TreVeyon Henderson made an impressive debut for the New England Patriots, returning the opening kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown while also getting valuable reps with the first-team offense. Meanwhile, Tetairoa McMillan distinguished himself as the Carolina Panthers' standout receiver, playing 100% of the team's snaps with the starters and securing two catches for 43 yards. Despite a rocky preseason in 2024, McMillan's emergence as the primary target signals a shift in the Panthers' pass-catching hierarchy.

The competition for the second receiving role on the Panthers remains tight. Xavier Legette, who started at the Z receiver spot, was ejected early on, allowing Andrew Coker to step in and make an impact. The veteran Adam Thielen's limited snap count in two-receiver sets raises concerns about his fantasy value, especially with Hunter Renfrow potentially competing for those targets as well.

Rico Dowdle also made a case for his role in the backfield, taking more snaps than Chuba Hubbard, indicating a shift in the running back hierarchy as the Panthers adjust to new personnel. With Miles Sanders now on the Dallas Cowboys and the addition of Dowdle, the dynamics of the Panthers’ backfield could significantly influence fantasy strategies moving forward.