Sports

  • Bears OC Says Left Tackle Battle Will “Continue to Be a Competition”
    by Luis C. Medina on September 3, 2026 at 10:27 pm

    If you were hoping Bears Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor would bring some clarity to the team’s left tackle situation, I’m sorry to disappoint you. During his Thursday media availability, Taylor was asked about Braxton Jones and the left tackle competition. As the question was being laid out, I was hoping Taylor would offer up something that would make me feel encouraged about the state of things. Instead, we got this exchange: Reporter: “What did Braxton show you guys last week, maybe specifically in the practice with Tennessee, to give you guys the clarity you were looking for at left tackle?” Taylor: “I think all those guys have just done a good job of rising to the challenge, if you will. I think they all understood this is an open competition. And to be quite honest, this is probably going to continue to be a competition in some way, shape, or form. Obviously, somebody’s got to go out and start. We’ll make those decisions as it comes up. But it’s a week-to-week thing that we’re always going to do what we need to do to put the best five out there given the game that’s coming up.” For more from the Bears offensive coordinator, you can watch the video below: Bears Offensive Coordinator Opens Up About Left Tackle Competition Bears GM Ryan Poles expressed a positive sentiment when discussing the state of the offensive line and the left tackle depth chart earlier in the week. Poles highlighted Braxton Jones’s improved health, as well as the experience that Theo Benedet and Ozzy Trapilo gained last season, as reasons why he felt good about the situation. But as colleague Matt Rooney wrote on Wednesday, Poles’ sentiment might be different if given some truth serum before his next trip in front of a microphone. That no one on the team has officially named Jones the Week 1 starter at left tackle raises yellow flags for me. At a minimum, it makes me wonder if the decision-makers at Halas Hall are keeping an open mind about Trapilo being ready for Week 1. That he isn’t on PUP or injured reserve suggests that Trapilo could be ready to play sooner than expected. And maybe he will be. If he is, I can see a scenario where the Bears use a rotation with Trapilo and Jones before handing the keys to whoever is playing better or whoever they trust more. Other notable quotes from the Bears OC: On Caleb Williams’ growth and maturation since last year: “I think the biggest thing is the maturation. That word itself – he’s just grown up. I mean, he’s going into his third season in the NFL, second season in this playbook with this staff. And so, I think he’s seen what it takes to succeed week-to-week, day-to-day. … He understands the standard that we expect from him in the preparation for practice and practicing of what that means and how important that is. He’s somebody that’s taken it very seriously. … I think, just the professionalism of what it takes to be a great quarterback in this league, he’s understanding that, and he’s working to achieve that every single day.” On Roschon Johnson earning trhe trust of Bears coaches: “I think Roschon is a guy that really had a great finish to camp. Somebody that earned a lot of trust through the last couple of weeks. Be it as Kyle (Monangai) goes down, and Roschon’s numbers increased, and he got more opportunities, he proved to us that he’s trustworthy. He can be in those situations if it comes down to it, where we need him to carry a heavier load than we expected while being involved in special teams. That’s something he’s done well.” On working for Ben Johnson: “The beauty of working for Ben, and I’ve told him this a number of times, is you’re encouraged to be creative. They’re seeing this a lot, we’re doing this a lot. What’s the next move? What’s the next element of the offense that we’re going to get to catch people off guard, to create explosives, to score points ultimately.” YOU CAN FIND THE BN BEARS PODCAST HERE: Apple | Spotify | YouTube

  • Bears Bits: Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift Left Practice Early, van den Berg Praise, More
    by Patrick K. Flowers on September 3, 2026 at 9:44 pm

    The Bears’ prep for Carolina continued at Halas Hall today, and some key players left practice early during the team’s final padded practice of the preseason. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Sean Hammond (via X), wide receiver Rome Odunze and running back D’Andre Swift both left the field early, which is less than ideal with just over a week between now and the opener in Carolina. Hammond reported that Odunze came up hobbling early in Thursday’s practice, with some discomfort in his right leg. Fortunately, as far as Hammond could tell, Odunze didn’t look overly concerned and tried to stay in practice but was removed by trainers. As for Swift, he exited drills at the end of the full team period after a rushing attempt from the offense’s one-yard line. Hammond said that Swift was holding his “midsection or core area” when he came off the field. The Athletic’s Dan Wiederer shared a less-than-encouraging observation on Swift, saying that Swift appeared to be in “significant discomfort.” Obviously, we’re hoping neither injury is significant, but we’re left to speculation, with Ben Johnson not scheduled to meet with the media again until next week. The first mandatory injury report will be released next Wednesday. D’Andre Swift (4) runs with the ball during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images MORE: Dennis Allen Loves What He Is Seeing From Jaylon Johnson On the bright side, edge rusher Austin Booker was back on the field and participated in some team drills, according to CHGO’s Adam Hoge. In other attendance notes, linebacker D’Marco Jackson, defensive