Fantasy Life Articles

Travis Kelce is mentioned in the context of Patrick Mahomes' preseason absence. The Chiefs traditionally play their veterans, even stars, during the preseason to help the offense get in rhythm by the start of the season. Mahomes not playing in preseason games means Kelce and the Chiefs offense will have less time to shake off rust together before Week 1.

Bo Nix led the NFL with 612 passing attempts last year, indicating the Broncos run a high-volume passing attack. This volume supports strong target projections for Broncos WRs like Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, who are the only WRs projected for more than 100 targets.

Isaiah Likely's projections have him at 73 targets, 55 receptions for 631 yards for the Giants. This is significantly higher than rookie Malachi Fields' projected 27 targets, 15 receptions, and 177 yards, though Fields is being tracked as a potential WR2 candidate who could elevate his role early in the season.

Malik Nabers is showcasing his running and cutting ability in training camp and is expected to be a target hog for the Giants. He is the clear WR1 for New York, with the rest of the receiving corps targets largely up for speculation.

Courtland Sutton's targets are pretty much assured in the Broncos' high-volume passing attack, which led the NFL with 612 attempts last year. Sutton and Jaylen Waddle are the only WRs projected for more than 100 targets in Denver's crowded WR room.

Jaylen Waddle, an offseason acquisition for the Broncos, appeared to be nursing a leg injury earlier in the week. However, Waddle's targets are pretty much assured in the Broncos' high-volume passing attack, which led the NFL with 612 attempts last year. Waddle and Courtland Sutton are the only WRs projected for more than 100 targets.

Geno Smith is targeting Garrett Wilson early and often in training camp, with Wilson hauling in all five passes thrown to him in one practice. Smith is looking to get back to the form from his Seattle days, which could elevate the entire Jets passing game.

Marvin Mims, one of several WRs vying for targets in the Broncos' crowded WR room, pulled up with an apparent leg injury and left practice on Friday. This is something to follow, as offseason acquisition Jaylen Waddle also appeared to be nursing a leg injury earlier in the week. Waddle's targets are pretty much assured, as are those of Courtland Sutton. Beyond that, the WR room for the Broncos is pretty open. Mims is projected for 27 targets but has shown game-breaking speed on deep balls.

Fields' current projections have him seeing a paltry 27 targets for 15 receptions and 177 yards. This is significantly lower than Isaiah Likely's projections of 73 targets, 55 receptions for 631 yards. However, with the recent report of Fields getting the inside track on the WR2 role, he will be a player to keep an eye on early in the season.

The Athletic's Dan Duggan is looking at rookie Malachi Fields as a primary candidate for the No. 2 WR role for the Giants, citing his large frame (6-foot-4, 222 pounds) and contested-catch ability as keys to getting him on the field opposite Malik Nabers. The Notre Dame product got a Rookie Super Model score of 70.3. Dwain McFarland noted that Fields could one day work his way into a starting role, writing: "He is a big player who can win when the ball is in the air, but doesn't have top-end speed or make-you-miss ability after the grab."

Wilson is WR21 going at pick 40 on Underdog. He is projected ninth in the league at 139 targets, with 90 catches for 1,039 yards expected. With Geno Smith looking to get back to the form from his Seattle days, this could mean a big season is on the horizon for Wilson as a big target earner.

Geno Smith is targeting Garrett Wilson early and often in training camp. Connor Hughes noted that Smith threw to Wilson five times in one practice, and Wilson hauled in all five balls. Hughes said, "If you're looking for a player to buy stock in, this might be the year to buy stock in Garrett Wilson." Wilson is the clear WR1 for the Jets and is looking to get back to the form where he drew 322 targets and caught 196 balls over the 2023-24 seasons.

Mahomes' fantasy football ADP is QB 11 on Underdog at pick 95.8 (end of eighth round). His last big passing season was 2022 with 5,250 yards and 41 TDs; since then he's topped 4,000 yards just once. His fantasy projections have him at 3,950 yards and 25.5 TDs. Recommendation is to draft him as a late-round QB option but draft a backup just in case.

