Now that everyone has played at least two preseason games and we are two weeks from the regular-season opener, it’s a good time to ask ESPN NFL Nation reporters questions that fantasy managers have ahead of their drafts.
How are position battles shaping up? What are the prospects of players returning from injuries? Which rookies are in position to have an impact? Which players will bounce back in 2026?
Here’s a look around the NFL with answers to the biggest fantasy questions.
What is your level of confidence that Marvin Harrison Jr. will outproduce Michael Wilson?
It’s about 50-50. Harrison will be the first read on most passes, and QB Jacoby Brissett will look to him to make big plays. However, the two don’t have a long rapport together because of Harrison’s injuries last season. On the other hand, Brissett knows what Wilson can do. With TE Trey McBride also an established threat, Wilson, who should be a top target option after his 1,006 yards last season, might end up being the third read on some plays. — Josh Weinfuss
After a big drop-off in rushing attempts in 2025, will Lamar Jackson get back to using his legs again this season?
Jackson likely won’t average nine carries per game like he did from 2018 to 2023, but he should run more than he did last season. The two-time NFL MVP has impressed teammates with his scrambles during training camp. “I feel like he might have gotten faster somehow,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. As far as designed quarterback runs, new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said it will vary game by game depending on the matchup. — Jamison Hensley
No Bills player has had 825 receiving yards or six TDs since 2023. Will DJ Moore change that?
As long as Moore stays healthy, this is within reach. The connection between Josh Allen and Moore has been on display. Other players will see the ball — including TE Dalton Kincaid — but it’s ramping up to be a big season for Moore. “I’m going to go out and make an assumption that it’s going to be awesome to do that every single game … to get [Moore] the ball early and often,” Allen said after the first preseason game. — Alaina Getzenberg
How do you expect the backfield touches to be split between Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks?
Given Hubbard’s recent hamstring injury, the Panthers are likely to lean on Brooks a bit more frequently than expected to start the season. Brooks, who is coming off back-to-back ACL surgeries on his right knee, has looked dynamic as a pass catcher, and he could figure heavily in the third-down work while rotating with Hubbard on a drive-to-drive basis. — Mike Kaye
What are your expectations for the three primary pass catchers: Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Rome Odunze?
I expect there to be a different leading receiver most weeks for the Bears. That was the case in Ben Johnson’s inaugural season when Loveland finished his rookie campaign No. 1 in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Chicago uses so many multiple-TE formations that Loveland will once again be among Caleb Williams‘ most targeted and productive weapons. Odunze (who appears back to form in camp) and Burden will put up numbers, but I would be surprised if there are multiple 1,000-yard receivers given the Bears’ reliance on the run game and how much Johnson likes to spread the ball around. — Courtney Cronin
Will any one player emerge as the primary threat in the Broncos’ backfield?
Get ready to ask this question over and over as — if things go the way Sean Payton wants — the Broncos split the workload among J.K. Dobbins, Jonah Coleman and RJ Harvey. Consider that between the 2006 and 2021 seasons (excluding the 2012 season when Payton was suspended) Payton’s Saints teams had a 200-carry back just five times. And in three previous seasons in Denver, he has had a 200-carry back just once, in 2023 when the roster wasn’t yet built the way he wanted. The smart advice is to be ready for the Broncos to use a committee until your eyes tell you otherwise. — Jeff Legwold
Which wide receiver do you expect to emerge as the top producer this season?
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Is Matthew Golden a late-round fantasy steal?
That depends on how top producer is defined. If it’s yards per catch, it will be Christian Watson because of his speed and downfield ability. If it’s volume, it could be Matthew Golden. He did not get the kind of opportunities he had hoped for last season as a rookie and not only is he determined to make up for that, but the offense is better suited to do so given that Watson, Golden and Jayden Reed are the clear-cut top three receivers. Last season, the Packers tried to spread the ball around to five or six wideouts. — Rob Demovsky
Is veteran David Montgomery the clear leader in this backfield?
