Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason showcased a fresh wave of rookies proving their fantasy upside via elite PFF grades. Andrew Mukuba dominated the safety grade leaderboard with a 95.7 overall mark after a 75-yard pick-six and a fumble recovery, plus a 94.2 coverage grade. Jackson Meeks flashed out wide for Detroit, snagging seven targets for 93 yards and a touchdown while operating as a zone-coverage mismatch. A handful of other first-year standouts joined them in the top 10, including Josh Priebe, Makari Paige, and Efton Chism III, who posted strong multielement performances in pass protection, run-blocking, and target efficiency. The list spans positions from guard to linebacker to receiver, all logging at least 25 snaps to qualify, underscoring how quickly rookies are earning roles and how PFF grades can translate into real fantasy value.

These Week 2 performances helped to sharpen a clearer picture of true rookie potential for 2025 fantasy drafts. Mukuba’s ball skills and instant impact in Cleveland pale beside Meeks’s consistent target volume and big-play ability for Detroit. The others—Priebe, Paige, Chism III, Clark, Wease, Harris, Campbell and Mascarenas-Arnold—demonstrated a mix of immediate contributions and development curves that fantasy managers should monitor. With the Commanders-Bengals game still on the slate for grading release, the rookie landscape remains dynamic, and these graded showings give a concrete basis for rostering or fading in early fantasy lineups.

Miami’s rookies provided the splash without the starters in a 24-17 win over Detroit, signaling positive momentum for the depth chart. Quinn Ewers looked steadier, connecting with Theo Wease Jr. for two touchdowns on an 11-for-17, 116-yard day, while Wease racked up 80 yards on nine targets as the primary rhythm target. Ollie Gordon II kept his stock rising with 50 rushing yards on 10 attempts and two catches, showing juice in the second half. Up front, Savaiinaea and Addison West offered solid, if not flawless, showings, and Kenneth Grant anchored interior rushes alongside Jordan Phillips, who posted 1.5 sacks. The secondary flashed, including an eye-catching pick by Ethan Robinson to seal the win. This trio of rookies—on offense and defense—boosts Miami’s late-season roster drama and provides intriguing fantasy-soaked threads for dynasty and deeper-league rosters.

Kyle Allen delivered an efficient showing for Detroit, completing 14 of 17 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including a defining end-zone strike to Isaac TeSlaa. Detroit’s bold move up the draft board to snag TeSlaa is paying off in preseason flash, as the third-rounder notched another red-zone grab and continues to trend as a high-upside fantasy contributor.

Miami’s defense kept the score tight, but rookie Quinn Ewers sparked a late surge for the Dolphins, throwing two touchdowns and forging a promising budding connection with Theo Wease Jr. The two rookies highlighted a blossoming Miami QB WR pairing that fantasy managers will track. PFF graded every snap, with their grading and stats set to roll out after a full review, while the game’s box score underscored Allen’s rapport with TeSlaa and Ewers’ growing imprint in a preseason already rich with breakout potential.

Missouri’s football alumni are turning preseason into a proving ground across the NFL, with Tigers pushing for 53-man spots from Jets to Rams and beyond. Armand Membou in New York looms as a potential Week 1 starter at right tackle, while Brady Cook and Harrison Mevis dive into Jets camp and the board in Green Bay and Chicago alike. Luther Burden III has begun to carve a role with the Bears, and Darius Robinson is chasing a starting defensive-line gig in Arizona. Cody Schrader flashed a touchdown-capable skill set for the Rams, Theo Wease Jr. and Larry Borom joined the Dolphins’ and Dolphins’ depth charts, and Tyler Badie plus several UDFA Missouri grads fill crowded backfields and practice squads. The Tigers’ NFL pipeline remains a steady fantasy/DFS storyline as rosters shake out, with multiple Tigers contributing early in 2025 and many more eyeing breakouts as August cuts loom.

The Miami Dolphins showcased impressive performances during Wednesday's mandatory minicamp, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connecting with wide receivers and demonstrating his deep-ball accuracy.

Tagovailoa delivered a standout pass to Dee Eskridge, although the reception was thwarted by Storm Duck and Ifeatu Melifonwu. He also established rhythm with Jaylen Waddle in both short and intermediate routes. Despite a missed connection with running back De’Von Achane, the play highlighted Tagovailoa's arm strength.

Defensively, Melifonwu grabbed an interception off Tagovailoa, raising questions about the offensive communication on that play with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson of the New York Jets also had notable completions, including a throw to undrafted talent Theo Wease, showcasing his ability to connect with emerging players.