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Rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson has made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster after an impressive preseason. A seventh-round draft pick, Johnson earned his spot over Trey Palmer, who had flashed in his two seasons with the team but has since landed in New Orleans. With Jalen McMillan (neck) on Injured Reserve and Chris Godwin (ankle) expected to miss the first month of the 2025 campaign, Johnson could earn opportunities immediately. Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka should be quarterback Baker Mayfield's top weapons, but the Buccaneers will need more pass-catchers to step up if they hope to repeat the success they found through the air last season. Johnson's utilization in the early weeks is worth keeping an eye on in all fantasy formats.

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The Tennessee Titans signed wide receiver Xavier Restrepo to their practice squad after the rookie failed to make the team's initial 53-man roster. Restrepo, who signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent in April, appeared in three preseason contests and logged three receptions for 26 yards on six targets. He could eventually reunite on the field with his college quarterback, Cameron Ward, but the 23-year-old still needs to prove he's NFL-ready. It's worth noting that the Titans lack established receiving options outside of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, but rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike did make the roster heading into Week 1. For now, Restrepo should be viewed strictly as a deep dynasty stash.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (ankle, foot) returned to practice earlier this week after missing some time due to an injury he suffered in the team's second preseason game. The Eastern Washington product told reporters he is "absolutely healthy" on Wednesday, a day after he officially made the Patriots' 53-man roster. Veterans Stefon Diggs (knee) and DeMario Douglas are expected to lead New England's receiver corps, while Chism will compete with fellow rookie Kyle Williams (head/undisclosed), Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins for snaps. With Kendrick Bourne recently released, Chism could see early opportunities, making his usage worth monitoring across all fantasy formats.

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Dynasty | The Panthers have re-signed wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. Dynasty Analysis: This move makes sense after they traded Adam Thielen back to Minnesota and have lost the services of Jalen Coker for a while due to injury. Renfrow is attempting to make a comeback after sitting out last season due to an unspecified illness. He should be a good receiver for Carolina but this may be a better fit in reality than fantasy. We'll need to see something from Renfrow before recommending him on dynasty rosters.

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Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard (hand) told the Pat McAfee Show that he is taking an important step in his recovery from a broken bone in his right hand. "I'm back to throwing this week," Howard said on Friday. "So it's feeling good, going in the right direction." Howard suffered the injury to his throwing hand on Aug. 5, knocking him out for most of training camp and the entire preseason. The Steelers placed Howard on Injured Reserve on Thursday, meaning the sixth-round pick from Ohio State is guaranteed to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. Even if Howard returns in 2025, it's doubtful that the 23-year-old will see much action as a rookie (if any). The Steelers are entering the season with Aaron Rodgers as their starter and an experienced backup in Mason Rudolph, leaving Howard in a developmental role.

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The Seattle Seahawks signed rookie running back Damien Martinez to their practice squad earlier this week. Martinez joined the Seahawks as a seventh-round pick from Miami in this year's draft, but he was unable to earn a spot on their season-opening 53-man roster. The 6-foot, 217-pounder spent his first two seasons in college at Oregon State before transferring last year. He racked up back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and totaled 19 touchdowns from 2023-24. In his first preseason with the Seahawks, Martinez saw a significant amount of action. The 21-year-old carried the ball a team-high 24 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Seahawks in receptions (six) and added another 43 yards through the air. While he'll try to work his way up to the roster, the Seahawks will enter the season with Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, and George Holani as their top three RBs.

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Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has "gained a lot of trust from the coaching staff just in terms of how he worked, and we feel good about it," assistant general manager Glenn Cook said. After setting a college football record with 63 starts over six seasons divided among Central Florida, Oklahoma, and Oregon, the third-round pick impressed the Browns' coaches enough to beat out fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders and now-Las Vegas Raider Kenny Pickett for the backup QB job. The new role doesn't faze Gabriel, who told Zac Jackson of The Athletic: "It's not daunting. I have ultimate confidence in myself and who I am." Gabriel looked decent in two preseason games, going 25-for-37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him starting at some point in 2025. The only real roadblock is 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco, a stopgap who has played in nine or fewer games in seven straight seasons.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has consistently targeted wide receiver DK Metcalf near the goal line in training camp. If that continues during the regular season, the 6-foot-4, 229-pound Metcalf could be in line for his first season of 10-plus touchdowns since 2021, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic argues. Metcalf, acquired in the offseason from the Seattle Seahawks, has averaged 73 catches, 1,054 yards, and eight scores per season since entering the NFL in 2019. While that's impressive production, Metcalf could improve on it as the leader of a Pittsburgh receiving corps that lacks proven options behind him. After back-to-back 66-catch seasons, Metcalf is going into 2025 as RotoBaller's 30th-ranked receiver.

