Latest News
Filter by Team
QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news |
Patriots | Kayshon Boutte on the block Thu Jul 16, 01:46 PM
New England Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte was available in exchange for a fifth-round pick during the 2026 NFL Draft, and there is a good chance he is moved at some point, in the opinion of SI.com's Albert Breer.
| Footballguys view: While Boutte sticking around after the Patriots acquired Romeo Doubs in free agency and A.J. Brown in a trade with the Eagles would give the team one of the best receiver rooms in the NFL, it would obviously limit Boutte's opportunities. He'd be the No. 3 option, at best. That's a bad situation for a player hoping to run up the stat sheet and maximize his value after fulfilling the final year of his rookie contract. The Commanders have been mentioned as a possible suitor as they hunt for a WR2. We'll be watching for more. |
Kayshon Boutte player page
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb's eight drops were tied for the second most in the NFL last season.
| Footballguys view: Lamb is coming off his worst statistical season since his 2020 rookie campaign. He dealt with an early-season ankle issue and never quite took off, finishing with 1,077 yards and three touchdowns. Usually an after-the-catch standout, his 322 yards after the catch were down for his standards, too. But Lamb is still a game breaker. His 571 receptions are the fifth most in the NFL since 2020 and already the third most in Cowboys history, as he passed Dez Bryant last season. Based on his WR6 ADP, fantasy investors are in on a Lamb rebound. |
CeeDee Lamb player page
Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is the only player with at least 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches in each of the past three seasons.
| Footballguys view: He also became the fourth player in NFL history to top 100 receptions and 10 touchdown catches in three straight seasons. His WR3 total points finish (he was WR4 in points per game) was the fourth straight season he's been a top-ten fantasy wide receiver. Can he keep it going? St. Brown enjoyed a career-high target share in 2025 (31.6 percent), which helped him to 13 top-20 fantasy outings. With no major additions at wideout or tight end, expect Jared Goff to continue looking St. Brown's way consistently. |
Amon-Ra St. Brown player page
Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua's eight games with at least 150 receiving yards are tied for the most by a player in their first three NFL seasons.
| Footballguys view: Nacua's 668 yards after catch also led all receivers last season, while 80 of his catches went for first downs. He caught 77.2% of his targets, symbolizing his incredible consistency. As ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler suggests, Nacua is the classic plays-faster-than-his-time guy. He ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash coming out of BYU, but Nacua accelerates through receptions to maximize his speed better than anyone. Expect Nacua, a 2027 free agent, to have another huge season while he seeks a new contract. He has dealt with off-field concerns this offseason, but he still appears to be in the Rams' long-term plans. |
Puka Nacua player page
Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase's 19 touchdowns of 40-plus yards since 2021 are six more than any other player during that span.
| Footballguys view: This isn't a surprise. Chase's 6,837 receiving yards are the second most by any player within his first five seasons in NFL history, trailing only former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson. His 29 receptions against press coverage topped the NFL in 2025, highlighting his response when challenged at the line. Chase has finished four of his five NFL campaigns no lower than fifth in fantasy points per game -- the exception was 11th in 2023. Of course, Joe Burrow was limited to 10 games that season. Chase's WR1 ADP is hard to argue against. |
Ja'Marr Chase player page
Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens will play on his one-year tender offer after the deadline for a long-term contract for tagged players passed Wednesday, July 15.
| Footballguys view: This was an expected conclusion after the Cowboys announced before the NFL draft in April that they did not plan to hold talks on a long-term contract with Pickens. The former Steeler has already signed his franchise tender, putting him under contract for the 2026 season. He said last month that he was prepared to play this season on that tag. Last year, his first season in Dallas, Pickens delivered the best year of his career, establishing career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429), and touchdowns (9). He's being drafted as WR10. |
Free-agent WR Keenan Allen (Chargers) does not appear to be a target for the Washington Commanders, according to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
| Footballguys view: According to Fowler, the Commanders are looking for a speed guy. Allen is more of a slot guy. That's not really what Washington needs. The Commanders can play rookie Antonio Williams in the slot, as well as Luke McCaffrey. General manager Adam Peters doesn't need to rush to make a decision. But Stefon Diggs, the top candidate for the Commanders, could land with a new team before training camp. Another option is Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. He's reportedly available after New England's offseason additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. |
Keenan Allen player page
Jacksonville Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter said he added muscle during the offseason but would not specify how much bigger he is entering training camp.
