Box Score Breakdown: NFL Preseason Week 2 Fantasy Recap

An eventful August in the NFL leaves fantasy players with a series of headaches, to say the least. Injuries to Ricky Pearsall and Jayden Higgins have taken two mid-round-breakout candidates off the board already, with Jordyn Tyson and his finicky hamstring threatening to limp off as well. 

Ashton Jeanty is the latest concern, joining a long list of fantasy-relevant players that appear uncertain for Week 1. The list seems to get a new addition every few days, with Jeanty, Sam LaPorta and Tyler Warren doing the honors this past week.

Much of the focus below in my preseason breakdown will be on injuries and contingency plans, but you'll also find the usual broad survey of everything that might matter for fantasy football, be it redraft, best ball, deep dynasty leagues or anything else. I watched the early portions (and then some) of all 16 games from Week 2 of the preseason, monitoring beat writers, fantasy analysts and snap counts from NFL gamebooks throughout.

I'll comment on performance because it sometimes adds helpful context, but most of what I look for is hints about the depth chart (and injuries). While NFL teams are unlikely to reveal the nature of their 1A/1B backfield split in a preseason game, they'll often give us strong hints about the backup roles behind a clear No. 1 (see: Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington). 

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Washington has been one of the clear winners this preseason, along with 49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling. Analysis on those two and other important fantasy notes will be in bold below. I'll comment on a lot of other things, but some of that is just checking in on a young player's progress or confirming what was already expected.

How do these players stack up against the rest of the NFL? Visit our fantasy football rankings for a list of the top players for the remainder of the season.

Snap data and alignment stats in the article below come from NFL NextGen and/or official NFL gamebooks.

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Raiders (22) at Texans (20) 

QB C.J. Stroud played, while RB David Montgomery, WR Nico Collins and TE Dalton Schultz rested.

QB Kirk Cousins, RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Tre Tucker and TE Brock Bowers all rested.

Raiders

Stock Up, Up, Up: RB Mike Washington 

Note: This was written before Ashton Jeanty's injury at Sunday's practice. With Jeanty potentially out for weeks (or months?), Washington's increasingly strong claim on the No. 2 RB role might actually be worth something in fantasy.

• Washington was the Raiders' big fantasy story for a second straight week, breaking off a 33-yard run (9-56-0 rushing line + 2-18-0 receiving) after he had a 53-yarder last week.
  • Washington dominated second-team work for a second straight week, reinforcing that he's the No. 2 RB in Las Vegas behind Ashton Jeanty. Some have assumed that all along, if only due to lack of competition.
  • I'm suspicious of the idea that Washington's strong preseason will impact a healthy Jeanty's workload. Maybe a tiny bit around the edges, but the question with Washington was never whether he can break big plays. His elite athleticism is a known, and his success (or lack thereof) will come down to skills/details. In a lead role, Washington wouldn't be likely to handle passing downs, at least not initially.
• Dylan Laube was second through the RB rotation and took seven touches for 51 yards and a TD. I guess that makes him the favorite for the No. 3 RB job, but the Raiders could also opt for Dare Ogunbowale (who also scored a TD on Thursday). Undrafted rookie Roman Hemby had a few nice runs, but he only played special teams until the fourth quarter, so there's not much hint of a real roster shot.
  • With Jeanty potentially missing significant time, Laube or Ogunbowale could have a role on passing downs.
• QB Fernando Mendoza threw an early pick-six but was otherwise decent, completing eight of 15 passes (with two drops) for 86 yards.
• WR Jalen Nailor didn't rest, instead making the start opposite rookie Malik Benson.
  • Nailor played 13 snaps and caught one of three targets for 22 yards. It's not a great sign that he was playing while Tucker rested, but Nailor is still a clear favorite for the No. 2 WR role.
    • Benson, BTW, caught one of five targets for 18 yards. He had back-to-back drops on what would've been first downs for the Raiders.
  • Nailor was a nice value in best ball drafts early this offseason when he was priced in the 190s or 200s. He's not a player who will ever matter for regular redraft, and he's not worth what he's cost in best ball for the past few months. I'm not a huge fan of Tucker either, but the case for him looks stronger right now, with more upside to catch passes in the short areas of the field (like we saw in the prior preseason game). Tucker could at least be useful as a bye-week replacement. Nailor won't even be that.
• WR Jack Bech came on as the No. 3 receiver, after handling the same role the week before with Kirk Cousins and the starters (Bech also continued playing with the backups in the previous game, and caught a TD from Fernando Mendoza). 
  • Anyway, Bech finished without a target on 16 snaps, working as the No. 3 receiver early in the game and then playing through the second quarter.
  • Bech, a 2025 second-round pick, appears on track for the No. 3 role, but in an offense that wants the second TE (Michael Mayer) to play far more snaps than the third receiver. It is possible Bech's role will include some snaps in 13 or 12 personnel to take advantage of his size and blocking. He's fine as a last-round pick in best ball or a bench stash in dynasty, but Bech is still far from the redraft radar.

