Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.
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August 19: Colts, Browns settle QB battles and more
Eric Moody: Missed last night's Monday Night Football game or this morning's news updates? Here are the notes and takeaways you need to know this morning as you prepare for your fantasy football drafts.
Colts name QB Daniel Jones Week 1 starter
Jones has officially been named the Colts' Week 1 starter over Anthony Richardson Sr., providing a steadier presence under center. While Jones isn't fantasy relevant outside of deeper formats, his promotion benefits key players. Jonathan Taylor finished top five among RBs in rushing attempts and rushing yards last season, averaging a robust 4.72 YPC despite missing three games, making him a reliable midrange RB1 in fantasy leagues.
Michael Pittman Jr. finished as the WR41, but he had been a top-20 fantasy receiver in each of the previous three seasons. Rookie TE Tyler Warren handled a 32% target share at Penn State last season, finishing with 104 receptions, 1,233 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. Jones has historically performed best when targeting the middle of the field, so Warren remains an excellent late-round lottery ticket in fantasy drafts.
Browns name QB Joe Flacco Week 1 starter
Flacco returns as the starter for a second stint after leading the team to a 4-1 stretch in 2023 and earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Injuries and lack of reps for Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders cleared the way for the 17-year vet Flacco to take the first-team reps.
With that said, Flacco isn't relevant in most fantasy football leagues, but this news does make Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku more appealing. He's currently the WR29 in our draft trends and one of the few players that late projected to see 140-plus targets. Jeudy is coming off a career year in 2024, finishing as the WR13 in fantasy. In five games with Flacco in 2023, Njoku logged 30 catches for 390 yards and four touchdowns, making him the overall TE1 in that span.
Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt's fantasy value skyrockets after a breakout game
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who prefers to be called "Bill," is officially making fantasy managers take notice after an 11-carry, 46-yard, performance in Week 2 of the preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals, showcasing vision, patience, and breakaway speed as seen on a 27-yard touchdown run.
With Brian Robinson Jr. reportedly on the trade block, Croskey-Merritt could quickly ascend to lead early-down back in the Commanders run-heavy offense. Meanwhile, Austin Ekeler remains a key piece, so if Robinson is traded, Croskey-Merritt is firmly on the flex radar with upside in a Commanders offense that finished fifth in total yards and third in rushing attempts per game last season.
Quick Hits
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed WR Jalen McMillan on the IR list as he's expected to miss the start of the 2025 season with a severe neck strain, compounding uncertainty with Chris Godwin (ankle) still on the PUP list. McMillan's absence opens opportunities for first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka to see a sizable role alongside Mike Evans, while TE Cade Otton could also see an uptick in targets. Egbuka, primarily a slot receiver in college, is a productive late-round fantasy flier, while Otton's target share could climb if the WR room remains depleted.
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford practiced for the first time in training camp after a back injury, but his readiness for the season opener remains uncertain, with Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup. Fantasy managers are watching closely because Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are one of the few WR tandems projected to finish as top-15 fantasy wide receivers. As Sun Tzu said, "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity," so managers shouldn't let this news deter them from selecting Nacua or Adams.
August 18: Encouraging signs for these mid-to-late picks
Eric Moody: Evan Engram's 58-yard reception from backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday reminded fantasy managers why the Denver Broncos signed him this offseason. He's the TE9 in ESPN leagues and a very good consolation pick for managers who wait to address the position. Engram is in a Broncos offense led by head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who had great success with Jimmy Graham from 2011 to 2014, averaging 17.0 fantasy points per game.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams looked poised and comfortable in his first preseason action, going 6-for-10 for 107 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in two series. Williams is firmly on the QB2 radar (ADP of QB14), but managers should also note tight end Colston Loveland, who caught two passes from Williams. Loveland is currently the TE12 in fantasy leagues and is projected to have a sizable role. Last season at Michigan, he handled 37% of targets and a class-high 40% of air yards.
Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams rested with the starters against the Baltimore Ravens. Miles Sanders was on the field, and rookie Jaydon Blue has been sidelined since Aug. 7 with a bone bruise in his heel. The Cowboys could be messy at RB in 2025, but Williams is currently the RB33 in drafts and offers great value as the player projected for the most touches in Dallas' backfield.