| Footballguys view: Pictures from the Jaguars' media circulated yesterday showing Hunter looking noticeably larger than last year, and many social media accounts were quick to point out the difference. Hunter, who many knocked for his slight frame coming into the league, confirmed what our eyes showed us. After a season-ending LCL injury, bulking up could help his long-term durability. Just as it was last offseason, the conversation around Hunter is focused on his projected role, where fantasy managers aren't sure how much he'll play on offense. He's falling deep into drafts, going off the board as the WR62. He might be frustrating in managed leagues, but his play-making ability and big-play upside make him a tantalizing late pick in best ball drafts. |
Buffalo Bills WR Skyler Bell has a chance to move in front of WR Joshua Palmer and WR Keon Coleman on the depth chart if he has a strong preseason, in the opinion of BillsWire's Justin DiLoro.
| Footballguys view: It's easy to speculate about Day 3 rookies climbing the depth chart during the slow part of the offseason. More often than not, however, those hype trains derail once camp opens. Bell is a good receiver, cut from the same cloth as DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir. He's a dynamic mover who is aggressive at the catch point and with the ball in his hands. Coleman and Palmer have both been disappointing in Buffalo, which could make Bell worth a look in deep leagues. He's a name to know and watch in training camp, but there are probably better bets to make in the final rounds of fantasy drafts until he starts getting legitimate buzz when pads are on. |
Miami Dolphins WR Jalen Tolbert is emerging as the top target of QB Malik Willis heading into training camp, according to the Sun Sentinel's David Furones.
| Footballguys view: Tolbert brings a specialized skill that has caught our attention in the past. Most notably, a breakout 2024 season, when he caught 49 passes for 610 yards and seven touchdowns for the Cowboys. All seven of his receiving touchdowns came in the red zone, tied for the fifth-most among wide receivers that season. As Athlon's Doug Farrar suggested, Tolbert may have been a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver on other rosters, but opportunity knocks in Miami. That's why the reported connection with Willis is worth noting. So is the fact that Tolbert is being drafted as WR99. |
Former New York Jets WR Quentin Skinner was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday, July 14. The Bills also terminated the contract of WR Deven Thompkins.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is expected to stay with the team and not be traded to the Washington Commanders 'at this stage,' according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
| Footballguys view: For months, we've been hearing about the Commanders making a move to land a receiver to complement Terry McLaurin. Aiyuk has been the player most frequently mentioned. Aiyuk's college quarterback at Arizona State was Daniels, but that connection won't spur a reunion. While Aiyuk is likely out of the picture, the Commanders may still be able to upgrade their receiving corps before training camp kicks off. One name who's still out there is Stefon Diggs, and he's coming off his seventh 1,000-yard season in the past eight years. |
Brandon Aiyuk player page
Detroit Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa is stronger and more athletic heading into his second year, according to wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery. 'He's done a good job of going and getting the football since he's been here and then now at the top of his breaks, they're so much cleaner,' Montgomery said 'He's so much stronger. What I like to do is I like to watch where we were, especially from an athleticism standpoint, to where he is now. It's not even close.'
| Footballguys view: Short-area quickness is valuable in the Lions' offense; it's part of why Amon-Ra St. Brown has been one of the most consistent receivers since joining the league in 2021. TeSlaa's bigger, but if he can mix his size with a faster get-off, he's going to attract more looks from Jared Goff on Sundays. TeSlaa's impact was limited as a rookie. Still, he finished strong with 12 catches, 174 yards, and four touchdowns in the final six games of the season. A stronger, faster, and smarter version of what we saw last year could lead to a more robust role. |
Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs (Patriots) has received interest from at least five teams leading up to the start of training camps.
| Footballguys view: The identities of the clubs that are considering Diggs are unknown, though the Ravens, Chiefs, and Commanders have been mentioned as rumored suitors during the spring. Although he admits he's probably no longer a top-tier wide receiver, Diggs also apparently is confident that he is better than any team's current No. 2 target. It's a fair argument after he produced 1,000 yards in New England coming off an ACL tear and playing about 55% of the snaps. He feels like he can be even better due to offseason training with no injury concern. We'll be watching for more. |
Stefon Diggs player page
New York Jets WR Quentin Skinner (undisclosed) was waived from the Reserve/Injured list Monday, July 13.
