New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor was one of many key players who did not play in the team's final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. A second-round pick out of LSU, Taylor battled an ankle injury earlier in training camp but has reportedly impressed in practice during his time on the field. Taylor was listed behind Jeremy Ruckert at tight end on the team's first unofficial depth chart. However, Ruckert was on the field for the preseason finale, which could indicate that Taylor will open the season as the team's top tight end. Taylor should not be expected to provide top-12 fantasy production at the position early in his rookie season. However, he could eventually emerge as a key contributor in New York with the team low on pass-catching talent behind top wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (thumb) has suffered a fractured thumb that could lead to him being unavailable for Week 1, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. McKee is not expected to require a stint on injured reserve as the fracture is considered relatively minor. Philadelphia acquired quarterback Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, so Howell could open the season as the backup to Jalen Hurts while McKee is sidelined. However, Rapoport writes that the Howell trade "likely would've happened" regardless of McKee's injury status, so the Eagles may be planning to carry three quarterbacks. Assuming McKee can make a quick return, he remains the name for fantasy managers to know should Hurts go down with an injury.

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Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins recorded two catches for 18 yards in his team's final preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Higgins finishes preseason play with five catches on seven targets for 40 yards. The 22-year-old is listed as a starter at wide receiver alongside veterans Nico Collins and Christian Kirk on Houston's unofficial depth chart. Higgins has excellent size and was a highly productive player in college, recording 87 catches and nine touchdowns in his final season at Iowa State. He should be prioritized as a late-round flier with upside in fantasy drafts.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that he hasn't yet settled on a backup quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco for Week 1, but that he expects Kenny Pickett (hamstring) to be available, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Pickett suffered a hamstring injury in July that prevented him from playing in the preseason, but he was able to return to practice in a limited fashion in late August. It appears as though Cleveland might still be more comfortable with Pickett than either of the team's two rookie quarterbacks, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Regardless, Pickett is highly unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025.

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New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams (undisclosed) returned to practice on Sunday for the first time in a week, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Williams was forced out of the team's second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings after being hit in the head, and as a result, did not participate in the preseason finale against the New York Giants on Thursday. Williams' return to practice is an encouraging sign for his Week 1 availability. The 22-year-old is not expected to start the season as one of the Patriots' top three wide receivers, but he's a big-play threat who could eventually work his way into a larger role.

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Jacksonville Jaguars beat writer John Shipley of Sports Illustrated believes that the team is looking to trade one of its veteran running backs, Travis Etienne Jr. or Tank Bigsby. Jacksonville has been rotating first-team reps between Etienne Jr., Bigsby, and fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten throughout the preseason. Rookie seventh-rounder LeQuint Allen Jr. is also expected to make the 53-man roster, per Shipley. Between Jacksonville's two backs with NFL experience, Etienne Jr. is the superior pass-catcher, while Bigsby is a better early-down and goal-line rusher. Both profile as low-end RB3/flex options in fantasy as long as they are splitting reps in Jacksonville, so it's possible that a trade would help the outlooks for each.

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Indianapolis Colts rookie first-round tight end Tyler Warren is already living up to the hype going into his first NFL season after being described by the team's brass an an "easy" selection at No. 14 overall back in April's draft. The Colts have been very pleased with their pick thanks to Warren's sure hands, physical running after the catch and development as a blocker. ESPN's Stephen Holder writes that coaches have been struck by Warren's "overall toughness and physicality that they believe will set the tone for them." The Colts are expected to prominently feature plays that will give him the chance to gain yards after the catch. Warren's physical running and impressive body control at 6-foot-6, 256 pounds give him the ability to thrive in the open field. Given the shallow depth at the TE position in fantasy, Warren is on the TE1/2 borderline already.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Britain Covey caught four of six targets for 32 yards during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. The 28-year-old ultimately contributed in all three preseason games, but Week 3 was his best outing. He finishes this summer with nine catches, 76 yards, zero touchdowns, and a pair of punt returns. He's certainly on the roster bubble as Week 1 approaches, as the Rams already have wide receiver depth and would plug in Xavier Smith as their primary punt returner if he makes the team. If Covey is cut loose, he'd likely generate interest for a practice squad or roster spot elsewhere.

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Cam Miller saw extra work in Saturday's 20-10 loss to the Cardinals, stepping in following Aidan O'Connell's fractured wrist. Miller finished 12-of-24 passing with four sacks, showing flashes of arm strength but also the growing pains expected of a developmental rookie. His promotion to QB2 ensures more practice and in-game reps over the next two months, giving the Raiders a chance to accelerate his growth. While not a redraft option, Miller could emerge as an intriguing dynasty stash if he continues to build confidence and sharpen decision-making against NFL competition.

