The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that there are only a "select few" NFL teams that would meet the criteria of the Philadelphia Eagles and for wide receiver A.J. Brown as a potential trade partner this offseason. It's unclear exactly what it might take to pry Brown away from the Eagles, and general manager Howie Roseman knows he doesn't have to trade the 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler away. The New England Patriots are seen as a potential landing spot after they released receiver Stefon Diggs, and because of the familiarity between Brown and head coach Mike Vrabel. The Los Angeles Rams could have been another team in play for Brown, but they just traded a first-round pick for cornerback Trent McDuffie. At the very least, the Eagles will likely want a first-rounder and more for Brown, who has exactly seven touchdowns in each of the last three seasons while reaching the 1,000-yard mark in each of the last four years and six of his seven seasons in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions tendered a contract to exclusive-rights free-agent kicker Jake Bates, ensuring that he returns for the 2026 season, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Bates has gotten off to a nice start to his NFL career in two seasons with Detroit, making 84.1% of his 63 field-goal attempts while making 118 of his 123 extra-point tries in 34 games played. The 27-year-old Arkansas product has led the NFL in extra-point attempts and extra-point makes in each of the last two years while playing in one of the best offenses in the league. In 2025, he went 27-for-34 on field goals (4-for-9 from 50-plus yards) and 54-for-56 on extra points in 17 games played to finish as the No. 6 fantasy kicker in overall points. The Lions will have a new offensive coordinator in 2026, but they should still have a favorable offense, making Bates a clear top-10 fantasy target at the kicking position.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth's fantasy value in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues should be higher going into the 2026 season with the news that the Steelers are releasing Jonnu Smith. In offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's run-first, two-tight-end system last year, Freiermuth regressed, catching 41 of 54 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (eight starts). Darnell Washington (forearm) also cut into Freirmuth's production. New head coach Mike McCarthy should be much friendlier to Freiermuth for fantasy purposes next season, even if the team's quarterback situation is currently unsettled. Depending on what direction the Steelers go in at QB, Freiermuth will be a TE1 sleeper this fall. In dynasty/keeper leagues, he's a decent buy-low target. Freiermuth already has two seasons with seven touchdown catches, including his rookie year in 2021.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing tight end Jonnu Smith on Wednesday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The move will save the Steelers $7 million against the salary cap, and Smith will now become an unrestricted free agent. Smith, 30, was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, putting up career-highs in catches (88), targets (111), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight) in 17 games. He came crashing back down to Earth in 2025 with Pittsburgh while sharing targets with Pat Freiermuth, though, as he finished with only 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 54 targets in 17 regular-season games. Smith may never be as good as he was in 2024 in Miami, but a move out of the Steel City is a good thing for his fantasy value going into the 2026 campaign. Smith's departure is also great news for Freiermuth's ceiling.