Fantasy: Biggest takeaways from Week 2 of NFL preseason
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All preseason snap counts are provided by Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus.
Rookie WR watch
Many of the top rookie wide receivers sat out this week due to injury or because their team rested starters, but plenty was learned about those who suited up.
Malik Nabers looks like a burgeoning superstar in New York. The 21-year-old caught four passes for 54 yards while consistently getting open and making the difficult appear easy. His six targets represented an absurd 33% target share, which might be a sign of things to come in this offense.
Bears wideout Rome Odunze put his playmaking on display with a 45-yard catch from fellow rookie Caleb Williams. Whether or not the reports about Keenan Allen weighing 230 lbs are true, the 32-year-old does seem to be a little bigger and a little slower with his new team in Chicago. Allen has been good for a long time and enjoyed an outstanding campaign last year, so we shouldn't write him off yet. However, it wouldn't surprise me if Odunze is the second-most productive fantasy receiver (behind D.J. Moore) in this offense by season's end.
The rich are also getting richer in Kansas City, as Patrick Mahomes' new weapon, Xavier Worthy, is already blowing by defenses. The first-rounder caught a 39-yard pass from Mahomes and then a 22-yard touchdown from Carson Wentz this week. With Andy Reid scheming Worthy up, the rookie is a very intriguing fantasy WR3/flex this year, especially if Hollywood Brown misses time at the start of the season.
Keon Coleman is the Bills' only wideout who's played every snap with the first-team offense through two weeks. The coaching staff knows he needs to get acclimated to the pros and learn how to win at the next level. I still expect a Rashee Rice development plan where the rookie becomes a bigger part of the offense and earns a bigger target share as the season progresses. Buffalo will spread the ball around with Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir, but tight end Dalton Kincaid remains the most likely to lead this team in targets.
It's not all good news for rookie wideouts, though. The Patriots continue to have their young pass-catchers prove themselves before rising the depth chart. Ja'Lynn Polk is answering the challenge and deserves to start. Hopefully, he'll get more opportunities with the top unit next week, but for now I'm still targeting him in the late rounds. Meanwhile, Javon Baker is locked into a longer process since he didn’t get snaps with the starters and struggled with drops (three on four targets).
Instant impressions
Warren hurts his hamstring - Steelers running back Jaylen Warren injured his hamstring this weekend and will miss multiple weeks, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That puts his Week 1 availability in doubt and will cause me to bump Najee Harris up my rankings into low-end RB2 territory. In deep leagues, Cordarrelle Patterson could become a sneaky flex play in any game where Warren is sidelined. The veteran specialist has a history with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith going back to their time together in Atlanta, where C-Patt had some decent fantasy performances.
White's concerning usage continues - It's sometimes hard to tell whether a coaching staff is rotating players in the preseason or showing us how they plan to use them when games matter. I'm starting to lean toward the latter with Zamir White, who took the majority of snaps with the first-team offense but also played into the second half this week. Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, and rookie Dylan Laube were also working in. Perhaps we'll get some clarity before Week 1, but a committee is possible. I'm moving White down my rankings and am more willing to take late shots on Mattison and Laube, the mostly likely backs to steal touches.
Charging up - A week after some Chargers beat writers questioned whether Kimani Vidal would make the team, the rookie went out and made his case for the No. 3 RB job. The 22-year-old led the Bolts' backs in rushing by turning 11 carries into 49 yards, while also catching two passes for eight yards. At worst, his spot on the roster should be locked in. With veterans Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins not having the best injury histories, Vidal is someone to target in the late rounds.
Man of Steele - It's worth keeping an eye on the Chiefs' backfield as we try to sort out who will be the beneficiary if Isiah Pacheco gets injured. The main contenders were Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Deneric Prince, but UDFA fullback Carson Steele has put his name in the mix and seems to be winning over his coaches. He's definitely someone to stash on deep dynasty benches, and he might even have value in redraft leagues as a waiver wire pickup this year.
Maye-be time to start - After very limited playing time last week, Drake Maye looked like the Patriots' best quarterback this time around. The rookie completed 6-of-11 attempts for 47 yards, while rushing four times for 15 yards and a touchdown. There is still a long way to go, but Maye should be starting sooner rather than later - unless the coaching staff is actively protecting him from a tough early-season schedule. His rushing upside alone could make him fantasy-relevant as a QB2 or bye-week replacement in redraft leagues this year.
Nix impressing early - It seems inevitable that the Broncos will name Bo Nix their starter after the rookie continued his strong preseason by completing 8-of-9 passes for 80 yards and a score on Sunday. He also rushed for 12 yards on three carries. The team has leaned on a veteran trio of receivers to help him adjust to the pros, starting Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Josh Reynolds. Marvin Mims seems like a rotational player at the moment, and it looks like Nix's college teammate, Troy Franklin, is buried on the depth chart. Regardless, Nix will be moving up my dynasty rankings and has fantasy QB2 potential in Year 1.
Jones knocks off the rust - It was a miserable return for Daniel Jones this week, who got his first start since suffering an ACL tear in November. Turnovers have always been a problem for Jones, so seeing him throw two early interceptions and a couple of other questionable attempts was concerning. The good news is that he got better as the game went on, ultimately finishing 11-of-18 for 138 yards to go with a 12-yard run. I'd be very cautious about chasing Jones as a fantasy option this year. We just need him to be good enough to make Nabers successful - which I believe he will.
Minshew named starter - No one really stood out in the Raiders' QB competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell, but head coach Antonio Pierce said he would decide after the second preseason game. In the end, the veteran gets the nod as the safer choice who can protect the ball. Minshew was average for the Colts last year and doesn’t have much upside for fantasy other than deep two-QB or superflex leagues.
Taysom will be a problem - No matter how you look at it, Taysom Hill will be an issue this season. The Saints seem set on making him a big part of their offense and using him all over the formation. With Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller out of the lineup, Hill got five carries for 21 yards and a touchdown. If that usage continues into the regular season, he'll once again be in the low-end TE1 conversation if your league designates him as a tight end.
The Waller replacement - Rookie Theo Johnson is on his way to leading the Giants' depth chart at tight end. Though the team will likely use a rotation at the position, it should be noted that the offense lacks a true No. 2 pass-catching option. He’s still a long shot for fantasy, but Johnson has the athleticism and opportunity that could result in production right away. For now, he's a watch-list guy in redraft but someone to target in dynasty.
Deep veteran preseason standouts who caught my eye this week - Browns RB D’Onta Foreman, Raiders WR Tre Tucker, Broncos WR Tim Patrick, Seahawks RB Kenny McIntosh, Vikings WR Jalen Nailor, Texans WR John Metchie III, Seahawks QB Sam Howell, 49ers QB Joshua Dobbs, Jaguars WR Parker Washington, Lions QB Hendon Hooker, Eagles QB Tanner McKee, Jaguars QB Mac Jones, Colts RB Tyler Goodson, Colts RB Evan Hull.
Deep rookie preseason standouts who caught my eye this week - Rams WR Jordan Whittington, 49ers WR Jacob Cowing, Falcons WR Casey Washington, Lions RB Sione Vaki, Falcons RB Jase McClellan, Chargers WR Brenden Rice, Titans WR Jha’Quan Jackson, Panthers RB Dillon Johnson.