All 32 NFL teams have now taken the field in the 2025 season. Week one of the preseason is in the books, and there’s plenty of news and action to react to. Unfortunately, we have to start with the injuries. The most significant one fell upon Tyjae Spears, who was carted off the field with a high ankle sprain. These are tough injuries to return from, and it could be another lost season for Spears. With Spears out last season, Tony Pollard saw massive touch numbers, playing approximately 90% of the snaps. It seemed like the Titans wanted to make this backfield more of a split this off-season, but this injury throws a wrench in those plans. There isn’t much talent behind Spears on the depth chart, so the Titans could turn to free agency to help fill this void. Meanwhile, Rachaad White suffered a groin injury and missed the rest of his game, but Todd Bowles says that he is day-to-day. If this does become an extended absence, Sean Tucker could get more looks. Alexander Mattison suffered a neck injury, and will miss the 2025 season. 

It was our first opportunity to see rookies on the field, and Travis Hunter made the most headlines. He played 11 of 12 snaps with the Jaguars’ first-team offense, and every snap in three-receiver sets. Then, he played all eight snaps on defense with the second-team defense. This could’ve been strategic, giving him a chance to take a drive off in his first NFL action, but the split is notable. Offense certainly seems to be the primary focus of Hunter’s game, but he’ll absolutely play both ways. 

There were plenty of other rookie fantasy football players who impressed this weekend. Tet McMillan was Bryce Young’s primary target on 13 snaps. Tre’Veyon Henderson ran a touchdown back on the opening kickoff. Tyler Warren played 20 snaps and had three targets, catching them all for 40 yards. RJ Harvey ran the ball seven times for 25 yards, playing well ahead of JK Dobbins. Shedeur Sanders was the only significant Browns quarterback who played, and he played really well. 

On the veteran side, we got the first look at how some position battles are starting to shake out. Travis Etienne played 100% of the snaps with the offense on the first drive. Meanwhile in Dallas, nobody has reportedly run away with the number one job at running back. Blake Corum appears to be well ahead of Jarquez Hunter as Kyren Williams’ backup. Marvin Mims ran with the number one unit, playing well ahead of Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant. 

Now that there’s actual game action, player valuations are changing by the moment. The DLF Expert Rankings are constantly being updated to reflect the latest news, rumors, and game performances from the NFL preseason. Even better, you can sync your leagues using DLF League Sync, and then all of your players, and the players available on the waiver wire, will be highlighted for easy comparison. The league sync service connects directly with Sleeper, RT Sports, FFPC, My Fantasy League, and more to quickly update the players on your team, along with the other teams in your league.

It seems like there was a shift in preseason strategy by NFL teams this season. Star players are being put into the action of preseason games to try to avoid slow starts and poor play. There is, of course injury risk in doing this, but these coaches are hoping that the benefits will outweigh the risks in September and October this season. The most high-profile team to do that this season was the Cincinnati Bengals. Zac Taylor had his star players, Ja’Marr Chase, Chase Brown, Tee Higgins and, of course, Joe Burrow play two full drives before he turned to the backups this past weekend. Burrow did well, throwing for two touchdowns on 9/10 passing and 123 yards. Let’s dive into Burrow’s value for dynasty fantasy football, and determine if he is flirting with the elite tier of dynasty quarterbacks. 

Burrow is going off the board as the fifth quarterback off the board at 50.5 overall. He’s only a few spots behind Jalen Hurts (48.5), but they’re both well behind the top three quarterbacks. Josh Allen goes first at 32.33 overall, with Lamar Jackson (32.83) and Jayden Daniels (34.5) next off the board in one quarterback formats. The DLF Expert rankings are higher on him overall, but he’s still the QB5 in their rankings. They have him going off the board at 42 overall. 

Burrow is coming off of his best fantasy season of his career. He was the QB3 thanks to a career-high in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43). After a season marred by injuries, Burrow was outstanding, leading one of the best offenses in the league. Now that Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are both locked up long-term in Cincinnati, Burrow’s future has never been brighter. At only 28 years old, I’d push him over Jalen Hurts in my personal dynasty rankings, and put him much closer to the top three than he is currently going.

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NAVIGATING YOUR DYNASTY ROOKIE DRAFT: MID 1ST

Editor’s note: Dynasty fantasy football leagues are now year-round leagues. Some leagues start their rookie drafts immediately after the NFL Draft in late April. Others occur throughout the summer, with a majority happening in the last few weeks before the season kicks off. If you are in a dynasty league getting ready to have its rookie draft soon, you should find our Navigating Your Dynasty Rookie Draft series helpful. We reversed the order of articles this year, counting down from the late fourth round to the early first round.

Dynasty rookie draft season is the time of year when those teams that missed the playoffs turn their attention to the incoming rookie class, and delusions of grandeur take over until the games kick off. Rebuilders are full of glee as they hoard their picks, while contenders are scheming how they can pry some of those picks away, and dynasty players everywhere are champing at the bit to draft their favorite prospect.

This 12-part series will use the latest Superflex Rookie ADP data available at Dynasty League Football. We will focus on the player or players likely to be available in that specific range we’re covering, and will also include options based on the 1QB rookie ADP, whenever actionable, for those who play in that format.

The middle of the first round is a nice spot to draft this year, as everything flattens out after about the 1.04.  That means there’s an opportunity to draft high potential players later into the first round, meaning you could add a vital piece to your contending roster.

Superflex 1.08

Emeka Egbuka, WR TB

I can’t stop writing about Egbuka this summer.  Before his arrival in Tampa Bay, he was seen as one of the cleanest prospects in college football.  Egbuka may have never been the number one receiver at Ohio State, but that’s not saying a huge amount considering the generational talent he played alongside.  He’s a technician, with incredibly smooth route running, safe hands, and the ability to line up all over the field.  It wasn’t a surprise to see him drafted as the third wide receiver off the board – although the landing spot was maybe unexpected.

Initially, there was concern about this landing spot.  Egbuka landing behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin was seen as disappointing for hopes for early playing time.  But that doesn’t consider three things.  First of all, the passing volume of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had one of the highest YAC totals in the NFL last year and produced more than enough volume to support three receivers in a potentially elite offense.  Secondly, Godwin’s health, with it currently seeming likely that he isn’t fit to start the season after breaking his ankle last season.  And finally, Egbuka’s talent.  And this is the crucial factor to me.  Camp hype for Egbuka has been out of control, with both coaches and players (even Baker Mayfield and Evans) ranting about how pro ready he is.  To me, the depth at receiver could be a factor in keeping Egbuka off the field, but I think it’s more likely that he’s seen as the Buccaneers WR1 come the end of the season.

Pivots

One of the easiest pivots at this stage would be to your choice of the rookie tight ends or Jaxson Dart.  The nice thing about drafting here is that you would’ve made the playoffs last year (if the 1.08 is your own pick), which would give you the flexibility to land a top tight end if your roster has enough depth to allow it.  If not, drafting a future starting QB in Dart is always a safe way to add some depth to your roster, but maybe has lower upside than some of the positional picks.

1QB Options

With Cam Ward likely still on the board, he could be an option at this pick if you feel needy at quarterback.  However, with the way I value QBs in 1QB leagues, I’d be happy to pass on him at this point.  I would love getting one of the elite tight ends in this spot, or dropping down a tier to Kaleb Johnson, who is getting incredible camp reviews of his own.