Panthers Week 2 snap counts spotlight more youth on defense and a stubborn, recurring reliance on Nick Scott. Lathan Ransom barely edges into more snaps (nine to twelve) while Princely Umanmielen flashes in limited action with a sack and a pressure, yet still isn’t on the field enough. Xavier Legette continues heavy targets as WR2 despite rough efficiency, prompting calls for Brycen Tremayne or David Moore to seize downs.

The unit shows improved pass rush, but late first-half and start-of-second-quarter breakdowns persist. With Umanmielen thriving in limited snaps, Carolina faces tough calls on rotation, especially around Legette’s role and the WR corps, ahead of Week 3.

Steelers surprise early in the slate: Warren opens, stepping into Harris's early-down role while Gainwell handles some third-down duties and Kaleb Johnson waits in the wings. Warren projects toward double-digit carries early, with passing-game work solidifying his fantasy floor; Johnson now faces an uphill battle to win early-down looks. Carolina rested its starters, birthing Brycen Tremayne’s chance to prove roster-worthiness, but his fantasy upside remains marginal without injuries. Olave’s slot use in New Orleans hints at an elevated target ceiling, while Chicago’s tight end duo rotates heavily, keeping Loveland and Kmet in a true 50/50, 12-personnel split. In Cleveland, Sampson and Ford rotated together, signaling a future duo rather than a clear lead back.

Derrick Harmon’s knee injury for the Steelers creates immediate questions about interior pass-rush depth as rosters shrink to 53 by Tuesday. Dean Lowry’s ACL concern compounds Pittsburgh’s defensive-line volatility, potentially triggering veteran market chatter or a last-minute cut-down addition. Carolina’s Brycen Tremayne flashed in a quiet WR battle, while Hunter Renfrow and David Moore remained inactive, signaling possible trades or practice-squad tinkering as the Panthers shape their 53-man plan. The upcoming slate of games and a Tuesday deadline loom large for teams sorting position battles and fantasy implications.

Beyond those headlines, teams are juggling final evaluations at edge, tackle, and back-end spots as coaches balance upside with roster certainty. The Steelers and Panthers projections will influence fantasy rosters and dynasty depth, while a bevy of Week 3 results will sharpen decisions on players who could emerge as sleepers or fade with the 53-man cuts. As color-filled rosters start to crystallize, bettors and fantasy managers will be watching how depth charts shift in the closing hours before the deadline.

In short, Week 3 underscored the delicate calculus of preseason: a single injury or inactive list can tip the scale at key spots, altering both real-game roles and fantasy upside as teams pare to 53 by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET cutoff.

Carolina’s preseason finale left the Panthers with a crowded wide receiver room and a clear emphasis on special teams for roster decisions. After a 19-10 loss to Pittsburgh, coach Dave Canales signaled that the final 53 will hinge on what players bring value on kick and punt teams, not just on-field production. The group features two high-upside rookies in Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette, veteran anchor Adam Thielen, and WarDavis-level depth with Jalen Coker, David Moore, Hunter Renfrow, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Brycen Tremayne, all fighting for two to four spots. The Panthers could push seven receivers if special teams prowess is there, with McMillan, Legette, Thielen, and Coker seen as the most secure, while the rest battle for the last few jobs.

In fantasy terms, McMillan and Legette are the intriguing long shots who could carve early roles if they seize special-teams duties or emerge as timely beneficiaries of Thielen’s health. Thielen and Renfrow provide steady floor, with Thielen likely to anchor the slot and Legette offering big-play upside. Horn Jr. and Tremayne bring developmental upside, while Moore and Coker add veteran reliability and return capabilities that could swing a few weeks early in the season. Carolina’s fall decisions will shape who steps up behind Thielen and McMillan, especially if injuries or suspensions hit the WR room.

As cuts loom, fantasy players should monitor how Canales uses the return game and special-teams units to separate the final WR spots. Seven WRs would create broader depth but press the limits of fantasy value unless one or two youngsters emerge as weekly contributors. The Panthers’ WR picture remains fluid, but the combination of rookie upside and veteran steadiness offers intriguing late-round targets and potential breakout candidates in deeper leagues.

Two-game NFL preseason Week 3 slate on Friday, August 21, 2025 features Giants vs Patriots and Steelers vs Panthers, with a sharp focus on value sleepers and ceiling plays for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel. Jaxson Dart’s eye-popping Giants performances loom large, prompting consideration of a Dart-stack with Giants pass-catchers in tournaments. Skylar Thompson is slated for heavy action for Pittsburgh as the Panthers rest starters, boosting the upside of Steelers pass-game and backfield plays on a short slate. Dante Miller and Lew Nichols headline late-round RB options for NYG and PIT, while Brycen Tremayne and Beaux Collins push for final roster spots for CAR and NYG, offering cheap-flash potential. Javon Baker, Javonne Baker? (traveling with NE) and Beaux Collins are intriguing tournament darts, while Darnell Washington provides red-zone upside for Pittsburgh in this tiny window. The guide emphasizes volume and roster leverage on a two-game slate, with price-conscious darts and stacking opportunities across both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Expect Dart to be the centerpiece of Giants lineups, especially when paired with NYG’s pass-catchers on a tight slate. Thompson’s workload for Pittsburgh could yield four quarters of action, making him a pivot away from the typical starter risk. Miller’s Turbo profile and Nichols’ big-play ability give rosters an edge in late-game opportunities, particularly if New York wins time-of-possession or Pittsburgh leans into high-leverage plays. Carolina’s Tremayne and Collins bring roster-churn appeal, while Baker’s travel to the game keeps a live upside needle in play. Darnell Washington’s red-zone ceiling remains a key narrative in a tight Steelers- Panthers environment. Overall, the strategy is to bank on volume, leverage cheap stacks, and target high-upside players in the two-game Friday slate.