Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 18

Tyson Hamstring Injury Reshapes 2026 Fantasy Rankings as Olave Jumps Into Round 2

Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 18

Tyson Hamstring Injury Reshapes 2026 Fantasy Rankings as Olave Jumps Into Round 2

Q: Which overlooked Saints receiver is poised for a massive breakout now that Jordyn Tyson is sidelined for two months?

Devaughn Vele is the overlooked Saints receiver best positioned for a breakout while Jordyn Tyson is sidelined. With Tyson expected to miss about two months because of a right hamstring injury, Vele is the clearest in-house candidate to absorb meaningful snaps opposite Chris Olave. Multiple reports and the Saints’ preseason depth chart point to Vele as the likely replacement in the No. 2 role, ahead of younger depth options like Bryce Lance and Barion Brown. There is also evidence that New Orleans has been building toward this. Vele flashed late last season, posting 19 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown over a four-game stretch from Weeks 12 to 15 before a shoulder injury ended his year. Coach Kellen Moore has since said Vele “finished off the season really well,” is healthy, and now has a “really defined role,” adding that the staff wishes it had gotten him involved sooner. That matters in this offense because Chris Olave will still command the most targets, but Tyson’s absence opens up a large share of perimeter snaps and intermediate work for a bigger-bodied receiver. At 6-foot-5, Vele offers a different profile than Olave and gives quarterback Tyler Shough a reliable outside target. Barion Brown is a name to watch for speed and return-game value, but if the question is who is poised for the biggest immediate breakout in Tyson’s absence, the answer is Vele.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 18

Jordyn Tyson’s right hamstring injury could cost him Week 1, pushing the Saints rookie down to about Round 10 in Jamey Eisenberg’s updated 2026 fantasy rankings.
Chris Olave is the clearest beneficiary, moving into late Round 2 or early Round 3 after averaging 20.2 PPR points and 9.9 targets in seven games after Rashid Shaheed’s 2025 exit.
Kyler Murray, now Minnesota’s starter, headlines the risers at QB18/ Round 12 ADP, while Jordan Mason, KC Concepcion, De'Zhaun Stribling and MarShawn Lloyd also gained ground on role or preseason momentum.
Christian McCaffrey leads the fallers after missing a full week with "tightness," dropping to the back of Round 1, while Jeremiyah Love’s high-ankle sprain and TreVeyon Henderson’s camp inconsistency also hurt value.
Stefon Diggs’ arrival in Washington clouds Terry McLaurin’s target outlook, and concerns about Cam Ward and Alec Pierce’s ankle recovery show how August injuries and depth-chart shifts are driving draft boards.