2026 Preseason Week 3
All the Single(ton) Ladies
Dear Prurient Members of the Dana Burger Dynasty League,
We did it! With the end of preseason games, the next football we will watch will be the opening game of the season. WELCOME TO THE 2026 SEASON. On Labor Day weekend, I will be locking all rosters for teams that have not sent me their dues. Those managers are the following:
- Andrew "or Eddie" McCarthy
- Erik "Robert and Leslie" Johnson
- Bertram "Bread on a Stick" Souza
- Tyler "Dr. Kevorkian" Scullen
- Douglas "Sand" Piper
- Aaron "I am not O-" Kaye
- Josh "Pros and" Connell
I may even have to send an email, but that would be crazy because you all ready these updates that come through our amazing website, right? RIGHT?!?!? I DIDN'T DO ALL OF THIS FOR NOTHING, RIGHT?!?!?!
At any rate, we do have some news and content for this week as roster cuts were made, and some information could be gleaned through playtime in the last preseason game. Remember, the season starts a week from Wednesday when the Seahawks and the Pats play for opening night! So make sure your Seahawks and Patriots players are all set -- looking at you George Holani.
Let's get into it!
🏈 NFL PRESEASON WEEK 3 + ROSTER CUTDOWN
Final preseason usage, the initial 53-man rosters, and fantasy-relevant practice-squad movement
Week 3 is less about who accumulated 87 yards against fourth-string defenders and more about who didn't have to play at all. With initial 53-man rosters now set, we can finally connect preseason usage to actual roster decisions. Players being protected alongside starters, young players surviving crowded position battles, veterans unexpectedly getting cut, and handcuff jobs becoming official all matter far more now than the final preseason box scores.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona protected essentially every fantasy-relevant player in the finale, including Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. The biggest news remains Love's injury and the backfield reshuffling behind him. Former second-round RB Trey Benson was released and reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers, effectively removing him from the dynasty picture for now. Love remains the long-term prize here, while Allgeier has meaningful early-season insurance value if Love isn't ready.
📈 Stock Up: Tyler Allgeier — fewer bodies in the backfield and Love's health remains uncertain.
📉 Stock Down: Trey Benson — released and now on IR; Jeremiyah Love only because of the injury.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta actually showed its starters again, and the biggest fantasy development was a concerning one for Kyle Pitts. Pitts played just 9 of 14 starter snaps, including all seven plays from 11 personnel but only 2 of 7 snaps from 12 personnel. Charlie Woerner and Austin Hooper took the other multi-TE work. That doesn't eliminate Pitts' TE1 potential, but it weakens the idea that last year's near-every-down role is guaranteed to continue. Drake London, by contrast, played one drive and was immediately shut down like a true cornerstone starter.
📈 Stock Up: Drake London — unquestioned featured-WR treatment.
📉 Stock Down: Kyle Pitts — still highly relevant, but his snap ceiling suddenly deserves scrutiny.
Baltimore Ravens
Ja'Kobi Lane completed one of the cleaner preseason depth-chart victories. Baltimore rested him with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman while Devontez Walker and the deeper receivers played, confirming Lane as the likely WR3 in 11 personnel. He also made the 53 alongside Walker, Elijah Sarratt and LaJohntay Wester. Rookie RB Adam Randall landed on IR, reducing some of the developmental competition behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill.
📈 Stock Up: Ja'Kobi Lane — preseason breakout officially translated into depth-chart standing.
📉 Stock Down: Devontez Walker — made the roster, but Lane clearly won the more valuable role.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo rested virtually its entire fantasy depth chart, but fourth-round rookie Skyler Bell finally debuted after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Bell played nearly every early snap, including work from both the slot and Z in two-WR packages. More importantly, he made the 53-man roster, while veteran Mecole Hardman was released. Bell is still buried behind DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer and Keon Coleman, but his long-term trajectory improved considerably.
📈 Stock Up: Skyler Bell — survived cutdown and showed more formation versatility than expected.
📉 Stock Down: Mecole Hardman — released.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina resting Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks together was another encouraging data point for Brooks after his first-team work earlier in the preseason. Both made the roster alongside AJ Dillon, while Trevor Etienne landed on injured reserve. At receiver, John Metchie III survived a crowded bubble competition; David Moore and Ja'Seem Reed did not. Brooks exits August looking much more like a meaningful backfield component than a developmental stash.
