Welcome back to another news roundup. We’re approaching the slowest portion of the NFL offseason as teams have reconvened for OTAs with mandatory minicamps next up in June. As always, we don’t want to overreact to news in late-May, early-June and let it dictate how we make fantasy football decisions for 2026. However, it’s important to stay informed. Here are some headlines from the past week in the NFL coming out of OTAs and their impact on fantasy football.
Patrick Mahomes hopes to be ready for opener
Mahomes was at OTAs for the Chiefs this week and even participated in a limited capacity, a great sign in his road to recovery from major knee surgery. He told reporters he’s hopeful he’ll be out there in Week 1 when Kansas City takes on Denver on Monday Night Football.
Then again, of course Mahomes is hopeful. It still feels like a long shot he’ll be ready for Week 1 but this update is encouraging, nonetheless. The difference between Mahomes returning early in the season versus having a stint on the PUP list is huge for fantasy football managers targeting the QB just inside the top 100 picks. Mahomes’ early ADP is 97.1 overall and the QB15 on Yahoo. When healthy in 2025, Mahomes was the QB4 in fantasy points per game (21.2).
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For now, continue to monitor Mahomes going into draft season. But know he could offer a solid discount and could be back sooner rather than later.
The Luther Burden III hype train continues to pick up steam
Bears head coach Ben Johnson came out and threw gasoline on the fire that is Luther Burden III’s hype going into his sophomore season in 2026. Johnson said he’s “buying Luther Burden stock right now.”
“I’m buying Luther Burden stock right now, just how he’s approached his offseason,” Johnson said. “It’s been electric. He showed up yesterday, had numerous explosive plays. I loved how in Phase 2 he was finishing every single rep that he took, and that really translated over to yesterday as well. So, he’s in a really good spot. He’s still developing and growing his route tree. … He’s been extremely coachable, so I’m really happy with him.”
This is great news if you have Burden in dynasty formats; it’s never bad when you’re getting such high praise from your head coach. Especially when it’s Johnson. Chicago offloaded DJ Moore this offseason and Rome Odunze struggled last season. It’s not crazy to think Burden ends up the WR1 for the Bears in 2026. His ADP is reflecting that a bit. Per FantasyPros, Burden is going 57th overall (WR22) in early drafts. That number could rise but Burden makes for a solid upside WR1/2 target around the fourth or fifth round.
Not the best start to Jets’ career for Kenyon Sadiq
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters at OTAs that the rookie tight end underwent a minor procedure for a hernia injury and is expected to be ready for training camp. On the surface, this is fine. Sadiq will be ready for camp and as far as he’s healthy, will be ready for Week 1. But it’s never good to start your NFL career off with any type of surgery.
Sadiq was likely headed toward a lesser role in New York’s offense anyway, sitting behind Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, AD Mitchell, Mason Taylor and fellow rookie Omar Cooper Jr. in the offensive pecking order. Sadiq would need to have a massive camp and preseason to prove he deserves snaps during the regular season, then he’ll need to build a rapport with QB Geno Smith. The Oregon product will be tough to trust in redraft leagues as a rookie. Hopefully, this surgery doesn’t hold the talented tight end back before the season begins.
Jacoby Brissett absent from OTAs as he looks to get paid
No QB in the NFL threw the ball more times than Brissett from Weeks 6-18 last season. So, of course, the veteran is looking for more money after keeping the Cardinals’offense afloat last season. New Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur isn’t worried about Brissett’s absence. But fantasy managers should be keeping an eye on this situation.
If Brissett’s holdout were to trickle into training camp and even preseason, it could raise red flags. The QB needs to learn a new offense. While Brissett himself isn’t a fantasy asset, a few big names are tethered to him for value — most notably Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and rookie RB Jeremiyah Love. If something were to develop and Brissett wasn’t under center for Week 1, the Cardinals would likely be looking at Gardner Minshew starting (or rookie Carson Beck). That would be a hit to the stock of those players mentioned above if it’s the case.
Everything should work itself out, but you never know.
Daniel Jones expects to be ready for season
The Colts QB told reporters during OTAs that he “absolutely” expects to be ready for Week 1 against the Ravens. Jones is coming off a torn Achilles suffered during Week 14 of last season. He also inked a two-year, $88 million contract this offseason after proving himself before the injury.
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Jones’ situation is a bit similar to Brissett in that he’s not going to be a weekly fantasy contributor but is tied to multiple skill position players we’ll be targeting in August. That includes Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren. If Jones is ready for Week 1, great, we need to bank on his healthy holding up. If Jones is held back at all and misses the start of the season, it’s a slight knock to the value of the Colts’ receivers given Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard would start at QB.
Lamar Jackson looking forward to new chapter in Baltimore
It was a forgettable season for Jackson and the Ravens, and as a result, a whole new coaching staff has been brought in. That list starts with new head coach Jesse Minter. Here’s what Jackson had to say about Minter during OTAs:
“Man, cool dude. Always has a smile on his face,” Jackson said of Minter on Wednesday, per NFL.com. “I just told him on the field today, ‘Every time I come in the building, you always smiling.’ … That’s great to have.”
Jackson is a very interesting case for 2026 fantasy football. He’s coming off a down season but this new coaching staff and an offense devised by Minter and OC Declan Doyle could get Jackson back on track. The two-time MVP is being taken as the QB2 behind Josh Allen in early drafts.
His ADP of pick No. 31.8 has Jackson going around the third round in drafts. That feels about in line if you think the QB can bounce back under this new regime.