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Fantasy Football: 10 things to watch Preseason Week 3

By Zachary Thompson

Aug 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) hands off to running back Darren McFadden (20) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) hands off to running back Darren McFadden (20) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi /

4. Cowboys RB Battle

The Cowboys have been holding one of the most important open auditions for fantasy football owners this preseason as they try to find their replacement for DeMarco Murray who had a huge year last year behind Dallas’s excellent offensive line.  Whoever runs behind the Cowboys’ O-line will have plenty of potential, but there is yet to be a clear winner in the battle for playing time alongside Tony Romo in the backfield.

Darren McFadden was brought in to give Dallas a veteran option and received the start in the Cowboy’s second preseason game gaining just four yards on his three carries. McFadden is trying to show he has enough left in the tank to be a meaningful contributor for Dallas, and he should get plenty of run on Saturday against Minnesota to show he can handle the job.

McFadden’s biggest challenge will be to overcome Joseph Randle who was penciled in as Murray’s replacement when the star RB signed with the Eagles.  Randle looked good in his limited action last season, and he’s still the Dallas RB that I would want to own at this point.  Hopefully, he can play with the first-team offense in this week’s game and clearly separate himself as the #1 option.  If Randle can do that, he’ll be a RB2, but there is definitely the potential of a timeshare draining his value.

Lance Dunbar is also in the mix mostly as a third-down back, and Dallas is without many options behind the top three RB after releasing Lache Seastrunk and an injury to Gus Johnson.

Seeing how this three-headed backfield will take shape is definitely something fantasy football owners need to watch this week.  Randle has the most potential, but he could be a huge disappointment at his average draft position if his workload is shared too much.

Next: 3. Panthers WR Situation

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