Below is a summary for each team from Week 3 of the NFL preseason. The primary focus is on player utilization and usage with the starting offense.

Typically, starters are determined by drives played with the starting QB. Some instances differ depending on who started, as outlined in each team's position section. You can find definitions for all the table abbreviations at the bottom of this article.

Updates will occur throughout the weekend as data from each game becomes available.

Code: Dwain for 20% off your FantasyLife+ subscription, just in time for your weekend drafts!

Editor's note: Big shoutout to Dukie B for applying pressure to get this piece out. Pressure makes diamonds!

Preseason Week 3: Saturday Games

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens rested all of their starters and some key backups.

Quarterback

• Cooper Rush started and played two drives. He completed 5 of 5 passes for 59 yards.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Mark Andrews, and Tylan Wallace did not play.
• LaJohntay Wester played 75% of the snaps with Rush and collected a 40% target share. He left the game after the fourth drive. As the team's likely starting punt returner, Wester is probably the WR5 on the Ravens.
• Devontez Walker played 100% of the snaps with the starters but stayed in the game until the fourth quarter. Walker posted a 20% TPRR over 49 routes this preseason.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders did not play the majority of their starters.

Quarterback

• Sam Hartman, who is currently listed as the QB4, started.

Running Back

• Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Austin Ekeler rested. Merrit had dealt with a shoulder injury recently in camp.
• Croskey-Merrit looks like the RB1 in Washington with Brian Robinson Jr. now in San Francisco. We don't know for sure if it will be a three-way committee or a takeover scenario—both are within the range of outcomes. I have him at RB25; the Fantasy Life consensus places him at RB33.
• Croskey-Merritt is featured in our staff's RB sleepers column, by the way.
• Chris Rodriguez Jr. started and played one drive before retiring for the night. Rodriguez looks like the RB3 in what could be a rotation in Washington. Rodriguez is a late-round dart throw in large leagues.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Jaylin Lane rested with the starters. He is penciled in as the starting punt returner, but could climb as high as WR2 on this depth chart if McLaurin is out. McLaurin still hasn't practiced (PUP/contract), and Noah Brown is not a significant hurdle. With McLaurin in the fold, Lane could push for WR3 status behind Deebo Samuel. Lane is a late-round WR sleeper in deep leagues who could surprise with an immediate strong performance in Week 1.

Offensive Line

• Brandon Coleman (RG) started and played one drive. He is currently listed as the starter on Ourlads and recently returned from injury.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts rested most of their starters. Third-string QB, Riley Leonard, played the first half.

Running Back

• Tyler Goodson (elbow) didn't play.
• D.J. Giddens played two drives before retiring for the night. Giddens looks like the RB2 heading into Week 1, but Goodson was battling for RB2 reps before his injury. Still, Giddens is the late-round bet if you are looking for a contingent upside bet.
• Ulysses Bentley IV, an old wooden ship that was used in the Civil War era, entered the game on the third drive and waged war into the third quarter before docking for the night.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Michael Pitman Jr. (groin), Josh Downs (hamstring), Alec Pierce (groin), and Tyler Warren (rest) did not play.
• Adonai Mitchell started and played two drives.

Offensive Line

• Starting right tackle Matt Goncalves played two drives.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals did not play their starters. Third-string quarterback Desmond Ridder played 70% of the snaps.

Running Back

• Tahj Brooks and Samaje Perine rested with the starters.
• Tahj Brooks is the top handcuff option for Chase Brown, but Perine could also be in the mix—especially as a passing-down back. Brooks is worth a late-round dart in deep leagues.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones rested with the starters. Mitchell Tinsley suited up but did not take a snap after last week's big performance. Iosivas is the starting slot WR, while Jones and Tinsley look like the top options for the WR4 and WR5 spots.
• Jermaine Burton played three drives before calling it a night.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams rested their starters in typical Sean McVay fashion.

Running Back

• Blake Corum rested with the starters. This data point, paired with Corum working ahead of Jarquez Hunter this preseason, points to Corum as the RB2 for the Rams. It might not be a 1:1 scenario for Kyren Williams if he is injured, but if drafting a Rams RB late, Corum is the guy.
• Jarquez Hunter played three drives before calling it a night. Hunter rushed for 59 yards on 20 carries this preseason.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback

• Joe Flacco saw his first action of the preseason, playing 17 snaps on three possessions. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. Flacco might not finish the season as the starter if the Browns' season goes awry, but he is the QB1 for now and is good enough to support multiple passing game weapons.

