Preseason News and Notes: Week 1
Mon Aug 15 10:40am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Pierce makes his case to start
We are going to do a quick recap of the preseason action after each week, giving you the good, bad and ugly (injuries) from all the preseason action. There is a lot to digest each week, but we are here to break it down for you. We will do it each week until the start of the season. There are plenty of position battles happening, making the preseason games intriguing for fantasy owners.
Here is the recap for Week 1. . . . .
The big injury of the week happened to Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. The good news is he didn’t suffer a season-ending injury. There was fear he tore his ACL, but that wasn’t the case. Wilson suffered a partially torn meniscus and bone bruise to his knee. He is going to be out a few weeks but there is a chance he is ready for Week 1. The Jets might bring along their franchise quarterback slowly, though, so don’t be surprised if he misses a few weeks of the regular season. Joe Flacco will be the No. 1 quarterback for the Jets while Wilson is out of action.
Rookie running back Dameon Pierce shined for the Texans. He was clearly the best back for the team, running five times for 49 yards. Pierce has been getting plenty of praise in camp and looks to be the starter in this offense before long. He is a playmaker that can play three downs and do just fine in pass protection. Pierce could make a run at top fantasy rookie this year if he his current play continues.
Falcons rookie receiver Drake London suffered a knee injury in his preseason game. He avoided something too serious, though, and could be out just a short period of time. The Falcons aren’t revealing how much time he is expected to miss just yet, so keep an eye on his player notes for the latest. He could be back practicing in a few days. The sooner he can get back on the field, the better for London.
Falcons rookie running back Tyler Allgeier didn't get a ton of work but ran three times for 25 yards. He averaged an impressive 8.3 yards per carry. He is making a case to start for the Falcons his rookie year and this showing didn’t do anything to dispel that. Allgeier is trending upward right now and could be starting for the Falcons before long.
Rookie Malik Willis showed well in his NFL debut, giving the Titans hope they have found their franchise quarterback. He won’t start this year, but could the Titans starter sooner than later. He was 6-of-11 for 107 yards and ran five times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Willis showed his dual threat ability and made plays down the field throwing the ball. Willis is a very talented player that certainly looks the part of an NFL star.
The Browns gave Deshaun Watson the start in their first preseason game. He had plenty of rust after not playing at all last year. He was just 1-of-5 for seven yards. Watson did not look great. There remains plenty of speculation that his suspension will be lengthened to the entire season, so this might be the only time you see Watson playing in a game this year.
Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was sharp as the Eagles came out throwing early and often. Hurts was 6-of-6 for 80 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. If this first game was any indication, the Eagles are going to be throwing the ball a lot this year to take advantage of all their weapons in the passing game. Hurts is a very intriguing fantasy option this coming year, having top-five potential at the position.
The Trey Lance era opened in San Francisco and it was impressive. Lance was 4-of-5 for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also ran once for seven yards. Lance is another dual threat at quarterback that seems ready for a breakout season. It was just a preseason game, but things are looking good for Lance this coming year.
Packers rookie receiver Romeo Doubs has turned heads in training camp and carried that over to the preseason. He caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. He led all Packers receivers with seven targets. He is a player to put on your radar right now. Doubs is trending towards earning a starting job and big role in the Packers offense his rookie season.
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is another rookie making waves in camp and he got some playing time with the first-team offense his first preseason game. This is a pretty good sign that the Chiefs feel comfortable with Pacheco and he could be the No. 2 back behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He is moving up the fantasy rankings while Ronald Jones should be moving down. Jones is fourth or fifth on the depth chart right now and ran four times for just a yard. He could be a player that is cut before the start of the season.
Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold played similar as they battle it out for the right to start in Carolina. Darnold threw a touchdown pass, so maybe he gets a bit of a leg up after one week of action. Mayfield was 4-of-7 for 45 yards. Darnold was 2-of-3 for 16 yards and a touchdown. Mayfield probably remains the heavy favorite to start, but he isn’t going to be handed the job.
Antonio Gibson lost a fumble and found his way to the bench, rushing four times for just two yards. It was not a good performance and cause for some concern. Rookie Brian Robinson looked pretty good with his chances, running six times for 26 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 15 yards. Gibson is going to need to get his fumbling issues under control if he hopes to keep starting in Washington. Robinson is an intriguing late-round grab right now for fantasy teams.
Geno Smith opened as the starter for Seattle, but was probably outplayed by Drew Lock. Both moved the offense, but Lock had two touchdown passes. Smith was 10-of-15 for 101 yards without a touchdown or a turnover. Smith did run in a score, rushing two times for nine yards and a score. Lock was 11-of-15 for 102 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. This quarterback battle remains very close.
