The Eagles enter week six days from the opener with captains named and a roster churn that echoed across the NFL. Eight captains anchor a young, high-velocity unit, led by Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Reed Blankenship and a defense poised to grow around Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo. The Parsons trade between Dallas and the NFL’s tier beneath the top tier is framed as a cautionary tale about how even elite assets can collide with organizational timing.

AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith sit at the center of Philly’s fantasy calculus, with Brown primed for heavy volume and the offense expected to tilt toward efficiency in the passing game. Hurts remains the engine, Cam Jurgens stabilizes the line, and the depth pieces—plus a rising secondary—offer upside for those chasing late-draft ceilings. It’s a brand-new canvas for 2025, with the run game likely to complement a more aggressive aerial attack.

Rams finalize a 53-man roster with four edge rushers and strong defensive depth, setting a foundation for Week 1 while managing waiver twists. Willie Lamin IV moved on to Philadelphia via waivers, reshaping LA’s edge plans. Chris Paul Jr. cleared waivers and joined Seattle’s practice squad. Brennan Jackson landed with Las Vegas, Darion Kendrick with Seattle, and Charles Woods with New England. Desan Johnson earned a roster spot thanks to his preseason pass-rush impact, while the Rams projected practice-squad options like AJR Curry, Dylan McMahon, and Brennan Presley to fill intake after cuts.

In the broader roster snapshot, the Rams emphasized development and positional flexibility, keeping a compact but versatile front seven, plus a realistically productive group of running backs and receivers for Week 1. The team’s depth on defense, plus the preparation of practice-squad players, suggests a measured, data-driven approach to navigating the early-season grind and potential injuries.

Rasheed Rice's six-game ban opens the Chiefs' rotation in the early weeks, forcing Mahomes to lean on Kelce and a reshaped receiving corps. Xavier Worthy steps into a larger role, with Hollywood Brown healthy and explosive plays baked into KC's offense. The debate hinges on whether KC can weather Rice's absence while maintaining high-end production, especially with a schedule that pits them against Chargers, Eagles, Giants, and Ravens in the first six weeks. KC's defense is expected to hold, elevating the floor for fantasy options as Mahomes and Kelce anchor steady upside.

The NFC East overunders sharpen the focus on a triumph season for the Eagles, with 11.5 wins seen as feasible despite a demanding schedule. Jalen Hurts enters a peak talent window, aided by AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, while Philadelphia's line and coaching edge carry late-season strength. Dallas faces questions on defense depth and health, Saquon Barkley and the Giants must navigate a tougher slate, and Washington is cast as a potential regression candidate.