Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker made a strong statement in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss against the Cleveland Browns, capitalizing on an expanded role with a stat line of 2-17-1 on four targets. Entering his second year after a rookie season stat line of (32-478-2), Coker demonstrated the offseason growth that coaches had challenged him to achieve. Coker's standout performance included a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Young. The play came after Coker, who entered the game early following a Xavier Legette ejection, navigated a scramble play and found a hole in the back of the end zone. The impressive performance earned praise from head coach Dave Canales, who had worked closely with Coker on an offseason development plan. "Coker comes in when Xavier goes out and did a fantastic job, like we didn't skip a beat, made some great plays," Canales said, per a report on the Carolina Panthers website by Kassidy Hill. Coker, who also played on special teams, acknowledged the need to expand his game in a now-crowded receiver room. "I'm going to need to bring more than just catching the football," Coker said. His commitment to the plan, including staying in Charlotte for offseason training, appears to be paying off early in his second professional season.

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New York Giants running back Dante Miller finished with a team-high 102 total yards in a preseason-opening 34-25 win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. Miller did most of his damage through the air, catching all seven of his targets for 80 yards, and added 22 rushing yards on 10 carries. The 5-foot-9, 200-pounder went undrafted out of South Carolina in 2023 and is currently in his second season with the Giants organization. He appeared in two games with the team last year and is now jockeying for position behind fellow running backs Tyrone Tracy Jr., injured rookie Cam Skattebo (hamstring), and Devin Singletary. Odds are still against Miller making much of an impact in 2025, but he's off to a good start in his battle for a roster spot.

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New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson made his debut with the club in a 34-25 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. Wilson played the opening series and completed 6 of 7 passes for 28 yards, but a couple of penalties stalled the Giants' momentum during an impressive drive and forced them to settle for a field goal. The 36-year-old Wilson didn't have either of his top two wide receivers, Malik Nabers or Darius Slayton, who sat out with minor injuries. They'll be around in Week 1 when the Wilson-led Giants take on the division-rival Washington Commanders. In the meantime, it's unclear how much more playing time (if any) Wilson will receive in the Giants' final two preseason games. He's their unquestioned starter heading into the regular season, but he doesn't carry much fantasy appeal after producing unspectacular numbers in Pittsburgh last year.

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New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart made his preseason debut Saturday and turned heads in a 34-25 win over the Buffalo Bills. Dart, not veteran backup Jameis Winston, entered the game after the Giants pulled starter Russell Wilson in the first quarter. The 25th overall pick from Ole Miss stayed in for the rest of the first half and hit on 12 of 19 pass attempts for 154 yards, including a beautifully thrown 28-yard touchdown to Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Dart also used his legs effectively, adding 24 rushing yards on three attempts. There was a lot to like about Dart's NFL debut, but if the Giants have their way, he'll spend the first year of his career learning from the bench before potentially assuming the starting role in 2026. He'll make his next preseason appearance on Saturday against the Jets.

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Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle showed a glimpse of his potential as a pass-catching threat in the team's preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns, recording one reception for 20 yards to go along with two rushes for seven yards. The 27-year-old running back is entering his sixth season in the NFL after spending his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, which was riddled with injuries. Dowdle is clearly behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but could carve out a role in the Panthers' receiving or two-minute offense in 2025. Coming off an underwhelming 2024 season in Dallas, where high hopes for the lead back role didn't materialize (235-1,079-2 on the ground, 39-249-3 in the air), a move to a new location and a backup role could take some pressure off Dowdle and allow him to grow into his potential. Rotoballer currently projects him as RB55, but Dowdle could be a sneaky stash if anything happens to Hubbard throughout the season.

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With Atlanta Falcons No. 1 quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and backup Kirk Cousins sitting out Friday, third-stringer Easton Stick got the start against the Detroit Lions. Stick impressed in a 17-10 loss, completing 15 of 18 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. The former fifth-round pick spent the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Falcons in free agency this past spring. Stick appeared in six games with the Chargers (four starts) and completed 64% of passes with three touchdowns and an interception. If the Falcons keep three quarterbacks, Stick looks like the front-runner for the role, though he is competing with Emory Jones. The 25-year-old Jones has no regular-season experience in the NFL, but he did go 4-for-5 for 49 yards and add nine more yards on two rushes in relief of Stick on Friday. Stick and Jones will continue battling for a roster spot on Aug. 15 against the Tennessee Titans.

