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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye enjoyed plenty of success in 2025, including finishing as the MVP runner-up, ranking as the QB2 in fantasy scoring, and making it to the Super Bowl. It was a remarkable second season for the former first-round pick, and he'll look to follow it up with an equally dominant campaign in 2026. The biggest question mark for Maye is whether he'll have a receiving group capable of supporting his hefty upside. Stefon Diggs wasn't an elite receiver by any means last season, but he still carried the position group and offered plenty of reliability with big-play upside. However, Diggs was released, and the Patriots downgraded at wide receiver by signing Romeo Doubs to take his place. Making a splash at wide receiver -- like trading for A.J. Brown or even bringing back Diggs on a different deal -- would be great for Maye's fantasy aspirations. However, with his current receiving room, he may have trouble topping last season's 4,394 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle finds himself in the middle of an evolving offense, and not in a good way. The Dolphins endured an ugly season of quarterback play from Tua Tagovailoa, and they replaced the former first-round pick with Malik Willis, who flashed upside in Green Bay but will likely start to get figured out by opposing defenses now that he's a full-time starter. Plus, Willis' top trait has been his mobility and physical running style, leaving some questions about his passing. All in all, that's not great news for Waddle. On the bright side, though, the former first-round receiver is headed for significant volume once again. Much like most of the 2025 regular season, Waddle will enter the 2026 season without Tyreek Hill in Miami's receiving room. Waddle is the No. 1 wide receiver in Miami, and between Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington, there's not much competition. Therefore, even though we're not sold on this offense in 2026, Waddle should still have a productive fantasy season while commanding a heavy target share every week. That type of role resulted in a modest stat line of 64 catches, 910 yards, and six touchdowns last season. We wouldn't be surprised to see him push for 75 catches, 1,000 yards, and another six-plus scores in 2026, keeping him in the mix as a mid-to-low WR2 for fantasy football purposes.

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New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has dealt with some poor quarterback play throughout his NFL career, and that might not change in 2026. New York recently struck a deal to acquire quarterback Geno Smith, taking on the final year of his hefty contract in exchange for a late-round pick. It's a move that signals the Jets want to have better quarterback play than last year, but still don't plan to be very competitive next season. Smith wasn't able to support very promising fantasy results from his receivers in 2025, as Jakobi Meyers was traded midseason and Vegas' top-scoring fantasy receiver was Tre Tucker (WR38). Make no mistake, Wilson should still be a fantasy WR2 when healthy; he was the WR15 in terms of fantasy points per game last year, but he missed more than half the season. He was also the overall WR10 with over 100 catches back in 2024, but that was with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback. The bottom line is that Wilson will deliver fantasy-relevant results regardless of the quarterback situation, but his true ceiling will continue to be limited as the Jets roll out quarterbacks like Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and now, Smith. He's best viewed in the WR16-WR24 range for 2026.

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Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) could be an appealing buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues as he works his way back from injury. Brooks missed the entire 2025 regular season due to a torn ACL that he suffered in 2024. Injuries have limited the once-promising running back to just three games through two NFL seasons. The former Texas product showed some promise when healthy, though. In Week 13 of the 2024 season, when the Panthers were still getting him up to speed, he handled six carries and also caught three passes for 23 receiving yards. Brooks should be healthy for training camp in 2026, and he could ascend into a significant role right away. Rico Dowdle departed the Panthers in free agency, leaving Brooks and Trevor Etienne in competition for a larger workload alongside Chuba Hubbard. While Hubbard has an early leg up on the competition, we would not be surprised to see both Brooks and Etienne get a fair crack at the job. Brooks could have low-end RB3/flex appeal if he locks up the backup running back role, and earning the starting job could put him in RB2 territory. 2025 showed that Chuba Hubbard isn't an every-down back, so Brooks would likely handle a sizable workload even if he split touches with Hubbard.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is a candidate to get more involved on offense after the team traded away Michael Pittman Jr. earlier this week. Pittman's departure for Pittsburgh leaves Downs and the newly-extended Alec Pierce as Indianapolis' top two wide receivers. Pierce's $116 million deal indicates that he's the new No. 1 receiver on the Colts, but there's still plenty of room for Downs to exist and contribute. The 24-year-old had 58 catches, 566 yards, and four touchdowns last year. Those were subpar numbers, but part of the blame can be placed on the state of the Colts' offense during the back half of the season with Philip Rivers at quarterback. With Daniel Jones (Achilles) returning and Pittman shipped away, Downs will have a chance to return to his 2024 form, when he was the Colts' No. 2 receiver and finished as the overall WR35 in PPR leagues. A top-36 finish is well within reach for Downs in 2026, making him a potential buy-low dynasty option this offseason.

