Wide receiver DK Metcalf's first year in Pittsburgh with the Steelers didn't go as planned after he signed a four-year, $132 million contract with the team in March of last year. Metcalf was the team's leading receiver, but he finished under 1,000 yards for the second straight year while catching 59 of a career-low 99 targets for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. A two-game suspension to close out the year for punching a fan didn't help his cause. The 28-year-old didn't show much chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but in Metcalf's defense, the Steelers' lack of WR led to plenty of double-teams. The two-time Pro Bowler is still one of the most physically gifted receivers in the game, but the Steelers need to get him some help. His two-year decline will drop his fantasy value in 2026, especially since there's a good chance Metcalf will be working with a new QB in his eighth year in the NFL.

The Houston Texans selected wide receiver Jayden Higgins in the second round in 2025 out of Iowa State, and he finished his rookie season in the NFL with 41 receptions on 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season contests. Higgins was the Texans' third leading receiver behind Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz. In the team's two playoff games, the 23-year-old caught nine of his 14 targets for 98 yards. Higgins' success going forward will be tied to whether quarterback C.J. Stroud can bounce back following a couple of disappointing campaigns after his outstanding rookie year, but either way, he should be Houston's No. 2 behind Collins with Christian Kirk hitting free agency this March. Higgins has the size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and speed to take a big step forward with more targets in his sophomore season.

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension with the team last fall before the start of the 2025 season and then went on to post his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season, along with 10 rushing touchdowns on 259 carries over 17 regular-season games. Williams didn't see as many carries as he did in 2024, but he was more efficient (4.8 yards per carry) and added a career-best 36 catches for 281 yards and three more scores on 50 targets. The 25-year-old has now had double-digit rushing TDs in each of the last three seasons, and he ended the 2025 campaign as the RB8 in half-PPR scoring. Backfield mate Blake Corum took on a bigger role late in the year as the Rams tried to keep Williams fresh for their playoff run, and he out-touched Corum in all three playoff games, which means he should maintain his lead-back role in 2026. As long as quarterback Matthew Stafford returns for another season, Williams figures to be a top-10 RB target in fantasy.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (shoulder) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, per The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. It's not much of a surprise after Maye said he felt good while throwing the football around on Monday. The 23-year-old second-year signal-caller put in two limited practices last week before picking up a DNP on Friday due to an illness. The Patriots listed him as questionable on last week's final injury report, but barring a setback this week, he should be fully cleared to suit up for Super Bowl LX this Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif., against the Seattle Seahawks. Maye will be an MVP finalist after throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions with a league best 72% completion percentage during the regular season. It's been a different story in three playoff games, though, as he's completed only 55.8% of his passes for 533 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while fumbling six times (three lost).