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Denver Broncos rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey got the start in the backfield for the team's preseason finale on Saturday against the New Orleans Saints and handled only four touches (three carries, one catch) in the 28-19 victory. Harvey ran the rock for only four yards on his three rushing attempts and hauled in his only target for a gain of one yard. The good news is that the 24-year-old was in on the team's first three possessions with the rest of the first-team offense with J.K. Dobbins not playing. In three preseason contests, Harvey had 13 carries for 47 yards and caught three passes for seven yards. The Broncos are expected to split lead-back duties among Harvey and Dobbins, although Harvey has more big-play upside and much less tread on his tires, making him the more attractive fantasy selection in upcoming drafts as an RB2/3 target.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Dresser Winn completed 15 of 23 pass attempts for 190 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. This was Winn's first taste of game action in 2025, as Stetson Bennett handled the quarterback duties in the Rams' two previous preseason games. The 26-year-old does have NFL preseason experience from years past, though, as he spent training camp with the Rams in 2023 and 2024. The UT Martin product also played in the UFL earlier this year. Although Winn won't make the roster over Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, or Bennett, his decent outing Saturday could earn him a practice squad job in Los Angeles or elsewhere.

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie wideout Jack Bech enters 2025 as a depth option in Chip Kelly's retooled offense. A second-round pick and former second-team All-Big 12 performer, Bech managed just four preseason receptions but flashed traits that have coaches intrigued. His combination of size, toughness, and ball skills make him a reliable possession target, while his body control and catch focus allow him to win contested situations. Though early-season opportunities may be limited, Bech's ability to battle defenders, track the ball downfield, and generate yards after contact could earn him a larger role as the season progresses.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is primed to open his rookie campaign as the team's WR2 behind veteran Mike Evans with Jalen McMillan (neck) to open the year on Injured Reseve with a "severely sprained neck." McMillan could be out beyond the team's Week 9 bye. Additionally, Chris Godwin (ankle) could open the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would require him to miss at least the first four games. Not only will the 22-year-old rookie out of Ohio State have a prime role in a pass-happy offense to begin the year, but all reports out of training camp on Egbuka have been glowing. The 19th overall pick in April's NFL draft could be targeted heavily with Evans drawing plenty of attention across the field. Right now, RotoBaller has Egbuka ranked as the WR32 in fantasy, and his stock is only rising.

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Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was held out of practice on Monday and Tuesday of this week as a precaution due to a minor hamstring injury, and he also did not suit up for the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Imaging on McMillan's hamstring came back clean, and head coach Dave Canales wasn't concerned when asked when the rookie wideout might return. With another full week before the start of the regular season, the 22-year-old should be ready to roll for his NFL debut in Week 1 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7. Canales chalked up McMillan's hamstring soreness to his high activity during training camp this summer. If fully healthy, McMillan could operate as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target this year, putting him in play as a WR2 in fantasy drafts.

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith looked sharp in Sunday's preseason finale, leading the first-team offense on a 60-yard scoring drive in his lone series. The veteran capped the drive with a 17-yard strike to rookie wideout Dont'e Thornton Jr. in the end zone. Smith has shown poise throughout camp, and with Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense beginning to click, expectations are rising in Las Vegas. While Smith enters the year projected as a fantasy QB2, his efficiency and potential volume in a suddenly explosive system could make him a sneaky value pick in deeper formats.

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Eric Smith of Chargers.com wrote earlier this week that Los Angeles Chargers rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton "just keeps getting better and better." Hampton might have been at his best all summer during the team's 21st practice of training camp on Monday, although there was no live tackling allowed. However, the former North Carolina back showed his speed, athleticism and power. With Najee Harris (eye) still on the Non-Football Injury list due to a fireworks accident that injured his eye on the Fourth of July, Hampton "has stepped into the lead-back role." The 22-year-old did not play in the preseason finale this weekend but carried the ball twice for 12 yards in Week 2 of the preseason against the Rams. Even if Harris is active for Week 1 of the regular season, Hampton figures to be L.A.'s RB1, and his fantasy stock continues to rise.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (groin) caught two of his three targets for 48 yards during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. The rookie missed the first two preseason games due to injury, but he was able to get on the field and showcase his pass-catching abilities this weekend. While Tyler Higbee may open the 2025 season as Los Angeles' No. 1 tight end, it's clear that Ferguson represents the future for the Rams. He showcased a rare blend of speed, size, athleticism, route-running, and ball-tracking skills against the Browns. He's a very intriguing dynasty option, and he could even start to generate some redraft appeal by midseason. Ferguson should stay right on Higbee's heels, so if the veteran gets injured or struggles to produce, the rookie will be ready to take over.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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