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Dynasty | Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 12-of-19 passes for 154 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in New York's preseason opener. Dynasty Analysis: He added 24 rushing yards on the day. Dart replaced Russell Wilson after the first series and did nothing to make him feel very secure. Playing ahead of Jameis Winston this week, Dart made some solid throws and looked very much in control of things. There will likely be some ups and downs and the Giants would love nothing more than to keep him on ice this season, but a few more performances like this combined with a slow start would likely change their plans rather quickly. Dart's ADP could tick up a touch after such a solid debut.

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Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard opened the preseason with three rushes for 10 yards in Friday's 30-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. While his stats were light, the 26-year-old is expected to resume his role as the team's lead back after an impressive 2024 campaign. Last year, Hubbard emerged as a bell-cow, capitalizing on injuries to Miles Sanders and Jonathon Brooks (knee) to post a stat line of 250 rushes for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, along with 43 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown through the air in 15 games. He signed a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension in the middle of the season. RotoBaller projects Hubbard as RB17 heading into the regular season, reflecting his expected workload as the top option in the Carolina backfield and a steady, high-end RB2.

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Carolina Panthers first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan caught two of five targets for 43 yards in his first NFL action in Friday's 30-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. McMillan hauled in a 30-yard deep ball from starting quarterback Bryce Young, but unfortunately dropped an open touchdown. He was targeted on three of Young's six pass attempts, suggesting that his target share could be ranked among some of the best receivers in the NFL. Young was looking McMillan's way early and often, and their chemistry should improve throughout the season. The next chance we will get to see McMillan in action is next Saturday afternoon against the Houston Texans.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette was ejected from Friday's preseason game against the Cleveland Browns after a first-quarter altercation. The 24-year-old did not record any catches or targets before being thrown out of the 30-10 loss. Legette was a first-round pick in last year's draft, with a rookie stat line of 49-49-4 on 84 targets. Panthers head coach Dave Canales acknowledged that while the play was physical, Legette's response was a liability. "You can't do that... both guys got ejected, rightfully so," Canales said, per Darin Gantt of panthers.com. The incident occurred while Legette was downfield blocking and got tangled up with Browns cornerback Rayshawn Mitchell. RotoBaller projects Legette as WR69 with a slight uptick in catches, yards, and TDs this season. He is most likely to be behind rookie stud Tetairoa McMillan and veteran Adam Thielen in targets. Still, he could emerge as an upside WR4/5 if anything happens to Thielen as the season progresses.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones is not expected to play Saturday against the Houston Texans. Jones was the starting running back for the Vikings in 2024, totaling over 300 attempts for 1,546 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns. At 30 years old, it's understandable why the Vikings are choosing to rest Jones, while 2024 first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy will play. Jones was listed as the starting running back for the Vikings in their unofficial depth chart. However, head coach Kevin O'Connell has already mentioned that they will use a committee approach with newly signed running back Jordan Mason. While another 300-attempt season is unlikely, Jones should be drafted as a high-end RB3 in most fantasy football formats.

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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills is expected to start in Saturday's preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings. Mills has started 26 games with the Texans in his four-year career, totaling 6,167 yards, with 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. With starting quarterback C.J. Stroud sitting out, Mills will get the nod for the Texans. He was listed as the the second quarterback in the Texans' unofficial depth chart with rookie quarterback Graham Mertz as the third string. Mills will suit up alongside rookie playmakers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, as he looks to cement his backup quarterback role.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was efficient in his first preseason game of the 2025 season, completing four of six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 30-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Young went three-and-out on his first drive but put together an incredible second drive. He strung together a nine-play, 74-yard scoring drive that included two big plays to rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and a five-yard touchdown pass to second-year receiver Jalen Coker. The former No. 1 overall pick showcased his scrambling ability, which he demonstrated in college and near the end of last season. With another year in head coach Dale Canales' system and a new WR1 in McMillan, Young could be a late-round quarterback to consider in fantasy drafts.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) is not taking part in Saturday's practice due to an undisclosed injury, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. It's unclear exactly what Mitchell is dealing with, but he did carry the ball nine times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener on Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts. We'll keep an eye on the 23-year-old's participation at practice going into next week, but it's likely a minor injury and shouldn't impact his availability for the start of the 2025 season. Mitchell has plenty of big-play abilities out of the backfield, but he's played in only 13 games in his first two seasons in the NFL due to injuries. He's averaged a healthy 6.9 yards per carry. However, unless Derrick Henry misses extended time with an injury in 2025, Mitchell will likely struggle for weekly touches in Baltimore.