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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) finds himself alone atop the depth chart heading into the 2026 NFL season. Nabers is working his way back from a torn ACL, and when he returns, he won't face much competition for targets. Wan'Dale Robinson walked in free agency, and the Giants responded by signing Calvin Austin III, who had a very underwhelming season in Pittsburgh. New York does still have Darius Slayton, and while he's been known to deliver some solid performances from time to time, he lacks the consistent type of production that we saw from Robinson. Unless the Giants make an unforeseen wide receiver signing or trade (or prioritize the position in the draft), we should expect Nabers to be Jaxson Dart's primary target more often than not in 2026. Even coming back from injury, he has top-three wide receiver upside in fantasy football.

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Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said on Seattle Sports Radio on Thursday that running back Zach Charbonnet's (knee) ACL surgery "went very well," and his "outlook is good." Schneider wouldn't provide a timeline for Charbonnet's recovery or a timetable for when he might be able to resume football activities. The 25-year-old tore the ACL in his knee during the Divisional Round win against the San Francisco 49ers, so given the timing of the injury, it wouldn't be realistic to expect Charbonnet to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. Typically, recovery from a torn ACL takes anywhere from eight to 12 months. Seattle's backfield is thin because of Charb's injury, and with Kenneth Walker III signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. If Charbonnet isn't ready in early September, the Seahawks could pair a rookie RB with both George Holani and newcomer Emanuel Wilson. Charbonnet's 2026 fantasy value is probably going to take a pretty big hit because of his injury, but when he's finally healthy, he could have a clear path to being the RB1.

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The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Demercado had over 1,100 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns (three rushing) in his three years with the team, and he'll now join Kenneth Walker III in KC's new-look backfield going into the 2026 season. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of TCU had a career-high 312 rushing yards on 44 carries in 13 games in Arizona in 2025, but he didn't find the end zone on the ground. Demercado added 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown in an expanded role after both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) suffered season-ending injuries. He never held a big role in Arizona's backfield, but he was productive when he touched the ball, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt on 126 carries. Demercado should have more upside as a stash candidate in deeper fantasy leagues while competing for backup duties with Brashard Smith.

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Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider praised running back George Holani on Seattle Sports radio on Thursday, so it sounds like Holani will have a bigger role in 2026, according to John Boyle of the team's official website. Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III left in free agency to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, and there's a good chance Zach Charbonnet (knee) won't be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season this fall after tearing his ACL in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks added former Green Bay Packers RB Emanuel Wilson in free agency for more backfield depth, but if Charbonnet isn't ready for Week 1 in September, Holani could be Seattle's RB1, depending on what they do in the upcoming NFL draft in April. The 26-year-old mostly worked on special teams in 11 regular-season games in 2025, carrying the ball only 22 times for 73 yards and one touchdown and catching both of his targets for 15 yards. Most likely, the Seahawks will pair a rookie RB with Holani and Wilson to begin next season while they wait for Charbonnet to heal.

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Dynasty | The Seahawks have signed running back Emanuel Wilson. Dynasty Analysis: Wilson gets a one-year contract with Seattle but could be in line for some early season work with Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL. We'd expect Seattle to add some more depth through free agency (they've been rumored to be in on Brian Robinson) or the upcoming draft. However, Wilson is certainly a player to keep tabs on in the coming weeks and months as we've seen him be productive in stretches before.

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Dynasty | The Giants have signed wide receiver Calvin Austin. Dynasty Analysis: Austin never did quite break out in Pittsburgh the way many thought he would but former Ravens Head Coach and now current Giants leader John Harbaugh has certainly seen a lot of him through the years. He seems like a poor bet to really replace Wan'Dale Robinson's production from the slot but he's still good enough to merit a roster spot in deep dynasty leagues.

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Dynasty | The Minnesota Vikings have signed quarterback Kyler Murray. Dynasty Analysis: As expected, Murray gets a one-year deal to prove he's still capable of being a top-tier NFL quarterback. In Minnesota, Murray will have at his disposal an embarrassing amount of talent as the backfield of Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones is more than capable of running the ball. In terms of pass catchers, it's hard to find a team boasting talent better than the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson. Murray has to stay healthy to produce at a high level but it wouldn't surprise anyone to see him push for between 3,500 and 4,000 passing yards with another 400 on the ground and a total of somewhere around 30 touchdowns between the two. Keep in mind he's also going to be in a contract year again (he only signed a one-year deal) so he has the incentive to work hard (something he's been criticized for in the past) and prove himself in the league again. While his floor is near zero if he gets hurt, his ceiling is that of a QB1. His ADP is going to rise with this move and open a solid window to deal him if you don't believe in his talent. If you are a believer, buckle up because this could go in a number of ways.