Texans

Stock Up (Slightly): RB Woody Marks

• Marks started and took all five RB touches on the opening drive, including a 20-yard TD run that featured multiple broken tackles. Marks didn't appear to play at all after that first drive, which shouldn't be surprising. There's never been much doubt that he's the No. 2 RB in Houston. He might even take a decent chunk of work away from Montgomery, but not because he played well in a preseason game against the Raiders.
• Houston's WRs are the focus right now for fantasy, but there's not much to read into  from the preseason game with Jaylin Noel (leg) and Tank Dell (knee) both held out.
  • Xavier Hutchinson and Jared Wayne got the starting nod. Hutchinson came out after eight snaps, while Wayne played deep into the game. 
  • Noel is the guy to watch here, but mostly we're going to see a Houston offense that puts a huge burden on Nico and the RBs. 
• TE Marlin Klein didn't start, instead coming in behind Cade Stover and Foster Moreau, but that didn't stop Klein from leaving an impression for the second straight week. He caught three of four targets for 31 yards, after catching his lone target for 31 yards the week before.
  • Klein was a second-round pick this spring, though mostly on the basis of his size and run blocking. He may soon compete for snaps in 12 and 13 personnel, potentially pushing Stover or Moreau aside.

49ers (41) at Chargers (17) 

Both teams played their healthy starters, including vets like Deebo Samuel and Justin Herbert, but the Chargers pulled most of the key guys on offense after opening with a 3-and-out.

49ers 

Stock Up: RB Kaelon Black

• WR De'Zhaun Stribling didn't start Thursday's game, but he came on as the No. 3 WR behind Deebo Samuel and Demarcus Robinson and quickly caught three passes for 25 yards on the opening drive.
  • Stribling then added a 21-yard gain from Mac Jones late in the first quarter before dropping a potential TD deep down the left sideline. He played a total of 14 snaps (five targets, 4-46-0).
  • Stribling came out of the game listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury.
  • Stribling is one of the few cases where I do think the preseason performance matters, because it was clear Kyle Shanahan wanted to test the rookie and see how he responded in a way that's unusual for preseason games. Stribling's strong response doesn't mean he'll be the No. 2 WR ahead of Deebo Samuel in Week 1, but it does seem Shanahan is preparing the rookie for the No. 3 role, health permitting.
  • Deebo is fantasy-startable for Week 1 and multiple rounds cheaper than Stribling in many formats.

Inside you there are two preseason wolves.

• RB Kaelon Black got the start and played eight of 10 snaps alongside Brock Purdy, taking four of five carries with the starters (Sincere McCormick got the other).
  • Black played well, opening the game with a 5-yard run, a blitz pickup and a 3rd-and-1 conversion on the first three plays. He doesn't look explosive and will turn 25 in October, but 'healthy and reliable' might be enough to win the No. 2 RB job in San Francisco this year.
  • However, RB Jordan James (ribs) returned to practice Saturday, and McCormick played well in Thursday's game, finishing with 6-53-1 on the ground. (Black put up 8-33-0 with no targets). 
  • James might still have time to make his case (or not, the 49ers travel to Sydney on Sept. 2).
• WR Demarcus Robinson filled in for a banged-up Mike Evans, who then returned to practice Saturday. 
• TE Jake Tonges played every snap with the first-string offense and eight additional snaps with the backups. Luke Farrell also played a bunch with the starters, as the 49ers didn't use a fullback in the absence of Kyle Juszczyk (finger).

Chargers

Stock Down: TE Oronde Gadsden

• RB Omarion Hampton played all three snaps on the opening drive, and not at all after.
  • Hampton's lone touch was a blown-up toss play on the first snap.
  • RB Keaton Mitchell then played 10 snaps over the next two drives, taking four touches for 10 yards. He had a 21-yard catch canceled out by a penalty.
  • RB Kimani Vidal took over for the fourth drive and got six touches for 16 yards in the second quarter. He returned the opening kickoff of the second half but didn't get any touches on offense, giving way to Amar Johnson and Jaret Patterson.
• With Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris nursing minor injuries, Ladd McConkey and Brenen Thompson took all three snaps on the opening drive.
  • FB Alec Ingold, TE Charlie Kolar & TE David Njoku played two snaps apiece. Ingold didn't play at all thereafter, while Kolar got six more snaps and Njoku took three (after Herbert/Hampton/McConkey were done).
• TE Oronde Gadsden didn't play until the third drive and ended up logging 24 snaps.
  • Reminder: Gadsden played in the first preseason game, while Kolar and Njoku rested.
  • I still love the talent, but it's no secret that Mike McDaniel cares about blocking more than receiving with his tight ends*. And there have been reports all summer about Gadsden mostly working with the backups in training camp. What we've seen in the preseason is just the cherry on top, though Gadsden has looked good as a receiving threat with the backups, catching four of six targets for 45 yards on 23 routes this preseason.
    • *My question is what happens if things go wrong, e.g., the Chargers aren't good, or Johnston and Harris stink, or the passing game proves far better than the running game. That's where Gadsden might be able to emerge as the team's second-best pass catcher (after McConkey). It's not a great bet to make in redraft, granted.

Jets (17) at Steelers (0) 

The Jets played their healthy starters, while Pittsburgh held out QB Aaron Rodgers but otherwise played most healthy starters.

