Week 2 of NFL preseason spotlighted former Trojans staking their claims in the league. Caleb Williams flashed in his first action, delivering a 36-yard TD to Olamide Zaccheaus after a six-completion, 31-yard day, signaling development and upside in Chicago’s depth chart. Brandon Pili plugged a big Seahawks play, pulling down Elijah Mitchell for a safety and illustrating his roster bubble case on a team hungry for pass protection and upside depth.

Woody Marks emerged after a rocky opener, grinding out 40 yards on seven carries and occasionally sharing a backfield with Kedon Slovis, who has bounced through Pitt and BYU after USC. Isaiah Pola-Mao stiffened the Raiders’ secondary with four tackles, while Tahj Washington offered a tantalizing blend of pace and versatility for Miami. Olamide Zaccheaus connected with Williams for a key long play, hinting at chemistry to monitor as rosters tighten.

Kedon Slovis’ Texans and these backs and defensive backs are all on watch lists as teams trim rosters, evaluate depth, and project roles for Week 1. The overarching throughline is clear: veterans mixing with roster bubbles are setting the stage for fantasy decision-making, especially at quarterback and skilled positions. Expect continued shifts as final preseason games refine rotations and potential Week 1 bets come into sharper focus.

Las Vegas add Terrell Edmunds to shore up a thinning secondary after Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered an injury that will keep him out for a stretch. Edmunds, a veteran safety with a first-round pedigree, immediately injects experience into a room led by two hopefuls in Chris Smith and Trey Taylor.

Edmunds’ track record—79 games, 75 starts, 410 tackles across five seasons with Pittsburgh, plus stops with Philadelphia, Tennessee and a brief Jaguars stint—gives the Raiders a steadying presence. He figures to be in the mix as a depth piece and could slide into a larger role if Pola-Mao or Chinn (or another veteran) were to miss time. For fantasy, Edmunds isn’t a big splash, but the extra floor in tackles and occasional passes defended could help deeper leagues if he wins regular snaps.

The Las Vegas Raiders have made a groundbreaking move in the NFL by signing Maxx Crosby to the highest contract for a non-quarterback in league history. This strategic decision signals the team’s commitment to fortifying its defense under new head coach Pete Carroll. Crosby's extension not only places him as a central figure on the defensive lineup but also aims to cultivate a winning culture within the franchise.

As the Raiders prepare for the upcoming season, they face a challenge with defensive depth due to the impending free agency losses of Marcus Epps and Trevon Moehrig. Adding a player like Talanoa Hufanga, who is projected to become available, could significantly enhance their defensive capabilities. The Raiders also have a personal connection with Hufanga, as he and Isaiah Pola-Mao are former USC teammates, which could smooth his transition to Las Vegas.

Isaiah Pola-Mao has secured a two-year contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders, valued at up to $8.45 million. Initially an undrafted rookie, Pola-Mao stepped up impressively last season, starting 14 games after Marcus Epps' injury. The 25-year-old safety recorded 89 tackles, two forced fumbles, and five pass breakups, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. His performance included a notable interception against Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins. As a former player at USC, he's the nephew of Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, and will now play under Polamalu's college coach, Pete Carroll.