Guest of the League
No Crying in Fantasy Football Est. 2020
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Commanders' Terry McLaurin gets $96M extension

Mon Aug 25 12:18pm ET
Field Level Media

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin agreed to a three-year, $96 million extension Monday, NFL Network reported.

It ends a long offseason stalemate for the five-time 1,000-yard receiver, who was due to make $22.8 million in the final season of his previous three-year contract.

McLaurin, 29, missed the start of training camp and was fined $50,000 per day and $200,000 in total, as allowed by the collective bargaining agreement. He ultimately requested a trade.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection was placed on the physically unable to perform list on July 27 and he officially requested a trade on July 31. He was activated from the PUP list on Aug. 16 and cleared to practice.

The $32 million average annual value of McLaurin's new deal is tied for sixth among NFL wideouts with A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, per Spotrac. Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase leads the pack at $40.25 million.

McLaurin caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 games last season. He has 460 receptions for 6,379 yards and 38 TDs in 97 games since Washington drafted him in the third round in 2019.

The Commanders open the season on Sept. 7 at home against the NFC East rival New York Giants.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Five Fantasy Football Sleepers

Player Notes
Jauan Jennings Aug 25 2:10pm CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) was not practicing on Monday, according to Tracy Sandler of Fan Girl Sports Network. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as it appears Jennings could be in danger of missing the start of the season. However, the 49ers have not placed the wideout on the injured reserve yet, which is leaving the door open for him to suit up in their season opener. With top wideout Brandon Aiyuk (knee) not expected to be ready until after the first month of the season, the San Francisco wide receiver room could be quite empty without Jennings. Last season, Jennings enjoyed a career year, totaling 975 yards and six scores. If Jennings were to miss time, second-year wideout Rickey Pearsall and tight end George Kittle will likely see a majority of the targets.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Davis Aug 25 2:10pm CT
Isaiah Davis

New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (ankle) is on track to be available for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Davis carried the ball six times for 14 yards in the preseason opener but then sat out of the final two preseason contests due to an ankle injury. The 23-year-old should go undrafted in standard 12-team fantasy leagues, as he's expected to open the 2025 campaign as the No. 3 back behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. After he was taken with the 173rd overall pick in th fifth round in 2024 out of South Dakota State, Davis carried the ball 30 times for 174 yards (5.8 yards per tote) and one touchdown while catching nine passes for 75 yards and another score in 17 games in his rookie season. His physical running style should play well in this offense, but Davis likely needs an injury to Hall or Allen to become relevant.

From RotoBaller

Stefon Diggs Aug 25 2:00pm CT
Stefon Diggs

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) "looks" ready for Week 1, according to The Greg Hill Show of WEEI. The veteran wideout has been working his way back from a torn ACL during training camp. The Patriots have opted to keep the veteran out of action during the preseason out of precaution. However, seeing him participate fully in the team's recent practice sessions suggests he should not face many restrictions at the start of the regular season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. In the offseason, the Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year deal to lead a weak New England pass-catching room. Given his role as the clear WR1 in the offense, Diggs is an intriguing option as a WR2 in PPR formats, given his hefty projected target share.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Aug 25 1:50pm CT
Trey Hendrickson

The Cincinnati Bengals have begun to restart contract talks with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Accoridng ot Jordan Schultz, both sides have started to explore a "unique" way to get a deal done. Throughout camp, the star defensive end has participated in a "hold-in" as he signs a contract extension. Schultz noted that a source has expressed optimism regarding the negotiations, but there is "more work to be done." Last season, the 30-year-old was one of the few bright spots on a struggling Cincinnati defense as he racked up 17.5 sacks for the second-straight campaign. He also logged a career-high 46 combined tackles and added six pass deflections. If Hendrickson were to remain sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Joseph Ossai to have a larger role on the defensive line.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Aug 25 1:40pm CT
Matthew Stafford

According to Sarah Barhop of ESPN, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was seen participating in 11-on-11s during Monday's practice session. This is an excellent sign as the veteran quarterback has been dealing with a lingering back injury throughout most of training camp. Seeing Stafford continue to participate in full during the team's practice sessions suggests the 37-year-old may not be in danger of missing time during the regular season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Last season, Stafford had a bit of a down season, throwing for just 3,762 yards and 20 scores. If Stafford were to face a setback and miss time in the regular season, Jimmy Garoppolo would slot in as the team's QB1.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Aug 25 1:00pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (foot) returned to practice on Monday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. A teammate stepped on Jackson's foot during training camp practice last Wednesday, and although the issue was never considered serious, the Ravens gave the 28-year-old two-time MVP a few days off to rest last week. Now that Jackson is officially back at practice, he'll have two full week of practice to prepare for the Week 1 regular-season opener versus the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Sept. 7. Only the Bills' Josh Allen is ranked higher at the QB position at RotoBaller for fantasy going into the 2025 season, so managers are going to have to pay a pretty penny to secure Jackson as their starting signal-caller in upcoming drafts. The four-time Pro Bowler is as dangerous as they come with both his arm and legs after throwing for 4,172 yards and 41 TDs and running for 915 yards last year.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Aug 25 12:40pm CT
Jayden Daniels

