Week 2 of the NFL preseason offered clarity on early-season backfield plans and slot roles that fantasy managers crave. Arizona rotated veterans, with James Conner as the clear early-down favorite and Trey Benson watching from the sidelines, hinting Benson’s upside only if Conner were to miss time. In Buffalo, Elijah Moore has carved a slot-centric profile, but Khalil Shakir still clamps the primary slot role while Dalton Kincaid and the rookie mix into Col col slots. Carolina’s Rico Dowdle split passing-downs with Chuba Hubbard, hinting at a real third-down role for Dowdle behind Hubbard’s early workload. Across other backfields, rookie and depth-chart shifts signal a handful of dart choices for Best Ball and late-season handcuff streams.

Key takeaways for fantasy: Conner’s job security looks solid unless injury intrudes; Moore’s slot-heavy usage could push targets toward Bills' other receivers if Shakir or Kincaid stay healthy, keeping Moore as a risk/reward Week 1 flier. Dowdle’s growing passing-down role makes him a speculative late-round add in deeper rosters. Jets’ backfield remains a committee question mark with Breece Hall involved but not a slam-dunk workload; Tahj Brooks’ burst makes him a name to monitor for insurance behind Cincinnati’s offense.

Arizona is betting on a fresh offensive nucleus led by Marvin Harrison Jr. as he climbs from a promising rookie to a true fantasy centerpiece. A Manning connection—Peyton dropping by during a Broncos- Cardinals practice—seems to spark Halftime hype, underscoring the elder Harrison’s Hall of Fame legacy and the younger’s potential torch-passing arc.

The Cardinals have built around Kyler Murray’s return and a versatile group featuring Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, and James Conner, plus new pass-rushers and inside linchpins to keep the offense dynamic. While age concerns loom for Tomlinson and Calais Campbell on defense, the offense looks poised to push for a higher ceiling than expected in a league-wide mix of youth and experience.

Arizona is clearly aiming for the future, blending a budding aerial attack with a more complete supporting cast and a more optimistic quarterback scenario. The preseason buzz hints at tangible upside for fantasy managers who roster Harrison Jr. early and monitor Murray’s health and the continued development of McBride and Conner as the season unfolds.

Fantasy draft guidance for 2025 centers on Jefferson, Barkley, Collins, Kupp, Lamb, London, Bijan, Conner, DJ Moore, Deebo Samuel, and DeVonta Smith. The piece highlights how offense changes, target competition, and team context shape value, with a ready-to-use Who Should I Draft tool to compare up to four players at once. London enters as a true WR1 option with Chicago’s offense improving, while Bijan remains a top RB bet in a loaded Falcons lineup. Conner offers solid mid-round floor, and Moore/Kupp present high-upside WR targets in evolving offenses.

DJ Moore's trajectory with Chicago is anchored by a WR2 ceiling amid a healthier O-line and improved coaching, while Kupp remains a savvy veteran whose value could rebound in a new setting. Drake London’s breakout season is underscored by volume, yak, and red-zone role as he pairs with a maturing Penix-backed offense. Bijan Robinson is touted as one of the game’s best RBs, with London and other weapons keeping defenses honest. James Conner provides late-round stability, and Deebo Samuel and DeVonta Smith remain high-upside options given their dynamic playmaking skills.

Overall, the article stresses format- and format-agnostic reasoning: target shares, efficiency, and matchup-driven usage. The draft tool’s upgrades—headshots, bye-week visibility, and enhanced comparisons—aim to help managers craft balanced rosters that can weather positional volatility in 2025.

Five middle-round targets to chase in 2025 fantasy football are James Conner, Isiah Pacheco, Jordan Mason, Cam Skattebo, and Jaydon Blue. Conner sits as a dependable RB2 due to his steady production and strong involvement in the passing game, offering reliable weekly floor in New Arizona. Pacheco carries upside tied to continued mystique of the Chiefs’ high-octane offense, with improved pass-game usage and opportunity if health cooperates. Mason enters Minnesota’s backfield as a big, physical piece who could split carries in a committeelike run game, while Skattebo brings brutal efficiency and pass-catching ability that could unlock a late-season surge. Blue, a speedster in Dallas, enters a pass-heavy scheme with clear avenues to touches if he earns swings in the receiving game and screens. This group blends seasoned floors with high-ceiling bets, and their ADPs are spread enough to diversify risk across rounds 4–7.