Fantasy Football News

The Vikings retooled their run game this offseason, hiring OL coach Frank Smith to lead the charge. The biggest change to the scheme will be more outside zone runs, as outlined in a recent article from The Athletic's Alec Lewis. That shift looks like excellent news for RB Jordan Mason.

Falcons WR Zachariah Branch drew rave reviews from QB Tua Tagovailoa and HC Kevin Stefanski in a recent piece for The Athletic by Josh Kendall. Tagovailoa specifically compared Branch to Jaylen Waddle as a shifty WR who gets easy separation. Stefanski discussed Branch’s strong practice effort and success. Branch certainly has a chance to rise up the depth chart throughout camp and the preseason with Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus being his main competition for early snaps.

Cardinals QB Carson Beck started the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night and had an excellent performance. He went 15 of 19 for 188 passing yards and a TD. The TD came on a corner route to WR Simi Fehoko, perfectly placed on the sideline, showcasing Beck’s accuracy and live arm. It’s just one preseason game against likely backups and practice squad players, but it is a good sign for the young QB.

Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle is expected back in 4-5 days, HC Sean Payton said Thursday. Waddle went down with what Payton called a "strain" in Wednesday's practice. Payton didn't give any other details, but Waddle had a sleeve on his left leg on Thursday.

Jesse Newell of The Athletic calls Chiefs RB Emmett Johnson an early training camp "faller." Here's more from Newell. “The Chiefs were thrilled to get Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of April’s draft, and I’d think his long-term prospects with the team remain unchanged. But as of now … he’s been a clear fourth in the running back pecking order in practices, behind both Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado [plus starter Kenneth Walker].”

Javonte Williams is ripping off big runs in training camp after last year's career season in Dallas, according to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas News. Hoyt later added, “Don’t think the Cowboys need to see too much of him in this preseason.”

Jahmyr Gibbs signed a three-year, $75.75 million extension with the Lions that includes $51.5 million guaranteed. The deal carries the highest per-year average and the most guaranteed money ever for a running back, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Jordan Love called MarShawn Lloyd a playmaker in the Packers offense and described him as “very fast, very twitchy,” per USA Today’s Ryan Wood.

WR Luther Burden's drawing rave camp reviews ahead of a second season with a wide range of possible outcomes. “Another solid day by Luther Burden capped off with a TD in two-minute drill,” says Chicago Sports Network's Clay Harbor.

Packers RB Josh Jacobs missed Thursday's practice with a groin injury, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. The injury reportedly isn't serious but certainly bears watching considering Jacobs' injury history.

49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling returned to practice on Thursday. He missed only a few days with what was evidently a minor hamstring injury. Barring a setback, Stribling's 2026 fantasy outlook is unaffected. He was off to a strong start in camp before the hamstring and has a good chance to open the season as one of San Francisco's top three WRs.

Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle left practice early yesterday with a left leg injury (“muscle tightness” according to HC Sean Payton). The good news is that Waddle was on the sideline during practice today in a jersey and shorts. But, Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports recorded a video of the bad news. Waddle had his left leg in a sleeve and was walking with a slight limp. The injury could still be minor, but it gives us some useful information.

The Texans on Thursday announced a two-year, $16 million extension with LB Henry To'oTo'o. It's a particularly interesting deal when you consider the playing-time fluctuations for the LB over the past two years.

The Buccaneers are dealing with multiple injuries at WR this week. That included Jalen McMillan, Chris Godwin, and Emeka Egbuka all sitting out Tuesday night's indoor practice. Tez Johnson left that workout early with a lower-body injury, according to the team website.

Jets HC Aaron Glenn told reporters Thursday morning that the team got "pretty good news" on rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq following this week's setback in his recovery from hernia surgery.

Cleveland's QB competition has been viewed as Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders throughout the offseason, which makes obvious sense. Sanders finished last year as the team's starter, and Watson's still making way too much money to not at least get consideration. But Dillon Gabriel has gained recent praise from HC Todd Monken and should see expanded practice reps.

The Colts and RB Jonathan Taylor have agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $39 million in guarantees and a max value of $47 million. It comes just days after Bijan Robinson got a record-setting extension (among RBs) from the Falcons and checks in just short of Robinson's annual average. It will obviously end the "hold-in" that has found Taylor at camp but not participating. Before the extension, Taylor would have been entering the final year of his existing contract.

Patrik Walker of the Cowboys website asked OC Klayton Adams about the RB competition behind starter Javonte Williams. He said Adams praised each member of the group, but had comments that "stuck out" about one particular competitor.

It was another eventful offseason for Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, highlighted by getting hitched to Taylor Swift. But HC Andy Reid says Kelce showed up to training camp in good shape and is primed for another productive season.

Giants beat writer Dan Duggan called TE Isaiah Likely "the most consistent offensive player" on the team. "[I'd] be very surprised if he's not a very reliable option," Duggan added.