The Steelers are the only team in the NFL with three quarterbacks battling it out to start. All three played pretty well this past week. Rookie Kenny Pickett was the best of the group, though. He was very impressive, going 13-of-15 for 95 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Mitchell Trubisky started and made plays, finishing 4-of-7 for 63 yards and a touchdown. Mason Rudolph was first off the bench and was 9-of-15 for 93 yards and a touchdown. Trubisky seems the leader but Pickett’s strong showing was encouraging for his future. He could be moving up the depth chart if he keeps playing well.
Rookie George Pickens might be generating the most buzz of any player this training camp and didn’t disappoint in his first preseason game. He had three receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown. Pickens is drawing rave reviews in camp looked the part of an NFL superstar in this preseason game. Pickens is going to keep moving up draft boards until the start of the season.
So Josh Jacobs started the Raiders first preseason game and that drew all sorts of speculation because the rest of the starters mainly sat that game. What did that mean for Jacobs? Is he not the starter or thought of as highly as the other starters in Las Vegas? Well, Jacobs didn’t play that second preseason game for the Raiders. Maybe everyone needs to pump the breaks on Jacobs playing a much smaller role for the Raiders this year. Las Vegas might rotate backs more than past years in this new offense, but it certainly looks like Jacobs is the starter and likely to be a big part of the offense. Don’t let that first preseason game freak you out about drafting Jacobs this year. He might end up being a great value to fantasy teams as his stock starts to fall.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
- Cowboys, Browns and Brady featured in Week 1 matchup
- Lions award Jared Goff four-year, $212M extension
- Bucs S Antoine Winfield gets record 4-year, $84.1M extension
- Saints reach deal with veteran G Lucas Patrick
- Chiefs to open 2024 season vs. Ravens
- Former Chargers GM A.J. Smith dies at 75
- Pats coach Jerod Mayo says QB Drake Maye will 'put the work in'
- Patriots name Eliot Wolf executive VP of player personnel
- Bill Belichick gets weekly spot on ESPN's 'ManningCast'
- Broncos first-round QB Bo Nix signs rookie contract
- Cardinals, WR Zay Jones agree on one-year deal
- Aidan O'Connell is early leader in Raiders' QB competition
- It's official: Bears rookie Caleb Williams to start at QB
- Giants sign first-round pick Malik Nabers to reported $29.2M deal
- Coach Dan Campbell to miss Lions' rookie minicamp
- Raiders sign first-round pick Brock Bowers, others
- Saints sign first-round OT Taliese Fuaga to $17.3M deal
- Pro Football Hall of Fame CB Jimmy Johnson dies at 86
- Rams releasing veteran WR Ben Skowronek
- Lions GM: QB Jared Goff 'earned' extension, a high priority
The Paur Report
The Denver Broncos signed free-agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and cornerback Quinton Newsome to undisclosed deals on Monday, according to the team. In corresponding moves, the Broncos waived punter Nik Constantinou and receiver Lincoln Victor. Dorsett was released by Denver last Friday after initially signing with the team's practice squad before the 2023 season. The 31-year-old former 29th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 out of Miami was elevated just twice during the regular season last year and was unable to reel in any of his three targets. In his eight NFL seasons, Dorsett has a total of 151 catches for 2,001 yards and 12 touchdowns in 94 games (20 starts). He'll serve as receiver depth for the Broncos this summer behind Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims Jr., rookie Troy Franklin and Tim Patrick.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling made a stop in Buffalo on Monday night. The wideout had a recent visit with the Chargers, although it appears nothing came of it. MVS hasn't been productive in years, and he finished the 2023-24 campaign by recording career lows in catches (21), receiving yards (315), and touchdowns (one). However, the Bills moved on from Stefon Diggs this offseason, so Valdes-Scantling could work his way up the depth chart. Yet, he'll need to prove his value to fantasy managers no matter where he signs, which won't come until he has at least a few decent performances.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos continued voluntary offseason workouts on Monday. However, the team remains without wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who continues to work out at his residence in Florida. The veteran has two years left on a four-year, $60 million extension, but has made it clear he wants a raise. He also requested a trade, although the team is apparently not looking to move him. Of course, there will be updates on the situation moving ahead. Yet, it won't be as much of a concern until the summer when Denver begins training camp. With that said, several teams will monitor things, especially with Sutton coming off a massive year, which included a career-high 10 touchdowns. But if he stays with the Broncos, his fantasy outlook is directly related to how Bo Nix and Zach Wilson look heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff agreed to a four-year $212 million contract extension that includes $170 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the two sides were working on an extension last week, and they evidently worked quickly and got the deal done. The 2016 No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams has been fantastic since being dealt to Detroit along with draft picks for Matthew Stafford. He led Detroit to a playoff win for the first time since 1991 last year, and he's posted 12,258 yards, 78 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions through his first 48 games with the organization. He's now under contract through the 2028 season and will remain a fringe QB1 option in fantasy football as long as his offensive weapons remain on the roster. Given his job security and upside in Detroit's offense, he should be viewed as a strong dynasty QB2 in Superflex formats.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson was spotted at voluntary offseason activities on Monday despite his recent request to be traded. It's a notable development considering the practices and workouts are entirely voluntary, but it's too early to assume it means he wants to remain with the team if he does not receive a new contract. The 2017 third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints had a monster season in 2023, racking up a Bengals' franchise record 17.5 sacks. He is the 11th-highest-paid edge rusher (average salary) and is entering the final year of his four-year, $60 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2021. The 29-year-old's situation will be worth monitoring this offseason, as there will likely be no shortage of interested suitors if the team is willing to listen to offers. With quarterback Joe Burrow already signed to a $275 million contract, and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins seeking a new deals, Hendrickson may be expendable.