Running Back

• Dylan Sampson started the game and played the first two drives. Over those two drives, he split the snaps, attempts, and routes 50/50 with Jerome Ford. Both backs played in LDD situations and had a 17% target share. Sampson, known for his elusiveness and ability to blend moves, bounced off a tackle with a spin move and picked up extra yards on his lone reception. Sampson is my most-drafted RB after Round 10 (29%). Admittedly, I loaded up when we thought Quinshon Judkins was a question mark for the season, but Sampson is a good prospect and could lock down a significant role in the early season as the Judkins drama plays out. He is a cheap potential Week 1 surprise.

• Jerome Ford split the workload with Sampson (see above) and remained in the game one drive longer with Flacco. While I prefer Sampson due to his big-play ability, Ford is a proven back who can work across all three downs. He is also a viable pick in the later rounds if you need running back help. He could help your RB squad get by early in the year if you have depth issues. Just realize, his value could quickly turn to zero if/when Judkins returns.
• Pierre Strong Jr. was the third RB to enter the game and played one drive with Flacco.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Cedric Tillman did not play.
• Jerry Jeudy played the first drive and took the rest of the day off.
• Diontae Johnson played five drives and posted a 64% route participation with Flacco. He was not targeted.
• Jamari Thrash played five drives and notched a 45% route participation with Flacco. Buzz from camp has Thrash as the top option from the slot, but he hardly has a full-time role locked down.
• Isaiah Bond entered the game on the second drive with the starters and played until the fourth possession. That is impressive for a player who just signed with the team. Bond is a name to remember on the waiver wire, and could move up depending on who the Browns cut.
• David Njoku played the first quarter. He had an 80% snap share and 60% route participation. He was targeted twice (20%). While it is a tiny sample, we want the route participation rate to be higher. He split the 11 personnel snaps with rookie Harold Fannin Jr.. Njoku remains a strong low-end TE1 candidate, but the arrival of Fannin introduces some risk.
• Harold Fannin Jr. was in a route on 64% of Flacco's dropbacks, and the Browns utilized 12 personnel on 42% of their plays. We could see a very diverse offense in Cleveland this season. Stefanski was a personnel shape-shifter before the arrival of Deshaun Watson and could return to his roots. Stefanski also has a long history of rotating tight ends (e.g., Njoku versus Austin Hooper). Fannin is a late-round sleeper at tight end that offers a ceiling much higher than guys like Zach Ertz and Hunter Henry if he runs pure or if injury strikes with Njoku.

Offensive Line

• Left tackle: Dawand Jones played three drives.
• Right guard: Joel Bitonio rested. Zak Zinter started in his place.
• Center: Ethan Pocic played eight snaps before suffering a knee injury. Hopefully, it isn't a long-term injury; he is scheduled for an MRI.
• Right guard: Wyatt Teller played three drives.
• Right tackle: Jack Conklin played two drives.

Houston Texans

The Texans didn't play many of their starters. Third-string quarterback Graham Mertz played the first half. None of the starting offensive linemen played.

Running Back

• Nick Chubb rested with the starters.
• Dameon Pierce started and played two drives. He handled 63% of the snaps and 64% of the rushing attempts. Pierce has taken first-team reps in camp with Chubb, with Joe Mixon sidelined (ankle/foot). While Pierce isn't a lock to make this roster, he feels like a good bet given Mixon's injury. Pierce could battle Chubb for the early-down work until Mixon's return, and there is a chance he surprises us as the starter in Week 1. In super deep leagues, he is a last-round dart throw. He is an easy cut if this data is all a mirage.
• Woody Marks entered the game on the second drive and played through the fourth series. He notched a 25% snap share with 22% of the attempts, including a touchdown run in two drives with Pierce. Dare Ogunbowale still played the LDD snaps. He finished the night with three receptions for 20 yards on three targets (37% TPRR), aligning with his prolific collegiate career as a pass catcher. Marks is more of a specialty back at the moment, but offers a better complementary skillset to Mixon, Chubb, and Pierce. He provides the dual-threat upside that makes him the best long-term bet in this backfield for the 2025 season. He should go ahead of Pierce in drafts, just be prepared to practice some patience.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Dalton Schultz, and Cade Stover did not play.
• Jayden Higgins started and played on 71% of the pass plays. He was targeted twice, pulling down two catches for 18 yards. The rookie is battling for playing time as the outside WR opposite Nico Collins. Don't expect a fast start from Higgins, but he is still the favorite to lock down a significant role as the season progresses.
• Jaylin Noel started and played two drives. He operated from the slot on 63% of snaps, making him the top backup to Christian Kirk.
• Xavier Hutchinson continues to muddy the waters, rotating with Higgins, but has never flashed any sort of target-earning ability despite ample opportunities in two seasons.

Detroit Lions

The Lions rested most starters, including the entire offensive line.

