

Mon Jan 5 12:13am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Stevenson scores three times
That was quite the finish to the regular season, capped off by an epic Sunday night game between the Ravens and Steelers. But this week showed why Week 18 can be so uncertain for fantasy owners. Several teams rested starters and others pulled players after opening the game in the starting lineup. It caused plenty of fantasy headaches. The good news is we still had some huge fantasy games this last week. Hopefully, you had some of those players on your roster if you were still playing this week.
Bucs 16, Panthers 14
Fantasy Stud: Cade Otton. Otton was the surprise leading receiver for the Bucs. He had seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. His yardage total was a season high. Otton had a season-high 22.4 fantasy points in the game. It was the first time he hit double-digit fantasy points since Week 10.
Fantasy Dud: Rico Dowdle. There were a lot of fantasy duds in this one but we’ll give it to Dowdle, who most thought would get a heavy workload in this matchup. He ran seven times for just 10 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards. He also lost a fumble, finishing with four fantasy points. It was Dowdle’s worst game since Week 2 of the season.
Game Notes: With Ja’Tavion Sanders out, Tommy Tremble had a much bigger role in the game. He had three receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Seahawks 13, 49ers 3
Fantasy Stud: Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet had 17 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 23 yards. He has found the end zone three straight games for the Seahawks. Charbonnet finishes the season with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Fantasy Dud: Brock Purdy. There were a lot of bad fantasy performances from the 49ers but Purdy might have been the most disappointing. He had been red hot but was just 19-of-27 for 127 yards with an interception. He scored just 7.45 fantasy points. Purdy had 30-plus points three straight games before this poor showing.
Game Notes: Kenneth Walker topped 100 total yards, finishing with 133 total yards. He ran 16 times for 97 yards and caught four passes for 36 yards.
Jaguars 41, Titans 7
Fantasy Stud: Parker Washington. Washington continued his red-hot ways, catching five passes for 87 yard and a touchdown. He scored 19.7 fantasy points, giving him three straight games with 19-plus points. Washington has been the go-to target for the Jaguars passing game down the stretch.
Fantasy Dud: Tony Pollard. Pollard had really picked up his play in recent weeks but struggled in this one. He ran 15 times for just 48 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards. Pollard failed to hit double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 13. He had four straight games with double-digit fantasy points before this showing.
Game Notes: Trevor Lawrence didn’t even play the full game but had his usual great numbers. He was 22-of-30 for 255 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.
Vikings 16, Packers 3
Fantasy Stud: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson had his third 100-yard game of the season and first since Week 5. He had eight receptions for 101 yards on 11 targets. He went over 1,000 yards for the season with his big performance to end his season.
Fantasy Dud: Matthew Golden. Golden got the start and was expected to serve as the top receiver for the Packers this week with the team resting starters. This didn’t lead to a big game, though. He had just a catch for eight yards. It was almost a fitting finish to his disappointing rookie season.
Game Notes: J.J. McCarthy was unable to finish the game because of a hand injury. He was playing well before leaving, going 14-of-23 for 182 yards.
Browns 20, Bengals 18
Fantasy Stud: Ja’Marr Chase. Chase had another one of his big games. He caught eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He found the end zone for the second straight game. He had a huge finish to his season, scoring 20-plus points three of his last four games. And he had 19.9 fantasy points in the game he failed to reach 20.
Fantasy Dud: Shedeur Sanders. Sanders struggled to do much in this one, which looked like a favorable matchup for him. He finished just 11-of-22 for 111 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Sanders scored just 7.15 fantasy points. He didn’t exactly cement himself as the franchise starter with his play this year. It will be interesting to see who is under center for the Browns in 2026.
Game Notes: Chase Brown scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He ran 13 times for 72 yards and caught four passes for 18 yards and a touchdown.
Giants 34, Cowboys 17
Fantasy Stud: Tyrone Tracy. Tracy had a huge dual-threat performance to end his season. He ran 18 times for 103 yards. Tracy also had eight receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 159 total yards and a score. Tracy scored a season-high 28.9 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Dak Prescott. He didn’t play the full game with the Cowboys playing for nothing, but you still expected Prescott to produce a little better. He failed to score a touchdown in this game, going 7-of-11 for just 70 yards. He still had a great year but his finish was a little disappointing for any fantasy team that used him in Week 18.