📈 Stock Up: Jonathon Brooks — Week 3 starter treatment validates his earlier usage; John Metchie III — won his roster battle.
📉 Stock Down: Chuba Hubbard slightly — Brooks is clearly back in the picture.
Chicago Bears
Chicago sat Caleb Williams, D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, leaving us with little new information on the core offense. The interesting roster decision came at RB3: despite entering cut week on the bubble, Roschon Johnson made the 53, while Salvon Ahmed was released. Jahdae Walker also appeared to secure the fifth receiver spot after receiving only first-quarter work in the finale.
📈 Stock Up: Roschon Johnson — survived a legitimate roster battle; Jahdae Walker — depth-chart standing improved.
📉 Stock Down: Salvon Ahmed — released.
Cincinnati Bengals
Colbie Young and Dohnte Meyers officially turned strong preseasons into roster spots. In the finale, Young was done after the first quarter while Meyers caught 3 passes for 51 yards before exiting at halftime; Mitchell Tinsley continued deeper into the game. Cincinnati then kept Young and Meyers while cutting Tinsley and returner Charlie Jones. Young now looks like the most intriguing developmental receiver behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas.
📈 Stock Up: Colbie Young — clear dynasty riser; Dohnte Meyers — legitimately played his way onto the roster.
📉 Stock Down: Mitchell Tinsley and Charlie Jones — both waived.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland gave us perhaps the strongest possible validation of its young skill players by sitting Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and Harold Fannin Jr. with established starters. That makes their encouraging earlier preseason usage substantially more trustworthy. The Browns also released Cedric Tillman, clearing another path to targets for Concepcion and Boston.
📈 Stock Up: KC Concepcion — one of the preseason's biggest overall winners; Denzel Boston; Quinshon Judkins; Harold Fannin Jr.
📉 Stock Down: Cedric Tillman — released.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas managed to deliver the cutdown weekend's biggest dynasty curveball. Jaydon Blue sat the finale alongside Javonte Williams and Malik Davis, which initially looked like roster-security confirmation. Two days later, Dallas waived Blue, along with Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda. Malik Davis is now clearly positioned as the RB2, while preseason standout WR Camden Brown made the team.
📈 Stock Up: Malik Davis — wins the backup job by elimination; Camden Brown — converted his preseason into a roster spot.
📉 Stock Down: Jaydon Blue — one of the most dramatic preseason-to-cutdown collapses in dynasty value.
Denver Broncos
Denver protected J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman together in the finale, a significant vote of confidence in Coleman. All three made the roster along with Tyler Badie, while Jaleel McLaughlin did not make the initial 53. Pat Bryant was also rested with Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle, another strong sign that Denver considers him an important part of its primary receiver rotation.
📈 Stock Up: Jonah Coleman — officially survives as meaningful backfield depth; Pat Bryant — starter-like treatment.
📉 Stock Down: Jaleel McLaughlin — squeezed out of the backfield.
Detroit Lions
Isaac TeSlaa was protected alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, confirming his place near the top of Detroit's thin receiving depth chart. RB Jacob Saylors then made one last push with 17 carries for 100 yards and survived the cut as one of five Lions running backs. Detroit kept only a small WR group, making TeSlaa an especially interesting contingent-value stash if injuries strike the starters.
📈 Stock Up: Isaac TeSlaa — roster construction increases his value; Jacob Saylors — 100-yard finale earns him a place on the 53.
📉 Stock Down: Detroit's deeper WR competition — very few spots survived.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay rested its entire relevant offense, including Matthew Golden, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks. The real dynasty development came afterward: Green Bay acquired Kaleb Johnson, who had fallen completely out of favor in Pittsburgh. Lloyd remains an appealing Josh Jacobs contingency asset, but suddenly has another young back competing behind him.
📈 Stock Up: Kaleb Johnson — goes from Pittsburgh roster casualty to a fresh opportunity in Green Bay.
📉 Stock Down: MarShawn Lloyd slightly — another talented young RB just entered the room.