Quarterback

• Kyle Allen worked ahead of Hendon Hooker and appears to be the QB2 behind Jared Goff. Allen completed 5 of 5 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Sam LaPorta, and Tim Patrick did not play.
• Isaac TeSlaa: The drumbeat continues. TeSlaa played 100% of the snaps over the first two drives before retiring to the bench. He finished the night with two targets (40%) with two grabs for 41 yards, including ANOTHER downfield touchdown in a 1:1 situation. The Lions apparently knew what they were doing when they swapped 2025 thirds and gave up two 2026 thirds to get this man. RIP Tim Patrick, it was a good run. TeSlaa is a late-round sleeper who could start in Week 1. If another Lions pass-catcher goes down, his contingent upside is WR2 territory.

Denver Broncos

Quarterback

• Bo Nix played 19 snaps on three possessions. He completed 10 of 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. We saw flashes of Nix being more than a quick-pass and screen-scheme game manager down the stretch in 2024, and that is carrying over into this year in the preseason. Nix is making downfield throws on the move and trusting his guys down the seam in 1:1 situations. Given his ability as a rusher, Nix could erupt this season if he isn't the "weak-armed system" quarterback many analysts believe. Drew Brees didn't have the strongest arm, and he thrived with Sean Payton. Nix is one of the few QBs who could throw for 4,500 yards and rush for 500. He is one of he few QBs I am targeting in the middle of drafts when he slips past ADP. 

Running Back

• J.K. Dobbins (rest) and Jaleel McLaughlin (a new baby girl, congrats!!!) did not play.
• Dobbins is headed for a significant role alongside rookie RJ Harvey. Dobbins is one of my favorite RB picks in ~Round 9 of drafts when I need help at the position.
• RJ Harvey played the first three drives of the game with Nix. He handled 53% of the snaps and 60% of the rushing attempts. He also had a 43% route participation. Harvey will split time with Dobbins this season, but remains a high-priority target for me in drafts. This scheme is going to feed Harvey plenty of favorable looks, and he has the home run ability to parlay opportunities into piles of fantasy points. The second-round pick was considered a reach by many, but the man who matters most—Sean Payton—hand-picked this player.  

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Courtland Sutton is already in midseason form, with a 42% target share from Nix this preseason. Nothing changes here from a ranks/projections standpoint, because we already had Sutton as the WR1 in Denver. But, yeah, looking good, y'all!
• Marvin Mims Jr. played a full-time role with the starters for the second consecutive game. Camp observers have noted Mims' utilization as a true wide receiver rather than a gadget player, and that has spilled over into the games. Whether Mims will be able to evolve in a way that unlocks targets beyond gimmick looks and deep shots is still TBD, but the Broncos coaching staff is giving us their take via his playing time. Previously, I was not drafting Mims, but I plan on gaining some exposure, given his age and solid profile in the Rookie Super Model. Mims remains a cheap option across multiple sites.
   

• Troy Franklin was the WR3 (71% route participation) and mainly played from the slot (58%) with Nix on the field. The Year 2 wideout is my favorite pass-catching bet on the Broncos right now. He is a HIGH PRIORITY target in the late rounds.
• Pat Bryant worked behind the starters, but this could be an evolving situation as the season progresses.
• Evan Engram rotated more than I would like to see, with a 57% route participation. This is something we sometimes see in small samples with tight ends in the preseason. Engram has a path to the No. 2 spot in this offense, but the WR room is trending upward, so any loss of playing time could impact Engram. My confidence in Engram isn't gone, but it is weaker than it was two weeks ago.

Offensive Line

• Starters played: All five played three drives with Nix.

New Orleans Saints

Quarterback

• Spencer Rattler started and played three drives. He completed 8 of 9 passes for 43 yards.
• Tyler Shough was the QB2. He entered the game on the fourth series and played into the fourth quarter. Shough completed 12 of 20 passes for 102 yards. He also had two designed runs for 20 yards, including a touchdown. The rookie showed off some improvisational skills and threw the ball with accuracy while a defender was closing.

Running Back

• Alvin Kamara played one ceremonial snap before hitting the bench.
• Kendre Miller is the favorite to start the season as the RB2. He played two drives before getting the rest of the night off. Miller handled 91% of the snaps and 100% of the attempts on those two drives. This preseason data matches the word from recent practices. Miller is a late-round option most drafters don't know about.
• Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the RB3, working ahead of Cam Akers. 

