Heading into 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was a popular pick to have a breakout season. However, the former first-round pick battled through a knee injury and recorded just 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games played. Availability has been a consistent issue for Pearsall so far in his NFL career, as he's played in just 20 games across his first two seasons. Even when on the field, the 25-year-old has not yet emerged as a featured option in the San Francisco passing game. He's logged just 99 targets in his career, an average of fewer than five per contest. However, Pearsall will likely have an opportunity for a larger role with the 49ers in 2026. Star San Francisco tight end George Kittle (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the team's NFC Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and will likely miss time in 2026 as a result. Additionally, 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings is set to hit unrestricted free agency in mid-March after leading the team's wide receiver corps in targets in 2025. Fully buying in on Pearsall remains difficult until he proves the ability to stay healthy for an extended stretch. Still, he appears to have a clear pathway to a lead role in the San Francisco passing game in 2026.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton battled through an injury-marred rookie season in 2025, playing in just nine out of 17 games. However, the 22-year-old was productive when healthy, recording 737 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 156 touches. Beyond just improved health, there are reasons to think that the offensive environment around Hampton in Los Angeles in 2026 will be enhanced. For one, Chargers offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) should be back in the lineup after the two combined to play just six games in 2025. Additionally, Los Angeles will have a new play-caller after moving on from former offensive coordinator Greg Roman and hiring former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. During his tenure in Miami, McDaniel consistently showed an ability to boost running back production. Under McDaniel, Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has posted back-to-back seasons with at least 60 receptions, 1,400 scrimmage yards, and double-digit touchdowns. Fantasy managers in both redraft and dynasty formats should view Hampton as a high-upside running back option heading into 2026.

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Across 17 games in 2025, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan recorded 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets. The number eight overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, McMillan established himself as the number one wide receiver in Carolina right away as a rookie. The 22-year-old also closed the season strong, recording five of his seven touchdown catches from Week 11 onwards. Heading into 2026, McMillan should have the benefit of stability in Carolina. The Panthers made the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2017 and figure to retain both quarterback Bryce Young and play-calling head coach Dave Canales. Carolina struggled to find reliable pass-catchers outside of McMillan in 2025, so the team could look to bring in additional talent. However, any potential additions seem unlikely to unseat McMillan as the option in the pass game. All in all, McMillan profiles as a fantasy wide receiver on the rise in both dynasty and redraft formats after his strong rookie season.

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After an excellent rookie season in 2024, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey posted a relatively disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025. Across 16 games played, the 24-year-old recorded 66 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets. McConkey's production fell off sharply down the stretch of the season, as he recorded just one game with more than 40 receiving yards after Week 10. After losing in the AFC Wild Card Round to the New England Patriots, the Chargers decided to move on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman, replacing him with former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. While McDaniel's tenure in Miami went downhill over the last couple of seasons, he coached the Dolphins to top-five offenses by measure of total passing yardage in both 2022 and 2023. By contrast, Roman-coached teams have never finished better than 13th in passing yardage in any of his 12 seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator. Given the change in offensive infrastructure around him, McConkey could be in line for a bounce-back season in 2026.

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Across 15 games in 2025, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III recorded 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. While the 22-year-old's full-season numbers may not jump off the page, he closed his rookie season on a strong note. Across his final seven games, including postseason play, Burden III hauled in 31 catches for 423 yards and a touchdown on 46 targets. In that same seven-game stretch, Burden III earned at least six targets in every game but one. Heading into 2026, Burden III could be poised to hit the ground running as one of the featured pieces in the Chicago passing game. It's worth noting that the Bears have other talented pass-catchers in wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, as well as tight end Colston Loveland, who are also worthy target-earners. Still, Burden III's late-season breakout demonstrates his upside. He profiles as a wide receiver option on the rise for fantasy managers in both dynasty and redraft leagues.

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Indiana running back Roman Hemby was likely considered an undrafted free agent NFL prospect following four years at Maryland, but his performance in his final season with the College Football Playoff National Champion Indiana Hoosiers could propel him into being a Day 3 pick in April's 2026 NFL Draft. After compiling 3,268 total yards and 27 touchdowns in 42 games with the Terps, Hemby led the Indiana running backs in attempts (230), rushing yards (1,120), receptions (17), and receiving yards (165). While Fernando Mendoza and the passing attack rightfully got a ton of shine, Hemby was an unsung hero of the offense and ran hard throughout the College Football Playoff. Hemby is an explosive runner with good vision, but his lack of size will likely keep him in a complementary back role in the NFL.