Houston Texans
Houston sat virtually every significant offensive player, including Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Tank Dell and newly acquired Kayshon Boutte. Cutdown provided the real clarity: veterans Sterling Shepard, Zay Jones and Justin Watson were among those moved out, while Boutte's arrival gives Houston another developmental receiver worth watching. Tank Dell begins the year on injured reserve, further increasing the importance of the young WR depth chart.
📈 Stock Up: Kayshon Boutte — leaves a crowded New England room for clearer Houston opportunity; Xavier Hutchinson/Jaylin Noel by attrition.
📉 Stock Down: Houston's released veteran WRs; Tank Dell's immediate availability.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts gave us two useful answers. Keenan Allen made his preseason debut, playing 4 of 6 snaps on the opening drive and catching a 24-yarder while lining up predominantly outside rather than in his traditional slot role. Seth McGowan then played every starting RB snap ahead of DJ Giddens. Indianapolis subsequently kept Jonathan Taylor, McGowan and Giddens as its three RBs, confirming McGowan as the current handcuff to own.
📈 Stock Up: Seth McGowan — officially exits preseason as Taylor's likely RB2; Keenan Allen — role appears broader than slot-only.
📉 Stock Down: DJ Giddens — made the roster, but McGowan is currently ahead.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville rested Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., LeQuint Allen Jr. and Ameer Abdullah together, correctly forecasting a four-RB roster. Abdullah's survival was particularly notable after his strong preseason. Meanwhile, Week 1 sensation J'Mari Taylor was waived despite his 78-yard opener; Jacksonville has identified him as a strong practice-squad candidate if he clears waivers, but that was not yet confirmed at the time of writing.
📈 Stock Up: Ameer Abdullah — roster spot and potential early passing-down role; Bhayshul Tuten/Chris Rodriguez remain the primary pairing.
📉 Stock Down: J'Mari Taylor — preseason production did not translate into a 53-man spot.
Kansas City Chiefs
Emmett Johnson won the final preseason round of Kansas City's RB battle, handling every snap on the opening drive and most of the third. The Chiefs then kept Kenneth Walker, Johnson and Brashard Smith, while cutting Emari Demercado. At receiver, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy finally debuted; Worthy surprisingly received more slot work than Rice in the small sample. Jalen Royals and Cyrus Allen both survived the 53-man cut, while preseason receptions leader Andrew Armstrong did not.
📈 Stock Up: Emmett Johnson — clear favorite for the primary Walker handcuff; Jalen Royals and Cyrus Allen — both made the roster.
📉 Stock Down: Emari Demercado — cut; Rashee Rice slightly if the reduction in slot work becomes a real regular-season trend.
Las Vegas Raiders
With Ashton Jeanty sidelined by an ankle injury, Mike Washington Jr. played 16 of the Raiders' first 20 offensive snaps and rushed 8 times for 49 yards. That's real handcuff usage, not merely preseason speculation. Washington made the 53 with Jeanty and Dylan Laube. Las Vegas also kept Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech atop a six-man receiver room.
📈 Stock Up: Mike Washington Jr. — potentially startable if Jeanty misses Week 1; Tre Tucker/Jalen Nailor — starting roles survived camp.
📉 Stock Down: Ashton Jeanty's immediate health outlook.
Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3 strongly confirmed Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' primary TE, with Kolar playing every snap with the starters while David Njoku joined him in 12 personnel and Oronde Gadsden remained behind both. At running back, Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal all survived the 53, although Mitchell clearly earned the stronger preseason usage behind Hampton.
📈 Stock Up: Charlie Kolar — legitimate sleeper if starter-level routes continue; Keaton Mitchell — remains the preferred Hampton handcuff.
📉 Stock Down: Oronde Gadsden — preseason usage never matched the sleeper hype.
Los Angeles Rams
First-round QB Ty Simpson completed an excellent preseason by finishing the month with a 78% completion rate, three touchdowns and no turnovers, and he made the roster alongside Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett. The Rams also reacquired Tutu Atwell from Miami in exchange for RB Jarquez Hunter, narrowing some of the fringe WR opportunity while simultaneously removing Hunter from the Rams' backfield.
📈 Stock Up: Ty Simpson — excellent Superflex succession asset; Tutu Atwell — returns to a familiar offense.
📉 Stock Down: Stetson Bennett's long-term standing; deeper Rams WR prospects squeezed by Atwell's return.
