Pittsburgh’s preseason Week 2 tilt vs. Tampa Bay centers on a few standout performances and deeper depth-chart battles that fantasy managers will want to monitor closely. Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson will split carries as the RB fight for the Steelers’ lead spot unfolds, with Warren’s natural quickness tested against the more enigmatic Johnson. Brandin Echols has impressed as a versatile corner option, especially with Slay and Ramsey aging, potentially lifting Pittsburgh’s pass defense value. The receiving corps has a wild-card in Max Hurleman, who flashed as a multi-position contributor and could push for a roster spot if injuries persist. Skylar Thompson has drawn attention for his precision and poise, setting up a potential trade scenario if he continues to light up the preseason. On the interior, rookie Derrick Harmon is in line for extended run as Heyward’s contract situation looms, giving the run defense a clearer picture early in camp. All eyes will also be on Mason Rudolph and Will Howard to see if any signal-caller emerges behind the veterans, while Darnell Washington’s red-zone threat adds a dynamic target for the offense.

Calvin Austin III’s injury absence keeps a few pass-catching reps up for grabs, amplifying the stakes for undrafted players like Hurleman who could surprise if opportunity aligns with need. The defense’s push to stabilize the line behind Harmon and Black could shift the defensive upside in fantasy, especially if the rotation locks in a few extra snaps. In short, Week 2 offers a practical test bed for Steelers rookies and fringe contributors, with Warren’s split workload, Echols’ growing role, and quarterback intrigue likely to influence late-season roster decisions and dynasty picks.

Fields' Jets preseason opener against Green Bay showcased a patient, process-driven drive that stood out for fantasy angles. Fields looked through a heavy, zone-based look and stayed alive in the pocket, resisting the urge to force throws into traffic. A well-timed Jets design—anchored by motion and Engstrand’s call sheet—tipped off Packers’ coverage and opened a clean window for a completion. Garrett Wilson’s motion didn’t require a man-to-man swap to create separation, while Tyler Johnson found a soft spot in the zone, underscoring the Jets’ potential scheme juice.

Overall, the sequence painted a hopeful blueprint: Fields processing defenses, Wilson providing consistent middle-field leverage, and Johnson offering a reliable outlet in the zone. The Packers’ disguises exposed rooms for improvement on defense, but the Jets’ quick-shift concepts and patience in the pocket point to a more versatile offense basement this season. If this pace continues, Wilson’s target floor and Fields’ efficiency could trend positively, with Johnson emerging as a rover in a multi-receiver attack.

Fantasy takeaway: this playbook—the motion, the zone-read patience, and the clear progression reads—suggests the Jets could sustain a higher-percentage pass game with room for big-cut games from Wilson, and Fields may develop into a cleaner, more accurate passer as the preseason unfolds.