August 31, 2025
New Orleans Saints quarterback
Tyler Shough lost the quarterback battle to
Spencer Rattler heading into Week 1, but the team's uncertain footing could lead to a chance later this season. The rookie had a strong final year at Louisville, and the team making a move due to Rattler struggling is well within the realm of possibility in 2025. The better question for a manager is whether they want to use a fantasy roster spot on any Saints quarterback. With a projected Vegas win total of 4.5, the team is firmly in the mix to secure the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft, which would mean a long year is ahead.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Sports Illustrated
August 31, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Brashard Smith made the 53-man roster in Kansas City, and could have a pathway to the field during his first season with the team. The rookie cleared the first hurdle by sticking around through training camp, which is no guarantee as a seventh-round pick. But with
Isiah Pacheco less than a year removed from a broken leg, Smith's competition for time is veterans
Kareem Hunt and
Elijah Mitchell. As a former wide receiver, the rookie has a skill set the Chiefs like, having featured similarly skilled
Jerick McKinnon in prior years. Smith has some lottery ticket appeal playing in Andy Reid's offense.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: The Athletic
August 31, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Terrance Ferguson showed some flashes of receiving ability during the preseason, but his blocking remains a work in progress as Los Angeles approaches Week 1. Though that might not be top-of-mind from a fantasy perspective, it will impact how much the rookie sees the field and ultimately how much he gets targeted.
Tyler Higbee is still L.A.'s top tight end, but the Rams clearly saw the promise in Ferguson by using a second-round pick to acquire him. As something of a project, Ferguson has more value in dynasty formats, but his receiving ability could present deep sleeper appeal in redraft leagues, too.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Sports Illustrated
August 31, 2025
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Jalen Milroe is expected to see the field, albeit sporadically, as a rookie, with coach Mike Macdonald this week saying the club will have a package of plays designed specifically for him. The rookie, as expected, remained raw throughout the preseason, according to a report from Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. From a fantasy perspective, Milroe's only real value is in dynasty formats, as his usage likely won't be high enough to roster in redraft leagues with Seattle projected to start free agent signee
Sam Darnold.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: The Athletic
August
30,
2025
New
York
Jets
quarterback
Justin
Fields
agreed
to
a
two-year,
$40
million
contract
during
the
offseason.
The
signal-caller
has
had
his
share
of
ups
and
downs
throughout
his
career
thus
far.
However,
Jets
general
manager
Darren
read more...
August 30, 2025
Rookie wide receiver
Tez Johnson has made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster after an impressive preseason. A seventh-round draft pick, Johnson earned his spot over
Trey Palmer, who had flashed in his two seasons with the team but has since landed in New Orleans. With
Jalen McMillan (neck) on Injured Reserve and
Chris Godwin (ankle) expected to miss the first month of the 2025 campaign, Johnson could earn opportunities immediately.
Mike Evans and
Emeka Egbuka should be quarterback
Baker Mayfield's top weapons, but the Buccaneers will need more pass-catchers to step up if they hope to repeat the success they found through the air last season. Johnson's utilization in the early weeks is worth keeping an eye on in all fantasy formats.
--Jorden HillSource: Billy Heyen
August 30, 2025
The Tennessee Titans signed wide receiver
Xavier Restrepo to their practice squad after the rookie failed to make the team's initial 53-man roster. Restrepo, who signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent in April, appeared in three preseason contests and logged three receptions for 26 yards on six targets. He could eventually reunite on the field with his college quarterback,
Cameron Ward, but the 23-year-old still needs to prove he's NFL-ready. It's worth noting that the Titans lack established receiving options outside of
Calvin Ridley and
Tyler Lockett, but rookies
Elic Ayomanor and
Chimere Dike did make the roster heading into Week 1. For now, Restrepo should be viewed strictly as a deep dynasty stash.
--Jorden HillSource: Jeremy Brener
August 30, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Efton Chism III (ankle, foot) returned to practice earlier this week after missing some time due to an injury he suffered in the team's second preseason game. The Eastern Washington product told reporters he is "absolutely healthy" on Wednesday, a day after he officially made the Patriots' 53-man roster. Veterans
Stefon Diggs (knee) and
DeMario Douglas are expected to lead New England's receiver corps, while Chism will compete with fellow rookie
Kyle Williams (head/undisclosed),
Kayshon Boutte, and
Mack Hollins for snaps. With
Kendrick Bourne recently released, Chism could see early opportunities, making his usage worth monitoring across all fantasy formats.
