FSU travels to face Alabama with Vegas setting a stern test: the Seminoles are 13.5-point underdogs and the over/under sits at 50.5, making this a prime spot for late game fantasy pivots and live-bet angles. The pregame buzz centers on staff predictions, depth-chart reads, and injury news as Florida State looks to reset after a tough 2024 showing while Alabama brings its usual rugged defense into a prime time spotlight.

Fantasy angles lean into an evolving Florida State offense, where the WR room has to prove itself with Lawayne McCoy and Kevin Wynn out and Squirrel White anchoring a potential a big play ceiling. Castellanos and Jordan Travis must manage a 3-3-5 blitz and quadruple option concepts, shaping target distribution and rushing upside. The page also teases season-long reckonings about the offense and midfield battles, setting up a must-watch instruction of how 2025 could unfold for FSU.

FSU's 2025 roster overhaul—49 new players (25 freshmen, 24 transfers)—turns Week 1 into a fantasy lab. Florida State enters as 13.5-point underdogs to Alabama with a 50.5 over/under, spotlighting breakout targets and a reshaped offense led by Castellanos. McCoy and Wynn are out, widening WR and interior-line opportunities.

Norvell's 3-3-5 base and a potential quadruple option give Week 1 a high-variance vibe. If Castellanos settles in and the new receivers prove themselves, FSU can surprise and supply usable DFS pieces, while Alabama's front fuels a cautious approach with upside for contrarian bets.

Saturday's 11 NFL preseason games kick off as the regular season inches closer, with Ashton Jeanty and Cameron Ward attracting attention along with Jaxson Dart making a home debut. Shedeur Sanders headlines Browns practice news but is sidelined by an oblique injury, while Jets-Giants and Browns-Eagles promise quarterback intrigue and depth-chart shuffles across multiple teams including the Cardinals and Broncos in late-night action. The slate also features Raiders-49ers and a heavy betting backdrop as fantasy managers hunt late-round upside and backup-plan targets.

Fans can glean early-season depth and usage patterns: who earns extra snaps, how backfields shake out behind lead backs, and which rookie signal-callers show tangible in-game promise. The day blends rookies, veterans vying for roster spots, and coaching staffs plotting how to deploy players in real-game tempo. With promo bets and DFS angles front and center, Saturday becomes a critical test bed for fantasy rosters and late-week speculative plays.

Beyond football, the day stacks a 15-game MLB slate and a marquee WNBA matchup, underscoring a packed sports calendar. As always, preseason volatility creates value opportunities for sharp fantasy players who can read playing-time signals, track injury notes like Sanders, and capitalize on backfield committee dynamics as teams reveal their plans for the regular season.

The 2025 offseason has seen notable retirements in the NFL, marking the end of careers for several fantasy-relevant players. Quarterback Derek Carr retired surprised many on May 10, ending his 11-year career after battling a shoulder injury. Carr leaves with 41,245 passing yards and 257 touchdowns, notable for his consistency as a QB2 in Superflex leagues.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Julio Jones, a dominant force in the 2010s, officially retired after not signing with a team in 2024. He closes out his career with a stunning 13,703 yards and 66 touchdowns, likely heading for the Hall of Fame.

Mike Williams also announced his retirement shortly after signing a one-year deal with the Chargers, ending his career with 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns. Kicker Mason Crosby decided to retire at 41, having spent most of his career with the Packers, leaving behind a legacy as the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Quarterback Jordan Travis, who faced a serious leg injury, and wide receiver Chris Conley, known for his solid WR3 contributions, also hung up their cleats.