Miami’s 24-17 win in Detroit capped a bold week of growth for a Dolphins squad that spent 11 days in the Midwest. The trip yielded cohesion more than consensus, as undrafted corners and backups pressed the competition, and a late game interception by Ethan Robinson underscored progress in the secondary. Zach Wilson’s second preseason outing looked steadier, and the rookie third-string fluttered with a pair of touchdowns from Quinn Ewers-like play (chemistry with Wease) against Lions depth. Miami now eyes Jacksonville for one final warmup and keeps a tighter grip on the roster battles ahead.

Key fantasy angles: Tua Tagovailoa’s Week 2/3 joint-practice arc showed the offense can reset after setbacks, while Wilson stabilized the backup role with a TD to Eskridge and limited turnovers. On the ground, Ollie Gordon II’s emergence hints at a later-depth RB fight, and the rookie Kenneth Grant chased pocket pressure for Miami. In the secondary, Storm Duck and a retooled nickel role (Mike Hilton) are shaping a mid-August battle. A handful of veterans remain on the mend, but the Dolphins’ depth pieces delivered a compelling shot across the bow for fantasy managers monitoring which players will starter-adjacent come Week 1.

Jameson Williams makes a strong case for immediate impact in 2025 after a year of growth and a high-octane Lions offense. Christian McCaffrey remains the top anchor in fantasy, with elite volume and goal-line usage expected to continue in San Francisco. Calvin Ridley shows bounce-back potential in Jacksonville, while Jerry Jeudy’s value hinges on quarterback stability in Cleveland. Dallas’ Jaydon Blue lands as a late-round, high-upside PPR target, and Rome Odunze could push into weekly appeal for Chicago. George Pickens adds ceiling in a crowded WR group, and Tre Harris’ Chargers situation offers flex upside in favorable matchups. The tool-driven outlooks emphasize format (PPR, Half-PPR, Standard) and preseason projections to guide 2025 drafts.

RotoBaller’s draft outlooks are anchored by preseason rankings and fluid updates, with the Who Should I Draft? tool letting you compare up to four players at a time and tailor by scoring format. The piece leans into long-term dynasty considerations and short-term redraft value, weighing age, offense context, and quarterback scenarios to identify undervalued plays. It also highlights the surrounding cast (RBs like Montgomery and Blue; WRs like Ridley, Jeudy, Pickens, Williams, and Odunze) to frame risk versus reward in your 2025 league builds.

Draft strategy for 12-team, PPR leagues leans into top-tier WR early, cites a tight end tier drop after the big three, and underscores the merit of pairing proven studs with high-upside upside picks in later rounds. Brian Thomas Jr. surfaces as a late-round breakout possibility, while George Kittle sits as a prime third-round target given the gap to other top tight ends. The guide uses a consensus ADP blend (ESPN, Sleeper, Yahoo) to map a round-by-round path for managers drafting from the 10th spot, highlighting slot-driven offense tweaks and injury risk as key variables to watch.

Value picks cluster around players with clear roles and high target ceilings, including Nico Collins, Drake London, and Puka Nacua, with Kenneth Walker III and Jameson Williams discussed as later-round anchors who could deliver above their draft cost if health cooperates. The piece advises patience on quarterbacks and emphasizes maximizing roster flexibility in rounds 3–5 to secure the best upside options at WR and TE, while maintaining a strong RB foundation later.

Strategic takeaways center on chipping away at positional cliffs by targeting players with clear pathway to volume, exploiting slot usage in Liam Coen’s offense for Brian Thomas Jr., and recognizing Kittle’s elite per-play impact despite his age and target depth. The narrative also touches on the evolving offense around Brock Purdy and the return-on-effort calculus for late-round QBs, emphasizing smart risk-taking and shot-building for a competitive lineup.

In short, a disciplined, value-forward approach with tight end awareness and WR precision can yield a balanced, high-floor team in standard PPR formats, particularly when a late-season breakout is folded into early-round expectations.

Season-long fantasy bets hinge on quarterback-volume props, with Joe Burrow projected to push for 4,000+ passing yards again as Burrow's supporting cast remains strong and the offense operates at high tempo. Trevor Lawrence looks to rebound from a shoulder issue, aided by a beefed-up offense and Cohen’s coaching influence. Jalen Hurts stands out with continued goal-line usage and a track record of double-digit rushing TDs, making his prop a frequent target for bettors.

Drake London is spotlighted alongside Michael Penix Jr. as a key Falcons stack, with London expected to approach 1,000 receiving yards if Penix maintains late-season chemistry. Bijan Robinson’s presence could shift defensive focus and volume, while Trey McBride and Jameson Williams offer upside in red-zone opportunities and big plays. Javonte Williams and Omarion Hampton are pitched as value picks in a backfield that should see more balanced production in 2025.

Overall, the piece weaves high-floor bets with ceiling plays, emphasizing volume, target share, and red-zone opportunities. ESPN BET odds anchor the framework, guiding season-long and DFS decisions. The takeaway: mix proven-volume bets with a few high-upside plays to craft a flexible, diversified fantasy portfolio.

Sam LaPorta’s absence on Thursday due to an injury creates a short-term shift in Detroit’s passing game, but the injury isn’t expected to be serious. After a standout rookie season, LaPorta’s 2024 dip has been attributed in part to Jameson Williams’ breakout and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s continued dominance as Jared Goff’s top target. In the meantime, Williams, St. Brown, and the veteran receivers will shoulder a larger share of targets as the Lions navigate the joint practice with the Dolphins. Lions coaches also welcomed back Terrion Arnold, Pat O’Connor, Tom Kennedy, and Dominic Lovett, signaling a more complete roster return, while Kerby Joseph remains out with an undisclosed issue and Giovanni Manu, Tim Patrick, and Malik Taylor missed practice. The chatter around Za’Darius Smith adds a wrinkle to divisional talks, but Detroit appears focused on internal depth and continuity while the practice scene with Miami unfolds. The short-term implication for fantasy is clear: if LaPorta’s absence lingers, Williams and St. Brown could see even more volume, and Lovett or Lovett-adjacent depth could offer a late-season upside consideration for managers looking to exploit depth at wide receiver behind the Lions’ top targets.