Two-game NFL preseason Week 3 slate on Friday, August 21, 2025 features Giants vs Patriots and Steelers vs Panthers, with a sharp focus on value sleepers and ceiling plays for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel. Jaxson Dart’s eye-popping Giants performances loom large, prompting consideration of a Dart-stack with Giants pass-catchers in tournaments. Skylar Thompson is slated for heavy action for Pittsburgh as the Panthers rest starters, boosting the upside of Steelers pass-game and backfield plays on a short slate. Dante Miller and Lew Nichols headline late-round RB options for NYG and PIT, while Brycen Tremayne and Beaux Collins push for final roster spots for CAR and NYG, offering cheap-flash potential. Javon Baker, Javonne Baker? (traveling with NE) and Beaux Collins are intriguing tournament darts, while Darnell Washington provides red-zone upside for Pittsburgh in this tiny window. The guide emphasizes volume and roster leverage on a two-game slate, with price-conscious darts and stacking opportunities across both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Expect Dart to be the centerpiece of Giants lineups, especially when paired with NYG’s pass-catchers on a tight slate. Thompson’s workload for Pittsburgh could yield four quarters of action, making him a pivot away from the typical starter risk. Miller’s Turbo profile and Nichols’ big-play ability give rosters an edge in late-game opportunities, particularly if New York wins time-of-possession or Pittsburgh leans into high-leverage plays. Carolina’s Tremayne and Collins bring roster-churn appeal, while Baker’s travel to the game keeps a live upside needle in play. Darnell Washington’s red-zone ceiling remains a key narrative in a tight Steelers- Panthers environment. Overall, the strategy is to bank on volume, leverage cheap stacks, and target high-upside players in the two-game Friday slate.

Myles Garrett sped 100 mph in a 60 mph zone hours after Cleveland's preseason opener with the Panthers, marking at least eight speeding offenses since 2017. In his first media session after the citation, he deflected questions and pivoted to focusing on football, signaling a shot across the bow to the headlines. The incident adds to a lengthy off‑field history that includes a 2022 Porsche crash and prior reckless operation charges, but it sits beside a career arc defined by overwhelming on-field dominance. Garrett remains one of the league’s most disruptive defenders, posting 14 sacks and a league‑best 22 tackles for loss last season, and he just signed a four‑year, $160 million extension that makes him the NFL’s highest‑paid non‑quarterback. The Browns are banking on performance and leadership to outweigh the recurring headlines, a stance that complicates fantasy and betting judgments about risk versus ceiling.

Garrett’s wake‑up moment from the 2022 crash—when he and a passenger were injured and he missed one game—frames the current discussion about smart off‑field choices. He acknowledged the need to drive smarter and stay grateful for his opportunity, even as the current speeding ticket surfaces again. For fantasy managers, the dynamic remains simple on the field: Garrett can deliver game‑changing pressure and tackles, but the off‑field narrative introduces uncertainty that can color projections and risk assessments as the season approaches.

Tyson Bagent locked in a two-year, $10 million extension with the Chicago Bears, the first Bears quarterback to land a contract extension since Jay Cutler in 2014. The Shepherd standout rose from Division II to four starting opportunities in his rookie season, delivering a 2-2 record with 65.1% completions, 776 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions, including a primetime win over Bryce Young and the Panthers. The deal signals Chicago’s belief in his development and creates clear quarterback stability in a room that has battled inconsistency.

For fantasy managers, the move matters. It hints at a more defined path to conventional starter reps in 2025 and suggests a Bears offense that could lean into a balanced approach rather than a pure plan built around a revolving QB carousel. Bagent’s narrative— Shepherd to NFL starter, his father’s resilience, and a momentous press conference—adds a layer of intrigue to his fantasy outlook. While Chicago’s weapons will influence his ceiling, the extension cements him as a true young asset worth monitoring through the preseason and into the regular season, especially if the offense shows modest, sustainable passing work alongside a capable rushing component.

Joe Flacco is the Week 1 starter for Cleveland, but the Browns’ quarterback depth chart is anything but settled. Behind him, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett are all jockeying for the primary backup role as Week 1 approaches. Sanders and Gabriel have dealt with injuries in the preseason, while Pickett has been sidelined with a hamstring issue, complicating the evaluation. Cleveland could even carry four QBs on the 53-man roster, a rare move that would impact roster construction and practice reps. The upcoming home game against the Rams will be a key final preseason checkpoint to gauge who can best support Flacco when needed, which matters for fantasy managers watching Browns’ pass-game volatility and backup usage.

Bears backup Tyson Bagent secured a two-year, $10 million extension, keeping him in Chicago through 2027. The undrafted rookie spoke emotionally about what the deal means for his family, highlighting how the extension lifts a weight off their shoulders. Chicago officials publicly lauded his work ethic and potential, underscoring the organization’s faith in him as Caleb Williams’ backup for the foreseeable future.

The contract signals stability in a QB room that has featured P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman as veterans-in-waiting. Poles called Bagent one of the hardest workers on the roster, and Johnson suggested there’s no question about his ceiling as a future starter. For fantasy managers, the extension cements Bagent as a high-character depth piece with a plausible path to opportunity should Williams’ development stall or unforeseen circumstances arise.