The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James' biggest rival for the No. 2 job behind Christian McCaffrey this year might be third-round rookie Kaelon Black. The 49ers thought the 24-year-old Black was the second-best RB in the recent draft. He lacks the elusive skills that James possesses, but he is "sharp and powerfully built," and perhaps most importantly, he "handles himself well as a backfield blocker." The quickest way for a rookie RB to get reps on the field in meaningful games is to hold their own as a blocker, so Black could push James this season for a change-of-pace role. And don't forget that head coach Kyle Shanahan plans to get McCaffrey some more rest in 2026. In his final season in college at Indiana, Black had 186 carries for 1,040 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, adding just four receptions for 36 yards in 16 games played. Black probably won't have much redraft appeal in his rookie campaign unless CMC gets hurt. In dynasty setups, RotoBaller has Black ranked as the No. 50 RB.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Chris Brazzell II finds himself in a crowded position group, but his unique skill set could allow him to contribute as a rookie. Brazzell, a third-round pick, possesses the acceleration needed to make plays downfield, which could help him earn snaps in his first NFL season. He currently projects as the No. 4 receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette, but he could take on a bigger role through good production or a teammate's injury. Brazzell is no stranger to contributing against top-tier competition. Facing SEC defenses at Tennessee last year, he exploded for 62 catches, 1,017 yards, and nine touchdowns. Now that he's a Panther, he ranks as the overall WR67 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings, and he projects as a mid-second-round pick in 2026 rookie drafts.

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The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is more "Jauan Jennings-like in his ability to pancake opponents and otherwise help out in the running and short passing games" than veteran free-agent addition Christian Kirk as the Niners look for a new slot or "F" receiver to replace Jennings. Head coach Kyle Shanahan thinks the team's dip in downfield blocking was a reason they lacked explosive runs and pass plays in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Stribling isn't as big or strong as Jennings, and he must build chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy, but he is faster and will give the Niners more big-play ability in 2026 and beyond. At best, Stribling will be the WR3 in San Fran in his first year in the NFL behind Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall. He's probably not going to be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues in 2026, and he might be more of a long-term project in dynasty formats as well. However, the Ole Miss product has lots of intangibles that the 49ers like. He's an under-the-radar dynasty target and is ranked as the No. 54 dynasty WR at RotoBaller.