From RotoBaller
The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent tight end Ross Dwelley on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Dwelley was undrafted out of the University of San Diego in 2018, but he stuck around on the San Francisco 49ers' roster for six seasons and played in 84 games. Overall, the 29-year-old has 44 receptions for 518 yards and five receiving touchdowns to his name. He'll look to compete with Charlie Woerner and John FitzPatrick to see the field in multi-tight end sets and to be Kyle Pitts' direct backup in 2024. For now, he's nowhere near the fantasy football radar heading into his seventh NFL campaign.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent tight end Nick Vannett is signing with the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. The 31-year-old spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers and caught one pass for three yards in eight games played. Vannett is a former third-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2016 and has spent time with seven organizations in seven years. Overall, he's hauled in 91 of his 130 career targets for 877 yards and six touchdowns. He'll likely compete with 2023 fifth-round pick Josh Whyle for the TE2 role in 2024, but Chigoziem Okonkwo remains the lead tight end for quarterback Will Levis after this signing.
From RotoBaller
The Detroit Lions signed free-agent tight end Parker Hesse to an undisclosed deal on Monday. Hesse entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2021 with the Atlanta Falcons. He has spent all three of his seasons in the NFL with the Falcons and has totaled 14 receptions on 17 targets for 132 yards and no touchdowns in 28 games played (eight starts). The 28-year-old tight end played in only three games last year in Atlanta while also playing 28 snaps on special teams. In his three games played, Hesse wasn't targeted at all in the passing game. He'll merely be hoping to stick around on Detroit's roster after training camp and the preseason while providing depth at the position behind Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra.
From RotoBaller
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. reached an agreement on a four-year, $84.1 million on Monday that will make him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, according to sources. It's the first time in modern NFL history that a safety has set this mark. The deal was negotiated and confirmed by agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First. The new extension for the 25-year-old means Winfield won't have to play the 2024 season on the franchise tag, which would have paid him $17.1 million this year. The All-Pro safety is one of the most productive players at the defensive back position in IDP fantasy formats and had 122 tackles (76 solo), six sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defended, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 17 stars in 2023.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent cornerback Anthony Averett to an undisclosed one-year deal on Sunday, according to a source. The deal for Averett comes after he worked out at the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend on a tryout basis. The 29-year-old split time between the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions last year but didn't play in any regular-season games. His last NFL action came in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders, when he recorded 13 tackles and a pass defended in seven games (six starts). He was originally a fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 out of Alabama. In his four seasons in Baltimore, he had 101 tackles, three interceptions and 22 passes defended. Averett will have plenty of competition at the cornerback position in training camp this summer as he tries to make the final roster.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets agreed to terms with first-round pick Olu Fashanu on his rookie deal on Monday. The deal is for four years and $20,510,710 fully guaranteed and includes the standard fifth-year team option. It was reported on Sunday that Fashanu strained his quadriceps while running the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and could miss some or all of the Jets' organized team activities this offseason. The Jets took the 21-year-old with the 11th overall pick in this year's NFL draft to give veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers some more protection in 2024. Barring a setback, Fashanu should be ready to go for the start of his rookie season this fall. So far, he's been working off to the side with trainers during the team's rookie minicamp.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Cardinals have signed wide receiver Zay Jones. Dynasty Analysis: Jones has had some nice moments over his seven seasons in Buffalo, Las Vegas, and Jacksonville, though he's never posted more than 823 receiving yards or seven touchdowns in any given season. Jones could be viable opposite Marvin Harrison, Jr. if he can beat out Michael Wilson but that's no given. At this point, Jones looks like a roster worthy player but a potential roster clogger at the same time.
