NFL Barometer: Is Josh Gordon Back?

With the all-important third week of the preseason complete, there won't be much more data to incorporate into pre-draft decisions. This week's edition will hopefully get fantasy owners firming up their stances on a number of players who made a statement by their play on the field throughout this preseason.

RISING

Josh Gordon, WR, CLE

In his first preseason action, Gordon looked like the 2013 version of himself when he was a man among boys on the field, as he torched veteran Brent Grimes twice for 87 yards and a touchdown on the only two targets he saw. He used a double-move to blow by Grimes for one long gain, before making an in-route adjustment on his touchdown catch. Sure, he'll be suspended for four games, but it looks like he'll be ready to dominate upon his return in Week 5. Although his ADP is 86, after this performance, it's almost a certainty that it'll shoot up another round or so. Fantasy owners who are confident he'll avoid another suspension should consider him a WR3 with league-winning upside, and draft him accordingly.

Mike Evans, WR, TB

After struggling with drops and consistency in 2015, Evans looked like a player who's ready to be a dominant force while tearing up the Browns for five catches, 115 yards and a score in the third preseason game. He's as physically gifted as any receiver in the league, and it wouldn't be a surprise at all if he posted yardage and touchdowns to rival any receiver in the league. This might be the last year fantasy owners can get him at a discount. His ADP is 26, but after his recent performance, be ready to pounce slightly earlier than that.

Willie Snead, WR, NO

With all the offseason buzz about Michael Thomas, the fantasy community has largely kicked Snead to the curb, as his ADP is 116. The second-year Saint showed excellent chemistry with Drew Brees against the Steelers on Friday as he ran precise routes while his quarterback connected with him four times for 58 yards and a score in just about a half of action in the team's third preseason game. He's expected to have a full-time role as an outside receiver for Brees, who typically averages about 300 passing yards per contest, and it's hard to imagine there's any way that Snead fails to outperform his draft value. Draft him as a bench option who can easily provide starting numbers.

Dak Prescott, QB, DAL

If Carson Wentz or Jared Goff were tearing it up in the preseason, they would be the talk of the fantasy community. In reality, why shouldn't everyone feel the same about Prescott? While Tony Romo recovers from broken bones in his back, Prescott is expected to be the Cowboys' starter for at least the early portion of the season. The good news is the team rested Romo for much of the preseason, the the rookie played with the starters a lot. He capped off an outstanding month with a solid performance on the road against the Seahawks starting defense, as he led to team to a touchdown, a field goal and a missed field goal on three straight drives -- all without Dez Bryant (concussion). With defenses forced to load up to stop the Cowboys' formidable rushing attack, Prescott will see plenty of single coverage while also adding some read option elements to the offense. He looks like a nice short-term option in two-quarterback leagues, and he also could be sneaky option as a late-round pick for teams with the suspended Tom Brady.

CHECK STATUS

Torrey Smith, WR, SF

There's no denying Smith is the best receiver on the 49ers' roster, but based on the first three preseason games, fantasy owners should be nervous about drafting him after he failed to register a single catch. It's possible that new head coach Chip Kelly doesn't want to tip his hand and show teams film on how he plans to use the veteran receiver. However, it's also possible the quarterback play is a detriment to a player who makes his living getting open downfield. Regardless of how this shakes out, Smith's ADP of 125 takes much of the risk out of drafting him, since he can be drafted as a WR5 with upside.

C.J. Spiller, RB, NO

For the second week in a row, Spiller was mixed in with the first-team offense, so it appears that coach Sean Payton is comfortable using the veteran in the "Darren Sproles" role that was a staple in the Saints' offense for years. With the exception of a pair of busted receptions in which he was hit as he caught the ball, he consistently made at least the first tackler miss each time he touched the football. It's entirely possible that between last year's knee injury and possible struggles to learn the offense that he could perform in 2016 the way that many hoped he would in 2015. In typical drafts, he's not being selected, but few players carry his potential upside after 200 players have been drafted.

Jared Cook, TE, GB

We've all seen it before -- Cook would put together a great game or even a string of solid performances before disappearing from fantasy relevance. Although that certainly could happen again, the Packers rarely sign free agents, and when they do, they tend to have success with those players. It would appear the team hopes to replicate the days when Jermichael Finley was a matchup nightmare for defenses, allowing Aaron Rodgers to take advantage of what defenses gave him. Although most of his production came after Rodgers made an early exit in the third preseason game, Cook caught four passes for 54 yards while Richard Rodgers barely saw the field. Betting on Cook at his current ADP of 153 is also a bet on the Packers. He's well worth the low-risk as a TE2 who can be dropped if he has a cold start.

Cam Newton, QB, CAR

Well, this listing is sure to raise some eyebrows, but this warning has to do with the underlying reasons behind Newton's 16-for-29 for 100 yards and two interception performance in the dress-rehearsal game against the Patriots. In his MVP season last year, everything went perfectly for him, but that doesn't change the fact that his mechanics are among the worst of any NFL quarterback. Sure, a few dropped passes made his weekend stat line look worse than it should've been, but he consistently threw off his back foot, causing his accuracy to suffer greatly, which has been an issue since his rookie season. Just remember that if you're drafting him based on the expectation that he'll match or surpass his 2015 production, even Peyton Manning and Tom Brady had precipitous falls after posting the best year of their careers.

FALLING

Jay Cutler, QB, CHI

After Culter had most efficient year of his career while playing for offensive coordinator Adam Gase in 2015, it seemed encouraging that the Bears promoted Dowell Loggains to replace the departed Gase, allowing Cutler to build upon his successful campaign. In addition, Kevin White is healthy and is supposed to provide the quarterback with an exceptional receiving duo with Alshon Jeffery. However, in the first half of the team's third preseason game, Cutler threw for only 20 yards and failed to get the Bears into Chiefs territory. It would appear wise to look elsewhere for a backup fantasy option than spending a pick in the 150s on Cutler.

Kevin White, WR, CHI

The second-year receiver is fully healthy after missing his entire rookie year with a shin injury and is in an outstanding position to line up alongside Alshon Jeffery, who's expected to draw heavy defensive attention, which should allow White to thrive. Unfortunately, the Bears' coaching staff is on record that White has to learn pretty much everything in regard to his position. In addition, he's caught just two passes for nine yards between the second and third preseason games. It's difficult to think that he'll be a value with an ADP of 95.

Jordan Matthews, WR, PHI

Matthews suffered a bone bruise to his knee Aug. 5, and he's now missed each of the team's three preseason games. Optimists will point out that he's the best receiver on the team and likely will be ready for Week 1. However, he's missed valuable reps while the team installs new head coach Doug Pederson's offense while also missing time with new quarterback Sam Bradford. It also was reported earlier in camp that he'd be best suited as a slot receiver in the Eagles' offense, but with the team expected to frequently use two-receiver sets, he could see far fewer snaps than a typical starting receiver. For now, his current ADP of 73 has him priced a bit high for someone going into the season with such significant questions.

Tony Romo, QB, DAL

2015 was a lost season for the veteran when he broke his collarbone twice, and now two broken bones in his back are reported to have him missing six to 10 weeks. He now goes from being a value pick with an ADP of 129 to being nearly undraftable, except in leagues with plenty of bench spots. However, since the injury isn't expected to leave any long-term complications, he'll make for a potentially nice waiver-wire pickup a week or two before his expected return.