NFL fantasy football news and player signals for Sunday, July 26, 2026

Christian McCaffrey carries a cap hit of $12.404 million and is listed among players the 49ers could release to create additional cap room if needed, though the source indicates the team is not expected to pursue such moves.

Brock Purdy carries a cap hit of $8.032 million and is listed among players the 49ers could release to create additional cap room if needed, though the source indicates the team is not expected to pursue such moves.

Brandon Aiyuk's impending release will save the 49ers $79.387 million over the next 4 seasons, broken down as $1.315 million in 2026, $21.176 million in 2027, $42.351 million in 2028, and $14.545 million in 2029; this signals his departure from the roster.

Christian McCaffrey has $12.404 million in cap savings available, making him one of several 49ers players the team could restructure to create additional cap room if needed, though the source does not expect the team to use all available cap flexibility.

Brock Purdy has $8.032 million in cap savings available, making him one of several 49ers players the team could restructure to create additional cap room if needed, though the source does not expect the team to use all available cap flexibility.

Brandon Aiyuk is listed among the cuts in this 53-man roster projection, indicating he is not expected to remain on the 49ers roster.

Khalil Dinkins is on the NFI (Non-Football Injury) list, indicating he is dealing with a non-football-related injury or condition that will affect his availability.

George Kittle is on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list heading into the 2026 season, indicating he is managing an injury or conditioning concern that will affect his availability during training camp.

Isaac Guerendo is on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list heading into the 2026 season, indicating he is dealing with an injury or conditioning issue that will keep him sidelined during training camp.

Pauling is projected for the practice squad as a wide receiver, with his contract through 2028.

Taylor Jr. is projected for the practice squad as a running back, with his contract through 2026.

Farrell is projected as a tight end on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2027.

Tonges is projected as a tight end on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2027.

Cowing is projected as a wide receiver on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2027.

Watkins is projected as a wide receiver on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2028.

Stribling is projected as a wide receiver on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2029.

Kirk is projected as a starting wide receiver on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2026.

Pearsall is projected as a starting wide receiver on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2027.

Evans is projected as a starting wide receiver on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2028.

James is projected as the backup running back on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2028.

McCaffrey is projected as the lead running back on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2027.

Rourke is projected as the third-string quarterback on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2028.

Jones is projected as the backup quarterback on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract through 2026.

Purdy is projected as the starting quarterback on the 49ers' 53-man roster, with his contract extending through 2030.

Kittle is listed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, indicating he will miss time at the start of training camp and potentially the regular season.

Guerendo is listed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the 49ers, indicating he will miss time at the start of training camp and potentially the regular season.

Dinkins was recently waived with a non-football injury, removing him from the 49ers' tight end depth chart.

Dak Prescott is ranked ahead of Jalen Hurts in 2026 QB rankings and has a statistical argument with 30 TDs vs. 10 INTs and 4,552 passing yards in 2025, though the source questions whether other QBs ranked above Hurts (Herbert, Maye, Goff, Caleb Williams) have similar justification.

Drake Maye is ranked ahead of Jalen Hurts in 2026 QB rankings (Hurts at 17), though the source questions whether Maye is truly better than Hurts given Hurts' superior head-to-head record (22-13-1) against the 16 QBs ranked above him. Maye was responsible for 52 pressures on 234 dropbacks under pressure in 2025, the most among all QBs.

Jalen Hurts fell from No. 9 QB ranking in 2025 to No. 17 in 2026, a significant drop that the source questions given his head-to-head record (22-13-1 cumulative) against the 16 QBs ranked ahead of him, including 8-2 against Stafford, Mahomes, and Burrow, and 5-3 postseason record against those same peers. The source argues his winning record should count more heavily in ranking evaluations than it apparently does.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts experienced a significant ranking decline, falling from No. 9 in 2025 to No. 17 in 2026 among NFL executives' evaluations, despite his winning record with the team.

Giants QB Jaxson Dart has significant areas to improve heading into his second season. While he is a master of backyard football who can make magic happen, questions remain about his ability to thrive in the pocket. According to Pro Football Focus, Dart was the worst quarterback in the league last season in terms of allowed pressure, being at least partly responsible 39.1% of the time when pressured (50 pressures on 128 dropbacks under pressure). His tendency to leave the pocket too soon disrupts the pass game and puts blockers at a disadvantage. Only Bryce Maye (52 pressures) was responsible for more self-allowed pressures, though Maye's came on 234 dropbacks.

Jaylin Lane is competing with Luke McCaffrey for playing time in training camp. In his rookie campaign, Lane had 16 catches on 32 targets for 225 receiving yards in 15 games played. Lane's impact was felt more on special teams, finishing 5th in the NFL in punt return yards per return at 13.7 with two return touchdowns (tied for league-lead). Both Lane and McCaffrey should make the team unless one falls completely flat, but playing time could be impacted by how the competition goes.

Luke McCaffrey is competing with Jaylin Lane for playing time in training camp. In his first two seasons, McCaffrey played in 26 games with 29 receptions on 39 targets for 371 receiving yards and three touchdowns; his 2025 season was cut short by a broken collarbone in Week 9. McCaffrey also contributed on special teams with the third-highest kickoff return average in the NFL at 29.6 yards in 2025. Both McCaffrey and Lane should make the team unless one falls completely flat, but playing time could be impacted by how the competition goes.

The Commanders were warned off acquiring Stefon Diggs because his presence could block the development path of other viable pass-catchers on the roster, particularly third-round 2026 draft pick Antonio Williams. The concern is that Diggs' veteran status and potential locker room behavior could prevent the Commanders from elevating Williams, who is already tipped to emulate an All-Pro in David Blough's expected offensive system.

Amon-Ra St. Brown served as the comparison benchmark for Antonio Williams' role projection. In Detroit's 2023 offense, St. Brown was extremely productive catching 119 passes for 1515 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing both outside (Z) and slot (F) receiver roles, earning a four-year, $120 million contract extension off that season's performance.

Third-round 2026 draft pick Antonio Williams was drafted by the Commanders to play both outside (Z) and slot (F) receiver roles. Commanders GM Adam Peters indicated Williams can play both positions. The comparison is to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was extremely productive in Detroit's 2023 offense catching 119 passes for 1515 yards and 10 touchdowns in that role, earning a four-year, $120 million contract extension. Williams shows similar traits to St. Brown, particularly in choice route running and pivot/return routes that are commonly used in David Blough's expected offensive system.

Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl MVP, departed the Seahawks; Zach Charbonnet was drafted in the first round to help replace him.

Zach Charbonnet was taken in the first round to help replace departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III; he has been open about the impact his mother Jessica Butler's battle with breast cancer — she was declared cancer-free in 2017 — has had on his life and football career, providing compelling personal narrative material for Hard Knocks coverage.

Jalen Coker received prominent Hard Knocks spotlight during the 2024 Chicago Bears coverage, where his quest to retain a roster spot was a key storyline; he was featured discussing his former pet ferret Crash, which he acquired after a trip to PetSmart in Moscow, Idaho during a USC trip to play Washington State. Bears GM Ryan Poles rejected a trade offer for him, demanding at least a third-round pick, but Coker was cut shortly after and landed with the Seahawks late last season, appearing in 23 special teams snaps in the Super Bowl. He is firmly on the bubble as camp begins and could provide compelling viewing again.

Brady Russell has a compelling backstory as an undrafted free agent who signed with the Eagles before joining the Seahawks in 2023 and earning the de facto special teams captain role last season; his father Randy is a former Marine Corps pilot with eight wartime deployments, and Russell earned a Colorado scholarship after joining as a walk-on. A new two-year contract worth up to $4.8 million secures his roster spot for this season, though his quest to earn a larger role could provide intriguing Hard Knocks narrative material.

The Seahawks are hoping for more production from second-year tight end Arroyo as they try to get their tight ends even more involved in the offense.

The Seahawks are hoping for more production from second-year player Horton as they look to expand their passing attack beyond Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

The offseason has been filled with speculation that the Seahawks will get the ball more to Shaheed as they look to diversify their passing attack beyond Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Charbonnet is recovering from an ACL injury suffered in the playoff win over the 49ers on Jan. 18; the expectation is that mid- to late October might be a best-case scenario for his return, though it will become clearer once camp begins when he might be back.

Free-agent signee Wilson figures to have a role in the Seahawks' running back committee as they replace Kenneth Walker III's production while Zach Charbonnet recovers from an ACL injury.

Holani, a third-year player, figures to have a role in the Seahawks' running back committee and seems a good fit for the third-down role, which he essentially held in the NFC title game and Super Bowl after Zach Charbonnet's injury.

The Seahawks used the 32nd overall pick on Price as a first-round running back to replace Kenneth Walker III; the source expects Price will emerge as the starter by the regular season opener Sept. 9 against New England, though the team may ease him into the role during camp while stressing that everything must be earned on the defending Super Bowl champions.

Smith-Njigba recorded 1,793 receiving yards last season—the eighth-most in NFL history—at just 23 years old, the second-youngest player on the list of top 10 receiving seasons in league history. The source notes that topping this historic season won't be easy, as each of the top 14 receiving seasons is by a different player, but after last year's performance you'd be taking a risk to bet against him repeating elite production.

The Indiana State standout returner undrafted free agent receiver will try to use special teams to catch the eye of coaches.