Game Notes: Jaydon Blue got his most work as a pro, getting a chance to start. He ran pretty well, rushing 16 times for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Falcons 19, Saints 17
Fantasy Stud: Drake London. London had four receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. It was good to see London get it going again since doing little the last several weeks. He had not reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 11. London had 17.8 points in this one. Injuries derailed what looked like a career-best season for London.
Fantasy Dud: Bijan Robinson. Robinson was really quiet in a game he got plenty of work. He ran 15 times for just 33 yards and caught three passes for 10 yards. It was an unexpected showing, especially after his huge game the previous week. Robinson still had a monster season and is likely to be the top overall pick for many fantasy owners next season.
Game Notes: Tyler Shough was 23-of-35 for 259 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He also ran in a score, finishing with 25.35 fantasy points.
Texans 38, Colts 30
Fantasy Stud: Alec Pierce. Pierce had a huge game, catching four passes for 132 yards. And he missed much of the second half after getting ejected for making contact with an official. He could have posted even better numbers. Pierce scored 29.2 fantasy points, which was a season best for him. He had 24-plus points two of his last three games.
Fantasy Dud: Michael Pittman. Pittman played his usual snaps and his team had plenty of success throwing the ball, but Pittman didn’t do much. He had just two receptions for 20 yards. You expected better from the Colts No. 1 receiver with the team having so much success throwing the ball.
Game Notes: Riley Leonard got his first NFL start and played a solid game. He was 21-of-34 for 281 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Bills 35, Jets 8
Fantasy Stud: Mitchell Trubisky. Trubsiky had a huge game, getting a chance to serve as the Bills starter. He was 22-of-29 for 259 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. It was an impressive performance from the backup quarterback. Maybe this gets him a chance to start again next season.
Fantasy Dud: Adonai Mitchell. There was some hope for Mitchell to have a decent game, getting a chance to serve as the top target for the Jets again against the backups for the Bills. Well, Mitchell didn’t catch a pass in this game. He was targeted three times but was unable to connect on any of them.
Game Notes: Ray Davis had a monster game, rushing 21 times for 151 yards. He also had two receptions for 23 yards and another touchdown.
Patriots 38, Dolphins 10
Fantasy Stud: Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson is red hot right now for the Patriots. He found the end zone three times in this game on just nine touches. He ran seven times for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 22 yards and another score. Stevenson scored 35.3 fantasy points and has found the end zone three straight games.
Fantasy Dud: Drake Maye. Maye played his usual good game but didn’t help fantasy teams with his team scoring four rushing touchdowns. Maye was 14-of-18 for 191 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. Maye scored 17.65 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 5.
Game Notes: TreVeyon Henderson scored multiple touchdowns for the fourth time this season. He ran 13 times for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
Rams 37, Cardinals 20
Fantasy Stud: Puka Nacua. Nacua had another one of his game-changing performances. He had 10 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Nacua scored 26 fantasy points. He has 26-plus points four of his last five games to end his season. Nacua had a monster season.
Fantasy Dud: Kyren Williams. Williams played fine but had a pretty quiet fantasy performance in a game that the Rams racked up the fantasy points. Williams ran 12 times for 60 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards. It was a ho-hum performance from the Rams top back.
Game Notes: Matthew Stafford was back to his MVP ways this week. He was 25-of-40 for 259 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover.
Lions 19, Bears 16
Fantasy Stud: Colston Loveland. Loveland had a monster game and was the clear top target for the Bears passing game. He had 10 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown 13 targets. He has been targeted double-digit fantasy times each of his last two games. He has 21-plus fantasy points each of those two games.
Fantasy Dud: Luther Burden. There were some high expectations for Burden but he was not much of a factor. Burden had three receptions for 35 yards. It was his lowest catch total since Week 12. He just wasn’t a huge part of the passing game as the Bears struggled to get their receivers involved.
Game Notes: Amon-Ra St. Brown had double-digit receptions for the second game this season. He had 11 catches for 139 yards on 15 targets.
