Week 2 of the NFL preseason is in the books, and with one more tune-up game left before the regular season kicks off in Philadelphia, we’re finally seeing depth charts, player usage, and breakout candidates come into focus. Fantasy drafts are heating up, and this week gave us plenty of new information that should impact your board. Let’s break down the biggest takeaways you need to know.
Nick Chubb is the RB1 in Houston
With Joe Mixon sidelined by a foot injury that may be more serious than initially reported, Nick Chubb is seizing his opportunity in Houston. He played 79% of snaps and saw a surprising 67% route participation, something he rarely did in Cleveland. His competition, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and Woody Marks, doesn’t pose a major threat to his workload. If Mixon misses extended time, Chubb has legitimate RB2 upside and is a steal at his current ADP in the double-digit rounds.
Ollie Gordon Rising in Miami’s Backfield
The Dolphins’ running back situation is chaos right now. Alexander Mattison is already out for the season, De’Von Achane’s injury is “days to weeks,” and Jaylen Wright has been ineffective with just 9 carries for 16 yards. Enter rookie Ollie Gordon, who has racked up 131 total yards this preseason and looks ready to carve out a role. With Achane’s health still in question, Gordon is a late-round dart throw with massive upside in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Ricky Pearsall = Draft-Day Steal
San Francisco’s WR corps is banged up, with Brandon Aiyuk set to miss a month and Jauan Jennings nursing a calf injury. That opened the door for Ricky Pearsall, who turned in a strong showing with 3 catches for 42 yards on a single drive. With no Deebo Samuel in San Francisco anymore, Pearsall projects as a heavy part of the passing game alongside George Kittle. The 49ers offense is poised for a bounce-back season and has been a fantasy gold mine over the past few years. At his current ADP, Pearsall looks like one of the best values in drafts.
Elic Ayomanor Making Noise in Tennessee
Rookie WR Elic Ayomanor showcased his athleticism with a 35-yard grab from Cam Ward on the opening drive. At 6’2” with 4.4 speed and an elite vertical, Ayomanor brings a different skill set than veterans Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, and Van Jefferson. With 125 catches, 1,844 yards, and 12 TDs in college, Ayomanor has dynasty appeal and could see his role grow as the season progresses.
Jets Backfield = Full Committee
Fantasy managers hoping for a bell cow in New York are going to be disappointed. The Jets split snaps between Breece Hall (61%) and rookie Braelon Allen (44%), with Isaiah Davis not playing. This confirms the coaching staff’s plan for a true committee, and with Justin Fields at QB, touches could be inconsistent. Breece Hall has been dangled in trades as well and further clouds his 2025 outlook. At his third-round price, Breece Hall is a fade, while Allen is a sneaky value at the end of drafts.
Bears’ Offense Looked Sharp
Caleb Williams led a crisp 97-yard TD drive that showcased just how sharp Chicago’s offense could be this year. Improved offensive line play and a quick-hitting passing game should elevate the unit. Williams himself was getting the ball out on time and not playing off-schedule, which is a positive sign in his development.
The Bears have plenty of value at their current ADPs, including Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Colston Loveland, Roschon Johnson, and Kyle Monangai. Bears skill players offer underrated upside in what looks like one of the more improved offenses in 2025.
Committee Watch: Panthers & Jaguars
- Carolina: Chuba Hubbard handled early downs while Rico Dowdle took most of the third-down snaps. This backfield is shaping up to be a 60/40 split in 2025. Rico Dowdle is undervalued at his current ADP, while Chuba Hubbard is overpriced. Hubbard was 13th in PPG behind the 4th-highest opportunity share and will likely regress with a slightly reduced workload.
- Jacksonville: The 1st week of the preseason had Travis Etienne play 100% of snaps with the 1st team, but the team went with a different rotation this week. The Jaguars reverted to their expected split with Tank Bigsby on early downs and Etienne on passing downs. Both backs carry value, but Etienne looks like a solid option in PPR formats in a revamped offense.
Rookie Standouts Continue to Shine
- Emeka Egbuka: Made a highlight one-handed TD grab and will open the year as Tampa Bay’s WR2 after Jalen McMillan’s injury. Egbuka is Ohio State’s all-time leading receiver and has been praised so far in camp. He’s quickly becoming a favorite mid-round WR target.
- TreVeyon Henderson: Found the end zone again and is handling clear third-down duties in New England. Henderson is a baby Jahmyr Gibbs with his playmaking ability and does not need a massive workload to produce in fantasy. If Rhamondre Stevenson misses time, Henderson could immediately step into RB1 territory.
Chiefs All-In on Pacheco
Kansas City’s backfield is no longer a mystery. Isiah Pacheco played every snap with the starters, then called it a night. Andy Reid even referred to Pacheco as “the heart of the offense.” The Chiefs have a crowded backfield, but Pacheco appears to still be the favorite back of Reid. Currently going in the 6th round, Pacheco has high-end RB2 upside and will face some of the lightest boxes in the league this year. Buy into Pacheco as much as you can in the 6th round.
Tyrone Tracy is the Giants’ Lead-Back
Tyrone Tracy took advantage of Cam Skattebo’s injury, playing 12 of 15 first-team snaps and racking up 39 yards. Devin Singletary has proven to be a cut candidate with his reduced role with the 1st team, while Tracy has been the “bell cow” of the 1st team so far. If Skattebo can’t get healthy, Tracy will be the Giants’ early-season lead back. At his current value, he is a player I am targeting if I go WR-heavy to start my drafts.
Jacory Corskey-Merritt Hype Train
Corskey-Merritt has been one of the camp’s most consistent risers. With Brian Robinson Jr. rumored to be on the trade block, JCM could suddenly find himself with a path to early-down carries. Washington already views him as a potential complement to Austin Ekeler, but if Robinson is moved, his role could expand into a fantasy-relevant workload right away. Given his late-round ADP, he’s shaping up as the kind of player who could turn into a league-winner if circumstances break his way.
Players that Rested with the Starters
Resting in preseason is always a strong indicator of a player’s role being secure, and these names stood out:
- Javonte Williams (RB, Cowboys) – Locked in as Denver’s lead back.
- JK Dobbins (RB, Broncos) – Clear starter with upside in a new offense alongside RJ Harvey
- Ty Johnson (RB, Bills) – Third-down back in Buffalo
- Dylan Sampson (RB, Browns) – Strong chance of starting in week 1
- Jerome Ford (RB, Browns) – Strong chance of playing alongside Sampson in week 1 if healthy
- Jaylen Warren (RB, Steelers) – Steelers lead back
- Marvin Mims (WR, Broncos) – Secure in a starting WR role, especially after offseason improvements.
- Will Shipley (RB, Eagles) – Saquon’s handcuff
