Jacksonville's Week 4 win over San Francisco showed grit. Despite eight starters missing time, the Jaguars stayed balanced early, fought through penalties and missed throws, and rode a defense that sparked a punt-return TD to swing momentum. Rayaun Lane III stepped up in the secondary, and Jack Kiser, Montaric Brown, and Jarrian Jones helped steady the depth chart as the team battled through a bruising, physical test against a quality opponent.

Head coach Liam Coen praised the group’s toughness and resilience, noting negative plays couldn’t derail them as the defense kept making plays. The win underscored Jacksonville's ability to adapt with a thinning roster, echoing the team’s earlier physical battles with Cincinnati and Houston as they prepare for a demanding stretch ahead.

Travis Hunter’s two-way Week 2 debut signals a potential fantasy anchor for Jacksonville’s rookie class, with 59% of offensive snaps and 62% of defensive snaps, finishing with 33 receiving yards on six targets and a pass breakup that could’ve iced the game. Bhayshul Tuten seized the post-Tank Bigsby opportunity, rushing 18 times for 42 yards and snagging two screens, including a dazzling 24-yard score. The rest of the rookies were mixed, but the longer-term mix vs. Cincinnati suggests bright paths for the Jags’ 2025 class.

Notre Dame’s 2024 talent pipeline to the NFL showed in Week 1 of the 2025 season. Xavier Watts started for Atlanta, piling up six tackles with two passes defended and flirting with interceptions, signaling a fast ramp to the pros. Mitchell Evans logged limited stats for Carolina but flashed versatility on offense and special teams. Benjamin Morrison’s return to health should cement Tampa Bay’s secondary, while Jack Kiser contributed on Jacksonville’s kickoff unit and Beaux Collins appeared for the Giants in a depth role.

Six Notre Dame players were drafted in 2025, with several others signing as undrafted free agents, underscoring the program’s continued NFL impact. Watts’ early production headlines the class, Evans’ Notre Dame production hints at future roles, Morrison’s health becomes a catalyst for TB’s defense, Kiser’s special-teams value could grow, and Collins’ path remains contingent on roster moves. This Week 1 snapshot suggests ND’s depth and NFL-readiness remain a fantasy-friendly theme into 2025.