Davante Adams

"ESPN FantasyAug 26, 2026, 12:30 AM ETMultiple AuthorsEach year, at the conclusion of the ESPN Fantasy Football Marathon, ESPN Fantasy analysts and other ESPN personalities get together to conduct a mock draft.This year's 10-team PPR draft featured the following participants (in order of first-round selection): Adam Schefter, Eric Moody, Mike Clay, Liz Loza, Field Yates, Joe Fortenbaugh, Daniel Dopp, Keiana Martin, Dan Graziano and Tyler Fulghum.Early draft action saw running backs selected with 13 of the first 20 picks, which led to value at wide receiver. Though two tight ends went in the top 25, the first QB didn't go until Pick 40 and only three signal-callers were off the board entering Round 7.Below are the round-by-round picks, or skip directly to each team's full roster.Want to watch the draft play out for yourself? Check out the simulcast replay on ESPN's YouTube ChannelWant to do your own practice draft? Check out the Mock Draft Lobby.Round 11. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (RB1) -- Schefter 2. Bijan Robinson, ATL (RB2) -- Moody 3. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (WR1) -- Clay 4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (WR2) -- Loza 5. Puka Nacua, LAR (WR3) -- Yates 6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (WR4) -- Fortenbaugh 7. James Cook III, BUF (RB3) -- Dopp 8. Christian McCaffrey, SF (RB4) -- Martin 9. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (WR5) -- Graziano 10. Jonathan Taylor, IND (RB5) -- FulghumRound 211. Kenneth Walker III, KC (RB6) -- Fulghum 12. De'Von Achane, MIA (RB7) -- Graziano 13. Ashton Jeanty, LV (RB8) -- Martin 14. Justin Jefferson, MIN (WR6) -- Dopp 15. Drake London, ATL (WR7) -- Fortenbaugh 16. Derrick Henry, BAL (RB9) -- Yates 17. Omarion Hampton, LAC (RB10) -- Loza 18. Jeremiyah Love, ARI (RB11) -- Clay 19. Saquon Barkley, PHI (RB12) -- Moody 20. Chase Brown, CIN (RB13) -- SchefterRound 321. A.J. Brown, NE (WR8) -- Schefter 22. Malik Nabers, NYG (WR9) -- Moody 23. Rashee Rice, KC (WR10) -- Clay 24. Brock Bowers, LV (TE1) -- Loza 25. Trey McBride, ARI (TE2) -- Yates 26. Nico Collins, HOU (WR11) -- Fortenbaugh 27. Chris Olave, NO (WR12) -- Dopp 28. George Pickens, DAL (WR13) -- Martin 29. Breece Hall, NYJ (RB14) -- Graziano 30. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (WR14) -- FulghumRound 431. Colston Loveland, CHI (TE3) -- Fulghum 32. DeVonta Smith, PHI (WR15) -- Graziano 33. Emeka Egbuka, TB (WR16) -- Martin 34. Ladd McConkey, LAC (WR17) -- Dopp 35. Javonte Williams, DAL (RB15) -- Fortenbaugh 36. Josh Jacobs, GB (RB16) -- Yates 37. Travis Etienne Jr., NO (RB17) -- Loza 38. Quinshon Judkins, CLE (RB18) -- Clay 39. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR (WR18) -- Moody 40. Josh Allen, BUF (QB1) -- SchefterRound 541. Zay Flowers, BAL (WR19) -- Schefter 42. Tyler Warren, IND (TE4) -- Moody 43. Cam Skattebo, NYG (RB19) -- Clay 44. Kyren Williams, LAR (RB20) -- Loza 45. Terry McLaurin, WSH (WR20) -- Yates 46. D'Andre Swift, CHI (RB21) -- Fortenbaugh 47. David Montgomery, HOU (RB22) -- Dopp 48. Tee Higgins, CIN (WR21) -- Martin 49. Bucky Irving, TB (RB23) -- Graziano 50. Jayden Daniels, WSH (QB2) -- FulghumRound 651. Jaylen Waddle, DEN (WR22) -- Fulghum 52. Jameson Williams, DET (WR23) -- Graziano 53. Harold Fannin Jr., CLE (TE5) -- Martin 54. Jadarian Price, SEA (RB24) -- Dopp 55. Lamar Jackson, BAL (QB3) -- Fortenbaugh 56. Davante Adams, LAR (WR24) -- Yates 57. DJ Moore, BUF (WR25) -- Loza 58. Rome Odunze, CHI (WR26) -- Clay 59. Luther Burden III, CHI (WR27) -- Moody 60. Parker Washington, JAX (WR28) -- SchefterRound 761. Bhayshul Tuten, JAX (RB25) -- Schefter 62. Drake Maye, NE (QB4) -- Moody 63. Kyle Pitts Sr., ATL (TE6) -- Clay 64. Carnell Tate, TEN (WR29) -- Loza 65. Jaxson Dart, NYG (QB5) -- Yates 66. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (RB26) -- Fortenbaugh 67. George Kittle, SF (TE7) -- Dopp 68. Jalen Hurts, PHI (QB6) -- Martin 69. Tucker Kraft, GB (TE8) -- Graziano 70. Mike Evans, SF (WR30) -- FulghumRound 871. TreVeyon Henderson, NE (RB27) -- Fulghum 72. Joe Burrow, CIN (QB7) -- Graziano 73. Jonathon Brooks, CAR (RB28) -- Martin 74. Michael Pittman Jr., PIT (WR31) -- Dopp 75. Christian Watson, GB (WR32) -- Fortenbaugh 76. Wan'Dale Robinson, TEN (WR33) -- Yates 77. Trevor Lawrence, JAX (QB8) -- Loza 78. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI (WR34) -- Clay 79. Jakobi Meyers, JAX (WR35) -- Moody 80. Sam LaPorta, DET (TE9) -- SchefterRound 981. Blake Corum, LAR (RB29) -- Schefter 82. Kenny Gainwell, TB (RB30) -- Moody 83. Courtland Sutton, DEN (WR36) -- Clay 84. Matthew Golden, GB (WR37) -- Loza 85. Michael Wilson, ARI (WR38) -- Yates 86. Jayden Reed, GB (WR39) -- Fortenbaugh 87. Alec Pierce, IND (WR40) -- Dopp 88. Jordan Addison, MIN (WR41) -- Martin 89. Brian Thomas Jr., JAX (WR42) -- Graziano 90. DK Metcalf, PIT (WR43) -- FulghumRound 1091. RJ Harvey, DEN (RB31) -- Fulghum 92. Josh Downs, IND (WR44) -- Graziano 93. Tony Pollard, TEN (RB32) -- Martin 94. Justin Herbert, LAC (QB9) -- Dopp 95. Rico Dowdle, PIT (RB33) -- Fortenbaugh 96. Jaylen Warren, PIT (RB34) -- Yates 97. Kyle Monangai, CHI (RB35) -- Loza 98. Dak Prescott, DAL (QB10) -- Clay 99. Chris Godwin Jr., TB (WR45) -- Moody 100. Brandon Aubrey, DAL (K1) -- SchefterRound 11101. Houston Texans DST (D/ST1) -- Schefter 102. Rachaad White, WSH (RB36) -- Moody 103. Bo Nix, DEN (QB11) -- Clay 104. Aaron Jones Sr., MIN (RB37) -- Loza 105. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WSH (RB38) -- Yates 106. Dallas Goedert, PHI (TE10) -- Fortenbaugh 107. Xavier Worthy, KC (WR46) -- Dopp 108. Isaiah Likely, NYG (TE11) -- Martin 109. Jordan Mason, MIN (RB39) -- Graziano 110. Caleb Williams, CHI (QB12) -- FulghumRound 12111. Quentin Johnston, LAC (WR47) -- Fulghum 112. J.K. Dobbins, DEN (RB40) -- Graziano 113. Denver Broncos DST (D/ST2) -- Martin 114. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (RB41) -- Dopp 115. Pittsburgh Steelers DST (D/ST3) -- Fortenbaugh 116. De'Zhaun Stribling, SF (WR48) -- Yates 117. Brock Purdy, SF (QB13) -- Loza 118. Travis Hunter, JAX (WR49) -- Clay 119. Makai Lemon, PHI (WR50) -- Moody 120. Patrick Mahomes, KC (QB14) -- SchefterRound 13121. Dalton Kincaid, BUF (TE12) -- Schefter 122. Woody Marks, HOU (RB42) -- Moody 123. Matthew Stafford, LAR (QB15) -- Clay 124. Tyler Allgeier, ARI (RB43) -- Loza 125. Stefon Diggs, WSH (WR51) -- Yates 126. Kyler Murray, MIN (QB16) -- Fortenbaugh 127. Tyler Shough, NO (QB17) -- Dopp 128. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (WR52) -- Martin 129. Chris Rodriguez Jr., JAX (RB44) -- Graziano 130. Jonah Coleman, DEN (RB45) -- FulghumRound 14131. Los Angeles Rams DST (D/ST4) -- Fulghum 132. Jake Ferguson, DAL (TE13) -- Graziano 133. Travis Kelce, KC (TE14) -- Martin 134. Seattle Seahawks DST (D/ST5) -- Dopp 135. Keaton Mitchell, LAC (RB46) -- Fortenbaugh 136. Rashid Shaheed, SEA (WR53) -- Yates 137. KC Concepcion, CLE (WR54) -- Loza 138. Zach Charbonnet, SEA (RB47) -- Clay 139. Jalen Coker, CAR (WR55) -- Moody 140. Jalen McMillan, TB (WR56) -- SchefterRound 15141. Mike Washington Jr., LV (RB48) -- Schefter 142. Baltimore Ravens DST (D/ST6) -- Moody 143. Philadelphia Eagles DST (D/ST7) -- Clay 144. New England Patriots DST (D/ST8) -- Loza 145. Cleveland Browns DST (D/ST9) -- Yates 146. Cameron Dicker, LAC (K2) -- Fortenbaugh 147. Terrance Ferguson, LAR (TE15) -- Dopp 148. Tre Tucker, LV (WR57) -- Martin 149. Los Angeles Chargers DST (D/ST10) -- Graziano 150. Juwan Johnson, NO (TE16) -- FulghumRound 16 151. Cam Little, JAX (K3) -- Fulghum 152. Will Reichard, MIN (K4) -- Graziano 153. Harrison Mevis, LAR (K5) -- Martin 154. Jake Bates, DET (K6) -- Dopp 155. T.J. Hockenson, MIN (TE17) -- Fortenbaugh 156. Jason Myers, SEA (K7) -- Yates 157. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (K8) -- Loza 158. Eddy Pineiro, SF (K9) -- Clay 159. Tyler Loop, BAL (K10) -- Moody 160. Jordyn Tyson, NO (WR58) -- SchefterTeam rosters are presented in first-round pick order. Pick and Bye weeks are indicated in parentheses in this manner: (Round.Pick | Bye)Team SchefterQB1 Josh Allen, BUF (Pick: 4.10 | Bye: 7) QB2 Patrick Mahomes, KC (Pick: 12.10 | Bye: 5) RB1 Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (Pick: 1.1 | Bye: 6) RB2 Chase Brown, CIN (Pick: 2.10 | Bye: 6) RB3 Bhayshul Tuten, JAX (Pick: 7.1 | Bye: 7) RB4 Blake Corum, LAR (Pick: 9.1 | Bye: 11) RB5 Mike Washington Jr., LV (Pick: 15.1 | Bye: 7) WR1 A.J. Brown, NE (Pick: 3.1 | Bye: 11) WR2 Zay Flowers, BAL (Pick: 5.1 | Bye: 13) WR3 Parker Washington, JAX (Pick: 6.10 | Bye: 7) WR4 Jalen McMillan, TB (Pick: 14.10 | Bye: 10) WR5 Jordyn Tyson, NO (Pick: 16.10 | Bye: 8) TE1 Sam LaPorta, DET (Pick: 8.10 | Bye: 6) TE2 Dalton Kincaid, BUF (Pick: 13.1 | Bye: 7) K1 Brandon Aubrey, DAL (Pick: 10.10 | Bye: 14) D/ST1 Houston Texans DST (Pick: 11.1 | Bye: 8)Team MoodyQB1 Drake Maye, NE (Pick: 7.2 | Bye: 11) RB1 Bijan Robinson, ATL (Pick: 1.2 | Bye: 11) RB2 Saquon Barkley, PHI (Pick: 2.9 | Bye: 10) RB3 Kenny Gainwell, TB (Pick: 9.2 | Bye: 10) RB4 Rachaad White, WSH (Pick: 11.2 | Bye: 7) RB5 Woody Marks, HOU (Pick: 13.2 | Bye: 8) WR1 Malik Nabers, NYG (Pick: 3.2 | Bye: 8) WR2 Tetairoa McMillan, CAR (Pick: 4.9 | Bye: 5) WR3 Luther Burden III, CHI (Pick: 6.9 | Bye: 10) WR4 Jakobi Meyers, JAX (Pick: 8.9 | Bye: 7) WR5 Chris Godwin Jr., TB (Pick: 10.9 | Bye: 10) WR6 Makai Lemon, PHI (Pick: 12.9 | Bye: 10) WR7 Jalen Coker, CAR (Pick: 14.9 | Bye: 5) TE1 Tyler Warren, IND (Pick: 5.2 | Bye: 13) K1 Tyler Loop, BAL (Pick: 16.9 | Bye: 13) D/ST1 Baltimore Ravens DST (Pick: 15.2 | Bye: 13)Team ClayQB1 Dak Prescott, DAL (Pick: 10.8 | Bye: 14) QB2 Bo Nix, DEN (Pick: 11.3 | Bye: 10) QB3 Matthew Stafford, LAR (Pick: 13.3 | Bye: 11) RB1 Jeremiyah Love, ARI (Pick: 2.8 | Bye: 14) RB2 Quinshon Judkins, CLE (Pick: 4.8 | Bye: 11) RB3 Cam Skattebo, NYG (Pick: 5.3 | Bye: 8) RB4 Zach Charbonnet, SEA (Pick: 14.8 | Bye: 11) WR1 Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (Pick: 1.3 | Bye: 6) WR2 Rashee Rice, KC (Pick: 3.3 | Bye: 5) WR3 Rome Odunze, CHI (Pick: 6.8 | Bye: 10) WR4 Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI (Pick: 8.8 | Bye: 14) WR5 Courtland Sutton, DEN (Pick: 9.3 | Bye: 10) WR6 Travis Hunter, JAX (Pick: 12.8 | Bye: 7) TE1 Kyle Pitts Sr., ATL (Pick: 7.3 | Bye: 11) K1 Eddy Pineiro, SF (Pick: 16.8 | Bye: 8) D/ST1 Philadelphia Eagles DST (Pick: 15.3 | Bye: 10)Team LozaQB1 Trevor Lawrence, JAX (Pick: 8.7 | Bye: 7) QB2 Brock Purdy, SF (Pick: 12.7 | Bye: 8) RB1 Omarion Hampton, LAC (Pick: 2.7 | Bye: 7) RB2 Travis Etienne Jr., NO (Pick: 4.7 | Bye: 8) RB3 Kyren Williams, LAR (Pick: 5.4 | Bye: 11) RB4 Kyle Monangai, CHI (Pick: 10.7 | Bye: 10) RB5 Aaron Jones Sr., MIN (Pick: 11.4 | Bye: 6) RB6 Tyler Allgeier, ARI (Pick: 13.4 | Bye: 14) WR1 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (Pick: 1.4 | Bye: 11) WR2 DJ Moore, BUF (Pick: 6.7 | Bye: 7) WR3 Carnell Tate, TEN (Pick: 7.4 | Bye: 9) WR4 Matthew Golden, GB (Pick: 9.4 | Bye: 11) WR5 KC Concepcion, CLE (Pick: 14.7 | Bye: 11) TE1 Brock Bowers, LV (Pick: 3.4 | Bye: 7) K1 Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (Pick: 16.7 | Bye: 8) D/ST1 New England Patriots DST (Pick: 15.4 | Bye: 11)Team YatesQB1 Jaxson Dart, NYG (Pick: 7.5 | Bye: 8) RB1 Derrick Henry, BAL (Pick: 2.6 | Bye: 13) RB2 Josh Jacobs, GB (Pick: 4.6 | Bye: 11) RB3 Jaylen Warren, PIT (Pick: 10.6 | Bye: 9) RB4 Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WSH (Pick: 11.5 | Bye: 7) WR1 Puka Nacua, LAR (Pick: 1.5 | Bye: 11) WR2 Terry McLaurin, WSH (Pick: 5.5 | Bye: 7) WR3 Davante Adams, LAR (Pick: 6.6 | Bye: 11) WR4 Wan'Dale Robinson, TEN (Pick: 8.6 | Bye: 9) WR5 Michael Wilson, ARI (Pick: 9.5 | Bye: 14) WR6 De'Zhaun Stribling, SF (Pick: 12.6 | Bye: 8) WR7 Stefon Diggs, WSH (Pick: 13.5 | Bye: 7) WR8 Rashid Shaheed, SEA (Pick: 14.6 | Bye: 11) TE1 Trey McBride, ARI (Pick: 3.5 | Bye: 14) K1 Jason Myers, SEA (Pick: 16.6 | Bye: 11) D/ST1 Cleveland Browns DST (Pick: 15.5 | Bye: 11)Team FortenbaughQB1 Lamar Jackson, BAL (Pick: 6.5 | Bye: 13) QB2 Kyler Murray, MIN (Pick: 13.6 | Bye: 6) RB1 Javonte Williams, DAL (Pick: 4.5 | Bye: 14) RB2 D'Andre Swift, CHI (Pick: 5.6 | Bye: 10) RB3 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (Pick: 7.6 | Bye: 11) RB4 Rico Dowdle, PIT (Pick: 10.5 | Bye: 9) RB5 Keaton Mitchell, LAC (Pick: 14.5 | Bye: 7) WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (Pick: 1.6 | Bye: 6) WR2 Drake London, ATL (Pick: 2.5 | Bye: 11) WR3 Nico Collins, HOU (Pick: 3.6 | Bye: 8) WR4 Christian Watson, GB (Pick: 8.5 | Bye: 11) WR5 Jayden Reed, GB (Pick: 9.6 | Bye: 11) TE1 Dallas Goedert, PHI (Pick: 11.6 | Bye: 10) TE2 T.J. Hockenson, MIN (Pick: 16.5 | Bye: 6) K1 Cameron Dicker, LAC (Pick: 15.6 | Bye: 7) D/ST1 Pittsburgh Steelers DST (Pick: 12.5 | Bye: 9)Team DoppQB1 Justin Herbert, LAC (Pick: 10.4 | Bye: 7) QB2 Tyler Shough, NO (Pick: 13.7 | Bye: 8) RB1 James Cook III, BUF (Pick: 1.7 | Bye: 7) RB2 David Montgomery, HOU (Pick: 5.7 | Bye: 8) RB3 Jadarian Price, SEA (Pick: 6.4 | Bye: 11) RB4 Chuba Hubbard, CAR (Pick: 12.4 | Bye: 5) WR1 Justin Jefferson, MIN (Pick: 2.4 | Bye: 6) WR2 Chris Olave, NO (Pick: 3.7 | Bye: 8) WR3 Ladd McConkey, LAC (Pick: 4.4 | Bye: 7) WR4 Michael Pittman Jr., PIT (Pick: 8.4 | Bye: 9) WR5 Alec Pierce, IND (Pick: 9.7 | Bye: 13) WR6 Xavier Worthy, KC (Pick: 11.7 | Bye: 5) TE1 George Kittle, SF (Pick: 7.7 | Bye: 8) TE2 Terrance Ferguson, LAR (Pick: 15.7 | Bye: 11) K1 Jake Bates, DET (Pick: 16.4 | Bye: 6) D/ST1 Seattle Seahawks DST (Pick: 14.4 | Bye: 11)Team MartinQB1 Jalen Hurts, PHI (Pick: 7.8 | Bye: 10) RB1 Christian McCaffrey, SF (Pick: 1.8 | Bye: 8) RB2 Ashton Jeanty, LV (Pick: 2.3 | Bye: 7) RB3 Jonathon Brooks, CAR (Pick: 8.3 | Bye: 5) RB4 Tony Pollard, TEN (Pick: 10.3 | Bye: 9) WR1 George Pickens, DAL (Pick: 3.8 | Bye: 14) WR2 Emeka Egbuka, TB (Pick: 4.3 | Bye: 10) WR3 Tee Higgins, CIN (Pick: 5.8 | Bye: 6) WR4 Jordan Addison, MIN (Pick: 9.8 | Bye: 6) WR5 Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (Pick: 13.8 | Bye: 8) WR6 Tre Tucker, LV (Pick: 15.8 | Bye: 7) TE1 Harold Fannin Jr., CLE (Pick: 6.3 | Bye: 11) TE2 Isaiah Likely, NYG (Pick: 11.8 | Bye: 8) TE3 Travis Kelce, KC (Pick: 14.3 | Bye: 5) K1 Harrison Mevis, LAR (Pick: 16.3 | Bye: 11) D/ST1 Denver Broncos DST (Pick: 12.3 | Bye: 10)Team GrazianoQB1 Joe Burrow, CIN (Pick: 8.2 | Bye: 6) RB1 De'Von Achane, MIA (Pick: 2.2 | Bye: 6) RB2 Breece Hall, NYJ (Pick: 3.9 | Bye: 13) RB3 Bucky Irving, TB (Pick: 5.9 | Bye: 10) RB4 Jordan Mason, MIN (Pick: 11.9 | Bye: 6) RB5 J.K. Dobbins, DEN (Pick: 12.2 | Bye: 10) RB6 Chris Rodriguez Jr., JAX (Pick: 13.9 | Bye: 7) WR1 CeeDee Lamb, DAL (Pick: 1.9 | Bye: 14) WR2 DeVonta Smith, PHI (Pick: 4.2 | Bye: 10) WR3 Jameson Williams, DET (Pick: 6.2 | Bye: 6) WR4 Brian Thomas Jr., JAX (Pick: 9.9 | Bye: 7) WR5 Josh Downs, IND (Pick: 10.2 | Bye: 13) TE1 Tucker Kraft, GB (Pick: 7.9 | Bye: 11) TE2 Jake Ferguson, DAL (Pick: 14.2 | Bye: 14) K1 Will Reichard, MIN (Pick: 16.2 | Bye: 6) D/ST1 Los Angeles Chargers DST (Pick: 15.9 | Bye: 7)Team FulghumQB1 Jayden Daniels, WSH (Pick: 5.10 | Bye: 7) QB2 Caleb Williams, CHI (Pick: 11.10 | Bye: 10) RB1 Jonathan Taylor, IND (Pick: 1.10 | Bye: 13) RB2 Kenneth Walker III, KC (Pick: 2.1 | Bye: 5) RB3 TreVeyon Henderson, NE (Pick: 8.1 | Bye: 11) RB4 RJ Harvey, DEN (Pick: 10.1 | Bye: 10) RB5 Jonah Coleman, DEN (Pick: 13.10 | Bye: 10) WR1 Garrett Wilson, NYJ (Pick: 3.10 | Bye: 13) WR2 Jaylen Waddle, DEN (Pick: 6.1 | Bye: 10) WR3 Mike Evans, SF (Pick: 7.10 | Bye: 8) WR4 DK Metcalf, PIT (Pick: 9.10 | Bye: 9) WR5 Quentin Johnston, LAC (Pick: 12.1 | Bye: 7) TE1 Colston Loveland, CHI (Pick: 4.1 | Bye: 10) TE2 Juwan Johnson, NO (Pick: 15.10 | Bye: 8) K1 Cam Little, JAX (Pick: 16.1 | Bye: 7) D/ST1 Los Angeles Rams DST (Pick: 14.1 | Bye: 11)"

