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
August
22,
2025
San
Francisco
49ers
wide
receiver
Robbie
Chosen
"has
a
chance
to
crack
the
(team's)
53-man
roster,"
according
to
Matt
Barrows
and
Vic
Tafur
of
The
Athletic.
Chosen
played
well
in
San
Francisco's
second
preseason
game,
recording
read more...
August 22, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings have interest in acquiring veteran wide receiver
Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Minnesota's receiving corps is thin to open the season, with
Jordan Addison facing a three-game suspension and
Jalen Nailor (hand) battling injury. Thielen spent the first nine years of his career in Minnesota before signing with Carolina prior to the start of the 2023 season. The 35-year-old remained a productive player in 2024, recording 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns across ten games. If acquired by Minnesota, Thielen would likely be the team's WR2 until Addison returns. His fantasy profile could benefit in the short term from a move to the Vikings, but Thielen's season-long outlook would suffer once Addison pushes him to the WR3 role.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
August 22, 2025
The Carolina Panthers have signed right tackle Taylor Moton to a two-year, $44 million extension, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The 31-year-old has spent the entirety of his eight-year NFL career with the Panthers, missing a total of just three games in that time frame. Pro Football Focus graded Moton as the 19th-best tackle in the NFL last season, although he was significantly better as a pass blocker than a run blocker. Carolina has quietly assembled one of the league's better offensive lines, which was a huge factor in quarterback
Bryce Young's breakout down the stretch of the 2024 season.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport
August 22, 2025
New York Giants rookie tight end
Thomas Fidone II caught a touchdown on Thursday, August 21, 2025, during the Giants' 42-10 preseason victory over the New England Patriots. Fidone caught four of his five targets for 39 yards, with his longest reception going for 28 yards and averaging 9.8 yards per catch. The rookie seventh-round pick has been flashing potential throughout training camp and is doing his best to make a deep Giants roster at the tight end position. While Fidone is buried on the depth chart right now, his solid performance in the preseason finale gives him a strong case to be added to the 53-man roster.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
August 22, 2025
New York Giants tight end
Greg Dulcich scored two touchdowns on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in a 42-10 preseason victory over the New England Patriots. Dulcich caught four of his four targets for 26 yards, with his longest reception going for 10 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per catch. The two touchdowns (third of the preseason) are a significant accomplishment for Dulcich, who is doing his best to make a deep Giants roster at the tight end position. The Giants drafted tight end Thomas Fidone in the seventh round this year after drafting
Theo Johnson in the fourth round last year, making the competition for a roster spot a tough climb for Dulcich before the cuts are made. Dulcich has minimal fantasy relevance in redraft leagues but is a name to monitor for managers in deeper dynasty formats in the event he makes the team or is signed elsewhere.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
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