The Chicago Bears are trimming the 90-man squad to 53 players with a few obvious questions left in August. Fantasy managers should note depth at key spots: the running back room has a mix of uncertain depth and fresh faces behind the starters, and the edge group looks thin enough to beg for veteran addition. Braxton Jones appears as a stabilizing piece at left tackle, but discerning depth behind him matters for protection. Austin Booker flashed in the preseason and could provide a cheeky handcuff, though durability and usage will dictate his fantasy value. The team has discussed pursuing a veteran edge, with Za’Darius Smith floated as a potential get, which would shift the dynamic at the defensive end position and potentially free up more pass-rrush opportunities for internal depth. In short, Chicago faces a balancing act between solidifying the line, preserving quarterback protection, and not leaving the backfield thin if injuries pop up. Fans should watch how the Bears allocate the 53 and how the edge room evolves as Week 1 nears.

Injury-driven depth picks fuel this year’s late-round RB stash. Eight backs across multiple backfields offer true contingency upside in deep leagues, with Keaton Mitchell leading the tier as a potential Ravens fill-in if J.K. Dobbins misses time. The crew also includes Tahj Brooks, Bhayshul Tuten, Kyle Monangai, Jaydon Blue, Devin Neal, and Jordan James, each positioned behind established starters yet with clear paths to meaningful work should opportunities open. Expect waivers and late-draft targets to prize these players for possible burst weeks in 2025.

Mitchell’s speed and rookie efficiency foreshadow a high-ceiling role if volume rises; Brooks and Tuten carry breakout potential in Cincinnati and Jacksonville, respectively, while Monangai, Blue, Neal, and James offer clean depth-chart fits with upside in positive-game-script systems. Injuries to starters are the common catalyst, but even in non-injury weeks these backs can produce in limited touches via breakaway plays, goal-line chances, or as receiving options. The piece stresses that league rankings and late-round values remain fluid, making these players prime waiver-wire adds as the season unfolds.

Bhayshul Tuten, Dylan Sampson, Jaylen Wright, Kyle Monangai, Keaton Mitchell, and Tahj Brooks headline a six-pack of RBs to target after Round 12 in 2025 fantasy drafts. ADP guidance from multiple platforms highlights late-round value in a year when workload edges and backfield splits decide championships. Tuten’s speed and contact balance, Sampson’s instinctive one-cut ability, Wright’s burst in Miami, Monangai’s balance in Chicago, Mitchell’s big-play upside in Baltimore, and Brooks’s physicality in Cincinnati offer air-tight, high-reward upside as season-long resources. The piece notes Judkins’ unsettled timeline and suggests that these late-round targets can swing playoff push with gradual, scalable touches as the year unfolds.

In Jacksonville, Tuten projects as a complementary piece behind Etienne and Tank Bigsby, potentially delivering a valuable late-season surge if workload expands. Cleveland’s Dylan Sampson benefits from Judkins’ status and Ford’s presence, offering explosive plays and goal-line upside in a.values-based Browns attack. Miami’s Jaylen Wright is pitched as a fast-twitch option who could slice into Achane’s carries if opportunities present, while Monangai in Chicago represents a sturdy, vision-driven runner behind Swift and Roschon Johnson. Keaton Mitchell’s speed in Baltimore keeps him in the conversation as a stashing playoff spark, and Tahj Brooks with Cincinnati’s depth could carve a meaningful role in a grind-it-out backfield.

Young quarterbacks are driving the NFL narrative as teams chase sustainable stars from the 2024-25 preseason buzz. Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., Drake Maye, Cam Ward, and Adam Thielen are highlighted as the core dynamic signal-callers around which rosters were rebuilt this offseason. The piece identifies a set of trusted teammates—often veterans or high-upside talent—who could unlock these gunslingers in meaningful games. These duos, labeled as the “secret best friends,” promise to shape fantasy value and betting angles for 2025.

Williams’ Bears, Nix’s Broncos, Daniels’ Commanders, Penix’s Falcons, Maye’s Patriots, Ward’s Titans, and Thielen’s Panthers each feature a specific pass catcher or back who could emerge as a reliable safety valve. The analysis also notes how each quarterback’s supporting cast—tight ends, slot receivers, and backfields—will influence rush lanes, pressure relief, and play-calling structure as teams aim to maximize every rookie-scale contract window.

Bears fans got a vivid glimpse of the Ben Johnson era in preseason form as Caleb Williams carved Chicago’s opening drive for a 92-yard TD sequence, finishing with a 36-yard strike to Olamide Zaccheaus. Williams looked decisive, connecting with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet as Johnson’s offense looked surgically clean and functionally creative. Williams’ first showing was efficient (5-of-6 for 97 yards on that first possession, plus a later 6-of-10 for 107 yards, a TD and a 130.0 rating). The run game thrived behind a renewed blocking profile, and Ian Wheeler returned from injury to pace the rushing attack with two touchdowns on 19 carries for 80 yards. Chicago’s defense stifled Buffalo in a 38-0 romp, even without several starters, underscoring a preseason-ready, scheme-savvy squad. Austin Reed and Tyson Bagent kept drives alive late, while the Bears offense stayed relentless, setting up a likely strong roster-position push heading toward Kansas City.