The final week of the NFL preseason is not just about trimming rosters, it’s a strategic goldmine. While casual fans see a list of cuts, elite fantasy managers see a blueprint for value, revealing coaching intentions, creating unexpected opportunities, and solidifying roles. This isn’t the time for speculation, it’s the time for action. The most significant moves are often the surprising ones, and understanding their ripple effect is what separates champions from the pack. Here are the five most critical depth chart shakeups you must use to your advantage on draft day.

1. Falcons Shake Up: Morgan Fox Cut

The Shift: In a move that sent shockwaves through league circles, the Atlanta Falcons began their cutdowns by releasing veteran defensive lineman Morgan Fox. This wasn’t just a simple roster move, it was a statement. Fox was a proven veteran with 120 career games and a recent two-year, $8.5 million contract. Despite playing the most defensive snaps of any Falcons interior lineman in the final preseason game, he was deemed expendable.

The Fantasy Strategy: This cut is a masterclass in reading organizational tea leaves. For IDP (Individual Defensive Players) leagues, it signals that the Falcons are supremely confident in their young defensive line core of David Onyemata, Grady Jarrett, and rookies Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus. Target these players as late-round IDP fliers with upside. More importantly, this move reveals a new, ruthless philosophy under Head Coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot. They are prioritizing their system fit and practice performance over veteran pedigree and guaranteed money. This tells you that no player outside the absolute core is safe. Apply this logic across the league, question every veteran “lock” on a new team, especially those who saw limited preseason action with the first team.

2. Steelers Backfield: Warren Takes Over

The Shift: The murky Steelers’ running back room has finally cleared. Jaylen Warren has been officially promoted to RB1 on the depth chart, solidifying his role ahead of rookie Kaleb Johnson and veteran Kenneth Gainwell. This decision wasn’t based solely on talent, it was rooted in a fundamental NFL principle: trust. While Johnson possesses enticing size and rushing ability, his struggles in pass protection made him a liability on passing downs.

The Fantasy Strategy: Warren’s well-rounded, three-down skillset is what wins fantasy championships. His promotion cements him as a high-end RB2 with legitimate RB1 upside in PPR formats. He is now a safe, high-floor target in the middle rounds. Conversely, Johnson’s draft stock takes a significant hit. His inability to protect the quarterback severely caps his weekly touch count and fantasy ceiling. He is now merely a late-round handcuff with standalone value only if Warren were to miss time. Do not over-draft him based on preseason hype. Warren is the only Steelers back to target with confidence.

3. Raiders QB Trouble: O’Connell Injury

The Shift: The Raiders’ quarterback room was thrown into disarray when primary backup Aidan O’Connell suffered a fractured wrist, sidelining him for 6-8 weeks. This is far more impactful than a typical backup injury. O’Connell was the clear, trusted No. 2 behind Geno Smith. Rookie Cam Miller has “floundered,” leaving the team with no viable option behind their starter.

The Fantasy Strategy: This is a classic case of a non-starter injury dramatically affecting an entire offense. The floor for every Raiders skill player, Davante Adams, Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, has just been lowered. The entire offensive ecosystem is now one hit away from complete collapse. Savvy managers must react in one of two ways: 1) Slightly downgrade all Raiders players on your draft board, or 2) Monitor the waiver wire closely. If the Raiders sign a competent veteran backup (e.g., a Ryan Tannehill), it would slightly stabilize their value. Until then, consider Adams a riskier WR1 and be cautious investing in other Raiders pass-catchers at their current ADP.

4. Browns QB Decision: Flacco Named Starter

The Shift: The long-simmering QB competition is officially over, 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco will open the 2025 season as Cleveland’s Week 1 starter, beginning on September 7 against the Bengals. The combination of Kenny Pickett’s hamstring issue and limited reps from rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders cleared the path for Flacco’s selection.

Fantasy Strategy: Stability at the quarterback position should be viewed as a huge win for fantasy managers. Flacco’s veteran leadership and familiarity with the offense offer a safer floor for the Browns’ passing game. You can confidently elevate Amari Cooper into high-end WR2 territory, treat David Njoku as a dependable top-tier tight end, and consider Flacco himself a smart late-round target in superflex or 2-QB formats.

5. Patriots WR Order: Diggs Leads the Way

The Shift: In New England, a clear wide receiver pecking order has emerged. According to reports, the top three are definitively Stefon Diggs, followed by Kayshon Boutte and DeMario “Pop” Douglas. This is crucial information for an offense led by a rookie quarterback (Drake Maye), as defined roles help simplify the game.

The Fantasy Strategy: This clarity is a gift for fantasy managers. Diggs remains an elite WR1 and should be drafted as such. The real value lies in the next tier. Boutte and Douglas are no longer speculative dart throws, they are defined assets with a clear path to targets. This moves them from the undrafted pool to must-have late-round sleepers. In deep leagues, Boutte and Douglas are priority targets for your bench. You now know who the primary beneficiaries will be if Diggs misses time or if Maye develops quickly. Focus your late-round picks on players with defined roles, and in New England, that is now crystal clear.

The Final Play: Your Draft Day Action Plan

The cutdown chaos is your strategic advantage. Don’t just witness these moves, weaponize them.

• Target Certainty: Prioritize players like Jaylen Warren and Joe Flacco, whose roles have been solidified. Uncertainty loses fantasy leagues.
• Fade Risk: Be wary of situations like Las Vegas, where one injury could crater an entire offense. Let someone else take that risk.
• Seek Value in Clarity: Late-round picks are for upside with a known path to playing time. Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas are perfect examples.
• Read the Philosophy: A surprise cut like Morgan Fox isn’t just a transaction, it’s a lesson in how a new regime operates. Apply that logic across the league.

Your draft isn’t won in the first round, it’s won in the late rounds by identifying value others miss. These five shifts are your map to that value. Now go execute.

FAQ

1. Q: Why do preseason cuts matter for fantasy football?
   A: Cuts reveal coaching intentions and show who will actually earn snaps once the season starts.

   Q: Which move has the biggest fantasy impact?
   A: Jaylen Warren becoming RB1 in Pittsburgh. Three-down role = weekly starter.

   Q: Is Joe Flacco really draftable?
   A: In superflex and 2-QB leagues, yes. He’s a safe late-round floor play.

   Q: Who are the best late-round WR sleepers from cuts?
   A: Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas now have defined roles in New England.