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Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (pelvis) will not play in the team's preseason opener on Saturday against the New York Giants due to pelvic soreness, according to The Buffalo News' Jay Skurski. Bass has been dealing with a pelvic injury during training camp and is not ready to kick in a game yet. As a result, the Bills signed Caden Davis on Friday so that he can handle kicking duties on Saturday. The 28-year-old Bass has plenty of time to get ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, and there's no reason to believe that he won't be ready by early September. For fantasy purposes, Bass will be a low-end starting option at the position in 12-team leagues. The former sixth-round pick (188th overall) in 2020 out of Georgia Southern has an 84.5% success rate on his field goals and 96.4% success rate on extra points in his five NFL seasons in Buffalo.

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Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is not expected to play in the team's preseason opener on Saturday night against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. The Rams are also holding starter Matthew Stafford (back) out since he has yet to take part in a training camp practice this summer due to an aggravated disc in his back. The Rams are optimistic that Stafford will be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener, but in the meantime, Jimmy G has looked good running the first-team offense. With both Stafford and Garoppolo resting this weekend, the Rams will roll with Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn under center on Saturday against Dallas. Garoppolo is worth stashing in two-QB superflex leagues just in case Stafford's back acts up on him before the start of the regular season.

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Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was seen in full uniform going through pre-game warmups on Saturday before the team's preseason opener versus the New York Giants, according to ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg. Cook started training camp this summer participating with the team, but he recently made the decision to sit out of practices as he continues to negotiate a contract extension with the organization. It's unclear if the 25-year-old will actually take part in the preseason game on Saturday against the Giants, but it could be a sign that both sides are inching closer towards getting something done as he enters the final year of his current deal. Securing an extension would make Cook a more attractive RB2 target in fantasy as he comes off a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season with a league-high 16 touchdowns. Cooks remains Buffalo's RB1, but fantasy managers need to plan for plenty of TD regression.

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New York Giants wide receivers Malik Nabers (shoulder) and Darius Slayton (undisclosed) were not involved in pre-game warmups on Saturday and are not expected to suit up for the preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. It's a big chance for Jalin Hyatt to impress the coaches. Neither Nabers' or Slayton's injuries are serious, but the Giants will play it safe early in the preseason and hold them both out. In addition to a shoulder injury, the 22-year-old Nabers has also battled a toe injury since college, but it didn't slow him down at all in his rookie season in 2024, as he had a 109-1,204-7 line on 170 targets. Nabers' nagging injuries are worth watching closely, but as of now, there's no reason not to target him as a strong WR1 in fantasy drafts in 2025.

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Indianapolis Colts third-year signal-caller Anthony Richardson Sr. (finger) plans to practice on Saturday, Stephen Holder of ESPN reports. On Thursday, the Colts played the Baltimore Ravens in their preseason opener, and Richardson was sacked on a drop-back pass, subsequently leaving the game after dislocating his right pinkie on the hit. Still, following the Colts' scheduled day off Friday, Richardson is poised to practice Saturday, which is excellent news for Richardson as battles for the starting QB job in Indy with Daniel Jones. The 23-year-old has had his ups and downs in the NFL, but Richardson is trying to put the lows behind him and prove to the Colts that he is their guy under center for 2025 and the long haul. For the time being, Richardson remains a high-upside QB2 if he starts and is currently ranked as QB28, according to the NFFC, while his counterpart Jones is ranked as the QB31.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah indicated Friday that he played through a torn labrum in his shoulder during his final college season at Clemson, Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News reports. Mafah has been looking good in camp thus far and mentioned that he is feeling healthy, then proceeded to discuss his 2024 injury. During the 2024 season, he rushed for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns on 216 carries. He also caught 21 passes for 103 yards and played all 14 games, starting every one, and was voted a permanent team captain by his teammates. Those are still solid numbers considering he was dealing with a shoulder injury. Nonetheless, it could be why he fell to the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft in the spring. A big performance from Mafah on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams could create a running back battle in the Cowboys' backfield between the two veterans (Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders) and the two rookies (Jaydon Blue and Mafah) ahead of Week 1. At this point, from a fantasy standpoint, Mafah remains a dynasty stash at best.

From RotoBaller