Chiefs remain favorites, but the AFC West isn’t resting. Denver’s fortified defense around Pat Surtain II and Bo Nix, LA Chargers’ Herbert arc under Harbaugh, and Geno Smith-led Raiders mark a new coaching-era surge. Mahomes and Kelce stay fantasy anchors, yet one-score-game volatility could temper expectations. This sets up intriguing value plays and risk-reward pivots across KC, DEN, LAC and LV.

Fantasy angles tilt toward Mahomes, Kelce, Herbert and Nix, with defensive jolts from Surtain II and Barron spotlighting divisional dynamics. The division’s coaching pedigree adds nuance for lineups and bets as teams chase a yet unsettled throne.

53-man rosters are set across the NFL, but the cuts that stunned fantasy-minded fans are only beginning to ripple through the waiver wire. The arc of surprises runs from Simi Fehoko in Arizona to Dan Skipper in Detroit, with notable shakeups like Dane Jackson in Buffalo and Hunter Renfrow in Carolina. Rivaldo Fairweather, Tyler Scott, and Jordan Fuller also landed on headlines as teams reshuffled depth. Expect a wave of waiver activity and mid-roster moves in the next 24–48 hours that could alter rookie upside and late-round targets.

Jaguars preseason finale vs. Dolphins yielded final roster auditioning for several backups. Sal Wormley led the way with an 84.9 PFF grade, excelling in pass protection (34 snaps) and posting solid run-blocking. Patrick Herbert (83.8) and John Copenhaver (76.4) boosted the line with strong run games, while Yasir Abdullah (74.6) and Aydan White (72.6) flashed versatility across gaps and coverage. On the downside, Branson Combs (29.1), James Carpenter (30.6) and Keivie Rose (37.7) struggled in the run game, highlighting the razor-thin margin for roster spots. With starters sidelined, this was a meaningful but imperfect snapshot for depth roles and practice-squad pushes.

The NFL’s 53-man cut deadline is looming, and a slate of notable players across multiple teams could be on the chopping block. Among the most consequential are Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Kendrick Bourne from New England, headlined by Polk as a second-year option whose path to the active roster is not guaranteed despite draft investments. Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings also stand in the Patriots’ crosshairs, tied to cost and schematic fit as New England reshapes under a new voice.

Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr. faces questions about a changing backfield, while Kansas City’s Skyy Moore and Baltimore’s David Ojabo appear on the radar as teams balance talent with cap and role clarity. The Jets’ Malachi Corley and the Saints’ Isaiah Foskey are listed as potential cuts that could redraw depth charts, with Beanie Bishop Jr. and DeMarvin Leal representing Pittsburgh’s cost/fit calculus on defense.

Outside the Patriots, those moves echo across the league: veteran certainty versus cost and scheme fit, undrafted rookies stepping up, and the ripple effects on Week 1 roles. The piece underscores that even bigger names can be vulnerable when coaches recalibrate rosters to maximize versatility, speed, and special-teams value in August rhythms.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: late-August roster churn can create or erase sleeper windows. Depth charts can flip quickly at WR, LB and edge spots as teams finalize rosters, so stay nimble on waiver wires and be ready to pivot as cuts and claims unfold.

LA Rams opened their preseason with a 31-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium, and multiple rookies flashed. Blake Corum sprinted for 32 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, hinting at a bigger role behind Kyren Williams as the Rams try to protect Williams’ long-term workload. Jarquez Hunter added 41 yards on 11 carries, Cody Schrader 59 on five carries with a 25-yard grab, and Corum’s emphatic burst sits as a promising fantasy note for deeper Rams rosters.

Stetson Bennett led four Rams TD drives, completing 16 of 24 for 188 yards with two scores, and showed poised decision-making in pressure moments. He’ll start next weekend’s matchup against the Chargers, while Josaiah Stewart stepped into the edge-rusher mix with a sack, boosting an already improving Rams pass rush. Pooh Paul ran the defense with leadership, and Cam Lampkin’s pick in the end zone stood out on a night of solid layers on both sides.

Kicker Joshua Karty produced 37 yards on a field goal and four extra points; punter Ethan Evans boomed an 81-yard boot. Matthew Stafford watched from the sideline as he returns to practice, working through a back issue, with plans to practice this week as he readies for his 17th season. The Rams appear to be building credible depth at several positions, with Bennett’s confidence, Corum’s burst, and multiple other youngsters pushing for roster spots and potential fantasy value as the regular season nears.