DK Metcalf’s reunion with his former team didn’t spark the fireworks fantasy managers anticipated. He finished 3 catches for 20 yards and a TD, with a 9-yard longest grab, as Seattle beat Pittsburgh 31-17.

Seattle’s defense stifled the Steelers’ passing game despite two cornerback absences, with Derick Hall and Byron Murphy II pressuring and Devin Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori out. Jaylen Warren provided the big play for Pittsburgh with a 65-yard catch-and-run, while Pat Freiermuth added 31 yards. Seattle’s front-seven sealed the win and shifts early-season fantasy narratives.

Seattle's 53-man cuts included two surprise interior defensive linemen exits, Brandon Pili and Quinton Bohanna, thinning a position that was already thin behind stars Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II. Johnathan Hankins’ absence due to a back injury compounds the risk, leaving Seattle top-heavy and potentially vulnerable to early-season injuries. The Athletic insider’s take underscores the gamble: practice-squad depth may matter more than flash in preseason as Seattle eyes injuries and waiver moves.

Fantasy managers should watch how the Seahawks navigate this depth chart: Williams, Reed and Murphy II anchor the line, while Hankins’ status and the likelihood of Pili or Bohanna sticking on the practice squad will shape week-to-week streaming or relief options. The moves hint at a team prioritizing top-end talent and cap flexibility over immediate depth, with potential waiver claims or returns murkier than expected.

Isaiah Rodgers hit the ground running with the Minnesota Vikings, signing a two-year deal and lining up to start opposite Byron Murphy Jr. in Brian Flores’ defense. Rodgers, a Super Bowl winner with Philadelphia, says he’s drawn to Flores’ leadership and the Vikings’ title-minded mindset. Minnesota’s new front four, headlined by Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, should ease pressure on the secondary and bolster the defense’s overall ceiling. Rodgers also lauds the Vikings’ young QB prospect, J.J. McCarthy, and sees a championship-ready culture taking shape in Eagen as the team pushes to contend in 2025.

The piece touches on the wider receiver picture, notably Justin Jefferson, and outlines a future where the offense and defense are aligned to compete for a title this season. Rodgers’ optimism about the defensive line’s impact, plus Flores’ player-led approach, frames a Minnesota squad aiming to convert recent head-turning talent into sustained success. It’s a blend of veteran leadership, strategic upgrades on the line, and a coaching philosophy designed to maximize the talent already in place.

Stefon Diggs returned to the field with impact in a joint Patriots practice, threading a perfect route to separate Byron Murphy and capping it with a Maye dime along the sideline. The highlight hinted at Diggs’ full recovery from ACL surgery and signaled a potential early-season spark for New England’s offense. Diggs’ presence immediately elevates the floor for the passing game, giving Drake Maye a trusted, elite-downfield option as the rookie QB develops comfort under center.

Diggs’ blend of route discipline and earned separation against Murphy suggests a high ceiling if he stays healthy, potentially lifting the Patriots’ fantasy outlook. For fantasy managers, the key is monitoring Diggs’s snap counts and health battles, plus how quickly Maye and the passing game chemistry solidifies. The practice scene—featuring the Vikings’ top corner—frames a clear path for Diggs to be a reliable target and could foreshadow a playmaking lift for the entire offense once real games start.