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.

Elijah Moore's Bills audition hit a snag in Week 2 of the preseason, as Buffalo's 38-0 defeat to Chicago underscored a rough camp for the veteran wide receiver. Moore caught just one pass for five yards on four targets and dropped two others, contributing to a 38.4 overall PFF grade — among the lowest marks for any NFL receiver that week. Through two exhibitions, Moore sits at a 40.6 overall PFF grade (ninth-worst) and a 41.6 receiving grade (fifth-worst), highlighting a stark contrast to the competition around him.

Moore signed a one-year, $2.5 million guaranteed deal and now faces a tight roster race with Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, and Keon Coleman, among others, for a few final spots behind top targets. Buffalo might carry three receivers, leaving Moore competing with Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers, and Laviska Shenault for one of the depth roles. His guaranteed money also raises dead-cap considerations if he’s released, adding another layer to the calculation for a front office eyeing immediate help and future flexibility.

Fantasy take: Moore’s upside hinges on a clear role in a high-powered offense, and he’ll need to separate himself quickly in practice to secure meaningful time. If he survives cuts, he could become a depth dart in deeper leagues, but the path to consistent fantasy value remains highly contingent on usage behind Buffalo’s established targets.

Buffalo at Chicago in primetime Week 2 of the preseason hinges on depth-chart theater more than box-score glamour. Mitch Trubisky is slated as QB2 with the job to lose, and the night offers a clear chance to prove pocket poise and smart decision-making against his former club. Curtis Samuel and Elijah Moore stand out as potential breakout plays if healthy, with Moore especially positioned to seize a prominent role amid a thinner Bills WR corps. On defense, Buffalo looks to rookies Deone Walker and TJ Sanders to stack meaningful snaps, while Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones and Larry Ogunjobi push the interior, and Tre’Von Edmunds squanders no opportunity against his old teammates. The safety group—Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and Cole Bishop—needs reps to validate Babich’s plans, with Samuel’s status adding another layer of intrigue.

Buffalo comes to Soldier Field for a Sunday night preseason date with Chicago in unsettled weather terms. Kickoff around 76 and humid, with storms possible and a dew point near 72 that could sap passing efficiency. The Bills entered with a reshuffled receiving corps and a QB competition behind Josh Allen, as Mitch Trubisky returns to the Chicago stage where he was once drafted. Fantasy angles tilt toward the Bills’ depth players and their backup QB reps: James Cook likely anchors the backfield, while Elijah Moore, Khalil Shakir, Tyrell Shavers and the veteran Curtis Samuel could carry the lightweight targets if top receivers sit out again. The Bears present a test of Bills depth and live-bullet play, with tempests potentially tempering big play options. Historical context notes Buffalo’s 35-13 win in 2022 behind a strong rush attack and a shallow passing line in that late-season clash. Odds react with Bills favored by 1.5 and a 39.5 over-under, but weather could nudge passing production down roughly 12% in rain, per some sportsbooks. The matchup on Aug. 17 remains a test of depth chart decisions that fantasy managers should monitor closely as rosters trim.

In 2025 fantasy football drafts, late-round selections can unearth surprising gems. A focus on running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends with upside could pay dividends. Targeting players such as Will Shipley and AJ Dillon, who are positioned behind established starters on high-volume offenses like the Philadelphia Eagles, provides a strategic edge. Shipley, with his collegiate performance, hints at potential value in PPR formats, while Dillon's past performance and current role as a handcuff could make him a worthy pick.

Keaton Mitchell from Baltimore, despite limited early usage, possesses explosive speed that makes him an intriguing late-round candidate. His recovery from injury and camp reports suggest a potential breakout in a rush-heavy scheme alongside Derrick Henry. Wide receivers also offer late-round opportunities, with Dyami Brown showing promise in Jacksonville after a playoff showcase and Elijah Moore poised to benefit from playing alongside Josh Allen in Buffalo. Each of these players could be positioned for significant upside at minimal draft cost.