2026 NFL OTAs News and Notes: Darnell Washington Extension & More
Kody Malstrom recaps the biggest news and notes around NFL OTAs from the first week of June.
The deeper we get into OTAs, the more breaking news and rumors run rampant, giving us fantasy football fans something to hold on to until we get closer to the start of the regular season. This week brings us plenty of headlines to go through, including a quarterback battle in Arizona and a veteran wide receiver making his return to the New York Giants.
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NFL OTA News From The First Week Of June
How Does Darnell Washington Look After Receiving an Extension?
After two mediocre years, Darnell Washington was finally utilized at a “heavier rate” in 2025, clearing his career high in targets, receptions, receiving yards and yards per reception. Still, his uptick is hardly noteworthy, finishing as TE39 in PPR leagues.
His lack of usage makes his extension questionable from a fantasy perspective, potentially signaling a larger role for the freak tight end who is just as productive as a blocker as an open-field threat running over smaller defenders. His extension is even more confusing when factoring in the Steelers' current makeup at the position, pitting him against Pat Freiermuth, who sits above him on the depth chart.
If Washington is used noticeably more in OTAs, then we may need to put some more stock into the Steelers' TE.
Who Will be the Cardinals' Starting Quarterback in Week 1?
With question marks looming over Jacoby Brissett, the spotlight has turned towards Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck, allowing the Cardinals' backup QBs to state their case for being the starter heading into week one. Especially with Brissett’s absence creating tension with his teammates, forcing the Cardinals to turn their attention elsewhere to avoid any early setbacks.
While neither player will receive a notable bump in their fantasy football rankings if they win the starting role, there will at least be clarity at the position, giving us better judgment if either QB is worth a stash in deeper formats. Primarily in redraft leagues, the Cardinals most likely have their sights towards 2027’s stacked class of QBs.
Odell Beckham Jr. Rejoins the New York Giants
It has been a turbulent past few years of play for Odell Beckham Jr. as the former New York Giants star wide receiver has failed to eclipse 600 receiving yards since 2020. Availability has also been an issue, playing in fewer than 10 games in three of the last six years.
While the signing is certainly attention-grabbing, it’s hard to imagine he can instantly contribute, making him a pass in all formats. At best, Beckham would be competing with the bottom of the depth chart just to sniff the field, lacking any sort of usage that would be needed for him to be a worthy addition to the roster.
Read here for more on Odell Beckham's fantasy football value with the NY Giants.
A.J. Brown Traded to the Patriots
One of the worst-kept secrets in the offseason, A.J. Brown has been officially traded to the New England Patriots and has already joined the team after passing his physical. While there is no need to see how Brown looks as arguably one of the better receivers in the league, it is worth monitoring how quickly he builds a rapport with Drake Maye.
Even though Brown is expected to be the focal point of the Patriots offense, he may see a slight decline in his total number of targets early on in the year, jockeying with the likes of Romeo Doubs and Kayshon Boutte, who are both productive wideouts in their own right. Still, barring an injury, Brown has a great opportunity to thrive, with our fantasy footbal projections expecting the newly acquired wide receiver to haul in 86 receptions for 1,207 yards and 14 touchdowns.
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