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According to Grant Cohn of SI, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings may have already "played in his final game" with the team. The wideout is looking to be traded or receive an extension. However, none of that has happened. There's also a scenario where Jennings could sit out this season, meaning "he'll make lots of money to do nothing." If that happens, he would be healthy next offseason and potentially command north of $20 million per year. All of this is speculation on Cohn's part, but, so far, there doesn't appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel in this situation. Jennings is still battling the calf injury, so his status for Week 1 is up in the air. If he's not out there, Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle are the favorites to get more attention from Brock Purdy. Jennings finished last season by catching 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns, all the highest marks of his career.

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Jon Machota of The Athletic believes Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin could score "at least" eight touchdowns in 2025. He was used "in a variety of ways" during training camp, including "as a running back" and a "big-play option down the field in the passing game." As a result, Machota feels the wideout "is in position to have his most impactful season to date." Turpin is coming off his most productive year in the National Football League. He appeared in all 17 regular-season contests, amassing 31 catches for 420 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens as the primary receiving options. However, if one of them goes down with an injury, the door may be open for Turpin to see an increase in scoring chances. While that may not be beneficial for fantasy managers to begin the 2025 campaign, he's worth stashing in deeper formats.

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Dan Wiederer of The Athletic believes Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift could surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage this season. While that mark may not be realistic, there are more than a few reasons to believe Swift might be in line for his best year to date. Ben Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and new Bears head coach, was instrumental in the success of Jamaal Williams, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs. With Johnson "devoted" to the run and the Bears lacking proven depth in the backfield, the door is open for Swift to thrive. The 26-year-old has bounced around the National Football League since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In 73 regular-season contests with the Lions, Eagles, and Bears, he's accumulated 3,688 yards and 29 touchdowns off 846 carries, adding eight more scores as a pass-catcher. Quarterback Caleb Williams will certainly get his opportunities to run in 2025. However, Swift should remain atop the depth chart as long as he's productive. If not, rookie Kyle Monangai could be the favorite to take over in the backfield.

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Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike will begin the season as the team's punt returner, according to Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi. Dike was an experienced return man in college at Florida and has reportedly looked good in practice. The rookie will have a tough time earning a heavy amount of snaps on offense early on, but he can be impactful on special teams. He earned two snaps with the starters in the team's last preseason game in the place of Van Jefferson. The fourth-rounder likely projects to be the primary backup to Tyler Lockett in the slot, and could emerge if he is productive with his touches. He isn't draftable in redraft leagues at this moment.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane has caught the eye of many in training camp and preseason, including head coach Dan Quinn. Quinn has been encouraged by the rookie's continued ascent as both a receiver and returner. Lane has elite athletic traits with a 9.68 Relative Athletic Score and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. The Virginia Tech product has 4.34 speed with a 40-inch vertical, and the opportunity to run a decent amount of routes in a projected top offense. The coaching staff has been using him more frequently on the outside as opposed to the slot, most notably in the team's second preseason game against the Bengals. Two of his three receptions in the game were from the outside, and he showed nuance as a route runner, leveraging his speed to create separation in the intermediate range of the field. Lane is worth keeping on the watch list early on and as the season progresses in redraft leagues.

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Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has been developing a strong connection with fellow rookie Cam Ward, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Ayomanor has consistently impressed coaches during camp, and he said, "don't be surprised" if the fourth-rounder is the number two receiver. Veteran Calvin Ridley is entrenched as the team's number one, but Ayomanor has a promising prospect profile and has been flashing throughout training camp and preseason. He totaled five catches for 72 yards on nine targets in the preseason, catching multiple passes from Ward. The Stanford product faces little competition for a steady number of routes, with only veterans Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson plus rookie Chimere Dike in the mix. The target competition is thin as well, with Ridley demanding a decent share along with Chig Okonkwo, but there is an opportunity to emerge. He's a great dart throw with one of the last picks in drafts.