Miami Dolphins
Miami protected Malik Washington and Caleb Douglas, while rookie Chris Bell made his delayed preseason debut after recovering from an ACL tear. Bell worked at X, suggesting he and Douglas could eventually compete for snaps, while Washington exits camp as the safest young receiver. The Dolphins traded Tutu Atwell to Los Angeles, traded Quinn Ewers to Jacksonville and acquired Kyle McCord; Douglas, Bell, Washington, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Jalen Tolbert all survived a seven-WR roster.
📈 Stock Up: Malik Washington — exits August with the strongest role; Caleb Douglas — protected and made the 53; Chris Bell — healthy enough to begin his development.
📉 Stock Down: Tutu Atwell's Miami opportunity disappeared entirely with the trade.
Minnesota Vikings
Sixth-round RB Demond Claiborne played the entire first half, confirming that Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason remain clearly ahead of him, but Claiborne nevertheless won the RB3 spot on the 53. Tai Felton played only eight snaps before being removed, another positive clue after his strong Week 2. Minnesota ultimately kept Felton and Claiborne — and surprisingly carried all four of Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer at quarterback.
📈 Stock Up: Tai Felton — roster and usage both support the sleeper case; Demond Claiborne — secure developmental RB3.
📉 Stock Down: J.J. McCarthy's near-term path — Minnesota's four-QB roster says patience remains necessary.
New England Patriots
Kyle Williams provided one last preseason flash with a 45-yard touchdown before he and Efton Chism exited after only two drives. The larger backfield story went the opposite direction: Week 1 riser Jam Miller was waived after New England traded for Corey Kiner, who now joins Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson on the 53.
📈 Stock Up: Kyle Williams — continues producing whenever given opportunities; Corey Kiner — trade immediately installs him as RB3.
📉 Stock Down: Jam Miller — waived after looking like a possible RB3 earlier in August.
New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller finished preseason by separating himself from the other healthy backup RBs. He started, played every snap of the opening drive, remained involved throughout the half and added a 15-yard reception. New Orleans then kept Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, Miller and Audric Estime while releasing Zamir White. Noah Fant also debuted with starter-oriented usage alongside Juwan Johnson.
📈 Stock Up: Kendre Miller — now the most attractive healthy contingency back behind Etienne/Kamara; Noah Fant — role is real.
📉 Stock Down: Zamir White — released; Oscar Delp's immediate opportunity narrowed by Fant.
New York Giants
The Giants' backfield somehow became more crowded. Najee Harris made his preseason debut, rotating drives with Tyrone Tracy, while Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary were protected. New York then kept Harris, Skattebo, Singletary and Tracy on the 53. At WR, Malachi Fields' preseason treatment was validated when he made the roster, and veteran Odell Beckham Jr. also survived cutdown.
📈 Stock Up: Malachi Fields — clearly part of the regular-season plan; Najee Harris — healthy enough to earn a meaningful role.
📉 Stock Down: Tyrone Tracy — could realistically open fourth in the RB hierarchy; Cam Skattebo's ceiling is capped by sheer competition.
New York Jets
The Jets rested virtually everyone fantasy-relevant, including Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. Cooper subsequently made the 53 along with Arian Smith, despite Smith spending much of preseason behind undrafted Malik McClain. RB Chip Trayanum was placed on injured reserve after being carted off in the finale.
📈 Stock Up: Omar Cooper — roster security confirmed; Breece Hall — nothing in Week 3 altered the excellent workload signal from Week 1.
📉 Stock Down: Arian Smith's immediate offensive outlook — made the roster, but his preseason depth-chart positioning wasn't encouraging.
Philadelphia Eagles
First-round rookie Makai Lemon finally debuted, playing 15 of 18 snaps over Philadelphia's first three drives but only one of four 12-personnel snaps. That suggests an initially limited package rather than an immediate every-down role. Tank Bigsby, Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley all rested and then became the Eagles' three active RBs. Grant Calcaterra was placed on IR with a return designation, while Eli Stowers made the team.
One early practice-squad move is already fantasy relevant: veteran Dameon Pierce has reportedly agreed to return to Philadelphia's practice squad. He's now the next experienced runner behind Barkley, Bigsby and Shipley if injuries strike.
