The New England Patriots pared down to the 53-man limit, shipping Truman Jones after a productive summer. Jones, who joined from Kansas City’s title squad, made a strong bid as an edge presence and wore No. 54, a number linked to Bruschi and Hightower lore. If he clears waivers, New England could call him back for game-day elevations.

Offseason award winners DeMario Douglas, Cole Strange, and Khyiris Tonga stood out with leadership vibes in camp, while Marte Mapu appears to have secured a spot. The Patriots still weigh other bubble players ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline.

Patriots fans will want to monitor waiver results and potential quick recalls as the 53-man process unfolds.

Kyle Dugger’s roster fate looms less anxious as cut-down day approaches, after a four-year, $58 million extension last offseason. He handled prominent reps in the Patriots’ second preseason game, coming up big with a fourth-down interception and multiple tight-window plays, finishing with six solo tackles. Coach Mike Vrabel praised his pursuit, length and improvement after a long rehab and shoulder surgery, while Dugger himself emphasized continued growth and faster play.

From a fantasy perspective, Dugger’s path to significant IDP value looks clearer if he locks in a starting role and remains healthy. His blend of coverage skill and run support suggests a solid floor with weekly upside, especially if he yields base-scheme snaps and avoids a limited workload early in the season. The Giants game provided a showcase moment; expect his name to stay on the radar if the role holds through Week 1.

Overall, the combination of the contract extension, offseason work, and preseason efficiency signals the Patriots view Dugger as a key piece of their back end. Cut-down decisions will reveal how much special-teams value factors in, but the trend points toward a steady, potentially top-12 safety baseline for fantasy managers who draft late in the process.

The Vikings face a meaningful WR depth question after Saturday’s 20-12 loss to New England, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison sidelined and Jalen Nailor inactive. Myles Price, an undrafted rookie, flashed speed on returns but battled drops and a confusing line call penalty that wiped an 18-yard grab. Minnesota is evaluating several receivers—Lucky Jackson, Tim Jones, Jeshaun Jones—as potential roster contenders while Price works to lock down a role. With Addison suspended three games and Jefferson dealing with a hamstring issue, depth behind the top two is imperative for Week 1.

Price supplied a jolt on special teams, including an 81-yard kickoff return, but the coaching staff remains unsure who steps into the Week 1 target share. The Vikings also rotated through returners as coach Kevin O’Connell praised Reichard’s kicking and noted Felton’s upside with experience. Meanwhile, Patriots veterans with Minnesota ties—Stefon Diggs’ return to U.S. Bank Stadium, and ex-Vikings linemen Bradbury, Lowe, Tonga making returns—added context to a game that underscored depth questions for Minnesota and the ongoing evaluation ahead of the Aug. 26 cutdown.

Auburn football is on the cusp of ending a five-year drought without a first-round draft pick, and players like Khyiris Tonga and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are in the spotlight. Their performance in the upcoming NFL draft could significantly impact their professional careers. With multiple players eyeing high selections, the talent pool from Auburn has caught the attention of scouts, indicating a promising future for the program as it seeks to re-establish its reputation as a breeding ground for NFL talent.

The team's recent recruiting successes and player development have contributed to this potential turnaround. A solid showing in the draft could provide a much-needed boost to Auburn's profile in college football, making it a desirable destination for future recruits.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, rookie wide receivers are quickly gaining attention, especially for fantasy football. The success of players like Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey has set a precedent, proving that late-round picks can be valuable fantasy assets. This year’s class, while not as deep, still presents intriguing sleeper candidates. Kyle Williams of the New England Patriots emerges as a standout due to limited competition; the aging and injury-plagued Stefon Diggs may not hold onto the WR1 role for long. Jayden Higgins, picked by the Houston Texans, boasts a complete skill set and could pair well with quarterback C.J. Stroud. Lastly, Jack Bech, joining the Las Vegas Raiders, appears poised to secure a significant target share despite not being the most athletic option.