end Marcus Davenport, and running back Kyle Monangai did not practice today. A lot of the Bears’ offensive linemen have been working with former NFL player Terrion Armstead during the offseason, and Armstead spent some time hanging out at Bears training camp in August. In an interview with Spiegel and Holmes on 104.3 The Score this afternoon, Armstead mentioned a name on the other side of the line as one player who caught his attention while he was there, and that’s rookie Jordan van den Berg. “I feel like, out of the gate, he’s going to be someone we pay attention to,” Armstead said of the rookie. “He’s going to flash early.” That’s exciting. van den Berg has been one of the more promising stories in camp this year, perhaps even the MVP of camp if you remove Caleb Williams from the conversation? To hear a long-time offensive lineman, who made his career going up against defensive linemen, speak so highly of van den Berg is exciting. Jordan van den Berg (96) makes a tackle against Cincinnati Bengals running back Kentrel Bullock (31) during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Staying on the defensive side of the ball, Nicholas Moreano wrote about new cornerback Clark Phillips III and what he brings to the table for Dennis Allen’s defense. Rookie corner Malik Muhammad has been working in the nickel spot throughout the majority of camp and the preseason. Still, Phillips gives Allen and the Bears another guy who will get some looks in that position. Moreno broke down some of Phillips’ film in a recent story, which is worth your time if you’re looking to learn more about the former Falcon. According to FOX-32’s Devan Kaney, Phillips and rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas got into it toward the end of today’s practice, and the Bears sideline was loving it. THE BN BEARS PODCAST LIVES HERE: Apple | Spotify | YouTube Chris Emma provided an update on the left tackle situation in a hit with The Score this afternoon, saying that while Braxton Jones is in line to start Week 1, the team is giving Ozzy Trapilo every opportunity to get himself ramped up. Braxton Jones is in line to start in Week 1 for the Bears, but the team hasn't officially ruled out Ozzy Trapilo for the opener yet, as @ChrisEmma1 outlined with @RahimiGrote."They're giving Ozzy Trapilo every opportunity to really get himself ramped up," Emma says. pic.twitter.com/6urq4JBdpK— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) September 3, 2026

  • It’s Over: Ben Brown Will Not Return This Season
    by Michael Cerami on September 3, 2026 at 9:40 pm

    I never blame anybody for being optimistic, but this was always the overwhelmingly likely outcome after last week’s setback. According to Taylor McGregor (and others), Ben Brown will be out for the remainder of the season with his neck injury. Bummer. Ben Brown Out for Season In case you forgot, we were merely DAYS away from a rehab assignment beginning when Ben Brown, who was at the time ahead of Justin Steele, began experiencing symptoms again in his neck one week ago yesterday. And although there were reportedly no additional setbacks, the Cubs have determined that there simply is not enough time for him to rehab, ramp up, and rejoin the team. The Cubs didn’t necessarily/specifically say that he couldn’t return for some hypothetical deep postseason run (Kyle Schwarber style), but I think that’s more or less implied here. Brown hasn’t pitched since the middle of June, and he’s not a DH who can just be thrown in there hoping he runs into a homer or takes a walk. So his impressive run in the bullpen and once seemingly season-saving emergence as a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher have come to an end. Brown finishes his 2026 season with a 1.85 ERA over 68.0 IP. He made eight starts in the rotation, with a 1.70 ERA over 42.1 IP. The good news is that the Cubs now know they have another very legitimate starting pitcher candidate heading into next season and under control through 2030. The development of his sinker and further refinement of his changeup pretty much ensures that they will do everything they can to try Brown as a starter again next year. And that matters quite a bit given that Cade Horton will miss most of the season, Justin Steele is still a question mark, and Matthew Boyd, Kevin Gausman, Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, and potentially Colin Rea are all leaving via free agency. The bad news is that I’m not at all convinced his neck injury is under control. This is already the second time this exact injury has ended one of his seasons. And we might just live under that threat permanently whenever he is back on the mound. Indeed, the Cubs may determine that Brown can ONLY pitch in relief if he wants to avoid this injury in the future. That’d be better than nothing, but it would certainly stink after we saw what he was capable of. The other, more immediate bad news is that the Cubs will not benefit from Ben Brown pitching out of the bullpen the rest of this season. And given the way things have gone for Ryan Zeferjahn, Daniel Palencia, and Jacob Webb (hit with a comebacker last night) … that really, really stinks. The bullpen will be an issue. It already is. Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, and maybe even Shelby Miller might factor in one way or another, sure. But I don’t think any of the above comes with the sort of expectations we had for Brown, who was as dominant as we’d seen him earlier this year (and for a very obvious reason (the new pitch)). So there we go. It’s hard to believe that just two weeks ago, the Cubs were only 3.0 games out of first place with Ben Brown coming back. Life comes at you fast. Let’s just beat the Brewers tonight, reclaim that hold on the first Wild Card slot, and hope the Cubs offense and defense can carry them through October baseball.

