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.
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The Paur Report
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From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has not reported to voluntary workouts this offseason, according to general manager Joe Douglas. The team has reportedly been trying to trade the former No. 2 overall pick, but trade talks have been at a standstill. With Tyrod Taylor backing up Aaron Rodgers this season, the Wilson project is likely over in New York. The 24-year-old has completed 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions through his first 34 NFL games. A change of scenery would likely be a positive thing for the young signal-caller and the organization, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed offensive lineman Tyler Shatley, the team announced on X on Friday. The former Clemson Tiger joined the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and he has spent his entire 10-year career with the organization. He has 145 game appearances in his career, including 51 starts (six in 2023). Although he is not expected to compete for a starting role to begin the 2024 season, he brings depth to an offensive line that needs to do a much better job of protecting Trevor Lawrence this season. Shatley has experience at guard and center, making him a versatile veteran up front.
From RotoBaller
On The Pat McAfee Show, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said "it's been tracking for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to go at No. 2" to the Washington Commanders. However, no final decision has been made yet, and Schefter reports that Daniels has had an interest in being other places besides D.C. Daniels appears to be the Commanders' preference at No. 2 overall in next week's draft, but perhaps something changes now if they don't think he'll be fully committed to playing for their organization. General manager Adam Peters said on Thursday that it's pretty much a done deal that Washington won't trade out of the No. 2 pick, but his nugget from Schefter could change some things. In the end, Schefter still thinks Daniels is the favorite to go second overall to the Commanders.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers want to make the 2024 draft about a larger point, rather than anything as granular as finding weapons for quarterback Bryce Young after he struggled mightily in his rookie season in 2023. "I think it's not about surrounding Bryce with great players; it's about building a great team, and then Bryce can just do his part of it," new head coach Dave Canales said. Even if the Panthers aren't specifically just looking to add weapons for Young, they'll surely need to bolster what was a terrible offensive line and running game. Carolina already traded for receiver Diontae Johnson this offseason and spent some money to upgrade the O-line. "It's not about getting playmakers for Bryce, it's about getting playmakers for our team," general manager Dan Morgan said.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that tight end Chris Ballard is off the NFL commissioner's exempt list and is back with the team during offseason workouts. Ogletree was recently cleared of domestic-violence charges following his arrest last December. Ogletree was put on the commissioner's exempt list on Dec. 30. The 25-year-old caught nine of his 21 targets for 147 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games (nine starts) in 2023 in what was essentially his rookie season after he didn't play at all in 2022 after being drafted in the sixth round (192nd overall) in 2022 out of Youngstown State due to a torn ACL he suffered in the preseason. Ogletree will be off the fantasy radar as tight end depth behind Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos don't sound too concerned with wide receiver Courtland Sutton missing the start of the team's voluntary offseason workouts earlier this week. "It's 100 percent voluntary. It's the first week of the offseason program. Sean has talked to Courtland; I've talked to Courtland. He's in a good place, and I'll just leave it at that," general manager George Paton said. Sutton reportedly didn't show up because he wants a new contract, especially after scoring a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023. The 28-year-old has two years left on his current deal, but only $2 million is guaranteed. We have a ways to go before this comes an official holdout, but fantasy managers should expect plenty of regression in the TD department. Sutton should see plenty of targets with Jerry Jeudy now gone, but the QB situation in Denver is one of the worst in the league.
From RotoBaller
Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr., one of the top free-agent receivers available with less than a week until the NFL draft, spent Thursday on a visit with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to a source. The Chargers may draft a receiver as early as the fifth overall pick next Thursday night, but they still need starters and Chark could be an option to help build depth at the position now that Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both gone. The 27-year-old Chark had a 1,000-yard season with the Jaguars in 20219 and scored eight touchdowns, but injuries and inconsistency have limited him in four years since and he hasn't been reliable for fantasy managers. Chark might be intriguing as a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts if he were to land in LA, but it would also depend on what the Chargers do at the position in the upcoming draft.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers will not be charged. Dynasty Analysis: Flowers was under investigation for domestic violence but it seems there was insufficient evidence to charge him. While dynasty owners can file this away and move forward, there should also be some caution in having Flowers on your roster, just in case this isn't an isolated incident. Regardless, Flowers will enter next season with a relatively high upside and his ADP won't change at this point.
Dynasty | Giants tight end Darren Waller is still mulling retirement. Dynasty Analysis: Waller has dealt with a lot of injuries over his career and it seems as if he's really considering calling it quits. The Giants are reportedly giving him a lot of time to consider his options and not forcing a decision, though it's quite certain they'd like to know prior to next week's NFL Draft as his loss could actually make Brock Bowers a consideration with their pick in the top ten. Regardless, it looks like Waller is certainly towards the end of his career and dynasty managers need to start making plans to be without him in the near future, possibly as soon as this year.
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (arm) will not be cleared to practice until training camp this summer while he recovers from an arm injury. Joseph suffered the arm injury during the NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and it's going to keep him out of workouts this spring. But as long as the 23-year-old doesn't suffer a setback when he gets back on the field in training camp, he should be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season and will operate as Detroit's starting free safety. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Illinois has recorded 164 tackles (124 solo), eight interceptions, 19 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 32 games (29 starts) in his first two years in the NFL. When healthy, Joseph is on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues for depth at the DB position.
