The Eagles’ backfield behind Barkley is shaping up as a four-way battle with fantasy implications. Will Shipley looks like the clear No. 2 after Gainswell’s departure, flashing upside in limited opportunities and earning more touches in the playoffs and preseason. A.J. Dillon joined on a one-year deal, bringing downhill power and receiving work in camp, which could push him into a meaningful role if Barkley misses time. Keilan Robinson and ShunDerrick Powell, plus Montell Johnson Jr., are intriguing depth pieces who could surprise if injuries press Philadelphia deeper into the slate. Shipley’s current advantage as Barkley’s direct handcuff makes him a strong late-round target, while Dillon provides a flier with upside should Barkley be sidelined.

In dynasty and best-ball formats, Shipley and Dillon sit as appealing late-round bets, with Shipley offering broader-week-to-week ceiling in Philly’s run-heavy scheme and Dillon serving as a potential short-yardage and pass-protection asset. The depth chart is worth monitoring through the rest of the preseason, but Shipley is the safer stash with tangible immediate upside if Barkley flinches. Dillon, meanwhile, remains a speculative add with tier-two upside if Barkley goes down or workload management becomes a theme again.

Nick Chubb leads Houston's backfield in the absence of Joe Mixon, projecting heavy early-down work and plenty of touches as the regular season unfolds. Antonio Gibson starts for the New England Patriots, with TreVeyon Henderson rotating in, signaling a committee approach that could still yield solid fantasy floor if Gibson maintains the starter role.

The Cleveland Browns' WR room remains unsettled, with Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash and Diontae Johnson in the mix. Thrash has been playing in the slot in three-receiver looks, Tillman has been aligned at X, and Johnson remains a top depth option, implying frequent rotation into the regular-season lineup. Will Shipley sits atop A.J. Dillon in Philadelphia’s preseason usage, hinting at a larger role if Saquon Barkley misses time, while the broader notes emphasize the importance of snap counts and role clarity for fantasy planning in 2025.

Tank Bigsby, Braelon Allen, and Will Shipley surface as strong late-draft bets for 2025 fantasy football. Bigsby sits in a Jaguars backfield with red-zone prominence and solid per-carry metrics, but limited receiving work caps his PPR upside while keeping him as a sturdy standard-league option if goal-line opportunities stay with him. Allen lands in a Jets system hungry for depth, where his floor depends on Breece Hall’s health and the offense’s ability to convert opportunities; a strong goalline profile adds appeal as a final-round flier. Shipley appears as Philadelphia’s potential high-value handcuff, with real upside should injury strike Barkley or Gainwell, giving fantasy managers a versatile dart-throw with bench-swing potential. All three hinge on opportunity, red-zone usage, and pass-game involvement as the season approaches.

Philadelphia navigates Week 2 of the preseason with top-shelf talent and quality depth across most units, even after Landon Dickerson's knee procedure leaves the interior a touch thinner for a few weeks. The Eagles project to lean on a stout offensive line room, with capable backups prepared to slot in, while the quarterback room remains a strength with Hurts, McKee and an unsettled battle for the third spot behind them.

At running back, the drop-off from Barkley in theory is mitigated by a rotating group led by Hurts and a still-developing committee. Wideouts behind Brown and Smith are a work in progress, but the coaching staff has options ready, including large targets and versatile slot players. Defensively, depth at edge isn’t as abundant as the interior, but veteran depth and young pass-rushers add insurance. Linebackers and the safety corps look solid, with youth and experience blending well as preseason play continues.

Overall, the Birds carry a roster that emphasizes health and depth, with internal competitions sharpening the ladder at guard, quarterback and edge. If the injury bug bites, Philadelphia’s front office has prepared multi-positional backups who can step in with minimal disruption.

NFL preseason Week 1 yielded a clutch of depth-chart hints and role questions that matter for fantasy, especially in dynasty, DFS, and deeper redraft formats. Anthony Richardson exited early with a finger injury, complicating Week 1 plans but not eliminating upside if he’s ready to roll. Tyler Warren flashed as a rookie pass-catcher in Indianapolis, hinting at a potential week-1 target share behind Pittman. Chicago’s backfield looked like a committee, with Khalil Herbert pushed down the pecking order behind Goodson and Giddens. Will Shipley earned the starter’s rep for Philadelphia, signaling a possible No. 2 role behind Sanders in multiple-game pipelines. Bryce Young delivered two solid drives for Carolina, offering a glimpse at Thielen and Legette as WR3/slot options if Young thrives. Tory Horton’s breakout pace in Seattle gave the Seahawks a potential spike-week candidate, while the Patriots showcased Drake Maye and Henderson in a multi-backfield look that may echo into September. The overarching theme: treat August as a reservoir of tactical clues rather than certainties, extracting late-round or DFS leverage from how coaches are deploying rookies and depth-chart contenders.