  • Pre-Gamin’: Cubs vs Brewers (6:15 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread
    by Michael Cerami on September 3, 2026 at 9:22 pm

    CUBS LINEUP — Even though we all need to turn our attention away from catching the Brewers in the NL Central (it ain’t happening), this is still an important game. Indeed, every game from here on out is an important game given that the Cubs are one game behind the Phillies for the top Wild Card slot (which would give the Cubs home-field advantage that series). The good news is that the Cubs hold a tie-breaker over the Phillies. The bad news is the bullpen is a mess and there are still four games left against the Brewers over the next seven days. Can’t roll over just because you can’t catch them. Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for the finale against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF Seiya Suzuki, RF Michael Busch, 1B Alex Bregman, 3B Ian Happ, LF Nico Hoerner, SS Pedro Ramirez, 2B Michael Conforto, DH Carson Kelly, C Hey, there he is! Pedro Ramirez has been out of the Cubs lineup all week with back spasms, but he’s back in there tonight batting seventh and playing second base. The Cubs weren’t much worse off without him, as Matt Shaw had some really nice moments, but you always prefer to have everyone (and every matchup) available. Now, with one month to go, we’ll find out if Craig Counsell can balance Shaw, Tyrone Taylor, and Pedro Ramirez equally. Michael Conforto is also back in the Cubs lineup, starting at DH tonight, and Carson Kelly is behind the plate. Milwaukee Brewers Lineup: Jackson Chourio, LF Brice Turang, 2B William Contreras, C Jake Bauers, RF Andrew Vaughn, 1B Christian Yelich, DH Garrett Mitchell, CF Joey Ortiz, SS David Hamilton, 3B Pitching Matchup: Chicago Cubs: Kevin Gausman, RHP Great start, bad start, meh start, great start, bad start. That’s how the first five games in a Cubs uniform have gone for Kevin Gausman. As you can see, that’s more bad than good. And in his last outing, his velocity was down over 2.0 mph from his first start with Chicago. So I don’t love that, either. The Cubs are going to need Gausman to be more consistent not only down the stretch to help push them into a better playoff spot, but obviously in the postseason as well. And that includes (perhaps especially) against the Brewers, who could meet the Cubs in October for a second straight year if things go the way they did last season. For what it’s worth, Gausman faced the Brewers back in April, throwing 5.0 innings with six hits, three earned runs, three walks, and five strikeouts. Milwaukee Brewers: Logan Henderson, RHP Logan Henderson has been nothing short of brilliant for the Brewers in his 14 starts for them this season, earning a 2.48 ERA with the peripherals to match (30.1 K%, 4.9 BB%, 2.73 xERA, 3.31 FIP). The blemish, if you squint to find one, is the extremely low 28.6% groundball rate (lowest in MLB for any pitcher with at least 70.0 IP). Perhaps the Cubs can hit some out of the park, something with which they’ve had no trouble lately) … the only question will be if they can hit more than the pitching staff allows. Henderson has not yet faced the Cubs this season and does not have notable lefty/righty splits. He’s just a good and tough pitcher to face. And his last three outings have been PARTICULARLY impressive, especially given the opponents (Dodgers, Braves, Rangers): 20.0 IP, 9H, 3ER, 3BB, 17K. Yikes. Broadcast Info: First Pitch: 6:15 pm CT How to Watch Today’s Cubs Game: FOX How to Listen to Today’s Cubs Game: 104.3 The Score Matchup: Chicago Cubs (78-62) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (87-53) Cubs vs. Brewers – Key Injuries: INJURY REPORT Brewers at Cubs · entering Aug. 31, 2026 CHICAGO CUBS Dansby SwansonStrained oblique · 10-Day ILSS 15-DAY IL Gavin HollowellShoulder inflammationRP Edward CabreraBlister, right middle fingerSP 60-DAY IL Justin SteeleElbow surgery (UCL revision repair)SP Shelby MillerTommy John surgeryRP Tyler AustinKnee surgery (patella debridement)1B/OF Hunter HarveyTriceps inflammationRP Cade HortonTommy John surgerySP Porter HodgeTommy John surgeryRP Riley MartinStrained elbow (flexor)RP Ben BrownStress reaction in neckSP Phil MatonKnee discomfort (partially torn patellar tendon)RP MILWAUKEE BREWERS 15-DAY IL Joel KuhnelShoulder impingementRP JoJo RomeroAppendicitisRP Brandon WoodruffShoulder surgerySP Abner UribeStrained forearm flexorRP 60-DAY IL Angel ZerpaTommy John surgeryRP Rob ZastryznyStrained back (trapezius)RP Quinn PriesterThoracic outlet decompression surgerySP Brian FitzpatrickTommy John surgeryRP Source: MLB injured list transactions Cubs vs. Brewers – Wrigley Field Weather Report Location: Chicago, ILTemperature: 87 degreesWind: Blowing out to left field (6 mph, gusts up to 16 mph)

  • Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet 2026: Rankings, Tiers, and Sleepers (Updated September 3)
    by Justin Edwards on September 3, 2026 at 8:10 pm

    Build your 2026 fantasy football draft board with updated overall rankings, positional tiers, sleepers, ADP values, and draft strategy from 4for4. Last updated: September 3, 2026 What changed: Josh Jacobs was removed from the rankings after landing on the Commissioner Exempt List, while MarShawn Lloyd surged 56 spots to No. 91 overall and RB33. Emeka Egbuka fell seven places to No. 49, and Sam LaPorta and Chris Godwin entered the Top 75 as Jacobs and Carnell Tate exited. Welcome to our 2026 fantasy football cheat sheet, a one-stop resource featuring overall rankings, positional tiers, sleepers, ADP values, and draft strategy. We will update this page throughout August and into September as injuries, preseason usage, depth-chart movement, and average draft position reshape the fantasy football landscape. The rankings and recommendations below are based on the latest 4for4 fantasy football rankings and multi-site ADP. The rankings are designed for a typical one-quarterback, half-PPR