San Francisco’s WR room remains a top talking point as injuries mount and the 49ers explore external help without breaking the bank. Purdy connected with Pearsall on a timely Week 2 drive against the Raiders, signaling growing chemistry with a young depth chart that could lean on Pearsall, Jennings, and Ayuk once all are healthy. San Francisco entertained John Metchie III in trade talks but settled for a low-cost move, underscoring a preference for rookie-scale talent over expensive veterans. The kicker: even as Mechi lingered, the Rams and Raiders offered competing narratives on roster completeness, while the 49ers’ guard depth and tackle health loom large for Week 1. The offense looks to pace itself around Purdy’s timing and Pearsall’s route-running, with Bray Ayuk’s eventual return a potential catalyst, and the defense waits to find its footing behind a less-than-full front.

Debo Samuel flashed the burst and joy fantasy players have hoped to see again, slicing through a 19-yard end-around and looking spry rather than sluggish. The convo emphasized that a lighter preseason workload could keep Debo fresh for a bigger season, while the rise of the SF offense under Shanahan’s wide-back usage could lift his ceiling without needlessly increasing injury risk.

Across the board, Cincinnati’s offense looked prime for fantasy: Burrow hit for a 62-yard score and Chase was healthy, setting the stage for big-volume pass plays. Chase Brown flashed quick decisiveness and vision, carving out wide rushing lanes that could translate into strong early-season fantasy numbers. The Bengals’ dynamic pairing and the looming possibility of heavy offensive output remain central to draft planning.

The night leaned into a bigger theme—value in great offenses and patience with big-name risk. Mid-season monsters and breakout candidates like Chase Brown pair with established studs, creating a path for upside in both standard and PPR formats. Promo links and live-draft chatter added a practical edge for managers trying to translate preseason momentum into ADP gains.

The 49ers’ preseason win over the Raiders spotlighted a sharp, game-ready defense and a revitalized special teams unit, fueling optimism beyond the box score. San Francisco closed the game with a stingy defensive stand and two takeaways, while their special teams carried the late-game weight—Jake Moody supplied key field goals under pressure, and the squad finished with back-to-back drives that the previous season lacked. The second half was all about execution: every SF possession ended in a field goal, while the defense kept Vegas from a TD, underscoring a foundational shift from last year’s late-game woes.

Injuries dominated the chatter, but the optimism centered on structure and depth. Dominic Puny’s unknown ACL-like scare shifted to a PCL note, preserving his season’s arc for Week 1. With multiple running backs sidelined and receivers banged up, SF highlighted the need for roster churn and depth. The club even worked out Nate Sudfeld, signaling ongoing strategic moves as the cut-down clock ticks. Debo Samuel and Brock Purdy showed signs of cohesion, while Moody’s red-hot finish cemented him as a pressure-tested weapon in the kicking game. Fantasy players should watch Purdy’s growth and Moody’s reliability as the regular season nears.

Washington Commanders stunned many in 2024, posting 12-5 and punching their ticket toward another deep playoff run. Terry McLaurin anchored a pass game that fans expect to lean on heavily again, even as the backfield and secondary receivers face questions about depth. The offense has outside veterans like DeAndre Hopkins and AJ Green chiming in as meaningful complements, while Noah Brown provides a steady presence on the perimeter. The interplay between the quarterback and these targets will largely determine the attack’s ceiling, especially given worries about the offensive line and the lack of proven playmakers beyond McLaurin.

From a fantasy lens, McLaurin remains the clear keystone, with Hopkins and Green offering high-upside stacking options in favorable matchups. Washington’s schematic emphasis on outside routes and red-zone chemistry, including McLaurin with the QB, could yield consistent weekly upside if the supporting cast can stay healthy. The backfield situation adds some risk, as Robinson’s role could shift with depth pieces emerging, but he still represents a potential week-to-week anchor when healthy. Defensively, uncertainty around the run and pass rush could push more high-scoring games, potentially boosting shootout opportunities for Commanders’ pass catchers in fantasy leagues.

Overall, the blueprint hinges on Terry McLaurin staying dominant, Hopkins/Green anchoring the perimeter, and Noah Brown providing a reliable secondary outlet, while the defense must converge into a more stable unit to sustain a robust fantasy profile across Washington's skilled positions.