August 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins has yet to sign a rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, Judkins is the only player from the 2025 NFL Draft class who has yet to sign his rookie salary. According to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports, the Browns continue to view this situation as "day-to-day." Earlier in the offseason, the former Ohio State standout was arrested for domestic violence. While his prosecutors declined to file a formal misdemeanor battery charge against Judkins, the league is still reviewing this situation and may opt to suspend him. The Browns selected Judkins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he was initially expected to lead the backfield. However, in his absence, fourth-round rookie
Dylan Sampson and veteran
Jerome Ford have taken most of the carries out of the backfield. Given his uncertainty, Judkins is a high-risk option in drafts that is best to fade.
--Andy SmithSource: Michael David Smith
August 24, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was held out of their preseason finale, along with many key starters. While Croskey-Merritt was nursing a minor shoulder injury early in the week, seeing him receive rest before the regular season is a telling sign for his expected role. Instead,
Chris Rodriguez Jr. took five carries on the ground while
Kazmeir Allen led the backfield with eight touches. Despite being drafted in the seventh round, Croskey-Merritt has emerged as a potential starter in D.C., especially following the trade that sent presumed starter
Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco. Croskey-Merritt racked up 46 yards and a score in their second preseason game and 24 yards in his debut. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor Croskey-Merritt's status leading up to the regular season, as he could carry RB2 upside if he were to be named the team's starter.
--Andy SmithSource: JP Finlay
August 24, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Jarquez Hunter rushed for 14 yards on seven carries during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. The rookie was inefficient once again, but it's still worth noting that he only played in the first quarter and thenceforth ceded carries to
Cody Schrader and
Brennan Presley. However,
Kyren Williams and
Blake Corum didn't even play. Corum's absence could indicate that he's in line to operate as the Rams' No. 2 running back while Hunter opens his career as the third-string. Hunter is merely a low-end stash in dynasty leagues, and he can be avoided in redraft formats.
--Andersen PickardSource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris (undisclosed) was unable to participate in team drills during the week and was held out of action during their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers. Harris is currently competing alongside fellow rookie
Keandre Lambert-Smith and veterans
Keenan Allen and
Quentin Johnston for a starting job in the offense. Harris enjoyed a nice breakout game in the second week of the preseason, when he led the team in receiving yards (with 85) during their loss to the Rams. The 23-year-old joined the Chargers in the second round of the draft out of Ole Miss. He is worth keeping a close eye on in deeper redraft leagues, as he could eventually carve out a role in the passing attack. However, given his current injury, he should be viewed as a late-round stash option.
--Andy SmithSource: Daniel Popper
August 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver
Tai Felton (arm) was held out of Friday's preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans due to arm soreness. The Maryland product was lifted from practice earlier in the week but was unable to progress enough to suit up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as this injury could linger during the opening weeks of the regular season. The Vikings selected Felton in the third round of this year's draft with the 102nd overall pick. During the first two weeks of the preseason, Felton was relatively quiet, as he saw just two targets in each game. He combined for 46 total receiving yards. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status early in the season as he could eventually carve out a role with
Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension during the first three weeks of the campaign.
--Andy SmithSource: Emily Leiker
August 24, 2025
Carolina Panthers rookie running back
Trevor Etienne showed some improvement during Carolina's preseason finale on Thursday evening. Facing the Steelers, Etienne ran the ball just three times, but racked up 26 yards. His longest run of the evening went for 28 yards. This was also his longest run of the preseason. During their second game, Etienne ran the ball for only 18 yards on seven attempts. In his debut, he did not fare much better, totaling just three rushing yards on two attempts. The Panthers selected Etienne in the fourth round of April's draft out of Georgia. Given his lack of consistent success during the preseason, fantasy managers should not expect the rookie running back to have a significant role in his debut campaign.
Chuba Hubbard will likely serve as the clear workhorse with
Rico Dowdle filling in as a strong No. 2 option.
