The NFL’s preseason entered its second week with a high‑profile showdown: the Seattle Seahawks hosted the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch that officially signaled the start of the campaign.
Fantasy football drafts are already in full swing, with three major draft weekends remaining and thousands of leagues finalizing their rosters ahead of the regular season.
Injury ripple effects
For the San Francisco 49ers, the loss of Ricky Pearsall, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel to injury has created an unexpected opening at wide receiver, a vacancy that has thrust De'Zhaun Stribling into the spotlight.
Stribling answered the call, hauling in four of five targets for 46 yards in the first quarter of his preseason appearance, a performance that has instantly elevated his draft profile and sparked talk of a Week 1 starter role.
Analysts note that the combination of aging peers and a history of injuries among established receivers is driving up the perceived value of Stribling and other high‑upside sleepers, prompting drafters to prioritize him earlier than in previous years.
Beyond the 49ers, coaches and analysts alike stress that camp battles and injury updates remain the most reliable indicators for fantasy decisions, as even modest preseason flashes can translate into significant weekly upside.