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
August
28,
2025
Jacksonville
Jaguars
rookie
wide
receiver/cornerback
Travis
Hunter
will
play
both
ways
in
2025,
but
the
team
is
unwilling
to
tip
its
hand
on
how
often
he'll
line
up
on
either
side
of
the
ball.
Speaking
with
the
read more...
August
28,
2025
Houston
Texans
wide
receiver
Xavier
Hutchinson
has
looked
like
the
team's
No.
3
in
camp
behind
Nico
Collins
and
Christian
Kirk,
Jonathan
M.
Alexander
of
the
read more...
August 28, 2025
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) missed practice on Thursday, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports. Gonzalez hasn't practiced since he injured his left hamstring on July 28, nor did he play in any of the team's three preseason games. It's unclear if he'll be ready to return when the Patriots get back on the field on Monday to prepare for their Week 1 showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 7. Since going 17th overall in the 2023 draft, the former Oregon Duck has emerged as an important cog in the Patriots' defense. He appeared in 16 games last year and totaled 59 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions. If Gonzalez is unable to suit up on Sept. 7, it would bode well for the Raiders'
Geno Smith-led passing attack.
--Connor ByrneSource: Andrew Callahan - the Boston Globe
August 28, 2025
The Chicago Bears announced that they have re-signed wide receiver
Devin Duvernay to their active roster one day after releasing him. A third-round pick in 2020, Duvernay spent the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. The 27-year-old hasn't posed much of an offensive threat, having totaled 105 receptions, 977 yards, and five touchdowns in 72 games. Duvernay has stood out on special teams, on the other hand, with a pair of Pro Bowl nods as a return man. He'll mainly serve as a return specialist for the Bears while providing depth in a WR corps led by
DJ Moore,
Rome Odunze,
Olamide Zaccheaus, and
Luther Burden III.
--Connor ByrneSource: Chicago Bears
August 28, 2025
Free-agent wide receiver
Kendrick Bourne will visit with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday and with the Washington Commanders on Tuesday, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The framework of a deal is in place with both teams, just in case. The interest from the 49ers was previously reported with San Francisco's wideout room currently decimated by injuries. The 30-year-old went undrafted out of Eastern Washington before joining the Niners back in 2017. He spent four years in the Bay Area and caught 137 passes for 1,769 yards and 11 touchdowns in 58 games (13 starts) there, but it wasn't until moving to New England where he really took off with a career year in 2021 (55-800-5 line). Bourne would definitely have more of a shot at a key role on offense if he were to return to the 49ers, but fantasy managers shouldn't be holding their breathe either way.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
August 28, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers re-signed wide receiver
Russell Gage Jr. (knee) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday and released safety Richie Grant in a corresponding move, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gage, who did not practice with the team on Thursday due to a knee injury, returns to the team after being released on cutdown day on Tuesday. The return of the 29-year-old speaks to how beat up their receiving room is right now with the Week 1 regular-season opener just over a week away.
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is on the PUP list, and
Jauan Jennings (calf) and rookie
Jordan Watkins (ankle) are up in the air to be ready on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. If both Jennings and Watkins are unavailable for the season opener, it's possible that Gage will be forced into a starting role early on.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
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