Calvin Austin III could be the Steelers’ steadying force with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, especially after Rodgers publicly praised his downfield burst and toughness. Week 1 offers a favorable slot matchup against the Jets, who struggled with slot coverage last season. Xavier Legette must beat Tetairoa McMillan and others for targets in Carolina, where McMillan is expected to become the primary pass catcher. Legette’s 2024 efficiency issues and the Panthers’ draft adds set a competitive stage for Week 1.

In fantasy terms, Calvin Austin III carries upside as Rodgers’ quick-to-mid range target and a potential Week 1 receptions prop bet. Legette represents a low-floor, high-variance option for deeper rosters as McMillan steps in. PFF+ provides a fresh suite of tools, including prop data, to help frame lineup decisions and week-by-week bets as the new-look offenses debut in Week 1 against Carolina and New York.

Overall, the Week 1 landscape centers on Austin’s early trust with Rodgers, Legette’s battle for targets, and how Carolina’s shakeup influences its passing game. The betting props highlight Austin’s receptions and Legette’s yardage as two crisp angles for fantasy and sportsbook players entering kickoff weekend.

Bam Knight’s preseason surge earned him a spot on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster, capped by a 67-yard touchdown that flipped the Raiders game. Coach Jonathan Gannon tempered the notion of a late roster push, stressing daily evaluations as roles are defined and redefined.

In Denver’s opener and the KC game, Knight flashed bursts and versatility, logging 14 offensive snaps and 5 special-teams plays in the finale, including a 27-yard kickoff return. His path to consistent fantasy value hinges on earning more offensive touches while remaining a multi-phase contributor.

Arizona's 53-man scramble after a 20-10 win over Las Vegas centers on three Cardinals on the roster bubble: Michael Carter, P.J. Mustipher and Xavier Thomas. Carter brings burst and pass-game potential, but depth and special-teams trade-offs loom behind Conner, Benson and Demercado. Mustipher is a solid depth piece on a deep defensive line, yet theDL crowd—Campbell, Tomlinson, Robinson, Stills, Jones and Jones—could squeeze him unless an injury shake-out clears space. Thomas faces a tight outside linebacking group, with Ojulari’s PUP status as a wild card that could tilt the odds.

Ojulari’s return off PUP would narrow the path for Thomas; if he remains sidelined, Thomas could survive on the roster’s edge. The tale also touches on Walter Nolen’s potential return, which could further complicate keeps. In short, talent clashes with roster realities as the Cards trim to 53 by Tuesday afternoon, with young depth and special-teams value pivotal.

Five Cardinals standouts shaped the tone of the preseason finale: Simi Fehoko kept his roster-spot in focus with a TD and two special-teams tackles; Xavier Thomas anchored the edge with 5 tackles, 2 sacks, and a fumble recovery; Elijah Jones flashed with two breakups and a second-preseason forced fumble; Bam Knight unleashed a 67-yard TD run and 83 rushing yards; Michael Carter added 47 yards on five carries and a late burst potential.

These performances hint at notable depth for Arizona and present late-round fantasy targets as rosters shrink to 53. Fehoko’s all-around involvement and Knight’s big-play upside cast the pair as intriguing sleeper bets, while Carter, Jones, and Thomas offer rotational upside and special-teams value to monitor into Week 1.

Arizona closed its preseason with a 20-10 win over Las Vegas, leaning on the run game for 210 of 269 total yards. Four scoring drives highlighted a boom-or-bust attack, with big plays fueling the offense: Bam Knight ripped a 67-yard TD and Michael Carter added a 38-yard burst on third-and-14, while Clayton Tune started at QB and went 12-of-20 for 83 yards and a TD. Conner, Benson and the top pass-catchers did not play, underscoring depth-chart stakes for the Cardinals.

Fantasy takeaway: Knight and Carter could carry late-round appeal if their roles hold, while Tune’s upside is intriguing but roster-spot risk remains as Arizona navigates its depth behind a young offense.