Fantasy football draft season hits its most critical moment this week, because the wait is officially over. This Thursday, the Hall of Fame Game in Canton kicks off the 2026 NFL season, five legends get their gold jackets, and fantasy football commissioners across America are suddenly realizing they forgot to order the draft board. Here is everything happening at training camp right now, with fantasy football implications built in.
Football Is Finally Back
For the last six months we have watched NFL players sign contracts, hold out, hold in, unfollow each other on Instagram, get arrested, get traded, get suspended, and somehow Aaron Rodgers managed to retire three different times. Enough already. This Thursday, the Hall of Fame Game kicks off the 2026 season at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, when the Arizona Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers. Honoring Hall of Fame inductees Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly in the process. Five new legends head to Canton, and fantasy football commissioners across America suddenly remember: “Oh crap. I was supposed to order the draft board.”
Fantasy football implications: The Hall of Fame Game is Thursday August 6. Enshrinement is Saturday August 8. The full preseason schedule starts August 13. Because most fantasy leagues hold their drafts between August 10-25, you have a very small window to get organized. Find the right draft board for your league →
Sean Payton Wants His Swiss Army Knife Back
Sean Payton apparently looked at his Broncos offense and thought: “You know what we’re missing? A quarterback who is also a tight end who is also a fullback who is also a punt protector.” Taysom Hill announced his departure from the New Orleans Saints after nine seasons, and Payton immediately told NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund and Steve Wyche that Denver will explore bringing him back. This makes perfect sense because Sean Payton has spent the last decade trying to convince America that Taysom Hill can play every position except mascot. Hill turns 36 next month and enters this reunion carrying 2,426 career passing yards, 2,551 rushing yards, 110 receptions, and 34 rushing touchdowns across all his various positions. Bo Nix is still the starting quarterback. Hill would step into a tight end and short-yardage role that Evan Engram and Adam Trautman failed to make interesting last season.
Fantasy football implications: Hill has no standalone fantasy value in a standard league. Moreover, his arrival in Denver could slightly reduce Evan Engram’s red zone role. As a result, if you are drafting any Broncos players, Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton remain the only skill position targets worth rostering.
Running Backs Finally Grew a Backbone
Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs reported to training camp—and then sat down. Both stars are staging hold-ins: present for meetings, refusing to practice until their teams write bigger checks. Robinson, the NFL leader with 2,298 scrimmage yards last season, is expected to chase roughly $18.87 million per year, which would make him the third-highest-paid running back ever, behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. Gibbs has gone three-for-three in Pro Bowls and is one of just four players in league history to top 4,500 scrimmage yards with 45-plus touchdowns in his first three seasons. New Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa summed it up: “We’re waiting for Bijan to get paid.” Lions coach Dan Campbell was blunter on Gibbs: “I love the kid, but I’ve got a team to coach.” Smart move by both backs—it’s easier to negotiate when you’re not getting hit by 330-pound linemen.
Fantasy football implications: Because neither Robinson nor Gibbs has requested a trade, both situations appear headed toward resolution before the regular season. Furthermore, Saquon Barkley’s $20.6 million per year deal sets the ceiling both players are chasing. Draft both with confidence, the hold-ins are leverage plays, not long-term standoffs.
Raiders Name Kirk Cousins QB1
Coach Klint Kubiak announced Tuesday that Kirk Cousins will open training camp as the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback ahead of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. “When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. He’s the guy, and he deserves it because he’s played really good football. But I want Fernando and Aidan to push him,” Kubiak said. Translation: we are paying Kirk too much money not to start him. Cousins signed with the Raiders in April before Mendoza who won a national championship at Indiana this past season — heard his name called first overall. Mendoza signed a four-year, $57.27 million rookie contract on July 23. The rookie will get his chance. Just not before Cousins throws his annual 4,200 yards, 32 touchdowns, and one heartbreaking interception that somehow ends up on every highlight reel.
Fantasy football implications: Cousins is a streaming QB2 at best in standard leagues — his numbers are consistent but his teams rarely win enough for big fantasy games. Moreover, Brock Bowers becomes the most important fantasy asset in Las Vegas regardless of which quarterback is taking snaps, because both Cousins and Mendoza will lean on him as the primary safety valve.
Bosa Brothers? Don’t Bet On It
Could Joey Bosa join little brother Nick in San Francisco? Nick’s response on Bay Area radio station KNBR was characteristically blunt: “Nah, probably not.” When pressed on whether the 49ers should keep their phones on, Nick said his brother is “probably on the golf course in Florida right now” and “I don’t think he’s thinking too much about football.” Joey led the NFL in forced fumbles last season with five for the Buffalo Bills, but at 30 years old his snap count has been carefully managed and his production has declined from his peak years with the Chargers. The 49ers’ general manager already threw cold water on the idea back in March, and even their mom posting her wishes on social media was not enough to make it happen. The only Bosa reunion we are likely to see is at the 19th hole.
Fantasy football implications: Joey Bosa is a free agent with no fantasy value until he signs somewhere. Nick Bosa is healthy and back as the anchor of San Francisco’s defensive line after returning from a torn ACL in 2025. He is the top IDP defensive end target in any league that scores defensive players.
Your Draft Board Can’t Wait Any Longer
As a result of all this training camp chaos — hold-ins, quarterback battles, and Taysom Hill defying the laws of positional gravity — one thing is crystal clear. Fantasy football draft season is here, and you need to be organized before your league mates are. Commish Kit has been making professional-grade fantasy football draft boards since 2002. Whether you need a wall-hanging paper board, a free-standing corrugated board, or the Digital Draft Board Big Screen Edition, we have the right setup for your league. Find the right board for your league size →
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business. As a result, the brand has become the go-to draft board for fantasy leagues across the country, as featured on Thrillist.
FAQ
Who is playing in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
The Arizona Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers on Thursday August 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, in the first game of the 2026 NFL preseason.
Who are the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees?
The Class of 2026 consists of Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig. The enshrinement ceremony is Saturday August 8 at noon in Canton, Ohio.
Are Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs holding out?
They are technically holding in — both players are reporting to their respective training camps but refusing to practice while seeking contract extensions. Neither has requested a trade and both situations are expected to resolve before the regular season.
Is Kirk Cousins starting for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026?
Yes. Head coach Klint Kubiak named Cousins the starting quarterback over No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to begin training camp. Mendoza is expected to eventually take over the job but the timeline is unclear.
Is Joey Bosa joining the San Francisco 49ers?
Almost certainly not. Nick Bosa said his brother is focused on his golf game in Florida and is not thinking much about football. The 49ers’ front office also indicated a deal was never close to happening.
Is Taysom Hill joining the Denver Broncos?
Sean Payton told NFL Network that the Broncos will explore bringing Hill to Denver following his departure from the Saints.
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Commish Kit, founded in 2002 in Daly City and moved to Austin in 2012, celebrates its 24th season in 2026.
