Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers: What To Do With Ashton Jeanty Now

Fantasy Football Risers (8-22 through 8-28)

These players have moved up the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Michael Penix, QB, Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa has struggled so badly this month that Penix reportedly has a chance to win the Week 1 job, despite not being cleared for 11-on-11 work until August 22. It’s still a situation to avoid in most fantasy drafts, but Penix is the better QB3 bet if you’re taking a shot.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Chiefs

More buzz this week about the Chiefs’ big plans for Walker, especially in the screen game. We pushed him ahead of Saquon Barkley in the RB rankings.

Woody Marks, RB, Texans

The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Alexander wrote that the Texans’ backfield could be “close” to a 50/50 split between David Montgomery and Marks. Montgomery remains the better fantasy bet, but Marks has a chance at low-end standalone value and is the clear handcuff.

Mike Washington, RB, Raiders

Washington turned in another strong outing Thursday night with 8 carries for 49 yards. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry this preseason. With Ashton Jeanty uncertain for the start of the season because of his ankle injury, Washington could open with a bigger role than we initially thought and be a fantasy starter right away.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans

Spears has played more snaps and run more routes with QB Cam Ward through two preseason games. 

Pollard started both games and still ranks higher for us, but this backfield could wind up close to a 50/50 split, leaving both guys as unexciting fantasy bets. Spears at least comes with a cheap Round 13 ADP.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love remains uncertain for Week 1 with his high-ankle sprain, while James Conner might also miss the start of the season as he works back from last year’s ankle injury. That could leave Allgeier with a big Week 1 role, making him a nice pick, especially on Zero RB rosters.

Najee Harris, RB, Giants

The Giants signed Harris “under the premise that he's going to be a significant contributor,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan wrote this week. New York then gave him significant run in its final preseason game, and Harris responded with 11 carries for 39 yards plus a 20-yard catch. He’s quickly become a viable late-round flier in fantasy drafts.

Malik Davis, RB, Cowboys

Davis surprisingly started over Jaydon Blue in Dallas’ second preseason game and might be the No. 2 RB to open the season. That makes him worth a look in fantasy drafts of 18+ rounds.

Kaelon Black, RB, 49ers

Black played ahead of Jordan James in San Francisco’s preseason finale and has seemingly won the No. 2 RB job. That makes the rookie worth a look near the end of fantasy drafts as a Christian McCaffrey handcuff.

Jarquez Hunter, RB, Dolphins

Hunter was dealt from Los Angeles to Miami on Thursday. He was buried on the Rams’ depth chart, but he has a chance to win the Dolphins’ No. 2 RB job, which at least puts him on the fantasy radar.

Drake London, WR, Falcons

Michael Penix looks like the favorite to start more games than Tua Tagovailoa this season, which is good news for London, who’s averaged 20.4 PPR points on a 34.9% target share with Penix over the last two seasons.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, Texans

Boutte was traded on Monday to Houston, where he’ll have a good chance to emerge as the Texans’ No. 2 WR. That still might not make him a reliable fantasy starter, but it does make him more interesting in best ball drafts.

Kyle Williams, WR, Patriots

The Boutte trade eliminates one roadblock between Williams and playing time. He still seems no higher than fifth on the depth chart, but he had an excellent preseason, tallying 6 grabs for 166 yards and 3 TDs. Keep him in mind if A.J. Brown or Romeo Doubs miss time.

Charlie Kolar, TE, Chargers

Kolar leads Chargers TEs with 6 snaps and 4 routes with Justin Herbert this preseason. We’re still skeptical that he’ll be a legitimate fantasy asset in this deep pass-catching corps. But Kolar is the best bet if you’re taking a shot on a Chargers TE.

Darnell Washington, TE, Steelers

Washington played more snaps and ran more routes with the first-team offense than TE Pat Freiermuth this preseason. This is a TE room to avoid in fantasy drafts, but Washington could emerge as a waiver-wire option this year if he stays ahead of Freiermuth.