The Wisconsin product undrafted free agent tight end from Rockwall, Texas (same hometown as Jaxon Smith-Njigba) is one of just six tight ends listed on the Seahawks roster, providing a path to roster consideration.

The Florida State grad undrafted free agent linebacker is hoping to forge a role as an edge player.

The Kansas product sixth-round pick will vie for a roster spot at the back end of the receiving rotation and on special teams.

Receiver who missed second half of last season with shin injury; was not placed on PUP list Monday, though source notes this could simply mean he hasn't reported and had a physical yet; status worth watching as camp nears.

Running back recovering from ACL injury suffered last January; was not placed on PUP list Monday, though source notes this could simply mean he hasn't reported and had a physical yet; status worth watching as camp nears.

Cornerback placed on PUP list Monday; former receiver making switch to cornerback; did not take part in drills during offseason program after being placed on injured reserve last November with a leg injury; Seahawks hope his 6-foot-5 height could make him a better fit at cornerback than receiver, where roster spots appear set heading into camp.

The 32nd overall pick from Notre Dame is expected to contend for starting running back duties and help replace departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III; got plenty of work in the offseason program and appears ready to hit the ground running in camp to compete for significant roles this season.

Running back placed on PUP list Monday; suffered ACL injury early in training camp last year and did not take part in on-field drills during offseason program; projected to compete for roster spot once healthy.

St. Brown appeared on seven of eight ballots in the AP preseason survey of top receivers entering 2026. The second-team All-Pro (after earning first-team honors the previous two seasons) had 117 receptions, 1,401 yards receiving, and 11 touchdowns last season for the Lions, extending his streak to four straight seasons with over 100 receptions and over 1,100 yards receiving.

Jefferson received one first-place vote in the AP preseason survey of top receivers entering 2026, appearing on seven ballots with two second-place votes. The two-time All-Pro had a down season with 84 catches for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns while catching passes from three different Vikings quarterbacks. Over his six NFL seasons, he has averaged 97 catches, 1,413 yards, and seven touchdowns.

Milroe is listed as a client of agent Nicole Lynn, who represents multiple NFL players including cornerback Terrion Arnold.

Nacua received one first-place vote in the AP preseason survey of top receivers entering 2026, appearing on seven of eight ballots with three second-place votes. The unanimous All-Pro selection led the NFL with 129 catches for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and has averaged 104 catches, 1,397 yards receiving, and six touchdowns over his three NFL seasons, providing Matthew Stafford with an elite target.

Chase received two first-place votes in the AP preseason survey of top receivers entering 2026, finishing second overall. The unanimous All-Pro selection had 125 receptions, 1,412 yards receiving, and eight touchdowns last season after earning the receiving triple crown in 2024. He tied Justin Jefferson for first place in this same survey last year.

Smith-Njigba received a four-year, $168.6 million extension averaging $42.15 million annually with over $120 million guaranteed, making it the biggest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history. This came after he won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award and helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl.

Smith-Njigba was voted the NFL's top wide receiver by The Associated Press preseason survey panel of eight pro football writers, receiving four first-place votes, three thirds, and a fourth (10, 3, and 1 points respectively). The 24-year-old set team records with 1,793 receiving yards and 119 receptions last season, earned a unanimous All-Pro selection, and had nine 100-yard receiving games during the regular season while helping Seattle win its second Super Bowl in franchise history.

Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2025 and acquired by the New York Jets this year; he is expected to be their starting quarterback this upcoming season. A battery investigation involving Smith has been marked inactive by the Davie Police Department after an incident on June 21, with conflicting accounts and limited evidence preventing determination of a primary aggressor. The case was marked inactive on July 10 after neither Smith nor the other party provided statements under oath.

Vannett was added to the Seahawks tight end roster, further limiting Lance Mason's pathway to make the team.

Kallerup is mentioned as a tight end on the Seahawks roster; Lance Mason likely has more upside as a receiving tight end than Kallerup but faces a crowded depth chart.

Holani is cited as one of the UDFA gems John Schneider has consistently found during his tenure as Seahawks general manager, signed right away as a rookie.

Bobo is cited as one of the UDFA gems John Schneider has consistently found during his tenure as Seahawks general manager, signed right away as a rookie.

The wide receiver is almost certainly not making the Seahawks roster at the position; Seattle's top five receivers are set in stone and the competition is too deep. Rochelle's only realistic pathway is through his deep kick and punt return experience from Indiana State.

The Wisconsin tight end caught 30 receptions for 398 yards and four touchdowns on a historically poor offense. He likely has more upside as a receiving tight end than Nick Kallerup, but that's his only realistic pathway to the roster given Seattle's veteran and young talent mix at the top of the depth chart and the recent addition of Nick Vannett. The source assesses the practice squad as Mason's realistic goal.

The EDGE prospect is traits over production; he transferred from Georgia to Florida State to Oklahoma and recorded only eight total sacks across those programs. He does possess an 81-inch wingspan and an interesting athletic profile. Like Hubbard, his path is the fifth EDGE spot, but the source is less bullish on his prospects compared to Hubbard.

Beckham's roster spot contingency depends on making it through training camp healthy and practicing consistently; the source notes this remains uncertain, placing him on the bubble for the Giants' 53-man roster.

Placed on either the PUP or NFI list during current training camp; represents the final player to land on either list as the Seahawks roster underwent physical and conditioning evaluations.

The Giants received positive news that Nabers will avoid the PUP list heading into training camp, though this does not guarantee Week 1 readiness or that he will immediately perform at his 2024 level.

Placed on the PUP list once injured players reported during current training camp; suffered an injury either during a game in the prior season or during offseason workouts.

Landed on the nonfootball injury list at the start of Mike Macdonald's 2025 training camp; likely failed the conditioning test Macdonald imported from the Baltimore Ravens, which is the most common reason for NFI placement in the Macdonald era.

Landed on the nonfootball injury list at the start of Mike Macdonald's 2025 training camp; later moved to the PUP list once injured players reported, indicating a transition from conditioning/physical failure to documented injury status.

Dak Prescott is mentioned in the context of NFL executive quarterback rankings, with the source noting that Prescott's 2024 performance (30 TDs vs. 10 INTs, 4,552 yards passing) gives him an argument for being ranked ahead of Jalen Hurts, though the source questions whether other quarterbacks ranked ahead of Hurts have comparable credentials.

Beaux Collins is listed as a longshot for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating his roster spot is unlikely and he faces significant competition to make the team.

Xavier Gipson is listed as a longshot for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating his roster spot is unlikely and he faces significant competition to make the team.

Jalin Hyatt is listed as a longshot for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating his roster spot is unlikely and he faces significant competition to make the team.

Isaiah Hodgins is listed as a bubble player for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating his roster spot is not guaranteed and will be determined during training camp.

Braxton Berrios is listed as a bubble player for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating his roster spot is not guaranteed and will be determined during training camp.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is listed as a bubble player for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating his roster spot is not guaranteed and will be determined during training camp.

Odell Beckham Jr. is listed as a bubble player for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating his roster spot is not guaranteed and will be determined during training camp.

Malachi Fields is listed as a lock for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating he is a secure roster spot heading into training camp.

Darnell Mooney is listed as a lock for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating he is a secure roster spot heading into training camp.

Calvin Austin is listed as a lock for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating he is a secure roster spot heading into training camp.

Darius Slayton is listed as a lock for the Giants' 53-man roster at wide receiver, indicating he is a secure roster spot heading into training camp.

Malik Nabers received positive injury news when it was reported that he would avoid the PUP list heading into Giants training camp. The source notes this 'doesn't guarantee that he will be ready Week 1, or that he will be the Nabers of 2024 right away, but it was a positive development,' suggesting his recovery is on track but his full availability and performance level remain to be determined.

The source notes that Jalen Hurts, at 27 years old (turning 28 in August), has career numbers about halfway to Donovan McNabb's all-time Eagles record but is significantly younger, giving him the opportunity to either match or come close to McNabb's legacy if he remains with Philadelphia long-term. Hurts also has the advantage of two Super Bowl appearances and one ring, plus high-level playoff performance, positioning him as a potential all-time Eagles great.

The source argues that Jalen Hurts' ranking among NFL executives fell from No. 9 in 2025 to No. 17 in 2026, which the source questions as potentially unfair. The source contends that Hurts' winning record and performance should weigh more heavily in executive evaluations than the rankings suggest, implying his current market valuation may be too low relative to his actual performance and winning ability compared to peers like Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Drake Maye, Jared Goff, and Caleb Williams.

Barkley reflected on the viral reverse hurdle play from two years prior, saying he realized it was 'something pretty cool' and 'a play I'll never forget,' but emphasized he does not want to be remembered for that single play, stating 'I'm happy I was able to make that play. But I'm ready for the next one.' This suggests his focus is on moving forward with his Eagles tenure rather than dwelling on past highlights.

Returned to practice on Day 1 of Seahawks training camp, indicating recovery from prior injury or absence and availability for the 2026 season.

John Harbaugh praised Dart's work ethic and commitment to improvement, saying 'This dude works. He works at it, and he wants to be great.' Dart demonstrated understanding of his development needs, stating 'There's steps in my game that I want to grow within the pocket' and emphasizing his focus on 'identify[ing] pre-snap, post-snap reads and then just be really solid with progressions.' Nagy echoed this, noting Dart 'wants to be the best. He wants to be coached hard, have that discipline, and work on his footwork, his timing, and his connection with teammates.'