Kevin Clark of ESPN believes that Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is already in the elite tier of quarterbacks. "The sky is the limit there...I put Daniels on the tier with the Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen...The way I view it those guys prop up a championship window wherever they go," Clark said. Daniels lived up to his second overall draft slot immediately in his first year in the NFL, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 17 regular-season games and leading his team to an appearance in the NFC Championship. The 24-year-old signal-caller also ran for 891 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season to finish as the QB5 in fantasy. Daniels' scrambling ablility and creativity to make plays outside the pocket give him a high fantasy floor and ceiling, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the QB4 entering his sophomore campaign.

From RotoBaller

Cam Akers Aug 25 12:20pm CT
Cam Akers

The New Orleans Saints released running back Cam Akers on Monday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Akers should land on his feet somewhere else after he ran for 444 yards and two touchdown on 104 carries with the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans in 17 regular-season games a year ago. He also had 14 catches on 18 targets for 68 yards and three more touchdowns. However, the 26-year-old wasn't able to do enough during training camp and the preseason to carve out a role in the Saints' RB room next to Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and rookie Devin Neal. Akers was originally a second-round selection (52nd overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 out of Florida State. In his five NFL seasons, he' averaged 4.0 yards per carry for 2,2025 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 502 carries over 53 games (17 starts). Akers is obviously off the fantasy radar right now.

From RotoBaller

Allen Lazard Aug 25 12:20pm CT
Allen Lazard

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (shoulder) is on track to be available for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 7, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Lazard suffered a shoulder injury in the team's preseason opener on Aug. 9 and didn't play in the final two games. The 29-year-old will probably be on the first official injury report next week, but a long as he doesn't have a setback, he could be out on the field for the season opener. Fantasy managers will be avoiding him if he's active, though, as Lazard is merely competing for a depth role behind WR1 Garrett Wilson in New York with Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson. Lazard rebounded somewhat in 2024 in his second year with the team, but he's mostly been a dissapointment for the Jets with 60 catches on 109 targets for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in 26 games (22 starts).

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Aug 25 12:10pm CT
Joe Mixon

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans declined to give an update on the health of injured running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) on Monday, according to Will Kunkel. Mixon remains on the Non-Football Injury list with ankle and foot issue that have kept him from participating in the entire offseason program, training camp and the preseson. The fact that Mixon hasn't been able to practice at all makes him a major question mark to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Los Angeles Rams and has negatively impacted his fantasy stock during draft season. The 29-year-old was a do-it-all back in his first year in Houston and racked up 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns in 14 regular-season games. Mixon has five straight 1,000-yard seasons, but that streak is in serious jeopardy if he's unable to start the 2025 season on the active roster.

From RotoBaller

Jimmy Horn Jr. Aug 25 11:10am CT
Jimmy Horn Jr.

The Athletic's Joseph Person projects rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. to be one of seven wide receivers who make the team's initial 53-man roster. A sixth-round pick out of Colorado, Horn Jr. recorded 37 catches for 441 yards and one touchdown in 11 games for the Buffaloes in 2024. The 22-year-old was targeted seven times in the preseason, hauling in six catches for 29 yards. Horn Jr. appears to be somewhat buried on the Panthers' wide receiver depth chart to begin the season, and he's unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025. However, Horn Jr. could be a name to monitor in dynasty formats, as veterans like Adam Thielen and Hunter Renfrow currently block his path to playing time and don't project to be part of Carolina's long-term plans.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Aug 25 11:05am CT
Terry McLaurin

The Washington Commanders have signed wide receiver Terry McLaurin to a three-year contract extension worth over $96 million, per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. His holdout is now officially over.

