Jaylen Hurts sits as a surprising QB4 in early best-ball chatter, driven by four straight seasons of double-digit rushing TDs and a proven ability to carry fantasy teams with his legs. The Eagles’ offense is projected to be efficient and more balanced this year, meaning Hurts can sustain high rushing value while nudging his passing volume upward. That combination keeps him firmly in the top tier even as the top four quarterbacks stay bunched. Philadelphia’s weaponry—Brown, Smith, and Goddard—creates ceiling scenarios where Hurts’ production can rise with improved pass efficiency, not just ground gains.

Saquon Barkley remains a cornerstone back, likely to land in the top seven with a bustling workload even if Philadelphia’s offense trims run-heavy tendencies slightly. AJ Brown stands as the alpha target for Hurts, with Devonte Smith offering value as a high-floor second option. Dallas Goddard is a tepid but viable fantasy tight end, while Will Shipley appears as a late-round sleeper behind Barkley, with a path to lead the Eagles’ backfield if Barkley’s workload ever dips or if injury strikes.

Philadelphia’s training camp produced a rugged, injury-laden snapshot with real fantasy implications. AJ Brown and Devonte Smith were sidelined by hamstring and groin tweaks, prompting cautious progress as the opener nears. Jordan Milada and Landon Dickerson joined the injury list, testing the protection plan and elevating questions about the backup tackle group. John Metchie III (Mete) arrived and people watched how he would slot into a receiver corps needing playmaking depth. Kyle McCord’s early edge at quarterback and DTR’s box-out reality underscored a rookie-to-rookie challenge in real time. Will Shipley repeatedly shone as a reliable target in the new-look backfield, while Grant Calcaterra and EJ Jenkins supplied red-zone value. Adoree Jackson stood out on defense, and Jaylen Carter’s batted-pass flair hinted at disruptive upside. The broader issue: the overflow of injuries makes every late-August rep precious for a 53-man sprint, with Howie Roseman weighing swing-tackle options and potential roster shuffles as the Mete trade ripples through the WR room.

Week 2 of the NFL preseason delivered clarity on backfield committees, depth-chart tremors, and the looming question marks for fantasy rosters. Juried notes highlighted the Cleveland backfield gambit around Quin'ton Judkins and how the Browns’ uncertain unsigned status adds a layer of risk to early drafters. The Commanders flirted with big-picture changes in backfield usage as Brian Robinson’s status remains fluid. The Chargers and Chiefs offered quiet but meaningful notes on receiver roles behind starters, while Rashid Rice’s suspension case and AJ Brown’s business pup status added off-field risk to lineups. Across the board, the takeaway was simple: depth and opportunity define late-round values, but injury chatter and contract status keep ADP volatile. The live-streamed giveaways and UDK push remind managers to lean on tools that simulate draft-day volatility, not just long-term upside.

On the field, Trevor Lawrence looked sharp in Jacksonville, Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne traded first- and second-down duties in a way that signals a potential early-season split, and the Jags’ plan hints at a floor with both backs contributing. Bryce Young’s situation in Carolina and CJ Stroud’s potential in Houston drew particular attention as fantasy flyers, with week-one schedules shaping their early-week outsized upside. Garrett Wilson’s path in New York remains high-variance but extraordinarily rich when the offense clicks, while Ja’Marr Chase’s ceiling sits at the peak of the fantasy pyramid given Burrow’s health and the Bengals’ pass-game talent. Depth options across Seattle, Detroit and Philadelphia offered glimmers of late-round starters worthy of watch lists as draft season approaches.

Blockbuster Sunday swap reshapes Philadelphia’s WR depth as Howie Roseman swaps Harrison Bryant to Houston for Alabama product John Metchie III, flipping the CJ Gardner-Johnson move in reverse with a 2026 pick swap. The Eagles shed Bryant’s roster spot while adding a high-floor, slot-oriented receiver in Metchie, positioning the offense to lean on the top two receivers and push a fresh group behind them.

Mechi’s fit in Philly hinges on his quickness and route prevalence in the slot, potentially easing targets behind AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. Bryant’s exit nudges the TE pool and signals a wider receiver competition, with Johnny Wilson stepping into the mix and Jan Dodson-like options in play. For fantasy managers, the on-paper shift could elevate Metchie to weekly flex if he earns a consistent role; Bryant’s move creates opportunity for the Eagles to diversify targets in a crowded room.

Final joint practice between Philadelphia and Cleveland produced a defensive showcase, with Miles Garrett dominating edge reps and the secondary tightening up after yesterday’s attention on the offense. Jalen Hurts faced mixed results from the ones, finishing with a handful of clean throws but a red-zone day that wasn’t bursting with big plays. DeVonta Smith highlighted a few crisp windows, while AJ Dillon and Will Shipley flashed versatility in the backfield and return roles. Lane Johnson sat out, and Jordan Mailata plus Cam Jurgens rotated with a run-heavy line including Landon Dickerson after his recovery. Sydney Brown and Andrew Makuba anchored the safety rotation, Makuba flashing length with a PBU and a tight coverage moment, while Keely Ringo showed one demotion day that could signal how the nickel corners will shape up. The Browns leaned into run-focused work and a few trick plays, underscoring how two joint practices can set a tone for the preseason and early regular-season decisions. For fantasy managers, the Eagles’ backfield and nickel options look worth watching, while Cleveland’s defensive front offers a steady floor against pass-heavy schedules.