Jets

Stock Up (Slightly): WR Omar Cooper

• RB Braelon Allen played every snap on the opening drive, but that doesn't mean much with Breece Hall (groin) and Isaiah Davis (knee).
  • Allen had a 31-yard TD run in the first preseason game, but he looked slow in this one and took four touches for nine yards.
  • I think Davis is the better real-life player, but we'd probably see a fairly even workload split if Hall were to miss time (with both Allen and Davis healthy)
• WR Omar Cooper got the start alongside Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, working as the No. 3 receiver on the first-team offense after Isaiah Williams handled the role the previous week.
  • Cooper continued playing with the backups and ultimately saw just one target (a nine-yard catch) on 22 snaps, but it was still a good sign for his early role to play ahead of Williams, who caught three of five targets for 17 yards across 21 snaps. TBD how that plays out Week 1; the Jets could even have Williams and Cooper share the WR3 role.
  • Wilson played every snap on the opening drive. Mitchell missed a couple of plays but only after catching two passes for 29 yards on back-to-back snaps. Neither took any snaps after the first drive.
• TE Mason Taylor came off the field once on the opening drive, and then played three snaps with the backups. He caught a 10-yard pass from Geno Smith to convert a 3rd-and-9.
  • Best Ball Note: Taylor is one of my favorite picks in Rounds 19-20 right now, potentially benefiting from Kenyon Sadiq's prolonged absence. Sadiq may be back soon, but he'll likely start off in a small role after missing so much time.

Steelers

• RB Jaylen Warren played all three snaps on the opening drive. Rico Dowdle took all three snaps on the second drive. Warren then took the first five snaps of the third drive, followed by Dowdle playing seven of the last eight snaps on that drive.
  • No real takeaway here. We already know both will have large roles, and the Steelers didn't give any hints about down-and-distance preferences. There is some chance they alternate drives in the regular season, but that usually doesn't apply to specialized situations like 4th-and-1, 3rd-and-long, the hurry-up offense, etc. There's almost always a clear preference for those kinds of spots, and the preference matters for fantasy when we're talking about two guys who are in borderline-starter territory in fantasy.
  • The good news? Warren and Dowdle both make for reasonable Week 1 starts as home favorites against the Falcons. Both should get double-digit touches.
• WRs Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard started again, with Ben Skowronek as the No. 3.
  • Bernard had one incomplete target on 29 snaps. Wilson caught two of five targets for 16 yards. It's not a No. 3 receiver battle that matters for redraft, but there is some fantasy interest, and Bernard has been an endgame pick in best ball all summer.
• TEs Darnell Washington (12 snaps) and Pat Freiermuth (10 snaps) split work right around 50-50, but that's also with the Steelers running nearly all of their plays from 11 personnel early in the game. They'll have more chances to get on the field together in the regular season in 12 personnel.
  • Washington could be a problem for Freiermuth's route share, no doubt, but the number should still be above 50% most weeks.
  • Washington and Freiermuth didn't play after the third drive (also the last series of Dowdle and Warren).

Panthers (34) at Jaguars (17) 

The Panthers played their healthy starters, while the Jaguars held out most starters and key veteran backups.

Panthers

• RB Jonathon Brooks, WR Tetairoa McMillan and WR Jalen Coker each played 12 of 13 snaps with QB Bryce Young. 
  • None of them played at all after the second drive, which ended with a one-yard TD run by Brooks.
  • RB Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) hasn't practiced since the second week of August, so Brooks' workload doesn't mean much, it just confirms what was expected with Hubbard out. The question is how things look once Hubbard is healthy, though it's not entirely clear that will happen before Week 1.
• RB Travis Etienne subbed in for one snap with the starters and then dominated second-team work. He finished with five carries for 24 yards on 16 snaps while also working as the first-team kick and punt returner.
  • Best Ball Note: Etienne is/was a middling prospect, but he's locked in as the No. 3 RB for a team with shaky options at the top of the depth chart. He may even get some passing-down snaps if everyone is healthy. And for big tournaments, consider it a bonus that Etienne goes undrafted most of the time. You may not need to reach this deep in the bag on Underdog (18 rounds), but I like Etienne as a 20th-round pick on DK, Drafters, etc. (20 rounds).
• TE Darren Waller isn't ready to play yet, so the Panthers went with their familiar TE rotation: Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans.
  • Tremble caught just two passes for 20 yards on the opening drive, and he played only five snaps overall. It'll be him and Waller getting most of the playing time come Week 1.

Jaguars

• Nothing of interest here unless you're in deep dynasty leagues. But if you are...
  • WR Josh Cameron, a talented sixth-round pick, caught both of his targets for 41 yards on 15 snaps. He started and didn't appear to play after halftime. He's in good position for a roster spot.
  • WR Trebor Pena, an undrafted rookie out of Penn State, caught each of his four targets for 72 yards and a TD (though all of his targets came in the second half). He caught three of four targets for 58 yards in the previous preseason game, so he's also making a strong case to stick around, at least on the practice squad.
• RB Ameer Abdullah started and looked surprisingly awesome, taking nine touches for 82 yards. With LeQuint Allen (soft tissue injury) not practicing and perhaps uncertain for Week 1, we could see Abdullah step in as Jacksonville's passing-down specialist.

Packers (33) at Broncos (13) 

Starting lineups in this one looked regular-season ready, with the exception of Josh Jacobs (groin), J.K. Dobbins (injury prevention) and TE Tucker Kraft (ACL) sitting out. 

