Friday’s Eagles-Jets finale in North Jersey is a pure roster audition. With Jalen Hurts resting, the spotlight shifts to fringe players trying to lock a spot on Philly’s 53-man squad and to the depth chart at safety, cornerback, and linebacker where Jihaad Campbell has drawn praise

Kyle McCord gets the bulk of quarterback snaps, an important development for a future behind Hurts, while Darius Cooper, a Tarleton State product, is pushing for a roster spot after Carter Wilson’s injury opened a door. Reed Blankenship has cemented himself as a steadier piece of the Eagles’ secondary as the WR group reshapes without Johnny Wilson, who’s out for the season. The finale becomes a microcosm of the 53-man math and potential late-season contributors from this crop.

Chance Campbell’s path from Titans sixth-round pick to a Philadelphia Eagles roster-bubble player is a compelling fantasy-footprint case. The Eagles’ LB room is crowded, with Nakobe Dean on PUP and lock-ins like Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Smael Mondon, leaving the former Titan fighting for a role on special teams and situational packages. Preseason opportunities will be the fulcrum of his value, and any stumble by the veterans could briefly open a door for depth-chart snaps and fantasy points in leagues that chase depth players with defined roles.

Campbell’s college arc is notable: Maryland and Ole Miss veteran who led Ole Miss in tackles (110) in 2021, with four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, illustrating a playmaking nose for the ball. He also has lacrosse and finance-cleared background, underscoring athleticism and smarts. In pro terms, knee injury sidelined his rookie season; four NFL games and three tackles on defense plus meaningful special-teams reps show why coaches kept him around. In dynasty formats, Campbell is a post-type sleeper—the kind of upside stash that could prosper if depth injuries occur or if the Eagles reshape packages around versatile linebackers.

Preseason Week 2 offered a clearer early read on rookie roles and fantasy upside. Jihaad Campbell flashed as a physical fit for Philadelphia, posting an impressive 85.0 PFF grade across 29 snaps and hinting at a possible rotational ceiling for the Eagles’ front. Jaxson Dart’s performance for his new team showed efficiency in a conservative game plan, relying on short hits and yards after catch to post points despite limited air distance. Cam Ward’s night in Tennessee emphasized his willingness to push vertically, even as accuracy wavered and decision making caught up to the aggressiveness. Travis Hunter’s Week 2 status for Jacksonville highlighted the fragility and depth concerns at corner and receiver, while Abdul Carter’s Giants debut reflected the team’s ongoing experimentation with edge sets. On the injury front, Elic Ayomanor stepped onto the radar with a notable air yard profile before being sidelined, and Adrian Martinez’s low-volume, decision-heavy outing suggested a learning curve as he competes for a late-season roster spot. The takeaway for fantasy managers is to monitor snap growth, role clarity, and offensive scheme fit as these rookies transition from college to the NFL.

Beyond the Week 2 box score, the data drive a practical fantasy script: Campbell and Carter could push into meaningful rotational bits if they earn early trust. Ward and Dart offer speculative Week 1 upside if coaching staffs lean into aggressive game plans or injury-driven opportunities. Hunter’s health remains a key variable for Jacksonville’s pass game, while Martinez’s continued development will determine if he becomes a real dice-roll quarterback streaming option. In short, this rookie cohort is evolving, and owners should watch for minute-by-minute shifts in roles, rather than early-season hype.

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.

WEEK 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason delivered a slate of eye-opening performances for fantasy players, with rookie and second-year talents pushing into the spotlight. Caleb Williams stepped into Ben Johnson’s system for the Bears and looked surprisingly poised across two drives, delivering precision and a savvy touch that hints at upside if Chicago leans on the reworked offense. Jaxson Dart guided the Giants to a convincing win, throwing a touchdown and rushing for another while displaying confidence and decision-making that suggest he could be nudging Russell Wilson for more snaps sooner than expected. TreVeyon Henderson flashed his big-play ability with a productive 8-yard score, signaling a sizable workload looming for the Patriots this season. Tyler Loop seized the Ravens’ kicking gig, hitting five field goals and cementing a reliable late-round target for fantasy kickers. Jihaad Campbell and Andrew Mukuba showed dynamic rookie facets for Philadelphia, combining pass rush and a 75-yard pick-six for a defense that’s been collecting assets. Stetson Bennett IV posted a 324-yard, three-TD night for the Rams, underscoring a compact, high-variance flavor to late-round quarterback play in deep leagues. Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers offered real depth for Miami’s QB room, while a notable viral moment for Bennett IV and a respective learning curve for other rookies kept the week honest.