league, but every league is different. Sync your league and get custom rankings at 4for4. Learn More 2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet at a Glance Top 75 Overall Fantasy Football Rankings How to Use Fantasy Football Tiers QB Rankings RB Rankings WR Rankings TE Rankings Fantasy Football Sleepers Fantasy Football Draft Strategy Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet FAQ Top 75 Overall Fantasy Football Rankings These Top 75 overall rankings cover a little more than the first six rounds of a 12-team draft. They provide the foundation of a draft-day cheat sheet without reproducing the complete 4for4 rankings. The full board can be found in the 2026 fantasy football rankings. Rankings and ADP were last updated on September 3. ADP represents the average draft position across the sites included in the 4for4 Multi-Site ADP tool. RankPlayerPositionTeamByeADP1Jahmyr GibbsRB1DET612Bijan RobinsonRB2ATL1123Ja’Marr ChaseWR1CIN634Jonathan TaylorRB3IND1375Jaxon Smith-NjigbaWR2SEA1156Puka NacuaWR3LAR1147Christian McCaffreyRB4SF868Amon-Ra St. BrownWR4DET689James CookRB5BUF7910Chase BrownRB6CIN61211De’Von AchaneRB7MIA61412Saquon BarkleyRB8PHI101313Justin JeffersonWR5MIN61114Kenneth WalkerRB9KC51615Omarion HamptonRB10LAC71516Derrick HenryRB11BAL131717Drake LondonWR6ATL112118CeeDee LambWR7DAL141019A.J. BrownWR8NE112020Ashton JeantyRB12LV131821Brock BowersTE1LV131922Josh AllenQB1BUF72723Javonte WilliamsRB13DAL143224Nico CollinsWR9HOU82225Kyren WilliamsRB14LAR112926Trey McBrideTE2ARI142427George PickensWR10DAL142328Jeremiyah LoveRB15ARI143029Chris OlaveWR11NO82630Malik NabersWR12NYG82531DeVonta SmithWR13PHI103132Cam SkatteboRB16NYG84333Breece HallRB17NYJ133334Tee HigginsWR14CIN63535Travis EtienneRB18NO83736Garrett WilsonWR15NYJ133637Ladd McConkeyWR16LAC74038Rashee RiceWR17KC52839Zay FlowersWR18BAL133440Jaylen WaddleWR19DEN104241Tetairoa McMillanWR20CAR53942D’Andre SwiftRB19CHI104443Lamar JacksonQB2BAL134544Quinshon JudkinsRB20CLE115145Bucky IrvingRB21TB104946Colston LovelandTE3CHI103847David MontgomeryRB22HOU84748Davante AdamsWR21LAR115249Emeka EgbukaWR22TB104150Jadarian PriceRB23SEA115751Bhayshul TutenRB24JAX75552Luther BurdenWR23CHI104853D.J. MooreWR24BUF74654Terry McLaurinWR25WAS75055Christian WatsonWR26GB116156Rhamondre StevensonRB25NE116557TreVeyon HendersonRB26NE116258Jameson WilliamsWR27DET65459Tyler WarrenTE4IND135360Rome OdunzeWR28CHI105661Jaylen WarrenRB27PIT96962Drake MayeQB3NE115863Jonathon BrooksRB28CAR57464Parker WashingtonWR29JAX75965Tucker KraftTE5GB117166Joe BurrowQB4CIN66067Jayden DanielsQB5WAS76768Mike EvansWR30SF86369Jalen HurtsQB6PHI107070Rico DowdleRB29PIT98171Tony PollardRB30TEN97772Sam LaPortaTE6DET67573DK MetcalfWR31PIT97674Brian Thomas Jr.WR32JAX77375Chris GodwinWR33TB1084 Biggest Overall Ranking Takeaways The Top 10 did not move. Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson remain the first two overall players, with Ja’Marr Chase leading the receivers at No. 3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba remains WR2 ahead of Puka Nacua, while James Cook and Chase Brown close the Top 10 as RB5 and RB6. MarShawn Lloyd made the week’s defining rise. Lloyd climbed 56 spots to No. 91 and RB33 after Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List. His No. 119 ADP now sits 28 selections behind the ranking, giving him the largest actionable discount on the board. Jacobs no longer has a draftable ranking. His multi-site ADP has fallen to No. 64, but the Exempt List leaves him without a reliable return timeline. That uncertainty is too substantial to treat the market decline as an automatic buying opportunity. The Top 75 added one tight end and one receiver. LaPorta rose four spots to No. 72 and TE6, while Godwin gained two places to No. 75 and WR33. Jacobs’ removal created one opening, and Tate’s six-position fall to No. 76 created the other. The receiver market still carries several premiums. Egbuka fell seven spots to No. 49 while his No. 41 ADP remained eight selections earlier. Rashee Rice dropped five places to No. 38 and is drafted 10 spots ahead of his ranking, while Marvin Harrison Jr.’s No. 66 ADP is 20 selections earlier than his No. 86 ranking. How to Use Fantasy Football Tiers Rankings tell you which player is preferred, but tiers show when the difference between two players is meaningful. The gap between the final player in one tier and the first player in the next is generally more important than the gap between two players grouped together. If multiple players remain in the same tier, you can usually wait, address another position, or choose the player who best fits your roster. When only one player remains before a tier break, that positional drop-off may justify moving him ahead of similarly ranked options elsewhere. The tiers below are editorial groupings built from 4for4’s ranking order, projected fantasy points, value over replacement, multi-site ADP, and the expected role of each player. They are intended to identify useful draft decisions rather than imply that every player within a tier has an identical projection. QB Rankings Josh Allen occupies a tier of his own in the current 4for4 quarterback rankings. He is projected for nearly 24 additional fantasy points over every other quarterback and remains the only passer ranked inside the overall Top 30. Lamar Jackson follows as QB2 before the position settles into a deeper group of weekly starters. QB RankPlayerTeamByeTierOverall RankADP1Josh AllenBUF7122272Lamar JacksonBAL13243453Drake MayeNE11362584Joe BurrowCIN6366605Jayden DanielsWAS7367676Jalen HurtsPHI10369707Caleb WilliamsCHI10477728Dak PrescottDAL14482799Justin HerbertLAC74838310Trevor LawrenceJAX74848511Brock PurdySF8510010612Patrick MahomesKC5510510913Jaxson DartNYG8510610214Bo NixDEN10611011215Matthew StaffordLAR11611210516Jared GoffDET66117118 QB Tier Notes Tier 1, The difference-maker: Allen remains the position’s clearest ceiling play. His combination of passing production, rushing volume, and weekly