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.
Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Cheat Sheet Central
Rankings | Projections | Join a fantasy league today
August 27: Adam Thielen traded back to Vikings
Eric Moody: Thielen returns to the Minnesota Vikings amid the team’s wide receiver injury crisis. With Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor sidelined, Thielen is expected to start alongside Justin Jefferson in Week 1. He’s worth considering in the later rounds of deeper fantasy leagues and could be a starter in some formats, though his role will shrink once Addison returns.
In Carolina, Thielen’s departure opens opportunities for Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker. McMillan, a 6’4″ rookie with elite size and ball skills, projects as the Panthers’ top perimeter target, while Coker is expected to take over the slot role. All three see a boost in fantasy value as target shares and air yards shift toward them, especially McMillan. He’s particularly appealing as a high-end flex option and is currently WR33 in ESPN leagues.
Aug. 26: Spears headed to IR; Pollard’s volume likely to increase
Eric Moody: Tennessee RB Tyjae Spears is headed to injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the season after suffering a high-ankle sprain earlier this month. While Spears is out, Tony Pollard projects for even more volume in the Titans’ backfield and should be a borderline RB1 for the first four weeks of the season.
The 28-year-old Pollard has already proved capable of handling a three-down role — he ran for 1,079 yards and five touchdowns last season, his first with the Titans — though his goal-line work was limited to just five carries inside the 5 yard line in 2024.
Meanwhile, the injury is a tough blow for Spears, a player who was expected to build on flashes last season. While Pollard handled the heavy lifting, Spears was efficient with his touches and productive when given extended work, such as during Weeks 15-17 when Pollard dealt with various injuries. During that span, Spears averaged 15.3 touches and 20.7 fantasy points per game.
From a fantasy perspective, Spears’ IR stint doesn’t erase his value. Currently going as RB42 in ESPN drafts, he’s still a smart stash as an RB4/5. The high-ankle sprain delays his 2025 start, but once he returns, Spears remains a dynamic complement to Pollard and a player with league-winning upside if Pollard were to miss time. For now, Julius Chestnut and rookie Kalel Mullings are expected to split duties behind Pollard.
Aug. 25: Texans place Mixon on IR; Raiders reunite with Cooper
Eric Moody: The Texans placed RB Joe Mixon on the reserve/non-football injury list due to an ankle injury, making him ineligible for at least the first four games. In 2024, Mixon averaged 21.4 touches and 17.2 fantasy points per game (RB9) in his first season with the Texans. It’s possible he could miss more than the first four weeks, and it remains to be seen what role he’ll have in the backfield upon his return. Mixon is still draftable, particularly in leagues with an IR spot, but not until the final six or seven rounds. The later the better.
Nick Chubb joined the Texans this offseason as a change-of-pace option behind Mixon. Once an elite rusher, Chubb has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in 2024. It’s unlikely he’ll handle all the touches in Houston’s backfield, and Dameon Pierce could carve out a role in a committee approach. Another consideration is the Texans’ offensive line, which ranked 31st in run-block win rate last year. Houston also cut ties this offseason with veterans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason, which could leave them near the bottom of the league in run-blocking once again in 2025.
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Jakobi Meyers requested a trade Monday after failing to land an extension, though the Raiders say they don’t plan to move him. Meyers is coming off a career-best 87-1,027-4 line and is one of only 10 receivers with 67+ catches and 800+ yards in each of the past four seasons. For now, he remains Las Vegas’ No. 1 receiver and a flex-level play in fantasy, but his request coincides with the Raiders signing Amari Cooper.
The 31-year-old Cooper returns to the franchise with 711 career receptions, 10,033 yards and 64 TDs, including seven 1,000-yard campaigns, but he is past his prime. Cooper put up just 547 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games in 2024 while dealing with a wrist injury, but the thin Raiders depth chart gives him a path to meaningful volume. In drafts, Meyers is still on the flex radar, though Cooper’s arrival lowers his fantasy ceiling.
The addition of Cooper is also detrimental to players like Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Aug. 25: Who’s rising after the weekend?
Eric Moody: The NFL wrapped up its third and final preseason week, and here are the players who caught my eye based on their usage and performance, as well as the changing roster around them.
