Washington Commanders backfield competition resurfaces as Brian Robinson Jr. nears a trade, triggering a rotating duo of Chris Rodriguez and Jacory Croskey-Merritt for early-down duties. Ekeler remains the receiving back, with Jeremy McNichols handling passing downs. In Cincinnati, Noah Fant’s Bengals debut complicates fantasy plans as the tight-end corps rotates with Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample, while Tanner Hudson may shift out of third-down duty. The Commanders’ WR depth chart clears with Deebo Samuel and Luke McCaffrey up the pecking order, Lane surging past Moore and Gallup despite McLaurin’s holdout. Expect mid-season shifts as rookies like Croskey-Merritt push for lead roles.

Noah Fant’s fantasy ceiling for 2025 looks capped in Cincinnati, where Fant and Gesicki split passing-down roles, with Sample and Hudson providing blocking and situational snaps. Fant’s snap share should hover around a modest figure unless Gesicki suffers an injury; both Fant and Gesicki are waiver-wire stashes rather than early-round targets. The Bengals’ opening drives featured Fant and a rotating TE group, underscoring ceiling constraints in typical fantasy leagues.

preseason action also puts Deebo Samuel in a clear slot-first role with Lane rising in the depth chart, setting up a crowded WR corps in Washington. McLaurin’s health and potential trade talks keep fantasy managers wary, while Osborn could rise as a reliable depth option. With Carroll-era depth at WR, Samuel’s usage in multiple sets suggests flexible lineup possibilities, especially if the backfield remains unsettled.