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Rashid Shaheed never left the field with the starters and collected a 38% target share. Shaheed is locked into a starting role in New Orleans and is a steal as consensus WR53 off he board in Round 11 or late on most sites.
• Chris Olave matched Shaheed in the target department, but continues to work at a lower target depth this preseason in Kellen Moore's new offense. Olave's move to the slot (71%) will give him massive mismatches against linebackers and safeties in zone coverage that could unlock significant upside. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear ya… we need a quarterback to make this thing go. I agree, but Olave has WR1 traits, and you can draft him as the WR37, so it is pretty well priced into ADP.
• Juwan Johnson notched a 78% route participation with the starters. While Johnson has flashed as a touchdown producer at times, he has never played a full-time role. That could change under Moore, who is reportedly open to treating Johnson more like a primary tight end—which matches his Week 3 preseason utilization. Johnson is a late-round option in tight-end premium formats.

Offensive Line

• Starters played: Three of five played three drives.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks did not play most of their starters, including the entire offensive line. 

Quarterback

• Jalen Milroe played the whole game. He went 13 of 24 for 148 yards and a touchdown. He also notched seven designed rushing attempts for 31 yards. Milroe might not see the field this year without a Seahawks collapse, but he offers the dual-threat upside we covet in fantasy football. He would offer top-12 upside if ever under center.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Tory Horton suffered an ankle injury last week in practice and did not play.
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling played the first half. With Horton nursing an ankle injury, it's hard to know what to make of this. If Horton were a healthy scratch, we might take this as a sign that Horton is ahead of MVS. Still, this is a bad look for MVS, and Horton is the late-round WR bet to make in Seattle.

Green Bay Packers

Quarterback

• Jordan Love (left thumb) did not play.
• Malik Willis started and played two drives. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also scrambled for 19 yards on two totes.

Running Back

• Marshawn Lloyd (hamstring) did not play.
• Josh Jacobs played the first two snaps and retired to the bench.
• Chris Brooks took the third-down snap on the first drive and then rotated with Emanuel Wilson on the second drive. He handled 36% of the rushing attempts on two drives before leaving the game.
• Wilson entered on the second series and played into the second quarter. 

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Jayden Reed (foot), Dontayvion Wicks (calf), and Savion Williams (hamstring) did not play.
• Matthew Golden is my most-drafted WR this offseason (24%), but his price is about to skyrocket after a 39-yard highlight-reel catch. I hope Golden knows how much I still love him, even if I can't procure him in every draft. OK, fine, I just wanted to see how cool it must feel to be the person who came up with the amazing Captain Andrew Luck account. Let me live a little. Back to Golden: In a Packers room without a proven stud, the door is wide open for this first-round NFL draft pick to boom immediately. Golden is a WR3 with WR1 upside that you get to draft as the consensus WR41. That is a smokin deal.

• Romeo Doubs remains the route-participation king (100%), but just isn't a strong-target earner. We basically know what Doubs is at this point—a player who will occasionally spike thanks to big playing time, but not a player you will ever feel safe starting. That is a best ball pick, not someone we want to target in our redraft leagues.
• Tucker Kraft was in a route on 50% of the plays with Willis. Kraft has worked chiefly ahead of Musgrave this preseason and throughout camp, so don't get too worked up about this one. It bears repeating that we see these sorts of splits at tight end in small preseason samples. Kraft is a low-end TE1.

Offensive Line

• Starters played: Three of five played with Willis for two drives.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars rested all of their key starters. Nothing to report here.

Miami Dolphins 

Quarterback

• Tua Tagovailoa played three series with 15 snaps. He completed four of eight passes for 49 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked twice on 10 dropbacks.
• Zach Wilson was the QB2.

Running Back

• De'Von Achane (calf) and Jaylen Wright (leg) didn't play. Wright is considered week-to-week. 
• Ollie Gordon II handled 100% of the starter snaps and all of the rushing work with Achane and Wright sidelined. He finished the day with five attempts for 26 yards. Wright was already running colder than a Canadian bobsled team before the injury. The door is wide open for Gordon to seize the RB2 role. Gordon could be a significant contributor in Week 1 with Achane's status up in the air. Gordon is a great late-round target.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Tyreek Hill (oblique) didn't play.
• Jaylen Waddle played 86% of the snaps with an 83% route participation in the first quarter before retiring to the sideline. He notched one target (25%).
• Nick Westbrook-Ikhine started and played 70% of the pass plays with Tagovailoa. He is the WR3, but the next name is the most likely to boom if Hill misses time or goes up in an Antonio-Brown-esque ball of flames this season.
• Malik Washington played for Hill with a 90% route participation and registered a 43% target share. He converted three receptions into 41 yards, including a superb run-after-the-catch 26-yard touchdown. Washington was known for his playmaking ability in the open field as a collegiate player, and it was on full display last night. He is the Dolphins' best bet to infuse upside into their offense should Hill flop.

Offensive Line

• Starters played: Four of five played three drives with Tagovailoa.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills rested their key players. Fourth-string quarterback, Shane Buechele—son of the great Texas Rangers third baseman Steve Booooooooooooochele—played the whole game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs rested their key players.