📈 Stock Up: Tank Bigsby — clear Barkley handcuff; Dontayvion Wicks — Lemon's limited heavy-personnel role helps; Dameon Pierce — stays attached to an elite rushing offense.
📉 Stock Down: Makai Lemon for immediate production — talent remains excellent, but September may involve a ramp-up period.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The final preseason game answered Pittsburgh's WR3 competition without Roman Wilson taking a snap. Wilson rested with the key offensive players while Germie Bernard played, indicating Wilson will open the year ahead. Both ultimately made the roster. At RB, Pittsburgh kept only Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren, while former third-rounder Kaleb Johnson departed and resurfaced in Green Bay.
📈 Stock Up: Roman Wilson — wins the opening WR3 battle; Jaylen Warren — unusually thin RB room behind/alongside him.
📉 Stock Down: Germie Bernard short term — promising rookie, but Wilson opens ahead; Kaleb Johnson's Pittsburgh value evaporated.
San Francisco 49ers
With Christian McCaffrey out, Kaelon Black played all 12 snaps across San Francisco's first three drives before Jordan James entered, putting Black clearly ahead for the immediate RB2 job. The 49ers also protected De'Zhaun Stribling because of a shoulder issue after his excellent first two games. Christian Kirk was placed on IR with a designation to return, while Isaac Guerendo will miss early-season time, leaving significant contingent opportunity behind the starters.
📈 Stock Up: Kaelon Black — the McCaffrey handcuff to roster right now; De'Zhaun Stribling — preseason breakout survives into a thin WR room.
📉 Stock Down: Jordan James — clearly behind Black entering the season; Christian Kirk's immediate availability.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle protected its meaningful starters and backups, including Jadarian Price, Emanuel Wilson and George Holani, while Elijah Arroyo again played. That continued a preseason-long pattern suggesting AJ Barner is comfortably ahead of Arroyo at tight end. Seattle's initial roster now lists Price, Wilson and Holani as the active RB trio with Zach Charbonnet on PUP, potentially giving Price a much more immediate opportunity than expected.
📈 Stock Up: Jadarian Price — potential early-season opportunity increased substantially.
📉 Stock Down: Elijah Arroyo — made the roster, but three straight weeks of preseason usage make an immediate breakout unlikely.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa's final RB3 battle came down to Sean Tucker versus Josh Williams, with Tucker starting but neither clearly separating during the game. Cutdown delivered the answer: Williams was waived, and Tampa kept Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker. That makes Tucker the direct depth back, while Gainwell retains the passing-down role that limits Irving's three-down ceiling.
📈 Stock Up: Sean Tucker — officially wins RB3/contingency role; Kenneth Gainwell — passing-down job remains secure.
📉 Stock Down: Bucky Irving's receiving ceiling, though not his status as lead runner.
Tennessee Titans
Rookie Nick Singleton started the finale but continued coming off the field on third downs for Michael Carter. That's now a consistent enough pattern to believe Tennessee views Singleton primarily as an early-down developmental back. First-round WR Carnell Tate started but played only one drive, a very positive final-week signal. Tennessee kept Pollard, Spears, Singleton and Julius Chestnut at RB, while Will Levis was among the notable cuts.
📈 Stock Up: Carnell Tate — exits preseason looking like a genuine starting WR; Tyjae Spears — Singleton's skill set threatens Pollard's work more than Spears' receiving role.
📉 Stock Down: Tony Pollard — the entire preseason points toward reduced dominance of this backfield; Nick Singleton for immediate PPR value.
Washington Commanders
Week 3 seemed disastrous for Luke McCaffrey because he played while Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown and Jaylin Lane all rested. Yet Washington ultimately kept seven receivers, allowing McCaffrey to survive. That should not be mistaken for a valuable role — the preseason hierarchy still places him well down the depth chart. At RB, Kaytron Allen made the 53 alongside Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White, while Jeremy McNichols went to IR with a return designation.
📈 Stock Up: Kaytron Allen — survives as one of only three active RBs; Antonio Williams/Jaylin Lane — both were protected ahead of McCaffrey.
📉 Stock Down: Luke McCaffrey — made the roster, but the usage says his dynasty ceiling has fallen considerably.
Alrighty, that's all I have for this week. Check your Venmo and don't make me lock your rosters on September 6!
Yours in Football,
Doug