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders said his goal in the NFL is to be as good as former All-Pro Greg Olsen. Sanders, a converted receiver at Texas, averaged 49.5 catches a year with the Longhorns with an average of 648 yards and 3.5 touchdowns. His role with the Panthers is not clear yet, but head coach Dave Canales said on Saturday that Sanders will play both the "F" and the "Y" roles, dependent on pass plays versus 12 personnel. "He's a guy, you can move around a little bit more, maybe play him in the slot a little bit," Canales said, adding, "we look for those versatile type of tight ends." The 21-year-old was taken with the 101st overall pick in the fourth round this year but could immediately become the team's best pass-catching tight end over both Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas. Still, fantasy managers in single-year leagues in 2024 should temper expectations for Sanders in Carolina's offense.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo said that rookie quarterback Drake May, who was taken third overall in last month's NFL draft, "has a lot to work on." Saturday's practice featured a heavy emphasis on footwork fundamentals, with Maye spending the first few periods of practice taking snaps directly under center instead of the shotgun, which he mostly used the last two years at North Carolina. "The guy can sling it, man," said wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, the second-round pick from the University of Washington. "He's very confident. He's a leader, very vocal; he's setting the tone in practice, trying to get guys moving around and operating at a high level." Maye is expected to compete with veteran Jacoby Brissett for starting duties in 2024. The Patriots aren't going to rush Maye's development, so he's more of a dynasty/keeper asset in fantasy this year than a redraft one.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said he liked what he saw from rookie quarterback Bo Nix during practices at the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend. "He had two or three down the field throws [Saturday]," Payton said. "It's almost like watching a good golfer when you watch his game ... there's a patience to how he plays, the ball comes out." The Broncos took Nix 12th overall, which many thought was a massive reach, and hope he will become their next franchise signal-caller. With only Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson to compete with, Nix has a clear path to the starting job right away in his first season in the NFL, but the Broncos aren't getting ahead of themselves. "We'll figure it out, we'll figure it out ... We'll have a rotation and we'll go from there," Payton said when asked how the team's QB competition will unfold in the weeks ahead.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent tight end Tommy Sweeney signed an undisclosed deal with the Chicago Bears on Sunday after a tryout at their rookie minicamp, according to a source. Sweeney was with the New York Giants most of last year but sat out after he collapsed and had a "medical event" on the practice field. The 28-year-old was originally drafted in the seventh round (228th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in 2019 out of Boston College. All three of his NFL seasons came with Buffalo, and Sweeney has caught a total of 18 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown on 26 targets in just 24 games played (four starts). Sweeney will be competing for a roster spot in training camp this summer among a tight end group in Chicago that already includes Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Stephen Carlson and rookie Brenden Bates.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said the team will use a running back by committee approach this season, unlike the feature back approach used during RB Ezekiel Elliott's first tour of duty with the team. McCarthy said that he has not seen any drop off in the way Elliott moves but thinks it wouldn't be fair to give him a workload similar to what he saw in the early seasons of his career.
Fantasy Spin: Elliott had the least productive season of his career with New England in 2023, with career lows in carries (184), rushing yards (642), touchdowns (three) and yards per carry (3.5). Although he is expected to have a larger role in the Dallas offense in 2024, his days as an RB1 fantasy option are likely over. Elliott is most likely to see the field in short-yardage and goal line situations, making him worthy of consideration as an RB3 in many fantasy leagues. RBs Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn are behind Elliott on the Cowboys' depth chart but their fantasy value remains uncertain, as it remains to be seen how many offensive snaps they will see in a typical game.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent linebacker Bud Dupree has reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Dupree met with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons in addition to the Chargers. The 31-year-old has played with both the Steelers and Falcons during his career so it appears Dupree was looking for a new home. The veteran linebacker still has something left in the tank. He recorded 6.5 sacks last season with Atlanta. Those 6.5 sacks were the most for Dupree since the 2020 season. His addition should be a solid boost for this defensive unit heading into next season.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have released wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. The veteran wideout was already a longshot to make the roster. The 31-year-old joined the Broncos last season and failed to make a catch during his two appearances. Dorsett has bounced around quite a bit throughout his time in the league. Dorsett is viewed more as a depth option than an actual impact player on a roster. He could sign elsewhere before the season starts, but his chances of having fantasy value are low.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent wide receiver Albert Wilson has decided to retire from professional football after seven seasons. Wilson joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2014 season. He spent four seasons with the Chiefs, and Wilson achieved a career-high 554 receiving yards during his final season with the team. After that, Wilson joined the Miami Dolphins for the next three seasons. He was fairly lackluster during his time with the Dolphins. He bounced around with the Raiders and Vikings but hasn't seen the field since the 2021 season. Wilson will finish his career with 218 receptions, 2,499 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