Montgomery told ESPN he believes Texans’ offensive coordinator Nick Caley is going to use his full capability of running inside or outside and being a receiving threat. The Texans wanted him because he will add a physical presence to their rushing attack. That doesn’t mean backup Woody Marks will vanish, though. Marks will be involved, but it’ll be a 70-30 split between the two backs. — DJ Bien-Aime
What are realistic expectations for Alec Pierce in his return from ankle surgery?
This is a dicey projection, given it’s a lower-body injury to a speedy receiver. But Pierce can still impact the offense even if he isn’t initially at 100%. His route running and ability to contribute on short and intermediate routes is underrated, and he’ll be expected to expand his menu of routes now that he is the team’s clear No. 1 receiver. Don’t expect Pierce to be an afterthought in the offense upon his return. — Stephen Holder
How will the backfield duo of Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. be used?
The Jaguars have been gradually increasing Rodriguez’s workload as he returns from a foot injury. They both shared the workload in 11-on-11 in a joint practice against the Panthers. Tuten has more experience as a pass catcher (10 catches as a rookie in 2025 versus Rodriguez’s six in three seasons with Washington) and might get more third-down work if LeQuint Allen‘s soft tissue injury extends into the regular season. — Michael DiRocco
Is it reasonable to expect Patrick Mahomes to put up his usual production as a passer this season?
Mahomes has looked exceptional in training camp, leading one to believe he can have a bounce-back season, especially with the help of running back Kenneth Walker III. Much of Mahomes’ production will be in the hands — quite literally — of his receivers, a collection of players who have plenty to prove this season. Rookie Cyrus Allen has been impressive in camp. If any quarterback can uplift the trio of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton, it’s Mahomes. — Nate Taylor
How much different will this offense be with Mike McDaniel as playcaller, and who benefits most?
Quarterback Justin Herbert will get the ball out a lot quicker in this offense, giving pass catchers more opportunities to get the ball in space to create yards after the catch. There should also be a lot more screens and motions than when Greg Roman was calling plays. As for who should benefit most? Everyone. McDaniel is responsible for some of the most explosive offenses in league history. There’s no reason to think that will stop this season. — Kris Rhim
Will Blake Corum continue to get a bigger piece of the pie in the Rams’ backfield and eat into Kyren Williams‘ numbers?
Yes, I expect Corum’s usage to increase this season. Last season, Williams and Corum had close to a 65-35 split, and I could see that being closer to 50-50 this season. During training camp, Williams said Corum looks “a lot leaner” after the offseason. “He looks a lot more explosive,” Williams said. — Sarah Barshop
Should Malik Willis be taken more seriously by fantasy managers, despite a lack of proven pass catchers?
As a bona fide starter? I don’t think I’d go that far. Willis’ floor will always be higher than the average streaming starter because of his rushing output — whether it be from scrambling or designed runs. In his lone appearance of the preseason, he looked decisive throwing the ball as well, but he’s more of a spot starter than a weekly contributor. The Dolphins play one of the most difficult schedules in the NFL this season, which bodes well for game flow but could prove difficult in terms of weekly matchups. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
How will touches be split between Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason?
Throughout training camp, Jones has been on the field for the first snaps of work by the No. 1 offense. But it’s important to note that Mason has rotated through during those reps, while other running backs have worked with the No. 2 and No. 3 teams: a visual snapshot of what is likely to happen in the regular season. Jones and Mason will rotate, with Jones likely getting more snaps but Mason potentially more carries. — Kevin Seifert
How will Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson be used?
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Why Field Yates ranks Rhamondre Stevenson ahead of TreVeyon Henderson in fantasy
Stevenson is the clear-cut No. 1 option, with the coaching staff having the highest level of confidence in his pass-protection skills. Henderson is the home run hitter to complement that. Injuries are always challenging to project, but if each player remains healthy over the course of the season, the projection here would be a 65-35 split in favor of Stevenson, with insurance in the form of an RB3 (who has yet to emerge in a multiplayer competition). — Mike Reiss
How much does Jordyn Tyson‘s injury affect the fantasy breakout talk around Tyler Shough?