Fantasy Football Fallers (8-22 through 8-28)

These players have moved down the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Falcons

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Atlanta planned to start Tagovailoa early this season while Michael worked back from his knee injury, but Tua's play has made that "impossible." Ouch. Tagovailoa isn’t worth rostering in any redraft leagues.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders

Jeanty went down in Sunday’s practice with an ankle injury we still don’t know much about. HC Klint Kubiak was cryptic Tuesday about Jeanty’s return timeline, then suggested Friday that Mike Washington might play more than expected this season. That drops Jeanty to RB10 in our rankings and into the risk/reward bucket in Round 2 or 3 of fantasy drafts.

Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy, RBs, Giants

Harris is threatening to take the No. 2 RB job from Tracy and potentially cut into Skattebo’s volume. Skattebo remains the best fantasy bet in the Giants’ backfield, but he looks riskier now than he did earlier this month. Tracy is down to late-round flier status.

David Montgomery, RB, Texans

"The distribution of carries between David Montgomery and Woody Marks might not be 50-50 but it will be close,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Alexander wrote this week. That’s not what drafters taking Montgomery in Round 4 were hoping for. He’s down to 61st overall in our PPR rankings.

Tony Pollard, RB, Titans

Pollard has worked in a timeshare with Tyjae Spears this preseason. On a bad Titans offense, that arrangement would leave Pollard well short of exciting fantasy value. He’s an avoid at his seventh-round ADP.

Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue, RBs, Cowboys

These guys seemed to be fighting for the No. 2 job earlier this summer, but Malik Davis has passed them both. Blue is still a viable late-round flier thanks to his big-play and pass-catching ability, but Mafah is a cut candidate and undraftable.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Lions

Pacheco missed most of camp with an MCL sprain and is now sidelined with a back injury. The Lions' workout with Kareem Hunt this week hints that they might not be comfortable with Pacheco as their No. 2 RB. Avoid him in fantasy drafts until he gets back on the field.

James Conner, RB, Cardinals

HC Mike LaFleur said this week that Conner remains uncertain for the start of the season as he works back from last September's season-ending right ankle injury. You can do better than Conner in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.

Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals

Benson was dumped by the Cardinals this week, cleared waivers, and reverted to Arizona’s IR. He’s off the redraft radar and no longer a must-hold in dynasty.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Jaguars

Meyers is sidelined with a right hand injury that we don’t know much about. That makes him a risky fantasy pick until we get some clarity on his return timeline.

Tank Dell, WR, Texans

Insider John McClain said this week that Dell is "nowhere near ready to play" as he continues to work back from his December 2024 knee injury. Dell isn’t worth rostering in redraft leagues right now.

Calvin Austin, WR, Giants

Austin tore his right ACL on Tuesday and will miss the entire season. He wasn’t slated for a big offensive role, but his absence does free up some extra routes for Malachi Fields, Darius Slayton, and Darnell Mooney.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers

Freiermuth played fewer snaps and ran fewer routes than Darnell Washington with the first-team offense this preseason. We’ll keep tracking the usage once the real games start, but Freiermuth won’t be an early-season fantasy option.

Oronde Gadsden, TE, Chargers

Gadsden ran a route on just 1 of Justin Herbert’s 5 dropbacks this preseason. He looks like the Chargers’ No. 3 TE for now and isn’t worth a roster spot in most redraft leagues.

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Fantasy Football Risers (8-15 through 8-21)

These players have moved up the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

D’Andre Swift, RB, Bears

Kyle Monangai’s hyperextended knee has him iffy for the start of the season, which could leave Swift in a bigger role than anticipated. He’s been a value pick all draft season and carries a bit more upside now.

Keaton Mitchell, RB, Chargers

Mitchell has been active in the passing game in training camp and had a 21-yard reception called back by a penalty in Thursday night’s preseason game. We raised Mitchell’s route and target projections.

Seth McGowan, RB, Colts

McGowan’s play, plus RB D.J. Giddens’ hamstring injury, has the rookie looking like the favorite for the Colts’ No. 2 RB job. We’re not targeting him aggressively yet in drafts, though, because the team could still add to the backfield.

Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, and Tank Dell, WRs, Texans

All three guys got target boosts in our projections with WR Jayden Higgins’ season-ending ACL tear. Collins is up to ninth in the WR rankings. Noel and Dell are still just late-round fliers for now. Houston could add a WR before Week 1, either via the free-agent market or trade.

