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.

Jimmy Horn Jr. survived Carolina’s pink-slip cut day, a milestone in a winding Florida-to-NFL path that included USF and Colorado before landing with the Panthers. Xavier Weaver followed suit with a roster spot in Arizona, signaling the Seminole-to-Pro pipeline remains active. Gabe Davis, a veteran who spent early seasons with the Bills and jaguars the prior year, is also in the mix after the 53-man decisions. Across the league, veterans like Hendrickson, Milano, Joseph, Carter and Watt are back in prominent roles, while notable cuts spotlight the ongoing churn and potential fantasy sleepers stepping into clearer opportunities.

For fantasy managers, the day emphasizes how late moves, depth additions and positional battles shape Week 1 value. Sleeper flashes from Horn Jr., Weaver and others can translate into surprise upticks in target share or return chances, while established veterans’ roles may offer safer depth. The net effect: the 53-man rosters set the stage for immediate depth-chart reshuffles and the subtle shifts that drive late-season fantasy upside.

Three Buffs surfaced on NFL 53-man rosters: Shedeur Sanders cracked the Browns’ QB room, while Travis Hunter joined the Jaguars, and Xavier Weaver earned a spot with the Cardinals. Buffaloes connected to Carolina (Jimmy Horn Jr.), Baltimore (LaJohntay Wester), and Seattle (Brady Russell) also showed up around rosters, with others like BJ Green II making Jacksonville’s 53 as an undrafted rookie. Several Buffs, including Shilo Sanders, faced tough cuts, while a few stayed hopeful for practice squads.

Transfers and UDFA stories continued to map Colorado’s latest alumni across the league. Von Miller energy, Deion-era swagger, and a trail of long-shot signings underlined a curious cross-section: rookies earning roster spots, veterans clinging to practice-squad chances, and a few ready to turn preseason buzz into week-to-week fantasy value.

Xavier Weaver highlighted Week 2 for the Cardinals with 1 catch for 17 yards and a 31-yard kick return, signaling a growing role as a gamble-worthy fantasy dart behind Kyler Murray. He flashed reliability in the short game and continued to show value on special teams, lifting his 53-man roster odds.

Shilo Sanders added two tackles but his Week 2 performance didn’t match the flash of Week 1, while LaJohntay Wester struggled after a strong debut, finishing with 0 catches on four targets and a fumble-related moment on punt return. Jimmy Horn Jr. posted a lone catch for 1 yard and a 6-yard rush, with Will Sheppard not recording a stat as the Packers rotated receivers. Injury dampened the Buffs alumni presence this week, as Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter sat out with injuries, keeping the spotlight focused on a small group of Buffs alums who are still pushing to carve real pro roles.

Week 1 of the NFL preseason produced an impressive spark for Colorado Buffaloes alums, led by Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland. Sanders connected for two touchdowns on 14 of 23 attempts, signaling a poised early NFL transition with accuracy, pocket feel, and arm strength that fantasy managers watch closely. LaJohntay Wester electrified Baltimore with an 82-yard punt return touchdown and a 41-yard receiving night, underscoring his ceiling as a playmaker for a wide-receiver-needy Ravens squad. Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. also saw meaningful time, flashing versatility and potential in new uniforms. Xavier Weaver added a red-zone highlight for Arizona, while Will Sheppard popped as a primary target in Green Bay’s opener with two catches. Shilo Sanders and BJ Green II contributed on defense and pass rush for their Jacksonville cohorts, rounding out a banner debut weekend for Buffs who could shape dynasty and best-ball rosters as the season unfolds.

Beyond the headline performances, Week 1 offered a broader view: Buffs in new schemes and crowded depth charts showed flashes that could translate to expanded roles as rosters trim and offenses settle in. The Browns leaned into Sanders’ accuracy and timing, the Ravens leaned on Wester’s speed in space, and the Jaguars leaned into Hunter’s two-way possibilities, even as the media pounced on the smaller sample sizes. Panthers and Cardinals investments in Horn Jr. and Weaver hinted at explosive potential in 2025, while the Packers and Titans mirrored the depth-building trend across the league. For fantasy managers, it’s about spotting the right week-to-week opportunities as these players integrate into NFL offenses.