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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said after the Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship on Sunday that quarterback Matthew Stafford plans to return for the 2026 season. But on Monday's new episode of the Let's Go podcast, Stafford made it sound like he's still contemplating retirement. "It'll be a lot that goes into it," Stafford told Jim Gray. "It's a physical, a mental, and emotional decision, a personal and a family decision as well. So, we'll figure all that kind of stuff out with some time." The 37-year-old is the front-runner to win the 2025 NFL MVP award after leading the league in passing yards (4,707), touchdown passes (46), touchdown percentage (7.7%), and yards per game (276.9) in 17 regular-season starts. It was arguably the best year of his 17-year career, so he'll most likely run it back in 2026, when he'll be a popular QB1 target as he looks for another Lombardi Trophy.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams lost for the fifth time in his career in the NFC Championship game on Sunday to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks -- four of his losses in the NFC title game came as a member of the Green Bay Packers. In the back-and-forth 31-27 loss to Seattle, Adams played well, though, catching four of his six targets for 89 yards and his 15th touchdown of the year. The 33-year-old veteran has built a Hall of Fame resume in his 12 years in the NFL, earning six Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro nods, and producing 12,633 receiving yards and 117 touchdowns. Adams has led the league in receiving touchdowns, including in 2025, three times in his career. However, he has been unable to reach the promised land of the Super Bowl. Two of his five NFC title-game losses have come against Seattle.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been added to this year's Pro Bowl Games as a replacement for New England Patriots QB Drake Maye, a source told Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Sanders, who slipped to the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, ended up starting the final seven games for the Browns in his first year in the NFL. The 23-year-old completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He added 169 rushing yards and one touchdown on 21 carries while going 3-4 as the starter. Sanders did enough in training camp and the preseason last summer to earn a roster spot going into 2025, and although he had his moments as the starter late in the year, he most definitely will need to show more improvement and will be involved in a QB competition during training camp in 2026.

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When asked if he wants to re-sign with the Denver Broncos in 2026, running back J.K. Dobbins said, "Yeah, I'm a Bronco... I wasn't drafted here, but I'm a Buckeye, and I'm a Bronco." Dobbins suffered a Lisfranc foot injury in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders that required surgery, and he never played again in 2025. The 27-year-old resumed practicing last week, though, and said he was "very close" to playing in the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots on Sunday. After the year Dobbins had before his foot injury, it wouldn't be a surprise if the two sides reached an agreement on a two- or three-year deal in free agency. He played for the Broncos on a one-year deal this season and was on his way to a career year before his injury, totaling 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries. Fantasy managers take on considerable injury risk with Dobbins, and if he stays in Denver, he'll be splitting the backfield with RJ Harvey.

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Offense was hard to come by in the AFC Championship game on Sunday in snowy Denver for the Broncos and New England Patriots, and tight end Hunter Henry finished with just two catches on three targets for 12 yards in the 10-7 low-scoring win over the Broncos. Henry has been a huge disappointment for fantasy managers who have used him the last two weeks in the postseason, as the 31-year-old veteran had just one grab for five yards in the Divisional Round victory over the Houston Texans. In the Wild-Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, his former team, Henry caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Henry didn't have much of a chance to do anything against Denver's strong defense in adverse conditions, as quarterback Drake Maye threw for only 86 total yards. Henry and the Pats will have another difficult matchup against the Seahawks' defense in the Super Bowl, but he'll still be the TE with the most upside in fantasy.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, along with the rest of the offense, struggled to do much in poor conditions during a snowstorm in the 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday in the AFC Championship. Boutte was tied with receiver Stefon Diggs for the team lead in targets (six), but he hauled in just one of them for six yards. Mack Hollins, who came off Injured Reserve last week, led the Patriots with 51 receiving yards on only two catches. Quarterback Drake Maye went 10-for-21 passing for only 86 yards, with neither team really able to move the ball much in the second half after snow started to fall heavily. In the first two playoff games, the 23-year-old Boutte caught seven of his nine targets for 141 yards and a touchdown in wins over the Chargers and Texans. He was a disappointment against Denver, but he should be able to bounce back nicely in the Super Bowl in two weeks versus the Seahawks.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo, who caught just two passes for 20 yards during 11 games in the regular season, caught one of quarterback Sam Darnold's three touchdown passes in Sunday's NFC Championship win over the Los Angeles Rams. Bobo was targeted just once in the 31-27 victory to advance to the Super Bowl, and he capitalized on that one target to score from 17 yards out. It was the 27-year-old pass-catcher's first touchdown of the year and only his fourth TD since debuting in the NFL in 2023 with Seattle. After catching only two passes for 20 yards during the regular season, Bobo has stepped up to produce two receptions for 33 yards and one touchdown on his three targets in two playoff games. He only played 19% of the snaps on Sunday and hasn't played more than 33% of the snaps in a single game. Fantasy managers should look to avoid Bobo in the Super Bowl in two weeks against the Patriots.

