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.

The Cincinnati Bengals are listening to offers for Trey Hendrickson, setting off a high-stakes pre-season chess match: a trade would bring a young impact player plus picks, but Cincinnati’s price is sky-high. Possible destinations include the Lions, Packers and Colts, each with an obvious edge-rusher need and cap room to chase Hendrickson’s talent this year. Week 2 of the preseason delivered clear fantasy angles: Andrew Mukuba flashed as an Eagles rookie with ball-hawking instincts; TreyVeyon Henderson showed breakaway speed and patience for New England, hinting at a meaningful early role. Meanwhile, quarterback battles remain wide open in Browns, Colts and Saints, with Flacco, Jones and Shough/Jayden Daniels among the names likely to emerge soon. Week 2 also crowned a handful of winners (Mukuba, Henderson) and exposed several clinical misfires (Cowboys backups, Van Jefferson), while the Week 2 rookies offered a taste of bloom for 2025 fantasy rosters.

Two more narratives shaped the heat: the Week 2 QB rankings leaned toward upside over polish, with Jaxson Dart pacing the rookie board in the Giants’ win and the Browns and Saints inching toward starter declarations. The Week 2 wrap also highlighted trades that shifted rosters—John Metchie III to Eagles, Harrison Bryant flipped to Jacksonville, and Saints’ swap for Khalen Saunders—each move carrying implications for fantasy depth charts and fantasy-relevant snap shares. The Week 2 finale then teased a Monday showdown featuring starters back on the field, a spotlight on offensive lines, and a defense ready to test rookies under real pressure.