touchdown equity separates him from the field. He slipped one spot to No. 22 but still ranks five selections ahead of his No. 27 ADP. Tier 2, Elite production at a lower price: Jackson sits 21 overall spots behind Allen and more than 20 projected fantasy points ahead of QB3 Drake Maye. His four-place rise to No. 43 puts him two spots ahead of his No. 45 ADP. Tier 3, High-end weekly starters: Maye, Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, and Jalen Hurts are separated by fewer than four projected fantasy points. Their ADPs occupy a narrow range from No. 58 to No. 70, allowing preference and roster construction to break the tie. Burrow rose three places to No. 66 but still carries a six-pick market premium. Tier 4, The waiting point: Caleb Williams, Herbert, Prescott, and Trevor Lawrence are separated by fewer than three projected fantasy points. There is little reason to force the first name selected from this tier when another position presents a more meaningful drop-off. The later market warning: Jaxson Dart sits at No. 106 overall, while his No. 102 ADP requires managers to draft him four spots earlier. Matthew Stafford carries the larger premium at No. 112 versus a No. 105 ADP. Brock Purdy is the strongest later discount, ranking six spots ahead of market at No. 100. RB Rankings Running back by committee is now the norm, making true workhorse usage more valuable than ever. The goal is not necessarily to avoid every committee. It is to identify where one back can separate through receiving work, goal-line usage, or a much larger share of the offense. The current 4for4 running back rankings support a flexible approach. Managers can select an elite anchor in the opening rounds, accumulate wide receivers and other positions, and then return to a useful middle-round group. RB RankPlayerTeamByeTierOverall RankADP1Jahmyr GibbsDET61112Bijan RobinsonATL111223Jonathan TaylorIND131474Christian McCaffreySF81765James CookBUF72996Chase BrownCIN6210127De’Von AchaneMIA6311148Saquon BarkleyPHI10312139Kenneth WalkerKC53141610Omarion HamptonLAC73151511Derrick HenryBAL133161712Ashton JeantyLV133201813Javonte WilliamsDAL144233214Kyren WilliamsLAR114252915Jeremiyah LoveARI144283016Cam SkatteboNYG84324317Breece HallNYJ135333318Travis EtienneNO85353719D’Andre SwiftCHI105424420Quinshon JudkinsCLE115445121Bucky IrvingTB106454922David MontgomeryHOU86474723Jadarian PriceSEA116505724Bhayshul TutenJAX76515525Rhamondre StevensonNE116566526TreVeyon HendersonNE116576227Jaylen WarrenPIT96616928Jonathon BrooksCAR56637429Rico DowdlePIT97708130Tony PollardTEN97717731Kenneth GainwellTB107859332Jordan MasonMIN68909833MarShawn LloydGB1189111934RJ HarveyDEN108928835Jacory Croskey-MerrittWAS789410136Blake CorumLAR1189691 RB Tier Notes Tier 1, The foundational backs: Gibbs, Robinson, Taylor, and McCaffrey retain the four strongest combinations of projection and overall draft capital. Taylor remains RB3, and a projection drop of more than 35 points after McCaffrey creates the clearest boundary at the position. Tier 2, The final premium pair: Cook and Chase Brown are the final two backs ranked inside the overall Top 10. Both held their rankings, and Brown remains a modest value at No. 10 against a No. 12 ADP. Tier 3, First-round anchors with different risk: Achane through Jeanty form a group of six backs available from the late first into the early second round. Omarion Hampton gained three places to No. 15 and RB10, while Jeanty held at No. 20 and is now selected only two spots ahead of his ranking. Tier 4, The last clear RB1 bets: Javonte Williams, Kyren Williams, Jeremiyah Love, and Cam Skattebo form the final group before the position’s next projection drop. Javonte rose four places to No. 23 and now ranks nine spots ahead of ADP, while Skattebo leads the tier with an 11-pick discount. Tier 5, Follow the price: Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, D’Andre Swift, and Quinshon Judkins are close enough to let cost and roster construction guide the selection. Etienne rose five spots to No. 35, while Hall gained three places to No. 33. Judkins offers the best market value at seven picks ahead of ADP. Tier 6, The middle-round value pocket: Bucky Irving through Jonathon Brooks includes several backs with useful standalone roles and paths to more work. Brooks ranks 11 spots ahead of ADP, Stevenson carries a nine-pick discount, and Warren sits eight picks ahead of market. Tier 7, Opportunity over certainty: Rico Dowdle, Tony Pollard, and Kenneth Gainwell close the final group before the late-round backs. Dowdle ranks 11 spots ahead of ADP, Gainwell holds an eight-pick discount, and Pollard is six selections ahead of market. Tier 8, Late-round upside: Mason, Lloyd, RJ Harvey, Croskey-Merritt, and Blake Corum complete the published list. Lloyd is the defining addition after rising 56 spots to No. 91 and RB33. His No. 119 ADP creates a 28-pick discount, while Mason and Croskey-Merritt remain less dramatic values. Josh Jacobs is off the board for now. Jacobs was removed from the rankings after being placed on the Commissioner Exempt List, which leaves him without a dependable return timeline. His ADP has fallen to No. 64, but managers selecting him there would still be betting on an availability outcome that the current projections do not support. For a round-by-round approach to the position, see When to Draft a Running Back and Breaking Down Fantasy Football Running Back Draft Strategies. WR Rankings Wide receiver remains the deepest position in fantasy football, but that depth should not be confused with interchangeability. The first three receivers separate from the field, and the next tiers require managers to weigh projection, team context, and a widening range of draft costs. The 4for4 wide receiver rankings also identify several players whose current market prices require more optimism than their projections. That makes the tier breaks especially important in the middle rounds. WR RankPlayerTeamByeTierOverall