Terry McLaurin Aug 25 10:50am CT
Terry McLaurin

The Washington Commanders have signed star wide receiver Terry McLaurin to a three-year contract extension worth over $96 million, per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. McLaurin has been engaged in a highly publicized standoff with the team for the majority of the summer in search of a new deal, and it appears his wish has now been granted. The 29-year-old is coming off a career year in 2024, recording 82 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's played in all 17 games for Washington in four consecutive seasons and hasn't had fewer than 77 catches or 1,002 receiving yards in a season since his rookie year in 2019. Now that McLaurin is back, he's the undisputed top target for quarterback Jayden Daniels in Washington. McLaurin profiles as a solid WR2 in fantasy, although it's possible his absence from training camp practices and preseason play affects his performance early in the regular season.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Aug 25 10:40am CT
Terry McLaurin

The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Terry McLaurin "have been apart all offseason and continue to be apart" on the value of a potential new contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. On ESPN's Get Up this morning, Schefter said there "doesn't seem to be progress" in discussions between the two sides. Based on the latest reporting, it appears McLaurin's "hold-in" is set to continue. The 29-year-old projects as a WR2 in fantasy and would clearly be the top target-earner in Washington if he were on the field. However, he's obviously a risky pick for fantasy managers as long as his status for the start of the regular season is uncertain. If McLaurin were to miss time, Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. could be looking at a heavy volume of targets and touches.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Hutchinson Aug 25 10:30am CT
Xavier Hutchinson

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime projects Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson to open the season on the team's 53-man roster. A sixth-round pick in 2023, Hutchinson has recorded 20 catches for 207 yards and zero touchdowns across 32 career games for Houston. He's reportedly been rotating with second-round rookie Jayden Higgins as an outside receiver alongside Nico Collins and Christian Kirk when the Texans line up in three-receiver formations. Hutchinson is unlikely to block Higgins from full playing time for the entire season, but Hutchinson could take snaps and targets away from the highly-touted rookie early in the year.

From RotoBaller

Tez Johnson Aug 25 10:20am CT
Tez Johnson

After catching 12 passes and a touchdown in his two preseason appearances, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson has put himself in a good position to make the team's initial 53-man roster. If he does, he will make history as the lightest NFL player to have ever weighed in at the Combine. Officially listed at 165 pounds on the Buccaneers' website, he tipped the scales at only 154 pounds when he weighed in at the Combine in February. Johnson tested slower than expected, causing him to fall to the seventh round of the NFL draft. However, throughout training camp and into the preseason, he has displayed the lightning quickness that made him a matchup nightmare in college. He is listed as the team's 6th wide receiver in ESPN's latest projection, so his fantasy value will be limited at best even if he makes the team.

From RotoBaller

Dare Ogunbowale Aug 25 10:20am CT
Dare Ogunbowale

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime projects Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale to be one of five backs who make the team's initial 53-man roster. Notably, Bien-Aime does not include Joe Mixon (foot), writing that Mixon "can land on the non-football injury list to start the regular season." Without Mixon, the path to playing time in the backfield in Houston appears to be wide open. Veteran Nick Chubb will likely get the first crack at early-down work, but Ogunbowale could have a role on passing downs. In 17 games with the Texans last year, Ogunbowale had just 30 rush attempts but was targeted 28 times, recording 19 catches for 198 yards and a touchdown.

From RotoBaller

Tommy DeVito Aug 25 10:10am CT
Tommy DeVito

The New England Patriots made their first round of roster cuts on Friday, and among the six players released was undrafted quarterback Ben Wooldridge. The move left the team with only Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs currently manning the position. While Wooldridge is a candidate to return as a practice squad player, New England will likely scour the waiver wire in the coming days for a potential addition to the room. One name to remember is New York Giants third-year signal-caller Tommy DeVito. DeVito currently sits as the fourth quarterback on his own depth chart, but the Patriots just got a first-hand look at him in their preseason finale. DeVito went 17 of 20 for 198 yards and three touchdowns against Patriots backups. If he shakes free from New York, it might have been enough for New England to put in a claim.

From RotoBaller

Mitchell Evans Aug 25 10:10am CT
Mitchell Evans

The Carolina Panthers spent a late fifth-round pick on Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans, and he's believed to have shown enough through his first training camp to stick with the team in a depth role. While he caught only one pass in his two preseason appearances, he acquitted himself well enough as a blocker to potentially find himself on the right side of the roster bubble. With Tommy Tremble only recently being activated from the PUP list, there could be an opportunity for Evans to see the field early in two-TE sets along with Ja'Tavion Sanders. Evans was one of PFF's highest-rated tight ends in the country before the ACL injury that ended his 2023 season. While the recovery has been long, he has shown enough pass-catching prowess to make him an interesting dynasty stash in leagues with deep benches or taxi squads.

From RotoBaller

Aidan O'Connell Aug 25 9:35am CT
Aidan O'Connell

Dynasty | Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell will need surgery on a fractured wrist and will miss the next 6-8 weeks. Dynasty Analysis: O'Connell had no chance of taking any time away from Geno Smith but this leaves the Raiders woefully thin at the position with rookie Cam Miller rounding out the depth chart. Perhaps they'll kick the tires on Kenny Pickett or another of the Browns quarterbacks in the coming days. Regardless, O'Connell's dynasty value just took another hit and he's a tough hold at this point, even in deep superflex leagues.