Mahomes suffered a torn ACL/LCL in Week 15 last season and had surgery on Dec. 15, 2025. He will not play in any preseason games. Week 1 against the Broncos is Sept. 14, almost exactly nine months post-surgery—the standard medical clearance threshold. Dr. Edwin Porras compared his recovery timeline to Joe Burrow's 2021 return, noting Burrow played 16 games, passed for 4,611 yards and 34 TDs, and won Comeback Player of the Year. Porras said Mahomes is "trending toward a Week 1 start, so the injury risk right now is moderate, not high, and the price is a buy." Don't expect him to run at the rate he did pre-injury, as QBs have curtailed their running post-ACL injuries.

Murray's arrival as the Vikings' quarterback should provide a significant upgrade to Minnesota's passing game. Teams did not have to respect the Vikings' passing game last season, but Murray has historically been an effective option when healthy. His presence should help Jordan Mason's rushing upside by forcing defenses to respect play-action and opening running lanes. Murray will work with Kevin O'Connell, who has been a QB whisperer during his Vikings tenure.

Price was drafted in the first round by the Seahawks and will be part of the running back rotation alongside Zach Charbonnet and George Holani, but Charbonnet still profiles as the lead option despite Price's draft capital.

Charbonnet is a late-round flier with league-winner upside despite significant offseason headwinds. He suffered a torn ACL in January and the Seahawks drafted RB Jadarian Price in the first round, but he is ahead of schedule in recovery. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Charbonnet could be ready for Week 1, and the Seahawks have not ruled out his activation for the season start. His ADP (137.9, RB43) has not adjusted despite the positive recovery news. If active in Week 1, he could be a league winner given his history of excelling without Kenneth Walker (who left for Kansas City). While Price and George Holani will be in the rotation, Charbonnet still profiles as the lead option, giving him RB1 upside if everything breaks favorably.

Jones will likely continue to handle passing situations in Minnesota's committee with Jordan Mason, but his age (turning 32) and recent injury history (12 or fewer games in two of the past three years) create opportunity for Mason to assume early-down work and potentially have the backfield to himself in multiple contests.

Mason is one of the source's biggest stances this offseason as a dark-horse RB1 candidate. He is the superior runner compared to Aaron Jones, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt versus Jones's 4.2 last season, a gap likely to widen as Jones turns 32. From Week 10 onward last season, Mason ranked third in explosive run rate, ninth in success rate, and 10th in missed tackles forced per attempt among RBs with 50+ carries. Even if Jones handles passing situations, Mason could produce 1,000+ rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns. The arrival of Kyler Murray at quarterback should upgrade the Vikings' passing game, forcing defenses to respect play-action and opening running lanes. Jones has played 12 or fewer games in two of the past three years, creating opportunity for Mason to have the backfield to himself in multiple contests. The source identifies Mason as one of his favorite RBs to target after pick 100.

Henderson will almost certainly have a larger role in his second season after being selected 38th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he averaged 5.1 yards per attempt with nine rushing touchdowns. However, he has reportedly continued to struggle with pass blocking in training camp, which could limit his availability on third downs and passing situations, potentially ceding that work to Rhamondre Stevenson.

Stevenson is being drafted significantly later than TreVeyon Henderson (ADP 81.7 vs. 55.3) despite outperforming him last season. During the 2025 playoffs, Stevenson played 71% of snaps, handled 61% of rushing attempts, and commanded 75% of short-yardage snaps plus nearly all passing-down work, scoring 13.1 PPR points per game across four contests. Henderson will likely grow into a larger role in his second season, but Stevenson appears positioned to retain most passing-down and short-yardage work since Henderson has struggled with pass blocking in training camp. A 50/50 split with Stevenson handling third downs and goal-line situations provides a solid flex floor with RB1 upside; if Henderson gets injured, Stevenson steps into a potential bell-cow role.

Jeremiah Love is listed with a projected fantasy output of 209.3 points for the 2026 season.

Cam Skattebo is mentioned in a section titled "Worried About Cam Skattebo?" suggesting there are concerns about his status or role heading into the 2026 season. The article does not provide specific details but flags him as a player to monitor.

