Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason showcased a fresh wave of rookies proving their fantasy upside via elite PFF grades. Andrew Mukuba dominated the safety grade leaderboard with a 95.7 overall mark after a 75-yard pick-six and a fumble recovery, plus a 94.2 coverage grade. Jackson Meeks flashed out wide for Detroit, snagging seven targets for 93 yards and a touchdown while operating as a zone-coverage mismatch. A handful of other first-year standouts joined them in the top 10, including Josh Priebe, Makari Paige, and Efton Chism III, who posted strong multielement performances in pass protection, run-blocking, and target efficiency. The list spans positions from guard to linebacker to receiver, all logging at least 25 snaps to qualify, underscoring how quickly rookies are earning roles and how PFF grades can translate into real fantasy value.

These Week 2 performances helped to sharpen a clearer picture of true rookie potential for 2025 fantasy drafts. Mukuba’s ball skills and instant impact in Cleveland pale beside Meeks’s consistent target volume and big-play ability for Detroit. The others—Priebe, Paige, Chism III, Clark, Wease, Harris, Campbell and Mascarenas-Arnold—demonstrated a mix of immediate contributions and development curves that fantasy managers should monitor. With the Commanders-Bengals game still on the slate for grading release, the rookie landscape remains dynamic, and these graded showings give a concrete basis for rostering or fading in early fantasy lineups.

New England’s preseason ascent looks real, not just on paper. Will Campbell stepped in at left tackle and didn’t allow a single pressure across seven pass-blocking snaps, signaling a potential anchor point on a reworked line. TreVeyon Henderson found the end zone again, piling up four carries for 20 yards with 16 after contact, showing a bruising, between-the-tackles style that could reshape the Patriots’ backfield dynamic in the early going. Undrafted Efton Chism III flashed as a reliable target, logging six catches on six looks for 71 yards, a TD and a stellar 86.2 PFF grade pending full review. Joshua Dobbs came home for a productive showing, going 11-for-16 for 106 yards and a TD with no turnover-worthy plays or sacks. PFF’s graders were busy, and while the final grades come tomorrow, the high-level snap counts and the standout‑of‑the‑game motif point to a Patriots unit that’s more cohesive, versatile and ready to push for meaningful fantasy value this season. Carlton Davis III anchored a stifling start on defense, earning a 90.3 PFF score in a controlled six-snap appearance, underscoring the Patriots’ revamped secondary.

Efton Chism III exploded onto the Patriots’ preseason scene, snagging four balls for 63 yards and punching in six on a short score during a long, methodical 17-play, 88-yard march that kept the clock draining and the game out of reach by halftime.

New England’s WR depth—already sizable with 11 on the roster—got another chance to prove its upside, as Chism’s performance could cement his spot in the final 53 with one game left. A sync between Chism and Josh Dobbs amplified the drive, underscoring the Patriots’ willingness to lean into multipleTwo-parter offensive looks and keep defenders honest in the early going of the exhibition schedule.

Day 13 at Patriots camp delivered a tight red‑zone grind, with the defense asserting itself and the offense fighting to close drives. The session highlighted growth from young players and tightened competition across positions as New England looks to balance depth with reliability ahead of the season.

Undrafted receiver Efton Chism III kept climbing, making the play-of-the-day over Marcus Jones after a deep ball from Joshua Dobbs, following a preseason opener where he led the team in catches. The display underscored his growing trust with the quarterback and his potential to push for more targets in late‑season opportunities.

Safety Craig Woodson earned first‑team repetitions over Kyle Dugger, nearly snaring a Drake Maye pass in a diving attempt and later acknowledging he should have adjusted to the ball better in the moment. Meanwhile, rookie guard Jared Wilson continued his meteoric rise, going 3‑0 in one‑on‑one drills and stepping into a starting left‑guard role as he pressures veteran peers.

Edge K'Lavon Chaisson returned to action and tested rookie Will Campbell in team portions, signaling the Patriots’ edge depth is trending in a promising direction. KickerJohn Parker Romo stayed hot with a 4‑for‑4 out­ing, while Andres Borregales went 3‑for‑4, making the kicking competition in New England tighter than expected as training camp progresses.