Huddle Up: Warren might be in more of a timeshare with Dowdle, a fellow undrafted free agent. He exceeded expectations in 2025, and he could be in line for a bit of a regression in terms of carries, with Dowdle figuring the factor in for a good share of the backfield touches. Warren is still worth attention as a RB3 or flex fantasy option in 2026, but with QB questions, and a total touches breakdown question, Warren's fantasy outlook is a tad murky at the moment.

Huddle Up: Young is coming off the best season of his career and is looking to strengthen his connection with the receivers. Young will still likely be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback in fantasy leagues. McMillan is the only Panthers receiver that should be a weekly starting option in leagues.

Huddle Up: Brooks has not played much since joining the Panthers because of injuries but has a chance to earn the No. 2 running back job for the 2026 season. Fantasy players can keep an eye on his situation because he could be a late round pick in some leagues.

Huddle Up: Young will be under contract for two more seasons if the team picks up his fifth-year option, so the two teams have time to work on a possible extension. He is coming off the best season of his NFL career and will look on improving his stats in 2026. He should be considered a No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues.

Huddle Up: Sanders is coming back from a tough ankle injury, but hearing he will be available so early in the offseason is a good sign of where things are. He has a chance to be a sneaky target late in drafts for players who wait on tight ends.

Huddle Up: Dowdle makes the Steelers' backfield very interesting, but hard to figure out for fantasy players. The departure of Kenny Gainwell will allow for touches to open up, but training camp will need to unfold to figure out if Dowdle or Jaylen Warren is the piece to own in the backfield.

Huddle Up: Dowdle took the NFL by storm in Weeks 5 and 6, where he rushed for 206 and 183 yards in back-to-back weeks. He would put up just one more 100-yard game all season, but he ended up with 1,373 all-purpose yards and seven combined touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers in 2025. However, Dowdle appeared to lose playing time to Chuba Hubbard down the stretch. Dowdle lands in Pittsburgh, where he'll be in the mix for touches with Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson. He should be able to carve out a role in the Steelers' committee backfield, but that role isn't very fantasy relevant. With contingent upside should Warren go down, Dowdle would be a solid RB2 for fantasy. He should be drafted with the other backup running backs at the end of 2026 fantasy drafts.

Huddle Up: Dowdle had 1,373 all-purpose yards and seven combined touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers in 2025 but appeared to lose playing time to Chuba Hubbard down the stretch. Regardless of where Dowdle lands in free agency, he is likely to be part of a running back committee in 2026 and could be an RB3 option in some fantasy leagues depending upon his role.

Huddle Up: Entering his 16th NFL season, Dalton would be acquired as a bridge to a younger quarterback in the trade market. He's going into his fourth season in Carolina with a 1-6 record as a starting quarterback backing up starting quarterback Bryce Young. Dalton's fantasy value in 2026 would be in case he's traded as a clear bridge starter, or if he's pressed into action following an injury to the quarterback ahead of him.

Huddle Up: Injuries have derailed Brooks' career to date, and he has managed just nine carries since being drafted in 2024. At this point, there is no way of knowing if he will ever be able to regain the form that made him a second-round pick.

Huddle Up: Dowdle seemed to drop behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart at the end of the 2025 season, so he may want to look for a bigger role with another team. He should see a good amount of touches no matter where he plays in 2026 and can be a No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues.

Huddle Up: Dalton's fantasy value would hinder on who would trade for him he the team decides to move on. Despite the potential hope, it is hard to imagine Dalton being a factor in fantasy football, regardless of his team, in 2026.

Huddle Up: McMillan quickly established himself as Carolina's No. 1 receiver, and he was the only rookie to reach 1,000 receiving yards. His stock is soaring in dynasty formats, and McMillan could become a weekly WR2 as soon as next season.

Huddle Up: Dowdle saw his role decrease during the second half of the season, so there is a good chance that he will be with a new team in 2026. He will likely be part of a committee with a team next season and can be a No. 3 running back in some leagues depending on his role.

Huddle Up: Coker being behind Tetairoa McMillan will affect his fantasy value, but he could be worth a stash in deeper leagues as a WR3.

Huddle Up: Young ended up the QB18 for the season in fantasy, which is about where you expect Young. He'll be a QB2 with maybe some upside with another year of development and comfort in this offense.

Huddle Up: Young's numbers were far from elite, but he was able to improve from his sophomore season. Another year with Tetairoa McMillan and a full season of Jalen Coker could help Young take another step forward in 2026, and he should be considered a decent QB2 option.

Huddle Up: Dowdle was the starting running back for the Panthers during the middle of the season, but Chuba Hubbard received most of the work at the end. Dowdle should receive interest from teams if he hits the free-agent market and can be at least a No. 3 running back if he finds a good role.

Huddle Up: In the last fifteen years, none of the eight quarterbacks who have been selected with the first overall pick have had the fifth-year option declined, so this news was not surprising. Young projects to be a QB2 option in most fantasy leagues for the 2026 season, although continued development could make him more valuable.

Huddle Up: Coker also had a season-high 74 receiving yards against the Rams, and if the Panthers are going to knock off the Rams again in the wild-card round, Coker may have to deliver a big play or two in the passing game. He could be a sneaky fantasy option in playoff contests.

Huddle Up: McMillan only had two 100-yard games, but he reached 60 receiving yards nine times. He also scored five touchdowns over the final seven games. Already able to produce while operating as the unquestioned No. 1 option in the Carolina passing game, McMillan will have WR1 upside in playoff contests and should be a weekly WR2 in 2026.

Huddle Up: Tremble was not a big part of the passing game this season but was the top tight end on the team in terms of receiving yards. He should have a good chance to be the starting tight end next season but may not be more than a No. 2 fantasy tight end.

Huddle Up: Coker was a bigger part of the passing game over the last month of the season and finished with three touchdowns in his last five games. He will be back with the Panthers next season and should be a candidate for the starting job opposite Tetairoa McMillan. Coker can be a late round pick in drafts next season that can become a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver.

Huddle Up: McMillan had a terrific rookie season and has become one of the better receivers in the NFL. He will continue to be the main option in the passing game for the Panthers for years to come and can be a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver in fantasy leagues next season.

Huddle Up: Dowdle took over the starting job during the season but was sharing playing time near the end of the season. He is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason and should have a solid role with whoever he plays for in 2026. He can be at least a No. 3 running back if he finds a solid role with a team.

Huddle Up: Hubbard started off the season as the starter but has been sharing playing time with Rico Dowdle during the second half of the season. He is under contract for three more seasons and should be a candidate for the starting job next season. He can be a No. 2 or No. 3 fantasy back depending on his workload.

Huddle Up: Young showed improvement for the second straight season and should not have any competition for the starting quarterback job next season. He likely will start off as a No. 2 fantasy quarterback in 2026 but could become more valuable if he continues his development.

Huddle Up: Dowdle earned the starting job during the season and will see most of the work at running back again this week. He has cooled off a bit recently but can still be a No. 2 running back or flex option in fantasy leagues.