Commanders 24, Eagles 17
Fantasy Stud: Tank Bigsby. Bigsby looked good as the lead back for the Eagles. He ran 16 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 31-yard reception, giving him 106 total yards. Bigsby scored a season-high 17.6 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Jacory Croskey-Merritt. With the Eagles resting many of their starters, Croskey-Merritt was an intriguing fantasy option with his recent solid play. But he didn’t even lead the Commanders in carries in this game. He ran 13 times for just 29 yards and didn’t catch a pass. He had his ups and downs his rookie season but showed some promise at times, so he could be a part of their plans next year.
Game Notes: Tanner McKee got the start and played pretty well. He was 21-of-40 for 241 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
Raiders 14, Chiefs 12
Fantasy Stud: Daniel Carlson. There were few offensive bright spots in this game, so we’ll give the stud honors to Daniel Carlson. He made four field goals, including the 60-yarder to win the game. He put up 17.7 fantasy points in most fantasy formats. It was quite the showing for Carlson.
Fantasy Dud: Travis Kelce. We really thought the Chiefs might force-feed Kelce the ball in what might be his NFL game. That didn’t happen with the Chiefs passing game struggling much of the game. Kelce finished with just three receptions for seven yards. Kelce had another great season at tight end but you would have liked to see him end on a high note.
Game Notes: Ashton Jeanty ran the ball 26 times and had three receptions. He had 29 total touches for 94 yards.
Broncos 19, Chargers 3
Fantasy Stud: Broncos defense. The offenses were almost nonexistent in this game. Denver’s defense had a dominating performance, holding the Chargers to just three points and 217 yards of total offense. Denver also had four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. It was a fitting finish for a defense that was very good much of the year.
Fantasy Dud: RJ Harvey. There were a ton of poor offensive showings for both teams but Harvey gets the nod for us. He ran 15 times for just 28 yards and caught a pass for five yards. Harvey had touchdowns five straight games before this showing. He also scored just 4.3 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 10.
Game Notes: Trey Lance got the start of the Chargers and didn’t show a whole lot. He did lead the team in rushing, running nine times for 69 yards. But he threw for just 136 yards and failed to score a touchdown.
Steelers 26, Ravens 24
Fantasy Stud: Zay Flowers. Flowers made two huge plays, leading to a big fantasy performance. He had four receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Flowers scored a season-high 29.8 fantasy points. He finishes the season scoring touchdowns four straight games.
Fantasy Dud: Jonnu Smith. With Darnell Washington out for the season, there was some thought Smith would see an uptick in playing time and targets. Well, that didn’t happen this week. He had just a catch for two yards and ran once for two yards. It was more of the same for Smith in Week 18, posting inconsistent numbers.
Game Notes: Derrick Henry had his fourth straight 100-yard game. He ran 20 times for 126 yards and finished with 1,595-rushing yards.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence came into the league with sky-high expectations after being selected first overall in the 2021 draft, but following four disappointing seasons, he had fallen to the low-QB2 range in dynasty formats. However, after one year with new head coach Liam Coen and an identity-redefining season that saw him receive MVP votes, Lawrence is back into the QB1 conversation in dynasty startups. The biggest change to Lawrence's game in 2025 was his ability to keep drives alive with his legs. Throughout the regular season and playoffs, 333 of his career-high 390 rushing yards came on scrambles, and his nine rushing touchdowns almost doubled his previous career high. It was an element that Coen previously helped bring to Baker Mayfield's game, and one that could continue to boost Lawrence's value as he looks to take advantage of the rare continuity around him, heading into year six.
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Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson spent most of his rookie season as the team's primary receiving back, but following a late-season injury to fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, he was given the opportunity to serve as Cleveland's lead back for the final two games of 2025. Unfortunately, playing behind an offensive line that struggled throughout the year to open running lanes or keep a revolving door of quarterbacks off the ground, he finished those two games with only 59 yards on 21 carries. With Judkins' status uncertain for the beginning of 2026, Sampson will likely get first crack at primary duties yet again, but unless Cleveland is able to drastically overhaul their offensive line in year one under new head coach Todd Monken, the bulk of his value will still come through his passing work. Sampson will look to improve on his 33 receptions as a rookie, but given his current surroundings, he is not a player who needs to be aggressively pursued.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel had a quiet rookie season, in which he finished seventh on the team in targets and was held without a reception through two playoff games, but the 2025 third-round pick at least showed flashes throughout the year. He put up a combined 140 yards in what was his best two-week stretch against the Seahawks and 49ers, but he was unable to build on that success, and he all but lost his role in three-receiver sets when Christian Kirk returned from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for three weeks. The 23-year-old is currently being drafted as an afterthought in dynasty startups, but with Kirk no longer under contract heading into a new league year, there is a strong chance Noel will reclaim primary slot duties, making him a player potentially being slept on heading into 2026.
