Miami’s backup quarterback duel headlines the Dolphins’ preseason narrative. Zach Wilson has been the steadier hand, finishing two tune-ups at 20 of 32 for 247 yards with a TD and no picks, while Quinn Ewers sits at 16 of 35 for 207 yards with two TDs but more miscues. Wilson has drawn more red-zone reps and is described as more reliable in practice, keeping him ahead in the No. 2 pecking order behind Tua Tagovailoa, though Miami remains coy on a definitive backup.

Frank Smith dodged a direct answer on Tuesday, deferring to Mike McDaniel for final say, with Thursday’s joint practice against Jacksonville and Saturday’s preseason finale looming. The season opener at Indianapolis in early September ends the ambiguity, but the bigger question—whether the Dolphins are better suited at backup QB this year—won’t be settled until a regular-season game tests the depth. For fantasy players, Wilson’s command in camp makes him a safer speculative stash; Ewers carries ceiling upside, but his path to relevance is still uncertain.

Tampa Bay’s offense thrived last season, ranking among the league’s best even as it pivoted to a third offensive coordinator in three years. With Baker Mayfield at the controls and Mike Evans as a dynamic target, fantasy managers will eye 2025 builds that pair Mayfield-Evans for upside, but realignment and coaching turbulence add risk. The Buccaneers also reportedly added Emeka Egbuka as a potential breakout option, though his NFL presence remains uncertain. SportsLine’s model has become a trusted compass, projecting sleepers, breakouts and busts and fueling 2025 cheat sheets after a 10,000-run simulation of the season. The model already flagged Jameson Williams as a bust for 2025, citing a drop in target volume and the loss of Ben Johnson’s play-calling, while also predicting Jake Ferguson could underwhelm amid competition and health concerns. The piece also spots a running-back early in ADP who could disappoint and notes a tight end tier that’s not as favorable as first-round prices suggest. The 2025 ADP through CBS is led by Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, De’Von Achane and Ashton Jeanty, framing the top of the board for fantasy rosters.

The Chicago Bears locked Tyson Bagent in as Caleb Williams’ top backup on a two-year, $10 million pact that can escalate to $16 million via incentives, a signal the team expects a long-season grind with solid quarterback depth through 2027. The move keeps a familiar face in the building and preserves Williams’ growth arc behind a trusted pro who has already spent two seasons in Chicago.

Bagent’s path reads like a football fairy tale: Shepherd product, Division II star, undrafted in 2023, yet he has carved a role with nine NFL games and a four-start stint. This summer, he stole the show in a 38-0 win over the Bills, tossing for 196 yards and a TD on 13-of-22, plus a nine-yard run. Earlier, he piled up 103 preseason yards in the opener with Miami. His candid remarks about banking reps and staying ready underscore the practicality of Chicago’s plan: Williams anchors, Bagent provides depth and possibility if Williams slips.

The larger backdrop centers on Williams’ upward trajectory in year two under new coordinator Ben Johnson, with the organization hoping for a leap that could minimize Bagent’s chances for meaningful action. The contract’s structure implies discipline and readiness rather than an explicit backup ceiling. For fantasy managers, the dynamic matters: Bagent is a valuable insurance policy whose upside hinges on Williams’ development and health as Chicago negotiates a demanding schedule with a burgeoning offense.

Jacksonville wrapped its final home practice of the preseason with three clear takeaways for fantasy managers. The plan ahead includes a Miami joint practice, then a preseason finale with the Dolphins, and ongoing workload management for key pieces. Travon Walker popped with multiple sacks and disruptive inner-front movement, signaling a notable pass-rush uptick for the Jaguars’ defense. Emmanuel Ogbah and a rotating group of pass-rushers contributed, reinforcing ceiling play for the defense in favorable matchups.

Offensively, Hunter Long flashed in the passing game, while the TE2 role behind Brenton Strange remains a true competition, with Mundt in the mix as a blocker-first option. The right-side offensive line continues to rotate guards and tackles—likely Edoga, Mekari, or Harrison—before Week 1. These developments crimp risk slightly for Jacksonville’s in-week fantasy outputs while boosting the defense’s upside and creating streaming TE and DL opportunities in certain weeks.

Overall, the Jaguars appear poised for a pressure-heavy approach that could generate sack upside in favorable packages, while the Miami exposure will be a key early-season gauge for both teams’ fantasy relevance. Owners should monitor Walker’s workload, Ogbah’s continued impact, and the TE2 battle as Week 1 approaches, keeping a flexible roster tied to matchup-driven decisions.

Jack Jones is adjusting to a pressed-at-the-line technique with the Miami Dolphins, a shift he says is expanding his toolbox after getting roasted by Amon-Ra St. Brown in the prior game. He’s working to trust the technique, improve his feet, and become more aggressive with his hands. An expected competition for a starting job intensified when Ethan Bonner was sidelined by a hamstring issue, opening more reps for Jones and teammates.

St. Brown’s standout tape underscores the challenge: he’s a two-time All-Pro and a marquee weapon, prompting Miami to lean into press coverage and a broader toolbox. Storm Duck’s role and injuries in the secondary loom large as the defense bends to new instructions, with Jones’ progress carrying real fantasy impact for IDP managers and bets on the Dolphins’ corner depth this season.