Kansas City’s Week 3 plan hinges on Drue Tranquill’s health. Tranquill, dealing with a knee issue, was a full participant in practice and did not receive a game-status designation, making a Sunday return likely against the Giants. If Tranquill can’t go, Jeffrey Bassa, Jack Cochrane, and Cooper McDonald are ready to fill the void in KC’s linebacking corps. The matchup against New York will test the Chiefs’ depth at a pivotal position early in the season.

The Giants pose a straightforward test for KC’s LB rotation: keep Tranquill involved if healthy, and rely on the depth behind him to cover ground and stop the run. In fantasy terms, Tranquill’s availability would stabilize the roster, while the backups’ snap shares could swing depending on the health report and game flow.

Drue Tranquill's back issue is minor; he participated fully in practice and is expected to play Week 2 against Philadelphia. Kansas City's linebacker depth behind him is thin, with Jeffrey Bassa listed as his backup and veteran Jack Cochrane also in the rotation. The Chiefs square off with the Eagles in a high-stakes rematch, relying on Tranquill's versatility to anchor coverage and the run game.

Behind Tranquill, Bassa and Cochrane could see expanded roles if his back tightens up, while KC will lean on its depth to weather any flare-ups. The Week 2 clash presents a meaningful fantasy signal: Tranquill's health directly impacts tackles, passes defended, and overall middle-field discipline in a pivotal NFC Championship-like test.

Oregon’s 2024 roster talent is already making NFL waves. Conerly Jr. earned a starting role with Washington, Bruch and Caldwell flashed in Arizona and LA respectively, while Harmon and Ferguson are positioned for big front-seven impacts after camp. Bassa and Reed impressed for KC and LA, Herbert carved out preseason run with Jacksonville, James isn’t active yet, and Cornelius shows camp potential in Dallas. Ducks’ NFL imprint across rookies is growing fast.

Eight Ducks draftees and several UFAs hit the ground running in camps and preseason, signaling a fertile pipeline for fantasy sleepers and late-round picks. Injuries and depth charts will shape early-season roles, but the initial NFL debuts suggest several Ducks could become staple depth players with weekly upside as the season unfolds.

Kansas City faces linebacker depth questions as notable vets hit free agency, with Cam Jones, Cole Christiansen, Leo Chenal, and Jack Cochrane in play. Nick Bolton was extended and Jeffrey Bassa was added, but KC still needs more talent by 2026. Wisconsin’s Christian Alliegro rose from backup to starter, showing ideal length and downhill speed that could land him in late top-100 consideration, though coverage instincts are still developing.

Jeffrey Bassa, a fifth‑round pick for Kansas City, starred in Week 1 of the 2025 preseason, leading the Chiefs with six tackles (three solo) and adding a QB hit. The performance spotlighted a deep KC linebacker corps and raised questions about how many of the veterans—Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal—will be kept on the roster. Bassa’s fluid closing speed and instinct suggest he could carve out a rotational role in Steve Spagnuolo’s front seven, especially if he continues to show up on early downs and in run fits.