The Broncos kept Bo Nix in for two drives but removed some other starters after one drive. The Packers took their starters out after a lengthy opening drive.

Packers

• RB MarShawn Lloyd got the start and took five of six RB touches on a 14-play opening drive, including an 11-yard TD catch on the last snap for most of the starters.
  • Chris Brooks took a handful of snaps on the opening drive, but his only touch was a two-yard run on the play before Lloyd's TD. He ended up playing 15 snaps, with six touches for 13 yards.
  • Lloyd finished with six carries for 17 yards (plus the TD catch), briefly playing with the backups after Jordan Love and other starters left. 
  • I understand the situational appeal with Lloyd, but my non-fantasy take is that the Packers should try to trade for a reliable backup and still treat Lloyd more like a lottery ticket. He's barely played football since 2022-23, when he was a timeshare back with ball-security issues for eight-win teams. Since then, he's missed two years with injuries. It's not just about staying healthy; we have no clue yet if this guy is even any good. It doesn't say much that he looks quicker than the lead-footed Brooks.
• WRs Christian Watson and Matthew Golden each played 11 of 14 snaps on the opening drive and not at all afterward. Watson caught two of three targets for 19 yards. Golden caught his lone target for 19 yards.
  • WR Jayden Reed didn't play, so the Packers rotated Bo Melton, Sky Moore and Savion Williams in with the first-team offense.
• TE Josh Whyle played every snap on the opening drive and none thereafter.
  • Tucker Kraft (knee) may be ready for Week 1. If not, Whyle should take plenty of snaps. (Luke Musgrave's future is in limbo due to a neck injury.)

Broncos

• Sean Payton's personnel deployment in Denver has been chaotic even in the regular season. In the preseason, he rotates so heavily that there's not much point looking into it. But, for those who care... 
• RB RJ Harvey started and played all six snaps on the opening drive, including his 21-yard TD catch on a wheel route. He didn't play after that.
  • Jonah Coleman then took all eight snaps on the second drive. He didn't play after that.
• WRs Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton played each of the six snaps on the opening drive, with Pat Bryant coming on as the No. 3 receiver.
  • Waddle and Sutton didn't play the second drive, leaving Bryant, Troy Franklin and Lil'Jordan Humphrey as the main WRs.

Commanders (13) at Lions (17) 

The Commanders played their healthy starters for 1-2 drives. 

The Lions rested most starters and some veteran backups.

Commanders

Stock Up (Deep Leagues): WR Treylon Burks

• QB Jayden Daniels, WR Terry McLaurin and WR Stefon Diggs left the game after a 3-and-out.
  • Diggs started but came off the field for one of the three snaps.
• RB Kaytron Allen played all three snaps on the opening drive, taking a carry for 11 yards on 3rd-and-20. He continued playing until early in the fourth quarter, gaining just 19 yards on his next 10 touches after the free yardage on his first carry.
  • RBs Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White are dealing with minor injuries, and Jeremy McNichols (quad) has been out for a couple of weeks. It doesn't mean much that Allen got the start, and there's not been anything to suggest that he's an immediate threat to JCM or White's usage.
• WR Treylon Burks played all three snaps on the opening drive and nine additional snaps afterward, without seeing a target.
  • Burks getting one more snap than Diggs on the opening drive is interesting, especially given that Diggs took both of his snaps in the slot from 11 personnel. It was Burks who stayed on the field in 12 personnel, with TE John Bates replacing Diggs. 
    • This wouldn't be a shocking regular-season plan, but it's not the type of thing I'd assume based on a three-snap drive in the preseason. Diggs could very well be the slot man in 11 personnel and also take some of the two-wide snaps once it counts. TBD.
    • Rookie third-round pick Antonio Williams caught each of his three targets for 41 yards, but all of his production came over the final 31 minutes of game time, so he doesn't look in great position for a big Week 1 role. There really is some chance that we see 40-plus snaps of Treylon Burks come Week 1. It probably won't amount to much in terms of targets/production, but it's still cool to see a draft bust get a second/third chance of sorts.
• TE Chig Okonkwo played all three snaps on the first drive and nine additional snaps afterward, catching one pass for 10 yards.
  • It could be a good sign for Okonkwo/Bates that Ben Sinnott didn't appear to play in the first quarter. Undersized TEs like Okonkwo don't always get the snaps in multi-TE formations. He might, and he'll also get most of the snaps in 11 personnel (though Bates could take some of those, to be fair).

Lions

Stock Down: WR Isaac TeSlaa

• RB Jacob Saylors started for a second straight week, though it again doesn't mean much in the absence of Isiah Pacheco (knee) and Sione Vaki (back).
  • Saylors, a 2023 UDFA, lost a fumble on the first drive (and saw it recovered for a TD). He otherwise had success running the ball for a second straight week (6-32-0 after 8-55-0).
  • Pacheco (MCL sprain) is expected back for Week 1. Nobody else has emerged this summer, so he still looks like a strong favorite for the No. 2 RB job.
• WR Isaac TeSlaa started for a second straight week, playing 27 snaps without drawing a target.
  • WR Greg Dortch, meanwhile, played seven snaps (also without a target).
  • TeSlaa's extended playing time this preseason (with three targets and no catches) obviously isn't a good sign, so it won't be shocking if he and Dortch split the No. 3 role.
  • Kayshon Boutte time?

