Daniel Jones won the Colts’ Week 1 job over Anthony Richardson, a decision many inside the building viewed as close through camp. Jones, who signed a one-year, $14 million pact, has the edge after two preseason games and a higher PFF grade (73.2) than Richardson (56.6). Colts aim to leverage Jones’s steadiness early while leaving room for Richardson to flash later in the season. The Miami matchup remains a test, with Jones’ efficiency carrying floor but Richardson’s ceiling still tantalizing for fantasy managers.

Across the rest of the league, Tampa Bay faces a rough start as Jalen McMillan suffers a severe neck strain that could sideline him for a chunk of the season, forcing rookie Emeka Ebuka to step up alongside a veteran WR group. The Giants welcome back Andrew Thomas from the PUP, a crucial upgrade for pass protection, while Green Bay’s Dontayvion Wicks deals with a calf issue. Malik Nabers re-enters practice with the Giants, adding to a crowded receiving corps. The headline notes a blend of veteran stability and high-ceiling youth shaping early fantasy value.

Tampa Bay already faces a WR depth shakeup as Jalen McMillan undergoes continued testing for a back issue and a possible concussion after a preseason collision with Pittsburgh. Bowles indicated the evaluation is ongoing, and with Chris Godwin likely starting the season on the physically unable to perform list, fantasy rosters should monitor TB’s depth at receiver closely. McMillan’s camp buzz had him in the late-round/undrafted discussion, so any absence could meaningful impact in early-season lineups.

On the Dolphins side, De’Von Achane’s soft-tissue injury keeps him out for a stretch, though Mike McDaniel isn’t alarmed about Week 1 availability. The ever-shifting WR/ RB air in both leagues underscores the importance of late-round targets and the value of handcuffs or late sleepers who could surge if primary players miss time. This weekend’s notes also touch on ongoing team adjustments as rosters solidify for Week 1 fantasy projection.

Tampa Bay squeezed out a 17-14 win at Acrisure Stadium behind a sharp showing from Bridgewater and a splash of early offense from TB’s youngsters. Bridgewater completed 6 of 11 passes for 85 yards with two touchdowns and two big-time throws, posting a sparkling 93.2 PFF passing grade on first look. Bucky Irving caught a 15-yard TD on one of his two targets, Emeka Egbuka added a five-yard score, and Jalen McMillan secured an 18-yard grab before leaving with a concussion protocol evaluation. TB’s attack was capped by a late 42-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin after a Logan Woodside interception was returned by Antonio Grier, sealing the comeback. Pittsburgh’s defense bent at times but the Steelers’ backs piled up after contact, 90 of their 132 rushing yards coming after contact, while the line struggled in the run game. PFF’s grading and snap counts are coming, but the data already shout depth for TB at receiver and backfield, plus a potential QB2 spotlight in Bridgewater if this form sticks.

Late-round wide receivers hold the key to turning draft capital into fantasy playoff leverage in 2025. Luther Burden III is a Bears weapon with clear upside in Ben Johnson’s offense, offering a real shot to boom as the WR58 with a path to consistent targets behind DJ Moore. Patriots rookie Kyle Williams shows excellent release and after-the-catch ability, a dart throw as the WR3 behind Stefon Diggs-style volume concerns. Cedric Tillman carries high upside in Cleveland’s unsettled passing game, while Marquise Brown and Jalen McMillan present contingent upside for deeper rosters—Brown’s intermediate-to-deep role with Kansas City and McMillan’s shot in Tampa Bay behind Evans and Egbuka. The mix emphasizes upside, draft-day risk, and the need to hedge with multiple late sleepers who can surge when opportunity opens.

These targets aren’t just flyers; they’re calculated plays for league formats that reward breakout weeks and opportunistic rides. The piece highlights why each name matters now—Burden’s athletic profile, Williams’ route creation, Tillman’s separation, Brown’s speed and fit, and McMillan’s chance to carve a weekly floor in a crowded WR room. In the end, managing late-round risk with a handful of high-upside receivers can be the difference between a title run and a middling finish.

Fantasy managers should pair these names with potential Week 1 roles, schedule-driven upside, and dynamic changing narratives across training camp and the preseason. It’s about identifying players who can outproduce their draft cost when the offense tilts toward pass volume and when injuries or suspensions open lanes for breakout weeks.

Week 2 of Tampa Bay’s preseason features a Buccaneers–Steelers matchup with real roster and fantasy implications. Baker Mayfield is expected to see limited action, and his objective is simple: lock in rhythm, move the chains in a short window, and stay healthy while setting a tone for TB’s offense. If he gets a couple of series, Mayfield’s accuracy and timing on quick reads will be closely watched as a signal of whether he can anchor TB’s offense in meaningful early-season reps.

Christian Izien enters Week 2 with a real chance to lock down the nickel role, especially against a Steelers attack that targets the middle of the field. Jalen McMillan has a shot to stake WR3 claims behind Evans and Godwin Jr., while Emeka Egbuka’s rookie presence adds a potential swing weapon to TB’s receiving corps. Together, these developments illuminate TB’s looming depth-chart decisions and fantasy upside as the season approaches.

These dynamics matter for fantasy owners: Mayfield’s efficiency, Izien’s playmaking, McMillan’s hands, and Egbuka’s rookie ceiling all help map TB’s Week 1 upside and risk for DFS and season-long decisions. Even a controlled showcase in the preseason can reveal who’s ready to contribute in real-game situations and who might be on the bubble heading into the opener.