RankADP1Ja’Marr ChaseCIN61332Jaxon Smith-NjigbaSEA111553Puka NacuaLAR111644Amon-Ra St. BrownDET62885Justin JeffersonMIN6213116Drake LondonATL11317217CeeDee LambDAL14318108A.J. BrownNE11319209Nico CollinsHOU84242210George PickensDAL144272311Chris OlaveNO84292612Malik NabersNYG84302513DeVonta SmithPHI104313114Tee HigginsCIN64343515Garrett WilsonNYJ134363616Ladd McConkeyLAC75374017Rashee RiceKC55382818Zay FlowersBAL135393419Jaylen WaddleDEN105404220Tetairoa McMillanCAR55413921Davante AdamsLAR116485222Emeka EgbukaTB106494123Luther BurdenCHI106524824D.J. MooreBUF77534625Terry McLaurinWAS77545026Christian WatsonGB117556127Jameson WilliamsDET68585428Rome OdunzeCHI108605629Parker WashingtonJAX78645930Mike EvansSF88686331DK MetcalfPIT98737632Brian Thomas Jr.JAX78747333Chris GodwinTB108758434Carnell TateTEN98766835Quentin JohnstonLAC78798736Marvin Harrison Jr.ARI149866637Courtland SuttonDEN109878238Michael WilsonARI149888639Jayden ReedGB1198910040Alec PierceIND139939541Josh DownsIND139959742Michael Pittman Jr.PIT99979443Wan’Dale RobinsonTEN9109910344Jordan AddisonMIN6101019945Stefon DiggsWAS7101039646Makai LemonPHI101010710447De’Zhaun StriblingSF81011110748Matthew GoldenGB1110113111 WR Tier Notes Tier 1, Overall WR1 candidates: Ja’Marr Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Puka Nacua are the only receivers projected for at least 255 half-PPR points. Smith-Njigba rose two spots and moved ahead of Nacua as WR2, but all three remain top-six overall options. Tier 2, Proven volume with elite ceilings: St. Brown and Jefferson remain high-confidence options after the opening trio. Jefferson’s No. 13 ranking and No. 11 ADP are separated by only two selections. Tier 3, Talent over environment: London, CeeDee Lamb, and A.J. Brown remain elite individual players with different team-context concerns. London is the value of the tier at four spots ahead of ADP, while Lamb’s No. 10 market price requires managers to select him eight spots earlier than his ranking. Tier 4 is a tightly packed WR1/WR2 group. Nico Collins through Garrett Wilson are separated by fewer than seven projected fantasy points. Wilson gained one spot to No. 36, while George Pickens fell three places to No. 27 and now carries a four-pick market premium. Tier 5 is the final comfortable WR2 pocket. Ladd McConkey through Tetairoa McMillan provide different bets on target volume, quarterback play, and touchdown regression. Rice fell five spots to No. 38 and now sits 10 selections behind his No. 28 ADP, the largest premium in this tier. Tiers 6 and 7 separate price from ceiling. Davante Adams, Egbuka, and Luther Burden form the earlier group, while D.J. Moore, Terry McLaurin, and Christian Watson supply less expensive upside. Egbuka fell seven spots to No. 49 and now sits eight selections behind ADP; Watson provides the best discount across the two tiers at six picks. The WR48 cutoff changed considerably. Matthew Golden holds the final published spot at No. 113 overall. De’Zhaun Stribling rose nine places and entered at WR47, while Jakobi Meyers and Deebo Samuel now sit just beyond the table at WR50 and WR52. Deebo remains a seven-pick value despite slipping three overall spots. The Colts’ new alignment creates a mixed signal for Josh Downs. Allen is expected to play the Z receiver in three-wide sets, allowing Downs to return to the slot, while Downs and Alec Pierce should remain the primary receivers in two-wide formations. Downs rose six spots to No. 95 and is nearly aligned with his No. 97 ADP, while Pierce sits at No. 93 with a No. 95 ADP. Allen fell to No. 158 and WR61, five spots behind his market price, removing the discount he carried in the previous update. The deepest risers remain watch-list players. Jordan Addison and Stribling each rose nine spots, while Josh Downs gained six. Addison remains just outside the Top 100 at No. 101, and Stribling’s No. 107 ADP still runs four selections ahead of his ranking. Tyson remains outside the ordinary redraft range, so managers without an injured-reserve spot can leave him for the final rounds or waiver wire. TE Rankings Tight end production is always relative to the rest of the position. Paying an early-round price only makes sense when the player has a realistic chance to create a meaningful weekly advantage over the streaming tier. The 4for4 tight end rankings show multiple viable approaches. Managers can pay for Brock Bowers or Trey McBride, target a younger breakout candidate several rounds later, or wait for an inexpensive veteran. TE RankPlayerTeamByeTierOverall RankADP1Brock BowersLV13121192Trey McBrideARI14126243Colston LovelandCHI10246384Tyler WarrenIND13259535Tucker KraftGB11265716Sam LaPortaDET6372757Kyle PittsATL11478788Harold FanninCLE11480809George KittleSF85818910Travis KelceKC5610210811Isaiah LikelyNYG8610411512Dalton KincaidBUF7610811313Dallas GoedertPHI10610911414Mark AndrewsBAL13611412515Jake FergusonDAL14611612216Juwan JohnsonNO87122139 TE Tier Notes Tier 1, Pay for the positional advantage: Bowers and McBride remain the two safest bets to lead the position. Fewer than three projected points and five overall ranking spots separate them, while both are selected two spots before their rankings. They remain a compact elite tier. Tier 2, Buy before the leap: Loveland, Warren, and Kraft have demonstrated the production necessary to challenge the elite group. Loveland averaged 11.9 half-PPR points per game from Week 9 onward as a rookie. Kraft averaged 14.0 half-PPR points before tearing his ACL and led all qualifying pass catchers in yards after the catch per reception. His No. 71 ADP remains six spots behind his ranking. Tier 3, The bridge: LaPorta’s four-spot rise moves him to No. 72 and TE6, returning him to the Top 75 and leaving him alone between the primary breakout targets and the next mid-round group. His No. 75 ADP trails the ranking by three spots. Tier 4, Mid-round uncertainty: Pitts and Fannin remain recognizable ceiling bets. Pitts rose five spots to