Six offenses are pegged as potential busts this fantasy season in a brand-new Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, with the discussion centering on ADP versus Wisdom of Crowd projections and what that means for the top fantasy names on those teams. The Raiders, Cardinals, Vikings, Falcons, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Jets loom as high-draft risks, while the conversation zeroes in on the plausible paths these units could take to underperform and how that shapes decisions for Week 1 and beyond. The chat keeps a critical eye on efficiency, pace, and matchup turbulence that could mute expected ceilings for star skill players.

Raiders, Cardinals, and the Vikings plus Falcons come into focus as the clearest risk clusters, where coaching decisions, quarterback health, or architectural shifts could curb big-play upside. Seattle and Miami are questioned for tempo and play-calling, while the Jets are scrutinized for how quickly their upgraded offense might gel. Fantasy managers are reminded not to chase ADP blindly and to consider safer pivots and smarter rostering moves as the season unfolds.

The Dallas Cowboys’ tight end picture gets a subtle nudge in the latest practice notes as Luke Schoonmaker left for the locker room with the medical staff, leaving questions about his readiness for a pivotal third season. Schoonmaker has logged 35 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns since being drafted in 2023, but he’s only a secondary piece behind Jake Ferguson, who inked a four-year, $52 million extension in July. Ferguson’s new deal cements him as the top TE in Dallas’ offense, while Schoonmaker competes for snaps and targets in a receiver-rich offense.

The Cowboys are back in Frisco after a month in California, with one more preseason game vs. Atlanta before opening the season vs. the defending champs, Philadelphia. The narrative around the Cowboys’ tight end room — Ferguson as the starter and Schoonmaker aiming to grow into a real threat — will influence fantasy value and roster decisions as Dallas arrives at Week 1. Expect a steady, committee-driven approach until clear roles emerge in the regular season.

For fantasy managers, this is a reminder to watch for volume shifts in the Cowboy tight end corps. Ferguson’s workload will likely remain prominent given the extension, while Schoonmaker’s health and development could tip the balance in a hurry if he’s limited or returns with upside in the passing game. The preseason finale against the Falcons could be telling as Dallas tests formations and target distribution ahead of Week 1.

Jaydon Blue envisions his NFL debut as he returns from an ankle injury, and the Cowboys are letting the rookie ramp up for a preseason showdown with the Falcons. He’s been visualizing the moment on the sideline, and with full-pads practice this week, Dallas CBT staff have grown more confident he’ll play Friday. Blue was already getting first-team reps before his injury, a sign the coaching staff believes he can contribute once healthy.

Dallas’ backfield is crowded and rotating, with Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Phil Mafah, Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis handling the bulk of carries in the early games. Blue is eager to show what he can do in game action, insisting there are no limitations. His return could add another dynamic element to an already-competitive room, especially if he earns a role on early downs or as a pass-catching option in the screen game.

Overall, the plan is to evaluate his ceiling in the preseason finale while maintaining caution around workload. A productive showing could accelerate a path to meaningful snaps, but the logjam at running back will require consistent and standout play from Blue to unlock a regular-season role.

Dallas Cowboys padded practice reveals a brutal audition for nearly two dozen roster spots as competition heats up for the final preseason week. Jerry Jones framed the scene as young players showing they belong, with about 20 jockeying for jobs in the coming days before Friday’s Cowboys-Falcons tilt.

Health is a concern: at least 13 players were sidelined or limited, and Micah Parsons sat through portions in a hold-in stance while Earnest Brown IV joined the casualty list with a right-leg issue, intensifying the depth questions on both edges and the rotation ahead of Week 1 fantasy implications.

For fantasy managers, the practice trenches are where value can appear. The depth players stepping up in padded drills and the injury reshuffles could unlock sleeper targets on defense and in the Cowboys’ surrounding units. Track practice reports closely for punt- and kick-coverage, pass rush, and rotational snaps that could carve out real-season roles, especially if Parsons’ workload remains managed into the opener.

Tampa Bay is rooted as the season’s big story in Connor Orr’s projection, pegged for a memorable 12-5 run that lands the Buccaneers as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The forecast emphasizes a sneaky-deep roster capable of pulling off marquee wins against legit contenders—Philadelphia, Detroit, and Buffalo—while noting a late-season stretch against weaker opponents that could fuel consistency down the stretch. The NFC South looks thin beyond TB, with Atlanta at 9-9 and Carolina at 6-11, sealing a divisional playoff drought for the other teams. For fantasy managers, Tampa Bay’s position hints at a stable, high-floor offense with potential playoff-growth momentum, even as intra-division dynamics tilt expectations elsewhere. The broader takeaway: TB’s path to fantasy relevance is tied to depth across the lineup and timely performances against strong foes, rather than relying on a single star-making run.

The piece also sketches a ripple effect across the conference: Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Detroit are highlighted as standout programs TB can’t simply run through, making Week-to-week scouting and matchup play crucial as the season unfolds. With the rest of the NFC South underwhelming by Orr’s lens, the Bucs’ path to the postseason is framed as a win-now, balance-of-roster affair, rather than a pure miracle month. Fantasy implications center on identifying value across TB’s backfield and receiving corps as the offense spreads opportunities, while monitoring late-season opponents who could shape the playoff push.

The narrative style remains grounded in roster depth, schedule shape, and a belief in Tampa Bay’s ability to win big games away from the expected, rather than relying on a single superstar to carry the load. For fantasy players, this means potential late-season leverage from TB’s depth pieces and a cautious eye on enemies TB might exploit in pivotal divisional showdowns. The result is a cautiously optimistic blueprint for a season-long run with meaningful fantasy upside and strategic rostering decisions that hinge on timing and opponent fit.