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.

Rico Dowdle lands in Carolina as the backfield fuses behind Hubbard and the newly drafted Trevor Etienne, setting up a true three-man committee rather than a clear lead option. Dowdle’s late-season surge with Dallas—133 of 274 touches in six games—highlighted his burst and pass-catching ability, but Carolina’s depth chart suggests his safest path to value is as a change-of-pace option rather than a weekly workhorse. His profile remains that of a shaky late-round pick whose best fantasy upside comes from contingency value rather than a stable role.

Expected production for 2025 projects Dowdle for a modest 112 carries and 447 yards with 3 rushing TDs, plus 37 receptions for 214 yards. If Etienne develops as a real contributor and Hubbard handles early-down work, Dowdle’s best path is as a high-upside FLEX in deeper formats and a speculative waiver-wire target early in the year. In short, he’s more dynasty depth than redraft staple, with value tied to how Carolina distributes carries and targets among its backfield trio.

Chuba Hubbard headlines a crowded Carolina backfield with a clear early-down, goal-line role heading into 2025, but his pass-game utilization is under pressure. Hubbard graded as an efficient back in 2023 and made the Panthers comfortable enough to sign an extension in 2024, finishing as a top-15 PPR back despite modest receiving yards. Carolina added Trevor Etienne and Rico Dowdle, and Jonathon Brooks returned from ACL injury, making Hubbard's target volume the key risk for fantasy managers. If Bryce Young sustains late-2024 momentum, Hubbard could still carry RB2 value in non-PPR and near-RB2 territory in PPR formats, but the ceiling is capped by the committee for targets and goal-line carries. The backfield’s depth suggests instability in weekly projections, with Hubbard’s floor anchored in carries and red-zone work while the others siphon passing-game opportunities.

In short, Hubbard remains the foundation of the Panthers’ rushing attack, but don’t overlook the pass-catching and committee dynamics introduced by Etienne, Dowdle, Brooks, and Young’s development. A smart draft plan addresses the risk-reward balance: Hubbard as a safe carry-based RB2 with upside if the offense unlocks more passing-game work, while stashing Etienne or Dowdle as late-round depth for pivot weeks and bye-week flexibility.

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.