Chris Olave & Devaughn Vele, WRs, Saints

WR Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss at least the first few weeks of the season with his latest hamstring injury. That should put Olave back in a target-hog role after he drew a 27.2% target share in healthy games last year. Vele figures to open the year as New Orleans’ No. 2 WR and might be worth rostering in deep fantasy leagues.

De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers

The rookie climbed our rankings again this week after another strong preseason outing. He caught all three of his targets from QB Brock Purdy for 25 yards and added a 21-yard grab from QB Mac Jones. Stribling looks ready for a big role this season and is a top target in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.

Keenan Allen, WR, Colts

Allen inked a one-year deal with the Colts this week, where he’ll slot in as a clear top-three WR and reunite with HC Shane Steichen. (Steichen spent seven of Allen's first eight years on the Chargers' coaching staff, finishing that run as OC.) Allen remained a strong target earner last year and could deliver lower-end fantasy value this season, particularly in PPR leagues.

Caleb Douglas, Malik Washington, and Chris Bell, WRs, Dolphins

Douglas and Washington operated as Miami’s clear top two WRs in the preseason opener. That still might not translate to fantasy value in what figures to be a limited passing game, but both belong on your radar. Bell, meanwhile, came off the non-football injury list Monday and could be ready early this season after his ACL tear. He might be Miami’s most productive WR over the second half of the season.

Cyrus Allen, WR, Chiefs

The Allen buzz continued this week. He’s seemingly fourth on the depth chart already and is capable of pushing past Tyquan Thornton for the No. 3 spot. Allen is an exciting end-of-draft flier.

Malachi Fields, WR, Giants

The Athletic’s Dan Duggan wrote this week that Fields is pushing for the No. 2 WR job after a strong preseason debut. Consider the rookie an end-of-draft flier.

Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints

WR Jordyn Tyson’s hamstring injury should give Johnson a big role to open the season. He finished TE12 in PPR points per game last year and was TE9 across QB Tyler Shough’s nine full games. That puts Johnson in play as a cheap early-season TE1 while Tyson is out.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans

WR Jayden Higgins’ season-ending ACL tear makes Schultz a good bet to open the season as Houston’s No. 2 target. He quietly caught 82 balls last year and finished TE13 in PPR points per game.

Fantasy Football Fallers (8-15 through 8-21)

These players have moved down the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans

Jayden Higgins’ season-ending ACL tear leaves Houston shaky at WR behind Nico Collins. Stroud was already an unexciting QB2 and looks even less exciting now.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Cardinals

Love suffered a high-ankle sprain in his preseason debut, threatening his availability and production early this season. We nudged down his baseline and floor projections, although Love is still worth considering in the third round of fantasy drafts. We’ve even seen him fall into Round 4 in recent drafts.

Cam Skattebo, RB, Giants

Skattebo’s preseason opener brought concerning usage. He played just 5 of QB Jaxson Dart’s 16 snaps, losing work to both Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary. The Giants then added Najee Harris to the backfield this week, making Skattebo a shaky fourth-round pick.

Kyle Monangai, RB, Bears

Monangai is expected to miss "multiple weeks" after hyperextending his right knee in Sunday's practice, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, which could cost him the start of the season. He still makes sense as a bench stash for his longer-term handcuff upside behind D’Andre Swift.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints

A sprained MCL is expected to sideline Kamara for a month and threatens his availability for the start of the season. He was an unexciting pick to begin with and can be crossed off most cheat sheets now.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers

Egbuka is dealing with a sprained toe that could cost him the start of the season. Even if it doesn’t, toe injuries can sap explosion and cutting ability. We still have Egbuka projected to play Week 1 but lowered his floor projection a bit.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints

Tyson is dealing with yet another hamstring injury and is expected to miss a couple months. We’re projecting him to miss the first four games and then be limited in a couple more, which sent him tumbling down the WR rankings. He’s still worth stashing on benches in most fantasy leagues after reportedly dominating in training camp before the injury.

Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, WRs, Colts

Both guys lost projected targets with the arrival of WR Keenan Allen, who ranked 11th among 117 qualifying WRs in targets per route last year. Pierce also remains sidelined after ankle surgery early this offseason.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Texans

Higgins tore an ACL in Tuesday’s practice and will miss the entire 2026 season. Rebuilding dynasty teams should consider buying Higgins, who was looking like a potential breakout player this year.

Omar Cooper, WR, Jets

Cooper played no snaps with the first-team offense in the Jets’ preseason opener and has fallen behind Isaiah Williams for the No. 3 WR job. That leaves him off the early-season fantasy radar and only worth considering in drafts of 18+ rounds.

Tyler Warren, TE, Colts

Warren’s groin injury is minor and won’t threaten his readiness for Week 1. But his projections took a small hit with the arrival of WR Keenan Allen, who remained a strong target earner last year.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Packers

Kraft admitted this week that he could be on a snap count for the first half of the season as he returns from a torn ACL. We had already projected him to be limited for the first four games but bumped that up to the first eight. Kraft still ranks as a top 7 TE across scoring formats.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions

LaPorta is dealing with a hip injury that could impact his readiness for the start of the season. We’re still projecting LaPorta to play Week 1 for now, but we did lower his floor projection.

Oronde Gadsden, TE, Chargers

Gadsden played behind TEs Charlie Kolar and David Njoku in the second preseason game. This TE room could evolve throughout the season, but Gadsden won’t be a fantasy option early on. He’s not worth rostering in most redraft leagues.

Fantasy Football Risers (8-8 through 8-14)

These players have moved up the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots

Stevenson has been New England’s clear lead back in camp, according to The Boston Sports Journal's Mike Giardi. RB TreVeyon Henderson will mix in plenty and could earn a bigger role as the season goes, but Stevenson is shaping up as a rock-solid fantasy starter.

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers

The flippening has happened. Brooks has overtaken backfield mate Chuba Hubbard in our RB rankings. Hubbard is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, giving Brooks a chance to seize the lead RB job. He’s had a strong offseason and was seemingly pushing for a big role even before Hubbard’s injury.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans

The Titans rolled out a committee backfield in their preseason opener, with Spears actually out-snapping RB Tony Pollard 13 to 9. Pollard punched in a 5-yard TD and remains the better fantasy bet for now. But Spears looks set to play a significant role and is undervalued at his current RB48 ADP.

MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Packers

Lloyd looked explosive and, more importantly, stayed healthy across 5 touches in the preseason opener. RB Josh Jacobs remains sidelined with his groin injury and is still facing a potential suspension. Lloyd is one of the top late-round RB targets in fantasy drafts.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts

WR Alec Pierce remains sidelined with an ankle/heel injury, putting his early-season status in doubt and opening the door to an even bigger role for Downs, who is already set to be a regular in 2-WR sets for the first time in his career. Downs has climbed into the top 40 WRs in our PPR rankings.

De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers

The rookie followed a buzzy start to camp with an impressive showing in the preseason opener. He looks ready to play a significant role in an always efficient 49ers passing game. Stribling is one of the best later-round WR targets in fantasy drafts.

Tyler Warren, TE, Colts

Like teammate Josh Downs, Warren got a boost in the rankings this week with WR Alec Pierce's status still murky. That could lead to big target totals early this season.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers

CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported this week that, “There's a high level of confidence" that Kittle will play Week 1. Whether he plays in the opener vs. the Rams in Australia or not, it’s clear that Kittle will be back at some point in September. He remains a high-upside pick at his 9th-round ADP.

Darren Waller, TE, Panthers

Waller inked a one-year deal this week with the Panthers. He posted strong per-route efficiency in Miami last year and is the immediate favorite to lead Carolina’s TE corps in fantasy points. But a flaccid Bryce Young-led passing game keeps Waller from being draft-worthy in most fantasy leagues.

Eli Raridon, TE, Patriots

The rookie has had a strong training camp and worked plenty with the first-team offense. Raridon still isn’t roster-worthy in redraft, but he’s worth watching closely and stashing in all dynasty leagues.