Bills (31) at Browns (7) 

The Bills rested their starters, while the Browns rested most starters but continued their QB battle.

Bills

• RB Ray Davis started and played 14 snaps, taking eight touches for 31 yards and a TD (he converted from the 1-yard line on his third try).
  • With James Cook rested and Ty Johnson (knee) unavailable, the RB rotation here doesn't mean much. Frank Gore and Ian Wheeler were the only other healthy guys (they combined for 110 rushing yards on 23 carries).
• WR Joshua Palmer was one of the players rested, with no injury reported. That could be a good sign for him.
  • Keon Coleman (foot/toe) looked like the favorite for the No. 3 job, but now he's uncertain for Week 1. It's not an offense where the No. 3 role will mean much.

Browns

Stock Down: WR Denzel Boston

• Boston started and played 11 snaps (no targets), which isn't a good sign given that KC Concepcion was resting.
  • Also rested: TE Harold Fannin, RB Quinshon Judkins, RB Dylan Sampson, WR Jerry Jeudy.
  • Judkins is dealing with a minor injury; the others appear healthy.
  • Boston may still be Cleveland's starting X receiver come Week 1, but the preseason usage Saturday hints that the team is more convinced by Concepcion's summer.
• RB Raheim Sanders started and played 24 snaps, taking 12 carries for 31 yards.
  • Sanders has looked slow, but he may default into the No. 3 role with Ahmani Marshall and Davon Booth also failing to make an impression.
• The Browns will announce their starting QB on Monday, per Adam Schefter.
  • They once again both looked awful, and both managed to toss picks in the blowout loss. Shedeur Sanders' stats don't look too bad at first glance, but more than half of the yardage came on plays where he had a ridiculous amount of time in the pocket. The only redeeming quality for Watson and Sanders is that they aren't Dillon Gabriel. Using Watson as the means to Tank for Archie would be kind of funny, but it also feels overly cynical for a laughingstock franchise. Don't laugh at the gods when they've already got a taste for your blood! 

Falcons (34) at Colts (6) 

This was pure preseason slop, with both teams resting starters and a number of veteran backups.

Falcons

Stock Up (32-Team Leagues): RB Tyler Goodson

• WR Zachariah Branch was the only Falcon with any fantasy interest to play. He started and caught passes on the first two plays, gaining 15 yards. He played just eight snaps on offense and returned one punt.
  • Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zacchaeus all rested. They'll likely open the year as Atlanta's top three at WR, but Branch doesn't need to be any kind of beast to pry work away from the likes of Dotson/Zaccheaus (I actually like both of these vets, relative to the general public's opinion, but even the rose-colored glasses have them as high-quality backups more so than legit starters).
• RB Tyler Goodson made the start and ran for a 49-yard TD in the first quarter, after rotating in behind Nathan Carter the week before.
  • Carter added a one-yard TD in the second quarter, finishing with 17-42-1 (compared to Goodson's 6-59-1).
  • It's probably a good sign for Goodson that he not only started but played fewer snaps (16) than Carter (28). That makes Goodson the favorite for the RB3 job, though he could also land on the practice squad instead, if only due to special teams considerations.
• QB Michael Penix (knee) was cleared for contact over the weekend.

Colts

• RB Seth McGowan started and played 27 snaps, taking nine touches for 32 yards.
  • DJ Giddens (hamstring) returned to practice last week but hasn't played in either preseason game. He could still give McGowan a run for his money for the No. 2 RB job.
  • Ulysses Bentley hasn't been listed/reported with any injury, but chatter from Indy camp suggests he was banged up. He may still have a shot at a backup job.
  • McGowan and UDFA Anderson Castle were Indy's only RBs for this game.

Ravens (13) at Vikings (3) 

More preseason slop, but the kind I love as a Maryland native. Tai Felton sighting! Ja'Kobi Lane!

Ravens

Stock Down: WR Elijah Sarratt

• WRs Ja'Kobi Lane and Devontez Walker got the start, with LaJohntay Wester coming on as the No. 3 receiver early on.
  • Elijah Sarratt played six snaps and caught just one pass for three yards, with 10 minutes remaining in the game. There's no hint of him being in the mix for a Week 1 role. Lane and Walker are the most likely beneficiaries if Rashod Bateman's ongoing legal problems lead to missed time.
    • Lane is a reasonable late-round target given his hype-filled summer and Baltimore's obvious need for pass catchers behind Zay Flowers.
  • Lane caught one of two targets for nine yards on 19 snaps. Walker took 32 snaps and caught two of three targets for 32 yards.

Vikings

Stock Up (Deep Dynasty): WR Tai Felton, RB Demond Claiborne

• RB Demond Claiborne and WR Tai Felton both started and saw plenty of work early, with Felton making a 50-yard reception in the first quarter en route to a 3-66-0 receiving line (four targets).
  • Felton looks like the favorite for the No. 4 WR job, if only due to weak competition. The big play Saturday can't hurt.
  • Claiborne took eight carries for 18 yards and one catch for seven yards. He hasn't done much this preseason, but he's clearly worked ahead of Zavier Scott in both games, which suggests Claiborne is favored for the No. 3 RB job.

Giants (26) at Dolphins (3) 

Both teams rested most of their veteran starters, including the QBs and RBs.

