Denver's backfield remains a fluid puzzle after Week 2 of the preseason. Audric Estime showed limited early-season traction, slipping from a Week 1 depth role to a late-game appearance in Week 2. The coaching staff laid out a clear two-thirds plan for Blake Watson and Estime, with RJ Harvey drawing a start and Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Blake Watson mixing in. The path for Estime to the 53-man roster appears precarious, potentially pivoting to a practice-squad spot if the current pecking order holds. For fantasy players, this is a situation to monitor closely as roster decisions loom and Watson’s workload could become the most reliable clue to Denver’s usage in the opener.

J.K. Dobbins rested for the Cardinals game, providing context on how teams guard their top backs in August. Denver’s plan suggests a committee dynamic that could favor two or three players who can contribute both on the ground and in the pass game. Audric Estime’s Week 2 performance (9 carries for 20 yards, no targets) reinforces the uncertainty surrounding his roster security, while Blake Watson’s two-thirds allotment hints at a potential breakout opportunity if Estime slips. Fantasy managers should watch for any late-summer roster moves that could tilt the backfield toward a clearer lead option in Week 1 of the regular season.

Denver's backfield competition is heating up around Tyler Badie, who is emerging as a real contender for the final roster spots. Payton highlighted Badie's pass protection and his ability to contribute as a receiver on third downs, signaling a path to meaningful snaps even in a crowded room. In preseason, Badie ran five times for 32 yards and snagged two passes for nine yards, underscoring his versatility and reliability as a blocker. He sits in a tight battle with Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime for the RB3/RB4 roles, with Blake Watson also in the mix, while the team looks ahead to a Week 1 tune-up against Arizona. The takeaway for fantasy players is clear: Badie could vault into deeper-league consideration if his protection and passing-game usage stay strong and consistent, especially if he can capitalize on third-down opportunities.

Payton’s comments this offseason emphasize what separates Badie: consistent effort in pass protection and the ability to impact the game as a receiver. With veterans and rookies vying for the last two roster spots, Badie’s willingness to block and his ability to catch out of the backfield give him a tangible edge in a multi-back committee. The Broncos will again test the RB group in the upcoming game against Arizona, where the coaching staff will be watching how Badie handles reps on both running and receiving downs, and whether McLaughlin, Estime, or Watson can push ahead. For fantasy managers, Badie’s trajectory is compelling but will hinge on role clarity and clean, consistent exploitation of third-down opportunities.

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.

49ers preseason debut put their LB depth to the test when Tatum Bethune exited early in the second quarter with an ankle injury after a tackle on Tyler Badie. San Francisco listed him questionable to return as Fred Warner rested and Dee Winters logged a few series. Bethune, a 2024 seventh-rounder from Florida State, appeared sparingly as a rookie but carried limited defensive snaps and special-teams duties. If the ankle sidelines him longer, Nick Martin, Luke Gifford and Stone Blanton are poised to soak up more work behind Warner.

With Bethune sidelined, Winters flashed potential to move up the depth chart, and the veteran presence of Martin plus Blanton’s versatility could shape the early-season rotation. The return of Bethune before the second-quarter conclusion offered a cautious sign for SF’s long-term health and hinted at a flexible LB scheme once the real games begin, making every snap in camp a pivot point for the 49ers’ IDP fantasy landscape.

Bethune came back before the quarter ended, easing concerns and signaling prudent rehab. As camp continues, the primary question for fantasy managers is who will seize the extra snaps behind Warner, especially if Bethune’s status lingers. Winters’ development to a reliable depth option could provide immediate upside in tackle-heavy formats.

Denver’s 91-man offseason roster faces a tight sprint to a 53-man limit, with five players on the roster bubble as preseason opens. Tyler Badie is the marquee name among the bubble backs, needing a bigger role to dislodge Jaleel McLaughlin or Blake Watson if Denver sticks with four running backs; a healthy return from a back injury raises his upside. Caleb Lohner, a seventh-rounder at tight end, must beat out Lucas Krull and Caden Prieskorn for a spot, or land on the practice squad. Joaquin Davis has flashed in camp and gets his live-game chance tonight, while Jordan Jackson and Reese Taylor must show they belong in a crowded DL and CB room. The chatter extends to Damarri Mathis, where Denver could swap theCB depth via a trade or cut, potentially opening a path for Taylor. Audric Estime remains in the mix, but the math around roster spots is anything but settled. The sequence after this week’s 49ers game is Cardinals, then Saints, crafting a small but meaningful window for fantasy managers to gauge Week 1 upside based on depth-chart shifts and injury luck.