Fantasy Football: Friday Night Roundup

Another night of preseason football is in the books and there were some interesting moments. Allow me do all the dirty work and tell you what you need to know about these players and what their performances could mean in fantasy football.

Giants WR Sterling Shepard had a nice diving 24-yard reception in the first quarter. Although it was his only catch of the game, it sure as heck was a nice one. He looks like he’s ready to live up to the hype.
Giants RB Rashad Jennings had a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. It was nice to see the Giants didn’t insert RB Andre Williams to vulture the touchdown (or at least attempt to). If you remember, Jennings finished 2015 by averaging 108 rushing yards over the final four games of the season. Just saying …
Steelers WR Darrius Heyward-Bey had a beautiful 29-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. He’s possibly a name to keep an eye on in deeper leagues if other guys don’t step up (looking at you Sammie Coates).
Lions QB Matthew Stafford finished 4/6 with 58 yards. When Jim Bob Cooter took over as offensive coordinator midway through 2015, Stafford looked like a top-notch QB, and he looked good in this one.
Lions WR Anquan Bolidin looked like an absolute beast on his only reception of the night that went for 30 yards. Right now, it’s hard to say if he’ll have a true fantasy football impact, but at the least, he’s going to really help Stafford out.
Vikings QB Teddy Bridgwater finished 6/7 for 92 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown to Charles Johnson. Bridgewater was a popular fantasy football sleeper pick in 2015 that didn’t come through. After Friday’s performance, maybe 2016 is his year.

Bengals rookie WR Tyler Boyd had a remarkable 40-yard reception. The Bengals don’t have a lot of depth at the WR position, and this kid could be worth a flier in deeper leagues if he keeps making plays like he did on Friday.
Bengals QB Andy Dalton only threw five passes, but he targeted WR A.J. Green on four of them. Green is going to have a monster year in 2016.
Packers RB Eddie Lacy finished with four carries and 24 yards. He looked good, and he’s poised to bounce back after having a disappointing 2015 season.
Packers K Mason Crosby hit not one but two 54-yard field goals. Maybe he’s ready to return to fantasy glory. I mean, for a kicker that is.
Cardinals RB David Johnson finished with 3 carries for 31 yards. The kid is a playmaker and is ready to be the Cardinals workhorse in 2016.
Raiders WR Michael Crabtree had two receptions for 38 yards. He was a top-20 FF WR in 2015 and could do it again in 2016. His 8th-9th round ADP is a bargain.
Cardinals WR Michael Floyd had a 30-yard reception from Carson Palmer. This offense produces so many big plays, it would be wise to draft a Cardinal or two in all of your fantasy drafts.

Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi finished with two carries for six yards and showed horrible hands on a pass that was nearly intercepted. Arian Foster didn’t even play Friday night but his stock just went up.
Steelers WR Sammie Coates had more fumbles (2) in Friday’s preseason game than receptions (1) during the entire 2015 regular season. Yes, you read that right.
Stevan Ridley had five carries for 14 yards. That comes out to 2.8 YPC. Over the last two seasons he’s combined for an average of 3.3 YPC. This guy might not even make the team.

Vikings WR Charles Johnson caught a 49-yard touchdown from Teddy Bridgewater. Johnson was a colossal bust last year in fantasy football. Perhaps this year he puts it together, but I can’t trust him just yet.