Giants

Stock Up: WR Malachi Fields

Stock Down: RB Tyrone Tracy

• The Giants opened with QB Jameis Winston, RB Devin Singletary, WR Malachi Fields, WR Darius Slayton, WR Calvin Austin and TE Chris Manhertz.
• Fields played all eight snaps on the opening drive, and didn't play at all after that, while Slayton and Austin both continued playing through the end of the half.
  • Darnell Mooney (personal) wasn't available, but we do now have multiple hints about Fields being ahead of Slayton, at the very least.
  • Austin reportedly has handled first-team slot work throughout camp, but he also looks vulnerable, due to both his glaring lack of size and the extended preseason playing time with backups. Long story short, Fields is the NYG receiver to draft in every format (besides Malik Nabers).
• Singletary started over Tyrone Tracy, who then lost a fumble late in the first quarter.
  • Tracy bounced back with some nice runs and finished with nine touches for 48 yards, but we'll soon need a second hand to count the troubling signs for his fantasy value over the past couple of weeks. There's a real chance the Giants go with Singletary and Najee Harris behind Skattebo.
  • Singletary>Najee, BTW. And that was probably true before the Achilles tear. Singletary isn't bad, just forgotten.

Dolphins

Stock Up (Slightly): WR Malik Washington, TE Greg Dulcich, WR Caleb Douglas

• Starters: QB Cam Miller, RB Jaylen Wright, WR Caleb Douglas, WR Jalen Tolbert, TE Will Kacmarek, FB D.J. Herman.
• Rested: QB Malik Willis, RB De'Von Achane, WR Malik Washington, TE Greg Dulcich.
• WR Caleb Douglas started but played just three snaps, while fellow starter Jalen Tolbert ended up taking 18 snaps.
  • Douglas looks to be ahead of Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, etc. for the No. 2 WR role.
  • Douglas worked with the starters the week before when Willis and Achane played, BTW.
• WR Kevin Coleman, another rookie, played 18 snaps and caught two of five targets for 32 yards. He saw two incomplete targets on the first drive, coming on as the No. 3 receiver alongside Douglas and Tolbert.
  • There's a real chance Coleman, a sixth-round pick, is Miami's No. 3 receiver. That's not a job that will entail many targets, of course.

Saints (0) at Rams (34) 

Both teams rested starters and some veteran backups.

Saints

Stock Up (Dynasty): WR Barion Brown, RB Kendre Miller

• RB Kendre Miller got the start and took six carries for 22 yards, with Devin Neal subbing in before exiting with a hamstring injury.
  • With Alvin Kamara (knee) and Audric Estime (ankle) already out, Miller has a shot at the No. 2 RB job, at least for Week 1. I don't quite have him best-ball-draftable territory yet.
  • Ty Chandler is also around, but he lost a fumble in this one and would probably just be a third-down specialist and/or return man anyway.
• WR Bryce Lance, a fourth-round pick, got the start and played 26 snaps, catching both of his targets for 16 yards and getting called for a holding penalty. The Saints need someone to step up at WR with Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) out for the first part of the season, but there hasn't been any hint of Lance earning an early role, with sixth-round pick Barion Brown instead getting the hype.
  • Brown didn't play Saturday, but I'm not sure it means anything. Hard to say what the plan is beyond Olave and Vele at WR.

Rams

Stock Up (Dynasty): WR CJ Daniels

• WR CJ Daniels, a sixth-round pick, caught eight of 13 targets for 68 yards. He didn't start, and wasn't overly impressive, but the Rams clearly wanted to take a close look at him. It's still unclear what they plan to do for the No. 3 receiver job, so Daniels may be one of the guys who gets a look there at some point.
• QBs Ty Simpson (8-of-12, 73 yards) and Stetson Bennett (19-of-31, 181 yards) both were competent. Bennett made the start and rushed for two TDs, so he looks like the favorite for the No. 2 QB job, at least initially.

Bears (9) at Bengals (27) 

The Bears mostly played their healthy starters, while the Bengals went with backups.

Bears

• QB Caleb Williams played one drive, totaling nine snaps and ending in a field goal.
  • WR Rome Odunze played all nine snaps and drew two targets, making an 18-yard catch on the first snap.
  • TE Colston Loveland played eight of nine snaps, with Cole Kmet coming on for five snaps.
  • With Luther Burden (groin) still out, the WRs rotated alongside Odunze on the first drive. Kalif Raymond got the start but only played three snaps. Kaden Davis got more playing time but didn't do anything with it.
  • RB Roschon Johnson played every snap on the opening drive, in the absence of both D'Andre Swift (rest) and Kyle Monangai (knee). Johnson took 12 carries for 42 yards, while Salvon Ahmed had six carries for 36 yards and caught three of five targets for 14 yards. This looks like an ongoing battle for the RB3 job, though both could stick around in some capacity with Monangai uncertain for Week 1.