Dart demonstrated strong overall accuracy and arm talent as a rookie, with Baumgardner praising his accuracy despite specific weaknesses in anticipatory throws and deep ball execution. Dart has the 'arm talent, charisma, play-making ability, and intelligence to be successful as the Giants' quarterback for the next decade,' and the Giants have surrounded him with improved talent and an established veteran coaching staff (Harbaugh, Nagy, Callahan, Greg Roman) to support his development in Year 2.

Dart's play-action passing from under center was a significant weakness in 2025. Among 36 QBs with 325+ pass attempts, Dart used play-action 106 times but only 24 were true under-center dropback play-action passes. His 57.3% completion rate on play-action ranked 32nd (only Shough at 56.3% and Trevor Lawrence at 56.1% were worse). His EPA per dropback on under-center play-action was .05 (27th of 45 QBs with 100+ attempts), sack rate was 20% (33rd of 33), and average time to throw was 4.01 seconds (longer than all but Tyrod Taylor and Cam Ward among 100+ attempt QBs).

Dart ranked 32nd among 36 qualifying quarterbacks in deep ball accuracy in 2025, completing just 16 of 50 passes of 20+ yards downfield (32%). Despite throwing deep 14.7% of the time (fourth-most), his execution was poor. However, four of those deep throws were dropped; if caught, his completion rate would reach 40%, vaulting him to 13th among qualifiers, suggesting receiver separation and execution issues may have contributed alongside Dart's accuracy struggles.

Dart struggled significantly with anticipatory throws in his rookie season, a carryover from Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss offense where such throws weren't required. Baumgardner noted Dart 'needs to see that receiver break two full steps or two full strides into a really wide window before he rips the ball.' While Baumgardner believes Dart can improve, he cautioned: 'I'm not sure he'll ever be great at it,' suggesting this may remain a structural weakness even with coaching.

Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders was the only quarterback among nine who experienced Year 2 regression (out of 28 first-round quarterbacks drafted 2016-24 with sufficient data) whose decline was limited by injury. This context is relevant to Dart's Year 2 outlook, as the New York Post's research found that 19 of 28 quarterbacks experienced a spike in quarterback rating in Year 2, including seven with dramatic progress.

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears is cited as an example of a quarterback who made significant strides in Year 2 with a new head coach and new offensive coordinator. The New York Post's research on 33 first-round quarterbacks drafted from 2016-24 found that quarterbacks with new coaching staffs made some of the biggest Year 2 improvements, with Williams and Drake Maye highlighted as prime examples relevant to Dart's 2026 outlook.

Drake Maye of the New England Patriots is cited as an example of a quarterback who made significant strides in Year 2 with a new head coach and new offensive coordinator. The New York Post's research on 33 first-round quarterbacks drafted from 2016-24 found that quarterbacks with new coaching staffs made some of the biggest Year 2 improvements, with Maye and Caleb Williams highlighted as prime examples relevant to Dart's 2026 outlook.

Daniel Jones' rookie season (24 TD, 12 INT, 3,207 passing yards in 13 games, 12 starts) generated optimism that he could become a top-tier quarterback, but he never again reached 20 touchdown passes in a season. The only time Jones surpassed his rookie average of 232.8 yards per game was in 2025 with the Indianapolis Colts (238.5 yards in 13 games). His trajectory serves as a cautionary tale for Dart's Year 2 expectations, as the hoped-for leap into the upper tier of quarterbacks never materialized for Jones.

Dart has a tendency to throw the ball a tick too late and lacks anticipation in his throws, which limits his ability to help receivers turn modest gains into big plays or turn incompletions into completions. Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic noted: "He's one of these guys where it's you've got to be wide open sometimes before he's ready to rip it. He's just a guy that needs to see that receiver break two full steps or two full strides into a really wide window before he rips the ball." Baumgardner attributes this to a "hangover from the [Lane] Kiffin offense" at Ole Miss, where anticipatory throws weren't required. However, Baumgardner believes Dart can improve: "I don't think he's a guy that it's totally a lost cause. I think he can coax more out of it," though he cautioned that "it might be one of those things where it's like, hey, we got to be careful with how we run the offense because it might not be something that he's ever super, super strong at."

Dart was the worst quarterback in the NFL last season in terms of allowed pressure, defined as pressures where the quarterback is fully or partly responsible. According to Pro Football Focus, Dart was at least partly responsible 39.1% of the time when pressured, far ahead of second-place Shedeur Sanders at 27.3%. Dart was at least partially at fault on 50 pressures; only Drake Maye (52) was responsible for more, though Maye's total came on 234 dropbacks under pressure compared to Dart's 128. One key reason: Dart leaves the pocket too soon, putting his blockers at a disadvantage because they don't know where he is.

Dart struggled with pre-snap and post-snap reads during his rookie season. Greg Cosell, a premier quarterback Bob Papa, noted that "there were times he didn't see it the right way" and that Dart will "get better in that regard with more experience." Cosell identified a double-edged sword: Dart's ability to run often causes him to take off before he needs to when he doesn't see the right read, which disrupts the pass game and contributed to his injury issues. Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic observed Dart "going one to two and then he freaks out instead of one to two to three and then we got to keep going through the thing."

Dart took unnecessary hits as a rookie and showed resistance to protecting himself, including an unnecessary hit against the New England Patriots after missing two games with a concussion. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan have spent time showing Dart clips and having "very direct conversations" about the need to improve his awareness of when to put himself at risk, when to get out of bounds, and when to get down rather than take a hit. Dart acknowledged the issue this spring, stating: "It's important for the quarterback to make sure how he's feeling one play that he's going to feel that same way the next play" and noting his experience sitting out two games made him understand "the most important thing is to be out there."

Dart was elite as a rushing quarterback in his rookie season. Per Sumer Sports, Dart ranked third in the NFL in quarterback rush yards (487), second in rushing touchdowns (9), and second in Expected Points Added (EPA) when running (38.12). Head coach John Harbaugh has no intention of removing the running element from Dart's game, as it is a core part of what makes him dynamic.

Dart ranks outside the top 20 across major quarterback ranking systems, indicating significant work remains before he can be considered a top-10 NFL quarterback. Pro Football Focus ranks him No. 25; SB Nation No. 28; Sports Illustrated No. 23; FOX Sports No. 21; and NBC Sports (Chris Simms) No. 22. Chris Simms characterized Dart as "a master of backyard football who can make magic happen but questions remain about the quarterback's ability to thrive in the pocket heading into his second season."

Dart impressed new Giants head coach John Harbaugh enough during his rookie season to be a primary reason Harbaugh accepted the Giants' head-coaching job. Harbaugh stated: "I'm excited about Jaxson Dart" at his introductory press conference and later said of Dart after working with him for a few months: "I don't know about surprised, probably just impressed more than anything. I do think he's obsessed. I believe he really really wants to be good." Harbaugh also noted Dart "has the it factor from a leadership standpoint because he's respected by the guys. They just know how hard he works, how much he prepares and they respect his talent. He's got some charisma."

Drew Allar, drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, is all but guaranteed a spot on the Steelers' roster. The backup QB competition between Mason Rudolph and Will Howard will determine who fills what is likely the final spot on the roster, with Allar's roster position essentially secured.

Mason Rudolph is competing with second-year QB Will Howard for the backup job behind Aaron Rodgers. Rudolph played a key role in Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over Cincinnati and started one game in relief of an injured Rodgers. However, two Steelers insiders believe Howard has the inside track. Rudolph is entering the final year of his deal with the Steelers and will be a free agent in 2027.

Will Howard is in pole position to win the Steelers' backup QB job over Mason Rudolph, according to two Steelers insiders (Nick Farabaugh of PennLive and Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Howard took QB2 reps in OTAs, signaling the Steelers are giving him every chance to earn the job. He missed preseason play last year due to a hand injury sustained in camp.

Bankston, 23, is listed as a long shot at running back but the source notes he probably has the best chance among the long shots (Gray, Miller, Bankston) to make the roster if Skattebo, Tracy, and Singletary are healthy; age and upside favor the undrafted free agent.

Manhertz is listed as a lock at tight end; the source believes he makes the roster over Fidone due to his quality blocking and veteran leadership, especially given the Giants' expected use of two-tight-end and heavy sets.

Fidone will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as he recovers from foot surgery; the source believes he will land on the practice squad rather than make the 53-man roster.

Beckham is listed as a bubble player for the 53-man roster; he could secure a spot if he stays healthy through training camp and can practice consistently, but his availability remains uncertain.

Nabers avoided the PUP list entering training camp, which the source considers good news; however, this doesn't guarantee Week 1 readiness or that he will immediately perform at his 2024 level.

Backup QB Tommy DeVito got reps on Sunday, connecting with Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams for their first catches of the summer; he also missed Eli Raridon high before later connecting.

UDFA TE Tanner Arkin got a run with the first unit as a pseudo fullback on Sunday with Reggie Gilliam sidelined; he also took some warmup reps as a long snapper alongside Julian Ashby.

TE Eli Raridon continued to be used in 12 personnel packages next to Hunter Henry on Sunday; he was open on an overthrow by Drake Maye and later connected with Tommy DeVito.

RB Jam Miller had some strong moments on Sunday, though it's difficult to judge running backs in no-pad settings.