Fantasy Football Fallers (8-8 through 8-14)

These players have moved down the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers

Jacobs has been sidelined for over a week with a groin injury and still faces possible suspension for his May assault charge. We still like a healthy Jacobs to score as a borderline RB1, but there are multiple risk factors hanging over him. Jacobs is now overvalued by a couple of spots, according to our ADP Market Index.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Patriots

Henderson has continued to struggle with vision and patience in camp, according to both The Boston Sports Journal's Mike Giardi and HC Mike Vrabel. He looks destined to open the season behind RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Treat Henderson as an upside RB3 in fantasy drafts.

Tony Pollard, RB, Titans

Pollard was out-snapped 13 to 9 by Tyjae Spears in the preseason opener. We’ll see if that trend continues through the rest of the preseason, but Pollard no longer looks like a safe volume-based fantasy bet. And the upside was already unexciting in what figures to be a subpar Titans offense.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers

Hubbard is “week to week” with a hamstring injury, HC Dave Canales said Thursday. Hubbard is expected to be ready for Week 1, but the missed time gives RB Jonathon Brooks more chances to impress. Hubbard is no longer a safe bet to open the season as Carolina’s lead back.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Lions

Pacheco is sidelined with an MCL sprain. He’s expected back for the start of the season, but it’s another concern for a player with an extensive injury history. Pacheco remains the favorite for Detroit’s No. 2 RB job, although this injury could spur the Lions to add to the backfield before Week 1.

Puka Nacua, WR, Rams

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Tuesday that Nacua is still under league review for his off-field actions over the past 12 months and could be suspended. Nacua also suffered a psoas injury on Tuesday but is expected back this coming week. We still have him projected to play 17 games this season, but we lowered his floor projection to account for the suspension risk.

Luther Burden, WR, Bears

Burden will miss the preseason with a groin injury suffered on August 8. He’s expected to be ready for Week 1, but the soft-tissue injury adds some risk to his profile. We lowered Burden’s floor projection, knocking him down the WR rankings a few spots. 

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints

Tyson went down with yet another hamstring injury on Thursday. He suffered two hamstring injuries at Arizona State last year and another during a pre-draft workout in April. HC Kellen Moore admitted that Tyson could be in danger of missing the start of the season.

Alec Pierce, WR, Colts

We got conflicting reports this week on whether Pierce required a second PRP injection in his injured ankle, but GM Chris Ballard revealed that Pierce’s offseason surgery addressed both ankle and heel issues. Videos of Pierce walking around at training camp also have not looked like a player close to being cleared for football activities. We’re now projecting him to miss Week 1.

Omar Cooper, WR, Jets

Cooper has had a quiet camp, with ESPN's Rich Cimini even suggesting that WR Isaiah Williams could pass him for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. It’s tough to believe that would last long, but it’s getting tougher to make the case for Cooper being worth an early-season roster spot in redraft leagues.

Fantasy Football Risers (8-1 through 8-7)

These players have moved up the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders

Stefon Diggs is a big upgrade over Washington’s previous candidates for the No. 2 WR job (Antonio Williams, Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks, etc.). Diggs’ arrival pushed Daniels ahead of Joe Burrow to QB4 in the rankings.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Chiefs

We like what we’re hearing out of Chiefs camp: plenty of passing-game usage for Walker and more under-center snaps, which have been good for his efficiency. He’s up to 18th overall in the PPR rankings.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders

Croskey-Merritt has gotten more receiving work in training camp and shown improvement there. He’s been the favorite to lead this backfield in carries all along, and if he adds some passing-game production, JCM could emerge as a weekly fantasy starter.

Jordan Mason, RB, Vikings

The Vikings are retooling their running game for 2026, shifting toward more outside zone concepts. That’s good news for Mason, who’s averaged a huge 5.6 yards per carry on outside zone runs for his career (vs. 4.7 on all other runs).

Keaton Mitchell, RB, Chargers

ESPN’s Dan Graziano left Chargers camp believing Mitchell will have a significant role, including in the passing game. The speedster doesn’t need many touches to pile up fantasy points. He’s at least a fun pick in best ball, although we’re still skeptical that he’ll be a reliable starter in managed leagues.

