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    Popper thinks Mitchell will beat Vidal for RB2 gig

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    LAC Running Back #34
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    The Athletic’s Daniel Popper expects Keaton Mitchell to beat out Kimani Vidal for Chargers’ RB2 role.

    Per Popper, the Chargers really like Mitchell’s ability to “press the edge and get explosives to the outside.” That said, Popper believes Vidal will “give Mitchell a push” for the role. He also believes that both players will make the final roster, regardless. If this is how the depth chart shakes out, one wonders whether Vidal could sneak onto the field in certain passing situations, potentially reducing Mitchell’s standalone viability. Mitchell was seen working in the passing game last week, though — something he rarely did in Baltimore — so it is too early to tell.
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  • LAC Running Back #34
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    Adding some passing-game viability would be excellent news for Mitchell’s fantasy value, and the fact that we’re getting it straight from the coach’s mouth is a big update. We still don’t know how often Mitchell will play behind Omarion Hampton and alongside fellow backup Kimani Vidal, but it sounds like McDaniel is working on ways to get Mitchell involved, calling him “a playmaker that I’m very excited about.”
  • LAC Running Back #30
    Vidal, Moton said, could drop to RB3 on the Chargers’ depth chart this offseason if free agent signing Keaton Mitchell is healthy following a 2024 knee injury that kept him sidelined for much of the 2025 season in Baltimore. The Chargers in march re-signed Vidal to a one-year deal as an exclusive rights free agent after he ran for 643 yards and three touchdowns during the 2025 season. He also caught 16 passes on 20 targets, mostly when Omarion Hampton was sidelined with injury. Look for Mitchell to gain steam in fantasy circles if Vidal leaves LA in the coming weeks or months.
  • LAC Running Back
    Popper, like other observers and analysts, says Mitchell is a great fit for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s rushing offense. Mitchell last week signed a two-year contract with LA worth $9.3 million. The explosive Mitchell, who last season ran for 341 yards at a 5.8 yards per carry clip in Baltimore, compares favorably to De’Von Achane, who was one of the NFL’s most efficient backs in McDaniel’s system in Miami. Though Omarion Hampton is likely to remain the Chargers’ lead back in 2026, Mitchell could see a handful of designed touches that might make hum flex viable in what should be a run-first Bolts offense. Mitchell would have a shot at RB1 duties in 2026 if Hampton once again struggles with injuries.
  • LAC Running Back #34
    Mitchell became an unrestricted free agent after the Ravens chose not to tender him. It’s hard to imagine much of a better landing spot for the speedster. Chargers OC Mike McDaniel turned De’Von Achane into a home run machine in Miami, and Mitchell is one of the few players who can match Achane’s top-end speed. Mitchell will be parked behind Omarion Hampton in LA, but he should hold some fantasy value if he can secure the RB2 gig. Mitchell ran for 341 yards at 5.8 yards per carry last year. His career average is over six YPC. Even as strictly a backup, Mitchell will be an intriguing fantasy bet in 2026.
  • FA Running Back #34
    This does not preclude 24-year-old Mitchell from returning to Baltimore, it just means the Ravens weren’t willing to pay him the “low” RFA amount of $3.547 million. It’s actually quite possible he returns for a more team-friendly sum. Returning from a torn ACL last season, pint-sized Mitchell neared six yards per carry in the Ravens’ run-friendly offense, though he sometimes drew the ire of former head coach John Harbaugh. Wherever Mitchell ends up, he is likely to remain a gadget player who must be schemed his handles.
  • LAC Running Back #30
    He begins the offseason as the likely backup to Omarion Hampton. Vidal had a 155/643/3 rushing line last year and managed a few big weeks against weaker run defenses. We wouldn’t be totally surprised if Vidal continued to be fantasy-interesting this year, especially given how often Hampton was banged up in his first season in the NFL.
  • LAC Running Back #30
    Vidal functioned as the Chargers’ clear-cut lead back against the Patriots this evening. The compact back proved his value this season, playing effectively as a featured starter with Omarion Hampton sidelined by ankle injuries for much of the year. Vidal rushed 155 times for 643 yards and three touchdowns, and caught 16-of-20 targets for 136 yards and one touchdown. It is unclear whether he will offer standalone FLEX value in 2026, but he has proven himself as a high-upside bench stash option moving forward. He banked four weekly RB1 finishes this season.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    He was a limited participant in practice today, but told reporters he plans to play. It sure sounds like he’ll be playing through this on Sunday, which forecasts more work for the backups than it did in Hampton’s last healthy game where he handled 81 percent of the snaps against the Texans in Week 17. Hampton is Los Angeles’ best back, but we expect a healthy dose of Kimani Vidal along side him if Hampton plays on Sunday.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    This is unfortunate. Chargers OC Greg Roman told reporters, before practice, that RB Hampton would be “involved some today” in practice. Instead, Hampton worked off to the side. Roman added that Hampton is “working through his process with the medical group” and is “ready mentally with the game plan.” That last bit makes it sound like Hampton is preparing as though he really does have a chance to play. Two absences to begin the week are worrying, though. No. 2 RB Kimani Vidal would likely operate as the team’s starter if Hampton is unable to face the Patriots this week.
  • BAL Running Back #34
    Mitchell was a non-factor in the finale against the Steelers, but it is worth noting he had a 41-yard kick return to set Baltimore up with solid field position on their final drive. The 23-year-old had some decent moments in 2026, but as long as he’s behind Derrick Henry, he’ll be hard to start as more than a matchup-dependent RB3 play.

