The Panthers will roll with Jack Plummer and Bryce Perkins in Week 3 against the Steelers as Bryce Young sits out, while Pittsburgh plans to flood the field with a number of starters. The betting backdrop favors Pittsburgh at -4.5 with a 35.5 total, and Carolina has yet to find the end zone consistently this preseason. Rodgers not suiting up for Pittsburgh and Carolina’s stagnant offense are the themes, shaping a low-scoring, defensively charged game. The forecast leans toward a Steelers victory around 17-9 and suggests little margin for error on the spread given the QB shuffles and roster depth battles.

From a fantasy angle, this game offers late-round streamer intrigue and sleeper potential in the Panthers’ and Steelers’ rosters. With Young sidelined, Plummer and Perkins will push for depth-chart positions, while Pittsburgh’s defensive unit can capitalize on limited offensive looks. Bettors should consider the under and watch for rust-free aggressiveness from players jockeying for 53-man spots, rather than relying on a shootout pace in this Week 3 showcase.

Thursday kicks off a two-game preseason DFS slate featuring Steelers vs Panthers and Patriots vs Giants. With starters largely rested, fantasy value centers on rookies and fringe roster players who should see extended action. The format rewards raw scoring over price balance, so targets with clear workloads and kickoff/return opportunities have real upside. Steady work from the Steelers defense and opportunistic scoring from the Patriots and Giants backups could push several mid-range plays into solid fantasy nights.

Top QB targets lean into the young guns stepping into extended looks. Jaxson Dart and Joshua Dobbs highlight the slate, with Dart drawing the Giants and Dobbs facing the Patriots. At running back, Trevor Etienne and Dante Miller carry a similar upside due to depth chart ambiguity and likely workload, while at receiver John Jiles, Roman Wilson, and Jimmy Horn Jr. offer cheap, high-upside options amid injuries on the Patriots and Giants rosters. Greg Dulcich remains a potential value at tight end, and Pittsburgh’s DST matchup contrasts nicely with Carolina’s mild scoring pace, making the Steelers a sneaky upside play for a daily fantasy lineup.

The Browns gave Kenny Pickett a legitimate shot to win the starting job in training camp, but a hamstring injury in late July sidelined him and halted his push. Cleveland had traded for Pickett in March, signaling high hopes for him alongside Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and the organization clearly wanted a long look before decisions around the 53-man roster. With Joe Flacco named Week 1 starter, Pickett’s path to the job is effectively paused for now, raising questions about his roster status and the club’s long-term QB plan.

From a fantasy angle, the situation is a cautionary tale: Flacco brings steady veteran leadership for the opener, which dampens any immediate upside for Browns receivers and tight ends. Pickett’s value now hinges on health and whether he can rebound quickly enough to remain on the roster or force a later opportunity. DTR remains a dark horse contingency, and Cleveland’s quarterback dynamic could influence how the offense distributes targets, run plays, and play-action looks as the season unfolds.

As 53-man decisions loom, the Browns will weigh Pickett’s physical progress against the cost of keeping a developing prospect on the roster. A potential cut could free up a spot for a veteran linebacker or depth at receiver, while a longer-term plan might preserve Pickett as a keepable project with a possible future role if Flacco stalls or a starter injury occurs. Fantasy managers should monitor health updates, practice reps, and any whispers about further QB movement before the roster deadline.

The broader fantasy takeaway is that QB volatility at Cleveland can ripple through the passing game and backfield usage. If Flacco holds the job, look for conservative play-calling and safer floor options, while any spark from Pickett or DTR would hinge on opportunity and health. For now, teams to watch include the Browns offense and its surrounding playmakers as the QB drama develops into the next roster phase.

The Steelers 17 jersey history is a lens on young rosters and big play potential. Skylar Thompson is the current No 17, arriving after stints with Miami and a standout preseason showing against the Jaguars that could push him onto the 53-man roster. The path to relevance for Thompson hangs on opportunity created by Will Howard injury and a continued emergence in camp. Previous No 17s for the Steelers include Jamal Agnew and Ayo Oyelola, who flashed during 2024 camp, and Trenton Thompson in 2023 while Anthony Miller wore the number in 2021. The franchise nod goes to Mike Wallace as the best 17 in Steelers lore, a signal that the number can carry serious fantasy upside when landing targets are right. The Jets game looming at MetLife adds a real test, and the No 17 legacy hints at a role that could be leveraged in deeper formats.