Bengals

Stock Up: RB Samaje Perine, WR Colbie Young

• RB Tahj Brooks got the start, while Samaje Perine rested. Not that there was any question there, but it's the latest sign Perine is locked in as the No. 2 running back. 
  • Best Ball Note: Perine is one of the least interesting No. 2 RBs, but he's also among the cheapest, if not the cheapest among RBs who are locked in as backups right now. He's a good endgame pick in a range where the other RBs are likely third-stringers.
• Rookie WR Colbie Young started and played 32 snaps, catching three of eight targets for 48 yards and a TD.
  • Andrei Iosivas was among the players rested, but a solid showing from Young will add to the buzz coming out of Cincinnati. The resting vs. resting doesn't mean as much when comparing a multi-year, low-level starter against a rookie mid-round pick. Guys like Young always play a bunch in the preseason, even if they've got a shot at Week 1 snaps as well.
  • I'd still bet on Iosivas being the No. 3 receiver in Week 1, but he's for sure on the hotseat.

Eagles (21) at Patriots (24) 

Both teams rested starters and some key veteran backups

Eagles

Stock Down (Redraft): TE Eli Stowers

• RB Tank Bigsby, WR Dontayvion Wicks and WR Hollywood Brown were among the players rested.
  • Wicks was also rested for the previous game, setting him up to potentially get more snaps than Makai Lemon (hamstring) at the beginning of the season.
  • It does sound like Lemon and DeVonta Smith (hamstring) should be ready for Week 1, so Wicks isn't likely to see more than a handful of targets per game even if he's on the field a ton.
• RB Will Shipley made a strong case to keep the No. 3 job, taking 11 carries for 56 yards and a TD. He may be typecast as a passing-down guy, but he's shown enough juice to fill in as a rusher in a pinch.
• TE Eli Stowers started and played 20 snaps, seeing two incomplete targets. Reports out of Eagles camp suggest his progress has been slow, so the rookie may not have a role early on.
  • TE Johnny Mundt was among the healthy players rested, while Grant Calcaterra (back) was unavailable. It's possible both play ahead of Stowers early on, if only for blocking.
  • Still a big fan of Stowers, but only for dynasty. The lack of confidence this summer suggests he won't necessarily have a large role if/when Dallas Goedert misses time.

Patriots

Stock Up (Deep Dynasty): WR Kyle Williams, RB Lan Larison

• RB Lan Larison started over Jam Miller, a reversal from last week, though both got plenty of work.
  • Larison finished with 9-33-0 rushing and 3-41-0 receiving, compared to Miller's 11-36-0 rushing and no targets.
  • The Pats will try to keep both Miller and Larison around in some capacity, given that Miller is more of a power runner and Larison more of a passing-down guy.
• WR Kyle Williams started and played 29 snaps, catching two of six targets for 74 yards and a TD (a house call from 69 yards out).
  • Williams was a third-round pick in 2025 and didn't play much as a rookie. He's now buried on the depth chart, but the Pats could keep him around or trade him as a developmental guy. There were some inferior prospects that went on Day 2 of this year's draft. Not saying I'm a huge Williams fan, but he was an OK prospect and hasn't really had a shot yet.

Chiefs (15) at Buccaneers (16) 

Both teams played most of their healthy starters, but the projected starting WRs on both sides were either out injured or rested (Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan).

Chiefs

Stock Down: WR Cyrus Allen 

• RB Kenneth Walker started and played the first two snaps, taking two carries for four yards before bowing out. He'll be busy come Week 1.
  • RB Emari Demercado replaced Walker on the opening drive for third down and then took all of the RB touches on the second and third series. Emmett Johnson started mixing in on the fourth drive, and he and Demercado both played deep into the third quarter before Brashard Smith took over for the final frame.
  • This was essentially the opposite of what happened in the first preseason game. In that one, Smith got the early work, with Johnson subbing in and Demercado not playing until much later.
    • The preseason plan thus doesn't mean much/anything. I think Demercado is a better real-life player than Smith. And, either way, Johnson is still the backup actually worth rostering in fantasy (even if he may technically be No. 3 on the depth chart). The fifth-round pick is a better prospect than a bunch of the RBs drafted ahead of him this year. Demercado is just a passing-down back, but he's OK at running from the shotgun when needed.
• WRs Tyquan Thornton, Cyrus Allen and Jalen Royals all started alongside TE Travis Kelce.
  • Thornton only played in the first quarter, taking 13 of 14 snaps (10 perimeter).
  • Royals also played 13 snaps (8 perimeter) in the first quarter. He finished with 6-51-0 on six targets, easily leading the team in receiving.
  • Allen took 10  of 14 snaps (5 perimeter, 5 slot) in the first quarter. Overall, he played a team-high 26 snaps in 11 personnel, but he got just three snaps in 12 personnel. 
    • Royals took 10 snaps in 12 personnel.
    • Allen caught three of five targets for seven yards. He now has 27 yards on 42 preseason routes, despite 10 targets (23.8% TPRR). There's still some chance of a Week 1 role, but it might only be a few slot snaps. Allen's summer buzz is fading.
  • Allen and Royals continued playing through the third quarter. After Thornton left, Royals played 57% of his snaps in the slot (while Allen took 53% of his in the slot).

