Fantasy: Takeaways from Thursday's 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.
Graham likes Lambeau
Jimmy Graham has scored at least nine touchdowns in five of the last seven seasons - he's about to do it again.
Graham's red-zone skills were on display Thursday night when Aaron Rodgers found his new tight end for a nine-yard score. Graham went up and snatched the ball out of the air before making his first Lambeau Leap.
JIMMY GRAHAM LAMBEAU LEAP pic.twitter.com/r0bWN1dNZn
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 17, 2018
Graham's numbers dropped off dramatically during his final season with the Seattle Seahawks, posting his lowest yardage total since his rookie year while averaging just 9.1 yards per reception - a career low. The 31-year-old no longer has the athleticism that allowed him to dominate in the past, but playing with Rodgers will keep Graham relevant.
Scoring 10 touchdowns in 2017 saw Graham finish as the TE5 despite his declining yards. A healthy Rodgers can help him maintain that TD production, which would solidify his spot as a top-six tight end in fantasy.
In simpler terms, expect more Lambeau Leaps from Graham this season and don't be afraid to draft him in the sixth round.
Washington loses another RB
A week after the Redskins lost Derrius Guice to a torn ACL, they watched as Samaje Perine limped off with an ankle sprain. The extent of the injury has yet to be revealed, but it's another hit to a thin backfield in the middle of August.
Perhaps most frustrating for Washington was Perine's lone touch in the game, which went for 30 yards. It was an excellent start for a player battling with Rob Kelley, Kapri Bibbs, and Byron Marshall for a significant role alongside Chris Thompson.
Kelley got the start for the second straight week, though his propensity to run into the backs of his blockers is baffling to watch. The pedestrian runner amassed 17 yards on seven carries, though it's worth noting Kelley saw two targets in the game, catching one for 13 yards. This is not a player you want to be starting in fantasy, so don't waste a pick even if he does appear destined to share the backfield in Week 1.
Keep an eye on Bibbs, who was equally unsuccessful on the ground (5 carries for 6 yards), but exploded as a pass-catcher with 47 yards on six receptions, including a 29-yard screen. Bibbs has more wiggle in his running style than Kelley or Perine. If the latter misses time with this ankle injury, Bibbs could quickly become a sneaky late-round stash or a hot add on the waiver wire for leagues that already drafted.
For anyone who believes Marshall has a chance to win this job, he had two carries for a single yard and fumbled a kickoff that was ultimately overturned in his favor.
A free-agent running back addition is growing more and more likely in Washington. Does anyone have Adrian Peterson's number?
Instant Impressions
Perine wasn't the only back to limp off on Thursday. Jamaal Williams of the Packers left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. We'll wait to find out the severity, but with Aaron Jones facing a two-game suspension, this could completely change how we view the Green Bay backfield heading into Week 1. Ty Montgomery would be the next man up and has proven to be effective in short stretches. Unfortunately, his durability has also been an issue. I'm still expecting Jones, the most talented of this trio, to emerge as the lead back at some point this season. He's the player to target in the middle rounds of your draft.
You don't need me to tell you how terrific Tom Brady looked after playing a full half, completing 19 of 26 attempts for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Hogan (5 catches, 25 yards, TD) was Brady's favorite target, while running back James White (92 total yards, TD) was the most active Patriot. Hogan is the clear No. 1 receiver in New England, and is set up to be a top-20 fantasy wideout if he stays healthy. White benefitted from the absence of Rex Burkhead, who got the nod to handle most of the receiving work down the stretch last season.
- Will anyone be surprised if Cordarrelle Patterson becomes a consistent weapon in New England? With Julian Edelman suspended for the first four games, the Pats will be looking for other receivers to step up. Patterson's four-reception, 51-yard, one-touchdown night featured a couple highlight-reel plays that provide an interesting wrinkle to the offense. He isn’t someone I’d recommend as a redraft option, but he’s going to win people some money in DFS this season.
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James Conner is on a mission to prove he can carry the Steelers' rushing attack if Le'Veon Bell holds out or misses time. Conner went for 57 yards on five carries, running with purpose and breaking tackles. His 26-yard TD was an impressive piece of running and one of the more electrifying plays of the preseason. Rookie Jaylen Samuels was a favorite of mine in the offseason, but he would - at best - split touches with Conner if Bell wasn't around. Conner is the handcuff here.
- The Steelers are too good at drafting wide receivers. Second-round pick James Washington projects to be the team's No. 3 wideout behind Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The rookie made significant strides toward locking up that job on Thursday with five catches, 114 yards, and two scores. He even Moss'd over a defender on one of the touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger is going to be glad he didn't retire in the offseason. Fantasy owners should be loading up on Steelers - this offense is going to be special.
Jets beat writers were right to declare Sam Darnold the likely starter to open the season. Darnold is playing with poise as he battles through his mistakes. He may have taken a coverage sack after holding the ball far too long Thursday, but Darnold is the future and the future is now for Gang Green.