Jacory Croskey-Merritt is emerging as a Week 1 sleeper in Washington, with the rookie reportedly battling for a lead-back role after Brian Robinson Jr. was moved. Croskey-Merritt is pegged as a low-end RB2 in 12+ team leagues against the Giants, offering upside in a high-powered offense but with possible sharing in the backfield.

Ekeler looms as the primary pass-game option, likely tempering Croskey-Merritt’s ceiling but not eliminating it. Croskey-Merritt’s rushing workload and red-zone chances could still yield usable fantasy points if the Giants aren’t stout on early downs. Rodriguez Jr. has fallen behind in the depth chart, making Croskey-Merritt a clearer target in season-long formats as a Week 1 flex.

Dallas Cowboys shuffle ahead of Week 1 in Philadelphia, releasing Saahdiq Charles from the practice squad and waiving WR Ryan Flournoy, who cleared waivers and is headed back to the practice squad. Charles had joined Dallas on a one-year deal after a Washington stint that included 18 starts in 35 games. His brief Titans stop and retirement noted, Dallas still leaves the door open for a potential return.

Flournoy’s move signals depth-clearing with an eye on WR and interior-line flexibility as the opener approaches. The Week 1 opponent, Philadelphia, looms large as Dallas tests its young O-line and squad players. The ongoing shuffles highlight standard late-August roster churn rather than seismic moves.

Ehlinger chose to stay with Denver's practice squad over two 53-man roster offers, a move framed as a win for developing QB depth under Sean Payton. Payton’s Stories—like the Chase Daniel Washington tale—illustrate his aggressive, system-driven recruiting approach that aims to unlock roster opportunities for quarterbacks who know the scheme. The Broncos’ QB depth and Payton’s quarterback-development reputation shape how the team views practice-squad talent and future depth on game days.

Christian McCaffrey anchors a 49ers backfield that now includes Brian Robinson Jr. and Isaac Guerendo, with Jordan James in the mix as depth. The goal is to keep CMC fresh for 16-17 games by rotating him, especially early in the year when health signals are positive. With Deebo Samuel out, San Francisco may lean into Robinson’s power between the tackles and Guerendo’s speed, plus James’ versatility in planned packages.

Projected splits target McCaffrey around the mid-60s in snaps, Robinson roughly 25%, Guerendo about 10%, with James fighting for touches. Shanahan’s philosophy remains: avoid running CMC into the ground while maintaining explosiveness. If all stay healthy, all three backs should see meaningful snaps and not merely be emergency options.