Buccaneers

Stock Up: RB Sean Tucker

• RB Bucky Irving started and played three snaps, taking three carries for 14 yards on the first three plays of the game.
  • RB Kenneth Gainwell then came in for the final two snaps of the opening drive and all three snaps of a 3-and-out. His day was done after that, with Josh Williams taking over and gaining 33 yards on four touches. Williams played ahead of Sean Tucker, who put up a 5-23-1 rushing line. FWIW, Tucker started the prior exhibition before Williams took over.
  • The Bucs may trade or release Tucker soon. That's a good thing for his fantasy value with both Irving and Gainwell currently healthy. There's no shortage of teams hurting for RB depth right now.
• WR Ted Hurst took all eight snaps with Baker Mayfield and didn't play at all thereafter, whereas fellow "starters" David Sills (10 snaps) and Kameron Johnson (35 snaps, 4-56-0) got playing time after Mayfield's exit.
  • The playing time doesn't mean much with Egbuka/Godwin/McMillan/Tez all unavailable. 
  • Hurst didn't help his own cause with a 15-yard penalty for smacking Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane in the head after a play. Hurst's lone target was a short incompletion, after he put up 2-19-0 on six targets the week before.
  • I like Hurst as a prospect, but he'll likely just be the No. 4/5 receiver if Egbuka and McMillan get healthy before Week 1. McMillan does look vulnerable from both a health and talent standpoint, with Hurst being younger, faster, stronger, healthier, etc.

Cowboys (34) at Cardinals (13) 

Both teams rested starters and some veteran backups. QB Joe Milton played the entire first half for Dallas, and Gardner Minshew played into the third quarter for Arizona (Carson Beck was out with a rib injury).

Cowboys

Stock Up: RB Malik Davis

• RB Malik Davis got the start, after Jaydon Blue had the honor the week before.
  • Davis had runs of 3, 5, 13 and 4 yards on the opening drive, coming out in favor of Blue after taking carries on three straight plays.
  • Davis then took all three snaps on the second drive, with a four-yard carry and an eight-yard TD catch.

• Blue took over on the third drive and then played through the end of the third quarter, taking 15 carries for 75 yards (without any targets).
  • Davis ultimately played 14 snaps, compared to 27 for Blue. That's a good sign for Davis, but Blue did have success on the ground, and it was Blue who started the first exhibition game (and dominated snaps in the first half of that contest).
• WR Ryan Flournoy was one of the players rested.

Cardinals

• QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Tyler Allgeier, TE Trey McBride and WRs Marvin Harrison, Michael Wilson & Kendrick Bourne all were held out without any listed injury.
• With all the other RBs injured, Corey Kiner got the start and took 10 touches for 35 yards.
  • Evan Hull subbed in for Kiner some during the first half, and then continued playing in the second half, finishing with 13 touches for 65 yards.
• Rookie WR Reggie Virgil got the start and played 44 snaps, catching both of his targets for 26 yards. He and Jalen Brooks look good for spots on the 53-man roster as backups.

Seahawks (16) at Titans (19) 

The Seahawks rested most starters while the Titans played nearly everyone healthy enough to go.

Seahawks

Stock Up (Slightly): RBs Jadarian Price & George Holani

• Price and Holani both were held out, as were WRs Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed and TE AJ Barner
• WR depth looked like a strength for Seattle, but that may no longer be the case with Tory Horton (undisclosed) missing time again and Jake Bobo (IR - knee) out for the year.
• TE Elijah Arroyo wasn't rested, but he had a 36-yard TD on the opening drive after a 14-yard catch on the prior snap. He did play into the third quarter. I'm guessing he'll get playing time in multi-TE formations come Week 1, but blocking TE Eric Saubert and FB Brady Russell also figure to have roles. (Saubert also played Sunday, BTW.)
• RB Jacardia Wright got the start and split work with Velus Jones early on. Wright had a 69-yard TD on the second drive, making his case for one of the final roster spots.
  • Emanuel Wilson (hamstring) is still banged up and might not have a spot even when he's healthy. The Seahawks look ready to enter Week 1 with Price and Holani getting all the backfield work, though they could still pursue upgrades if a good opportunity emerges.

Titans

• RB Tony Pollard started for a second straight week, and again split work with Tyjae Spears around 50-50 in the early going.
  • I like Spears, but the preseason split won't necessarily be the regular-season split. Spears took a 4th-and-1 carry in this one, for example. Pollard would very likely be on the field there instead in the regular season. I'm guessing the touches will be something like 60/40 in Pollard's favor, with the snaps closer to 50/50. I do prefer Spears at cost, even if it's rising some recently.
• WR Carnell Tate, WR Wan'Dale Robinson, WR Calvin Ridley and TE Gunnar Helm were the other starters.
  • Tate played every snap while Ward was in the game but finished with just two incomplete targets (making him 0-for-5 this preseason, with every pass coming from Ward).
  • Robinson only played in 11 personnel and took just one of his 14 snaps out wide.
    • He caught both of his targets for 11 yards.
• Helm and Daniel Bellinger rotated in 11 personnel for a second straight week. They played together for a few 12 personnel snaps as well.
  • Brian Daboll's track record suggests the Titans may use a lot of 11 personnel this year. And it doesn't hurt to have decent WR depth with Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike behind the presumed starters.
  • Ayomanor and Dike only played with the backups, but Ridley could be on shaky footing as a starter. Ayomanor seems most likely to benefit from added playing time if Ridley doesn't stick as a starter.
• QB Cam Ward largely settled for dump offs, completing eight of 12 passes for 69 yards. Three of the completions went to Spears, and the only big play was a 33-yard reception by Pollard.

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