Two-game NFL preseason Week 3 slate on Friday, August 21, 2025 features Giants vs Patriots and Steelers vs Panthers, with a sharp focus on value sleepers and ceiling plays for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel. Jaxson Dart’s eye-popping Giants performances loom large, prompting consideration of a Dart-stack with Giants pass-catchers in tournaments. Skylar Thompson is slated for heavy action for Pittsburgh as the Panthers rest starters, boosting the upside of Steelers pass-game and backfield plays on a short slate. Dante Miller and Lew Nichols headline late-round RB options for NYG and PIT, while Brycen Tremayne and Beaux Collins push for final roster spots for CAR and NYG, offering cheap-flash potential. Javon Baker, Javonne Baker? (traveling with NE) and Beaux Collins are intriguing tournament darts, while Darnell Washington provides red-zone upside for Pittsburgh in this tiny window. The guide emphasizes volume and roster leverage on a two-game slate, with price-conscious darts and stacking opportunities across both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Expect Dart to be the centerpiece of Giants lineups, especially when paired with NYG’s pass-catchers on a tight slate. Thompson’s workload for Pittsburgh could yield four quarters of action, making him a pivot away from the typical starter risk. Miller’s Turbo profile and Nichols’ big-play ability give rosters an edge in late-game opportunities, particularly if New York wins time-of-possession or Pittsburgh leans into high-leverage plays. Carolina’s Tremayne and Collins bring roster-churn appeal, while Baker’s travel to the game keeps a live upside needle in play. Darnell Washington’s red-zone ceiling remains a key narrative in a tight Steelers- Panthers environment. Overall, the strategy is to bank on volume, leverage cheap stacks, and target high-upside players in the two-game Friday slate.

Aaron Rodgers has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers and quickly embraced a leadership role atop a still-young offense. After watching Skylar Thompson take a hard hit, Rodgers challenged the line to protect quarterbacks and playmakers, framing the o-line as the team’s policing unit and its big-brother voice on the field. The vow wasn’t punitive; it was a call for collective accountability that has sparked a wave of self-policing from the rookies to the vets. The dynamic shift is not about one man carrying a unit, but about a group learning to lead themselves while Rodgers guides with experience and example.

Rodgers, a 21-year NFL veteran, says leadership will come from the next wave of Steelers on offense. He pointed to Jaylen Warren, Connor Heyward, Dion—er, Broderick—Jones, and others like Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Cam Heyward as the players most likely to unlock a true train this season. If those youngsters tap into their power, the Steelers could transform from a promising, learning-on-the-fly unit into a special offense capable of finishing Rodgers’ Hall of Fame arc on a high note.

Rosters finalize in the NFL and fantasy rosters hinge on one final week of cuts. The biggest question centers around the Chargers behind Justin Herbert, where Trey Lance’s preseason play could nudge Taylor Heinicke out of a two-quarterback room. Cole Strange’s fit in New England remains unsettled as injuries and depth chart shifts complicate a former top pick’s path. Tommy DeVito faces a numbers crunch with Daniel Jones and Jaxson Dart in the mix elsewhere, while Taysom Hill’s ACL rehab keeps the Saints from a 53-man decision until late August. Across the league, veterans like Kendrick Bourne and Ja’Lynn Polk manage rosters in rebuilds, Hunter Renfrow tries to rehabilitate value with Carolina, and Adoree’ Jackson, C.J. Henderson, and Adoree’ Jackson clash for roles in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and beyond. Daniel Bellinger and Darnell Washington enter tight end contests with the Giants and Steelers, and Van Jefferson fights for a spot with Tennessee, all shaping the fantasy landscape for early-season targets, role clarity, and workload volatility.

Rosters will expose the most meaningful shifts: Lance’s edge in Los Angeles could unlock mobile yields and rushing TD upside; Bourne and Polk offer veteran steadiness and developmental upside in their rooms; Renfrow’s path to a resurgence depends on special teams and depth chart chemistry; Bellinger and Washington could siphon early targets in Giants and Steelers offenses, while Jefferson’s fate with the Titans hinges on depth at receiver and special teams value. These moves will redefine who to trust in lineups and who to stash on fantasy benches as September approaches.

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.