--Andy SmithSource: ESPN.com
August 24, 2025
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are waiving rookie safety Shilo Sanders. The buccaneers signed Sanders, who is the brother of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders, an undrafted free agent following April's NFL Draft. Sanders attended Colorado alongside his brother. Sanders spent his last two collegiate seasons in Colorado and logged 44 solo tackles with 67 combined tackles in his final season. Sanders was ejected from their preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills this past Saturday when he threw a punch. Given his lack of attention during the draft process, fantasy managers should not expect Sanders to be heavily sought after on the free agent market leading up to the regular season.
--Andy SmithSource: Dianna Russini
August 24, 2025
Baltimore Ravens beat writer Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic lists Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely's (foot) status on the initial 53-man roster as one of his toughest calls in his latest roster projection. Likely underwent foot surgery in early August. Zrebiec includes Likely in his roster projection and writes that the team is projecting confidence that the tight end will be able to play in Week 1 or "shortly thereafter." If that's the case, Likely can avoid a placement on injured reserve, which would sideline him at least four weeks. Likely's presence on the field has a big impact on the fantasy outlook for fellow tight end
Mark Andrews. In the lone game that Likely missed in 2024, Andrews matched his season-highs in single-game targets (seven), catches (six), and receiving yards (68).
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
August 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Dylan Sampson was the first running back on the field in his team's final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Sampson got the first handoff of the game from starting quarterback
Joe Flacco and finished his day with two carries for three yards and one reception for 14 yards. Veteran running back
Jerome Ford split reps with Sampson during the team's second offensive series. With running back
Quinshon Judkins still unsigned following his offseason arrest, Sampson and Ford should be expected to share the Browns' backfield workload early in the season. If Sampson can emerge as the clear RB1 in Cleveland with a strong start to his rookie campaign, he could be a steal in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back
Ashton Jeanty wrapped up his first NFL preseason by playing one series on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. Jeanty logged two carries for five rushing yards and will finish the preseason with 12 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. He did not see much preseason work in the passing game, recording just one catch for two yards. Jeanty should be expected to shoulder a heavy workload as a rookie in a Raiders' offense that's light on playmakers outside of tight end
Brock Bowers and wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers. Jeanty profiles as a solid fantasy RB1 with upside, particularly if the Raiders offense outperforms expectations.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver
Dont'e Thornton Jr. recorded two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in his team's final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The fourth-rounder out of Tennessee finishes the preseason with three catches on eight targets for 43 yards and a score. Thornton Jr.'s touchdown grab against Arizona came from starting quarterback
Geno Smith on the team's first offensive possession. Thornton Jr. is listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, and he has a chance to emerge as the team's WR2 behind veteran
Jakobi Meyers. He could be a solid value as a late-round dart-throw for fantasy managers, particularly in deeper leagues.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Oronde Gadsden II caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in the team's preseason finale against San Fransisco. The fifth-round rookie from Syracuse has had an excellent training camp and appears to be carving out a spot on the Chargers. The club signed
Tyler Conklin and still rosters
Will Dissly at tight end, but Gadsden has shown flashes of ability during the preseason. The rookie should be of interest in deeper or dynasty formats.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Running back
Raheim Sanders ran 13 times for 48 yards to lead the Los Angeles Chargers in rushing on Saturday against San Francisco. The undrafted rookie had a decent showing in the preseason finale, but still has an uphill climb to make the Chargers' final roster. The Chargers traded for
Najee Harris and drafted
Omarion Hampton to add to a roster that already features
Kimani Vidal and
Hassan Haskins. Sanders is likely still on the outside looking in when cutdown day arrives.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
DJ Uiagalelei completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards to go with two touchdowns and an interception Saturday against San Francisco. The rookie got the majority of snaps and played fairly well, also rushing for 13 yards on one attempt. The Chargers are clearly set at quarterback with
Justin Herbert, but will have decisions to make with backup candidates
Trey Lance,
Taylor Heinicke, and Uiagalelei on cutdown day.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Jaydon Blue (ankle) suffered a low-ankle sprain on Friday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The rookie running back told reporters after the game that he was not overly concerned and hopeful to be ready for Week 1. Blue is one of the more intriguing rookie running back candidates given the situation in Dallas, where his primary competition for carries are two veterans on one-year deals in
Javonte Williams and
Miles Sanders.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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