RB Lan Larison was again the first running back to receive a carry on Sunday, ahead of TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson was in the running back rotation on Sunday behind TreVeyon Henderson.

RB TreVeyon Henderson was the first running back to receive carries on Sunday, ahead of Rhamondre Stevenson and other backs.

Backup QB Behren Morton continued to look impressive in his limited work on Sunday, appearing comfortable stepping up and navigating in the pocket; he connected with Nick DeGennaro for two catches.

UDFA Nick DeGennaro got on the board with two catches from backup QB Behren Morton on Sunday.

WR Kyle Williams ran a strong downfield comeback route and got his first catch of the summer from backup QB Tommy DeVito on Sunday.

WR Mack Hollins got his first catch of the summer from backup QB Tommy DeVito on Sunday.

WR Romeo Doubs' lone target on Sunday from Drake Maye was incomplete.

TE Hunter Henry was targeted on a crosser that Drake Maye missed high on Sunday; he was also used in 12 personnel packages alongside Eli Raridon.

WR Kayshon Boutte provided the Patriots' offense their largest play of Sunday's session, working the sideline nicely to haul in a back shoulder ball from Drake Maye for a roughly 20-yard gain; this was his second consecutive day making a highlight play.

QB Drake Maye had an inaccurate day on Sunday with multiple overthrows: he missed Hunter Henry high on a crosser, overthrew an open Eli Raridon on a play-action bootleg with a free rusher chasing him, and threw the interception to Craig Woodson over A.J. Brown.

WR A.J. Brown was targeted over the middle of the field on a high pass that was intercepted by Craig Woodson on Sunday; he also connected with Drake Maye on a simple slant route for his first camp connection with the quarterback.

TE C.J. Dippre remained on the PUP/NFI list through Day 2 of training camp.

RB Terrell Jennings remained on the PUP/NFI list through Day 2 of training camp.

FB Reggie Gilliam was a new absence on Sunday and placed on the PUP/NFI list.

WR Jeremiah Webb was slightly banged up to end Saturday's session and remained absent on Sunday, placed on the PUP/NFI list.

Quarterback Drake Maye has a $3.1M roster bonus deadline by end of business Monday, indicating the Patriots' intention to retain him on the roster.

Five-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins joined the Patriots in an assistant capacity for training camp, providing mentorship and aura to the wide receiver room and offense. Head coach Mike Vrabel announced Hopkins' temporary role ahead of camp. Romeo Doubs noted Hopkins' presence and energy as a huge help to the offense.

Patriots offseason signing WR participated in Drake Maye's North Carolina throwing sessions before training camp, building chemistry with the QB and receiving corps. Doubs emphasized the importance of offseason work and noted the positive impact of DeAndre Hopkins' presence and aura around the offense.

Patriots QB in Year 2 with Josh McDaniels; focus on operational speed and urgency improvements. Maye emphasized getting plays in faster, snapping the ball earlier in the play clock, and moving quicker from under center to gun formation. The source notes that despite ranking second in scoring last season, New England ranked only 18th in plays per game (61.4), and a faster operation should increase snaps and scoring opportunities.

Rookie free agent added after the draft is getting reps with the first-team offense just three months later; saw action as a blocking tight end, lined up as a fullback with Reggie Gilliam absent, and practiced long-snapping alongside Julian Ashby; appeared to take a step in the right direction toward making the roster.

Undrafted free agent had an active day in team drills with the third-string unit; finished the session with multiple receptions from Behren Morton and looked like the most reliable target in the young QB's arsenal, though still a long way from pushing for a roster spot.

Third-string QB performing well in team drills during second training camp practice; completed five of six passes, with the lone incompletion being a deep ball, and showed confidence operating the unit with creativity in the pocket.

The tight end is on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list to start training camp. The source notes all players on injury lists are able to return to practice as soon as they are medically cleared.

The running back is on the NFI (Non-Football Injury) list to start training camp. The source notes all players on injury lists are able to return to practice as soon as they are medically cleared.

The Patriots' sophomore receiver had a quiet first training camp day, not seeing a single pass come his way in competitive team drills. The source notes it is too early to panic about another highly-drafted wide receiver being quiet in practice, but a string of days like Saturday would be concerning.

Patriots signed Julian Hill to three-year free agency deal as part of offseason tight end group investment; however, Hill suffered season-ending injury during offseason workouts, testing depth at position and prompting team to bring in two additional free agent tight ends before training camp.

Patriots selected Eli Raridon in third round of 2026 NFL Draft as part of offseason tight end group investment; provides context for Patriots TE depth chart alongside undrafted free agent Jeremiah Franklin.

Prentice was claimed by the Patriots after being waived by the Panthers. The 5-foot-10, 184-pound slot receiver produced 26 catches, 380 yards, and six touchdowns in his senior year at Baylor with a 14.6 yards-per-reception average. His 4.37-second 40-yard dash at Pro Day ranks in the 96th percentile among wideout prospects over the last 40 years. He will provide depth behind the club's current top slot, DeMario Douglas, in a deep 12-receiver group. Prentice faces an uphill climb to make the roster, with limited special teams experience as a potential disadvantage.

Rookie WR waived with injury designation on eve of training camp's first practice; cleared waivers and reverted to New England's injured reserve. The move effectively ends his season in July. Kibble, 22, 6-foot-1, 199-pound Georgetown product; 2025 team captain with 63 receptions for 1,002 yards and four touchdowns en route to first-team All-Patriot League recognition. Career: 39 games, 149 passes for 2,642 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Rookie WR claimed by Patriots off waivers on Saturday following first practice of training camp. Prentice, 22, 5-foot-10, 184-pound undrafted free agent from Carolina Panthers; former four-star recruit who played 36 games at Alabama before transferring to Baylor for 11 appearances as a senior. Collegiate production: 86 receptions for 1,160 yards and 11 touchdowns across SEC and Big 12 competition.

McCarthy, the No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft, is fighting for his football future with the Vikings after only 10 NFL starts. Mackey suggests the Vikings may be keeping McCarthy's value as high as possible by maintaining the QB competition, particularly given that Kyler Murray's camp rejected a multi-year contract offer and instead opted for a one-year deal to bet on themselves and see where 2027 free agency takes them.

Murray signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in March and is the heavy favorite to win the starting QB job in Week 1. However, Kevin Seifert notes that despite displaying the arm talent necessary to succeed in Kevin O'Connell's complex offense over his previous seven NFL seasons, the critical question is how long it will take him to grow accustomed to the scheme, which requires active eyes and patient feet in the pocket. Murray admitted during OTAs that it had been a challenge to pursue the necessary familiarity while taking only half the reps.

Kyler Murray is battling JJ McCarthy for the Vikings QB1 role; ESPN's Kevin Seifert gave the edge to Murray in a column published Thursday morning, suggesting Murray has the advantage in the competition despite the organization framing it as open.

Thor Nystrom of SKOR North compared Vikings GM Nolan Teasley's potential approach to Jordan Addison to the DK Metcalf trade precedent; Addison will be heading into the last year of his rookie deal one offseason from now, making him a potential mid-season trade candidate before his 2027 extension, with Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders identified as potential suitors willing to offer a first-round pick.

JJ McCarthy, a top-10 pick of the organization in 2024, is currently battling Kyler Murray for the QB1 role with training camp set to begin in late July; Phil Mackey of SKOR North believes the Vikings may be preserving McCarthy's trade value by framing the competition as genuine while potentially testing Murray for a long-term contract.

Wide receiver placed on injured reserve by the Patriots, ending his 2025 campaign just two practices into training camp. Webb, a 25-year-old undrafted 2025 signing (5-foot-11, 198-pound returner), had caught six passes for 80 yards and one touchdown during his rookie preseason before being waived at the 53-man deadline last August. He spent time on the practice squad and reached a futures contract following Super Bowl LX, but the injury settlement effectively removes him from the active roster.

Dippre is on the PUP list heading into training camp and can be activated at any point during the offseason program, indicating depth chart uncertainty for the Patriots tight end room.

Jennings is on the PUP list heading into training camp and can be activated at any point during the offseason program, indicating depth chart uncertainty for the Patriots backfield.

Quarterback facing competition from undrafted free agent Mark Gronowski, who is projected to beat him out and secure the third quarterback spot on the roster.

Third-round tight end prospect viewed as sleeper candidate with high expectations for breakout contribution.

Second-year undrafted free agent wide receiver viewed as breakout candidate; positioned as sleeper at a thin position on the Dolphins roster where additional talent infusion is needed.

Undrafted free agent quarterback from Iowa positioned as sleeper to beat out Cam Miller and secure the third quarterback spot on the Dolphins roster.

Quarterback sleeper candidate viewed as potentially underrated; rushing ability and legs can extend plays and time of possession, providing relief for young defense; contrasted favorably with Tua Tagovailoa's lack of run game; could surprise the league as a game-changer in an offense built around a big pounding offensive line and run-first concept with Ollie Gordon and De'Von Achane.

Undrafted running back who the Dolphins viewed as Ollie Gordon's replacement if Gordon did not secure the job during the offseason; described as a back who consistently moves forward for positive yardage; positioned as depth option to spell De'Von Achane with minimal drop-off.

Former Michigan 2025 undrafted free agent running back viewed as potential depth chart candidate if veteran backs Wright and Gordon underperform; could take their place in the rotation.