From RotoBaller
Since releasing quarterback Russell Wilson in March, the Denver Broncos haven't added any other QB behind Jarrett Stidham, so they have a clear need at the position heading into the first round of the NFL draft next Thursday. It's a position that has seen 13 different players make a start since Peyton Manning retired after the Super Bowl-winning 2015 season. The Broncos are open to trading up within the first round to select a rookie signal-caller, but there has to be an actual path to taking a QB that the Broncos think they can drop into their offense in 2024. And it's going to take additional draft capital for the Broncos to move up into the top five, something they don't have much of after using high draft picks to acquire Wilson and head coach Sean Payton. General manager George Paton said "forcing" a pick for a QB could leave the Broncos in a tough situation again next year, but they remain open to all ideas.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said on Thursday that he hasn't given tight end Darren Waller a deadline on his retirement decision this offseason. "Hopefully he's going to make a decision in the short term, but we're giving him time and space to make a decision on what he wants to do," Schoen said. Waller said in early March that he'd have a decision soon, but that hasn't come to fruition for the 31-year-old. A hamstring injury limited him to 12 games in 2023, and he finished with 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown. Waller is no longer in the prime of his career like he was with the Las Vegas Raiders and will be a pretty big injury risk as a low-end TE1 in fantasy if he decides to return for another season in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said that recently signed running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles), who is coming back from a torn Achilles, "should be" ready for training camp at the end of July. Hortiz also said the Dobbins signing is not likely to change the team's draft approach at running back. "You don't want to turn away from a good player because you've signed someone," Hortiz said. The Bolts lost do-it-all back Austin Ekeler to free agency this offseason, but they also picked up Gus Edwards in free agency, and he should fit new offensive coordinator Greg Roman's and head coach Jim Harbaugh's offensive system extremely well. The 25-year-old Dobbins has played in just nine regular-season games the last two seasons combined due to devastating lower-body injuries, so it's fair to wonder how much he has left moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said that he and the team continue to work on a long-term contract extension, but he also said "it's not really the focus right now." General manager Trent Baalke confirmed that the team was talking about an extension with Lawrence. "We're working, but you can't force this stuff." Lawrence is entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal and is eligible to have his fifth-year option picked up, with the deadline coming on May 2. If the two sides don't work anything out by then, Jacksonville will surely pick up the option for the 2025 season and continue to work on an extension. The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2021 out of Clemson took a slight step back from his Pro Bowl season in 2022 but was still a top-10 fantasy QB despite battling through an injury in the second half of 2023.
From RotoBaller
In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, NFL insider Peter Schrager said the Indianapolis Colts could be active in moving up for a top wide receiver in the 2024 NFL draft. "I think there's a chance the Colts move up for Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze," Schrager said. He believes the Cardinals will pick Harrison Jr. if they don't trade down from the No. 4 pick, but he could be in play for the Colts otherwise. While Indianapolis already has stud wideout Michael Pittman Jr. on the roster, they are lacking a true No. 2 wide receiver and need to surround sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson with high-end weapons. Ultimately, the Colts are likely not a great landing spot for a top receiver because Pittman is already there, Richardson's rushing skill set limits the passing volume, and the team is incentivized to use Jonathan Taylor after extending his contract last year. However, it would be a big boost for Richardson, who has top-five QB upside in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said the team is "real close" to finalizing their decision of who they will select on Thursday when the 2024 NFL draft begins and confirmed they will not trade out of the No. 2 overall pick. The Commanders desperately need a franchise quarterback, and they are presumably deciding between LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye. The 21-year-old Maye is viewed as more of a project with a sky-high ceiling, while Daniels, last year's Heisman Trophy winner, is 23 years old and ready to contribute right away. Either quarterback will have plenty of fantasy football intrigue in Washington, as both have plenty of mobility and could be throwing passes to Terry McLaurin in their rookie season.
From RotoBaller
The NFL reinstated Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney and free agents C.J. Moore, Rashod Berry, Quintez Cephus, and Demetrius Taylor on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The five players were suspended for the entire 2023 campaign for violating the league's gambling policy. Toney is the only player who remained on an NFL roster following the suspension, and it could be tough for the other four players to find landing spots considering their actions from last offseason. With major sports leagues trying to crack down on any suspicious gambling activity, this will be a situation worth monitoring over the next few years.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers was allegedly involved in a domestic investigation in February, leading to uncertainty surrounding his status on the field in 2024. On Thursday, the NFL announced there was insufficient evidence that Flowers engaged in any activity that violated the league's personal conduct policy. That said, there will be no action taken by the NFL, and Flowers is free to participate in all team activities. The 23-year-old is on track to contribute in 2024 after a 77-catch, 858-yard, five-touchdown rookie campaign. Although he did a lot of his damage with Mark Andrews (ankle) out of action, the former Boston College star has plenty of ability and should push to compile WR2 numbers in his sophomore campaign.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters may not be looking to trade out of the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of next week's NFL draft. "We feel great about staying at No. 2. Don't see a lot of scenarios where we trade down," Peters said. This shouldn't be a big surprise after Washington dealt last year's starter, Sam Howell, to the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. As of right now, veteran Marcus Mariota is atop the QB depth chart in D.C., but the Commanders will most likely take either LSU's Jayden Daniels or North Carolina's Drake Maye with the second overall pick next Thursday night if another club like the Minnesota Vikings doesn't made an offer that the Commanders can't refuse to move up into the No. 2 spot.
From RotoBaller