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Jacksonville Jaguars 25-year-old tight end Brenton Strange is currently being drafted outside of the top 12 at his position in dynasty startups after a 2025 season in which he showed glimpses of taking his game to the next level. After a strong start that saw him catch 19 of 23 targets across his first four weeks, he was slowed by a quad injury that landed him on Injured Reserve and cost him five games. Upon his return, he became an integral part of Liam Coen's expanding offense, closing the year on a 17-game pace of 63 receptions for 816 yards and seven touchdowns, numbers that would have put him right in line with the top five at the position. Entering into year two of Coen's offensive installation, Strange could see his role expanded and his value rise, making the 2023 second-round pick a clear target in dynasty leagues.
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Wide receiver Keenan Allen has played 12 of his 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. While he enters the 2026 season without a contract, he has recently stated that he fully intends to continue his career and isn't considering any team besides the Chargers. After playing one season in Chicago, Allen returned to Los Angeles in 2025 and led the team in targets and receptions, while playing in all 17 games. With the Chargers welcoming in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, there is little doubt that their offense will see an influx of pre-snap motion, which should help to create space for a receiving corps that saw no player top 800 yards in 2025. Assuming Allen's return on another short-term deal, the question then becomes where he fits in, with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston both seeing stints as the team's most reliable wideout, and second-rounder Tre Harris handling an increased role down the stretch. Regardless of where he lands in the pecking order, Allen is a practically free pickup in dynasty leagues for contenders looking to add fill-in depth.
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Houston Texans Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (thumb) had successful surgery on his thumb, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. A full recovery is expected this offseason for Al-Shaair, although he might not be fully ready for the start of offseason workouts. The 28-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025, recording 103 tackles (48 solo), a career-high two interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season contests. It was the third time in Al-Shaair's seven NFL seasons that he reached 100 total tackles. He's a big reason why the Texans had one of the stingiest defenses in the league last year, and he should be in play again in IDP fantasy leagues for his tackling ability as he heads into the final year of his current contract.
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Denver Broncos safety JL Skinner (shoulder) announced on his Instagram account that he underwent surgery to fix his labrum. Skinner played with an entirely torn labrum all season long and fought through the pain to play in all 17 regular-season games in his third year in the league with the Broncos. The 24-year-old defensive back also injured his quadriceps in the playoffs and was unable to play in the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. He was mostly a special-teamer for Denver this year and played only 34 defensive snaps over 17 regular-season games. Skinner finished the regular season with just 12 tackles (eight solo) and a fumble recovery.
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After an electric rookie season in 2024 that saw him lead his team to the NFC Championship Game, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels battled through a miserable follow-up campaign in 2025. The 25-year-old suffered a knee injury in Week 2, a hamstring injury in Week 7, a dislocated elbow in Week 9, and finally a season-ending re-aggravation of the elbow injury in Week 14. Overall, Daniels was limited to just seven games played and completed 60.6% of his pass attempts for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 278 yards and two scores on 58 attempts. In addition to the reduced volume, Daniels' efficiency as both a passer and a rusher also suffered. After averaging 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 6.0 yards per rush attempt in 2024, Daniels averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 4.8 yards per rush attempt in 2025. In 2026, former Commanders' assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough will take over for Kliff Kingsbury as Washington's offensive play-caller, throwing some uncertainty into the offensive environment around Daniels. Daniels high-end dual-threat potential means he still carries elite fantasy upside in dynasty formats, but he will have to prove he can stay healthy in 2026.