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ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers are essentially "uninstalling" everything that rookie quarterback Drew Allar learned at Penn State and "re-uploading" their own methods, fundamentals, and mechanics. Head coach Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff are taking it slowly with Allar so far and concentrating on his footwork and widening his base, which McCarthy hopes will help the young signal-caller process things faster and move through his reads. The 6-foot-5 Allar has the raw traits that McCarthy looks for in a QB to run his West Coast style of offense, and he has the pedigree to be a top-tier signal-caller after throwing for 61 touchdown passes and 7,402 yards as a three-year starter at Penn State. But Allar's mechanics need work, and he struggled against top-tier opponents in college in a system that didn't always put him in a great spot to succeed. Like most young QBs, Allar is getting used to the new challenge of playing under center at the NFL level. If veteran Aaron Rodgers eventually re-signs with Pittsburgh, Allar is expected to be the QB3, at best, going into the start of his rookie season in 2026. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 33 dynasty QB, so patience will be required.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane could occupy an immediate role heading into the 2026 NFL season. Although Lane didn't hear his name called until the third round of the NFL Draft, he represents a clear roster fit for the Ravens, who have struggled to find a true No. 2 receiver in recent years. Rashod Bateman has proven to be a bust, and Devontez Walker has been unable to emerge as a consistent pass-catching threat through two years in the league. As a result, Lane could start opposite Zay Flowers as early as Week 1. He checks in at 6-foot-4 with large hands and a large wingspan, making him a high-upside red-zone target for Lamar Jackson. That will be particularly valuable after the departure of Isaiah Likely, which left Jackson with one fewer red-zone target. Lane can produce in a variety of contested situations, and we wouldn't be surprised to see Jackson look his way often. The USC product is the overall WR77 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings, and he projects as a late second-round pick in most 2026 rookie drafts.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch could contribute right away, giving him value in both redraft and dynasty leagues. Branch, a University of Georgia product, was selected with the 79th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Behind Drake London, the Falcons' next-best receivers are Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. Neither of those names is particularly appealing, so we could see Branch quickly step into the No. 2 receiver role ahead of Dotson and Zaccheaus. That fits his skill set, too, as Branch is an athletic and quick player who gets separation and could be a key weapon for Michael Penix Jr. (knee) or Tua Tagovailoa downfield. As it currently stands, Branch ranks as the WR63 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings. He projects as a mid-second-round pick in most 2026 rookie drafts.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eli Stowers might not take on a large role during his rookie season, but he has a strong chance to develop into the team's eventual No. 1 option at the position. The Eagles recently brought back Dallas Goedert on a one-year deal, paving the way for him to hit free agency next offseason. Stowers will operate behind Goedert this year, serving as an intriguing fantasy handcuff. Then, when Goedert presumably departs, Stowers could step up as the primary tight end in Philadelphia. He's no stranger to a large workload, as he caught 111 passes for 1,407 yards and two touchdowns across two seasons at Vanderbilt. Although he's not the top rookie tight end in fantasy football this year and he won't make an immediate impact, he certainly has top-10 upside in dynasty leagues because of his potential to contribute long-term.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Max Klare is an intriguing dynasty option because of his second-round draft capital, but the team's crowded position room could make it very challenging for him to contribute right away. The Rams drafted Terrance Ferguson last year, and it seemed like this offseason represented a prime opportunity for them to trim down their tight end room and bring some clarity to the position. Instead, they re-signed Tyler Higbee and drafted Klare. The unit now consists of Colby Parkinson, Higbee, Klare, and Ferguson. It's unclear whether even one of those tight ends will be able to emerge as fantasy relevant, let alone multiple. The draft capital is intriguing with Klare, but we doubt he'll be able to contribute right away, given the experience of the tight ends around him. Klare could be the Rams' tight end of the future, though, so managers could afford to select him in rookie drafts if they're willing to be patient with his development.

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Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young had his fifth-year extension picked up, but the Panthers are reportedly talking through an extension and GM Dan Morgan will be in touch with Young's agent, according to an interview on NFL Network on Tuesday, May 12.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. was on the field a surprising amount for a seventh-round rookie, with his superior pass blocking leading to more offensive snaps than his fourth-round teammate Bhayshul Tuten. While his opportunities were still limited, touching the ball only 33 times in year one, the path to a larger workload is there for 2026. With the Jaguars saying goodbye to Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency, the backfield is set to be turned over to the two youngsters and free agent acquisition Chris Rodriguez Jr. Having seen more than 160 targets across his last three seasons in Jacksonville, Etienne's absence creates a major vacuum in the passing game, and while Allen made only 10 catches as a rookie, that's four more than Rodriguez has accumulated in his three-year career. After leaving Syracuse as arguably the most accomplished receiving back in a loaded 2025 draft class, Allen could handle the primary pass-catching duties in what profiles to be a high-powered Liam Coen offense. At RotoBaller's dynasty RB90, he's seen his value steadily rise throughout the offseason, but given the fantasy-friendly opportunity that could be in front of him, it's possible Allen is still being severely undervalued.

The New York Jets signed starting running back Breece Hall to a three-year, $45.75 million contract extension last Friday, which is not great news for the dynasty fantasy football value of fellow Jets RB Isaiah Davis. On the bright side, Davis could have a chance to take over RB2 duties in New York in 2026 in his third year in the NFL after Braelon Allen (knee) missed most of last year with an MCL injury. The 24-year-old Davis, a former fifth-round selection in 2024 out of South Dakota State, has actually been quite productive in his limited opportunities so far in his two seasons with Gang Green. He had 43 carries for 236 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and one touchdown on the ground in 16 games in 2025, adding 21 receptions for an additional 186 yards as a pass-catcher. Davis has a healthy 5.6 yard-per-carry average in his two years in the league, and he proved last year that he can contribute in the passing attack out of the backfield. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues with Hall rostered might want to look into acquiring Davis as a handcuff. RotoBaller has Davis currently ranked as the No. 80 dynasty RB.