Quarterback

• Kyle Trask started. Teddy Bridgewater missed the game due to illness.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Tez Johnson, Ryan Miller, and Trey Palmer started. Johnson was done by halftime and led the team with 58 yards and a touchdown. Johnson was a productive player who fell down draft boards due to size (165 pounds). Tampa Bay's seventh-round pick might see playing time early this year thanks to an injury-riddled pass-catching corps. Miller and Palmer played into the third quarter.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers didn't play their key players, including their entire offensive line.

Quarterback

• Trey Lance worked ahead of Taylor Heinicke as the QB2. Lance played three drives.

Running Back

• Kimani Vidal (undisclosed injury) didn't play. Hassan Haskins, Raheim Sanders, and Nyheim Hines all played with Lance. Haskins exited after two drives while Sanders and Hines played into the fourth quarter.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• KeAndre Lambert-Smith played six drives. Tre Harris did not play due to an undisclosed injury.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers rested starters and some family members of starters in this one.

Running Back

• Isaac Guerendo played while all other key players rested. Then he literally added injury to insult, aggravating his shoulder issue. After the game, Kyle Shanahan said Brian Robinson Jr. is the starter. Guerendo is undraftable now, and Robinson carries (gulp) low-end RB1 upside should Christian McCaffrey miss any time.

Las Vegas Raiders

Quarterback

• Geno Smith played nine snaps on one drive. He completed 2 of 3 passes for 26 yards, including a touchdown on a back-shoulder dot to Dont'e Thornton. Geno does this sort of stuff all the time, y'all. He is a very accurate passer who is underrated by the average NFL fan.

• Ashton Jeanty played three snaps on the first drive before getting cloaked in bubble wrap.
• Zamir White was the RB2 entering the game on the first drive after Jeanty. White then handled the second drive all alone before rotating with Raheem Mostert on the third drive. So far this preseason, Mostert has been the RB2.

• Brock Bowers played three snaps before heading to the bubble-wrap machine like Jeanty.
• Jakobi Meyers played 100% of the snaps with Smith and was targeted once.
• Dont'e Thornton played 100% of the snaps and caught a 17-yard TD pass. Thornton remains a strong late-round target.
• Tre Tucker also continues to play with the starters, but it's hard to get excited about a third-year player who hasn't shown target-earning ability. He is a best ball-only last-round selection, but even that is thin; Jack Bech could take that job at some point.
• Bech did not play with the starters. Bech isn't draftable in most leagues, but could become a waiver-wire option.

Offensive Line

• Starters played: All five starters played the first drive with Smith.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals did not play their starters. Third-stringer Clayton Tune played the whole game at QB.

• Trey Benson rested with James Conner and the starters.

Preseason Week 3: Friday Games

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles rested most of their key starters, focusing on evaluating younger depth options.

Running Back

• Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon rested. Based on camp and the preseason, Shipley has the edge on the R2 role. He might be one of the most underrated handcuffs in fantasy.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Johnny Wilson was looking like the WR4 to roster, but suffered a knee/ankle injury. He is out for the season.
• Darius Cooper, John Metchie III, and Ainias Smith started the game and dominated playing time over the first four drives.
• Darius Cooper has been a standout at camp as an undrafted free agent. The Tarleton State alumn was named first-team AP FCS All-America in 2024. The 5'11", 210-pound receiver ranked second in Division I with 1,450 receiving yards. Camp reports have Cooper outplaying early-round draft picks, Metchie, and Dotson. He caught seven balls for 90 yards and a TD this preseason. Cooper is a deep dynasty stash if he makes the roster.

New York Jets

The Jets rested most key starters.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Arian Smith, Malachi Corley, and Brandon Smith started. Smith was the first to exit after one quarter of play. Corley and Smith played into the second quarter.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons rested all of their starters and many key backups. There were no noteworthy developments on the fantasy front in the game. However, starting right tackle Kaleb McGary is expected to miss four-plus games after an injury in practice this week. Backup swing tackle Storm Norton is out six to eight weeks after ankle surgery.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys didn't play most starters and key backups.

Quarterback

• Joe Milton started and played into the third quarter. Milton played 80% of the team's snaps this preseason. They clearly wanted to get a better read on their QB2. We shouldn't overreact to preseason games, given the backups Milton played with, but he was also playing against many backups. His final preseason statline: 36 of 56 (55%) for 397 yards (6.1 YPA) with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He scrambled seven times (10%) for 32 yards and handled four designed rush attempts for 30 yards. As of right now, Milton as an NFL starter seems highly questionable, but he could provide some fantasy value thanks to his work on the ground and willingness to push the ball downfield (12.2 aDOT).