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Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren may exceed expectations in his first year in the National Football League. "Since arriving in Indianapolis, as expected, Warren has been a go-to target in the passing game, whether it was Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson Sr. throwing to him," wrote Paul Bretl of Colts Wire. "Over the middle of the field, Warren presents a very difficult matchup with his combination of size and athleticism. He's also proven to be a very reliable pass-catcher and brings YAC abilities as well." The rookie had a stellar collegiate career at Penn State, amassing 1,839 yards and 19 touchdowns off 153 catches, adding 32 carries for 224 yards and six touchdowns. With so much volatility at the tight end spot, Warren could become a week-to-week fantasy starter in most formats almost immediately. However, his ceiling may be limited if Jones or Richardson struggle during the year. The Colts will begin the 2025 campaign by hosting the Miami Dolphins in Week 1.

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According to James Rapien of SI, Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks is projected to occupy the No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. "Brown is locked in as the starter and will play a ton," wrote Rapien. "Perine will get plenty of snaps when Brown needs a break or on specific passing downs. Brooks is capable of doing a little bit of everything as a rookie. All three backs will play, but this is expected to be the 'Chase Brown Show.' The 23-year-old was selected in the sixth round in April's NFL Draft after spending his collegiate career at Texas Tech. While he managed to find a place on the roster, his fantasy value is limited, even in dynasty formats, as long as Brown is in the equation. His worth as an insurance policy is also basically non-existent currently, especially with Perine in the mix. The Bengals will begin the 2025 campaign with a trip to Cleveland to face the Browns in an AFC North showdown.

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The New Orleans Saints are excited about second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. McKinstry showed up to training camp in terrific shape and has "shown strong ball skills, instincts and toughness." The former second-rounder out of Alabama could become the team's next stud cornerback after both Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo have left town. In his first taste of the NFL last year, the 27-year-old defensive back had 42 tackles (32 solo) and six pass breakups in 15 games (nine starts) in the Big Easy as a starter. It wasn't a bad showing for a rookie cornerback that was forced into a starting role, and it sounds as though McKinstry is ready to take the next step in Year 2 for a Saints team that isn't expected to do much under first-year head coach Kellen Moore. Takeways have never been a part of McKinstry's game, though, making him avoidable in IDP formats.

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Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown continued to impress during training camp this summer and "should be a force" again in 2025, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Brown has been a high-impact player for years now, and there doesn't appear to be a drop-off in sight for the former seventh overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Auburn. The 27-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler and one of the top D-linemen in the league in 2023, when he had a career-high 103 tackles (57 solo), two sacks, seven tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, an interception and six pass breakups in 17 starts. However, he tore his MCL in Week 1 of last year, leading many to wonder if he can regain his form for Carolina in 2025. By all accounts, Brown is fully healthy, and the Panthers defense is going to need him if they are going to make any noise in the NFC South.

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The Athletic's Jeff Howe writes that the Tennessee Titans "have been thrilled" with rookie first-round quarterback Cameron Ward's work ethic early on. Ward has showed up around 5 am every day during training camp to start his workout and is frequently bringing other players with him. That leadership is an important quality, although it doesn't mean that Ward isn't going to be a stud right away in his first NFL season. The 23-year-old is going to start right away for the Titans after they took him first overall in April's draft. Fantasy managers should expect a steep learning curve in an offense with Calvin Ridley as the WR1 and not much else behind him. Ward has "come as advertised," but the ups and downs he showed in the preseason are likely to continue into a very difficult Week 1 matchup on the road against a Denver Broncos defense that should be one of the best in the league again in 2025.

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Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter is likely to open the season behind both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in the team's backfield pecking order. Given how heavily Los Angeles has utilized Williams over the past two seasons, Hunter's RB3 status could mean that he is unlikely to see the field much as a rookie. A fourth-round pick out of Auburn, Hunter led the SEC by averaging 6.4 yards per rush attempt in his final collegiate season. The 22-year-old brings an explosive speed element to the Rams' backfield that Williams and Corum do not. However, Williams and Corum are dependable three-down backs who can make plays inside the tackles, which is a skill set that Rams head coach Sean McVay has typically favored. An injury could change things, but for now, Hunter should be off the radar of fantasy managers in 2025.

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