Yahoo Sports' Josh Norris and Hayden Winks compared Klare to Cowboys two-time Pro Bowler Jake Ferguson. The source frames this as a positive projection, noting that if Klare can match Ferguson's production during his first three years in Los Angeles, that would be the best possible outcome.

Kincaid serves as an NFL comp for Klare's projection as an F-tier tight end. He has been a serviceable target for Josh Allen for the last three years and has averaged just over 560 receiving yards since his 2023 draft selection, providing a benchmark for Klare's potential production ceiling.

Ferguson, drafted 46th overall in 2025, played in 14 games last season but started only three and logged just 39% of offensive snaps in the regular season per Pro Football Reference. Despite being a second-round pick, his snap share was lower than expected, which the source frames as a challenge for Klare's opportunity in the crowded TE room.

Klare has a low ceiling as a blocker, which the source cautions will likely never be a strength of his game despite work at Ohio State. This weakness could hinder his playing time initially in Sean McVay's offense, where Ferguson (39% snap share in 2024) and veterans Parkinson and Higbee have priority on the field.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler projects Klare as an F-tier tight end with a skill set similar to Dalton Kincaid, who has averaged just over 560 receiving yards since his 2023 draft selection. Yahoo Sports' Josh Norris and Hayden Winks compared Klare to Cowboys two-time Pro Bowler Jake Ferguson. The source frames either comp as a positive outcome if Klare can match that production in his first three years in Los Angeles.

Drafted No. 61 overall by the Rams in 2026, Klare is the second straight tight end selected by L.A. after Terrance Ferguson (46th overall in 2025). He enters a loaded TE room with Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Ferguson, and Davis Allen ahead of him on the depth chart. The source notes Klare will have an uphill climb to earn ample playing time, though his versatile receiving skills and route-running ability could help him stand out.

Davante Adams received a very high volume of targets in the Rams' explosive passing game but caught just one of every two passes on average, indicating efficiency losses and untapped upside for the offense in 2026.

Stafford's accuracy profile presents a paradox: he throws perfectly aimed passes as often as any other quarterback but also misses throws at a rate that puts him towards the bottom of the NFL. While the Rams had one of the most explosive passing games in the league last year, they weren't always efficient, leaving room for improvement in 2026.

Stafford's 2025 MVP season benefited significantly from turnover luck that is primed for regression in 2026. According to PFF's interception modeling, he threw nearly seven fewer interceptions than expected; two came from turnover-worthy plays and 4.5 from pure good fortune on non-turnover-worthy throws. Additionally, opposing defenders dropped nine would-be interceptions. Stafford finished with nine interceptions but should have been closer to 16 when accounting for all luck factors. This regression risk could derail another MVP campaign and spoil LA's Super Bowl expectations.

Stafford moved from a heavily shotgun-dependent quarterback to playing under center more often than any other NFL quarterback in 2025, a scheme wrinkle designed by Sean McVay to marry the run and pass games with tight ends and receivers disguised as blockers. His PFF passing grade was better under center than in the shotgun, leveraging his elite processing ability and background suited to this era-gone-by approach.

Reigning NFL MVP managing a degenerative back issue through structured workload management; Rams have implemented four-day training camp blocks where Stafford practices only on days 2-3 while resting on days 1-4. This approach mirrors his 2025 season when he missed all of training camp before winning MVP, suggesting the team believes he doesn't require extensive practice reps. Stafford will not participate in the team's first practice on Sunday.

Incumbent backup QB competing directly with first-round pick Ty Simpson for the No. 2 role behind Matthew Stafford; will compete throughout training camp and three preseason games for the position vacated by free agent Jimmy Garoppolo.

First-round draft pick competing for the No. 2 QB role behind Matthew Stafford; will receive significant training camp reps due to Stafford's workload management plan (practicing only days 2-3 of four-day blocks). Simpson's development plan emphasizes learning behind the reigning MVP while using preseason games and camp opportunities to beat out Stetson Bennett for the backup role; the Rams believe he needs that learning after starting just one season at Alabama.

Nacua is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is worth significantly more on the football field than what he is set to be paid—a new contract could be north of $43 million per season and $100 million guaranteed, typical WR1 money—but he will not hold out or hold in for a new deal; he reported to camp and Sean McVay confirmed he is set to fully participate in practice.

Nacua is dealing with an accusation that he allegedly bit a woman who is now suing him; the NFL could determine that his off-field incidents fall under the league's Personal Conduct Policy, the same policy that led to AJ Jackson being suspended for two games in 2024, creating suspension risk that could affect his availability.

Bowers is identified as a key offensive weapon whose performance is essential to the Raiders' 2026 turnaround. The source suggests that if Klint Kubiak's coaching staff can address the offensive line issues and allow Bowers to flourish, expectations for the team and his fantasy upside could increase significantly.

Jeanty is positioned as a key offensive weapon whose production is critical to the Raiders' 2026 success. The source indicates that if the new coaching staff under Klint Kubiak can fix the offensive line and allow Jeanty to flourish, expectations for the team and his fantasy relevance could rise quickly.

Wide receiver competing for the No. 4 receiver spot at Kansas City. Taking advantage of early camp reps with Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid while main receiver core is absent. Caught one of the highlights of Sunday's practice when Mahomes put up a ball for Allen to jump up and secure in traffic towards the back of the end zone. Regarded as a strong route runner all offseason; spent one-on-one time with Reid working on pre-snap awareness to better anticipate secondary coverage.

Undrafted rookie wide receiver catching passes from Mahomes in 7-on-7 drills. Caught a deep route from Mahomes during Sunday's first seven-on-seven period when Mahomes finished five completions over five throws.

Wide receiver receiving touchdown from Mahomes in 7-on-7 drills during camp. Caught a back pylon throw from Mahomes for a touchdown, with rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane trailing in man coverage on the play.

Wide receiver receiving target from Mahomes in 7-on-7 drills during camp. On the receiving end of a spot-on no-look pass from Mahomes featuring timing, placement and velocity, placed in the end zone on a slant route between two zone coverages; pass was unfortunately dropped but demonstrates Armstrong is in the mix for receiving opportunities.

Starting quarterback fully cleared for training camp and showing no issues in practice. Demonstrated movement out of under-center looks, throwing on the run, and precision in 7-on-7 drills; completed five of five throws in one Sunday period including a deep route to undrafted receiver Omari Evans. Made multiple touchdown-worthy throws including a no-look pass to Andrew Armstrong in the end zone on a slant route between two zone coverages and a back pylon throw to Jimmy Holiday for a touchdown.

Rookie RB is embracing Bieniemy's demanding coaching style and demonstrating professional commitment to his development. Johnson stated "He's going to push you a lot. He wants the best from you at the end of the day. I don't take anything personally. I pride myself in hard coaching, so I really love that he's here pushing me to be better every single day." Johnson was unofficially credited as the first player down the hill for Sunday's practice and maintains a rigorous daily routine of 200 receiving reps from the JUGS machine, a practice he has followed since high school. He is actively seeking mentorship from veteran players like Ameer Abdullah on professional-level recovery and preparation, recognizing that "extra things like recovery" and staying in the building early and late are essential for success at the pro level.

Rookie WR is adapting to the demanding training camp environment under Bieniemy and Reid at Kansas City. Allen described the camp as "one of the hardest training camps, for sure" and noted the staff's intentional, process-oriented approach mirrors his college experience at Cincinnati. He received direct one-on-one coaching from Reid on pre-snap coverage recognition, footwork placement, and decision-making speed. Allen is demonstrating a humble, underdog mentality while working to earn his rookie role, stating "I worked extremely hard to be here. Nothing was given. I earned everything."

Tight end placed on PUP list after suffering an unknown injury during spring practices. Status clarification was expected when coach Dan Campbell met with media ahead of the first training camp practice.

The backfield is almost certainly worse with the trade of David Montgomery; the source identifies this as a negative factor offsetting the Lions' offensive line improvements and other theoretical upgrades, though the team still has a top-two running back and is expected to maintain a top-five offense in 2026.

Sam Ehlinger is competing with Jarrett Stidham for the backup QB role in 2026. While Ehlinger may have a slight edge in arm strength, the source assesses Stidham's overall mechanics and system familiarity as superior. Ehlinger's salary cap hit is $2 million versus Stidham's $8 million, but the source believes coaching staff will prioritize performance over cap savings in the backup decision.

Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, triggering Jarrett Stidham's emergency entry into the AFC Championship Game. This injury ended Denver's 2025 playoff run and raises questions about Nix's availability for 2026.

Stidham is the early favorite to win the backup QB job for 2026 despite his AFCCG loss to the Patriots (17 of 31, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 lost fumble). The source credits his system familiarity with Sean Payton and Davis Webb's praise, superior mechanics compared to Sam Ehlinger, and status as Payton's first outside free agent signing when the coach arrived. In the final year of his two-year contract, Stidham is scheduled to make roughly $8 million in 2026.

Bo Nix returns to full participation at Denver Broncos training camp for the first time since breaking his ankle in January following the 33-30 OT win over Buffalo. Head coach Sean Payton stated Nix is "more than ahead of schedule" in recovery and emphasized that his mobility and ability to move, avoid sacks, and find throws will not be impacted once fully recovered. Nix himself expressed confidence in his recovery, noting he has dealt with ankle injuries before (high school state championship, college at Oregon) and expects similar success; he stated his concern is that the ankle will be "back healthy, as good as new" and he may actually move around better than before the injury.

