NFL Preseason Week 3 Recap: 10 Must-Know Facts

Aug 24, 2025

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We’re almost there, guys and gals. It’s the height of fantasy draft time, but no one has the time or the desire to watch all 16 preseason Week 3 contests. That's where I come in. Here's a position-by-position look at how the final preseason weekend went down so that you can plan and adjust accordingly for the onslaught of upcoming drafts.

Note: All player ADPs mentioned are courtesy of 4for4’s Multi-Site Tool.

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Quarterbacks

The Saints' starting QB is still TBD: New Orleans HC Kellen Moore needs to pick a starter, but there’s not much clarity after the 28-19 loss to Denver. Tyler Shough was 12-of-20 for 102 yards and led two scoring drives, but he also lost a fumble on a sack. Spencer Rattler started the game and completed 5-of-8 passes for 43 yards, leading two drives that culminated with Blake Grupe field goals, and another that stalled on a failed QB keeper on fourth-and-1. Whoever is under center in Week 1 shouldn't be drafted in single QB situations.

Patrick Mahomes looks ready to rock: There’s no rust to be seen as he hit Tyquan Thornton for a 58-yard completion, also connecting with Travis Kelce on a touch pass over the middle for 20 yards. Oh, and there was also a TD pass to Rashee Rice. Mahomes ended the preseason tilt tossing 8 of 13 balls for 143 yards and a touchdown. He’s currently the QB6 at pick 58.

It was a sharp performance for 40-year-old Joe Flacco: Since being announced as the Week 1 starter for Cleveland, Flacco got some reps and was fairly efficient. After a three-and-out, the journeyman skillfully led the Browns on an almost four-minute drive topped with a TD strike to rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr.

Running Backs

Cam Skattebo is back: After missing much of training camp with a hamstring injury, the rookie hit the field for the first time as the starter, rushing three times for 12 yards.

It was not the most efficient first outing for Jaylen Warren: The Pittsburgh RB made his preseason debut on Thursday, posting just three rushing yards on two carries, but did have 12 receiving yards on two catches. Warren is the expected starter for the Steelers, with rookie Kaleb Johnson likely pushing him for playing time. Johnson is being drafted first, though, with an ADP of 74 to Warren’s 85.

Wide Receivers

Isaac TeSlaa earned a rotational spot in Detroit: The Lions drafted TeSlaa in the third round despite having just 28 catches for 545 yards and three touchdowns last season for Arkansas. The rookie turned heads during practices as well as games, with 10 receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns this preseason (2-41-1 on Saturday). There’s some fantasy potential here for free as the WR74 with an ADP of 212.

The Dont’e Thornton lore lives on: After an impressive first offseason in the NFL, Thornton was the recipient of Geno Smith’s only TD Saturday night, which was 17 yards to cap off a 60-yard drive. Despite possibly being the WR2 behind Jakobi Meyers, the rookie’s ADP is 230 as the WR80.

Courtland Sutton and Bo Nix are dialed in: The Broncos were one of the few teams to play starters this week, and Bo Nix showed up, completing 10 of 14 throws for 110 yards and a score. The TD was a 19-yarder to Sutton, who ended the contest with four receptions for 83 yards and that score.

Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton again! This time for 6️⃣

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— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025

Kickers

There’s a leg battle brewing in Carolina: After letting Eddy Pineiro go, the Panthers have yet to nail down their replacement, and both rookie Ryan Fitzgerald and veteran Matthew Wright are still in the mix for the gig.