Link to storyDenver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton could benefit from more one-on-one matchups thanks to the addition of WR Jaylen Waddle, while TE Evan Engram also is in the mix to stretch defenses. 'Courtland is an elite playmaker, so anytime you have a playmaker on the other side of you, it just makes it easy,' Waddle said. 'It's someone that the defense has to be looking for, and vice versa.'
| Footballguys view: Sutton will undoubtedly remain one of Bo Nix's go-to targets, but with target competition from Waddle. While that's not ideal, Sutton, who finished as WR14 last year and WR11 the year before, has fallen to WR36, being drafted in the sixth round (75th overall). At the very least, Sutton will continue to be a major presence in the red zone and as a chain-mover on third downs for the franchise. Those have been valuable mainstays for him throughout his career and could allow him to outperform ADP this year. |
Evan Engram player page
Courtland Sutton player page
Jaylen Waddle player page
Denver Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle has impressed head coach Sean Payton and the coaching staff since being acquired from the Miami Dolphins. 'He's someone who picks things up real quick,' Payton said in June. 'You can just feel his instincts, his quickness and his ability to not only run fast but stop fast. So, he's doing well.' Payton added that catering to each receiver's unique skill set will be critical in 2026.
| Footballguys view: Waddle has been one of the league's most explosive playmakers over the last several seasons, and his 15.0 yards per reception since 2022 are the third-most in the NFL. He also led the league with 18.1 yards per reception in 2022. QB Bo Nix believes Waddle's speed and efficiency could unlock new opportunities for Denver's offense. "There's a level of explosiveness that a guy like that adds," Nix explained. "You just can't replace speed. That's just what he brings to the table." With a WR23 APD, Waddle could be a significant value. |
Jaylen Waddle player page
San Francisco 49ers WR Trent Taylor announced his retirement Saturday, July 11.
| Footballguys view: As far as Day 3 picks go, Taylor had a long career, getting drafted in 2017 and playing through 2024. After spotty use as a receiver to start his career, Taylor carved out a role as a special-teams player. He's been mostly uninvolved on offense since his rookie season, meaning his retirement has no impact on fantasy football. |
Trent Taylor player page
Washington Commanders WRs Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane and Treylon Burks are expected to be candidates for the No. 2 wide receiver job during training camp, but the team may use a committee at the position this upcoming season, in the opinion of Commanders.com's Zach Selby.
| Footballguys view: Terry McLaurin is the obvious top receiver here, but the lack of a clear WR2 could make Chig Okonkwo an interesting sleeper to target at tight end. Okonkwo has elite speed and has proven capable as a receiver. He's expected to get some of the manufactured touches vacated by Deebo Samuel. And as far as the WR2 battle goes, rookie Antonio Williams is another name to watch throughout camp. |
Chicago Bears WR Kalif Raymond has a chance to have a solid role in the passing game if he can build a connection with QB Caleb Williams and if either WR Rome Odunze or WR Luther Burden III struggle during training camp, in the opinion of BearsWire's Mike Pendleton. Raymond is familiar with head coach Ben Johnson's offensive system since they worked together with the Detroit Lions.
| Footballguys view: If Odunze or Burden struggle in camp, the Bears have much bigger problems that Raymond probably can't fix. However, Raymond spent years working with Ben Johnson in Detroit, and the familiarity there could help him see the field. Still, with a young nucleus of Odunze, Burden, and Colston Loveland, the Bears probably aren't prioritizing Raymond as much more than a rotational receiver and special-teams player. |
Kalif Raymond player page
Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens is working out with QB Dak Prescott and other offensive teammates in Utah, according to DLLS Sports' Clarence Hill Jr.
| Footballguys view: There was some early offseason concern about Pickens not playing on his franchise tag, but that doesn't appear to be an issue anymore. He was at OTAs and is practicing with teammates before training camp. Entering his age-25 season, another strong campaign could set him up for a monstrous contract in 2026. Pickens was a steady WR1 with Dallas last year, and could hopefully pick up where he left off. He's being drafted at the 2/3 turn in fantasy drafts, a fair cost given his upside. |
Free-agent WR Brandin Cooks (Bills) said he wants to re-sign with the Buffalo Bills.