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The Los Angeles Chargers and defensive tackle Teair Tart agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension on Monday, a source told Kris Rhim of ESPN. Tart's deal includes $20 million in guarantees. General manager Joe Hortiz and the Bolts have gone to work quickly this offseason to begin patching up what was one of the team's biggest weaknesses in 2025. Tart emerged as one of L.A.'s most important players this past season, and he came away with the best year of his career. His 12 run stops ranked seventh in the NFL and first on the team. In the Wild-Card loss to the New England Patriots, Tart deflected a pass that led to an interception, had his first sack since 2024, and had two tackles for loss. The Chargers are expected to look into contracts to retain outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack next.

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ESPN's Josh Weinfuss writes that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray's trade value has increased after Oregon QB Dante Moore announced on Jan. 14 that he would return to school for his junior season in 2026. Moore was projected to go second overall, behind Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. "One less quarterback on the market makes desperation increase," a source said. There isn't another clear-cut first-round signal-caller in this year's draft behind Mendoza, now that Moore is going back to school. An NFC source said they think the starting price for Murray, if Arizona is interested in moving him, could begin with a second-round pick. A league source believes Murray's market starts with a third-rounder. Murray is still a talented player, but he never played in 2025 after a foot injury in Week 5, putting his future in Arizona in question after another frustrating campaign. A final decision on whether the Cardinals decide to trade Murray this offseason might not be reached until the team hires a new head coach.

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Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (oblique) is dealing with soreness in his oblique, but it is not believed to be a serious issue, according to head coach Mike Macdonald.

Fantasy Spin: Darnold will have an extra week to recover and should be fine for Super Bowl LX. He is coming off a tremendous NFC Championship game and will be a starting option in all fantasy leagues if he plays.

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ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that "early indications" are that Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star and former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is "primarily going to be a cornerback and have a package of plays on offense." Hunter's rookie season in the NFL was cut short by a season-ending knee injury, but he finished the year as more of a receiver than a cornerback. He played 67% of the offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps before his non-contact knee injury in practice on Oct. 30. The Jaguars will continue to use Hunter on offense, but they have more of a need at defensive back going into next season. Hunter could start across from Jourdan Lewis while also playing in nickel situations. What general manager James Gladstone does in free agency will help clarify what exactly the Jags will do with Hunter, but right now, it looks like his fantasy football stock will drop drastically.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III blew up for a season-high 116 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 19 carries in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers last weekend. While Walker didn't have that big of a game in the NFC Championship win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, he did score his fourth rushing touchdown in the last two weeks. The 25-year-old continued to be a catalyst for Seattle's high-scoring offense and finished with 19 carries for the second straight week for 62 yards and the score. He also caught all four of his targets for 49 yards. Walker was the clear workhorse for Seattle -- with no other RB seeing more than three carries -- after Zach Charbonnet's (knee) season-ending tore ACL last week. He'll be the clear workhorse again in the Super Bowl in two weeks against the Patriots.

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New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson played a season-low 6% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the hosting Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. Meanwhile, backfield mate Rhamondre Stevenson played a season-high 94% of the snaps, carrying the ball 25 times for 71 yards in the 10-7 snowy victory. Henderson once again took a back seat to Stevenson, rushing the pigskin only three times for five yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. There was little offense to come by for either team in bad conditions in the second half in the Mile High City on Sunday, as the Patriots only mustered 206 yards of total offense. The 23-year-old from Ohio State had 23 total touches in the team's first two playoff wins, and he'll head into the Super Bowl in two weeks against a tough Seattle Seahawks defense as New England's clear No. 2 RB behind Stevenson.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp found the end zone in a revenge game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams in Seattle's NFC Championship victory. Kupp, who played for the Rams for the first eight seasons of his career, caught four of his six targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in the 31-27 win. The 32-year-old veteran's touchdown grab came in the fourth quarter to put Seattle up for good in the back-and-forth affair. Kupp is no longer in the prime of his career, and he was more of a low-upside role player for the Seahawks in 2025, but he has been more of a factor on offense during two postseason contests. In wins over the Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, Kupp has nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. He'll look to keep it going in two weeks in the Super Bowl against a New England Patriots defense that allowed the sixth-fewest receiving yards (2,014) during the regular season.

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