Fantasy Football Stock Report:
Fantasy football drafts are heating up, and this is the point of the preseason when information matters more than ever. We’re not moving players because of one highlight or a meaningless preseason stat line. We’re looking for changes in opportunity, health, usage and depth-chart position that could actually carry into the regular season.
Based on the latest news and analysis available to FantasyLineups, here are seven players whose fantasy outlooks deserve attention entering the weekend.
De’Zhaun Stribling, WR — San Francisco 49ers
Stribling continues to make it difficult for fantasy managers to ignore him.
The rookie followed up an impressive preseason debut with another productive performance Thursday night, catching four passes for 46 yards on five targets against the Chargers. More importantly, Stribling wasn’t simply accumulating production late against the bottom of the roster. He was involved during San Francisco’s first two offensive possessions and caught three passes from Brock Purdy on the opening drive.
That matters.
Ricky Pearsall is already out for the season, while injuries elsewhere in the receiving corps have created additional opportunity. Stribling now has consecutive strong preseason performances and appears to be earning the coaching staff’s trust.
We’re still talking about a late-round target rather than a player fantasy managers should reach for, but his path to meaningful snaps is becoming much easier to see.
Fantasy Stock:
Sincere McCormick, RB — San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ backup running back situation remains unsettled, and McCormick is making his case.
He led San Francisco with 53 rushing yards Thursday and scored a touchdown, with most of his production coming on an explosive 37-yard run. It was also the second consecutive preseason game in which McCormick found the end zone.
Christian McCaffrey remains the unquestioned starter, so we’re evaluating the players behind him primarily as potential handcuffs and deep-league targets. McCormick hasn’t secured that job, but his preseason performance has put him firmly into the conversation.
Fantasy Stock:
Isaiah Likely, TE — New York Giants
Likely may be one of the more interesting tight ends currently flying under the radar.
Reports out of Giants camp indicate that he’s becoming one of quarterback Jaxson Dart’s trusted options. The Giants have featured their tight ends throughout training camp, and Likely gives the offense a large target who can be moved around the formation.
The biggest question is how the target distribution changes once Malik Nabers is completely healthy. Even so, there are increasing signs that Likely could have a legitimate role rather than simply being another depth-chart tight end.
At a position where fantasy managers are constantly searching for late-round upside, that’s worth monitoring.
Fantasy Stock:
Keenan Allen, WR — Indianapolis Colts
It didn’t take long for Allen to become involved.
Shortly after joining Indianapolis, the veteran was already getting work with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills. That’s an encouraging sign considering the Colts initially indicated they would work him in gradually.
Allen is 34, so expectations need to remain realistic. Indianapolis also has other established receiving options competing for targets.
But Allen caught 81 passes last season and already knows quarterback Justin Herbert from their years together with the Chargers. If he earns a consistent role, his ability to get open underneath could give him PPR value at a relatively inexpensive draft price.
Fantasy Stock:
Sam LaPorta, TE — Detroit Lions
This isn’t a reason to panic, but it is something fantasy managers need to track.
LaPorta is dealing with a hip injury and has missed practice. The encouraging news is that Detroit doesn’t currently believe the injury will threaten the beginning of his season.
Still, LaPorta is coming off a 2025 season that was shortened by a back injury requiring surgery. He had returned to full participation earlier in camp before this latest issue appeared.
When evaluating premium tight ends, availability is part of the equation. Until LaPorta gets back on the field, we’re adding a little more risk to his profile.
Fantasy Stock:
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SLIGHTLY DOWN
Quinshon Judkins, RB — Cleveland Browns
Judkins has now missed multiple practices because of what Cleveland is calling a minor nagging injury.
The Browns don’t appear overly concerned, and the expectation remains that Judkins should be available for Week 1. That’s the good news.
The concern for fantasy managers is opportunity.
If Judkins loses additional practice time, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders have an opportunity to handle more work and strengthen their own roles. Judkins still projects as an important part of Cleveland’s backfield, but this is exactly the type of preseason situation we monitor before locking in a draft ranking.
Fantasy Stock:
SLIGHTLY DOWN
Jordan Mason, RB — Minnesota Vikings
Mason continues to generate positive reports from Minnesota’s training camp.
Despite sharing work with Aaron Jones, Mason has reportedly shown good burst and has looked comfortable in the Vikings’ offense. He also broke a long run during joint practices with Baltimore.
Mason is particularly interesting because we’ve already seen him produce when given opportunities. He rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns last season, and another strong summer could lead Minnesota to give him a larger share of the backfield than fantasy managers currently expect.
He’s not taking over the backfield today, but his combination of standalone potential and upside if Jones misses time makes him increasingly attractive later in drafts.
Fantasy Stock:
The FantasyLineups Takeaway
The biggest mistake fantasy managers can make in late August is drafting from information that is already outdated.
Stribling’s opportunity is growing. McCormick is making a push in San Francisco’s backfield. Likely is developing chemistry with his quarterback. Mason continues to impress. At the same time, injuries to players such as LaPorta and Judkins need to be monitored without overreacting to them.
That’s why FantasyLineups rankings will continue to change throughout the preseason.
We’re evaluating injuries, depth charts, projected roles, practice participation and preseason usage as new information becomes available.
Before you draft, make sure you’re drafting from what we know today — not what we thought we knew two weeks ago.