| Footballguys view: Cooks was largely a non-factor last year with Buffalo, and his lack of involvement was probably a motivator to trade for DJ Moore. He understandably wants to return. But going into what would be his age-33 season, Cooks' days as an NFL receiver may be behind him. |
Brandin Cooks player page
Washington Commanders WR Dyami Brown could emerge as a reliable deep-threat for the team in their offense after joining them this offseason, according to ESPN's Aaron Schatz.
| Footballguys view: After a year in Jacksonville, Brown will return to the team that drafted him. He and Treylon Brooks should compete for the role of field stretcher, with Terry McLaurin serving as the X and Chig Okonkwo as the primary underneath target. If the Commanders' offense can return to its 2024 form with a healthy Jayden Daniels, there's theoretical upside for Brown. But he'd likely need a strong camp to get on the fantasy radar. |
Dyami Brown player page
San Francisco 49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling was labeled as a non-starter to know by ESPN's Aaron Schatz. He credited Stribling's yards after the catch potential in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
| Footballguys view: Stribling will have a chance to earn a starting role with Jauan Jennings now in Minnesota. Stribling is a fantastic blocker, and that alone could lead to snaps. Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall are likely atop the depth chart to start the season, but Stribling was selected with the 33rd overall pick, clearly signaling plans for him. And Evans and Pearsall have struggled to stay healthy. Stribling is falling deep into drafts this year and has enough injury-away contingent upside to make him an alluring target. |
Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett hosted a private workout with skill-position players including WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride. Brissett missed organized team activities due to a contract dispute.
| Footballguys view: Brissett and the Cardinals are still at a standstill over an extension, but the players clearly view him as the starting quarterback. The Cardinals' quarterback room could remain fluid this year, with Carson Beck and Gardner Minshew both vying for starts. However, Brissett took this offense to new heights last year, and fantasy managers should hope he ends up as the Week 1 starter. |
Jacoby Brissett player page
Jacksonville Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter (knee) will be a 'full go' for training camp, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.
| Footballguys view: Hunter was limited through OTAs while returning from last year's torn LCL, so this is great news. The big question for fantasy managers has been regarding his deployment on both sides of the ball. NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe stated yesterday that he expects Hunter to be a full-time defensive player, and the Jaguars' offseason moves signal as much. Hunter has contingent upside as a late-round target in fantasy drafts, and we'll hope for more information on his role throughout training camp. |
Buffalo Bills WR Tyrell Shavers (knee) is a candidate to start the regular season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, in the opinion of Syracuse.com's Matt Parrino and Ryan Talbot.
| Footballguys view: Shavers tore his ACL during the team's Wild Card victory against the Jaguars and could be heading for a redshirt season. In 2025, Shavers stepped into a larger role with the Bills after making the team's 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He appeared in all 17 games during the regular season, recording 23 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown. |
Houston Texans WR Jaylin Noel could take on a larger role in the offense if WR Tank Dell (knee) is not back to 100%. He could find himself earning the team's slot receiver role, according to ESPN's Aaron Schatz.
| Footballguys view: Schatz contends that Noel's 4.38-second 40-yard dash speed shows that he can be a serious threat, but he is also good at finding holes in zones. Noel had 26 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Expect him to be available on your waiver wire after the season begins. |
Seattle Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed could emerge as the team's WR2 in 2026, according to ESPN's Seth Walder.
| Footballguys view: While Shaheed delivered a kick return touchdown in the playoffs, his receiving production after he was traded to Seattle was lower than expected. Shaheed recorded 1.8 yards per route run with the Saints in the first half of 2025 but only 1.1 with Seattle, postseason included. Still, with a full offseason as a Seahawk, Walder believes Shaheed could be a productive No. 2 option behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With a WR56 ADP and 11th-round price, taking a chance on him as your WR5 isn't cost-prohibitive. |
Philadelphia Eagles WR Hollywood Brown is expected to have 'a role' in the team's offense in 2026, according to ESPN's Aaron Schatz.
| Footballguys view: Schatz acknowledges that Brown is not going to start, but the 2019 first-rounder will get opportunities in his first season with the Eagles. Last season, he had 49 catches in Kansas City for 587 yards and five touchdowns, and his average of 12.0 yards per reception was his highest since 2020. DeVonta Smith, rookie Makai Lemon, and Dontayvion Wicks are likely ahead of Brown on the depth chart, so consistent weekly production seems unlikely. Brown's ADP, he's WR107, reflects that. |
Hollywood Brown player page
Arizona Cardinals WR Kendrick Bourne is expected to be the No. 3 receiver for the Cardinals this upcoming season.