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The Tennessee Titans signed free-agent tight end Kylen Granson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Granson will return to the AFC South division after spending the first four years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts. The 27-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2021 out of SMU caught a career-low seven passes for 40 yards on nine targets in 17 regular-season games a year ago with the Philadelphia Eagles. Granson had 86 catches on 136 targets for 958 yards and only one touchdown in his four years in Indy as a depth TE. In Tennessee, he figures to be no better than the TE3 with the Titans to open the 2026 season while working behind second-year man Gunnar Helm and new addition Daniel Bellinger. Most of Granson's playing time in Nashville is likely to come on special teams.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed former Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, a source told the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal carries a maximum value of $6 million via incentives. Muhammad leaves the Lions after a career year in 2025 in which he had 25 tackles (15 solo), a career-high 11 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 20 QB hits in 17 games played. The 30-year-old veteran played just 41 percent of Detroit's defensive snaps, though, so unless the Bucs plan to give him a more regular role, it's going to be difficult for the former sixth-rounder to duplicate his breakout campaign. Muhammad was taken by the Saints in the 2017 draft out of the University of Miami. He has 193 tackles (126 solo), 26 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, 58 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in his eight years in the NFL.

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The Las Vegas Raiders have signed fullback Connor Heyward to a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The contract includes $2 million fully guaranteed. Heyward hit free agency earlier this week upon the expiration of his four-year rookie deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's scored a touchdown in three of his four pro seasons, and he posted a respectable 449 scrimmage yards during his time in the black and gold. Of course, handling the football is just a minor component of his role as a fullback. He's far more involved as a blocker, creating opportunities for the quarterback or running backs. He'll now take his talents to Las Vegas, where he'll be tasked with blocking for a young offense that features Ashton Jeanty and will also likely include projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free agent safety Jaquan Brisker, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. Terms and duration of the contract were not immediately reported. Brisker, a former second-round pick, impressed while playing out his four-year rookie deal in Chicago. Now, the Pittsburgh native is heading home. It's a bit unclear what his role will be, as the Steelers already have a capable strong safety in Deshon Elliott. With that said, this is still an encouraging addition for Pittsburgh. Brisker started every game he played across four seasons in Chicago, including all 17 contests in 2025. He finished the season with one sack, one interception, eight passes defended, and 93 total tackles.

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The Seattle Seahawks have signed running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal worth up to $2.1 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Wilson is a former undrafted free agent who found success through three years as a depth option in Green Bay. He posted at least 550 scrimmage yards in each of the last two seasons, offering the Packers a reliable backup to Josh Jacobs. Wilson was healthy for all 17 games in 2025, making two starts. He had 496 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, with a significant portion of his statistics coming from a Week 12 performance in which he posted 28 carries, 107 rushing yards, two catches, 18 receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns. This is a signing that may fly under the radar, but really should generate more buzz. Seattle lost Kenneth Walker III in free agency, and Zach Charbonnet (knee) is working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in the playoffs. Charbonnet might not be ready for Week 1 next season, and even if he does play, he likely won't be at 100%. Wilson has an opportunity to carve out a significant workload right away, potentially even as the Super Bowl champions' lead back.

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The Buffalo Bills are signing free agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Gardner-Johnson, a seven-year NFL veteran, spent last season with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. Across 13 games (10 starts), he tallied one forced fumble, two interceptions, four passes defended, three sacks, and 66 tackles. He has never made a Pro Bowl, but he led the NFL in interceptions in 2022 and was a Comeback Player of the Year finalist in 2024. The former fourth-round pick currently projects as the Bills' primary strong safety, operating alongside free safety Cole Bishop.

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The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Calvin Austin III to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Austin hit free agency earlier this week upon the expiration of his four-year rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former fourth-round pick entered the 2025 season with high expectations, given his role as the team's No. 2 wide receiver in a potentially pass-heavy offense. That never really came to fruition, though, as Austin finished the year with just 31 catches, 372 yards, and three touchdowns across 14 games. The Giants will rely on him and Darius Slayton to fill a depth role behind superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) next season. Austin is more of a low-floor, high-ceiling receiver, so while he should be rostered in most dynasty and many redraft leagues, he won't be a weekly fantasy starter in 2026.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was not being shopped in recent trade talks, general manager James Gladstone said on Thursday. Gladstone said rumors of Thomas being shopped were "fraudulent claims" and that the team never received an offer for the wide receiver. The second-year general manager went as far as to say that Thomas will be a big part of the Jaguars' offense going forward. Fantasy managers should be excited to hear that, but the comments should obviously be taken with a grain of salt. Thomas is coming off a very frustrating second season in the NFL, catching just 48 passes for 707 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games. To make matters worse, he faces plenty of competition in the passing game from a crowded receiver room that features Jakobi Meyers, Travis Hunter, and Parker Washington. Managers who trust Gladstone's comments might consider buying low on Thomas in dynasty leagues. Otherwise, he's probably more of a "hold" for the time being.

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