Dynasty | The Chargers have signed tight end David Njoku. Dynasty Analysis: Njoku is coming off his worst season as a pro, finishing with just 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns. The nine-year veteran finished behind rookie Harold Fannin in the pecking order and Cleveland quarterbacks had a hard time keeping one tight end relevant, leaving Njoku just a few scraps here and there. He should fare a little better in Los Angeles but the emerging Orande Gadsden still looks like their best bet at the position.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had risen all the way to TE10 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings after flashing at a historical level in his rookie season and finishing his first campaign with 664 yards on 49 receptions. The thought of him working in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's tight end-friendly scheme was enough to push the soon-to-be 23-year-old into TE1 territory, but with the Chargers agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran David Njoku on Monday, Gadsden's breakout chances have been dealt a serious blow. While Njoku was essentially passed over in his final season with the Browns by rookie Harold Fannin Jr., he still offers unique athleticism and an immense target radius, and his blocking ability could make him more of a staple than Gadsden in three-receiver sets. With Njoku adding to what was already a crowded group of pass catchers, including Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris, a reliable target share could be difficult for Gadsden to come by in year two. Gadsden's rookie peaks were as high as almost any player in league history, and Njoku's deal is only for one year, so while the 2025 fifth-round pick out of Syracuse will be clearly impacted in 2026, he should still provide significant value in best ball leagues and as a young dynasty stash.

In selecting wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have arguably assembled their strongest receiver room in years. After trading for DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in back-to-back seasons, the selection of Bernard out of Alabama gives the team three capable and complementary players who can be moved across the formation. Before his landing spot was even known, Bernard profiled as a wide receiver who might operate best as a secondary or even tertiary option in an NFL offense, and his fantasy ceiling looks to now be capped on a team with two legitimate target-earners. Where his floor could truly drop out, though, is through subpar quarterback play, and with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers still unsigned more than two months into the new league year, there's a chance the Steelers could open the 2026 season with one of Will Howard, Drew Allar, or Mason Rudolph under center. At RotoBaller's rookie WR8, even if he turns into a better-for-the-NFL-than-fantasy type of player, Bernard is still going high enough in dynasty drafts that such an outcome would, in all likelihood, lead to him being labeled a bust.

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The Browns selected wide receiver Denzel Boston with the seventh pick of the second round in the 2026 NFL Draft, and having already spent a first-rounder on receiver KC Concepcion, he instantly became part of an exciting young core of skill players in Cleveland. The Browns used second and third-round picks on running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in 2025, with both players showing star potential as rookies. While Boston could struggle to find immediate fantasy success, he has a clear path to becoming a meaningful piece of a rapidly ascending offense, especially if the team can figure out the quarterback position. After starting three different signal callers in 2025, the starting job in year one under new head coach Todd Monken is expected to go to either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders. If either can provide anything even close to league-average quarterback play, Boston will have a chance to outperform his current standing of RotoBaller's rookie WR6, and if not, a quarterback-heavy 2027 draft class could be key in helping him hold value through the early stages of his career in Cleveland.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP outing and a career-best QB3 fantasy finish, and at 38 years old, he is an obvious sell candidate for any dynasty managers without a chance of contention. As with any pure pocket passer, Stafford's fantasy success is tied almost exclusively to touchdowns, and after tossing a career-high 46 touchdown passes in his 17th season, regression is almost certain to strike. Stafford's 7.7% touchdown rate was almost three full percentage points higher than his previous four seasons in Los Angeles, and with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum being held out of the end zone on a combined 19 carries from within the five-yard line, Davante Adams alone accounted for an NFL record 11 receiving touchdowns from five yards or closer. Between Adams and 2025 first-team All-Pro Puka Nacua, the Rams still boast one of the best receiving tandems in the league, so another league-winning performance from Stafford is by no means an impossibility, but at RotoBaller's dynasty QB25, non-contending managers who have not already done so would be wise to sell in the wake of what will likely be remembered as the best statistical season of his career.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed has long shown the ability to be a fantasy difference maker, but in a crowded receiver room, and with a role often limited to slot work in 11 personnel packages, he has yet to top the WR23 finish from his rookie campaign. While a broken clavicle and a separate foot injury limited him to only seven contests in 2025, his per game averages were down across the board, and only twice did he see the field for more than 25 offensive snaps. The hope for dynasty managers is that with the team's leading receiver from 2025, Romeo Doubs, departing in free agency, Reed could see an uptick in usage, but with Christian Watson another year removed from the ACL tear that ended his 2024 season, Tucker Kraft expected back at some point from a torn ACL of his own, and 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden in line to take a step forward in year two, target competition in Green Bay could be as fierce as ever. As a player who has averaged more than 2.0 yards per route run in his career and added 6.0 yards after the catch per reception, Reed has the skills to become a fantasy staple if kept on the field, and with multiple paths toward insurance upside, he offers untapped ceiling potential, but at RotoBaller's dynasty WR51, his value reflects his commonly low floor, with Green Bay showing a ready willingness to simply remove him from game plans in favor of heavier personnel.