--Jorden HillSource: Matt Geagan
August 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback
Will Howard (hand) told the Pat McAfee Show that he is taking an important step in his recovery from a broken bone in his right hand. "I'm back to throwing this week," Howard said on Friday. "So it's feeling good, going in the right direction." Howard suffered the injury to his throwing hand on Aug. 5, knocking him out for most of training camp and the entire preseason. The Steelers placed Howard on Injured Reserve on Thursday, meaning the sixth-round pick from Ohio State is guaranteed to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. Even if Howard returns in 2025, it's doubtful that the 23-year-old will see much action as a rookie (if any). The Steelers are entering the season with
Aaron Rodgers as their starter and an experienced backup in
Mason Rudolph, leaving Howard in a developmental role.
--Connor ByrneSource: Nick Farabaugh - PennLive.com
August 30, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks signed rookie running back
Damien Martinez to their practice squad earlier this week. Martinez joined the Seahawks as a seventh-round pick from Miami in this year's draft, but he was unable to earn a spot on their season-opening 53-man roster. The 6-foot, 217-pounder spent his first two seasons in college at Oregon State before transferring last year. He racked up back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and totaled 19 touchdowns from 2023-24. In his first preseason with the Seahawks, Martinez saw a significant amount of action. The 21-year-old carried the ball a team-high 24 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Seahawks in receptions (six) and added another 43 yards through the air. While he'll try to work his way up to the roster, the Seahawks will enter the season with
Kenneth Walker III,
Zach Charbonnet, and
George Holani as their top three RBs.
--Connor ByrneSource: Seattle Seahawks
August
30,
2025
Cleveland
Browns
rookie
quarterback
Dillon
Gabriel
has
"gained
a
lot
of
trust
from
the
coaching
staff
just
in
terms
of
how
he
worked,
and
we
feel
good
about
it,"
assistant
general
manager
Glenn
Cook
said.
read more...
August 30, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie
LeQuint Allen Jr. is the team's top pass-blocking running back and is "likely to play a critical role on third downs," John Oesher of Jaguars.com writes. The seventh-round pick from Syracuse totaled just two carries in the preseason, but he did finish the exhibition schedule tied for the team lead in catches (eight). That's not surprising, as the dual threat wrapped up his three-year run in college last season with a personal-best 64 receptions. If Allen's going to make an impact with the Jags this season, it seems likely he'll have to do it in the passing game as part of a crowded RB group. He's behind
Travis Etienne Jr.,
Tank Bigsby, and rookie fourth-rounder
Bhayshul Tuten on the depth chart, which means touches will be hard to come by in 2025.
--Connor ByrneSource: John Oehser - Jaguars.com
August 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has consistently targeted wide receiver
DK Metcalf near the goal line in training camp. If that continues during the regular season, the 6-foot-4, 229-pound Metcalf could be in line for his first season of 10-plus touchdowns since 2021, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic argues. Metcalf, acquired in the offseason from the Seattle Seahawks, has averaged 73 catches, 1,054 yards, and eight scores per season since entering the NFL in 2019. While that's impressive production, Metcalf could improve on it as the leader of a Pittsburgh receiving corps that lacks proven options behind him. After back-to-back 66-catch seasons, Metcalf is going into 2025 as RotoBaller's 30th-ranked receiver.
--Connor ByrneSource: Mike DeFabo - The Athletic
August
30,
2025
According
to
Grant
Cohn
of
SI,
San
Francisco
49ers
wide
receiver
Jauan
Jennings
(calf)
may
have
already
"played
in
his
final
game"
with
the
team.
The
wideout
is
looking
to
be
traded
or
receive
an
extension.
However,
read more...
August 30, 2025
Jon Machota of The Athletic believes Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
KaVontae Turpin could score "at least" eight touchdowns in 2025. He was used "in a variety of ways" during training camp, including "as a running back" and a "big-play option down the field in the passing game." As a result, Machota feels the wideout "is in position to have his most impactful season to date." Turpin is coming off his most productive year in the National Football League. He appeared in all 17 regular-season contests, amassing 31 catches for 420 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys have
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens as the primary receiving options. However, if one of them goes down with an injury, the door may be open for Turpin to see an increase in scoring chances. While that may not be beneficial for fantasy managers to begin the 2025 campaign, he's worth stashing in deeper formats.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jon Machota
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