2025 NFL Preseason DFS Player Notes: Friday, August 8th

by Chris Gimino (ChrisGimino) Last Updated 2025-08-08 16:22:37 Premium Content Part of the product NFL DFS

Got the itch to hit the NFL DFS streets for the first real action in months but have no idea who to roster or who the players even are? We’ve got you covered! With the help of AI, Chris Gimino has compiled some player notes to quickly get you up to speed for the 3-game slate on Friday, August 8th. So while NFL lineups can be extremely fluid in the preseason, the notes below should be of great use when it’s time to start building your own lineups in our NFL optimizer, LineupHQ.

2025 NFL Preseason DFS Player Notes: Friday, August 8th

Quarterbacks

Hendon Hooker (DET) – Hooker entered the preseason as a potential standout at quarterback. A 2023 3rd-round pick by the Lions, Hooker had a prolific college career at Tennessee, known for efficiency and deep-ball accuracy. In his final season (2022), he completed 69.6% of passes for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions in 11 games, finishing top-5 in Heisman voting. After redshirting his rookie NFL year while recovering from an ACL injury, Hooker is now healthy. He is slated to start and play extended snaps (potentially into the 2nd half) tonight. With his dual-threat ability and experience, Hooker offers full-game fantasy upside if he indeed plays “a load” of snaps as expected.

Shedeur Sanders (CLE) – Sanders is another quarterback expected to see heavy usage. A high-profile rookie after a stellar 2024 college season at Colorado, Sanders is likely to start and play well into the 2nd half. In 2024, he posted eye-popping numbers, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 TDs with a 74% completion rate, showcasing excellent accuracy and poise. Sanders is more of a pocket passer than a scrambler, but he demonstrated good mobility in college when needed. As the son of Hall-of-Famer Deion Sanders, he comes with added hype, but he has earned it with production – he even finished 8th in Heisman voting in 2024. There is a gap between the top two QB options on this slate (Hooker and Sanders) and the rest, reflecting Sanders’ combination of talent and projected playing time. Expect Sanders to command the offense for multiple quarters, giving him a high fantasy ceiling.

Emory Jones (ATL) – Jones is an athletic, dual-threat quarterback likely to play around 2 quarters. A 3-school (Florida, Arizona State, Cincinnati) QB, Jones has a well-known rushing skill set. In fact, during his lone full season as a starter at Florida (2021), he amassed 2,734 passing yards and 19 TDs while also rushing for 758 yards and 4 TDs. After later stints at Arizona State and Cincinnati, Jones went undrafted but has landed in Atlanta’s camp (after bombing with BAL), where the coaching staff appears poised to give him solid preseason run. His legs make him intriguing – Jones is capable of picking up chunk yardage on scrambles or designed runs. Accuracy and consistency as a passer have been question marks (he threw 13 interceptions in 2021), but against backup defenses, he could flash. With an expected 2-quarter workload, Jones has a chance to post a solid stat line, especially if he racks up rushing yards.

Josh Johnson (WAS) – The ultimate journeyman, Johnson somehow remains a factor in preseason fantasy play, if you presume he and Sam Hartman split the reps (which is not necessarily a lock). The 39-year-old has literally been everywhere – he has been a member of 14 NFL franchises over his career, plus stints in the AAF and XFL. Despite the constant movement, Johnson often shines in preseason action. Last year with Baltimore, for example, he went 11-of-11 for 120 yards and a TD in one preseason game, showing he can still sling it. In regular-season play, Johnson has started 9 games and has career totals of 2,297 passing yards, 13 TDs, and 16 INTs since coming into the league in 2008. Now in camp as an experienced, depth QB, his playing time is TBD – but if he sees up to 2 quarters, he could be productive. Johnson’s knowledge of pro defenses and his calm pocket presence make him a reliable performer against reserve units. His arm and experience have made him a proven fantasy player in past preseasons.

Running Backs

Dylan Sampson (CLE) – A rookie running back with explosive upside, Sampson finds himself in a prime position for a 2025 role.