Missouri’s football alumni are turning preseason into a proving ground across the NFL, with Tigers pushing for 53-man spots from Jets to Rams and beyond. Armand Membou in New York looms as a potential Week 1 starter at right tackle, while Brady Cook and Harrison Mevis dive into Jets camp and the board in Green Bay and Chicago alike. Luther Burden III has begun to carve a role with the Bears, and Darius Robinson is chasing a starting defensive-line gig in Arizona. Cody Schrader flashed a touchdown-capable skill set for the Rams, Theo Wease Jr. and Larry Borom joined the Dolphins’ and Dolphins’ depth charts, and Tyler Badie plus several UDFA Missouri grads fill crowded backfields and practice squads. The Tigers’ NFL pipeline remains a steady fantasy/DFS storyline as rosters shake out, with multiple Tigers contributing early in 2025 and many more eyeing breakouts as August cuts loom.

Ameer Speed’s pro journey continues after the Chicago Bears waived the former Michigan State defensive back following camp. Speed arrived at MSU in 2022 via transfer from Georgia, where he helped win a National Championship, before being drafted by the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft’s sixth round. Since then he has moved through stints with the Patriots and Colts, with his latest NFL stop ending in Chicago. The move underscores the churn for defensive backs and the ever-present value of speed and special-teams upside in roster-building. For fantasy managers, Speed isn’t a current starter, but a potential add if he latches on elsewhere, likely as depth at corner and a contributor on special teams. Tracking roster moves and practice-squad shuffles across NFL camps will reveal the next landing spot and potential depth-chart impact.

Speed’s path from Georgia to Michigan State, then to NFL depth roles, illustrates how players must navigate multiple teams to carve out a niche. His background—a National Championship pedigree and a profile built around speed and versatility—keeps him on the radar for dynasty and deeper leagues, especially if he lands with a defense that values versatile cover players who can contribute on special-teams units. Until then, he remains a watch-list name rather than a plug-and-play fantasy option.

Caleb Williams faces a hopeful ascent in 2025 after Chicago overhauled its offense. The Bears hired Ben Johnson to bring a quick-passing approach and rebuilt the line, aiming to keep Williams clean. They added Luther Burden and Colston Loveland, giving him playmaking outlets and a true tight end beneath. Williams flashed upside in 2024 but fought consistency; the fantasy path hinges on efficiency rising across the board and Johnson’s system taking hold. With a more supportive surrounding cast and a softer pocket, Williams could push into top-10 QB territory if he buys into the scheme and positions himself for high-yield weeks.

2024 produced 3,541 yards and 20 TD on a mixed Bears offense. The 2025 projections push Williams to about 3,789 passing yards with roughly 24 TDs and 11 INTs, alongside a cleaner pocket and quicker reads. The front office spent big on pass protection, and the pass-catchers should open up more breathing room. Williams’ ceiling remains contingent on consistency, improved accuracy, and timely integration of the new pieces, but the path to a breakout fantasy season is very real if the unit cohesively supports his growth.

Alexander Mattison’s neck injury in the preseason opener sidelined him for the 2025 season and landed him on injured reserve after surgery in Chicago. He carried eight yards and a touchdown on three rushing attempts before the injury, and Miami had pegged him as the primary power back to pair with De'Von Achane’s speed and Jaylen Wright’s depth. In response, the Dolphins added Mike Boone and Aaron Shampklin to bolster the backfield behind Achane, Gordon II, Wright, and the rest of the group.

Mattison’s exit opens a clear path for Ollie Gordon II, who topped Miami’s rushing ledger in the weekend’s play with 33 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. The sixth-round pick may be thrust into a larger role as the Dolphins navigate a crowded backfield, while Boone and Shampklin provide veteran and special-teams depth. Fantasy managers should monitor Gordon II’s opportunity window as the backfield reconstitutes itself.

Bottom line: Miami’s backfield now leans into a deeper, more committee-like approach, with Gordon II offering upside as the rookie seizes a glow of opportunity. The team’s week-to-week plan will hinge on how the new signings integrate and how Gordon II handles increased exposure behind Achane and Wright.

Brevin Jordan suffered a knee injury during Texans practice, prompting an emotional cart ride to the medical area as teammates and C.J. Stroud expressed visible distress. Jordan had been trending as Houston’s No. 2 tight end and a key part of Nick Caley’s personnel package. His absence could push more targets toward Dalton Schultz and other tight ends, reshaping the Texans’ early-season TE workload.

The incident sits against a backdrop of a camp marked by high expectations and close bonds. Stroud’s reaction underscored the offense’s reliance on a cohesive pass game, while Tank Dell’s prior injury and Jordan’s status loom large for fantasy managers evaluating Texans depth at tight end. Prolific early camp notes suggest the team will monitor Jordan’s status closely amid a playbook built around Caley’s schemes.

With the landscape unsettled, fantasy players should watch for updates on Jordan’s condition and any shift in Texans personnel. If Jordan misses time, Schultz and a developing trio behind him could see elevated snaps, affecting target distributions and red-zone usage as Houston navigates an offense designed to leverage Stroud’s growth and a versatile receiving corps.