Fantasy: Takeaways from the final night of preseason games
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
Every game night during the preseason, theScore's Justin Boone gets you caught up on the most important fantasy performances from around the league.
With the vast majority of starters sitting out on Thursday night, there aren't as many notable fantasy takeaways despite every team being in action. But here's what you need to know from the final evening of preseason play.
Invest in Saints
A day after trading for Teddy Bridgewater to finally secure a quality backup behind Drew Brees, the Saints showed off impressive roster depth at their skill positions. Jonathan Williams, who played late in the game, turned 17 touches into 71 yards, including a three-yard touchdown. Rookie Boston Scott had 71 yards and a score on 13 touches. Williams remains an intriguing early-season fantasy option as a fill-in during Mark Ingram's suspension, but it's possible he could split the role of Alvin Kamara's sidekick with Scott.
Cameron Meredith continued to work his way back from injury with a pair of catches for 72 yards and a score. A 56-yard grab was the highlight of his night. Rookie Tre'Quan Smith continued his stellar preseason with four receptions for 42 yards. It wouldn't be surprising to see both players become key contributors as the season goes on, making them solid late-round stashes.
Don't forget about Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones, who is healthy after a hamstring injury sidelined him for part of August, reminded everyone that he's the most talented running back on Green Bay's roster. He rushed nine times for 34 yards and a score, adding another 21 yards on three receptions. We won't see Jones until Week 3 due to his suspension, but he'll make it hard for the Packers' coaching staff to keep him off the field once he returns.
Definitely forget about Ronald Jones II
This is your final warning not to draft Ronald Jones II. The Buccaneers' second-round pick rushed 10 times for just four yards on Thursday night, which seems almost impossible considering he had one run that went for five yards. Jones has played himself out of fantasy relevance. Peyton Barber is locked in as the Buccaneers' starter, and he's worthy of a sixth-round selection in fantasy drafts.
Nick Chubb is a work in progress
Carlos Hyde won the Browns' starting running back job handily, meaning second-rounder Nick Chubb had to work on Thursday night. His five-carry, 30-yard evening wasn't overly impressive, but Chubb's nifty jump cut on a three-yard touchdown run was a sign the rookie is getting more comfortable in Cleveland's offense. A quiet start to the year is likely, though Hyde's injury history could make Chubb an overnight fantasy star at some point this season.
No rest for Gallup
In a bizarre move, the Cowboys decided to play rookie wideout Michael Gallup, a player who could make an immediate impact on their offense, more than expected. Perhaps head coach Jason Garrett wanted to get the young receiver more experience before games actually matter, or Gallup may still have a spot or two to climb on the depth chart before he's a weekly starter. For what it's worth, Gallup hauled in four passes for 29 yards, and he's on my list of late-round fantasy breakout candidates at WR, a group we discussed on the latest episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Divvying up the Lions' share
Kerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, and Theo Riddick all sat out Thursday's contest, robbing us of a chance to see some clarity develop in Detroit's backfield. A committee remains the most likely scenario to start the year, with Johnson offering the highest upside as the season goes on. Blount could be a sneaky fantasy starter in the first month thanks to his goal-line prowess and a soft schedule.
Kelley ahead of Perine
Washington's running back depth chart has been a roller-coaster ride this preseason, with Derrius Guice suffering a season-ending injury and Adrian Peterson signing on for what appears to be a significant role. Chris Thompson will return as a dynamic threat, especially in the passing game, leaving only one important question: who backs them up? Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine battled it out in August, and Kelley has seemingly emerged victorious. He ran hard on Thursday night, gaining 49 yards on 11 carries, while Perine fumbled, drawing the ire of head coach Jay Gruden. If a 33-year-old Peterson is sidelined, Kelley will be the back to pick up off the waiver wire.
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