"Welcome to Part II of my Red light/Green light series for 2026. The Green light: Players to target column dropped the other day and today I’m giving you some tough love – the players I’m trying to avoid. Draft season for redraft leagues is here at last, and if you decide to read anything to help you prep for your fantasy drafts, make it these two columns.Follow this link for my other preseason fantasy football content here at Big Blue View, including the Sleepers column: Fantasy Football Hub.Here’s what this column is all about. I’m not advocating that you cross off the players discussed. Rather, I’m trying to identify players whose current Average Draft Position (ADP) for redraft leagues is not offering good value. You’ll notice that my rankings on players listed in this column are mostly below market. This isn’t a “busts” column. It’s a listing of players who I think will underperform their current draft price, and who I probably won’t have much exposure to in redraft because I’ll pass on them at ADP. Would I draft some of them a round (or more) later than ADP? Sure, I would, although that varies by player.Sound fantasy drafting is all about value and getting good returns on your investment. Avoiding costly mistakes is part of the exercise. When you decide to click on Player X, you’re passing on others in the same range.NOTE: I’m mainly focusing on players going inside the first 130 picks (roughly, the first 11 rounds of a 12-team draft). Once you get past that point, overpaying doesn’t hurt you so much, because you’re taking players as depth and/or for potential upside if things break right, and you’re less likely to pass on difference-making players. For those who play in auction leagues, I’m looking to avoid the same players at average draft cost in that format, because I think they’ll be overpriced.ADPs listed are as of Aug. 24, 2026, are a consensus of several sites, and are for Half PPR scoring. Prior year rankings reflect Half PPR scoring, on a points per game basis, with Week 18 excluded. ADPs are a little all over the place right now – your mileage may vary.Red light players, 2026QuarterbackLamar Jackson (ADP 33, my rank 41), Drake Maye (ADP 51, my rank 57), and Joe Burrow (ADP 54, my rank 56) are ranked as quarterbacks 2, 3, and 4, and while they’re all studs, I’m not likely to pay up for them. Each could realistically challenge to be the QB1 when this season wraps up. I get that. Maye was a strong BUY and breakout candidate for me last season, at his much lower price. That was then, this is now. I’m not willing to burn a third rounder on Jackson, and the other two are fades for me in the first five rounds.Here’s why:This is about value, supply and demand, and whatever other Econ 101 terms I can throw at you. I’m tired of talking about how deep quarterback is this season. It’s like the ocean. The opportunity cost (another econ term, sorry) is just too great in the part of the draft where these guys are going, plus quarterbacks are the biggest names in the game and the top ones almost always end up getting pushed up and taken well ahead of ADP.Meanwhile, none of these three is a sure thing to finish as a Top-4 quarterback. Lamar ran a lot less last season, even when he was healthy, and he’s missed an average of three starts to injury across the last five seasons. While I love the A.J. Brown addition, Maye faces a tougher schedule this year plus his O-line is a question mark. Burrow has played 10 games or less in half of his six seasons.Pass, at cost. I like way too many quarterbacks with ADPs from late in Round 6 through Round 11 (see the Green Light column for more on that), and I’m happy to load up on backs and receivers while these three come off the board.Others: In 2-QB leagues, it’s easy to get two decent starters this year. Again, the depth of quality at the position is nuts and I’m good with most of the QBs ranked in the Top-24. Some of the lower-ranked QBs that I like less than others ranked near them are Patrick Mahomes (coming off a torn ACL which will surely limit his scrambling), Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, Cam Ward, and Bryce Young.Running BackHere’s a flex for you: I CRUSHED my red light running backs last year: Ashton Jeanty (who had an ADP around the 1-2 turn), Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara, R.J. Harvey, and Joe Mixon. Only Harvey was a value, thanks to 12 touchdowns. But don’t worry, I’m running him back for good measure.The 2026 list:Christian McCaffrey (ADP 5, my rank 8) is the headliner here, and it’s a tough call. I have CMC ranked a little behind where he’s going, and if my pick is in the middle of Round 1, I’ll probably fade him for a safer player. I don’t like taking on that much risk with my first pick, and no player offers a wider range of outcomes. McCaffrey finished as the RB1 in two of the last three seasons, sandwiched around a lost year. If he’s on the field, he’s an absolute fantasy destroyer, because he’s so devastating in the passing game. But there are legit concerns, and they go way beyond the substation and the 49ers’ ridiculous injury history. He led the NFL in touches last year (we saw how that worked out for Saquon Barkley after his league-leading 2024 workload), he’s 30, his efficiency declined in each of the last three seasons, and it wasn’t long ago that we wondered if his calf issues were going to end his career. I realize that passing on him can be costly.De’Von Achane (ADP 14, my rank 18). Achane might be my favorite player in the NFL. He’s absolutely electric and so fun to watch, and I’m a Miami fan. So this one pains me. Concerns about the change in ecosystem and the overall state of the Dolphins make it hard for me to click him at the top of Round 2. He led all backs in receptions over the last two seasons. Malik Willis is a running quarterback with a big arm and I’m assuming the receptions will fall off, as will the overall efficiency of the offense without Mike McDaniel. I hate fading him, but Achane is a little too risky for me at ADP.I don’t love Jeremiyah Love for this season. His ADP is now 26 (my rank, 37) which reflects a drop due to the high ankle sprain but it’s still way too high for me. He’s a pass at ADP for many of the same reasons I faded Jeanty last season. I love the talent, but I just don’t see him getting enough work and scoring chances (on what’s going to be a truly terrible team) for him to deliver on an ADP that’s likely to creep back up into Round 2 as the season approaches. The Cardinals still have a big crowd at running back. They paid Tyler Allgeier a lot of money and surely plan to give him a good chunk of the work. Love was a draft pick for Arizona’s future. Let someone else deal with him and an injury that could linger into September.Breece Hall (ADP 34, my rank 39). I’ll fade Hall again. I’m not taking him in Round 3 because I’m not taking ANY Jets player that high. I know he’s talented as both a runner and pass-catcher, and their O-line could be very good. I just don’t trust them to score enough TDs with a washed-up Geno Smith running the show (for now, it could get worse) and Aaron Glenn on borrowed time. I also think he’ll share the work more than you’d like.Bhayshul Tuten (ADP 54, my rank 62) and TreVeyon Henderson (ADP 51, my rank 55) are back-to-back fades for me at cost. They’re both in major timeshares and that’s not what I want in Round 4 or 5. Sure, an injury could open a pathway to an RB1 finish but that’s hard to bank on. Rhamondre Stevenson is still going to get his and is trusted by the coaching staff in big situations, and I can’t help but worry that Chris Rodriguez, who played for Liam Coen for a season at Kentucky, is going to be a season-long annoyance for those hoping Tuten is this year’s massive breakout.Others: I’m OK with most running back values in the Round 6-10 range, other than the Steelers’ duo who I’m happy to avoid, and R.J. Harvey. I’m all-in on Jonah Coleman stealing his lunch and am looking to grab him late wherever I can.Wide Receiver:Another flex: I had great results with my red light calls at receiver last year too (Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison, Jr., D.J. Moore, Rashee Rice, Chris Olave (I’m allowed one whiff), and lower down, Cooper Kupp and Brandon Aiyuk. Maybe it’s time for a paywall…The 2026 wide receiver red light district:Jason Smith-Njigba (ADP 6, my rank 10). This isn’t an indictment of JSN. He’s an outstanding receiver who dominated last season. I expect another good year. But he’s only done that once, Klint Kubiak is gone, the offense has major questions at running back, and a little regression across the board for Seattle (and for JSN) won’t surprise me. I still have him at the back of the first round, but he’s going very early and as with CMC, there are players I prefer in the middle of Round 1.Drake London (ADP 21, my rank 26). The Atlanta quarterback situation scares me, and that’s the main reason for this ranking, as London has been an ascending talent the last two seasons. The more games Tua Tagovailoa plays, the more balls will be thrown near the line of scrimmage, and the more targets will be funneled to the backs and tight ends. And Michael Penix, Jr. isn’t exactly a savior. As with JSN, I’m not “out” on this talented player, I just think his cost is a little rich, in this case given what I think is a capped upside. I’d rather take George Pickens, A.J. Brown, or Nico Collins in the picks 18-25 range of the draft, and they’re all ranked behind London.Davante Adams (ADP 58, my ranking 66). I’ve always been a huge fan of Adams. But despite his WR7 finish last season, there are red flags, including that he’ll be 34 in December. Adams effectively functioned as the Rams’ goal-line back last season, and that boosted his fantasy prowess. “He scored 14 TDs!”, you scream. True, but he did that on just 60 catches for 789 yards (his lowest totals for both since his second season, 2015). Almost a quarter of his catches were TDs, and most of those came from inside the 5-yard line. Over the last two seasons, his advanced metrics have shown a decline, including just a 57% catch rate. Could Adams repeat his 2025 success? Sure. But at a fifth-round price tag, I’d rather take an ascending player than bank on an aging player and outlier numbers that are hard to sustain.Carnell Tate (ADP: 72, my rank: 85). I’m way behind consensus on Tate. I do think Cam Ward will be better this season, but there could be a lot of target competition and I just don’t see the rookie doing enough this season to warrant a pick near the 6/7 turn.Others: I’ll pass on Parker Washington (ADP 70), D.K. Metcalf (ADP: 82), and Makai Lemon (ADP: 101) at cost. All are a little pricey for me given the downside case for each. Washington is a hot name after what he did down the stretch last season. But it’s a very crowded offense and if I’m gambling a late sixth-round pick on a Jags’ receiver, it’s Brian Thomas, Jr., not Washington.Tight End: Tight end feels like a “great or late” position once again this year, as there’s a very big drop-off after the Top-2 (or three or four, depending on how you feel about Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren). And there are a lot of late sleepers. Here are two of the higher-priced tight ends I’m mostly passing on:Tucker Kraft (ADP 65, my rank 71) and Harold Fannin, Jr. (ADP 67, my rank 74). I like both players. This is more about draft strategy. At the point where these guys are going as the TE5 and TE6, there are a lot of intriguing running backs and receivers that I’d rather take, and I’ll fill in a tight end as there are a bunch I like who are going 4-5 rounds later. There are also two elite dual-threat quarterbacks I’d consider if they fall to the 60s (see the Green Light column). Put another way: You can get better players at other positions in the same range, while not sacrificing that much by taking lower-ranked tight ends a handful of rounds later. In Fannin’s case, I also worry about the Cleveland QBs and the addition of two highly drafted rookie wide receivers.That’s it for my players to target and avoid in 2026. I’ll have my final rankings up soon, so keep it here!"