Running Back

• Deuce Vaughn took the first series of the game and then rotated with Jaydon Blue. Vaughn exited the game at halftime.
• Jaydon Blue entered the game on the second drive and played into the fourth quarter before leaving with an ankle injury. Indications from Brian Schottenheimer after the game were cautiously optimistic on Blue's availability for Week 1. Blue played 34% of the snaps in the first half, while Vaughn was still in the game. However, Jeff Mueller (PT, DPT) says not so fast, this looks like a high-ankle sprain! Blue played 34% of the snaps in the first half, while Vaughn was still in the game. The ghost of Javonte Williams might not hold down a large workload all season, but he is primed for a significant role early.
• Miles Sanders didn't play due to a shoulder injury, and camp buzz has him on the roster bubble. Round 7 pick, Phil Mafah is now in the mix for the final RB spot, but he didn't play until the fourth quarter.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin rested—they are the favorites to play the No. 3 WR role. Likely, in some form of a rotation.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings rested their starters and many backups, focusing on health and evaluating backups.

Running Back

• Zavier Scott has made some noise this preseason, but Ty Chandler rested. That doesn't seem good for Scott, but these things don't always work out the way we think, so Scott could still be the RB3 for the Vikings.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Tai Felton didn't play due to an arm injury from practice last week.
• Lucky Jackson and Jeshaun Jones started and played five drives.

Tennessee Titans

Quarterback

• Cam Ward played the first two drives. He completed three of four passes for 36 yards, including a 17-yard laser to Van Jefferson. Ward completed 10 of 18 passes (53%) for 145 yards without a touchdown or interception this preseason. He scrambled once (5%) for eight yards.

Running Back

• Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears (ankle) did not play.
• Julius Chestnut started with Kalel Mullings rotating in beginning on the second drive. Both backs exited the game at halftime.
  • Mullings: 54% snaps, 50% attempts, 40% route participation
  • Chestnut: 30% snaps, 42% attempts, 20% route participation
     

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Calvin Ridley did not play.
• Elic Ayomanor started and posted a 100% route participation with Ward. He led the team with two targets (33%). Van Jefferson has lost an early-season starting role more than my namesake Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson switches between movies and wrestling promos. It's just a matter of time before the Round 4 draft pick pushes his way into this lineup. Ayomanor leads all Titans receivers with a 33% target share when Ward has been on the field.
• Tyler Lockett saw his first action of the season, playing two drives. He saw 100% of his action from the slot. Lockett's play has dropped off over the last two seasons, but if the Titans rely heavily on 11 personnel this season, he could see favorable matchups. We have seen older wide receivers experience a late-career revival from the slot. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the fold in Seattle, Lockett played from the slot only 37% of the time in 2023 and 2024.
• Chig Okonkwo has been one of my favorite sleepers at the tight end position this preseason. However, Gunnar Helm is gaining traction. Okonkwo played 88% of the snaps with Ward, but his route participation was 67%. Last week, Okonkwo had a 50% route participation despite a 75% snap share. I am going to chill out on Okonkwo as a priority late-round TE target at this point. I have plenty!

Offensive Line

• Starters played: Two of five played two drives with Ward.

Chicago Bears

Quarterback

• Caleb Williams played four drives (27 snaps). He completed 11 of 15 passes for 113 yards, including a touchdown to Rome Odunze. He also scrambled once for 18 yards and had a designed attempt go for a gain of zero. Williams is one of my FAVORITE targets at the QB position in 2025. He could throw for 4,000-plus and rush for 500. Not an easy combination to find!!!

