Maryland faces a high-stakes QB competition this fall as its offense eyes a seamless pivot from veteran depth to elite ceiling. Malik Washington, a 6-5 freshman four-star, is positioned as Locksley’s future at the helm, but turnover and a shaky O-line temper expectations for immediate Week 1 impact. Justyn Martin, the UCLA transfer, anchors the floor with college experience, while Khristian Martin (redshirt freshman) is the dark-horse with athletic upside. Roman Jensen and Jackson Hamilton add depth to a room that could redefine the Terps’ ceiling if the frontline blocks hold up. The exchange between talent and line protection will shape Maryland’s fantasy upside this season.

Washington’s rare blend of mobility and accuracy across levels makes him an appealing long-term asset; Martin’s in-game experience provides a safety net in volatile early games; Khristian Martin’s readiness could skew Week 1 plans if Washington falters. Locksley’s offense centers on processing reads and game management, reducing rookie risk but heightening the stakes to protect the passer. Add Zion Elee’s local-pipeline momentum and Maryland’s upside suddenly looks realistic for fantasy managers who forecast a smoother transition than traditional freshmen face.

Miami’s 2025 preseason opener vs. Chicago ended in a 24-24 tie, but the throughline was clear: the Dolphins intend to push the envelope with fourth-down aggressiveness and test a broad depth chart early. Tagovailoa sat for a single series, yet the staff showed comfort rolling the dice on a 4th-and-3 from midfield, a signal that unconventional, high-leverage play-calling may border the game plan all season. Malik Washington flashed as a potential mid-range playmaker, and Alexander Mattison carved out a visible short-yardage role with a 1-yard TD plunge that underscored a practical path to red-zone production.

Behind the starter, the backup competition offered real intrigue. Zach Wilson led two early Dolphins TD drives, cementing why Miami kept him as the No. 2; while Quinn Ewers struggled early, bouncing between incompletions and a fumble, he settled somewhat later. The Bears leveraged Case Keenum for a touchdown pass to Deion Hankins, highlighting depth options at QB. Special teams also mattered, with Jason Sanders hitting a 56-yard field goal that punctuated Ewers’ fourth series. In fantasy terms, Mattison’s goal-line workload and Washington’s growing role stand out, while the QB puzzle remains a volatile but fruitful area for late-round depth and daily fantasy exposure.

Luther Burden III sits sixth on Chicago’s depth chart, a situation shaded by a hamstring setback that kept OTAs sparse and his early Week 1 usage flatter than his draft position suggested. He did open as the Bears’ primary slot, but the team dressed Moore, Odunze and Zaccheaus, making Burden's path to meaningful snaps contingent on overtaking veterans. Malik Washington seized his moment with Miami, logging five touches on seven plays as the Dolphins leaned on a three-wide look with Waddle and Hill limited or absent.

Washington’s five touches came early, hinting at a potential role if he can sustain momentum with regular-season targets. Miami’s depth-chart shakeups—plus Westbrook-Ikhine’s addition—shape a volatile hot-hand dynamic, so fantasy managers should watch workload signals closely. On the Dolphins, De’Von Achane touched nine opening snaps, with Mattison and Gordon later in the game and Ingold out, suggesting their usage plan to ease Achane into a larger workload as the season begins. Bears rest and rotation notes underscore a cautious expectation for Burden, while the Dolphins’ early offensive design elevates Washington as a speculative fantasy dart at best for now.

Several second-year Miami Dolphins players are primed for breakout seasons in 2025, especially with the recent retirement of Terron Armstead. Left tackle Patrick Paul, tasked with stepping into Armstead's role, needs to elevate his game significantly to stabilize the offensive line, which has struggled in the past. Meanwhile, running back Jaylen Wright is expected to play a larger role in a revamped offense alongside De'Von Achane. Wide receiver Malik Washington, who showed promising flashes late last season, could also emerge as a key contributor.