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet finished with 45 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, continuing to show why he could have a bigger role in the backfield this season alongside starter Kenneth Walker III. Klint Kubiak's offense leans heavily on backs as both runners and receivers. Last season, in the six games Walker missed, Charbonnet averaged 18.3 touches and 19.2 fantasy points per game, and it's worth noting Walker has already missed time in camp with a foot injury.
New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson continues to impress. We got another glimpse of him against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday with some solid runs. He averaged an astounding 7.1 yards per carry at Ohio State last season and was effective as a rusher and receiver. Henderson's ADP has risen to RB20, though the timeshare with Rhamondre Stevenson could still tilt in Stevenson's favor.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka had a nice one-handed catch against the Steelers that drew a lot of attention. The bigger takeaway is the uncertainty surrounding Chris Godwin's return. He could start the season on the PUP list, as he continues recovering from his ankle injury. Jalen McMillan is also dealing with a neck injury, which could position Egbuka as the No. 2 receiver next to Mike Evans for Week 1. Egbuka is the WR48 in leagues and worth targeting in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.
Matt Bowen discusses why fantasy managers should keep rookie tight end Colston Loveland on their radar.
Cause for concern?
Houston Texans RB Nick Chubb played most of the snaps with the first string on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers, suggesting he could be the Week 1 starter, especially with Joe Mixon sidelined by a foot injury. Chubb is an intriguing value at RB46, but Houston's offensive line, which finished 31st in run block win rate last season, lost veterans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason this offseason and looks headed for a similar finish in 2025.
Brock Bowers' preseason usage is nothing to worry about. Some managers may fret over a potential early-down and third-down rotation with Michael Mayer, similar to Chip Kelly's past two-TE committees. Still, Bowers is projected to lead the Raiders in targets. Coming off a dominant rookie season with 262.7 fantasy points, the most ever by a first-year tight end, he remains the top TE in fantasy. Even if the Raiders run more "12" personnel, Bowers' volume and talent make him one of the safest early-round selections.
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins rested with the starters against the Cardinals while rookie RJ Harvey saw preseason snaps. Harvey being listed as the fifth-string back had fantasy managers sweating, but relax. Sean Payton didn't draft him to sit him. Our projections suggest a fairly even committee between Harvey (RB26) and Dobbins (RB32), both strong fantasy values in Payton's RB-friendly offense.
Aug. 14: Rashee Rice suspension unlikely until after Week 4
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will have his disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Sept. 30, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This means Rice will likely be able to play in the Chiefs' first four games of the season before any suspension can be handed down by the league.
Rice is the No. 25 wide receiver in the ESPN composite fantasy rankings, which take into account the likelihood of a suspension this season. The Chiefs' first four games are against the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.
Aug. 11: Injury news and notes from the weekend
Eric Moody: With every team in the NFL in action, it gave us our first chance to see some key players on the field. Unfortunately, some of the players in our rankings suffered apparent injuries over the weekend, which could change their draft positioning. Here are the updates you might have missed.
Titans RB Tyjae Spears suffered a high ankle sprain on Saturday and will miss the rest of the preseason but remains a valuable late-round fantasy target. He averaged 20.7 fantasy points per game during Weeks 15-17 last season, stepping up as Tony Pollard dealt with injuries, proving his upside as a reliable injury backup.
Chargers RB Najee Harris, recovering from a July 4 fireworks mishap that injured his eye, remains on the non-football injury list, and head coach Jim Harbaugh was noncommittal about his Week 1 status. Harris has been walking laps at practice daily since Aug. 2 while wearing a helmet with a visor and cleats, but it's unclear when he'll resume full participation.
Buccaneers RB Rachaad White suffered a groin injury in Saturday's preseason win over the Titans and is undergoing further tests to determine its severity, with his practice status this week likely impacting his preseason availability. If White misses regular-season time, Sean Tucker could emerge as a late-round insurance option behind starter Bucky Irving.
Packers WR Jayden Reed is dealing with a sprained left foot, was seen in a walking boot, and is considered "potentially" out for Week 1, putting his early-season availability in doubt. With multiple Packers receivers already sidelined, this injury significantly hurts Reed's WR4 fantasy value and makes him a risky pick in fantasy drafts until his status becomes clearer.
Colts WR Alec Pierce suffered an apparent leg injury Sunday, briefly returned for agility drills, then was carted back to the locker room, with no timetable set for his return. If he misses time, Adonai Mitchell could see increased reps in three-WR sets with Josh Downs and Michael Pittman boosting Mitchell's fantasy appeal.