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Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal emerged as a viable NFL rusher in 2025, recording 643 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 155 carries across 13 games played (10 starts). Vidal was thrust into a feature role in the Chargers' backfield early in the season after Los Angeles backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris went on Injured Reserve with ankle and Achilles injuries, respectively. A first-round draft pick in 2025, Hampton looks like the long-term RB1 in Los Angeles as long as he can return to full health in 2026 and beyond. However, Vidal may have done enough in 2025 to prove he is worthy of maintaining a role alongside Hampton. Additionally, the Chargers have brought in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator heading into 2026. In his time in Miami, McDaniel's best offenses supported quality fantasy production from multiple running backs. Vidal's dynasty upside is limited by Hampton's presence, but he still may be worth rostering as a solid handcuff option with some level of standalone appeal.
From RotoBaller
Heading into his draft year in 2024, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was widely considered to be a sure-fire superstar at his position. So far through his first two NFL seasons, the 23-year-old has struggled to live up to the hype. Across 12 games played in 2025, Harrison Jr. recorded 41 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns on 73 targets. He also dealt with myriad injuries before eventually ending the season on Injured Reserve due to a foot issue. In fairness to Harrison Jr., Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray missed most of the season with a foot injury of his own, furthering an already unstable offensive environment in Arizona. Heading into 2026, Harrison Jr. will be working with a new coaching staff, with former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur taking over as the Cardinals' head coach. While LaFleur's presence could help kick-start Harrison Jr.'s career, 2026 looks like a make-or-break season for the young wideout's fantasy value, which is trending downwards in dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers arguably had the best season of his young career in 2025, recording 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets across 17 games. Flowers' production is made even more impressive by the fact that he played four games without star Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed time with both hamstring and back injuries. Flowers has been a highly consistent pass-catcher so far throughout his three NFL seasons, recording at least 108 targets and 74 catches in each year. His greatest flaws have been red-zone usage, as he's never had more than five touchdown grabs in a season, and target volume, as he's averaging 6.8 targets per contest for his career. However, the Ravens have made major coaching staff changes heading into 2026. Former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will take over for former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, meaning Flowers will be working with a new play-caller for the first time in his NFL career. While there's no guarantee Doyle will drastically change Flowers' role in the offense, there's a chance his presence could help Flowers break through to a new level. Even if Flowers simply repeats his established standards of performance, he profiles as a high-end fantasy WR3 in dynasty formats going forward.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride earned first-team All-Pro honors after setting the all-time single-season reception record by a tight end in his banner 2025 season. Across 17 games, the 26-year-old recorded 126 catches for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns on 169 targets. McBride was the number one scoring tight end in fantasy football in 2025, and given his age, he projects to continue his dominance for at least the next few seasons. The Cardinals are reportedly looking to trade quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason, which means McBride could be facing another season of uncertainty under center in Arizona. However, McBride proved he could be highly productive even with career backup Jacoby Brissett throwing him passes this past season. Heading into 2026, McBride looks like the clear fantasy TE1 in both redraft and dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (hand) played 35 offensive snaps in the Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots despite being less than two weeks removed from hand surgery, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Bobo had a pin put in his right hand to fix a metacarpal fracture the day after the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. "Got the stitches out yesterday and was ready to go," Bobo said on Sunday after the Super Bowl victory. The 27-year-old caught two passes on three targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in the first two playoff games, but he wasn't targeted at all in the Super Bowl. Bobo caught both of his targets for 20 yards in 11 regular-season games and will enter this offseason as a restricted free agent. Regardless of where Bobo is playing in 2026, he'll be off the fantasy football radar.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia lists Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox as a cut candidate this offseason. The Bills can save $9.664 million if they were to cut Knox, who caught 36 of his 49 targets for 417 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025. Buffalo already has Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes, players with complementary skill sets, and the team has already committed to giving Kincaid his fifth-year option for 2027. Hawes is signed through 2028. Knox has a solid blend of both pass-catching and blocking skills, and he's also one of quarterback Josh Allen's best friends on the team, which makes a decision to cut him more difficult. Ultimately, saving over $9 million will probably trump everything else. Buffalo currently projects to be over the 2026 salary cap by just $7 million. The 29-year-old Knox might see a bump in fantasy value if he joins a new team.