| Footballguys view: Bourne enters his 10th NFL season and his first with the Cardinals. He has 313 career receptions for 4,008 yards in stints with the 49ers and Patriots, and his best season was in 2021 in New England, when he caught 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns. Now almost 31 years old, can he produce at the level the Cardinals need from their No. 3 receiver, although he will be No. 4 among pass catchers, as tight end Trey McBride is one of the top targets. |
Kendrick Bourne player page
Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, and embattled San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk, apparently have had a beef on social media. Aiyuk wanted to play with his former Arizona State teammate, as he has had a very public contract dispute with his current team. It was thought he would eventually land in Washington, the only team to show any remote interest in him, but after Aiyuk insulted Daniels' mother, who is also his agent, that landing spot might no longer be in the cards. 'Enjoy retirement, pal,' Daniels posted on social media, tagging Aiyuk, before pulling it down later.
| Footballguys view: This recent Aiyuk saga has been impossible to predict at nearly every step. His near-daily social media posts about being a Commander drew some attention from Jayden Daniels, but the engagement quickly escalated into a public altercation. The 49ers still possess Aiyuk's contract and have been eerily quiet about him publicly. The speculation about him going to Washington seemed to be entirely pushed by Aiyuk himself. George Kittle recently said of Aiyuk, "I watched him run over 22 miles an hour and stop on a dime. So, he's still got it, or at least that was a year, eight months ago." Still just 28, the off-field issues are beginning to outweigh what upside he could bring to the field. Aiyuk and Daniels are reported to have unfollowed each other on social media, likely closing the door on a trade to the Commanders. |
Brandon Aiyuk player page
Las Vegas Raiders WR Jack Bech, picked in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, could be a big part of the offense in 2026. He showed signs in the last few games of his rookie campaign, and head coach Klint Kubiak is looking to unlock and unleash Bech. He is putting the receiver in positions to make plays and be successful. He reportedly had a strong showing in organized team activities (OTAs), too.
| Footballguys view: Bech is a bit older of a prospect, turning 25 this year, his second in the league. The hope when the Raiders drafted him was that he'd make an immediate impact, but he failed to do much in his rookie season. With a new coaching staff and a thin receiver room, where Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker are his primary competition, Bech will have a chance to establish a large role this season. He's not someone worth heavily targeting in fantasy drafts right now, but he's a name to watch throughout camp. |
Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins (Ravens) remains hopeful of joining a contender for the 2026 season, but he won't race to join an organization. 'I still got a lot ball left,' Hopkins said. 'I know in my position, I'm a utility guy. I'm a special situation kind of guy. I can go out there and beat anybody one on one at any time, but as of lately, I've been a third-down guy. I wasn't used in the red zone last year. But (on) third down, they're gonna put D-Hop in, they're gonna come to me. I don't think that'll change anytime soon.'
| Footballguys view: Self-awareness is an important trait, and Hopkins has it. Now 34 years old, he isn't the every-down WR1 he once was. But he's got a bag of tricks he can reach into in a pinch, and he still has massive hands and tenacity to come down with contested catches. Coming off a season with just 330 yards, his fantasy-relevant days are likely behind him. But he can find a path to being a situational contributor in the right offense. |
DeAndre Hopkins player page
Free-agent WR Tyreek Hill (knee) may not be able to suit up at all during the 2026 season, in the opinion of Bleacher Report's James Palmer. Multiple NFL teams are monitoring the situation but Hill is still in the process of recovering from multiple torn knee ligaments and a dislocated knee.
| Footballguys view: Going in what would be his age-32 season, Hill is firmly on the wrong side of the age curve. Last year's knee injury was one that younger players have taken years to recover from, making Hill's recovery at his advanced age even harder. Hill's game is largely predicated on his explosiveness, and last year's injury could take some time for him to regain that, if ever. There's hope that Hill can heal up and rejoin a team later in the year, but it's hard to recommend him as a late-round target. Even if he does return, it could be late in the year and with limited usage. |
Tyreek Hill player page
Dallas Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo appeared in six games after being acquired by the Cowboys last season, finishing with one reception on five targets.