Luke Schoonmaker is the current second tight end for the Cowboys, but Brevyn Spann-Ford has an opportunity to overtake him in training camp competition.

Brevyn Spann-Ford has an opportunity to overtake Luke Schoonmaker and establish himself as the Cowboys' second tight end; his size will create problems at the catch point in training camp competition against Jalen Thompson.

Anthony Smith is a rookie in a matchup against Devin Moore that could affect the back end of two unsettled position groups; his size and vertical speed will test Moore's ability to turn and run.

Dominic Richardson is a rookie running back headed into training camp competing for a roster spot in a crowded backfield behind Javonte Williams.

Israel Abanikanda is a speedy back the Cowboys liked coming out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 who broke Tony Dorsett's single-game rushing record while at Pitt; he is one of two other running backs headed into training camp competing for a roster spot.

Malik Davis came on strong at the end of the season and should not be counted out in the RB2 battle; while he has bounced around on a few teams, he seemed to put it all together at the end of 2025, being good at just about everything and fitting the RB2 profile.

Phil Mafah is big and plays with force and a blatant disregard for defensive players' safety; the source likes this and believes he could be the guy who helps solve the Cowboys' red zone woes in the RB2 battle.

Jaydon Blue has speed on top of speed with attributes to be a home run hitter on the ground; his biggest issue last season was maturity, which the source believes has been fixed, positioning him as a potential breakout candidate in the RB2 battle.

Javonte Williams enters training camp as the unrivaled number one back, a position solidified by statements from Will McClay; he is the lead dog in the Cowboys backfield.

Prescott is signed through 2028 and is the longest-tenured starting quarterback in the entire league with respect to his team, making him the longest-tenured player on the Cowboys roster. The team is beginning to look for a successor given his tenure and contract timeline, with 2027 being a realistic window for quarterback evaluation.

With the weapons Dak Prescott has at his disposal in both the running and passing game, the Cowboys offense should be one of the higher scoring units in the entire league; however, execution on scoring early and often remains inconsistent.

Mike Schop is very worried about Trey McBride's regression risk. McBride averaged 40 passes per game last year with Jacoby Brissett under center, a 3% outcome sustained only 10 times in the last decade and only back-to-back by Tom Brady's Buccaneers. Brissett is not Tom Brady and doesn't dictate the offense; when Arizona's volume regresses, the bottom falls out for McBride. Additionally, McBride's ADP has compressed significantly versus Brock Bowers—last year he went a full round after Bowers, but this year they're neck-and-neck, making Bowers the better value.

Mike Schop has Colston Loveland ranked over Trey McBride at the top of the tight end position. Loveland is being considered as a challenger to McBride for tight end two, with recent positivity surrounding his huge role without DJ Moore.

RB Quinshon Judkins is fully healthy for training camp after suffering a severe injury last season, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. His return to full health removes a major concern heading into the season.

Mike Schop will wait for Isaiah Likely if he does not get Kyle Pitts in the tight end five through nine range, preferring Likely over the other players in that tier.

Mike Schop will wait for Dallas Goedert if he does not get Kyle Pitts in the tight end five through nine range, preferring Goedert over the other players in that tier.

Mike Schop prefers Kyle Pitts among the tight end five through nine range (fifth to early seventh round in FFPC). While the splits with and without Drake London were disastrous, Schop takes a big picture approach: it's a different head coach, different play calling, and different quarterback. Kevin Stefanski's offense in Cleveland finished with a top-nine rank of targets to tight ends every year, and Pitts is getting extension reassurance from the organization.

The splits with and without Drake London for Kyle Pitts were disastrous, suggesting London's presence negatively impacted Pitts' target share and production.

Mike Schop likes Jaden Daniels more at his cost than Josh Allen, betting on a giant bounce-back for Washington under new head coach David Blau (similar to the Terry McLaurin situation). Daniels was already top three in points per game last year and is now being drafted sometimes behind Joe Burrow, representing value.

Mike Schop likes Lamar Jackson more at his cost than Josh Allen. The Ravens averaged 24.8 pass attempts per game last year, the second fewest of the last decade; the other six teams to average less than 27 pass attempts per game in the past decade averaged 6.1 more attempts per game the following year, suggesting natural volume regression and bounce-back. Additionally, it was a seven-year low in fantasy points per game for Lamar Jackson, so natural bounce-back is expected. New play caller Declan Doyle, 30 years old, is Ben Johnson's first seed in the NFL coaching tree, and while unknown, he should have learned from Johnson.

Mike Schop finds it offensive that Joe Burrow gets drafted over Jaylen Hertz, questioning how long the market will continue to take the statue quarterback over the rushing guy, especially after Hertz just averaged career lows in scramble rate and design carries per game.

Mike Schop is backing the Eagles across the entire board, including Saquon Barkley at the first-second round turn, as part of his plan to target the Eagles offense under new offensive coordinator Shawn Manian.

Allen is going inside round 4 in FFPC, NFL.com, and Underdog despite continuing to score at a very high mark. Mike Schop will not draft him because he does not believe Allen will separate significantly from Lamar Jackson, Jaylen Hertz, and Jaden Daniels going much later, making the opportunity cost of early QB selection unjustifiable.

Tate is being pulled up by drafters as the unknown upside rookie to chase, with particular momentum in higher-stakes formats where his ceiling is being targeted as a potential league-winner type play.

Williams is a wide receiver two in the Detroit offense despite getting a big contract last year that steamed him up in ADP. Mike Schop hasn't heard much enthusiasm for him this year and prefers other Lions receivers because they were better on a per-route basis, suggesting Williams' efficiency and route-running effectiveness lag behind his teammates. The Lions' ability to feed multiple mouths from Jared Goff creates concerns about Williams' role despite Detroit's easiest projected schedule.

Scored only 3 touchdowns last year (his fewest in a decade) due to career-low games played, but if healthy, he's in an offense that finishes top-9 in yards per attempt annually under Kyle Shanahan. When the 49ers were fully healthy last year, they naturally elevated to two top-24 receivers and a top-12 tight end. If Evans stays healthy, he could compete as a top-12 wide receiver weekly, similar to Will Fuller's twilight years; the injury history is the only real concern.

Being drafted around WR25 in FFPC and NFC, but was a top-12 wide receiver in points per game last year when healthy in two-receiver sets. With injuries as his only historical limitation and now facing minimal receiver competition (only Matthew Golden and Jaden Reed on the roster), Watson is expected to never leave the field when healthy, making him a safe low-end WR1/WR2 that's not being drafted at that tier.

Really liked, noting he leads the league in yards per route run. Without DJ Moore on the field for 148 plays last year, Burden was targeted on 34% of his routes—comparable to Puka Nacua's league-leading 37% target rate. This elite opportunity comes under play-caller Ben Johnson.

Liked more than Luther Burden, citing 2024 performance when the Commanders made their NFC Championship run: career-high points per game and end-zone targets at Debo Samuel's level. Even when Debo Samuel was injured last year, McLaurin was targeted on 30% of his routes.

Liked despite not being public consensus, with recent positive reports on usage from Buffalo Bills beat reporters. Moore has no target competition—even in the two playoff games, the Bills started only Khalil Shakir, Brandon Cooks, and Curtis Samuel. Moore knows the playbook from overlapping with Joe Brady in Carolina (2020-2021) and is Josh Allen's number one wide receiver, a role that historically produces elite production (Stefon Diggs precedent).

Ranked as wide receiver 2 overall at 104th overall in non-tight-end premium formats, behind only Puka Nacua. Naturally gravitates toward Chase at the top of the receiver tier.

Mike Schop explicitly prefers Zay Flowers over Tee Higgins at their respective ADPs, ranking him among the receivers he would reach for ahead of Higgins in a vacuum in the round-four wide receiver tier.

Mike Schop is high on Jaylen Waddle as a breakout candidate similar to Drake London and George Pickens. On a per-route basis, Waddle was elite despite being dragged down by quarterback situation; from week five onward without Tyreek Hill, he led the league in air yards, was targeted on 28% of his routes, and posted the fifth-most yards per route run in that span.

Mike Schop is not gravitating toward Tee Higgins in the round-four wide receiver tier despite his strong production as a WR2 alongside Ja'Marr Chase. Schop would take Zay Flowers, Amecha Ibuka, Lad Mani, and Jaylen Waddle over Higgins in a vacuum and is naturally not drafting him unless building Cincinnati correlation in major contests. However, Schop acknowledges spike-week upside with 21 touchdown catches over the last two years and effectiveness in 2024, and is open to Higgins in the fourth round or as a Cincinnati correlation play when pairing with Joe Burrow, valuing his ceiling and access to a tremendous offense.

Mike Schop is concerned about Garrett Wilson's ceiling despite his 30% target share last year; the concern stems from uncertainty around Gino Smith's durability for a Seahawks team competing for the number one overall pick, likely limiting Smith to roughly half the season and capping Wilson's upside.

Mike Schop ranks Brock Bowers as tight end one and significantly prefers him over Trey McBride at current ADP; last year McBride was going a full round after Bowers but this year they're neck-and-neck in ADP, making Bowers the better value. Schop was on McBride last year but is all over Bowers this year given their relative ADPs. By avoiding the early running back run and stacking wide receivers instead, drafters gain access to alpha-profile players like Bowers who would otherwise be unavailable.