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A rookie tight end has cracked the top five in Half-PPR fantasy leagues every season since 2023, and if that trend is to continue in 2026, New York Jets first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq is perhaps the most likely candidate. The Jets took Sadiq with the 16th overall pick, making him the first tight end off the board in a class that would ultimately see 21 players selected at the position. Having never topped 560 receiving yards during his time at Oregon, his collegiate production does not stack up favorably with that of recent first-round tight ends, but in the era of NIL, Sadiq is one of the few early-declare prospects in this draft class and will take his first professional snaps at the age of 21. His athleticism is well-documented, and with his biggest competition for targets behind Garrett Wilson being fellow first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr., he could see early volume in a Frank Reich offense that has historically involved tight ends at one of the league's highest rates. Sadiq is already RotoBaller's dynasty TE9, and while he may not make the immediate impact of recent rookie tight ends, he has the physical traits and the opportunity to become a sought-after dynasty asset in what looks to be a rapidly improving offense.

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The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets fourth-round rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik is quickly becoming a fan favorite and could have a chance to win the backup job behind veteran Geno Smith to begin his first year in the NFL in 2026. Klubnik was accurate and threw the ball well in rookie minicamp over the weekend, although it was closer to a walkthrough pace than a full-blown practice tempo. The 22-year-old's draft stock fell after a poor final season at Clemson in 2025 in which he dealt with ankle and wrist injuries. The word "aura" is being thrown around explaining Klubnik's presence early on, and the Jets' decision to slow-play their pursuit of another veteran backup QB suggests that they could give Klubnik an opportunity to be Smith's backup. Klubnik's primary competition for that job will be Brady Cook. "He's a really smart man," head coach Aaron Glenn said. "We're going to push the envelope with (him) and see exactly where he's at and how he's going to be able to operate with our offense." Klubnik has a ways to go, but his dynasty stock should only continue to rise in a Jets organization planning to start Smith, who was one of the worst QBs in 2025.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was seen taking part in the team's offseason program on Tuesday at the team's facilities, six months removed from tearing his left ACL on Nov. 16 of last year in a game against the Carolina Panthers, reports ESPN's Marc Raimondi. Penix threw to receiver Drake London in Georgia. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick out of the University of Washington in 2024 has suffered three torn ACLs in the last eight years after he tore his right ACL twice in college. With his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall in question, Atlanta signed former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million deal in March. The Falcons are on record as saying that Penix will compete with Tagovailoa for the starting gig under center when he's healthy this summer. Penix believes he'll be ready for Week 1 in early September, but the Falcons haven't been clear on a timeline for when the lefty will be back. Penix has disappointed in his two seasons in the NFL, completing 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions in just 14 games (12 starts). Durability concerns alone have caused Penix's dynasty fantasy value to plummet this offseason. He's currently ranked 27th at the QB position in dynasty formats at RotoBaller.

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