"Chig Okonkwo earns a larger role: The Washington Commanders’ new tight end is expected to play a larger role in Washington than he ever did with the Tennessee Titans. Carnell Tate sees an increased snap share: Tate played 100% of the Tennessee Titans‘ offensive snaps while Cam Ward was on the field. Save on PFF+ for 5 Days Only: Get a full year of PFF+ for just $89.99 before the limited-time offer ends Aug. 25. PFF's fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2026. The PFF+ Early Bird Sale is back for five days only, giving you the chance to lock in a full season of PFF+ at a special limited-time price. Through Aug. 25, get a full year of PFF+ for just $89.99. One subscription gives you everything you need to draft smarter, build winning fantasy rosters, find betting edges and stay ahead all season long. From exclusive player grades and Premium Stats to fantasy tools, betting dashboards and expert analysis, PFF+ is built on the same data and insights trusted by NFL teams. Las Vegas Raiders @ Houston Texans Tre Tucker is the Raiders' top receiver: Tucker was among the Raiders' wide receivers who didn’t play in this game, suggesting he is the top wideout on the pecking order. Tucker was the Raiders' top wide receiver last season once the team traded Jakobi Meyers. He was their Z receiver, while Tyler Lockett played in the slot, and Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech both played X. The Raiders shook up the wide receiver room, adding free agent Jalen Nailor as their X receiver, not re-signing Lockett and moving Bech to the slot, where many anticipated he would play when coming out of college. That is how Las Vegas used its three receivers in the first preseason game. It was debatable which of the wide receivers was considered their top option, with Tucker having the earlier ADP on ESPN and Nailor having it on Yahoo!, and experts being divided on which wide receiver to rank higher. The fact that Tucker rested with the starters while Nailor played into the second quarter suggests that Tucker should be the top option, and the one ranked higher. It was also notable that sixth-round rookie wide receiver Malik Benson took Tucker’s spot at Z, rather than Bech. Nailor left the game before the rest of the players who started this game, and when that happened, Bech started seeing more playing time outside. This suggests that even if Tucker were to suffer an injury, Bech wouldn’t see an increase in playing time. That will make it very difficult for Bech to find fantasy value this season. Thornton missed multiple practices with an undisclosed injury. He missed the first preseason game and was able to do some agility work early in the week. However, Benson has played well enough in training camp to suggest he might be ahead of Thornton on the depth chart at this point. The Raiders signed veteran wide receiver Noah Brown this past week to add depth to the wide receiver room. He also primarily plays on the outside. Considering Tucker appears locked in as the Z receiver and Benson appears to be a player on the rise, Las Vegas made this move either because they it wasn't entirely happy with Nailor or with Bech. We could see Brown cutting into either player’s playing time at some point this season. If you wanted to spend a late-round pick on a Raiders wide receiver, Tucker appears to be the clear option at this point. The Texans adjust without Jayden Higgins: Their up-and-coming second-year wide receiver tore his ACL in practice and will miss the season. Last season, Houston had Nico Collins as its X receiver, Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson in a rotation as the Z receiver and Christian Kirk in a rotation with Jaylin Noel in the slot. Houston allowed Kirk to leave in free agency, while Tank Dell, who tore his ACL, MCL and LCL in 2024, is expected to be ready to play sooner rather than later. Dell also primarily played the Z receiver role in the past, so Hutchinson was seeing more time in the slot, as was Higgins. Houston was without most of its receivers for this game. Collins was among the starters who rested, while Dell is still being eased back into action. Noel returned to practice this week after missing nearly three weeks due to hamstring and finger injuries. Although he returned to practice, he was held out for this game. While Hutchinson was the only top-five wide receiver playing, it was worth noting he played on the outside for seven of his eight snaps, with his one snap out of the slot coming out of 12 personnel. Last week, there were four plays out of 11 personnel where Hutchinson was lined up in the slot. Justin Watson was the slot receiver with the starters in this game. C.J. Stroud was pulled after the first drive, as were Hutchinson and running back Woody Marks. Every other wide receiver outside of Hutchinson who played on the first drive carried on with the backups on the second drive. This suggests Hutchinson was going to play more in the slot, but the injury to Higgins will likely return Hutchinson to his Z position. He will likely start there in Week 1, and will rotate with Dell throughout the season. This is good news for Noel once he’s healthy, as he might have the slot role to himself and not need to rotate with Higgins or Hutchinson. If he rotates with anyone, it will likely be Watson. A wide open competition for the backup tight end spot: Houston heavily invested in the position this off-season. Dalton Schultz has been the clear-cut lead tight end for Houston since 2023, and he suddenly becomes a top sleeper option with Higgins' injury. He was among the veterans who sat out this game. Houston struggled at the backup tight end position last year, with Brevin Jordan missing the season and Cade Stover being sidelined for half of the year. Houston brought in reinforcements this offseason with second-round rookie Marlin Klein and Foster Moreau. Houston had a clear-cut rotation last week, with Klein as the lead tight end, with Moreau joining him in 12 personnel and taking three of the 11 snaps out of 11 personnel. Then Klein exited the game, and Stover took over on the third drive, leading to three possessions with Stover and Moreau splitting snaps. This suggested a clear hierarchy of Klein, Moreau and Stover. This week, that pecking order was out the window. All three tight ends played on the first drive, with each receiving at least one snap in 11, 12 and 13 personnel. The three carried on throughout the first half, with Moreau being the most common tight end out of 11 personnel, and Stover as the most common in 12 personnel. It’s unclear if Jordan will complicate this situation given his injury. The second tight end in Houston won’t have any fantasy value as long as Schultz is healthy. Unless one of these players emerges as the clear backup in passing situations, it’s unlikely one will carry fantasy value even if Schultz suffers an injury this season. Miscellaneous Notes The Raiders rested their key starters, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Ashton Jeanty, wide receiver Tre Tucker and tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. The Texans rested their top few veterans, including running back David Montgomery, wide receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz. Backup running back Jawhar Jordan (strained hip flexor), fullback British Brooks (broken hand) and tight end Brevin Jordan (knee) are among those who also haven’t been practicing recently. San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Chargers Oronde Gadsden II becomes undraftable: Gadsden did not receive a snap on the Chargers‘ first two drives. Los Angeles added Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator and made significant changes to its tight end room. The Chargers added former Browns starting tight end David Njoku as well as Baltimore Ravens run-blocking tight end Charlie Kolar. They join Gadsden. McDaniel consistently had a three-man tight end rotation in Miami, with players like Julian Hill as a blocker, Durham Smythe as a well-rounded tight end and names like Jonnu Smith, Mike Gesicki, Tanner Conner, Greg Dulcich and Darren Waller taking a receiving role at various times. Gadsden appeared like the tight end most similar to his receiving tight ends, which made it seem like he had the most fantasy value. In the first preseason game, Kolar and Njoku rested with the starters, while Gadsden played with the rest of the backups. This week, the Chargers used Kolar and Njoku on two drives. They exited the game after those two series, with Gadsden starting to play on the third. On those two drives, Kolar took every snap in 11 personnel, the two shared the field on 12 personnel and Njoku played more than Kolar in 21 personnel. There is at least a small possibility that Gadsden is still the primary receiving tight end on third downs and two-minute drills. There were three third downs on the first two drives, and they were all for 3 yards or fewer. It’s common enough for a team to use its heavy personnel in those situations. However, looking at the past few years, McDaniel has often kept the receiving tight end on the field in these situations. This not only makes Gadsden not draftable, but it also makes it possible Kolar is a sleeper tight end. It could be hard to draft him without knowing how much Gadsden might play in obvious passing situations. However, this could be a two-man tight end room, with Njoku as the blocking tight end. In that case, Kolar could be in an excellent situation to have fantasy value. Keaton Mitchell remains the RB2: Mitchell took every snap on the second and third drive before Kimani Vidal played his first offensive snap. The Chargers had a strong one-two punch at running back last season in Omarion Hampton and Vidal when both running backs were healthy. Los Angeles added Mitchell in free agency on the suggestion of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Mitchell is the running back in the league most similar to De’Von Achane in terms of size and speed, and Achane was among the league’s top running backs in McDaniel’s offense. It’s unclear exactly how snaps will be distributed between the running backs, but it’s becoming more likely this is a two-man rotation instead of three. In the first week of the preseason, Mitchell and Hampton both rested with the starters, while Vidal played. This week, Hampton started and played each of the three snaps. Ideally, we would have seen a longer drive to see how early in the drive Mitchell may have rotated in. It also could have been nice to see a third-and-long situation to see who was on the field, but we didn’t get a glimpse of that either. Hampton was pulled after the first drive, along with Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey and various other starters. Mitchell joined the game at this point and played in all situations, suggesting the Chargers are comfortable with Hampton in receiving situations more than the Baltimore Ravens were. Vidal didn’t join until the fourth drive, and continued to be the main running back for the rest of the half. While it remains possible this is a three-man rotation, and Vidal is simply third in that order, we should expect Mitchell to see more snaps and touches than Vidal this season. De’Zhaun Stribling pushes for a starting job: Stribling was a frequent target in the first half and is making a push for a top-three spot on the depth chart. When San Francisco drafted Stribling, it was unclear where his easiest path to playing time was. San Francisco had Ricky Pearsall as its Z receiver, added Mike Evans in free agency to be the X and Christian Kirk in free agency to be the slot. Since then, Pearsall was placed on season-ending injured reserve, while Kirk hasn’t been able to play with a calf strain and seems unlikely to make the roster. In their place, Deebo Samuel was re-signed, and Demarcus Robinson has moved into the starting lineup. Evans missed this game while dealing with tightness, leading to Samuel and Robinson being the starting receivers, with Stribling joining them in 11 personnel. While all three receivers netted some playing time in the slot, Stribling was lined up there more often than not. Both starting wide receivers also took a play off on the first drive. The 49ers took out some starters after the first possession, including Samuel, with Robinson and Stribling playing an additional drive. Stribling caught four passes for 46 yards over his two drives, while Robinson was held without a target. Regardless of who the starters and who the backups are in 11 and 12 personnel, Stribling will see significant playing time in Week 1. Evans, Samuel and Robinson are all on the wrong side of 30 and will get rotated out at times. Given Evans' and Samuel’s injury history, they are likely to miss time this season. While Stribling might not make sense to have in Week 1 fantasy starting lineups, he should be drafted as he should be a significant contributor this season. Miscellaneous Notes The 49ers have several running backs dealing with injury. Christian McCaffrey has been held out of practice due to tightness, Jordan James has been doing some work on the side with fractured ribs, Isaac Guerendo remains on the PUP list and Patrick Taylor Jr. was placed on injured reserve today. Kaelon Black missed the first preseason game with an adductor injury, but was back for this game. He was the clear starter with the first team for this game, and given his health, is now the slight favorite for the backup job. George Kittle remains on the PUP list, but there is optimism he will be ready for the first week of the season. Jake Tonges was the lead receiving tight end for this game, and remains the tight end to add if Kittle misses any time due to injury. Chargers wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris both missed practice this week and didn’t play in this game. Brenen Thompson was notably the starter in this game over KeAndre Lambert-Smith, making it clear the rookie is ahead on the depth chart. However, Thompson went to the blue medical tent and then the locker room with an undisclosed injury. PFF's fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2026. New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers Omar Cooper Jr. starts for the Jets: Cooper only played with the second team last week, suggesting he has moved up the depth chart. The Jets drafted Cooper in the first round, but it has taken him some time to move up the depth chart. Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell appear set as the top two wide receivers, with Wilson playing Z and Mitchell playing X. Wilson has played every snap with the starters, while Mitchell has only missed two snaps, and only after making two nice catches. Isaiah Williams has been ahead of Cooper in the slot. Last week, Williams played all of the 11 personnel snaps with the starters, and left the game at the same time as Wilson and Mitchell. Cooper entered after the starters left, and continued playing over the rest of the first half. This week, it was Cooper who played with the starters instead of Williams. Later in the drive, when Mitchell took two plays off, Cooper received one snap in 12 personnel, while Williams garnered one snap in 11 personnel. The Jets switched to backups on the second drive and Cooper wasn’t on the field, but Cooper returned for the third possession to play more on the outside. While it could have been nice to see him leave at the same time as the rest of the starters, it’s better to see him getting snaps on the outside, which he did on and off throughout the rest of the first half. If Cooper only plays in 11 personnel in the slot this season, it will be difficult for him to be fantasy-relevant, particularly when the Jets could use a lot of 12 personnel after drafting Kenyon Sadiq. His clearest path to being valuable in fantasy is also taking snaps on the outside in 12 personnel. While it doesn’t appear like Cooper is close to consistently taking snaps from Mitchell, this game was still a nice step in the right direction for the rookie. He is a fine late-round dart throw. A quieter day for Germie Bernard: While Bernard started, he was held without a catch and played more on the outside. Both starting wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. missed last week’s preseason game, leading Bernard and Roman Wilson to be the Steelers' starting wide receivers. The two are competing to be the third wide receiver in three-receiver sets. Last week, Bernard was typically the wideout lined up in the slot, which was a big deal because Metcalf and Pittman traditionally play outside, so whoever wins the job will need to play significantly out of the slot. Bernard also caught four passes for 51 yards. This week, Wilson and Bernard started again, but Bernard was consistently lined up on the outside. Wilson was the primary slot receiver, with Ben Skowronek also seeing some work in the slot. The Steelers had three drives with the starters, and then turned to backups at running back and tight end. The two wide receivers kept playing further into the first half. This suggests there is no clear favorite for the third spot, and if anything, Wilson has a slight lead given his playing time in the slot this week. The fact that it’s so close could lead to both wide receivers splitting playing time. It’s unlikely one of these wide receivers will be fantasy-relevant only playing in 11 personnel, and it will be impossible if they are splitting work. Unless Metcalf's or Mitchell’s injuries linger on into the regular season, it’s unlikely Wilson or Bernard will see fantasy value anytime soon. Don’t read much into the Steelers' backfield rotation: Jaylen Warren started over Rico Dowdle, but the rotation in this game is unlikely to be the mix the Steelers use in the regular season. The Steelers moved on from Kenneth Gainwell and added Dowdle this off-season. Both Warren and Dowdle have experience being early-down backs as well as third-down backs, but neither has experience as an every-situation back, making it very difficult to project how snaps will be distributed between the two. In this game, Warren took the first drive, and Dowdle handled the second. Warren started the third drive and played five snaps, followed by six by Dowdle, and then Warren closed out the possession. It is common for teams to play a running back for several plays in the preseason with no regard to the situation, but it’s very rare for that kind of rotation to continue once the regular season starts. The fact that Warren got the start over Dowdle could be a good sign for his fantasy value, but it could also simply be giving preference to the returning player rather than the new player, which is also common in the preseason. This game should not change anyone’s opinion on how this backfield will look in the regular season. Miscellaneous Notes The Steelers decided to rest both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph so they could evaluate their two younger quarterbacks. Pittsburgh continued to use a two-man rotation at tight end with the starters, with Darnell Washington playing more on early downs and Pat Freiermuth more in passing situations, but it wasn’t a strict rotation. This is how the tight ends were used last week. This suggests Washington will play more snaps this season, but Freiermuth will run more routes. This is probably a situation to avoid given the split. The Jets didn’t have running backs Breece Hall (groin), Isaiah Davis (knee) or rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq (hernia). There is optimism all three will be ready for Week 1. Mason Taylor unsurprisingly started with Sadiq’s absence. After the starters left the game on the first drive, including running back Braelon Allen and wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, Taylor kept playing into the second possession. This suggests his role isn’t as secure as other starters. Jets undrafted rookie Malik McClain has played with the second team in each preseason game. If New York keeps six wide receivers, he appears to be the favorite for the sixth spot. Carolina Panthers @ Jacksonville Jaguars Jonathon Brooks continues in a featured role: Brooks played all but two snaps with the starters. Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring injury and isn’t expected to return until Week 1 at the earliest. This has opened the door for Brooks to be the Week 1 starter, and potentially keep the role for the season. His ADP has skyrocketed, but he still might be a value at his current ADP. In the first week of the preseason, Brooks was taken out for a third-and-4 for Trevor Etienne, suggesting Etienne would be the passing-down back if Hubbard misses time. This week, Brooks was taken out for one play when the team wanted to try a four-wide receiver, one-tight-end set. He and Etienne split the two third-and-medium plays this week, suggesting Carolina might even be comfortable with Brooks in passing situations. While it would be okay if Brooks doesn’t typically play on third-and-long from a fantasy perspective, it would be helpful if he plays during two-minute drills. The fact that Jacksonville trusted Brooks with that kind of situation, despite playing a lot of early snaps, suggests it could be comfortable with Brooks in other clear passing situations. For the second straight week, Etienne kept playing once the backups entered the game. Brooks is someone to continue targeting in drafts. CJ Williams gets a shot in the slot: The Jaguars' sixth-round rookie wide receiver has a chance to be the primary slot receiver. Jacksonville rested its starters for a second straight game, which included Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter. That has left Williams, fellow sixth-round rookie Josh Cameron and Austin Trammell as the primary backups. It’s unlikely any of these three wide receivers has a shot at fantasy value if there is an injury, and an injury to Parker Washington might be most significant. Liam Coen’s slot receivers have consistently found success from a fantasy perspective. The most likely scenario would be either Jakobi Meyers or Travis Hunter moving to the slot if Washington is sidelined, but there is always the possibility of multiple injuries. Trammell was the clear primary slot receiver in the first week of the preseason, with Williams only seeing four snaps out of the slot. The Jaguars used much more of a rotation this week, with Williams hitting four slot snaps in under 10 minutes. Williams has also seen the most targets out of the three receivers through two preseason games. Hopefully the Jaguars' wide receivers are able to stay healthy this season, but if injuries become a problem, Williams could be a name to remember. Miscellaneous Notes Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring injury and isn’t expected to return until Week 1 at the earliest. Wide receiver Xavier Legette got rolled up on during Wednesday’s practice, leading him to miss this game. There was some optimism he would be able to play, suggesting this is a short-term injury. Brycen Tremayne took his spot in three-receiver sets this week. The Panthers signed tight end Darren Waller earlier in the week. Since he just joined the team, he did not play in this game. The Jaguars didn’t have third-down back LeQuint Allen as well as wide receiver Parker Washington due to injuries. Washington is expected to return to practice next week, but Allen is out for the rest of camp. It’s unlikely either would have played if they were healthy. Jacksonville rested its starters and key backups, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr., wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter and tight ends Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher. Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos Jaylen Waddle makes his Broncos debut: Denver’s new top wide receiver played on one drive, and then his day was done. The Broncos had a complicated wide receiver rotation last season, with Courtland Sutton as the lead wide receiver and Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr. and Lil’Jordan Humphrey all seeing significant playing time. Denver traded its first-round pick for Waddle this offseason while retaining all five other wide receivers. Mims has been dealing with an undisclosed injury and was dressed in uniform for this game, but didn’t play. Otherwise, we received a first look at the Broncos' pecking order. Waddle and Sutton played an every-down role on the first drive, with Bryant joining them in three-wide receiver sets. Waddle and Sutton were taken out after one drive, with Franklin, Bryant and Humphrey rotating throughout the second series. Franklin and Humphrey continued to play over the rest of the half with backups. This reinforced the idea that Waddle and Sutton are the top wide receivers on the depth chart, followed by Bryant, but didn’t give us a great indication of how they might rotate in the regular season. Sean Payton has a long history of rotating wide receivers more than most teams, and also has a pattern of not following that order in the preseason. In fact, the preseason sequence has also been misleading at times, with Mims serving as the clear second wide receiver in last year's preseason, followed by a part-time role, and Tim Patrick starting in the preseason before his release. In this case, it’s clear Waddle will be first given how much Denver has invested in him, and we can expect Sutton to be second given his long history with the team. But, we should still write the Broncos' depth chart in pencil, not pen. Evan Engram sees an increased role: Engram played a clear majority of snaps with the starters, unlike past games. Engram had a long history of being an every-down tight end over five years with the New York Giants and three with the Jacksonville Jaguars. For example, in 2023, he averaged 78.6% of offensive snaps. When he joined the Broncos, he became a part-time player. Sean Payton has a long history of utilizing a tight end rotation, with the only exception being Jimmy Graham during his elite seasons. Since Payton joined the Broncos, Adam Trautman has been his early-down tight end. Engram averaged 42.1% of snaps last season, peaking at 55.6% of snaps. This led to a disappointing fantasy season. Davis Webb is the new offensive coordinator for the Broncos. He was a third-round rookie by the New York Giants in 2017, the same year Engram was their first-round pick. Their friendship has led some to believe Engram could have a bigger season this year. Engram played 12 of 14 snaps with the starters this week after playing 15 of 25 last week. Last season, he played 33 of 54 snaps during the preseason, so this has been a step in the right direction. Engram played on the first drive with the backups, while Trautman played the rest of the half, further suggesting Engram might be pulling apart from Trautman. Engram is unlikely to move up the rankings enough to make him worth drafting in most drafts, but he is a name worth monitoring early in the season, as he could become a popular waiver wire target if all goes well. MarShawn Lloyd shares the backfield with Chris Brooks: Lloyd remains in the lead for the Packers backup job. Packers running back Josh Jacobs returned to practice on Tuesday with his groin injury but didn’t play in this game. Brooks and Emanuel Wilson were the Packers' backup options last season, but they opted not to retain Wilson and didn’t make any significant additions to the backfield. This left Lloyd, who has barely played in his two NFL seasons, and Brooks in contention for the backup job. Brooks was unable to participate last week, so Lloyd played every snap over the first two drives and then his day was done. Lloyd started this game and played each of the first four snaps. Green Bay had a 14-play drive to begin the game, with Lloyd playing nine snaps to five by Brooks. Green Bay pulled its starters after the first drive, which included taking out wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden and tight end Josh Whyle, but the running backs kept playing. After three drives, Lloyd had tallied 16 snaps to seven by Brooks, with a tendency of Brooks playing more on third downs. Brooks continued to play on the fourth drive and began rotating with Pierre Strong. This strongly suggests that Lloyd will be the primary backup on early downs, while Brooks may be the backup on third downs. There were reports earlier in the offseason that Brooks may see time at fullback, but that didn’t happen in this game. Lloyd remains a late-round dart throw, but the Packers could still add another running back after cut-down day, complicating the backup situation. Miscellaneous Notes The Packers mostly played their healthy starters, but Jayden Reed sat out for an undisclosed reason. Skyy Moore was the backup slot receiver for Green Bay in Reed’s place, while Bo Melton and Savion Williams were the secondary wide receivers. Williams stopped playing after his two snaps, so it’s possible he suffered an injury that has not been reported as of this article being published. Tight end Tucker Kraft is still being eased back into action. He’s returned to team drills, but not 11-on-11 practices, and he was held out of this game. Backup tight end Luke Musgrave remains on the PUP. Josh Whyle is the likely second tight end option this season, and would be someone worth considering if Kraft isn’t ready for Week 1. Similar to last week, J.K. Dobbins didn’t play, RJ Harvey started the game and Jonah Coleman entered not long after. This gives us no indication on how the Broncos‘ running backs might rotate once the season begins. Washington Commanders @ Detroit Lions The Commanders' wide receiver depth chart takes shape: All of Washington’s top wide receivers were active for this game, providing the clearest look yet at how the depth chart is taking shape. Terry McLaurin leads a crowded receiver room. Washington has spent mid-round picks in each of the past three drafts on slot receivers Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane and Antonio Williams. The Commanders have also added several veterans over the past year, including Stefon Diggs, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. On the first drive, McLaurin lined up at X, Burks at Z and Diggs in the slot in 11 personnel. Diggs had historically been an every-down receiver, but he played only 54.7% of the snaps last season with the New England Patriots. His usage in this game suggests he could again be limited primarily to 11 personnel, which would put a ceiling on his fantasy potential. Diggs’ slot role also increases the likelihood that Burks sees significant playing time rather than one of Washington’s younger slot receivers. On the second drive, Brown took over at X, Burks remained at Z and McCaffrey played in the slot in 11 personnel. Jefferson also took two snaps in place of Burks at Z. On the third drive, McCaffrey moved outside to X, Jefferson played Z and Williams and Lane rotated in the slot. That usage suggests Lane could be the odd man out if Washington keeps only seven wide receivers. It also indicates that Williams is unlikely to see much, if any, playing time early in the season. Chig Okonkwo plays 12 of 14 snaps in the first quarter: Washington’s new lead tight end appears poised for a larger role than he ever had with the Tennessee Titans. Washington used a three-man rotation at tight end last season with Zach Ertz, John Bates and Ben Sinnott. Ertz tore his ACL late in the season, and Washington opted not to re-sign him, instead bringing in Okonkwo. Okonkwo has posted impressive advanced metrics at times but never developed into a consistent fantasy starter in Tennessee, where he often worked in a rotation and played just 63% of the offensive snaps last season. Okonkwo and Bates were among the starters who rested in last week’s preseason game, and they were the only two tight ends to play on the first two drives this week. They shared four snaps in 12 personnel, while Okonkwo played eight of 10 snaps in 11 personnel. Both exited after the second drive, with Sinnott, Colson Yankoff and Lawrence Cager taking over on the third drive. That usage suggests Okonkwo and Bates are well ahead of Sinnott on the depth chart, while Okonkwo is positioned for a significant increase in playing time compared to his tenure in Tennessee. He should be one of the top sleeper tight ends this season and an excellent target for fantasy managers who wait at the position. Isaac TeSlaa plays with the backups: The Lions rested their starters for a second straight week, but TeSlaa remained in the game until midway through the second quarter. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams have been locked into Detroit’s top two wide receiver spots. Last season, TeSlaa competed with veteran Kalif Raymond for the third receiver role in 11 personnel. Raymond left for Chicago in free agency, seemingly opening the door for TeSlaa to take over those snaps. If the Lions fully trusted TeSlaa in that role, however, he likely would have rested with the starters in at least one of the first two preseason games. Detroit’s depth chart behind him remains unsettled, and ideally, those receivers would receive more playing time to help determine who makes the roster. Instead, TeSlaa played not only with the second-team offense that started the game but also alongside the third-team quarterback and offensive line. Greg Dortch and Cedrick Wilson Jr. appeared to be his closest competition last week, while Tay Martin was heavily involved this week. TeSlaa should still receive significant playing time this season, but he is unlikely to have much fantasy value unless St. Brown or Williams misses time. Even in that scenario, Detroit could look to add a wide receiver via trade rather than significantly expanding TeSlaa’s role. Miscellaneous Notes The Commanders announced before the game that quarterback Marcus Mariota (sprained MCL) and running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White (hamstring) and Jeremy McNichols (quad) would not play. Croskey-Merritt’s absence was the biggest surprise, but ESPN’s John Keim reported that he may have suffered an injury during Thursday’s practice. Lions backup running back Isiah Pacheco (MCL sprain) and starting tight end Sam LaPorta (hip) did not play due to injury. The Lions also rested several starters, including quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Buffalo Bills @ Cleveland Browns Denzel Boston is the Browns’ only offensive starter to play: Cleveland’s second-round rookie played throughout the first quarter despite the Browns resting the rest of their offensive starters. Boston has secured Cleveland’s X receiver role after he, Jerry Jeudy and KC Concepcion started the first preseason game. Uncertainty remains about how snaps will be distributed in 12 personnel, as Cleveland has shown a willingness to use Concepcion in those formations despite his primary role in the slot. Boston surprisingly played despite Cleveland resting its starters. The Browns have a legitimate quarterback competition, and having Boston on the field gave Shedeur Sanders another weapon as he made his case for the job. That provides a reasonable explanation for Boston’s usage, although it was unusual that he played only the first and last snaps of the second drive and none in between. He finished with a 75% snap rate over the first two drives before exiting ahead of the other Browns who played. His usage isn’t a major red flag, but his playing time in Week 1 will be worth monitoring. Boston opened the game alongside Isaiah Bond, with Gage Larvadain joining them in three-receiver sets. Bond split his snaps between the slot and outside after playing almost exclusively in the slot last season. He appears to be the top backup at all three receiver spots and would be worth considering off the waiver wire if one of Cleveland’s starting receivers suffers an injury. Don’t read into which Bills played: Buffalo rested its starters and key backups, which made it somewhat surprising to see Ray Davis and Jackson Hawes on the field. Buffalo rested most of the players fantasy managers would recognize, with multiple undrafted rookies from the 2025 and 2026 classes playing on the opening drive. Davis and Hawes stood out among that group. Davis has been the primary early-down backup to James Cook III, while Hawes was part of a three-man rotation at tight end throughout last season. However, the Bills had limited options at both positions. Buffalo has only five halfbacks on its roster, with Cook resting and third-down back Ty Johnson injured. That left only three running backs available. Resting Davis would have left Buffalo with two for the entire game, an unrealistic option given their additional special teams responsibilities and the possibility of an injury. The situation was identical at tight end. Buffalo has five tight ends on the roster, with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox sitting out. Hawes is clearly the third option, but resting him as well would have left the Bills with only two available tight ends. Veterans playing alongside backups in these situations can typically be a red flag, but the circumstances suggest that isn’t the case with Davis or Hawes. Miscellaneous Notes The Bills were without several wide receivers, including DJ Moore (lower body), Joshua Palmer (undisclosed), Khalil Shakir (undisclosed), Keon Coleman (foot), Skyler Bell (groin) and Dante Pettis (undisclosed). Tyrell Shavers remains on the PUP list. Third-down back Ty Johnson (undisclosed) also missed his second straight preseason game. Buffalo also rested healthy starters, including quarterback Josh Allen, running back James Cook III and tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. The Browns were without running back Quinshon Judkins, fullback Michael Burton, wide receiver Cedric Tillman and tight ends Joe Royer and Dea’Quan Wright. They were listed out for personal/health reasons, though the specific reasons for their absences have not been disclosed. Todd Monken said Judkins is dealing with “a little something nagging, nothing big.” Tillman’s continued absence will only fuel speculation that he could be released. Browns backup tight ends Jack Stoll and Brenden Bates landed on injured reserve over the past week. Cleveland also rested running back Dylan Sampson, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KC Concepcion, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Atlanta Falcons @ Indianapolis Colts Zachariah Branch plays a limited role: The third-round rookie primarily played in 11 personnel in this game. The Falcons remade their wide receiver room this offseason, retaining Drake London, signing Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency and drafting Branch in the third round. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Branch’s size could limit his fantasy upside. Atlanta rested its starters, so Branch opened the game with the second-team offense. He played alongside Dylan Drummond and Chris Blair, who were the primary receivers in 12 personnel. Branch mostly joined them in the slot when Atlanta moved to 11 personnel. He has played exactly one snap in 12 personnel in each of the Falcons’ first two preseason games. While it wasn’t surprising that Branch would primarily be limited to 11 personnel, more preseason work in two-receiver sets would have increased the possibility of an expanded role if injuries strike during the regular season. Branch played only the first two drives and exited before the other receivers, suggesting his spot in the rotation is secure. While several third-round wide receivers are worthy of late-round fantasy picks this year, Branch shouldn’t be one of them because his upside appears limited. His best-case scenario is overtaking Zaccheaus as Atlanta’s primary slot receiver, but that role is unlikely to provide enough volume for him to become a consistent fantasy starter. Laquon Treadwell locks into a roster spot: Treadwell played only one drive before exiting ahead of the rest of the Colts players who started the game. The Colts’ top four wide receivers appear set when healthy, with Alec Pierce at X, Keenan Allen at Z, Josh Downs in the slot and Ashton Dulin as the top backup. It remains unclear whether Pierce will be ready for Week 1, as he hasn’t practiced in months. If he is unavailable, Dulin is the most likely candidate to take over at X, though that is no guarantee. Treadwell has been the top X receiver among the backups throughout the preseason. He appeared to be competing with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for playing time and potentially a roster spot, but Treadwell appears to have pulled ahead. He exited after one drive, while Westbrook-Ikhine remained in the game. Treadwell could see significant playing time in Week 1, particularly if Pierce isn’t ready. The Colts have enough positional flexibility among their top three receivers that Treadwell could enter the game whenever one of them needs a break in 11 personnel. That would also leave him one injury away from a starting role. Miscellaneous Notes The Falcons rested quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, running backs Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson, tight ends Kyle Pitts Sr., Charlie Woerner and Austin Hooper, and wide receivers Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. continues to be eased back into action and didn’t play in this game. The Colts rested quarterback Daniel Jones, running back Jonathan Taylor, wide receivers Josh Downs, Keenan Allen and Ashton Dulin, and tight ends Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory. Backup running back DJ Giddens (hamstring) and backup slot receiver Anthony Gould (groin) did not play due to injury, while Alec Pierce remains on the PUP list. Rookie Seth McGowan may win the backup running back job by default with Giddens sidelined. McGowan was the focal point of the Colts’ offense early in the game. Baltimore Ravens @ Minnesota Vikings More evidence that Ja’Kobi Lane is the Ravens’ WR3: Lane appears poised for a significant role in Baltimore’s offense this season. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have been the Ravens’ top receivers in recent years. Baltimore didn’t re-sign DeAndre Hopkins, creating a wide-open competition for the third wide receiver spot between Lane, fellow rookie Elijah Sarratt and recent draft picks Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester. Last week, the Ravens rested their starters, and Lane, Walker and Wester started while Sarratt worked with the backups. Sarratt did not enter the game until late in the third quarter, after Xavier Guillory and Chris Moore. That usage suggests he is well down the Ravens’ wide receiver depth chart. The Ravens rested their starters again this week, with Lane and Walker serving as the primary wide receivers for the first four drives and Wester joining them in three-receiver sets. Lane’s day ended after the fourth drive along with quarterback Tyler Huntley, while Walker and Wester continued playing with Joe Fagnano. That usage suggests Lane is ahead of both on the depth chart. That was already the expectation based on Lane’s draft capital and reports from beat writers, but his preseason usage provides further confirmation. Lane could even be elevated to the No. 2 receiver role after Bateman was arrested Friday on charges of family violence. It remains unclear how Bateman’s legal situation will affect his availability this season, but the possibility of him missing time only increases Lane’s chances of playing a notable role. Lane is a worthwhile late-round dart throw, and his ADP is likely to rise. Demond Claiborne locks into the RB3 spot: Claiborne is no longer rotating with Zavier Scott, suggesting he has secured the Vikings’ No. 3 running back job. Claiborne was a sixth-round pick by Minnesota in this year’s draft. While Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason were locked into the top two spots, Claiborne was still competing with Scott last week. Scott appeared in 16 games for the Vikings last season, recording 32 carries and 14 receptions. Last week, Jones and Mason played early in the first quarter before Claiborne replaced them late in the period. Scott began rotating with Claiborne in the second quarter, and both continued to play throughout the second and third quarters, with Scott remaining in the game briefly into the fourth. This week, Minnesota rested its starters, allowing Claiborne to start. He played every snap in the first quarter before Scott took over in the second. It remains unclear how much Claiborne will play on offense during the regular season, but his spot as one of Minnesota’s top three running backs appears secure. Miscellaneous Notes The Vikings rested quarterback Kyler Murray, running backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings, and tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. While Tai Felton played more snaps than Jennings last week, that was because the Vikings view Felton as their backup X receiver and Jefferson did not play. It did not necessarily indicate that Felton is ahead of Jennings on the depth chart. The Ravens rested quarterback Lamar Jackson, running backs Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali and Adam Randall, wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, and tight ends Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe. Most of those absences were expected, as they are veterans near the top of the depth chart. Ali has not been practicing for an undisclosed reason, explaining his absence. It is unclear why Randall is not playing. Considering he is a mid-round rookie and Baltimore played its other rookies who are expected to have larger roles, it is more likely that Randall is dealing with an undisclosed injury than receiving veteran-style rest. New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams The Saints’ backup running back situation heats up: Kendre Miller and Devin Neal were both available after missing last week. New Orleans has six notable running backs on the depth chart: Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, Miller, Neal, Audric Estime and Ty Chandler. At least one, if not two, will likely be left off the roster when cuts arrive. Kamara has a sprained MCL and could miss Week 1, so the Saints will likely keep four running backs on their initial roster. Kamara missed this week, as did Estime, who suffered an ankle injury last week. Etienne rested with the other starters. The Saints used a wide-open rotation throughout the first half. Miller started, with Neal rotating in on the first drive. Miller, Neal, Chandler and undrafted rookie CJ Donaldson each played two snaps on the second drive. Miller handled most of the third drive, with Chandler mixing in, before the two rotated on the fourth drive. Miller ultimately played the most snaps of the group and appears to be the favorite for the No. 3 running back job. However, there was enough rotation throughout the first half that plenty could change over the next week. Barion Brown sits for the Saints: The sixth-round rookie was among several Saints players who sat out this week. Brown has been one of the most talked-about rookies in Saints camp, making several big catches and earning work with both the first- and second-team offenses. He started last week, though five of the top six wide receivers on the depth chart were unavailable, and played on and off throughout the game. This week, the Saints were still without their top three wide receivers in Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson and Devaughn Vele. Their top veteran backup, Mason Tipton, remains on the PUP list. Fellow rookie Bryce Lance, who was unavailable last week, returned to action this week. It’s possible Brown is dealing with an undisclosed injury or that the Saints simply didn’t want to overwork him after he logged so many snaps last week. However, it’s also possible New Orleans views Brown as an important enough player to rest. With Tyson expected to miss roughly two months because of a hamstring injury, Brown could see significant playing time in 11 personnel early in the season. Brown is worth adding in dynasty leagues wherever he remains available. In redraft leagues, it’s probably best to leave him on the waiver wire until there is more clarity on where he sits on the depth chart. Xavier Smith sits for the Rams: Smith was the only Rams skill-position player who played last week but sat this week. Every team approaches the preseason differently, and the Rams take one of the league’s most conservative approaches with important players. Los Angeles typically rests all of its starters throughout the preseason, along with key backups, and tends to hold out even more players as the preseason progresses. It was noteworthy that Smith played last week because he was the only skill-position player with a significant role last season who saw action. His absence this week makes it clear that his roster spot is secure. Still, it’s unlikely that any Rams wide receiver outside of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will have fantasy value unless injuries significantly alter the depth chart. Miscellaneous Notes The Rams rested their starters and key backups, as usual. That included quarterback Matthew Stafford, running backs Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers, wide receivers Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith, and tight ends Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, Tyler Higbee and Davis Allen. The only Rams skill-position players who played today and are expected to make the roster were 2025 fourth-round running back Jarquez Hunter and rookies CJ Daniels and Max Klare. It’s possible none of the three will be active on game days. The Saints were without running back Alvin Kamara (sprained MCL) and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), both of whom are expected to miss the start of the season. Mason Tipton remains on the PUP list. The Saints were without running back Alvin Kamara (sprained MCL) and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), both of whom are expected to miss the start of the season. Mason Tipton remains on the PUP list. Saints rookie tight end Oscar Delp played 13 of the first 18 snaps before exiting ahead of the other Saints who played in the game. New York Giants @ Miami Dolphins The Giants’ running back battle heats up: Devin Singletary started ahead of Tyrone Tracy Jr. in what could ultimately become a four-man rotation. New York surprisingly rotated all three of its top running backs last week. Cam Skattebo started, but Tracy also played on the first drive before Skattebo reentered and shared time with Singletary. All three were finished by early in the second quarter, suggesting there wasn’t a significant gap between them on the depth chart. Head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy have generally favored two- or three-man backfield rotations. New York signed Najee Harris earlier in the week, but he didn’t play in this game. He will need time to ramp up and might not play next week, either, though he reportedly expects to have a significant role in the offense. Skattebo was among the starters who rested this week, leaving Singletary and Tracy to rotate throughout the first half. While New York could keep four running backs, Singletary and Tracy are likely competing for playing time, and Singletary appears to have the edge. Tracy notably struggled in pass protection last week, while Singletary has graded well in that area in recent seasons. That could leave the Giants with a three-man rotation of Skattebo, Harris and Singletary in Week 1. Malachi Fields may have won a starting job: The third-round rookie played only the first drive before exiting ahead of the rest of the wide receivers. New York made several changes to its wide receiver room this offseason, retaining Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton, signing Calvin Austin III, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios and JuJu Smith-Schuster, and drafting Fields. The Giants released Smith-Schuster this past week. Nabers is unlikely to play in the preseason, but there is optimism that he will be ready for Week 1. New York used Fields, Austin, Mooney and Slayton in a four-man rotation early last week, with players lining up at various positions. Beckham and Berrios eventually joined the rotation. This week, the plan was much more straightforward. On the first drive, Fields lined up at X, Slayton at Z and Austin in the slot in 11 personnel. Slayton has typically played X for the Giants, so lining up at Z represented a change for him. On the second drive, Beckham replaced Fields at X, and the trio of Beckham, Slayton and Austin played the rest of the first half. Beckham remained in the game with the backups to begin the second half. That usage suggests Fields has won the starting X job, with Beckham as his backup. Nabers should start at Z when healthy, with Slayton backing him up and likely starting if Nabers isn’t ready for Week 1. Austin appears to be the primary slot receiver. Fields is now a viable late-round fantasy target, while Slayton should only be considered if Nabers is expected to miss Week 1. Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game that Mooney missed this game because he was the best man at his brother’s wedding. Mooney mostly played X and in the slot in the first preseason game. Given how little Fields played relative to Austin, it seems more likely Mooney takes time from Austin in the slot than he takes snaps from Fields at X. Harbaugh also said Berrios missed the game due to a soft tissue injury. Jaylen Wright remains the RB2 for Miami: Wright has played ahead of Ollie Gordon II for the second straight week. The Dolphins retained their top three running backs from last season in De’Von Achane, Wright and Gordon. Gordon was the primary backup early last season, but Wright moved ahead of him as the year progressed. In the first week of the preseason, Wright was the first running back to enter after Achane exited. While there was some rotation, Wright’s day ended at halftime, while Gordon played into the fourth quarter. Achane rested this week, leaving Wright to start. He played 12 of the first 16 snaps over Miami’s first four drives. Wright lost a fumble during that stretch, but the Dolphins continued to use him. When he briefly left the game, he appeared to be dealing with an injury before returning rather than simply rotating out for Gordon. Gordon began seeing more significant playing time early in the second quarter. Gordon remained in the game until late in the quarter, when he appeared to injure his shoulder while being tackled. Miami hasn’t invested much in a fourth running back, so the team could look to add one if Gordon’s injury is serious. Wright briefly returned to the game after Gordon exited. Wright is unlikely to have much standalone fantasy value despite being the clear backup. However, if Achane misses time this season, Wright would become a priority waiver-wire addition and is worth considering as a late-round target in deeper leagues where most handcuffs are rostered. Dolphins’ wide receiver room takes shape: The first preseason game provided clarity on Miami’s top two wide receivers. This game offered a better indication of who will fill the No. 3 role. Miami made several changes to its wide receiver room this offseason, retaining Malik Washington, signing Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and Jalen Reagor, and drafting Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Chris Bell. Last week, Washington and Douglas dominated snaps with the starters, with Reagor joining them in three-receiver sets. Tolbert and Atwell were the primary backups, while Coleman was sidelined by an injury. Bell was activated from the NFI list earlier this week after tearing his ACL in December. This week, Washington was one of the few starters who didn’t play, providing further evidence that his starting role is secure. Douglas played only the first drive before his day ended, similarly solidifying his place among the starters. Tolbert was the other starting receiver, suggesting he has moved ahead of Reagor on the depth chart. He played two drives before exiting ahead of the rest of the receivers and should be considered the favorite to play Z in 11 personnel in Week 1. Coleman made his preseason debut after missing last week and consistently lined up in the slot in 11 personnel. Atwell replaced Douglas on the second drive, while Reagor replaced Tolbert on the third. Tolbert returned later in the second quarter, however, suggesting his lead over the other receivers isn’t particularly secure. Washington and Douglas remain interesting late-round dart throws in fantasy drafts. Miscellaneous Notes The Giants rested several starters, including quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo and tight end Isaiah Likely. Tight ends Theo Johnson and Chris Manhertz played only the first drive before their days ended. Both are expected to see significant playing time this season. The Dolphins rested several starters, including quarterback Malik Willis, running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Malik Washington. Miami tight end Greg Dulcich played two of the three snaps on the first drive before his day ended. He was off the field for the first snap out of 21 personnel, a grouping he isn’t expected to play in often this season. Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals Colston Loveland plays eight of nine snaps with the starters: Loveland continued to see a snap rate similar to what he had late last season. Loveland spent most of his rookie season in a part-time role alongside Cole Kmet, playing between 52% and 66% of the offensive snaps in most weeks. That changed over the final three weeks of the regular season and the first week of the playoffs, when he played more than 80% of the snaps. He scored more than 21 PPR points in three of those four games. There has been little doubt that Loveland would continue to have a significant role in the offense, as he is the consensus TE3 by ADP and rankings. Part of that confidence stems from the Bears trading DJ Moore and not making as significant an investment in their third wide receiver, suggesting they could use more two-tight-end sets. Loveland’s playing time matched expectations, although it was somewhat surprising that Chicago used 12 personnel on only four of its nine snaps with the starters. His only snap off the field came on second-and-4 on the second play of the game. That allowed Kaden Davis and JP Richardson to get some work with Caleb Williams, so this small sample might not be indicative of how often Chicago will use 12 personnel during the regular season. Fantasy managers can draft Loveland with slightly more confidence after this usage, but it shouldn’t meaningfully affect his ADP. Erick All Jr. returns to the Bengals: All tore his ACL midway through the 2024 season and missed all of 2025. The Bengals typically use two early-down tight ends and a receiving tight end, with the receiving option playing primarily in obvious passing situations. That leaves one of the early-down tight ends with a decent amount of receiving volume, but the rotation makes it nearly impossible for any Bengals tight end to sustain fantasy value. During All’s rookie season, he was the early-down tight end who contributed as a receiver, while Mike Gesicki filled the receiving role and Drew Sample served as the other early-down option. With All sidelined last season, Cincinnati added Noah Fant to fill his role. Gesicki and Sample both rested for this game, while Cincinnati used plenty of 11 personnel early to give its young wide receivers more playing time. All started and immediately returned to his usual early-down role. Unfortunately for his fantasy prospects, the Bengals maintained their typical rotation even in the preseason, so All never played on third-and-medium or third-and-long. That usage suggests All will step right back into his rookie-year role, but it is unlikely to be large enough to make him fantasy relevant. He would need opportunities in obvious passing situations, and Cincinnati showed no indication that it plans to use him that way. Tanner Hudson handled the most obvious passing situations in this game, while Cam Grandy played in other passing situations. If Gesicki misses time this season, Hudson would likely take over that role rather than All, consistent with how Cincinnati has rotated its tight ends in recent years. All played only one drive, which makes sense both because this was his first game back and because he has the largest expected regular-season role among the Bengals players who suited up. Fant finished as TE37 last season, while All was TE38 over the first nine weeks of 2024. A similar finish is a reasonable expectation for All this season. Unless you’re in a league where roughly 40 tight ends are rostered, he shouldn’t be drafted. Miscellaneous Notes The Bengals rested quarterback Joe Burrow, running backs Chase Brown and Samaje Perine, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas and tight ends Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample. Chicago didn’t have Kyle Monangai (hyperextended knee) and Luther Burden III (groin), and it’s unlikely either plays in next week’s game. Zavion Thomas also wasn’t available. It’s unclear if it’s related to the knee injury he suffered two weeks ago, but he also didn’t play last week. Bears lead running back D’Andre Swift also didn’t play, which appears more precautionary. He’s only had one preseason where he’s played more than six snaps. Kalif Raymond is expected to be the Bears' third wide receiver. He played only the first three snaps, and his day ended before the rest of the starters. This is understandable considering he is 32. Philadelphia Eagles @ New England Patriots More concerns for Eli Stowers: Stowers played only a part-time role for the Eagles in this game. Philadelphia selected Stowers in the second round with the expectation that he could become the team’s lead tight end in 2027, with Dallas Goedert entering the final season of his contract. There was at least some hope that Stowers could contribute as a rookie. He is primarily a receiving tight end, and it has become clear that Johnny Mundt will likely serve as the second tight end in 12 personnel this season. Last week, Stowers was the second tight end in 12 personnel behind Grant Calcaterra, suggesting Stowers was fourth on the depth chart. This week, Philadelphia rested its top two tight ends, while Calcaterra was sidelined by an injury. Rather than giving Stowers an every-down role, the Eagles used him exclusively in 11 personnel during the first quarter. Philadelphia used 12 personnel on half of its plays during that stretch, with E.J. Jenkins and Cameron Latu handling the tight end snaps in those formations. Stowers should still make the roster given his draft capital, but his preseason usage has been discouraging, and his dynasty value should continue to fall. Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III remain at the bottom of the depth chart: The two young receivers started for New England while five other wide receivers were among the key players who sat out. The Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason while losing only Stefon Diggs, making it difficult for the other returning wide receivers to see as much playing time as last year, let alone expand their roles. DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins were key contributors last season who could all see a reduction in snaps this year. That has made it even harder for Williams and Chism to earn more playing time. It’s clear through the first two preseason games that Williams and Chism sit sixth and seventh on the depth chart. In practice, Chism is the backup slot receiver and could see a notable role if Douglas were to suffer an injury. It will be much harder for Williams to find a role this season. He projects as an X receiver, which is where Brown and Boutte both play. Doubs also has experience at X, and if injuries pile up, it’s possible that Doubs would simply move back to X rather than Williams becoming a starter. Ideally, both wide receivers would have also sat this week because their roster spots were secure. Instead, they started and continued playing deep into the second quarter. Most Patriots beat writers expect the team to keep seven wide receivers this season, so Williams and Chism appear likely to make the roster. However, it’s unlikely that either will become fantasy relevant this season. Miscellaneous Notes The Patriots rested quarterback Drake Maye, running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, fullback Reggie Gilliam, wide receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, as well as tight end Hunter Henry. Third-round rookie tight end Eli Raridon was not spotted during warmups with the other starters who weren’t playing, suggesting he could be dealing with an injury. He is expected to be the Patriots’ second tight end as long as they don’t add another from a different roster. The Eagles rested quarterback Jalen Hurts, running backs Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby, wide receivers DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown, and tight ends Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt. First-round rookie Makai Lemon returned to practice Thursday after missing most of camp with a hamstring issue. He didn’t play in this game. Wide receiver Elijah Moore (neck) and tight end Grant Calcaterra (back) were also among the Eagles who didn’t play because of injuries. Kansas City Chiefs @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chiefs’ confusing running back usage: Emari Demercado went from playing late in the fourth quarter of the first preseason game to seeing the field on the first drive of this game. Kansas City reworked its running back room this offseason and added Kenneth Walker to be its lead back. Brashard Smith was retained, and he is competing with free-agent addition Demercado and fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson. All three could specialize as passing-down backs, but someone will also need to serve as Walker’s backup on early downs. On the first drive, Walker played the first two snaps before Demercado took over on third down. One reasonable explanation is that Walker might not always play on third downs. He has an injury history, and if there is any situation where it makes sense to take him off the field, it’s on third down. It’s also reasonable to think that Walker simply played his two snaps before his day ended early, meaning this usage doesn’t tell us anything about how he might be deployed on third downs. While most head coaches wait until the end of a drive to rotate players out of a preseason game, Andy Reid has a long history of taking players out mid-drive. He took Tyquan Thornton, Travis Kelce and Noah Gray out mid-drive at various points in this game, for example. Walker was also taken out after one play last week. Reid consistently avoids using running backs by situation in the preseason, instead giving one back a set of plays before moving on to another. Another unique practice by Reid is changing the order in which running backs play from one preseason game to the next. Isiah Pacheco was high on the depth chart for a preseason game during his rookie season, but that role didn’t materialize until the middle of the regular season. Last year, Elijah Mitchell was high on the depth chart in the first week of the preseason, while Carson Steele was the primary backup to Pacheco in the second game. Last week, Smith entered the game after Walker played one snap and remained on the field for the rest of the first quarter. Smith and Johnson rotated throughout the second and third quarters, with Demercado taking his first offensive snap in the fourth quarter. This week, Demercado was up first. After taking the final snap of the first drive, he played throughout the second and third drives. Johnson began seeing playing time on the fourth drive. Smith played on special teams early in the game but didn’t play on offense until the second half. We aren’t much closer to finding out who Walker’s handcuff will be or who, if anyone, will play in certain passing situations this season. It’s entirely possible those answers change over the course of the season. It’s best to leave all three on the waiver wire and simply draft Walker early. Tyquan Thornton remains the WR3: While Cyrus Allen has received plenty of praise during training camp, Thornton remains high on Kansas City’s depth chart. Chiefs wide receivers Rashee Rice (knee) and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) have been practicing but are being eased back into action and didn’t play in this game. Thornton, Allen and Jalen Royals are the expected top backups, and this game further confirmed their roles. They were the only three wide receivers to play on the first three drives, with Thornton at X, Royals at Z and Allen in the slot in 11 personnel. The Chiefs typically mix up their wide receiver usage more than most teams, but that wasn’t the case on these drives. Thornton played the first snap of the fourth drive before his day ended, with Andrew Armstrong taking his place. Royals and Allen continued playing throughout the rest of the first half, even after Garrett Nussmeier took over for Justin Fields at quarterback. The fact that Allen played so late in the first half suggests he won’t see an extensive role immediately, but he is clearly among the top five wide receivers on the depth chart. It’s also worth noting that Allen isn’t necessarily competing with Thornton, as the two play very different roles. Thornton was among the league leaders in average depth of target last season, while Allen projects to have a much lower average depth of target. Allen’s primary path to a fantasy-relevant role this season is taking playing time from Rice. Don’t read into the Buccaneers’ running back snap counts: While Kenneth Gainwell played more snaps with the starters than Bucky Irving, Irving received the start. The Buccaneers allowed Rachaad White to walk in free agency and spent more on Gainwell after his breakout season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gainwell received significant praise during OTAs while Irving was out with an injury, but everything since then has suggested that Irving is the starter. Irving started this game and ran the ball on each of the first three plays for 14 yards. After that, his day was done before the rest of the starters. Gainwell took over for the final two plays of the first drive, played all three snaps on the second drive and then exited along with the rest of the Buccaneers’ starters. All this game did was confirm that Irving is the lead back. It didn’t provide much insight into what the backfield’s snap split might look like or how interchangeable the two backs could be, as opposed to Irving playing more in rushing situations and Gainwell handling more passing-down work. Their ADPs and rankings should not change based on this game. Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals The Cowboys’ backfield battle takes a turn: Malik Davis started this week after not playing until the third quarter last week. Javonte Williams was the Cowboys’ starter last season, with Davis ending the year as a backup. Fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue spent most of the season as a healthy inactive, while seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah missed most of last season due to injury. Cowboys coaches and beat writers have made it clear that they hoped Blue or Mafah would win the backup job. Last week, Blue started the game, with Mafah rotating in throughout the first half. Blue was done at halftime, Mafah started the third quarter and Davis took over later. This week, Davis started, with Blue rotating in later in the first drive. This suggests Davis is currently the favorite for the backup job, but the situation is likely unsettled and could be a top storyline in the third week of the preseason. It’s also possible the Cowboys add a running back after the third week of the preseason. Blue was worth drafting in the late rounds when it seemed clear he was on track to win the backup job, but this is now a situation to avoid. Bam Knight sits along with other key players: Corey Kiner and Evan Hull were Arizona’s primary running backs for this game. Knight was the Cardinals’ starting running back for half of last season, but it seemed like his job was in jeopardy a few months ago. James Conner and Trey Benson were expected to return, the team signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and then drafted Jeremiyah Love. This presumably put Knight fifth on the depth chart. There were rumblings at the start of the preseason that Knight could make the roster ahead of Conner, Benson or both because of his ability on special teams. Knight’s chances of making the roster have continued to increase, as Love suffered a high ankle sprain that will keep him out until the start of the season, Conner is still dealing with a foot injury and Benson is dealing with a knee injury. Those chances appear even higher now, as Knight didn’t play in this game. While Knight could be injured, the more likely scenario is that Arizona wanted to keep its second-best healthy running back out of harm’s way. Benson is unlikely to make the roster at this point, and there is a good chance the Cardinals keep four running backs given Love’s injury. It will take an injury to Allgeier, along with the other running backs remaining sidelined, for Knight to have fantasy value this season, but stranger things have happened. Miscellaneous Notes The Cowboys rested starters and key backups, including quarterback Dak Prescott, halfback Javonte Williams, fullback Hunter Luepke, wide receivers CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin, and tight ends Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Jonathan Mingo appears to be the favorite for the fifth wide receiver spot after starting both preseason games and catching a long touchdown pass. Undrafted rookie Camden Brown played in the first quarter last week and appears to have overtaken veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the depth chart. Wide receiver Tyler Johnson and tight end Zack Kuntz played only in the fourth quarter last week but saw significant playing time with the starters in the first quarter this week, suggesting several bottom-of-the-roster spots remain unsettled. Cowboys third tight end Luke Schoonmaker played eight of the first nine snaps and left the game early, making it clear he is the third tight end. He similarly left early last week. The Cardinals rested quarterback Jacoby Brissett, running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight, wide receivers Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kendrick Bourne, and tight ends Trey McBride and Elijah Higgins. Fifth-round rookie wide receiver Reggie Virgil started the game. He drew an illegal contact penalty on the first play, hopped around shortly after the contact and then jogged off the field. He didn’t enter the game again until the second quarter. Jalen Brooks appears to be the favorite for Arizona’s fourth wide receiver spot. Devin Duvernay was expected to make the Cardinals’ 53-man roster because of his work as a returner. He is listed first on the unofficial depth chart at both kick and punt returner. Ihmir Smith-Marsette is listed second at both spots, and he received significant playing time with the starters in the first half. It’s possible Smith-Marsette makes the roster instead of Duvernay. Seattle Seahawks @ Tennessee Titans Tyjae Spears out-snaps Tony Pollard with the starters again: Pollard has started both games, but Spears has been on the field more frequently with Cam Ward this preseason. Pollard and Spears have shared the Titans’ backfield for each of the past two seasons. Pollard has played more in rushing situations, while Spears has played more on passing downs. Pollard led the team in snaps in most games, but Spears occasionally played more when the Titans fell behind early. Now, the Titans have a new coaching staff that could find a different way to rotate the two. Pollard played the first drive this week, while Spears played the second and third. Last week, Spears rotated in more on the first drive, while Pollard rotated back in on the third drive. This generally suggests that Pollard is ahead of Spears, but the gap between the two may be smaller than it has been in past years. If Pollard were clearly ahead, he likely wouldn’t have returned for the third drive last week and potentially would have been taken out earlier. The fact that he is playing at all is somewhat surprising, as he is one of only five lead running backs to play this week in the preseason and one of only two to play more than three snaps. Pollard appears to be a classic dead-zone running back who, on paper, looks capable of producing RB2 numbers but could easily finish outside the top 30 fantasy running backs. There is a decent chance that Spears ends up leading this backfield in fantasy points. Titans’ wide receiver depth chart appears set: Tennessee stuck with the same three receivers for each of the first three drives. Tennessee’s top receivers for most of last season were fourth-round rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. While both players remain on the roster, they have fallen behind Calvin Ridley, who spent most of last season injured, first-round rookie Carnell Tate and free-agent addition Wan’Dale Robinson. Ayomanor and Dike didn’t see significant playing time until the fourth quarter, when the rest of the backups entered the game. For the first three drives, Ridley played X, Tate played Z and Robinson lined up in the slot. Robinson left the field in 12 personnel, which wasn’t the case when he was the lead receiver for the New York Giants last year. This lowers his fantasy ceiling compared to his time in New York. Ridley took two plays off late in the Titans’ long opening drive, with Ayomanor taking over at X on those plays. It seems unlikely that Ayomanor will have fantasy value this season unless Ridley suffers another injury or is traded. Ridley is worth a late-round draft pick because he remains one of the top options on the team, but the Titans’ offense will need to improve for him to pay off at his ADP. Tate played the Z receiver role last week but was subbed out more often with Ward on the field. This week, Tate was consistently on the field, which is a good sign for the rookie. However, as with everyone else in the offense, the Titans will need to play better for Tate to be worth an early pick in fantasy drafts. Gunnar Helm leads a tight end rotation: While Helm is the lead tight end for the Titans, he is likely a player to avoid in fantasy drafts. Helm started his rookie season as the second option behind Chig Okonkwo, but his playing time slowly increased as the season progressed. The Titans decided not to re-sign Okonkwo and instead brought in free agent Daniel Bellinger. Bellinger spent the first four seasons of his career with the New York Giants, including time with new Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Helm played the first four snaps of the opening drive, but Bellinger replaced him on third down and played the rest of the drive. The Titans used some 12 personnel on the second drive with both players on the field, while Helm played more snaps in 11 personnel. On the third drive, both players again saw time in 11 personnel. While Helm is still expected to be the lead tight end, he will need more playing time to earn a higher target share than he has seen in the past. He will also need the Titans’ offense to improve for him to become a top-12 fantasy tight end. Most other starting receiving tight ends have an easier path to a top-12 finish. Elijah Arroyo plays into the second quarter: Arroyo caught a highlight-worthy touchdown, but the fact that he played into the second quarter isn’t a great sign for his fantasy value. Arroyo was a second-round pick by the Seahawks last season but ultimately lost the starting job to AJ Barner. Barner didn’t miss a game last season, and Arroyo averaged a 39.5% snap rate. There is a chance that rate will be even lower this season, as the Seahawks have more wide receivers they can trust. While there had been talk of Arroyo having a breakout season, this is the second straight game in which Arroyo played while the starters sat. Nearly half of the league’s backup tight ends didn’t play this week, although a few were sidelined by injuries rather than being rested. This indicates Seattle doesn’t plan to make Arroyo as big a part of the offense as the receivers who didn’t play in this game. Arroyo will be someone to pick up off the waiver wire if Barner suffers an injury, but it’s unlikely that Arroyo has another path to fantasy value this season. Miscellaneous Notes Seattle opted to sit Jadarian Price after he missed time with upper-leg soreness. While he ramped up to padded practices this week, Seattle opted to remain cautious. Emanuel Wilson missed his second straight preseason game with an undisclosed injury. Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet remains on the PUP list, so he was not eligible to play and is unlikely to be available for Week 1. Seahawks backup wide receiver Jake Bobo was placed on injured reserve yesterday with a knee injury, ending his season. Second-year receiver Tory Horton will be out for “some time” with an undisclosed injury. Seattle rested its starters and other key players, including quarterback Sam Darnold, running back George Holani, wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp, and tight end AJ Barner. Table Notes Snaps include plays called back due to penalties, such as offensive holding or defensive pass interference. The other three stats exclude these plays. Targets may differ from official NFL sources. The most likely discrepancy would be from a clear thrown-away pass, where the NFL may give the target to the nearest receiver, while this data will not. Carries are only on designed plays. Quarterback scrambles won’t count for the total number of carries in the game."

"Mike ClayAug 22, 2026, 07:45 AM ETCloseMike Clay is a senior writer for fantasy football and the NFL at ESPN. Mike is a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame. His projections power the ESPN Fantasy Football game, and he also appears on "Fantasy Football Now" and the Fantasy Focus Football podcast.Multiple AuthorsFantasy football drafts are all about collecting the best possible values, but we all know those special players exist whom we badly want on our squad.Whether it's the young, up-and-coming wide receiver on our favorite team, a sleeper running back no one is talking about or this year's big breakout at tight end, these players add an extra level of excitement to the roster construction process.This round-by-round analysis will give you an idea of what's going through my head on draft day, headlined by those players I have circled on my cheat sheet. Note that I used average draft position (ADP) data from Draft Sharks' terrific Market Index Tool in order to ensure this road map would be useful for as many of you as possible.For a more philosophical look at the fantasy landscape, including strategies for drafting, trading and working waivers in all types of formats, be sure to check out the fantasy football playbook column.Here it is: my personal recipe for a 2026 fantasy football championship in a 12-team league.The coreWhen I'm making my selections, I often ask myself: "Am I drafting this player at his ceiling?" If the answer is "yes," I generally aim for someone with more upside. Of course, all the players available in the first round or so are likely at or near their ceiling, so this is an opportunity to not overthink it and simply take the best available player on the board.Round 1: Best available RB or WRWho I choose in the first round will, of course, primarily depend on where I pick. For the purposes of this exercise, it's (once again) a tricky year to handicap who will be available since six RBs and six WRs are currently coming off the board in the round.If I land a top-two pick, this is an easy call: Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson. I'm also happy to take Christian McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor in the middle of the round or to go wide receiver with the best available among Ja'Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson.Don't overthink the first round. It's loaded with talent. Just take the best guy on your board and proceed.Round 2: De'Von AchaneJust like Round 1, our pool of available players is very dependent on where we are in the draft order. If I'm near the Round 1-2 turn, I'll likely be eyeing a running back, with Achane as the highlight and the likes of Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Kenneth Walker III among the appealing options.Achane is a polarizing player. On the one hand, he's 24 years old, having finished both of the past two seasons in the top five among running backs in fantasy points. He has scored either 11 or 12 TDs in each of his three NFL campaigns, and he leads all qualified backs with 5.62 YPC since entering the league.On the other hand, he lost RB-friendly playcaller Mike McDaniel and the rebuilding Miami offense could struggle to move the ball in 2026. The bottom line for me is that, as coach Jeff Hafley noted in early August, Achane is going to handle a massive workload. That's enough for me to pounce on Achane, who reminds me a lot of prime Alvin Kamara, at the Round 1-2 turn.The mid-to-late portion of Round 2 leans more toward wide receiver, with Drake London, Nico Collins, A.J. Brown and George Pickens there for the taking. I have no major qualms with investing in one of the "Big 2" tight ends -- Trey McBride or Brock Bowers -- but I think you can get more value later.Round 3: Jeremiyah LoveLove can be best described as "My Guy" in 2026. I have him ranked well above the consensus and often grab him late in the second round when possible. However, he generally comes off the board near the Round 2-3 turn, more likely now settling into the third round as he recovers from an ankle injury suffered in his preseason debut. At worst, he's expected to miss one game, but it's very possible -- perhaps even likely? -- that he'll be good to go for Week 1.Even if Love's career starts off slowly, he's a good bet to beat his ADP. The No. 3 overall pick in April's draft, Love is looking to become the 10th consecutive back selected in the top 12 to finish in the top 12 in fantasy points as a rookie. He looked excellent in his debut and is capable as a rusher, receiver and blocker. I expect RB1 production when he's on the field.If not Love, Malik Nabers and Rashee Rice are my targets here. We've been getting a discount on both for different reasons, but Nabers is on the rise now that it appears he'll be able to play in Week 1 (following a successful recovery from last season's torn ACL). Rice still could face league discipline, but that's already baked into his cost. He remained his usual, productive self when active last season, handling 9.8 targets per game and posting top-12 fantasy outings in five of his eight games.My RB6 through RB15 form one giant tier, so whichever backs remain from that group are also on my radar here. That includes Breece Hall and, while we need to monitor for a potential suspension, Josh Jacobs.Round 4: Garrett WilsonMy favorite round this season? The fourth. My favorite pick in said round? Wilson.We're getting a discount on the fifth-year receiver after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign in which he missed 10 games. Of course, he was productive when healthy, averaging 14.2 fantasy PPG thanks to a massive 33% target share. Wilson is primed for a career year with Geno Smith under center. Though not a major upgrade, Smith did lead the trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Smith-Njigba to top-16 fantasy campaigns during the 2022-24 seasons.If not Wilson, I'm likely going with one of Cam Skattebo or Quinshon Judkins, as (a) they're two of my favorite running back targets this year and (b) running back dries up in a hurry after this round. Year 2 wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka are also very appealing here and I'm also not afraid to take a shot on second-year tight end Colston Loveland.Round 5: Tyler WarrenWarren is my favorite tight end value pick. The second-year player had a terrific rookie season -- and it very well could have been better. In 12 games with a healthy Daniel Jones, he scored five touchdowns and averaged 13.1 fantasy PPG. In five games with Jones out, he failed to find the end zone and averaged just 6.3 PPG. Warren finished his debut season ranked in the top five among tight ends in both targets and end zone targets. He also handled three goal-line carries.If I don't go tight end, I like the value at wide receiver. Terry McLaurin, Jameson Williams and Davante Adams are all on my radar.Round 6: Rome OdunzeAlthough teammate Luther Burden III is getting all the hype, Odunze is well positioned for a Year 3 leap. He very well could lead a good Chicago offense in both targets and fantasy points. We saw his ceiling early on last season in the form of five touchdowns and 15-plus fantasy points over his first four games. It's possible he gets back to that WR1 level now that he's near full health.I'm also looking at Carnell Tate in this range, though I'll feel better if Cam Ward shows progress this preseason. Parker Washington has been one of my favorite targets throughout the offseason, but his ADP has ballooned to the sixth round. That's made him quite expensive. I haven't yet selected a quarterback in this exercise, but this isn't a bad place to strike with Jayden Daniels on the board.The middle roundsOK, so the core of my team is in place. Now it's time to start filling gaps and adding depth. I obviously want players with upside, but I also want guys I feel comfortable placing in my Week 1 lineup. We'll save the high-risk fliers for later.Round 7: Courtland SuttonIt's been years since Sutton wasn't a favorite target of mine, and he continues to pay dividends. The veteran receiver has delivered 1,000-plus yards and a top-20 fantasy campaign in both of the last two seasons. He'll have more target competition