D.J. Moore, WR, Bills

Moore has been a consistent standout in training camp, looking like Josh Allen’s clear No. 1 target. That’s especially encouraging for a guy who simply wasn’t very good last year. Still just 29 and now paired with a much better QB, Moore certainly has bounce-back potential.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Commanders

Diggs inked a one-year deal this week with Washington, where he should be a clear top two target for Jayden Daniels. Diggs remained effective last year, ranking top 15 among 76 qualifying WRs in targets per route and yards per route. He sits in WR4 territory for now but could climb.

Deebo Samuel & De’Zhaun Stribling, WRs, 49ers

Ricky Pearsall’s season-ending knee surgery leaves these guys as the likely No. 2 and No. 3 WRs in the 49ers’ always-efficient passing game. Samuel, who has plenty of experience in this offense, tops Stribling in the rankings for now. But this WR corps will be worth watching closely over the next month.

Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Eagles

Multiple Eagles beat writers have Wicks as the team’s No. 2 WR right now. He’s had an impressive camp, while rookie Makai Lemon has missed time with a hamstring injury. We’d still bet on Lemon overtaking Wicks at some point this season. But Wicks has become an intriguing late-round flier.

Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, Ravens

This rookie has "become the star of Ravens training camp,” according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. Lane even drew a Michael Thomas comp from OC Declan Doyle. He’s the early favorite for Baltimore’s No. 3 WR job and worth a look at the end of fantasy drafts of 18+ rounds.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Titans

Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official website called Ayomanor “one of the biggest stars of camp.” He had an underwhelming rookie season but was an intriguing prospect coming out of Stanford. Ayomanor is a candidate for a year-two leap, although a crowded WR depth chart and questionable offense prevent him from climbing too far up the WR rankings.

Malik Benson, WR, Raiders

According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Benson has had a strong start to camp and emerged as Vegas’ No. 3 WR. He’ll need to climb the depth chart to have any real fantasy value, but the sixth-round rookie is at least a name to monitor.

Terrance Ferguson, WR, Rams

Ferguson has put together a “fantastic offseason,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, and is in line for a bigger role in his second NFL campaign. He’s a fun late-round target in fantasy drafts. For more on Ferguson, check out our Deep Sleepers.

Fantasy Football Fallers (8-1 through 8-7)

These players have moved down the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns

It’s been an ugly start to camp for Watson, who’s thrown 8 INTs through 9 practices. That’s not a big surprise considering he’s been one of the league’s worst passers since 2022. Shedeur Sanders might be the new favorite to open the season as Cleveland’s starter. But this remains a situation to avoid in fantasy drafts.

Rachaad White, RB, Commanders

If Jacory Croskey-Merritt is in line for more passing-game work this season, that’d take a bite out of White’s fantasy appeal. We certainly don’t expect him to put up big rushing numbers. White now sits in RB4 territory in the PPR rankings.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders

His target share took a slight hit with Stefon Diggs’s arrival, dropping McLaurin from 20th to 25th in a tightly grouped tier of the WR rankings.

Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles

He’s missing camp time with what we’re assuming is an aggravation of the hamstring injury that cost him time this spring. Those are valuable missed reps for the rookie. There’s still time for Lemon to make up ground, but he might not be a reliable fantasy play to open the season.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers

Pearsall had season-ending surgery on the PCL injury that’s bothered him for nearly a year. He’ll miss the entire 2026 season, although he’s expected to be back in plenty of time for 2027.

Jack Bech, WR, Raiders

He’s followed a disappointing rookie season with a quiet start to camp, reportedly falling behind sixth-round rookie Malik Benson, plus Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor. Bech is well off the redraft radar for now.

Chig Okonkwo, TE, Commanders

Stefon Diggs’ addition shaved Okonkwo’s target projection a tad, dropping him from 19th to 20th in the TE rankings.

Fantasy Football Risers (7-25 through 7-31)

These players have moved up the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote this week that Charbonnet’s “readiness for Week 1 looms as a potential close call.” That’s a far more optimistic timeline than we’ve heard all offseason. We’re still not buying Charbonnet returning anywhere close to the start of the season, but we did bump his projections from 6 games to 8.

MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Packers

After a buzzy spring, Lloyd has continued to impress early in camp, flashing big-play ability and working in with the first-team offense. If he can stay healthy, Lloyd looks like a heavy favorite to be the Josh Jacobs handcuff.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Cowboys

Like Lloyd, Blue’s spring momentum has carried into camp. He’s drawn praise from coaches and beat writers while mixing in with the first-team offense. Blue could carve out a passing-game role right away and looks like the top handcuff to Javonte Williams.

Kaelon Black, RB, 49ers

Jordan James is sidelined with a fractured rib, giving Black a chance to push for the No. 2 RB job. That role carries no standalone fantasy value, and we'd still expect a committee attack if Christian McCaffrey misses time. But if you're taking a late shot on this backfield, Black is the better bet than James right now.

Malik Nabers, WR, Giants

After a spring full of negative news, the buzz on Nabers has flipped over the past week. He avoided the PUP list to open training camp and has looked surprisingly good early on. The team still isn’t giving a target date, but Week 1 now looks like a real possibility. We’ve gone from 14 to 16 projected games for Nabers, bumping him from WR19 to WR12 in the PPR rankings.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts

HC Shane Steichen seemed to confirm this week that Downs will play in 2-WR sets this season. That’d be a big boost for a guy who’s totaled 33 routes and 12 targets out of '12' personnel over the last three years. Downs will need more big plays and TDs to truly break out this season, but he has a good chance to beat his WR48 ADP.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Texans

Jaylin Noel is out a few weeks with a finger injury, and Tank Dell still isn’t ready for full-team work after his multi-ligament knee injury. Higgins, meanwhile, has impressed early in camp and looks like a strong bet to open the season as Houston’s No. 2 WR.

Deebo Samuel & De’Zhaun Stribling, WRs, 49ers

Lots of movement in the 49ers’ WR corps this week. Ricky Pearsall is dealing with complications from last year’s PCL injury, and there’s been speculation that he’ll need season-ending surgery. San Francisco’s decision to bring Samuel back on a one-year deal suggests concern about Pearsall’s status. Samuel now sits second among 49ers WRs in our rankings. Stribling also made a move up based on Pearsall’s injury and a strong start to camp. The rookie is an intriguing late-round flier.

Jalen Coker & Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers

Chris Brazzell’s season-ending knee injury clears up Carolina’s WR room. Coker already looked like a good bet for No. 2 duties but got a small bump in projected targets. Legette is now the likely No. 3 by default but is still not a recommended fantasy pick.

Cyrus Allen, WR, Chiefs

This rookie has drawn a surprising amount of buzz early in camp, from both HC Andy Reid and the media. Reid notably said this week that Allen has “got some trust” from QB Patrick Mahomes. He’s still a long shot for 2026 fantasy value but has become an intriguing stash on dynasty rosters.

Fantasy Football Fallers (7-25 through 7-31)

These players have moved down the Draft Sharks fantasy football rankings over the last week.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Cardinals

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer came away from Cardinals camp believing that the team does not want to “overload” Love this season. That came after OC Nathaniel Hackett gave a less-than-glowing review of Love and his current spot on the depth chart. We’re still expecting him to easily lead this backfield in carries and touches, but we did lower Love’s projection from 14.9 to 14.1 carries per game.

Jordan James, RB, 49ers

He’s expected to miss a few weeks after fracturing a rib in Monday’s practice, which won’t help his push to beat out Kaelon Black for the No. 2 job. James is undraftable for now.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers

He’s been out since Wednesday because of swelling related to last year’s PCL injury in his right knee. There’s been no further update from the team, but multiple beat writers have suggested that Pearsall might wind up needing season-ending knee surgery. Unless and until we get better news, we’d avoid Pearsall in fantasy drafts.

Chris Brazzell, WR, Panthers

The rookie tore his left LCL on Wednesday and will undergo season-ending surgery. Brazzell was seemingly making a strong push for the No. 3 WR job before going down and is worth keeping stashed in all dynasty leagues.

Kyle Williams, WR, Patriots

Williams has been buried on the depth chart early in camp, getting very little work with the first-team offense. He’s well off the redraft radar right now and doesn’t even seem like a lock to make New England’s 53-man roster.