Graham Mertz’s Texans preseason showing in Week 2 was brief and quiet: two completions for one yard across three series, sandwiched by a punt and a kneel-down. Houston’s QB pecking order remains Stroud, Mills and Slovis, leaving the former Badger with a clear roster battle entering the Aug. 23 finale against Detroit. The Texans won 20-3, but Mertz’s three drives did little to alter the path of a six-round pick fighting for a 53-man spot. Fantasy takeaways: don’t count on Mertz contributing in 2025 unless injuries create a late-season opening; his best path remains as a practice-squad developmental option if he clears waivers.

For dynasty managers, the narrative centers on depth-chart leverage more than immediate upside. Stroud’s early hold on the starter’s role, Mills’ veteran presence, and Slovis’s developing upside keep Mertz on the outside looking in, though any dramatic shift in roster-building or in-game opportunity could change his odds quickly.

Rookie quarterbacks dominated the NFL preseason chatter this week, with the top value leaning toward Jaxson Dart, who again led the charge for the Giants in a clean, productive two weeks. Ward flashed a sublime arm on a moving strike but otherwise battled for consistency, while Dillon Gabriel showed Browns coaches exactly what they hoped for with quick reads and timing—until a late miscue turned into a pick-six. Quinn Ewers and Graham Mertz delivered some encouraging moments, yet most reps belonged to a rookie class spread across multiple teams, each offering a baseline for fantasy upside and weekly sprint-practice implications.

Jaxson Dart sits atop the rookie QB ladder with 291 passing yards and two TDs across two games, aided by a fake to open space to Greg Dulcich and a middle-field connection to Montrell Washington. Ward’s best moment remains a highlight-reel throw on the move, while his Week 2 line (2-of-7 for 42 yards) underscored the volatility of early-action reps. Gabriel operated with Browns’ under-center comfort, efficiently taking underneath routes before a late, ill-advised throw. Ewers connected twice with Wease Jr. for TDs as he stayed composed under pressure, and Milroe carved out value with timely scrambles. Overall, the rookie landscape looks rich but uneven, with a few players projecting real fantasy spark if their situations firm up over the next few weeks.

Davis Mills showed he can run Houston’s Caley-era attack, completing 4 of 5 throws for 50 yards and a TD on the Texans’ lone scoring drive, capping preseason optimism about the offense. The wideout room will be fiercely cut, with Metchie, Hutchinson and Berrios pushing for two spots behind Collins and Nico. On the line and in the backfield, the Texans liked what they saw from Ogunbowale, Marks and Jordan, while Taylor and Speed anchored a stout, swarming defense. Mertz, coming back from ACL rehab, faced the rookie scrutiny, Slovis offered steadier relief, and Stroud’s preseason absence drew deserved critique as reps matter early. The Kubiak-influenced play-action system already feels familiar, even as the Texans sort depth at DB and on the O-line and chase continuity for the opener.

Graham Mertz, four-year College Football standout at Wisconsin and Florida, enters the NFL with Houston after being drafted in Round 6. In his first NFL action, he logged the final five Texans drives in a 20-10 loss to Minnesota, finishing 7 of 14 for 27 yards with three interceptions and a nine-yard rush. On the Texans depth chart he sat behind C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills and ahead of Kedon Slovis, so the appearance did little to clear up Houston s QB pecking order headed into the rest of the preseason. The result underscores why late round QBs are long shots but not impossible reclamation projects in the right system.

Math and pedigree matter here. Mertz totaled more than 9 000 passing yards and 64 TDs across Wisconsin and Florida, with a best Florida year near 3 000 yards and 20 TDs in 2023. A path to a backup role or a late season opportunity requires him to show rapid adjustment and cleaner decision making, especially given Stroud s foothold and Mills waiting in the wings. Fantasy players should monitor the Texans roster moves but treat Mertz as a high risk, long shot dynasty flyer rather than a poised redraft option this year.

Dare Ogunbowale led Houston’s backfield in the Texans’ 20-10 preseason loss to Minnesota, taking five carries for 29 yards to pace the depth chart. Graham Mertz, the ex-Wisconsin quarterback, struggled, finishing the night with seven completions on 14 throws for 28 yards and three interceptions as Houston leaned into Ogunbowale’s versatile skill set.

Ogunbowale’s contract situation stands out too: a one-year, $2 million extension signed in March keeps him in Houston’s plans for 2025, where he projects as a complement to Joe Mixon. Last season he appeared in all 17 games, mixing primary special-teams duty with occasional backfield work, posting 30 carries for 112 yards and 19 receptions for 198 yards. The opener underscored his role as a dependable, multi-purpose option who could see expanded usage with the regular season looming.