Max Brosmer's Friday night performance put him in clear backup contention behind J.J. McCarthy, while Brett Rypien's uneven night opened the door for Brosmer to seize the spot. Jeshaun Jones flashed dependable hands and rising confidence, Bo Richter showed edge upside but inconsistent pressure. McCarthy sat, underscoring Minnesota's cautious Week 1 plan. The Titans provided a stern depth test, but Flores’ roster evaluation prevailed, highlighting key bets for dynasty depth and late-round upside.

Max Brosmer has emerged as the Vikings’ most active quarterback in August, logging the most preseason snaps of any Minnesota QB and keeping the door open on a 53-man roster spot or a practice squad bid. Through two preseason games, he’s shown poise, accuracy on the move, and the ability to lead a two-minute sequence, albeit with growing pains. The club is weighing whether to keep three quarterbacks on the active roster or roll with a more conventional QB group, making Brosmer a high-stakes development project for fantasy managers watching late-roster moves.

His two exhibition performances—47 yards and a TD on 5-of-8 in the fourth quarter vs. Houston, then 156 yards on 15-of-27 with an interception across two quarters vs. New England—underscore a roller-coaster arc: highlight throws, plus reads under pressure and a few missteps. O’Connell has praised his intelligence and work ethic, while Brosmer remains diligent, focused on what he can control and embracing every rep as a chance to prove he belongs at NFL speed.

Minnesota’s offense moved efficiently in the first half of a Chicago-like exhibition, with J.J. McCarthy efficiently feeding Jordan Addison on an opening flurry that produced a 3-0 lead on Reichard’s boot. Houston answered, led by Davis Mills, finishing a 14-yard connection to Braxton Berrios for a 7-3 edge. A late Vikings drive produced Sam Howell’s early involvement and a 1-yard Howell score after a series of big plays to Lucky Jackson and Jeshaun Jones. The half closed with Minnesota up 13-7 after Reichard added a 38-yard field goal. A scary moment as Rondale Moore twisted a leg on a punt return clouded the scene, but Minnesota heads to the locker room with momentum and hidden depth on both sides of the ball. Fantasy angles lean toward McCarthy Addison pairing and Mills’ Texans tempo, with Murphy and Reichard quietly shaping kicker and pass-rush outlook.

Clemson University's football program is set to dominate the 2026 NFL Draft with five players projected in the first round, highlighting the program's elite talent pipeline. Defensive lineman T.J. Parker is projected to go third overall to the New York Jets, while fellow lineman Peter Woods follows closely at fifth to the Tennessee Titans, emphasizing their potential impact at the next level.

Wide receiver Antonio Williams is also in the top ten, heading to the Miami Dolphins at tenth. Cornerback Avieon Terrell is expected to land at twentieth with the Minnesota Vikings. Finally, quarterback Cade Klubnik rounds out the Clemson contingent at twenty-seventh to the Los Angeles Rams, showcasing the depth of talent within the program.

The Indianapolis Colts have made a significant roster change by releasing kicker Matt Gay, who had been part of the team's kicking game for the last two seasons. This move opens the door for Spencer Shrader, who is now set to take over the kicking duties going forward. This unexpected shift could influence not only the Colts' special teams strategy but also the fantasy projections for both Gay, now a free agent, and Shrader, who will be stepping into a crucial role.

In other league news, optimism surrounds Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence being fully cleared for training camp after a recent injury. Meanwhile, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch expressed confidence that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk would remain with the team for the upcoming season, which bodes well for both Aiyuk's and quarterback Brock Purdy's fantasy potential. Additionally, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert may be a player to watch as he enters the final year of his contract amid trade rumors, which could affect his fantasy value depending on the situation.