Mike Schop cites Raheem Moster as a historical example of running back value in the RB13-24 range. Moster had 10th-round ADP in 2023 but finished as the RB4 in points per game, demonstrating the value available in the running back dead zone when players stay healthy.

Mike Schop cites Devon Achan as a historical example of running back value in the RB13-24 range. Achan had 10th-round ADP in 2023 but finished as the RB5 in points per game, demonstrating the value available in the running back dead zone when players stay healthy.

Historical ADP-to-finish comparison: Mostert had 10th round ADP in 2023 but finished as RB4 in points per game, demonstrating that mid-round running back picks often fail to justify their cost while late-round alternatives deliver comparable production; supports delaying RB selection.

Historical ADP-to-finish comparison: Achane had 10th round ADP in 2023 but finished as RB5 in points per game, exemplifying the running back dead zone inefficiency where mid-round picks underperform relative to late-round alternatives; supports waiting on RB and prioritizing WR early.

Mike Schop cites Kyron Williams as a historical example of running back value in the RB13-24 range. Williams was undrafted as the RB2 in FFPC in 2023 and a last-round pick in most home leagues despite being noticed by some. Schop uses this as evidence that the running back dead zone (RB13-24) has historically produced hits when players stay healthy; over the last two years, RB13-24 guys averaged sixth-round ADP with 38% of RB2s drafted from the seventh round or later.

A speaker expresses belief in Quinchon Judkins despite acknowledging he's unpopular, citing confidence in Todd Monken as play caller. Judkins goes inside round six in many leagues and is comfortable targeting him as RB2 or RB3 in a hero RB build. Judkins was an elite prospect coming out but missed last offseason due to off-field issues; this year he's had a full offseason, beat injury expectations, and generated positive buzz at OTAs. The speaker projects outstanding volume and believes Monken will feature Judkins prominently.

David Montgomery is getting 2024 Joe Mixon vibes this year. The Texans gave up a fourth and seventh round pick for Montgomery (more capital than the seventh-round pick they gave for Mixon two years ago), and Mixon produced 20 touches per week as the RB9 in points per game, so Montgomery's workload can be easily projected based on that precedent. The Texans' two biggest offseason additions—Ed Ingram and Trent Brown on the offensive line—both graded out as the best at their position (interior and tackle) per Pro Football Focus for gap blocking schemes. Montgomery averaged 5.7 yards per carry in gap blocking last year. Additionally, the Texans drafted Caleb Rutledge in the first round as their starting center. Montgomery has been a very good player when healthy; recent injury concerns are overblown. Montgomery is pushed down boards in this range because of his lack of a receiving profile, but the Texans' offseason moves are terrific for him.

Mike Schop identifies Josh Jacobs as the standout running back in the mid-round cluster because he keeps falling in drafts despite strong production: 30 touchdowns in his last 32 games played. Schop expects an ADP boost if Jacobs survives the offseason. Green Bay has done nothing to address the backup situation (Chris Brooks vs. Marshon Lloyd) and hasn't brought in a veteran depth piece, suggesting the team is not concerned about Jacobs being suspended or on the commissioner's exempt list. At round four, Jacobs offers a focal-point guy with a much larger sample size than other mid-round RB options. When the Packers had Tucker Craft and their entire offensive line healthy, they were a pass-first team and one of the most efficient offenses in the league, which could logically open easier paths to success for Jacobs with no red flags.

Mike Schop is personally higher on Travis Etienne as a skeleton key in fantasy football. Etienne has 290+ touches in two of his last three seasons and is entering a significantly better Saints situation with Tyler Shuck at center (10th in yards per attempt), an improved offensive line, and better surrounding cast including Chris Olave and Jordan Tyson (31% target rate on routes). Schop projects the Saints offense, which won five of six games to close the year, will significantly exceed Vegas' 21.5 implied weekly points (23rd among all offenses) and has a real chance to win the division.

Mike Schop is out on Javvante Williams despite career highs in practically every category in his fifth year with the Cowboys. Williams was RB12 in PPG last season but is now being drafted five rounds earlier around elite players; Schop argues he would not have won your league last year at his current cost since he was last season's RB12 in points per game, and Schop only plays players who will exceed ADP expectations, not simply meet them.

Njoku is Robinson's secondary TE option behind Tre McBride. At age 31, Njoku is unlikely to be a significant point-getter, limiting his fantasy value as depth.

McBride is Robinson's primary tight end and automatically makes the TE room strong. However, the roster lacks meaningful depth behind McBride, which could be a vulnerability if he is injured.

Pittman is part of Robinson's secondary WR depth behind Brown and Diggs. The source raises a key question about whether Pittman will perform better or worse in Pittsburgh, suggesting uncertainty about his production in his new team context.

Ridley is part of Robinson's secondary WR depth behind Brown and Diggs, alongside Addison and Pittman. The source questions whether Robinson can extract meaningful production from Ridley, suggesting uncertainty about his fantasy output.

Diggs and A.J. Brown have formed a strong WR duo at the top of Robinson's roster. The source expresses uncertainty about what Diggs will produce this season, suggesting questions about his upcoming performance or role.

Brown and Stefon Diggs have been a strong WR duo at the top of Robinson's roster. However, the source raises a key question about Brown's ability to return to his elite 'big dog' status in New England, suggesting uncertainty about his 2026 production after a potential decline or role change.

Walker and Jaylen Williams form a primary RB duo that will start most weeks as long as both remain healthy; they are complemented by Aaron Jones and Mason as handcuff depth options in the third-option role.

Williams and Kenneth Walker form a primary RB duo that will start most weeks as long as both remain healthy; they are complemented by Aaron Jones and Mason as handcuff depth options in the third-option role.

Brandon Robinson has struggled to find a consistent QB1 starter; Darnold appears to be his answer at the position. However, Robinson carries 5 additional QBs on the roster (4 backups and Tua), indicating limited depth and confidence beyond Darnold as the primary starter.

Strong WR4 depth piece; Anderson rates "Williams is a really strong 4th WR," indicating Waddle provides reliable depth behind the elite trio, though Anderson notes concern about depth beyond the top tier.

Part of potential elite WR trio; Anderson projects that with Jefferson's rebound, "With ARSB and Smith (especially with no AJ Brown), that trio could be elite," establishing Hill (Smith) as a key component of an elite WR room.

Part of potential elite WR trio; Anderson notes that with Jefferson's rebound, "With ARSB and Smith (especially with no AJ Brown), that trio could be elite," positioning St. Brown as a core piece of an elite receiving corps.

Conditional elite WR1 with rebound potential; Anderson projects that "If Justin Jefferson rebounds? With ARSB and Smith (especially with no AJ Brown), that trio could be elite," indicating Jefferson's recovery is key to an elite WR trio.

Rotational RB with potential load variability; Anderson states "Stevenson works in that role as well, even if Henderson starts getting more of the load," suggesting Stevenson's usage could shift depending on Henderson's involvement.

Secondary back in a startable RB duo; Anderson rates "Barkley and Brown are a great startable duo," indicating Brown provides reliable fantasy production alongside Barkley.

Lead back in a startable RB duo; Anderson describes "Barkley and Brown are a great startable duo," positioning Barkley as a primary fantasy asset in the running back room.

Part of an elite QB duo in dynasty; Anderson rates the QB room as "great" with Herbert and Nix forming two QB1s, though he notes a desire for a third QB option.

Strong QB2 option in dynasty; Anderson explicitly states "I would hate to rely on Bo Nix as my QB1, but as my QB2? Sign me up," positioning Nix as a valuable secondary quarterback in a two-QB room alongside Justin Herbert.

Miller Moss, an undrafted free agent and Caleb Williams' backup at USC for two years, is being evaluated for a potential practice squad or roster spot with the Bears. Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor praised Moss's preseason tape, noting he can play on time, is an accurate passer, can win from the pocket, and has mobility. Taylor also highlighted Moss's poise, experience, and professionalism in the huddle and meeting room based on feedback from his college coaches. The source suggests his upside may be worth keeping around given Case Keenum's age (38).

Case Keenum, age 38, was brought in as a veteran presence in the QB room and has been integral to Caleb Williams' growth and development. Head coach Ben Johnson credited Keenum's experience—including 66 regular-season starts, a 2017 season going 11-3 with Minnesota and reaching the NFC Championship, and recent 2023 starts with Houston (64.2% completion, 1 TD, 3 INTs)—as invaluable for young players to lean on, particularly in high-pressure playoff situations. The source ranks Chicago's backup situation sixth-best in the NFL, with Keenum as a capable third option.

Tyson Bagent is the primary backup to Caleb Williams on a 2-year, $10 million deal signed last year, with free agency coming in 2028. Despite not taking meaningful reps since his rookie year, the source praises the quality tape he produced during each preseason and the coaching he's received from Ben Johnson and the Bears' offensive staff, suggesting this could position him for an even bigger payday when he hits free agency. In 2023 as a starter, he went 2-2 with 65.1% completion, 4 TDs (3 passing, 1 rushing), and 5 INTs over four games.

Caleb Williams ranked #51 on the NFL Top 100 Players list and is described as being on the cusp of something special with significant room to grow in 2026. The source notes he was so good in 2025 while still having much more to unlock, with Williams himself stating there's so much to get better at and accolades the team will achieve. His pairing with head coach Ben Johnson creates a parallel drive for greatness in the QB/head coach relationship.

