August 22, 2025
The Athletic's Joseph Person suggests that Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver
Hunter Renfrow could be in danger of not making the 53-man roster heading into the regular season. General manager Dan Morgan might have tipped his hand when
Brycen Tremayne was inactive for the team's preseason finale on Thursday night, while Renfrow and
David Moore played. Moore has more special-teams value than Renfrow, and head coach Dave Canales has a lot of trust in Moore. However, others in the organization are higher on Renfrow. The 29-year-old former Raiders wideout caught two of his three targets for only five yards in Thursday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even if Renfrow makes the Panthers' active roster, he won't have a big enough role to warrant fantasy consideration in most leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joseph Person
August 22, 2025
Running back
Christian McCaffrey is the San Francisco 49ers' unquestioned No. 1 RB when he's healthy, but Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group thinks that
Isaac Guerendo is still the projected RB2 behind CMC despite Friday's trade acquisition of Brian Robinson Jr, presuming that B-Rob isn't fast-tracked over the next two weeks. Guerendo resumed practicing this week after two weeks off from a shoulder dislocation, so he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 7. Although the 25-year-old Guerendo figures to be the RB2 to open the year, it's entirely possible that Robinson leaps him on the RB depth chart eventually. The trade for B-Rob definitely is a hit to Guerendo's potential upside if CMC gets hurt again, too. Early on, Robinson will most likely be more of a short-yardage/goal-line power back in his new home.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
August 22, 2025
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back
DJ Giddens is making waves in camp, solidifying himself as the No. 2 option behind
Jonathan Taylor. The Kansas State product brings a strong mix of power and elusiveness that has quickly carried over to the NFL level. Impressively, Giddens has also flashed as a dependable pass-catcher, an area where Taylor has often struggled. With three-down ability and a clear role, Giddens is a strong late-round stash in redraft leagues and an appealing dynasty investment. He profiles as one of the higher-upside handcuffs in fantasy, especially if Taylor were to miss time.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Stephen Holder
August 22, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie
Kyle Monangai is carving out a meaningful role in the backfield behind starter
D'Andre Swift. The seventh-round pick out of Rutgers has impressed with his compact 5'8", 207-pound frame, showcasing the physicality to grind out tough yards between the tackles. His hard-nosed running style complements Swift's shiftiness and should help ease pressure on quarterback
Caleb Williams. Monangai's power makes him a candidate for short-yardage and goal-line work, boosting his fantasy value as a late-round handcuff. He's a name to monitor in deeper formats with the potential to see red-zone touches early in his career.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Courtney Cronin
August 22, 2025
The Washington Commanders traded running back
Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. With
Austin Ekeler and
Jacory Croskey-Merritt emerging as Washington's top options, Robinson became expendable and now lands as
Christian McCaffrey's backup. While McCaffrey is fully healthy and drawing rave reviews in camp, his injury history makes Robinson a valuable insurance policy for San Francisco. For fantasy managers, Robinson's value takes a major hit unless McCaffrey misses time, leaving him as more of a handcuff than standalone option. Still, the move secures the 49ers much-needed depth after a rash of preseason RB injuries.
UPDATE: The 49ers sent the Commanders a future sixth-round pick in return.--Shaun AlbinSource: Adam Schefter
August 22, 2025
New York Jets rookie tight end
Mason Taylor has impressed coaches throughout preseason, positioning himself for a major role in the passing game. At 6'5" and 251 pounds, Taylor brings the physicality to hold up as a blocker while flashing reliable hands as a receiver. His ability to contribute in both phases makes him an ideal safety valve for quarterback
Justin Fields, who will lean on quick reads in a new-look offense. Taylor carries late-round sleeper appeal in fantasy drafts, with the upside to emerge as a consistent starter if his preseason momentum translates into regular-season production.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Rich Cimini
August 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Dylan Sampson is pushing for touches after a strong preseason. The fourth-round pick has capitalized on
Quinshon Judkins' missed time and carved out a role behind
Jerome Ford. Ford paced the team in rushing last season but managed just 790 yards from scrimmage, leaving room for competition. Sampson's burst and elusiveness at the point of contact make him a change-of-pace threat who could quickly gain traction in the rotation. Fantasy managers should keep Sampson in mind as a deep sleeper with upside, especially if Ford struggles or injuries shake up the Browns' backfield.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Daniel Oyefusi
August 22, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars feature one of the NFL's deepest running back rooms, and
Tank Bigsby has emerged as more than just a change-of-pace option. Bigsby outcarried
Travis Etienne 168 to 150 in 2024, showcasing the coaching staff's trust in him as a steady early-down runner. Etienne, however, remains a dynamic weapon with pass-catching and big-play ability. Rookie
Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen also provide depth, but fantasy managers should expect another close split between Bigsby and Etienne. Both backs are draftable, with Etienne carrying more upside, while Bigsby offers consistent flex appeal.
