Josaiah Stewart's preseason debut with the Rams showcased a potential early impact source off the edge. The Michigan product flashed a quick burst and balance, beating Hakeem Adeniji for a sack on Joe Milton and hinting at a role in Chris Shula's defense even before regular-season snaps.

Stewart's performance drew praise from NFL draft analyst Chad Reuter, who graded the outing a B+. While his length and mass remain question marks for run defense, his low center of gravity and hustle suggest he could contribute in subpackages and rotations as a rookie. Coverage lapses were noted, but the overall display signaled a legitimate fringe-edge option behind the Rams' deeper rush group.

In a crowded edge room, Stewart's ceiling appears tied to development in technique and consistency. The Rams seem intent on diversifying pressure, and this debut indicates Stewart could carve out a meaningful niche sooner rather than later, with a potential path to early-season snaps should he sustain the momentum.

Gophers tight ends have evolved from a run-blocking afterthought into a weapon in the passing game, led by Jameson Geers who posted 28 receptions for 290 yards and four TDs while forging a connection with Drake Lindsey. The unit is on the John Mackey Award watch list and set to be a central pillar in Minnesota’s 2025 offense, which intends to deploy multiple TEs in both passing and run concepts. This shift builds on a history of strong blocking from Spann-Ford’s era and Kieft’s example, with Drew Biber added via the portal to diversify options.

Blocking remains a cornerstone, with Bierman adopting a physical approach and transitioning to No. 44 to embody the role, a lineage traced from Ko Kieft and Spann-Ford through Kallerup to Geers. The Gophers also added Purdue’s Drew Biber, aiming to balance Geers as a primary pass-catcher with a capable blocker and veteran leadership. The trend signals more TE-reliant play calls, bigger target trees, and greater versatility in the Gophers’ 2025 attack.

For fantasy and betting minds, the implication is clear: tight ends should command a larger share of Minnesota’s production, especially in structured rep schemes and red-zone packages. Geers is the centerpiece, but expect a broader TE rotation that could boost streaming options and offer weekly volatility in targets depending on defensive matchups and game plan execution.

John Stephens Jr. is back in the Cowboys fold, aiming to ease through a comeback after ACL injuries that kept him out of key moments in preseason the last two years. Dallas expects a cautious ramp, with roughly 40 preseason snaps spread over three games, starting against the Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Stephens has flashed in past preseasons—62 yards with a TD in 2023 and 74 yards on eight catches last year—suggesting a real ceiling if health cooperates. Luke Schoonmaker praised his work ethic and ability to translate coaching points to the field as he nears his first live action since rehab.

With Jake Ferguson likely to sit in the opener and Brevyn Spann-Ford sidelined, Stephens could get a meaningful handful of reps as he re-enters the offense. Dallas is balancing development with caution, hoping this once-promising tight end can re-establish himself in the rotation.

The piece casts Stephens as a potential late-season breakout if health holds and he seizes any early opportunities in a TE room that includes Schoonmaker, Ferguson, and Spann-Ford. Fantasy managers should monitor his preseason workload and health signals as a barometer for 2025 upside.

The Dallas Cowboys' training camp intensified with the first practice in pads, revealing both promising developments and concerning injuries. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, a strong candidate for TE2, suffered a right ankle injury, raising concerns about a potential high ankle sprain that could sideline him. Meanwhile, Trevon Diggs is making strides toward activation from the Physically Unable to Perform list, showing he may be ready for the season. The Cowboys also announced a lucrative contract extension for Jake Ferguson, which raises questions about the future depth of the tight end position, especially for Luke Schoonmaker, who may now be at risk of being traded. The defensive backfield continues to evolve with the addition of Kaiir Elam, who is proving himself as a potential starter.