2026 NFL Training Camp is underway, and fantasy football managers are already obsessing over every snap, injury report, and viral highlight from 49ers rookie RB Kaelon Black.
Whether you’re chasing deep sleepers or just trying to decode coach-speak, we’ve got you covered.
In today’s training camp news tracker, we’re breaking down AJ Brown and Drake Maye’s chemistry (or lack thereof) and Kaelon Black turning heads at 49ers camp, plus the rest of the fantasy football news and standout moments making waves across the league. It’s everything you need to stay ahead of your league, without spending hours scrolling X to get your fantasy football fix.
KAELON BLACK TURNING HEADS AT 49ERS CAMP; CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY’S HANDCUFF?
The 49ers added running back depth in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Indiana’s Kaelon Black with their third-round pick (No. 90 overall) to complement bell-cow RB Christian McCaffrey.
Black spent his final two seasons at Indiana after starting his career at James Madison, and he capped his Hoosiers tenure by helping the program win a CFP National Championship. Over that stretch, Black racked up 1,040 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 186 carries, flashing the physical, downhill running style that made him a star in Indiana’s backfield.
For fantasy football managers building out dynasty and best ball rosters, Black is a name worth tracking as the 49ers’ RB2 battle behind McCaffrey heats up in camp against second-year RB Jordan James. 49ers reporter and friend of the program Grant Cohn recently offered high praise for the rookie, calling him “soo good with the ball in his hands” and noting his toughness between the tackles along with the burst and explosion he shows on perimeter runs. Cohn went as far as comparing Black’s playmaking ability to Alvin Kamara, while acknowledging Black still has development to do as a route runner and pass-game weapon.
Early camp reports back up the hype. Black has reportedly taken the majority of RB2 reps behind McCaffrey, with several standout runs highlighting his explosiveness and power. It’s a notable development considering the 49ers surprised plenty by using an early-round pick on a 24-year-old rookie running back, raising eyebrows given San Francisco’s mixed recent history drafting the position. Still, the early buzz suggests Black could carve out real value as McCaffrey’s primary backup, making him a name to monitor in best ball drafts heading into the 2026 season.
We touched on the RB2 battle behind McCaffrey last week. It’s still early, but the signs are promising for the rookie. We’ll keep tracking this competition throughout training camp, and The Wolf will be updating his 2026 Fantasy Football Rankings accordingly.
AJ BROWN’S EARLY STRUGGLES WITH DRAKE MAYE HAVE FANTASY MANAGERS WATCHING PATRIOTS CAMP
Drake Maye has connected with new No. 1 wide receiver AJ Brown just three times on 10 targets through the opening days of training camp, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. It’s been a slow start to the pairing fantasy managers were counting on to anchor New England’s passing attack in 2026.
The gap has been especially noticeable next to Maye’s work with Kayshon Boutte, who has been the standout of camp so far. Boutte has hauled in a deep ball in all three camp practices, including a go route where he blew past safety Kevin Byard III for an easy 40-plus-yard touchdown. Even working behind Brown, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas in the rotation, Boutte has emerged as the most dangerous downfield weapon in camp, while Maye has also found success hitting Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson on deeper looks late in practice.
Brown, on the other hand, has been limited to a pair of underneath grabs, while Maye has misfired on three downfield shots to AJB: an overthrown deep crossing route, a comeback he couldn’t locate, and a miscommunication on a go-route.
For fantasy managers (and Patriots fans) banking on Brown as a locked-in WR1 in New England’s offense, it’s an early camp trend worth monitoring rather than panicking over, because chemistry between a new QB-WR duo rarely comes fully formed in the first week of camp.
FANTASY FOOTBALL NOTES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
- Chiefs are “eager” to test Patrick Mahomes’ limits with his knee at the start of training camp, using him under center more to begin camp.
- Ladd McConkey (hamstring) said he’s “full go” for training camp after injuring his hamstring during OTAs.
- Marvin Harrison Jr. has a case of the dropsies, which seems to be impacting his mental status in Cards’ camp.
- Entering a contract year, Baker Mayfield reported to camp and will put contract negotiations on hold until after the season.
- Colts GM Chris Ballard said WR Alec Pierce is a “week or two” from returning to practice after having offseason ankle surgery.
- Packers placed TE Tucker Kraft (knee) on the active/PUP list. However, the stud tight end is “expected” to be ready for Week 1.
- “Dude is a baller, and I mean that,” Brock Purdy said about rookie wideout De’Zhaun Stribling.
