Arizona's 2025 draft bets are paying off early as Walter Nolen sits, while Will Johnson and Jordan Burch flash as Week 1 catalysts against New Orleans. Johnson paced with a 90.2 PFF rookie grade, two passes defensed and an overturned INT, underscoring elite technique and a big-hit play that mirrored coaching trust. Burch, on 28 snaps, logged two tackles and three QB hurries for a strong start from a third-round edge.

The Cardinals lean into their young nucleus, banking on Johnson and Burch to grow from this baseline as they navigate a season that should reveal more about the 2025 class’ impact. Fantasy players should monitor Johnson’s guardrail potential in the secondary and Burch’s rushing snaps as a growing defensive cornerstone, especially with Nolen sidelined by calf strain.

Oregon’s 2024 roster talent is already making NFL waves. Conerly Jr. earned a starting role with Washington, Bruch and Caldwell flashed in Arizona and LA respectively, while Harmon and Ferguson are positioned for big front-seven impacts after camp. Bassa and Reed impressed for KC and LA, Herbert carved out preseason run with Jacksonville, James isn’t active yet, and Cornelius shows camp potential in Dallas. Ducks’ NFL imprint across rookies is growing fast.

Eight Ducks draftees and several UFAs hit the ground running in camps and preseason, signaling a fertile pipeline for fantasy sleepers and late-round picks. Injuries and depth charts will shape early-season roles, but the initial NFL debuts suggest several Ducks could become staple depth players with weekly upside as the season unfolds.

Micah Parsons left Dallas for Green Bay, reshaping the Cowboys’ edge plans while Dak Prescott and a strengthened receiving group—especially George Pickens—enter Week 1 with a clearer path to efficiency if the O-line holds up. Green Bay eyes Parsons’ versatility in a lighter-season ramp, while week-one optimism centers on explosive plays and a sharper defense.

Week 1 fantasy bets turn toward breakouts: Bhayshul Tuten could surface as a structural ‘home run’ back for Jacksonville, Ricky Pearsall looks to cushion SF’s receiver injuries, and Matthew Golden has grown into starter duties with Green Bay. Sleeper notes highlight New England as a playoff sleeper and Arizona as a dart throw with upside, plus Browns’ Harold Fannin Jr. flashing multi-position use.

Beyond Week 1, talent flow includes Emeka Egbuka in Tampa Bay’s offense and leverage for Kyler Murray and J.J. Watt in Arizona. The chatter also flags sharper coaching starts in NYG and CIN, plus a few contract-time pressures that could alter lineups and targets early in the season.

A fresh wave of NFL rookies turned heads in training camp and the preseason, signaling who could contribute early on. This preseason MVP list spotlights first-year standouts who earned reps, trust, and a path to Week 1 roles across 32 teams.

Arizona's Jordan Burch racked up two sacks and looks prime to rotate opposite Josh Sweat; Jaxson Dart impressed for NYG, potentially accelerating the rookie timetable; James Pearce Jr. and Tetairoa McMillan flashed edge and WR upside, while Loveland showed TE versatility for Chicago.

X Xavier Thomas shined in the Cardinals' preseason, flashing edge presence and deployability as Nick Rallis pushes for more intensity. Behind Sweat and Burch, he could carve a rotational role even if he isn’t a lock for the 53-man roster yet.

His 2024 line was 2.5 sacks and 10 tackles; this year he matched that efficiency in three 2025 exhibitions with six tackles and two sacks. If he locks in, he could become a valuable IDP depth piece in deeper fantasy leagues.