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Zac Jackson predicts that the Cleveland Browns give quarterback Shedeur Sanders the "runway to be the No. 1 QB for the summer and early fall." Sanders, who fell to the fifth round in last year's NFL draft, held the starting gig for the final seven games of the 2025 season and was predictably inconsistent, completing 56.6% of his 212 pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 picks. He added 21 rushing attempts for 169 yards and a touchdown. Along with Sanders, Deshaun Watson (Achilles) and Dillon Gabriel are the only other QBs on the roster. As of now, Sanders is probably first in line, but it's early in the offseason, and the depth chart remains fluid. New head coach Todd Monken was non-committal on the QB situation at his first press conference. The Browns could add to the QB competition by taking a signal-caller in this year's draft, giving Sanders more competition.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2025 while missing seven games because of shoulder and foot injuries. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had good things to say about Irving, though, and the 23-year-old could be a popular bounce-back candidate this fall with Rachaad White likely to leave in free agency. "I see Bucky in a very similar light [to Bijan Robinson] there with what he can do in the passing game, and there's not a run concept that he can't run," Robinson said. "So I'm excited to work with Bucky and know that there is a ton of meat on the bone in the passing game." Irving, a fourth-rounder in 2024 out of Oregon, rushed for 588 yards and only one touchdown on 173 carries in 10 games in 2025, but he proved to be worthy of lead-back duties after carrying the ball 207 times for 1,122 yards and eight rushing TDs in 17 games as a rookie. Don't sleep on Irving going into next season.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders new head coach Klint Kubiak said on Tuesday that the team wants All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) back, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. "We want him to be a part of our success going forward, there's no doubt about that," Kubiak said. Trade speculation surrounding Crosby has been rampant since the end of the 2025 season, when the Raiders shut the 28-year-old down with two games remaining against his wishes. Surgery on his meniscus in the offseason further complicates a potential trade, although NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggested on Monday that Crosby could be traded before the start of free agency in March. If the Raiders can get a return similar to what the Cowboys did for Micah Parsons -- two first-rounders and defensive tackle Kenny Clark -- it might be hard for the team to turn that down as they enter a rebuild. Regardless of where Crosby is playing in 2026, if he's fully healthy, he should be a must-start defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that if new Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham's proactive approach carries over from Chicago, wide receiver Drake London "could get a new deal this offseason." London signed a four-year, $21.53 million deal in May of 2022, and the Falcons exercised a $16.82 million team option for the 2026 season in April of last year. A long-term extension makes sense for the 24-year-old, who established himself as one of the league's top wideouts over the last two seasons by catching 168 of his 270 targets for 2,190 yards and 16 touchdowns in 29 games. Kendall believes that London likely sees himself as the type of player who should make at least $30 million annually. Atlanta might view him more in the $25 million-per-year range, but either way, he's key to the Falcons' future.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Ryan McFadden writes that the Las Vegas Raiders will need to add a top wide receiver who can take attention away from tight end Brock Bowers, and Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce and Seattle Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed could be targets in free agency. Shaheed is an obvious fit because of his familiarity with new head coach Klint Kubiak's system from their time in Seattle in 2025, and he can provide additional value as a kick returner on special teams. Tre Tucker and Tyler Lockett ended last season as the Raiders' top wideouts following the midseason trade of Jakobi Meyers. Pierce, 25, led the Colts with 47 catches, 1,003 yards, and six touchdowns in 15 games last year, although he could receive the franchise tag. Shaheed, 27, only caught 15 passes for 188 yards and no touchdowns in nine regular-season games with the Seahawks after being acquired from the Saints, and he'd be a questionable fit with a rookie quarterback.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. seems likely to remain in Atlanta in 2026, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Kendall believes the franchise tag for Pitts makes the most sense, which would mean Pitts would make a little more than $16.3 million in 2026. Placing the franchise tag on the 25-year-old would give new head coach Kevin Stefanski a year to evaluate Pitts with his own eyes. Pitts teased fantasy managers for years after his 1,000-yard rookie season in 2021, only to fall flat. The former first-rounder finally played up to his abilities in 2025, catching a career-high 88 passes on 118 targets for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 17 games played. He had at least six catches and 57 yards in five of the final six games. Although Atlanta's quarterback situation is up in the air with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) injured, Pitts' fantasy stock as a TE1 is on the rise going into 2026 if he stays with the Falcons.
From RotoBaller