Running Back

• Roschon Johnson (foot) and Kyle Monangai (undisclosed injury) didn't play.
• D'Andre Swift played 95% of the snaps on the first three drives before calling it a night. He accounted for 70% of the snaps with Williams, handling 70% of the attempts with a 65% route participation. He also garnered an 8% target share. With injuries to Johnson and Monangai, Swift is the clear front-runner for Week 1 and could be a steal in fantasy drafts. Sure, he has spit the bit before, but the Bears made massive offensive line upgrades, and Ben Johnson should improve the touchdown opportunities. Swift will likely have to play his way out of snaps, given how weak the depth chart is behind him. I get it, your "dead zone" RB alarm bells are ringing, but let's not forget there was a time when we loved Swift's underlying talent data. He is a Round 6 pick as the RB22. I am going to dip my toes in a little more (11% right now) before the season. Color me cautiously optimistic at this point.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Rome Odunze snapped to life with a 38% target share in the team's sound check for the 2025 campaign. The second-year receiver never left the field on passing plays and hogged a 38% target share with 69% of the air yards. He finished the night with three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. It's a small sample (27 routes), but Odunze led the Bears with six targets (27%) with Williams on the field this preseason.
• DJ Moore has been on the field for 96% of the pass plays with Williams this season, but was lost in the mix with a 14% target share. Moore has a long history of solid fantasy performance, so we shouldn't overreact. However, the reality is this: the Bears' offense is suddenly a crowded room, and Moore isn't a lock to be the top dog with younger talents nipping at his heels.
• Olamide Zaccheaus continues to lock down the No. 3 WR role. He played 100% of the team's snaps from 11 personnel and was second on the team in target share (23%). Zaccheaus has been Williams' second-most-targeted option this preseason at 22%. This is also a reminder of what Luther Burden III could do if he takes over the No. 3 spot. Burden is a WR6 stash, but Zaccheaus could be an early-season surprise as a startable option in 14-team leagues with three starting WRs or multiple flex options.
• Colston Loveland at a 71% route participation before the season even starts? Are you kidding me!?!? Cole Kmet is a quality tight end who could hinder an early-season breakout, but this is a very encouraging sign for Loveland. It's important to note the two rotated in 11 personnel groupings, and the Bears used plenty of 12 personnel (two tight ends) in this game, which helped Loveland's route participation. Loveland has the talent to erupt should things break his way on the playing-time front. You might have to be patient, but he is a priority target and should come off the board ahead of "known commodities" at the position that don't offer his upside. It's fine to take two TEs when leaning into Loveland

Offensive Line

• Starters played: Four of five played three drives with Williams.

Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback

• Patrick Mahomes played the first three possessions (20 snaps). He completed 8 of 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. He also went deep to Tyquan Thornton. He added a scramble for 18 yards. We could all wake up in Week 6 in a state of terror, realizing we didn't draft this man at his lowest price since Year 2.

Running Back

• Isiah Pacheco played the first three drives. He handled 55% of the snaps, 43% of the attempts, and notched a 50% route participation. He split the long-down-distance (LDD) work with Kareem Hunt. The unconventional, wild, and violent runner finished the night with 21 yards and a touchdown on three totes. Pacheco is the RB1 in Kansas City, but we could see a little more of a rotation versus what we saw over 2023 and pre-injury 2024 when he pushed for 70% snap shares.
• Kareem Hunt played on the first two drives with Pacheco and left the game after only two series. He was a game-time decision due to a quadriceps injury. Hunt looks like the RB2 for Week 1.
• Brashard Smith looks like a package player that the Chiefs want to feed when he is on the field. He was targeted on both of his routes with the starters. While Smith likely won't be a fantasy factor to begin the season, he looks like the RB3, and his role could expand based on performance or a teammate's injury. Smith is a late-round RB sleeper in deep leagues.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Hollywood Brown (ankle/foot) did not play. He returned to practice last week, but the team is playing it safe.
• Rashee Rice played 93% of passing plays and was second on the team in targets (18%). Half of his reps came from the slot.
• Xavier Worthy never left the field with a 100% route participation.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster was the No. 2 slot option and ran a route on 57% of plays with Mahomes.
• Travis Kelce rotated, holding his route participation down (57%), but was targeted on 38% of his routes. That led to a team-leading 27% target share. We shouldn't read too much into this small sample; this is a common practice for older veterans. Still, giving Kelce some regular-season plays off isn't the worst idea at the age of 35, y'all!
• Tyquan Thornton has made noise throughout training camp as a vertical threat. He only played 14% of the pass plays with Mahomes, but came up with a 58-yard bomb down the sideline. Thornton isn't a bad insurance policy for Brown. He has never shown an ability to earn targets, but he is a lid lifter to keep defenses honest. Thornton isn't draftable in fantasy, but don't be surprised if you see his name in a waiver-wire column at some point in 2025.

Offensive Line

• Starters played: All five starters played three drives with Mahomes.

Preseason Week 3: Thursday Games

Pittsburgh Steelers

TLDR: Arthur Smith can be maddening AF when it comes to player rotations, and we have several potential platoon situations shaping up in Pittsburgh for 2025.

Quarterback

• Aaron Rodgers did not play.
• Mason Rudolph started and completed six of eight passes for 36 yards.
   