-
The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ RB rotation: Jaylen Warren started, and Kenneth Gainwell played on third downs. Preseason isn’t the end-all, be-all, but the bigger takeaway might be that Warren (RB28) is a better fantasy value than rookie Kaleb Johnson (RB30), especially since many managers can overvalue rookies.
-
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, the RB33 in ESPN leagues, rested in the Washington Commanders‘ preseason finale — along with most of the starters — which is encouraging following the Brian Robinson Jr. trade. This suggests Croskey-Merritt could be the favorite for early-down work over Chris Rodriguez Jr.
-
Chris Olave‘s preseason usage from the slot is notable, especially under the New Orleans Saints‘ new coach, Kellen Moore. Moore’s primary slot receivers over the past three seasons have been highly productive, which makes Olave’s shift to the slot a potential gain in opportunity.
-
Luther Burden III hasn’t played many snaps with the Chicago Bears starters and played extended snaps in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs. DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus operated as the team’s top three receivers.
-
Ollie Gordon II rushed eight times for 43 yards in Saturday’s preseason win over the Jacksonville Jaguars but didn’t catch his only target. With De’Von Achane (calf) and Jaylen Wright (leg) dealing with injuries, Gordon got reps with much of the Miami Dolphins‘ starting offense. He didn’t break any big plays, but he consistently picked up necessary yardage, continuing an impressive summer. Gordon is rostered in only 9.0% of ESPN leagues.
-
Patrick Mahomes looked like vintage Mahomes in the Chiefs’ third preseason game. He could be an interesting value at QB6 despite finishing just 13th and 11th among QBs over the past two seasons.
-
Cam Ward looks ready for Week 1 after his performance. Ward, drafted as the QB23 in ESPN leagues, is an intriguing backup in deeper leagues and a solid QB3 option in superflex, especially with Calvin Ridley as his top receiver.
-
Isaac TeSlaa is a deep-league sleeper who could be headed for an early role with the Detroit Lions. In four preseason games, the third-round rookie receiver caught 10 of 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns, scoring in each of the team’s final three contests despite limited snaps.
Aug. 22: Commanders trade Brian Robinson Jr. to 49ers
Robinson provides depth in San Francisco behind Christian McCaffrey and a clear insurance back option for CMC managers. McCaffrey has averaged 19.8 touches and 21.8 fantasy points per game since arriving in San Francisco. With injuries to Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James, Robinson offers insurance if McCaffrey misses time but is unlikely to significantly cut into McCaffrey’s workload. Robinson is best targeted near the tail end of drafts.
In Washington, the trade opens the door for a running back committee featuring Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Ekeler is expected to handle a few rushing attempts and passing-down duties, while Croskey-Merritt is expected to see early-down work. Rodriguez will likely handle short-yardage and goal-line carries. Croskey-Merritt has generated significant buzz in camp and could see meaningful touches early, making him my favorite out of this trio to prioritize in drafts. — Moody
Overall, Robinson’s departure redistributes fantasy value: San Francisco gains a high-upside backup, while Washington further commits to a shared backfield approach that creates opportunities for fantasy managers to capitalize on.
Aug. 21: What Chris Godwin’s injury status means for your fantasy roster
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced plans to activate receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs from the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list and have them on their 53-man roster to start the season. This does not mean, however, that either player will be active Week 1, but rather the move allows the team to have the players practice earlier than they would if they began the season on the PUP, which would prevent them from doing so until Week 5.
Godwin is not expected to play until at least October, so what can fantasy managers do in the meantime? Godwin currently carries an “Out” designation within the ESPN fantasy game, making him eligible to be stashed in your IR slot the same way as if he were on the PUP. As long as Godwin maintains an injury designation — Out, Doubtful or Questionable — he can remain on the fantasy IR without needing to be bounced back and forth from your active roster. Once he loses the injury designation ahead of his return, you will be forced to activate him if you attempt to make a roster addition via waiver, free-agent pickup or trade. That means if you draft him now, you could put him on your IR immediately and make your first roster addition right away (subject to your league’s waiver rules).
Godwin is currently WR39 in our wide receiver rankings. He was taken 104th overall (WR47) by Eric Karabell in the ninth round of our most recent 12-team PPR mock draft. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is ranked as WR19, while rookie Emeka Egbuka, who will ostensibly be Tampa’s WR2 in Week 1, is ranked 46th.