Week 1 NFL preseason offered a clear window into roster battles and breakout moments, with several Oregon Ducks alumni turning heads in NFL action. Traeshon Holden thrived for Dallas with a team-high 42 receiving yards on two targets, signaling a climb up the depth chart for a UDFA en route to potential late-season value. Noah Sewell flashed on defense for Chicago, piling up six tackles and a goal-line tackle that hinted at a key fit in Dennis Allen’s 4-3 scheme. Josh Conerly Jr. showed steady progress in his Chiefs-like test against New England’s defense at right tackle, posting a favorable pass-blocking and run-blocking grade. Troy Dye’s tackle against the Saints underscored his likely specialization and roster security in Los Angeles. Jamaree Caldwell delivered a Hall of Fame game day for Los Angeles, collecting a sack and four tackles, cementing a potential 53-man roster case. Denver’s Troy Franklin joined the party of Ducks edging toward meaningful NFL snaps with Denver, highlighting the depth of Ducks talent in the pros. As clubs sort through squadrons and special-teams roles, these veterans and rookies map the path to fantasy relevance and late-round upside for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

Overall, Week 1 showcased how immediate NFL opportunities can emerge from preseason performances. The Ducks-connected group illustrated a spectrum: Holden and Sewell offering tangible Week 1 momentum; Conerly Jr. and Caldwells’ and Dye’s micro-showings suggesting depth chart fights that could pay off in deeper fantasy rosters; and Franklin adding to a crowded Broncos WR corps. For fantasy managers, monitoring snap counts, depth-chart shifts, and special-teams duties from these players will be crucial as teams trim rosters toward the regular season. The weekend reminded everyone that preseason results often seed valuable late-season stories, especially for UDFA and mid-round rookies eager to prove they belong.