No. 78 and TE7, while Fannin slipped one place to No. 80 and TE8. Both are exactly aligned with ADP, making preference the primary tiebreaker. Tier 5, The high-upside injury discount: Kittle stands alone after the broader mid-round group. His Achilles recovery creates early-season risk, but his pre-injury efficiency still provides league-winning upside for the second half. He rose six spots to No. 81, creating an eight-pick discount against ADP. Tier 6, Wait for a starter: Kelce through Jake Ferguson form a tightly packed group. Isaiah Likely finally has a path to a featured role with the Giants, while Dalton Kincaid’s elite per-route production gives him breakout potential if Buffalo increases his route participation. Andrews and Likely are each ranked 11 spots ahead of ADP. Tier 7, The final-round swing: Johnson remains TE16 and No. 122 overall. His No. 139 ADP trails his ranking by 17 selections, making him a low-cost option for managers willing to stream the position. The late-round values continue beyond the table: Brenton Strange rose two spots to No. 126 and TE17, 19 selections ahead of ADP. Hunter Henry is TE18 and No. 133 overall with a 14-pick discount, while Chigoziem Okonkwo leads the deeper group at 25 spots ahead of market. Terrance Ferguson remains another strong pairing candidate at No. 143 versus a No. 167 ADP. For more detail, see When to Draft a Tight End, 6 Fantasy Football Tight Ends Primed to Break Out in 2026, and Tight End Strength of Schedule Beneficiaries and Ideal Late-Round Pairings. Fantasy Football Sleepers A fantasy football sleeper should offer more than a low ADP or an unfamiliar name. The most useful sleepers have a realistic path to more opportunity than the market expects and a price that leaves room for profit. The players below were selected by comparing the current 4for4 rankings with multi-site ADP and then checking the underlying role, efficiency, and team context. For a deeper list of 12 draft-day values, see our updated fantasy football sleepers. MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers 4for4 rank: 91st overall, RB33 Multi-site ADP: 119th overall Draft discount: 28 spots Lloyd is the update’s clearest new sleeper after climbing 56 ranking spots. Josh Jacobs’ placement on the Commissioner Exempt List creates a much wider range of possible outcomes in Green Bay, and the market has not caught up to Lloyd’s new projection. The No. 119 ADP still keeps him in reserve-running-back territory, but the ranking now reflects a plausible route to immediate work and one of the strongest contingency profiles in the draft. Our 2026 running back handcuff chart provides more backfield targets and contingency options. Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers 4for4 rank: 63rd overall, RB28 Multi-site ADP: 74th overall Draft discount: 11 spots Brooks gained three ranking spots and now sits 52 overall positions ahead of Hubbard. His own history of knee injuries prevents this from becoming a risk-free selection, but the updated price still leaves room for him to return RB3 value immediately. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4for4 rank: 85th overall, RB31 Multi-site ADP: 93rd overall Draft discount: Eight spots Gainwell handled a larger workload for Pittsburgh during the second half of 2025, averaging 14.4 touches and 11.8 half-PPR points per game from Week 8 onward. He now joins a Tampa Bay backfield with 174 available running back opportunities after Rachaad White’s departure. His four-place rise and eight-pick rankings edge keep him useful as an RB4 at the right price. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4for4 rank: 75th overall, WR33 Multi-site ADP: 84th overall Draft discount: Nine spots Mike Evans’ departure creates 116 available targets and removes roughly one-third of Tampa Bay’s red-zone looks from last season. Godwin moved into the Top 75 while Egbuka fell to No. 49, making Godwin the cheaper route into the same available volume. His best fit remains in the slot, where he has historically earned targets and produced yards much more efficiently. Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers 4for4 rank: 89th overall, WR39 Multi-site ADP: 100th overall Draft discount: 11 spots An injury-plagued 2025 has pushed Reed’s two previous top-25 fantasy finishes out of view. His slot usage and ability after the catch remain strong fits for Green Bay’s offense, and the Packers enter the season with 135 available targets. His No. 89 ranking creates an 11-pick discount against ADP. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders 4for4 rank: 94th overall, RB35 Multi-site ADP: 101st overall Draft discount: Seven spots Croskey-Merritt remains a modest rankings value. Washington has 126 vacated carries, and his rookie performance earned solid marks as a runner. The limited receiving résumé and potential committee remain meaningful concerns, so he is best treated as an RB3 or RB4 whose value comes from a slower-moving market rather than a guaranteed featured role. Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings 4for4 rank: 90th overall, RB32 Multi-site ADP: 98th overall Draft discount: Eight spots Mason rose three more places to No. 90 and RB32. His No. 98 ADP still leaves most of a round of value in many draft rooms. He is best treated as a late-round contingency back with enough projected opportunity to carry standalone FLEX potential if his role expands. Chris Rodriguez, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars 4for4 rank: 123rd overall, RB39 Multi-site ADP: 127th overall Draft discount: Four spots Bhayshul Tuten is being drafted as the presumed leader of Jacksonville’s new backfield, but Rodriguez has a legitimate opportunity to make the competition much closer than the market expects. He previously played for Liam Coen at Kentucky and ranked seventh among running backs in yards after contact per attempt last season. Rodriguez is available several rounds after Tuten, giving fantasy managers an inexpensive entry into an unsettled backfield. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens 4for4 rank: 114th overall, TE14 Multi-site ADP: 125th overall Draft discount: 11 spots Andrews finished a disappointing TE23 in points per game last season, but his ability to create separation did not disappear. Isaiah Likely is no longer in Baltimore, leaving Andrews with much less competition for tight end snaps and targets. His long-standing connection with Lamar Jackson and an 11th-round cost make another TE1 season a reasonable outcome without requiring a premium pick. Greg Dulcich, TE, Miami Dolphins 4for4 rank: 156th overall, TE25 Multi-site ADP: 183rd overall Draft discount: 27 spots Dulcich’s limited 2025 sample included excellent per-route and after-the-catch efficiency, but durability remains the obvious concern. Miami has 240 available targets after reshaping its receiving corps, including 69 vacated tight end targets. Dulcich does not need to be drafted as a fantasy starter, but his late-round price makes him an appealing second tight end or early-season waiver candidate. You can find additional discrepancies between current rankings and draft prices using 4for4’s ADP Bargains Tool. Fantasy Football Draft Strategy What Position Should You Draft First? The best first-round selection depends on where you draft and which tier remains available. Gibbs and Robinson make an Anchor RB build easy from the first few spots, while Chase, Nacua, Smith-Njigba, St. Brown, and London provide strong wide receiver foundations. The important part is not committing to a position before the draft. Select from the strongest remaining tier and allow the board to dictate when you address your next need. When Should You Draft a Running Back? Managers drafting Gibbs, Robinson, Taylor, or McCaffrey can afford to wait several rounds before selecting their RB2. Managers who open with wide receivers can still find potential anchors such as Javonte Williams, Kyren Williams, Jeremiyah Love, or the large middle group that follows. The depth between RB20 and RB33 makes a flexible Anchor RB or Hero RB approach especially attractive this season. When Should You Draft a Quarterback? Allen and Jackson should be treated as intentional early investments rather than automatic selections. If neither falls to an appealing price, the depth from QB3 through QB10 makes waiting viable. Maye, Burrow, Daniels, Hurts, Williams, Herbert, Prescott, and Lawrence all project as weekly starters, and the difference within those clusters is smaller than the difference in draft cost between Allen and the later options. When Should You Draft a Tight End? Managers who select Bowers or McBride are paying for a potential weekly advantage. Loveland, Warren, and Kraft provide less expensive breakout paths, while LaPorta and Pitts carry more price-sensitive upside. If those players are selected above expectation, there is little reason to chase the position. Kittle, Andrews, Henry, Johnson, and the other late options allow you to continue adding running backs and wide receivers. Should You Draft for Value or Positional Need? Value should guide most early selections, but roster construction becomes more important as the draft progresses. Tiers help balance the two. If several comparable wide receivers remain but only one running back is left before a significant drop, the running back may be the better selection even if the highest-ranked receiver sits slightly higher overall. Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet FAQ What Should Be Included in a Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet? A useful fantasy football cheat sheet should include overall rankings, positional rankings, tiers, bye weeks, average draft position, and a short list of sleepers or values. League-specific scoring and lineup settings are also important because they can change the relative value of positions and individual players. What Position Should You Draft First in Fantasy Football? There is no position that must be drafted first in every fantasy league. Running backs and wide receivers are the most common first-round choices because fantasy managers generally start multiple players at those positions. The best selection depends on draft position, scoring, lineup requirements, and which player tiers remain available. Should You Use ADP or Rankings During a Fantasy Football Draft? Rankings tell you how players compare based on their projected fantasy value, while ADP estimates where those players are typically being selected. Use rankings to identify your preferred players and tiers, then use ADP to determine how long you may be able to wait before drafting them. Neither should be followed blindly, but together they can help you avoid reaching too early or waiting too long on a target. What Is the Difference Between PPR and Half-PPR Fantasy Football? PPR leagues award one point for every reception, while half-PPR leagues award one-half point. Full-PPR scoring generally increases the value of high-volume receivers and pass-catching running backs. Half-PPR scoring gives receptions value without allowing them to outweigh yardage and touchdown production as heavily. See our fantasy football half-PPR rankings for a complete draft board. How Many Rounds Are in a Fantasy Football Draft? The number of rounds depends on roster size. Most fantasy drafts contain approximately 15 to 18 rounds, with one selection for every starting and bench roster spot. Leagues with deeper benches, multiple quarterbacks, additional flex positions, kickers, or team defenses may require more rounds. More 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Resources Fantasy football half-PPR rankings Fantasy football sleepers ESPN fantasy football mock draft Yahoo fantasy football mock draft 12-team fantasy football mock draft Sync your league and get custom rankings at 4for4. Learn More

 


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