Kenyon Sadiq is flagged in the "Around the Watercooler" section with a concern note: "Good news or bad news? I'm still slightly worried about Kenyon Sadiq." This suggests ongoing health or role uncertainty that warrants caution in draft planning.

Samaje Perine, 30 years old, has seen his receiving role crater significantly over the past three years, declining from 56 to 35 to 21 receptions. This diminishing role eliminates the historical concern that Cincinnati would muddy Chase Brown's backfield or transfer third-down work to a pass-catching back, solidifying Brown's lead-back status.

Jared Goff is highlighted as an elite quarterback available well after pick 100 in late-round strategy. He is projected for well over 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, making him a strong consolation option for drafters who wait on the position.

Matthew Stafford is highlighted as an elite quarterback available well after pick 100 in late-round strategy. He is projected for well over 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, making him a strong consolation option for drafters who wait on the position.

George Kittle is presented as a value tight end option available almost 90 picks after the Round 2 premium tight ends (Brock Bowers and Trey McBride). The article frames Kittle as a way to access elite tight end production without paying the early-round price tag.

Trey McBride is noted as a Round 2 tight end option commanding a premium price tag. The article suggests that drafters who want elite tight end production but avoid paying the Round 2 price for McBride should consider George Kittle nearly 90 picks later.

Brock Bowers is noted as a Round 2 tight end option commanding a premium price tag. The article suggests that drafters who want elite tight end production but avoid paying the Round 2 price for Bowers should consider George Kittle nearly 90 picks later.

Amon-Ra St. Brown is cited as a sweet option at wide receiver available in early rounds if drafters go RB-heavy in the early rounds. He is presented as a player too hard to pass up at his draft position.

CeeDee Lamb is cited as a sweet option at wide receiver available in early rounds if drafters go RB-heavy in the early rounds. He is presented as a player too hard to pass up at his draft position.

Justin Jefferson is cited as a sweet option at wide receiver available in early rounds if drafters go RB-heavy in the early rounds. He is presented as a player too hard to pass up at his draft position.

Haynes King delivered an electric performance in the Hall of Fame game with 3 total touchdowns, including a game-winner. However, the article pivots away from discussing King to focus on Chase Brown instead, suggesting King's strong preseason showing did not shift Chase Brown's draft priorities.

Derrick Henry is referenced as a decade-long proven performer competing with Chase Brown for Round 2 RB draft consideration. Overzet acknowledges Henry's established track record makes him feel like a safer pick than Brown, though he argues Brown's profile merits the same tier.

De'Von Achane is mentioned as an explosive talent competing with Chase Brown for Round 2 RB consideration. Overzet notes it feels natural to prefer Achane's talent profile over Brown's fifth-round pedigree, though he ultimately argues Brown deserves the same draft tier.

Chase Brown is the clear lead back in Cincinnati with very little competition for touches. The Bengals did not address the RB position in the draft, and backup Samaje Perine is 30 years old with declining receiving volume (56 to 35 to 21 receptions over the past three years), eliminating the historical concern that Cincinnati would muddy the backfield or transfer third-down work to a pass-catching back.

The Athletic's Paul Dehner reports Chase Brown has been "at the center of unique twists" in Bengals training camp and is "being used all over the formation, similar to the way Ja'Marr Chase has been deployed in recent years." This expanded role deployment signals increased offensive involvement and versatility beyond traditional lead-back duties.

Peter Overzet argues Chase Brown deserves Round 2 consideration despite fifth-round draft pedigree concerns. Brown has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over three career seasons behind a poor offensive line and ranks as the NFL's third-fastest RB since 2023 per Next Gen Stats. The Bengals made him the clear lead back with minimal competition for touches, didn't address RB in the draft, and Samaje Perine's receiving role has cratered from 56 to 35 to 21 receptions over the past three years. Overzet explicitly resigned from the "Chase Brown Fader Club," stating he can no longer build a logical argument against drafting him in Round 2.

Wilson (WR42 consensus ranking) is encroaching on Marvin Harrison Jr.'s target share with the Cardinals, denting Harrison's projected production.