Link to storyJonathan Mingo player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs has been the 'go-to target' for the first-team offense during offseason workouts, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN.com.
| Footballguys view: With Michael Pittman in Pittsburgh and Alec Pierce recovering from ankle surgery, Downs currently sits atop the receiver depth chart. He does most of his damage outside the numbers while tight end Tyler Warren works across the middle of the field, making them good complementary players. When Pierce returns, his role as a valuable field-stretcher will open everything up. Downs has been steadily productive since he came into the league, but hasn't had a true breakout season. That could change in 2026, as Downs enters the season in the best situation of his career. |
Josh Downs player page
Las Vegas Raiders WR Jalen Nailor is expected to be at least the No. 2 wide receiver for the Raiders this upcoming season, in the opinion of Raiders Wire's Levi Damien.
| Footballguys view: Damien contends Nailor is the only somewhat proven talent the Raiders added this offseason. According to Footballguy Matt Waldman, Nailor has the speed and ball skills to emerge as a bigger part of the passing game, but this will depend on his rapport with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza. You'll likely see both this year, so it makes Nailor's targets more volatile than many in his ADP range. The former Viking is being drafted as WR63 in the 14th round. |
Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley was a limited participant during the offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp.
| Footballguys view: In fact, Jim Wyatt of the team's official website characterized Ridley as "very limited" in offseason work. He was involved in just a few of the team period snaps as the training staff was careful with him. Wyatt does believe Ridley brings something different in terms of his speed, and his experience will help him. He's been great to Cam Ward and others from a leadership standpoint, and Wyatt knows the veteran is eager to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season. Ridley is being drafted as WR69 this offseason, well behind rookie Carnell Tate (WR30) and Wan'Dale Robinson (WR47). |
Calvin Ridley player page
San Francisco 49ers WR Mike Evans was 'unstoppable in red zone drills' during OTAs, according to TE George Kittle.
| Footballguys view: Kittle, who was integral in recruiting Evans to the Niners, told reporters that during one of the final OTAs, Evans caught "three to five" touchdowns, using his size and leaping ability to haul in score after score. This adds to a previous report indicating Evans is heading for an "alpha" role in his first season in San Francisco. It's not hard to argue that Evans' current WR27 ADP doesn't reflect that role. Assuming he's on the field all 17 games, we're paying for Evans' floor and totally ignoring the historically high ceiling. |
Mike Evans player page
San Francisco 49ers WR Mike Evans is considered an 'alpha type of player' for the team, according to offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak.
| Footballguys view: Evans was a regular participant in the team's offseason program, running routes and catching passes from quarterback Brock Purdy. At the team's final open OTA, Evans was front and center. In 7-on-7 and team drills, he made at least four catches, working the sideline, the middle of the field, and even getting a deep ball down the sideline from Purdy. Assuming he's the alpha in this offense, Evans' WR27 ADP and Round 5 price tag are appealing, especially considering he's finished as WR2 or better in 11 of his 12 seasons (including six WR1 finishes). |
Mike Evans player page
Houston Texans WR Tank Dell will likely be behind WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel at the start of the 2026 season since Dell has not played since 2024, in the opinion of The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander.
| Footballguys view: Dell, who was dynamic during his rookie season and had a couple of 100-yard games in his second season, will likely begin the year behind Higgins and Noel simply because he hasn't played since his December 2024 knee injury. Dell's progress in training camp will be worth watching. But Higgins was much better over the second half of the season than he was in the first half, and he'll likely build on that with more experience. And Noel has shown he can make big plays. The Texans will try to utilize him more. |
Tank Dell player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Jahan Dotson said he believes the Falcons will allow him to showcase his talents this upcoming season, according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall.
| Footballguys view: There isn't much in Atlanta behind Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Day 3 rookie Zachariah Branch is a good athlete, but he's heavily limited to designed touches. Dotson fits the Darnell Mooney archetype, a player who found a consistent role in this offense. Dotson's production will likely have a boom or bust nature to it, but he makes for a fun pick in the final round of best ball drafts. |
New Orleans Saints WR Jordyn Tyson pairs well with QB Tyler Shough based on his route-running ability, according to NewOrleansFootball.com's Nick Underhill.
