Patrick Mahomes opened the night with a purposely short bowl of action, completing a 1-yard pass and scoring early before handing the reins to Gardner Minshew in the Chiefs’ friendly-it-wasn’t-a-glow-up preseason tilt. Kansas City fell 20-17 to Arizona after the Cards rallied behind a defense that forced errors and limited the Chiefs’ extravagant yardage. Greg Dortch’s opening-kick fumble kicked off a night where the real takeaway is the split between starter reps and backfield snaps, with PFF graders analyzing every play for tomorrow’s release. Darren Hall shined for Arizona, snaring a Zappe pass and not allowing a catch in 17 coverage snaps, while Zappe’s day showed risk for the Cardinals’ backup plans. The box score underlines a low-volume, high-variance showcase: total plays stayed even, EPA per play leaned positive for the Cards, and red-zone trips remained efficient on both sides. As always with early August football, this is a data-poor appetizer, not a blueprint, and fantasy managers should wait for fuller August snap counts before adjusting targets or workloads.

In the fantasy ecosystem, the immediate signal is caution: Mahomes’ limited exposure keeps the floor intact but dampens the immediate upside for Week 1 fireworks. Zappe’s rough showing hints at the volatility of backup quarterback rotations in this phase, while Hall’s standout coverage hints at possible role expansion if injuries or depth-chart changes occur. Dortch’s contested opportunities and the Cardinals’ back-end resilience offer a reminder that preseason opportunities rarely translate cleanly to Week 1 expectations. PFF’s deeper-grade release tomorrow will contextualize these performances with time-based scoring and position-by-position clarity.

Kansas City sprinted out of the gate in its 2025 preseason, with Patrick Mahomes finding Jason Brownlee for KC’s first TD and signaling depth has a real path to meaningful involvement. A rough Cards start included Greg Dortch fumbling a return, giving the Chiefs prime field position early. The early connection between Mahomes and Brownlee suggests KC’s WR rotation could be more fluid this summer, potentially lifting Brownlee into fantasy relevance if the chemistry sticks.

Brownlee’s early rapport with Mahomes is a reminder that Kansas City’s pass game might distribute targets beyond the usual stars, increasing the appeal of late-round and depth receivers. For fantasy managers, this is a cue to watch camp reports on WR usage, red-zone opportunities, and how the Chiefs juggle a multi-weapon attack as they prepare for Week 1.

The Arizona Cardinals' training camp has ignited fierce competition, particularly at the wide receiver position, where the fight for the No. 3 spot is heating up. Last season's standout, Greg Dortch, is in a tussle with Zay Jones and the surprising Xavier Weaver. While the top two positions are securely held by Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, the uncertainty surrounding the third wideout creates a thrilling narrative for fans and fantasy managers alike.

Dortch initially held the No. 3 role last year, showcasing his slot prowess. However, as the season progressed, his playing time diminished with Harrison and Wilson taking more snaps in the slot, and Jones emerging as a reliable option. This year, Dortch's dynamic play could reclaim the third slot or push the group to new heights, but he must fend off the competition from Jones and the wildcard Weaver.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for the 2025 training camp, and a spotlight is on wide receiver Greg Dortch as he embarks on his seventh NFL season, fifth with the Cardinals. Originally a rookie free agent from Wake Forest, Dortch's journey has seen him navigate practice squads with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, LA Rams, and Atlanta Falcons before solidifying his role with the Cardinals in 2021. He has excelled as the team's primary slot receiver and special teams ace, recording 37 receptions for 342 yards and three touchdowns last season, while also contributing as the lead punt returner.

Dortch's current contract status is noteworthy; he was given a low qualifying tender as a restricted free agent this offseason. As the Cardinals prepare for camp, Dortch's versatility and experience will be critical in defining his role on a team looking to navigate the competitive landscape of the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals face a significant challenge with their wide receiver corps as they head into the 2025 NFL season. Despite Marvin Harrison Jr.'s promising rookie season, he fell short of expectations with just under 1,000 receiving yards. The rest of the group, consisting of Michael Wilson, Zay Jones, and Greg Dortch, lacks a standout presence. With Wilson and Dortch having yet to surpass 600 yards in a season, there's considerable pressure on Harrison to elevate his game and for the others to step up. Questions about offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's modern scheme also loom large as they seek to maximize their receiver potential.