Patrick Johnson’s bid to stay on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster centers on a rare blend of pass-rush flair and elite special-teams value. The seventh-round Tulane pick has shown enough to be considered over deeper depth pieces, with preseason strip-sacks and a string of hustle plays underscoring his potential as a rotational edge and key special-teams contributor.

With Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Josh Uche delivering reliable pressure, Johnson’s fate hinges on more than flash plays—coaches like Vic Fangio weigh floor vs. ceiling, and the Giants game tape plus a clutch Ravens outing provide a blueprint for how he could fit Week 1. The debate isn’t whether he can play in the NFL; it’s whether the cost of keeping six edge players, versus other roster decisions, is worth the add. Either way, his track record on special teams is hard to ignore and keeps him in the conversation for Philly’s opening lineup.

Denver and Arizona will rest most starters in a preseason tilt that doubles as a depth showcase. Browning slots in as the Broncos’ likely third edge, with Sweat and Collins ahead in the rotation, while Cardinals depth pieces push for 2025 roles. Tip Reiman and Xavier Weaver headline Arizona’s near-term upside on offense, with Dadrion Taylor-Demerson drawing Budda Baker-like style comparisons on defense. The QB debate isn’t settled: Kyler Murray remains the ceiling darling, Bo Nix adds intrigue, and both teams will lean on young players to prove fantasy worth in limited action.

As Denver protects its key pieces, the game becomes a grinder for the next-man-up fantasy angles: backups stepping into targets, blocking connectors turning into receiving threats, and safeties showing playmaking potential. Arizona’s depth chart provides underrated breakout candidates, especially in the passing game, while Denver’s rotation could spotlight ends and edge-rushers who fantasy managers should monitor for early-season snaps.

Arizona Cardinals 20, Kansas City Chiefs 17. In the preseason opener at State Farm Stadium, the starters went for the Cardinals, with Calais Campbell and Josh Sweat sidelined. Kyler Murray flashed in spells, but a late first-half interception drew some attention as a reminder that execution matters even in August. The win offered a number of positive takeaways as well as some caution flags, particularly around injuries and depth-chart questions as the club heads to Denver.

Several Cardinals flashed positively in each phase, while others pressed their case to push into the late-roster mix. The club also used the game to evaluate backfield and receiver options behind the starters, which should inform the next round of depth-chart decisions ahead of Week 1. The upcoming road trip to the Broncos will be another valuable datapoint as the evaluation process continues.

Injury notes surfaced—some players were dinged but nothing revealed as season-threatening. For fantasy managers, the takeaway centers on the depth pieces who could earn roles when the regular season begins, Murray’s field-rusher dynamics in limited action, and which receivers or backs step up behind the top unit. Track Sunday’s tally in Denver closely for immediate fantasy implications and late-round DFS value.

ESPN highlighted three Philadelphia second-year defenders as the most vital sophomores on the NFL landscape: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Jalyx Hunt. Mitchell and DeJean impressed with quick, veteran-like transitions, while Hunt shifted from safety to edge rusher and pushed into late-season prominence. The piece notes the Eagles’ depth in a unit loaded with playmakers, with Hunt positioned to grow into early-down duties as the defense lean on multiple contributors rather than leaning on a single star.

Philadelphia’s young core emerged alongside established names like DeVonta Smith and Jalen Carter, underscoring a roster built through late-April selections and patient development. Last season’s edge pressure dwindled as Sweat and Graham logged fewer snaps, creating room for Hunt’s rotational impact and a potential three-down path. Mitchell and DeJean were Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists, signaling trust in their ceiling and the surrounding depth that keeps big plays spread across the unit.

For fantasy fans, this translates to a defense that thrives on multiple contributors rather than one breakout star, making Mitchell, DeJean, and Hunt intriguing low-cost investments in dynasty or best-ball formats. The Eagles’ scheme rewards versatility and pressure-sharing, so add these youngsters with an eye on upcoming opportunities threaded through health and matchup-driven roles.

A flurry of NFL moves reshapes fantasy value across the league. Aaron Rodgers lands with the Steelers, signaling a potential revival in Pittsburgh’s aerial attack despite age. Russell Wilson’s trek lands in New York, aiming to lift the Giants’ passing game. Davante Adams heads west to the Rams, while Cooper Kupp shifts to Seattle, flipping two of the most dynamic wideout duos in recent memory. Geno Smith reunites with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas, a pairing that could steady a Raiders offense hungry for consistency. Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, and Jameis Winston also switch homes, injecting fresh ceilings into multiple offenses.

Receivers on the move include D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs, and George Pickens, each eyed as major fantasy catalysts in new environs. On defense, big names like Sweat and Milton Williams parlay Super Bowl success into lucrative deals, while Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Allen, Grady Jarrett, Joey Bosa, Talanoa Hufanga, and Dre Greenlaw all sport new uniforms, underscoring how the league’s talent is re-shuffling in a way that could swing weekly fantasy outputs.

In short, managers should reassess QB & WR pairings, monitor how coaching changes affect offensive rhythm, and keep an eye on defensive pieces that could swing individual totals in IDP formats. The overarching theme: veteran quarterbacks moving to veteran-friendly systems can unlock underrated pass-catchers, while top-tier playmakers changing teams can reset projected usage across leagues for 2025.