| Footballguys view: Investing the eighth overall pick in Tyson, the Saints clearly liked the Arizona State product. He'll have a nice go early in his career, playing opposite Chris Olave. Olave should draw primary coverage, allowing Tyson to get open easier. Falling into the ninth round of fantasy drafts, Tyson could easily outperform his current cost. |
New England Patriots WR DeMario Douglas was a standout performer during the offseason workouts, in the opinion of Patriots.com's Evan Lazar.
| Footballguys view: Douglas had a great run-up to the 2025 season as well, before his slot snaps were reduced to play Stefon Diggs inside. According to Lazar, Douglas's quickness and speed to separate from man coverage stand out among the other receivers. The question is whether it translates in the regular season. The other question is whether there will be a consistent week-to-week role with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs at the top of the depth chart. |
DeMario Douglas player page
Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua is eligible for a contract extension, but after trading for CB Trent McDuffie and DE Myles Garrett, the team doesn't seem to be in a hurry for any contract extensions, in the opinion of ESPN's Sarah Barshop on Tuesday, June 30.
| Footballguys view: The Rams have a strong group of extension-eligible candidates from their 2023 draft class, and Nacua is at the top of that list. It remains to be seen whether the Rams get ahead of those contract extensions or focus instead on the 2026 season. The latter appears to be the way they are leaning. A deal could certainly get done -- one that makes Nacua the top-paid player at his position -- but Nacua's situation is further complicated by recent off-field issues. Of course, none of this changes Nacua's status as a consensus top-five fantasy pick. |
Myles Garrett player page
Puka Nacua player page
Arizona Cardinals WR Michael Wilson is in talks with the team on a contract extension, and they are 'going great,' according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.
| Footballguys view: As Weinfuss noted, Wilson is heading into his first contract year at exactly the right time. He's fresh off his first 1,000-yard season and was a key component to Arizona's offense in 2025, a role that'll likely continue into 2026. A 2023 third-round draft pick, Wilson knows that his 1,006 yards last season will help him "a lot" in his negotiations. Wilson hopes to stay in Arizona long-term, citing a desire to play for one team throughout his career. For our purposes, Wilson continues to offer great value as WR39 in Round 7. |
Michael Wilson player page
Cleveland Browns WR KC Concepcion has made several plays during an offseason program that favors the passing game. The Browns got him the ball in a bevy of ways, from deep shots to screens to run plays, suggesting he could be used in a variety of ways, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN on Monday, June 29.
| Footballguys view: Oyefusi went on to note that Concepcion showed off not only his elusiveness but also his ability to make tough catches at times. The Browns got him the ball in a variety of ways, from deep shots to screens to run plays. As Footballguy Jeff Bell noted, new coach Todd Monken developed Zay Flowers as his top receiver in Baltimore, a skillset Concepcion can replicate. It is easy to see Monken feature Concepcion and Harold Fannin Jr. this year. Concepcion, as WR57, is currently the first Browns receiver off the board, in the 10th round. |
Philadelphia Eagles WR Makai Lemon was primarily featured in the slot during minicamp and workouts, and will be utilized in pre-snap motion with his short-area quickness being a key the team wants to take advantage of, in the opinion of Tim McManus of ESPN on Monday, June 29.
| Footballguys view: According to McManus, pre-snap motion is expected to be featured in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's scheme, and early indications suggest Lemon will be a big part of that. There were some expected growing pains, but Lemon's short-area quickness stands out. He was sidelined for minicamp because of a hamstring injury. Lemon, at WR38 in redraft ADP, is the second Philadelphia wideout being drafted (Devonta Smith is WR14). Landing Lemon as your WR4 in Round 7 offers some flexibility in allowing him to develop this year, while dynasty investors will have to land him in WR3 territory. |
New York Jets WR Omar Cooper Jr. was the team's 'most impressive rookie in the spring' and has all but solidified a spot in the team's three-receiver package, in the opinion of Rich Cimini of ESPN on Monday, June 29.
| Footballguys view: According to Cimini, Cooper is a smooth route runner who adjusted nicely to an NFL-style offense. Because of his physical style and run-after-catch ability, he should be even better when the pads go on in training camp. The question for Cooper, who will work behind Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell -- at least to open the season -- is whether he'll get sufficient opportunities to be fantasy relevant. Remember, the Jets also drafted TE Kenyon Sadiq, who joins Mason Taylor at that position. That said, Cooper is a great dynasty play with a great long-term outlook. |































