Terry McLaurin’s extension shores up Washington’s high-volume target and steadies fantasy value in a weapon-rich offense this season. The tight end landscape remains volatile, but Brock Bowers’ elite ceiling is tempered by price, while Dalton Kincaid and Trey McBride vie for top-tier status behind him. Sam LaPorta shows promise as a week-to-week producer, with Tyler Warren emerging as a late-round sleeper in a pass-heavy scheme. The show also riffs on injury timelines and the evolving dynamics of a few top offenses.

Draft strategy centers on securing one of the premium tight ends early, yet exploiting late-round upside at the position with Warren, Craft, or Ingram-type players. The host duo weighs ADP against intrinsic upside, highlighting value pockets in the middle rounds and the potential for regression to the mean with efficiency in the 49ers and Bills offenses. Expect shifts as rosters settle after Week 3 of preseason.

Overall, the episode provides a pragmatic blueprint for fantasy managers: lock in a top TE if possible, otherwise chase late-round value with high target opportunity and red-zone potential. Washington’s McLaurin anchors a tier of primary receivers, while the tight end tier remains the most dynamic and price-sensitive path to strong weekly points.

Pittsburgh closed its preseason with a 19-10 win over Carolina, but the night carried more injury worry than comfort. Derrick Harmon left on a cart with a knee issue that, per reports, is a sprain and MRI awaits. The fallout pushes Isaiah Loudermilk into a larger role as Harmon’s potential replacement, while Beanie Bishop and Cory Trice Jr. face an uphill battle for a final roster spot. Thompson’s 11-for-13, 152 yards and a touchdown from Skyler Thompson highlighted a promising trip for QB3 behind Pickett and Rudolph, and Will Howard’s injury status cements Thompson’s case for the 53-man squad, with Howard likely starting the season on IR. The WR room remains unsettled, with Scotty Miller cementing a roster spot, Beanie Bishop’s status looming, and talks of outside help—Alec Pierce or a trade package involving DeMarvin Leal—flaring as week-one preparations loom. The coaching staff’s approach to the preseason—minimizing exposure for stars while evaluating depth—sparks debate about Tomlin’s balance of risk and reward, especially with Jets week one on the horizon. Week 1 might reveal more about the Steelers’ receivers and the depth chart than any previous game.

Skyler Thompson stood out by threading 11 completions on 13 attempts for 152 yards and a touchdown, plus a 53-yard bomb that drew instant praise from insiders. His performance argues for a real QB3 chance, especially with Will Howard likely on IR. On the other side, Derrick Harmon’s knee sprain creates a ripple effect: Loudermilk slides in, and the defense leans more on Ramsey’s versatility. Scotty Miller’s efficiency padded the WR room’s margins, while Beanie Bishop’s roster odds tighten, particularly given 71 and Beanie’s lingering question marks. The Steelers are already mapping Week 1’s script against the Jets, weighing when to pull the trigger on additional pass-catchers and whether Alec Pierce or another veteran is worth a mid-cut addition. The preseason’s end signals a pivot from speculation to concrete moves as roster decisions accelerate toward Friday’s 53-man deadline.

Daniel Jones won the Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition, but Anthony Richardson’s raw talent keeps the door ajar for a dramatic arc in 2024. Jones brings a safe floor, while Richardson’s ceiling could redefine the offense if development pace holds. The chatter around Brian Robinson’s trade highlights the RB market’s volatility as teams seek depth ahead of Week 1.

Vikings depth at WR is back in focus with Jordan Addison suspended for three games and Justin Jefferson expected to return in Week 1. Minnesota is quietly exploring veteran options to bridge the early-season gap, a potential landmine for Addison’s early targets but a boon for Dalvin and Hawkinson when Jefferson returns. In Cincinnati, Trey Hendrickson’s contract talks loom large as the defense anchors a championship-minded push, with fans bracing for how a holdout could ripple through the unit.

Meanwhile, Terry McLaurin’s situation in Washington adds a layer of drama as the team balances targets and extensions, while the Steelers rally around Cam Hayward’s future and the defense’s longevity. Across the AFC North, these storylines collide with the broader near-season noise, shaping early-season fantasy value at quarterback, wide receiver, and backfield.

Two August trades give the New York Jets a clearer run defense: Harrison Phillips from Minnesota and Jawan Briggs from Cleveland join a reshaped interior that should free Quinnen Williams to win one-on-one battles. Phillips, a proven run defender, lands next to Williams with Vikings paying a chunk of his 2025 salary, while Briggs lands for a modest price with a late pick swap and a 7th-rounder, signaling a roll of the dice to bolster the front. The Jets’ stance is simple: upgrade the roster when an opportunity presents itself and avoid overpaying for rough fits.

The WR market is simmering: Diana Rousini linked the Jets to a potential wideout upgrade, with the 49ers, Vikings and others calling. Indy’s Alec Pierce stands out as a possible high-upside target, given growth and a price tag that might fit a midseason upgrade. Kendrick Bourne has also been floated as a depth option, with Brown-inked contract talks complicating deals. Jets remain cautious about additions who require time to gel in August, prioritizing a true upgrade over a name. The plan remains: rest some starters in the preseason, evaluate the bubble players, and line up for Week 1 with a clearer roster map.