want to temper expectations as more of a low-end TE2 with upside in 2026.