Not much. Shough could be a boom-or-bust play this year, depending on how much he and the Saints’ offense have grown since last season. Shough will likely rely heavily on players like WR Chris Olave and TE Juwan Johnson, so if you believe he’s ready to take a big step forward, having Tyson out to start the season shouldn’t make a difference. — Katherine Terrell
How much does the signing of Najee Harris impact Cam Skattebo‘s role?
It probably doesn’t affect Skattebo too much. He’s still the Giants’ top choice at RB. Harris seems more like Skattebo insurance than anything else. If he eats at anyone’s workload, it’s likely to be that of Tyrone Tracy Jr. and not Skattebo. — Jordan Raanan
Will rookie Makai Lemon be an impact player as the WR2?
Lemon has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for almost all of camp and missed minicamp this spring for the same reason, so he has had little time to build chemistry with Jalen Hurts. When healthy, he operated primarily as the starting slot receiver, getting plenty of catch-and-run opportunities. I’d temper expectations for the beginning of the season, with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks likely to command the most targets among receivers early. — Tim McManus
What is the Steelers’ plan for the backfield tandem of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle?
Having two solid running backs to rotate is good news for the Steelers’ offense but bad news for fantasy managers. Through training camp practices and the second preseason game, it seems that the two will split carries fairly evenly. Warren, the better pass catcher of the two, seems to be the third-down preference. In the second preseason game against the Jets, Warren played nine snaps to Dowdle’s 10. Each finished with five carries, with Warren rushing for 17 yards and Dowdle getting 18. — Brooke Pryor
What is the vibe from camp on George Kittle‘s return from Achilles surgery and on what De’Zhaun Stribling will contribute as a rookie?
Kittle came off the PUP list and returned to practice Sunday, which gives him a chance to be ready for Week 1, although traveling to (and playing in) Australia might be a bit ambitious. Stribling, meanwhile, looks like the rare rookie wideout ready to contribute early for coach Kyle Shanahan. He has played all of the receiver spots in camp, but the slot position seems like it might be his primary home for the time being. — Nick Wagoner
What is the latest on Zach Charbonnet‘s potential return, and how do you expect that to affect Jadarian Price?
Charbonnet appears to be on track to return sooner than you might expect given that he had ACL surgery in February. Week 1 still feels unlikely, but sometime in the first half of the season hardly seems out of the question. Price will be the lead back in the meantime, with George Holani and Emanuel Wilson mixing in. Price might suffer early on from not playing in the preseason, but the Seahawks are playing the long game and sacrificing those reps to try to keep him healthy. — Brady Henderson
Will Bucky Irving bounce back this season, or is this going to be a backfield committee?
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Why Mike Clay is tempering his expectations for Bucky Irving in fantasy
Irving is still the guy, and the return to more of a wide zone run scheme like the team had in 2024 under Liam Coen should benefit him, along with improved health. In limited action in his second preseason game — in which the starters played two series — he had 14 yards on three rushes. Kenny Gainwell, meanwhile, saw one rushing attempt. In Gainwell, they have a third-down back and someone who can withstand contact should Irving get dinged up again. But I wouldn’t shy away from Irving this year because of Gainwell’s presence. Plus, they do have some “pony” packages where you’ll see both on the field at the same time. — Jenna Laine
What is realistic to expect from rookie Carnell Tate statistically?
Tate will gradually work his way into the lead receiver role, but he will share a lot of targets with Wan’Dale Robinson, which will cut into Tate’s reception total. It’s reasonable to have Tate in the 70-80 reception range with 800-900 yards and six to eight touchdowns. Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has shown he’s willing to feature a rookie receiver (Malik Nabers), and QB Cam Ward has already shown a penchant for going to Tate in the red zone. — Turron Davenport
How does the team plan to deploy Rachaad White and Jacory Croskey-Merritt?
That remains to be seen. However, Washington views Croskey-Merritt as a good fit in this offense — with a lot of outside zone runs — because of his one-cut ability and explosiveness that others here lack. The key for him will be how he handles catching passes out of the backfield, as it would allow the team to use him in a larger role. White is the Commanders’ best pass-catching threat out of the backfield. If nothing else, he will handle that role. — John Keim