The Bears spent a second-round draft pick on Stanford's Sam Roush, a TE3 with a reputation as an exceptional blocker and underestimated athleticism. Caleb Williams endorsed Roush on the New Heights podcast, calling him a 'freak of nature' who can run block, pass block, and catch. Roush, who will turn 23 in September, will likely get more offensive snaps than last year's TE3 Durham Smythe (293 snaps) if the Bears increase their 12 and 13 personnel usage in 2026. Roush also brings over 500 special teams snaps from Stanford.

Grizzled veteran Cole Kmet, who is just 27 years old, ranked 31st among all tight ends by PFF. Despite the presence of star youngster Colston Loveland, Kmet continues to play an important role; he hasn't recaptured his peak receiving performance but has averaged over 10 yards per reception in each of the past two seasons while tallying six touchdowns. Kmet's value as a blocker is extremely important for maintaining flexibility in Ben Johnson's offense.

Second-year pro Loveland, who turned 22 in April, ranked fifth among all tight ends by PFF. After a quiet rookie start, he turned it on in the second half: 84.0 PFF grade (third among all TEs), 1.97 yards per route run (fifth), 597 receiving yards from Week 9 onward (second in league), and 193 playoff yards (led all TEs despite divisional-round exit). The source assesses that Loveland's talent and versatility give him a legitimate chance at being the best tight end in the NFL in 2026.

Skyler Bell is identified as a potential competitor for snaps with Joshua Palmer in 2026. The source notes that if Bell can beat out Palmer for snaps, Palmer may be relegated to a far more niche role in the Bills' offense.

Keon Coleman is identified as a potential competitor for snaps with Joshua Palmer in 2026. The source notes that if Coleman can beat out Palmer for snaps, Palmer may be relegated to a far more niche role in the Bills' offense.

Khalil Shakir is identified as the clear top receiver in Buffalo's passing attack, establishing the depth chart hierarchy into which Joshua Palmer was expected to slot as the second or third wideout.

The Bills acquired DJ Moore via trade this offseason as a legitimate stud receiver to revamp their receiving corps. Moore is identified as a clear upgrade and a key piece of Buffalo's receiving overhaul, signaling the team's recognition that they needed to add high-level receiving help after the failures of their 2025 receivers. Moore's acquisition provides context for Palmer's diminished role expectations in 2026.

Palmer averaged 46 catches, 572 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns per year with the Chargers. The source projects he will fall short of those benchmarks in 2026, stating 'I'd bet the under on all three of those totals.' The source is not counting on Palmer as a big contributor this season, though acknowledges he could bounce back from his 2025 injuries.

Palmer is likely to remain on Buffalo's roster in 2026 due to the prohibitive dead cap hit ($14.24 million if released), but he is expected to fight for snaps at best as the WR3, especially if Keon Coleman and Skyler Bell beat him out for playing time. The source projects Palmer will be used in a far more niche role this season given the Bills' acquisition of DJ Moore and the depth of the receiving corps. Palmer's contract has him valued at WR42 in the NFL, but his actual performance suggests he should not be paid like a top-50 wideout.

Palmer signed a three-year, $36 million deal with Buffalo in March 2025 and was expected to slot in as the second or third wideout behind Khalil Shakir. Instead, he was a nonfactor for much of the season, finishing with career-lows of 22 receptions for 303 yards on 37 targets. He caught five passes for 61 yards on nine targets in the season opener against Baltimore, then never caught more than two passes in a game for the rest of the season. A knee and ankle injury in Week Six against Atlanta sidelined him for five games total, and he was placed on injured reserve before the playoffs. The source notes that injuries are an oversimplification—Palmer was ineffective even before getting hurt—and his $11.75 million cap hit (fifth-highest on the roster) makes the contract a significant miss by GM Brandon Beane.

Dawson Knox is part of the Bills' talented tight end group alongside Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes, providing Josh Allen with multiple pass-catching options at the position.

Khalil Shakir remains part of the Bills' wide receiver room alongside DJ Moore, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, and rookie Skyler Bell as Josh Allen's receiving options.

Keon Coleman is positioned as a potential breakout candidate in the Bills' wide receiver room, which now includes DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, and rookie Skyler Bell alongside Josh Allen.

DJ Moore was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears to reunite with Joe Brady, his offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers, with the goal of helping Moore rediscover his form as a 1,000-yard receiving threat after his worst season as a pro.

Former NFL MVP Josh Allen is expected to lead the Bills to the franchise's first Super Bowl in 2026, with high expectations entering the season as the team has upgraded its passing game weapons.

The second-year tight end is projected for 11 receptions and 110 yards in 2026. While Hawes may see more playing time this season, his fantasy value comes from his work as a blocking tight end rather than receiving production.

Knox does not crack ESPN's top 25 tight end rankings and is projected to have a statistical dip in 2026, finishing with 25 receptions for 265 yards. The source attributes this decline to an uptick in production for Kincaid. While Knox remains a valuable piece of the Bills offense, he is likely a bye week waiver wire addition at this point.

ESPN ranks Kincaid as the 15th best tight end in 2026, behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. The former first-round pick would likely rank higher if healthy; his 37% snap share in 2025 is cited as a reason for skepticism. Statistical projections show an increase for 2026 with 698 receiving yards on 59 receptions.

Risk of another year of wasted routes for Falcons TE if Atlanta continues searching for franchise quarterback in 2026. Lumped with Drake London and Bijan Robinson as talented offensive weapons whose production may suffer due to ongoing QB instability.

First-round draft pick taken by Saints to complement Chris Olave in passing game. Part of New Orleans' bullish offseason additions expected to excite fans and contribute to division-winning prediction.

Saints WR being complemented by first-round draft pick Jordyn Tyson as part of New Orleans' bullish offseason additions. Cited as part of Saints' division-winning prediction and playoff hosting outlook for 2026.

Being paired with Travis Etienne (coming off career-best season) in Saints backfield as part of offseason additions expected to excite New Orleans fans. Cited as part of Saints' bullish 2026 outlook and division-winning prediction.

Coming off the best season of his career and now being paired with Alvin Kamara in Saints backfield as part of offseason additions expected to excite New Orleans fans. Cited as part of Saints' bullish 2026 outlook and division-winning prediction.

Saints QB showing real progress in late-season stretch (won four of last five games in 2025), generating bullish hype around New Orleans' offense. Prediction that Saints win the wide-open NFC South division and host a playoff game for the first time since 2020, with Shough's development cited as a key factor alongside offensive additions.

Prediction that Falcons trade for 26-year-old Stroud, 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, who would become the best quarterback Kevin Stefanski has coached since Baker Mayfield. Trade would likely require three or more first-round draft picks from Atlanta to acquire him from Houston. Stroud has shown flashes despite recent struggles, making him an intriguing addition to pair with Robinson and London.

Projected to not breach top-five in receptions, receiving yards, or receiving touchdowns despite being Atlanta's newly minted number-one receiver. Expected to produce around 100 receptions and 1,200 yards again in 2026, similar to 2024 output, likely due to Kevin Stefanski's more run-heavy offensive approach. Risk of another year of wasted routes if Falcons continue searching for franchise quarterback.

Projected to rank third in rushing yards with 1,427 yards, behind James Cook (1,493) and Jahmyr Gibbs (1,648); falls out of top five in rushing touchdowns despite being a 2023 first-round pick. Extension negotiations ongoing with fellow 2023 first-rounder as both backs compete for higher contract value.

OC Nathaniel Hackett expresses excitement for rookie running back Jeremiah Love's progression and development, noting his growth trajectory and versatility. Hackett emphasizes Love's multi-faceted skill set: 'He's definitely a rookie, and as we've talked about, he'll keep growing every single day. I'm very excited for him.' Hackett highlights the running back room's depth and versatility, noting that all backs can catch, block, and run different schemes, positioning Love within a talented group.

OC Nathaniel Hackett expresses enthusiasm for James Conner as the running back room starter candidate, signaling confidence in Conner's role and opportunity. Hackett states: 'Excited for James (Conner) to get out there and show what he's got,' positioning Conner as a key piece in a running back room focused on operational crisp execution and clean play style.

OC Nathaniel Hackett mentions Michael Wilson as a receiver option in situational play-calling, suggesting scheme-specific deployment rather than a featured role. Hackett notes that play-calling is defense-dependent and that execution across the entire offense takes priority: 'We might sit there and say, hey, this is a perfect play for Michael (Wilson) or Trey. But things happen. It's about everybody else across the board being perfect right now.'

OC Nathaniel Hackett emphasizes competition for targets across the receiver room rather than predetermined deployment for Harrison. Hackett states he wants all receivers competing for opportunities and doesn't commit to a specific role for Harrison, instead focusing on system fundamentals and letting the defense dictate play-calling: 'We always want to throw everybody the ball. We want to hand the ball to everyone. We've got a lot of fun players to highlight, and right now it's, hey, let's just go, let's learn the system, learn those fundamentals, see where the defense takes us.'

Tight end is performing well in training camp and contributing to offensive versatility; Hackett notes Higgins can do multiple things beyond traditional tight end role, allowing the offense to place him in different spots and create varied matchups. His multi-positional capability enhances the overall flexibility of the offense.