Running Back

• Jaylen Warren started the game and played for two series. On those drives, Warren handled 64% of the snaps, 40% of the attempts, and notched a 57% route participation. He was also targeted twice, finishing with four touches (one fumble) on his seven plays. Kenneth Gainwell rotated in on the first two drives. In the regular season, we often don't see the second or third back until the third series, which is when Kaleb Johnson entered the game, with Rudolph and the starting O-line. If we look at the data from that lens, Warren finished the night with a 47% snap share, 29% rush share, and a 44% route participation. The fourth-year veteran is the No. 1 back in Pittsburgh to start the year and has the skillset to thrive across all downs—which makes him an okay bet based on consensus average draft position (ADP) of 92. Still, it's hard to know if this is more of a two-way rotation or a three-way committee. Arthur Smith could keep us guessing all year, and Johnson could seize this backfield over time.
• Kenneth Gainwell started the last two preseason games with Warren resting. In Week 3, he didn't start but rotated with Warren over the first two possessions.
  • Two-drive lens: 36% snaps, 40% attempts, 29% routes
  • Three-drive lens: 27% snaps, 29% attempts, 22% routes
    • For Gainwell to reach fantasy relevance, we likely need an injury to a teammate or a flop from Johnson. One thing is clear: Smith has a plan for Gainwell, and we could see a three-way committee.
• Kaleb Johnson entered the contest on the third series with the starters. He was boxed out over the first two drives by Warren and Gainwell. He played three possessions, finishing the night with 24 yards on five attempts. In these small three-drive samples, it's hard to know whether Johnson is part of a three-way rotation or more of a backup to start the season. He has played well in the last two games and has the size and running style that could make him the preferred option as the season progresses.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Jonnu Smith (knee) did not play.
• Roman Wilson started and remained in the game until the third quarter, beyond the scope of the starters. Despite the absence of Metcalf and Austin, he rotated over the first three drives with the starters, collecting a 78% route participation. On one hand, this could have just been coaches trying to get a look at guys before roster cutdowns. On the other hand, we would rather see Wilson closer to a 90% mark and leaving the game with the starters. The Round 3 pick from 2024 remains my favorite WR to target late from the Steelers as a bet on young talent, but we could see a weird rotation under Arthur Smith—the king of bizarre personnel shit, y'all!
• Pat Freiermuth notched a 67% route participation over the first three drives without Smith playing. Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward rotated into the lineup.

Offensive Line

• Starters Rested: Isaac Seumalo (RG).
• Starters Played: Four of five starters played three drives with Rudolph.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers rested all of their starters and many of the second-string backups.

Running Back

• Trevor Etienne started and played the first two drives. He finished the night with 26 yards on three carries. He had a 28-yarder on a sweet cut-back. Rico Dowdle is the No. 2 right now, but should Chuba Hubbard miss time, Etienne offers the most upside. The Round 4 NFL Draft pick is a name to remember on the waiver wire.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Jalen Coker started. He is currently the WR4 on the team, but could challenge for reps as the season progresses.

New England Patriots

The Patriots rested the majority of their starters, giving players on the roster bubble a chance to perform.

New York Giants

The majority of key starters for the Giants rested.

Quarterback

• Jaxson Dart started the game and played four drives. He went six of 12 for 81 yards and a touchdown. He also added a 23-yard scramble. His final stats for the preseason:
  • 16 of 28 (57%) for 228 yards (8.1 YPA) with two touchdown passes
  • Three scrambles for 43 yards and one designed rush for four yards

Dart is going to push Wilson for the starting role this year, and he has the dual-threat ability to make him a top-12 option. He is a late-round stash in 20-round drafts if you wait at quarterback and aren't thrilled about your upside.

Running Back

• Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary (groin) did not play.
• Cam Skattebo saw his first action of the preseason, playing the first two drives. He finished the night with three attempts for 12 yards. Skattebo's hamstring injury could have him playing behind Singletary, but this is uncertain because Singletary missed the game with a groin injury. So, the RB2 role remains up for grabs.

Glossary

• Snaps: Percentage of snaps the player played with the starters.
• Rush Att: Percentage of rushing attempts with the starters.
• Routes: Route participation with the starters.
• Targets: Target share with the starters.
• TPRR: Targets per route run with the starters.
• SDD Snaps: Percentage of short-down-and-distance (short yardage) with starters.
• LDD Snaps: Percentage of long-down-and-distance snaps (obvious passing downs) with starters.
• Two-Minute Snaps: Percentage of snaps in the two-minute offense with the starters.
• Catchable: Percentage of targets deemed catchable with the starting QB per PFF.
• aDOT: Average depth of target with the starters.
• Air Yards: Percentage of the team's air yards with the starters.
• 3rd/4th Down Targets: Percentage of targets on 3rd and 4th down with the starters.
• 11P: Percentage of snaps played in 11 personnel (1RB, 3WR, 1TE) with the starters.
• 12P: Percentage of snaps played in 12 personnel (1RB, 2WR, 2TE) with the starters.
• 21P: Percentage of snaps played in 21 personnel (2RB, 2WR, 1TE) with the starters.
• Slot Snaps: Percentage of snaps from the slot.

Join Our Newsletter

Trusted by 400,000+ fantasy football players. Get access to Fantasy Life's free award winning newsletter and tools, all in one step.

Email Address

Subscribe

By registering or logging in, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.