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    Tyler Conklin (calf, PUP) passed his physical.

    He suffered the calf issue in the spring and has yet to practice, but that is set to change. Conklin will presumably be activated from the PUP list and return to practice tomorrow. He will serve as a depth option behind Sam LaPorta.
  • PIT Running Back #30
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    The Steelers listed Jaylen Warren as RB1 on their first preseason depth chart.

    Rico Dowdle is listed as the RB2. We wouldn’t read into this too much, but it does align with the approach fantasy managers have been taking to this backfield. Warren currently comes off the board at RB27 while Dowdle sits at RB32. With a larger role through the air also in his future, Warren continues to looks like a safe bet for FLEX-worthy fantasy numbers in 2026.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #13
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports people around the Eagles are “really excited” about Dontayvion Wicks.

    Fowler noted that Wicks has been taking advantage of his extra opportunities with both DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon sidelined. Philly traded for Wicks this offseason and even added an additional year to his contract after making the move. Wicks played under new OC Sean Mannion in Green Bay, giving him some extra familiarity with the offense. He may still be stuck with a No. 3 role once Lemon and Smith are healthy, but Wicks should produce the occasional spike week as the team’s deep ball specialist.
  • FA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Rams hosted Aaron Donald for a workout.

    This comes from the league’s official transaction wire, unlike Donald’s previous visit with the Rams. According to PFT, he worked out in a helmet to see how he felt. The visit wasn’t meant for the Rams to evaluate Donald. We’re going to assume Donald has stayed roughly in football shape if he’s considering a return to LA. While it’s not a done deal just yet, all signs point to him playing with the Rams this year.
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    Commanders reporter Ben Standig believes Jacory Croskey-Merritt “is flashing enough as a pass catcher to position himself for the largest role in the backfield.”

    Writing in his Last Man Standig blog, Standig added that Bill has also improved in pass protection. Rachaad White was brought in to handle work on passing downs, but the Commanders only paid him $2 million on a one-year deal. JCM could easily eat into White’s role through the air if he rounds out his skill set. White currently goes ahead of JCM in Best Ball drafts. That ADP could easily flip with another round of Bill hype.
  • LAC Running Back #8
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    Chargers OC Mike McDaniel said Omarion Hampton has shown arguably “the most growth of any player” coming into training camp.

    McDaniel said you could see how focused Hampton was between the offseason program and the start of training camp. Coaches praising their players is nothing new, but it can’t hurt for a second-year back to catch the eye of one of the most successful play-callers in the NFL. Hampton appeared in only nine games as a rookie, and his role declined in the second half of the season. Currently going off the board as fantasy football’s RB8, Hampton needs to improve in year two to pay off his lofty ADP.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
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    Broncos coach Sean Payton said Jaylen Waddle left Thursday’s practice with “muscle tightness” and is expected to be fine.

    Waddle left practice early and did not return. Given his lengthy injury history, the news gave fantasy managers a few hours of anxiety before Payton downplayed the issue. Waddle may get a few days of limited practice, but fantasy managers can keep drafting him as a high-ceiling WR2.
  • WAS Wide Receiver #8
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    Commanders signed Stefon Diggs, formerly of the Patriots.

    ESPN’s Adam Schefter later added that the deal is worth “up to” $12 million over one year. Diggs has been tied to the Commanders by local and national reporters for weeks. After seeing their lack of receiving weapons in training camp for a few days, GM Adam Peters finally pulled the trigger. Diggs will immediately slot in as the team’s No. 2 receiver, ahead of Antonio Williams and a cast of uninteresting veterans. The Pats limited Diggs to a 68 percent route rate last year, but he still managed to hit 1,000 yards via impressive efficiency marks. With Terry McLaurin operating as the Commanders’ No. 1 receiver, Diggs is unlikely to hit four digits again, but he should still offer fantasy managers usable FLEX numbers on a weekly basis.
  • SF Wide Receiver #4
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    49ers signed KhaDarel Hodge, formerly of the Falcons.

    The team also signed defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo. Kevin Givens and Cameron Sample were waived in corresponding moves. Hodge caught three passes for 31 yards in Atlanta last year. The 49ers simply needed another body at receiver with all four of their top wideouts banged up to start training camp.
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    The Indianapolis Star’s Nathan Brown reports Blake Grupe “has the clear statistical lead” in the Colts’ kicking competition.

    Grupe is competing with Spencer Schrader for the Colts’ starting gig, and through a week of training camp, Grupe has been more accurate. Brown said the team is evaluating other factors as well, including ball flight and pre-practice kicks from Grupe and Schrader. The Colts in 2025 tied for tenth in team field goal attempts. That sort of opportunity will make Grupe or Schrader fantasy viable in 2026 as long as Daniel Jones is healthy.