August 29, 2025
Former New England Patriots wide receiver
Javon Baker is signing a practice-squad deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. A fourth-round pick of New England's in 2024, Baker was released by the Patriots on Wednesday. The 23-year-old appeared in 11 games for New England as a rookie but recorded just one catch. In Philadelphia, he will be a depth piece behind
A.J. Brown,
DeVonta Smith,
Jahan Dotson, and
John Metchie III. Baker should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in 2025.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Mike Reiss
August 29, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers have signed quarterback
Adrian Martinez to their practice squad on Thursday. Martinez was cut by the New York Jets earlier in the week. The Jets decided to only carry two quarterbacks with
Justin Fields and
Tyrod Taylor. Martinez was decent in the preseason, completing 30 of 51 passing attempts for 352 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The 25-year-old will serve as depth behind
Brock Purdy and
Mac Jones. There is no reason to stash Martinez at the moment in fantasy leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: David Lombardi
August 29, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Robert Tonyan has been signed from the practice squad to the active roster on Thursday. Tonyan was cut by the team on Tuesday, but joined the practice squad a day later. Now, the 31-year-old makes the 53-man roster heading into Week 1. He'll serve as depth behind
Travis Kelce and
Noah Gray to start the season. Tonyan hasn't been fantasy relevant in a few seasons, but did haul in 53 receptions in 2022. He also produced an 11-touchdown season during his time with the Green Bay Packers. Tonyan has shown he's capable of making big plays in the NFL. However, Tonyan won't have fantasy value to begin the season as the projected third string.
--Andy WebbSource: Aaron Wilson
August 29, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers have signed running back
Sincere McCormick to their practice squad on Thursday. McCormick quickly finds a new team after being cut by the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the week. The 24-year-old figures to serve as depth behind
Christian McCaffrey,
Brian Robinson Jr., and
Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) in the backfield. Last season, McCormick rushed 39 times for 183 yards in five games (two starts) with the Raiders. There isn't going to be fantasy value here unless the 49ers suffer a few injuries in the backfield.
--Andy WebbSource: David Lombardi
August 29, 2025
The Carolina Panthers have signed running back
DeeJay Dallas to their practice squad on Thursday. He quickly finds a new home after being released by the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the week. Dallas played in all 17 games with the Cardinals last season, but only rushed nine times for 49 yards while hauling in three receptions for 11 yards and one touchdown. The 26-year-old hasn't seen much of the field as a running back lately with only 19 carries over the last two seasons. He figures to mostly be used on special teams and serve as depth behind
Chuba Hubbard and
Rico Dowdle.
--Andy WebbSource: Sheena Quick
August 29, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end
Payne Durham could potentially see a larger role in the offense to begin the regular season. The Bucs are uncertain if starting tight end
Cade Otton (leg) is going to be ready to play during the season opener. The team will likely wait and see how Otton progresses throughout next week before making a final decision. If he misses time, Payne Durham and
Devin Culp figure to split up time as the starting tight end. Durham didn't see a ton of action last season, but played well when Otton missed time late in the season. When Otton was out, Durham hauled in nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns as the starter. There's not a lot of value here, but maybe Durham is a dart throw if Otton is unable to go in Week 1.
--Andy WebbSource: Brianna Dix
August 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward has quickly established himself as a leader both on and off the field. From the moment he entered the locker room, Ward carried himself with the poise and professionalism of a veteran, which earned him near-unanimous selection as a team captain. The Titans are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2024 campaign in which their offense ranked just 26th in the league. Ward's leadership, paired with playmakers like
Tony Pollard and
Calvin Ridley, will be crucial as the Titans aim to reignite their offensive attack and set a new tone heading into the 2025 season.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Teresa M. Walker
August 28, 2025
The Carolina Panthers are wasting no time elevating rookie wideout
Tetairoa McMillan, especially after trading veteran
Adam Thielen back to Minnesota. McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick, offers size, athleticism, and big-play ability, and his role as
Bryce Young's top target appears to be taking shape quickly. Young showed steady growth and confidence in the second half of 2024, and Carolina is betting that pairing him with a youthful duo of McMillan and
Xavier Legette will accelerate the offense's development. With Thielen gone, McMillan is primed to shine as a focal point in 2025 and could be a breakout candidate in fantasy.
