Fantasy football buzz: Washington impresses for Raiders, rises up draft boards

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.