Arizona and Las Vegas close out the NFL preseason with four cross-roster links that matter for fantasy managers. Zay Jones, Bilal Nichols, and Mykal Walker have long histories with Raiders, while Leki Fotu is the Raiders’ interior rotation piece who spent four seasons with Arizona. Jones is slated to be Arizona’s No. 3 receiver, offering a plausible weekly floor in PPR formats if the offense flows through quick, catch-and-run passes. Nichols is banged up and on the PUP list, clouding his early-season return and DL role. Walker’s Raiders stint and special-teams will keep him in the crosshairs for IDP depth, and Fotu’s Cardinals background provides a unique inside track as he anchors the Raiders’ interior. The finale doubles as a roster-weather-vane for fantasy outlooks, with health updates and depth-chart moves likely to swing brief value spikes as teams pare rosters after the preseason.

Joe Milton III showed the expected rookie rough edges in the first Cowboys test under Brian Schottenheimer, but the progress was tangible: he settled, read defenses, and trusted what was given. Dallas is counting on reps to shrink the learning curve, particularly against Baltimore, to speed up decision-making and offensive rhythm. George Pickens popped in drills with contested catches, hinting at an outside pairing that could unlock more options for CeeDee Lamb. Javonte Williams flashed top-end burst, suggesting the Cowboys’ backfield could support Milton as he grows into the system. Defensive progress was visible too, with ballhawking safeties and pressure from multiple angles, though injuries and lineup tinkering remain a factor. The overarching takeaway: more reps and cleaner reads are the path to a quicker floor for Milton and a steadier Cowboys offense moving into AT&T Stadium’s next preseason date.

Injury updates and camp notes kept pace with on-field progress, underscoring the depth-testing reality Dallas faces. Milton’s growth curve remains the central storyline for fantasy leagues: stash only in deeper formats for now, but monitor how reps translate in Week 1 preparation. Dallas’s targets— Lamb, Ferguson, and Pickens—could become the backbone of Milton’s early ceiling, while running lanes from Williams would offer a safety net as the quarterback learns the system. The next test versus the Ravens will be a clearer read on which pieces are ready to contribute in September, and how Milton’s confidence translates into decisive throws in a real game script.

Arizona’s 20-17 win over Kansas City in a preseason opener highlighted the Cardinals’ depth and a balanced attack. The offense totaled 355 yards and 24 first downs, going 4-for-9 on third downs. The run game was the backbone, logging 140 yards with Zonovan Knight adding 51 late to help salt it away. The top unit moved the ball smoothly with Kyler Murray under center, but the two initial drives didn’t reach paydirt. A Brissett-led second unit produced two touchdowns to grab the lead and showed steady, efficient upside.

Knight’s late burst underscores a run game that Arizona plans to share between James Conner and Trey Benson. Murray’s appearance was clean—only one incompletion and five different targets—but one hiccup resulted in a field goal instead of a TD. Protection held up, as KC registered just one sack and three QB hits, aside from a Tune sack. Brissett’s efficiency and mobility gave fans a glimpse of a competent fallback option, while the overall push from backups signals a deeper, potentially fantasy-relevant depth chart as the season approaches.

Rise Up, See Red remains the refrain, and Saturday’s performance offered tangible takeaways for fantasy managers: lean on the Cardinals’ backfield committee, monitor Murray’s health and red-zone finish, and watch how Brissett and the second unit translate into actual scoring when the real games start. For more Cardinals and NFL context, tune into Cards Wire’s coverage and related pods.

In the realm of fantasy football, the late-round picks can often be the difference between a championship team and one that falls short. Dan Fornek highlights his favorite late-round targets for best ball drafts on Underdog, emphasizing players who offer value and the potential for unexpected breakout performances.

At quarterback, keep an eye on players who might be overlooked but possess the ability to step into a starting role or have a high touchdown potential. Running backs that have shown flashes but are stuck in committees can be golden finds too. For receivers, targeting those with a solid connection with their quarterback or who are featured in high-scoring offenses is advisable. Tight ends in favorable situations can also be pivotal in late rounds, providing solid flex options.