--Shaun AlbinSource: David Newton
August 28, 2025
The New England Patriots may have struck gold with rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson. The former Ohio State star has flashed explosiveness throughout camp, drawing comparisons to the excitement Curtis Martin generated as a rookie. Henderson's versatility should earn him touches early, with opportunities in both the return game and as a change-of-pace option behind
Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson remains the lead back, but ball security issues could open the door for Henderson to carve out a larger share of the workload. With his burst, vision, and playmaking ability, Henderson is positioned to be one of New England's most dynamic weapons.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Ryan McLaughlin
August 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie
Dylan Sampson has emerged as the clear No. 2 back behind
Jerome Ford with
Quinshon Judkins still unsigned. Sampson has shown burst and reliability in camp, locking down the change-of-pace role. Ford, meanwhile, has never logged more than 250 touches in a season, leaving the door open for Sampson to carve out meaningful snaps or even push for a bigger role if Ford falters. His skill set makes him a versatile complement in Cleveland's backfield. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a valuable late-round flier with legitimate upside if the backfield shifts in his favor.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Our Lads
August 28, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III is making an early mark with his run blocking. The former Missouri standout has shown a knack for driving defenders into the second level and clearing lanes for the ground game. While Burden still has work to do as a route runner and must sharpen his concentration in contested situations, his physicality and willingness to block stand out. Chicago coaches value receivers who contribute beyond catching passes, and Burden's effort could earn him more opportunities. With his athletic upside, the rookie has the tools to eventually become a reliable playmaker.
--Shaun AlbinSource: ImBearingDown
August 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back coach Deland McCullough said that the team "want(s) to have other guys who can come in and spell" rookie running back
Ashton Jeanty, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic. In addition to Jeanty, the Raiders have running backs
Zamir White,
Raheem Mostert, and
Dylan Laube on their 53-man roster. Reed writes that White is a power back who can "specialize in short-yardage situations," while Mostert is "the third-down back who can serve as a reliable pass blocker." To be clear, Reed still refers to Jeanty as the "every-down bellcow back." The 21-year-old should be expected to see a significant workload as a rookie, but the team is mindful of Jeanty's season-long effectiveness and long-term career outlook.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Tashan Reed
August 28, 2025
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver
Kyle Williams (head/undisclosed) was "sidelined by injury just as it seemed he was grasping the offense," according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Williams was forced out of New England's second preseason game after getting hit in the head, and missed the team's third preseason game as a result. However, he returned to the practice field on Sunday and appears to be tracking towards being ready for Week 1. Williams is likely to open the season behind veteran
Mack Hollins in the battle for the Patriots' WR3 role alongside
Stefon Diggs and
DeMario Douglas. The 22-year-old is a dynamic deep-ball threat with obvious upside, but he reportedly struggled with inconsistency throughout training camp. If Graff's feeling that Williams was starting to catch on before getting injured is correct, the rookie could be ready to make an impact sooner rather than later.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
August 28, 2025
Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic writes that it's "still too early to know" how much playing time Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt will receive early in the season. Croskey-Merritt was one of the breakout stars of training camp, and the Commanders seemingly cleared a spot for him by trading away incumbent back
Brian Robinson Jr. However, Washington still has an established veteran in
Austin Ekeler to play passing downs, and third-year back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is expected to earn touches as well. There's a pathway for Croskey-Merritt to seize the lead role in Washington at some point this season, but the Commanders may open the season with more of a committee approach. Croskey-Merritt has fantasy RB2 upside. Still, managers should draft the 24-year-old expecting RB3/flex production.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
August 28, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris (undisclosed) was "working off to the side" during the team's practice on Wednesday, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Harris missed the team's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers with an undisclosed injury, and his status for Week 1 is not yet clear. With
Ladd McConkey and
Keenan Allen locked in as the Chargers' top two wide receivers, Harris is seemingly battling
Quentin Johnston for the team's WR3 role. A second-round pick out of Ole Miss, Harris was having a solid preseason before getting injured. He may struggle to make a fantasy impact in 2025 unless there's an injury to either McConkey or Allen, but Harris has significant upside as a dynasty prospect.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
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