Week 2 of NFL preseason spotlighted former Trojans staking their claims in the league. Caleb Williams flashed in his first action, delivering a 36-yard TD to Olamide Zaccheaus after a six-completion, 31-yard day, signaling development and upside in Chicago’s depth chart. Brandon Pili plugged a big Seahawks play, pulling down Elijah Mitchell for a safety and illustrating his roster bubble case on a team hungry for pass protection and upside depth.

Woody Marks emerged after a rocky opener, grinding out 40 yards on seven carries and occasionally sharing a backfield with Kedon Slovis, who has bounced through Pitt and BYU after USC. Isaiah Pola-Mao stiffened the Raiders’ secondary with four tackles, while Tahj Washington offered a tantalizing blend of pace and versatility for Miami. Olamide Zaccheaus connected with Williams for a key long play, hinting at chemistry to monitor as rosters tighten.

Kedon Slovis’ Texans and these backs and defensive backs are all on watch lists as teams trim rosters, evaluate depth, and project roles for Week 1. The overarching throughline is clear: veterans mixing with roster bubbles are setting the stage for fantasy decision-making, especially at quarterback and skilled positions. Expect continued shifts as final preseason games refine rotations and potential Week 1 bets come into sharper focus.

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.

Houston’s playoff push in 2025 hinges on development during training camp and final roster decisions. DeMeco Ryans praised the week of growth across the Texans’ unit after a 20-3 preseason win, stressing the hard choices ahead to trim to 53.

Bubble players like C.J. Stroud’s offense-mesh, Kedon Slovis as a potential backup, and a trio of receiver candidates—Braxton Berrios, John Metchie III, and Justin Watson—shaped the takeaways from the win. Depth at tight end with Irv Smith Jr. and Luke Lachey offered both veteran presence and youth, while the defensive backs Kamari Lassiter, D’Angelo Ross, and Jaylin Smith flashed enough to stay in the conversation.

Fantasy angles center on Stroud’s continued comfort and efficiency, Slovis’s path behind him, and which WRs land the final spots. The camp storyline is less about start and more about who can separate with consistent, game-like play as Houston prepares for Week 1 and a grind-through-cut period.

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.