with Jaylen Waddle in the mix, but he'll remain one of Bo Nix's go-to receivers, especially near the goal line. Sutton ranks third in the league in end zone targets over the last four seasons.If not a wide receiver, Rico Dowdle makes for a solid RB3/flex. If I haven't addressed tight end yet, I'd be all over Sam LaPorta or Kyle Pitts Sr.Round 8: Michael Pittman Jr.The middle-round wide receiver run continues with Pittman. Like Sutton, Pittman continues to pay off as a boring investment in the middle rounds. The ex-Colt finished four of his six seasons in Indianapolis as a top-20 fantasy receiver and he's reached 800 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons. He's unlikely to deliver big touchdown numbers, but is still a good bet to lead the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers in both targets and catches.If I want to aim for a higher ceiling than Pittman, ex-teammate Alec Pierce is a fun "lottery ticket" in this range. Signed to a four-year, $114 million contract in the offseason, Pierce's ADP has dipped as he recovers from ankle/heel surgery. I'll keep drafting him as long as his expected date of return remains Week 1. If not a receiver, Jonathon Brooks is a terrific target, as he very well could lead the Carolina backfield this season.Round 9: Jaxson DartFinally a quarterback! Dart is one of my most-drafted players this season, as he's inexpensive and has a substantial fantasy ceiling. As a rookie, he played the bulk of Giants snaps in 12 games and was a top-10 fantasy scorer in eight of those weeks -- only four quarterbacks had more top-10 outings! With John Harbaugh now in charge and Nabers back (Dart threw only three passes his way last season), Dart has a better supporting cast to go along with elite rushing ability. The 2025 first-round pick is a sleeper to lead the quarterback position in fantasy points.If not Dart, I'm looking at RBs Kenny Gainwell and Jordan Mason or TE George Kittle. Kittle would generally come off the board much earlier, but he comes at a discount this year while he recovers from a torn Achilles. He's expected to be ready to play in either Week 1 or 2.Round 10: Bo Nix or Brock PurdyI'm usually content to leave a draft with one quarterback. That said, especially if I wait at the position (as I did in this exercise), I have no issue grabbing a second one. That game plan is even more sensible in 2026 with a deep tier of fringe-QB1 options.In this case, I took somewhat of a risk with Dart, so I'm following up with a more proven commodity in Nix or Purdy. Nix often falls to the 10th round of drafts despite having finished exactly seventh in fantasy points in both of his NFL seasons. Oh, and his supporting cast is even better with Waddle in the fold. Purdy missed quite a bit of time due to injury last season, but he was terrific when active, scoring 17-plus fantasy points in seven out of nine games. He's eyeing his fourth consecutive top-10 finish in fantasy PPG.If I'm not looking quarterback here, second-year RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt and veteran TE Jake Ferguson are on my radar.The late-round fliersAt this point, our starting lineup is likely full, which means it's time to look for values and upside for our bench.Round 11: Matthew GoldenPackers wideouts haven't been good to me in the past (including Golden last season), but this value is too good to pass up. Golden played a limited role as a rookie and failed to find the end zone, but he did flash at times, including a 4-84-1 receiving line in the team's playoff loss to Chicago. Coach Matt LaFleur seems intent on narrowing the target tree this season. With both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone, that's good news for Golden, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Golden -- a 2025 first-round pick -- is a Year 2 breakout candidate you can get in the double-digit rounds. Sign me up!I also like rookie KC Concepcion and post-hype Xavier Worthy in this range. I've also taken fliers on Zach Charbonnet, who will eventually return from a torn ACL to potentially lead a terrific Seattle run offense, and Dallas Goedert.Round 12: De'Zhaun StriblingAs of the moment, Stribling's ADP is in the 13th round, but I don't love the options here, so I'm not going to be afraid to reach a bit for a potential league winner. The No. 33 pick in April's draft, Stribling has good size (6-foot-2, 207 lbs.) and speed (a 4.36 40-yard dash). Plus, he has impressed in preseason action.With Ricky Pearsall out for the season, the rookie will compete with Mike Evans (33 years old), Deebo Samuel Sr. (30, just re-signed) and Kittle (torn Achilles recovery) for work in a 49ers offense that has finished sixth or better in passing yards in each of the last three seasons. Oh, and his uncle is WWE Hall of Famer, Don "The Magnificent" Muraco. Stribling is an easy click in the later rounds.If not Stribling, Rashid Shaheed is a fine lottery ticket here, as are a handful of running backs, including Woody Marks, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Tyler Allgeier and Tyjae Spears.Rounds 13-14: High-ceiling insurance and breakout candidatesADP starts to go out the window late in the draft, so now is the time to get our favorite late-round sleepers and breakout candidates.Here are some of the players I will be considering with my final few picks:Quarterback fliers: I generally select one quarterback, especially since a lot of solid QB2 options will go undrafted in most formats. However, if I'm eyeing a sneaky veteran or breakout candidate in a deeper league, the likes of Daniel Jones, Malik Willis and Cam Ward are on my radar.Running back insurance: A few popular insurance RBs will be gone by now, but a ton remain, including Brian Robinson Jr., Keaton Mitchell, Isiah Pacheco, Jonah Coleman, Tank Bigsby, Ray Davis, Dylan Sampson, Mike Washington Jr., Braelon Allen and MarShawn Lloyd. Pick your favorite!Wide receiver upside fliers: As we learned in Part 1 of my Playbook, young receivers who were drafted in the first few rounds are terrific upside targets. Your top late-round options who fit that bill in 2026 include rookies Stribling, Denzel Boston, Caleb Douglas, Ja'Kobi Lane, Germie Bernard, Zachariah Branch and Omar Cooper Jr., as well as youngsters Travis Hunter, Jalen McMillan, Tre' Harris and Adonai Mitchell. I could expand this list even further, but as a simple rule, we should have our eyes on first- and second-year receivers who went on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft.Tight end options: There are always a few interesting late-round TE fliers of note. Among those available this season are veterans T.J. Hockenson, Hunter Henry and Juwan Johnson, as well as young, breakout candidates Terrance Ferguson, Kenyon Sadiq and Gunnar Helm. Ferguson feels like an absolute steal in this range, as he could easily finish third in targets in the high-scoring Rams offense. Sadiq is looking to become the sixth consecutive tight end drafted in the first round to finish in the top 12 in fantasy points as a rookie.Rounds 15-16: Kicker and D/ST ... or more breakout candidates!We're assuming a 16-round draft here, so this is the point where league rules come into play. If we're drafting here at ESPN, we'll be forced to select both a defense and a kicker -- and I'll cover my favorite targets at those spots later. However, if there's flexibility in your league, this is a spot where we can gain a leg up on the competition. Most of our leaguemates are going to select at least one kicker and defense and let them rot on their roster until Week 1.Why? I have no idea. Don't do that!In lieu of those positions, I will gather up insurance policies at other positions (especially running back) and wait for injuries to strike during the preseason. If I have the Ravens defense rostered and Saquon Barkley goes down for the season, I have the Ravens defense. If I instead have Tank Bigsby rostered when Barkley goes down, I have myself a potential RB2.Oh, and I can always drop two players and pick up a defense with a good matchup, along with a decent kicker just prior to Week 1. By the way, if your league is hosted here at ESPN -- and why wouldn't it be? -- one way around the draft room restrictions is to cut your kicker and defense immediately after the draft in favor of adding more of the high-upside stashes mentioned earlier.Defense/special teamsHistory has taught us over and over that we should never reach on our D/ST. In fact, The No.1-scoring fantasy D/ST has finished ninth or worse the following season in seven of the past nine seasons. Additionally, four defenses that finished 27th or worse in 2024 rebounded with a top-10 finish in 2025.The Texans, Broncos, Steelers, Seahawks and Rams sit atop my D/ST rankings. However, since I like to stream, I'll also be looking at the Jaguars, Jets and Chargers -- each has a relatively light Week 1 opponent.KickerThis is as simple as picking the top guy left on the board. Brandon Aubrey, Cameron Dicker and Jason Myers are at the top of my rankings, but don't reach on any of them. The legend that is Daniel Carlson finished as fantasy's top kicker in 2021 and 2022. Did that convince you to reach on him a bit in your 2023 draft? If so, you ended up with fantasy's No. 24 kicker. In fact, the top scorer at the position has finished eighth or worse the following season in six of the last eight seasons. Myers, an 11-year veteran, had never finished better than fourth in fantasy points prior to leading the position in 2025.So, there you have it. My game plan for a 2026 fantasy football championship. Remember, this article should not serve as your only draft board. It's simply the players I've found myself targeting and, with ADP in mind, those I would love to have on my squad this year."

"Tristan H. CockcroftAug 21, 2026, 06:54 AM ETCloseTristan H. Cockcroft is senior writer for fantasy baseball and football at ESPN. Tristan is a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame. He is also two-time LABR and four-time Tout Wars champion.Multiple AuthorsFantasy football can be a casual, fun-for-all game, easy to pick up for even the most novice player. With all the draft rankings, tools and strategies we provide, anyone can become an overnight success story.But if you want to become a top championship contender -- or better yet, a perennial league title winner -- a deep, thorough knowledge of the game is paramount. Knowing the top 160 players for your standard league draft is a great start, but educating yourself on players deeper in the ranks is the best route to league dominance.That's where this column comes in. What follows are my annual "deep sleepers," players who by all accounts will not -- and in most cases should not -- be drafted in ESPN standard 10-team leagues, but who have reasonably good odds of becoming fantasy-relevant. This list serves two purposes: To give you a watch list as a starting point for in-season pickups and to provide managers in deeper leagues -- the 12- or 14-teamers (or even larger), the deep-bench formats and dynasties -- with draft targets for the challenging later rounds. Carson Beck, QB, Arizona CardinalsAmong this year's rookie quarterback class, Beck has the second-best chance at seeing significant 2026 snaps under center (Fernando Mendoza), making him a relevant target in dynasty drafts. But considering the Cardinals' offensive weaponry, including otherworldly tight end Trey McBride, 2024 No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and fantasy's No. 2 wide receiver over last year's second half Michael Wilson, Beck could be a factor in superflex formats and perhaps as a streaming option in ESPN standard leagues once he's elevated to starter status. Beck dazzled during the Hall of Fame Game, completing 79% of his passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, including a pair of 30-plus-yard completions that heightened confidence in his deep-throw ability. Greg Dulcich, TE, Miami DolphinsAfter three injury-plagued years in Denver, Dulcich brought his sizable frame and sure-handed skill set to Miami last season, where over the final 10 weeks he averaged 3.7 targets and 7.0 fantasy points. The Dolphins since jettisoned Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and pretty much anyone a fantasy manager could trust from their passing game, leaving Dulcich as one of the more proven targets within an anything-goes offense. Considering Dulcich's 2025 metrics -- he was first in yards after catch per reception (7.6), second in yards per route run (2.66) and third in targets per route (26.2%), among tight ends with at least as many as his 33 targets -- he's likely to have fantasy relevance, even if in a risk/reward context. Tai Felton, WR, Minnesota VikingsA 2025 third-rounder, Felton managed only 43 offensive snaps as a rookie, seeing his most significant usage on kick returns. After Jalen Nailor's departure for Las Vegas, Felton appeared primed for an expanded role, only to watch the team bring in free agent Jauan Jennings during the offseason. Nevertheless, Felton should play an important part in what might well be a rejuvenated Vikings offense under new quarterback Kyler Murray. Felton's NFL combine metrics were eye-popping -- he had top-five positional vertical and broad jumps and a top-eight 40-yard dash time -- and he has received praise for his preseason practices. He might press Jennings for the No. 3 wide receiver role during the season. Tre' Harris, WR, Los Angeles ChargersPerhaps the player with the most immediate chance at a fantasy-relevant role on this list, Harris has generated next-to-zero interest in ESPN drafts (3.9% roster rate and an ADP outside the top 170). There's a reason: He played all 17 games of his rookie season and spent three of them as a clear starter/No. 2 wideout, yet had only 43 targets, 69.4 total fantasy points and zero double-digit fantasy outings to show for it. Still, Harris entered the league highly regarded for his speed and size, and he's in both a better system fit for his skill set and more prominent role with Keenan Allen now in Indianapolis. Harris appears primed for a big step forward. Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, Baltimore RavensThe buzziest name on the list, Lane has seen his roster rate in ESPN leagues more than quadruple over the past month, thanks to overwhelmingly positive preseason reports and a standout exhibition debut. The No. 80 overall pick and 13th wide receiver selected in the 2026 NFL draft, Lane's height and wingspan makes him a probable mismatch for opposing defenders in the red zone, an area in which the Ravens badly struggled in 2025 (fifth-worst 78.0 passer rating; the league's average was 93.6). He's already angling to be the team's No. 3 wide receiver, vaulting himself into the conversation in the final rounds in ESPN standard leagues. MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay PackersA multitude of injuries limited him to 10 total snaps in his first two NFL seasons since being taken as a 2024 third-round pick, which is why it's encouraging to learn that Lloyd spent multiple months during the offseason at the Meyer Institute of Sport in California evaluating past injury concerns and working on improving his strength. He's reportedly healthy now, generating positive preseason reports and chipped in first-team work during the team's preseason opener. Following the free agent departure of Emanuel Wilson, Lloyd figures to be the primary backup to Josh Jacobs, who is now 28 years old and facing a possible suspension under the personal conduct policy. Lloyd is likely to see a significant boost in work, even in a supporting role. Seth McGowan, RB, Indianapolis ColtsThough he failed to impress in his preseason debut, he's in an appealing roster situation for his fantasy prospects. McGowan, despite being an older rookie (he turns 25 in October) who spent time at five different schools, boasted the best vertical and broad jump numbers and the sixth-best 40 time among running backs from the 2026 NFL combine. He's a bigger back with tackle-breaking ability who might be ideal in short-yardage situations. With DJ Giddens battling a hamstring injury, McGowan has a realistic path to the primary backup role behind Jonathan Taylor, who missed a combined 16 games from 2022 to '24. That would make McGowan a must-have insurance policy in larger leagues. Konata Mumpfield, WR, Los Angeles RamsWhile it's tough to formulate a strong case for a wide receiver who plays behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, fantasy's Nos. 1 and 9 scorers at the position last season, this can be a brutal game with unexpected injuries. Mumpfield, a 2025 seventh-rounder who saw only 29 targets while playing in all 20 Rams games (including the postseason), appears to have the edge in the race for the team's No. 3 wide receiver role. Sitting the preseason opener was a surefire hint of that. He's a good route runner with strong separation skills who has earned praise from Adams. Should Mumpfield get any chances to start, he'd immediately become fantasy-relevant. Nicholas Singleton, RB, Tennessee TitansThe Titans' featured back from their preseason opener and their fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Singleton seems likely to win their No. 3 running back role entering the season. A star college recruit in 2022 and Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year winner, Singleton's four-year Penn State career concluded with his slipping into a timeshare with Kaytron Allen and totaling 549 yards (4.5 per carry) as a senior. Concerns about his elusiveness linger, and he does have a steep ladder to climb, with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears ahead of him on the depth chart. Singleton's favorable size (6-foot, 220 pounds) and positive preseason reports, however, make him an appealing pick at his valuation tier.Five more deep sleepers to considerCyrus Allen, WR, Kansas City Chiefs Demond Claiborne, RB, Vikings Mac Jones, QB, San Francisco 49ers Darnell Washington, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers Noah Whittington, RB, Houston Texans"