--Shaun AlbinSource: John Shipley
August 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Pat Freiermuth hauled in both of his targets for six yards in a 19-10 exhibition victory over the Carolina Panthers. Freiermuth, who was held out of Pittsburgh's first two preseason contests, played with the first-team offense on Thursday night and was immediately a go-to option for quarterback
Mason Rudolph. In addition to his two official opportunities, Freiermuth was targeted early in the first quarter on third down, but his defender was flagged for pass interference. While recently-acquired tight end
Jonnu Smith (knee) isn't expected to miss any regular-season action, Freiermuth should still be a focal point of the Steelers' passing game that lacks depth at the wide receiver position. He's an intriguing late-round target with upside in most redraft fantasy leagues.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Scotty Miller logged three receptions for 82 receiving yards in a 19-10 exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers. Most notably, Miller gained 53 yards on a deep ball from quarterback
Skylar Thompson that set up a Steelers field goal to close out the first half. The 28-year-old has stood out the entire preseason, securing all nine of his targets for 167 yards across three games, and has likely played his way onto the team's 53-man roster. Starting quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has spoken highly of Miller, emphasizing that "Scotty can fly" during an interview on Thursday night's broadcast. While Miller will go ignored in the vast majority of fantasy drafts, he could surprise early in the regular season if
Calvin Austin III (abdomen) misses additional time.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Skylar Thompson completed 11 of his 13 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's 19-10 preseason victory against the Carolina Panthers. Thompson took over for
Mason Rudolph in the second quarter and orchestrated three consecutive scoring drives. He capped his opening series with a perfect five-for-five passing line, highlighted by a 24-yard strike to
Lance McCutcheon in the end zone to put Pittsburgh ahead. Thompson's strong play this summer has likely been enough to earn him a roster spot somewhere, though it's uncertain at this point if it will be in Pittsburgh. The aforementioned Rudolph is likely to enter the season as the team's primary backup behind
Aaron Rodgers, but if the Steelers place rookie
Will Howard (finger) on IR, they could opt to keep Thompson as their QB3 or explore trade options.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kaleb Johnson turned five carries into 24 yards and gained two yards on his only reception of a 19-10 exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers. Johnson was productive with most of his touches on Thursday night and did play a few snaps with Pittsburgh's first-team offense. The bad news, however, is that he entered the contest after both
Jaylen Warren and
Kenneth Gainwell got some run. Johnson also had a few opportunities on special teams in the first quarter, returning the opening kickoff and later a punt, both for gains of 22 yards. The rookie's role on offense isn't exactly clear heading into the regular season, but fantasy managers should not plan to deploy him as a reliable RB2 right away. Johnson is better viewed as a bench stash with the upside to become a valuable asset down the stretch.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren handled two carries for three yards and secured both of his targets for 12 yards in a 19-10 preseason victory against the Carolina Panthers. Warren, who was held out of the team's first two preseason contests, had a nice gain through the air on his first touch, but unfortunately fumbled the ball on his way to the ground. Although he had three additional opportunities on Pittsburgh's first two drives, he didn't manage to make much out of them. The 26-year-old is expected to lead the Steelers' rushing attack to begin the regular season, but could cede snaps to promising rookie
Kaleb Johnson and veteran
Kenneth Gainwell if he struggles early on. Warren will still likely be a value in most fantasy drafts as a flex or RB3 target in the later rounds.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 22, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs was "great in the run and pass games" and "looked excellent" in the team's joint practice with the Houston Texans on Thursday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. In contrast, Pouncy writes that the Lions' power run game behind
David Montgomery struggled against Houston. Gibbs gained 1,929 yards from scrimmage and led the NFL with 20 touchdowns in 2024, but he started just four games. Montgomery will play a role in Detroit's offense. Still, it appears the Lions may be shifting the focus of their ground game, particularly with the uncertainty along the interior of their offensive line. The only question mark in Gibbs' fantasy profile is volume of touches. If he can shift into a true lead role in Detroit's backfield this season, Gibbs has RB1 upside.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
August 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Mason Rudolph completed six of his eight pass attempts for 36 scoreless yards and an interception in Thursday night's 19-10 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers. Rudolph took the field for the team's first three offensive possessions and could not get much of anything going. The Steelers punted twice in the first quarter before Rudolph opened the second period with an ill-advised throw to
Ke'Shawn Williams that Carolina picked off. Rudolph's brief showing was quickly outshined by teammate
Skylar Thompson, who led Pittsburgh on three straight scoring drives. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old Rudolph should be expected to maintain QB2 duties heading into the regular season as the most experienced backup on the roster, especially if rookie
Will Howard (finger) is placed on IR.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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