Brock Bowers’ Raiders tenure is centered on a tight-end rotation with Michael Mayer, a hallmark of Chip Kelly’s offenses. Two preseason games showed both on the field with starters in lengthy 12/13 personnel looks, but early game usage suggested Mayer handled more inline and early-down work while Bowers shined on pass plays and third downs. The data hint Bowers won’t hit a full-time 85% snap rate, and Mayer’s presence could cap his targets. The takeaway for fantasy managers: expect around 60% routes for Bowers this year, not an 80–90% lock, and prioritize top-tier tight ends who can survive a rotation.

Rest-of-season projections shift as Mayer’s blocked vs. receiving roles split, especially with 12 personnel as the Raiders lean into two-tight-end sets. After Mayer’s mid-season absence, Bowers surged to lead the league in TE fantasy points, but early usage data and coaching personnel changes temper that ceiling. With Geno Smith’s accuracy and Ashton Jeanty adding run-game depth, Las Vegas signals a more varied offense where Bowers remains elite but not invincible. This nudges rankings: McBride and Kittle gain edge in a crowded TE field, while Bowers sits near the top but outside the guaranteed TE1 tier in some formats.

Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers is being mixed in with the starting unit at a high rate, but Michael Mayer still handles most early-down work, hinting at a two-TE rotation that could cap Bowers’ target upside. The Texans lean on veterans at receiver, with Nico Collins and Jaylen Higgins (and Hutchinson) penciled in as top 11-personnel options while rookies sit behind. New York’s backfield remains in flux, as Breece Hall plays about 61% of snaps behind a three-man look that includes Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, making a stable early-season floor unlikely. In Jacksonville, Tank Bigsby and Etienne show a near-50/50 split on the field and in routes, with early-down workload leaning toward Bigsby and pass-game work toward Etienne, tilting expectations for both. The Broncos rotate Evan Engram and Trautman, with Engram maintaining a high snap share but limited 11-personnel targets, while the Saints pair Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed in a heavy-outside trio, potentially squeezing slot targets and shifting Wilson and Co. into secondary roles. On the Titans, Ayomanor’s usage in motion hints at a regular-season package, while the Seahawks confirm a streamlined wide-receiver setup around Smith-Njigba and Kupp, elevating the odds for Olave, Hutchinson, and Collins to hold big roles depending on scheme and health. Overall fantasy impact centers on two-TE rotations, volatile backfields, and WR depth-chart shuffles that will shape weekly ceilings and safe floors all season.

These takeaways underscore a recurring theme across teams: preseason usage often signals depth-chart intent more than exact weekly roles. Fantasy managers should treat early snap splits as directional rather than definitive, preparing for Week 1 to deviate as teams optimize for blockers, routes, and matchup-based usage. The common thread is clarity: stars may see dampened floors if rotations keep high-upside players limited to specific situations, while anyone with a clearly defined, workload-heavy role becomes more appealing in both redraft and DFS formats as the season approaches.

Las Vegas fell 22-19 to San Francisco on a late 59-yard Jake Moody field goal, but the Raiders showed marked improvement in penalties and execution from Seattle. Carlson connected on multiple kicks, Bech flashed at receiver, and Mayer hauled in a near-goal-line grab while McCormick and Jeanty impressed as young backs with solid blocking and running. Purdy led SF on a brief opening drive before his day ended, while O’Connell answered with a clearer line, two first downs to Bech and a TD to Jeanty that helped Vegas grab a halftime edge. Moody’s heroic kick capped a tight, competitive exhibition that left fantasy managers eyeing the Raiders’ young skill-position depth and the Niners’ kicker-pipeline as Week 3 looms.

With a cleaner game overall, Vegas trimmed penalties and pressure, and their special teams produced a few big plays on both sides of the ball. The No. 2 quarterback job remains unsettled, but O’Connell’s improved accuracy and Mayer’s red-zone involvement give fantasy managers reason to monitor the Raiders’ depth chart closely. SF’s Purdy-minute was short but efficient, Moody showed why he’s a weapon in late-game scenarios, Pearsall and Mayer flashed for fantasy, and the backup RBs and blockers offered a clearer path to the Vegas depth chart as preseason continues.

Overall, the Raiders offered a tangible step forward in discipline and execution, while SF balanced star power with their backups, keeping the division chase tight ahead of the finale. Fantasy managers should track who earns carries and targets in next week’s tune-up and how Vegas rotates their QB room behind Smith as they prepare for the regular season.

The NFL fantasy football landscape is buzzing with potential sleepers as the season approaches, with each of the 32 teams featuring players who could greatly outperform their Average Draft Position (ADP). Highlights include Trey Benson of the Arizona Cardinals, who, having turned 22, is now poised for more playing time despite a quiet rookie season. In Atlanta, Tyler Allgeier stands out as a formidable backup who could thrive should starter Bijan Robinson face injuries. The Baltimore Ravens' Isaiah Likely presents significant upside if Mark Andrews misses time due to injury, while Buffalo's Joshua Palmer aims to provide valuable targets from Josh Allen.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears' Colston Loveland and Cincinnati Bengals' Tahj Brooks are intriguing late-round options. Jerome Ford of the Cleveland Browns could become a key asset for zero-RB managers needing a starter early in the season. Dallas Cowboys rookie Jaydon Blue adds 4.38 speed to a crowded backfield, while the Denver Broncos' J.K. Dobbins remains a solid option amidst competition. Not to be overlooked, the Detroit Lions' Jameson Williams could take a leap forward, and the Green Bay Packers' Matthew Golden has potential as a first-round pick. With so many under-the-radar players to consider, owners must keep a close eye on training camp developments.

As the Indianapolis Colts gear up for the 2025 NFL season, training camp reveals pivotal X-factors that could define their success. Leading the charge is the quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. While both QBs are under scrutiny, their ability to deliver consistent performances could determine the Colts' playoff aspirations. Offensive line prospects like Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves are also crucial; their ability to protect and create lanes will be essential for establishing a powerful ground game.

Furthermore, the health and performance of key players such as Jonathan Taylor could significantly impact the overall effectiveness of the offense. Should these younger and less heralded players rise to the occasion, the Colts may find themselves not only in playoff contention but also as a formidable force in the AFC.