Fantasy Football: Friday night roundup

Rounding up the biggest news and notes from Friday’s NFL preseason action and what it means for your fantasy football team.

Friday night’s five-game slate featured last year’s top fantasy football quarterback, wide receiver and a plethora of 2016 early round draft options.

We were also able to get a glimpse of three highly touted, albeit suspended players who won’t see the football field until early October. Here were Friday’s biggest fantasy football takeaways that should help you as you prepare to draft and set your lineup.

I Love What I See

Steelers WR Antonio Brown (4 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD) is going first overall in most fantasy drafts and he reminded people why on Friday.

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD) is simply bigger and better than most DBs. He’s a borderline WR1 going in the third-round. That’s great value.

Browns WR Josh Gordon (2 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD) embarrasses grown men on a routine basis. He’s worth a 10th-round pick despite his four-game suspension because he’ll immediately be in the WR1 category once he returns. In fact, don’t take any chances and scoop him up in the ninth round.

I Like What I See

Panthers WR Devin Funchess (5 receptions, 49 yards) saw a team-high 10 targets on the day. He’s an intriguing option in the 12th-round and should outplay his ADP.

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins (12/23, 188 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) had a solid performance and is coming off a 2015 season where he was a top-eight FF QB. His 11th-12th round ADP has tons of value.

Redskins WR DeSean Jackson (4 receptions, 56 yards) is easily the Redskins best and most dangerous WR. Although he’s not as valuable in PPR leagues, he still carries great upside in the eighth-ninth round.

Redskins TE Jordan Reed (2 receptions, 28 yards, 1 TD) is a matchup nightmare and is arguably the most athletic TE in the NFL. If he stays healthy, he should flirt with 1,000 yards receiving. As we all know, staying healthy is Reed’s biggest issue and his fourth round ADP could end up burning owners. Buyer beware.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (12/17, 148, 2 TDs) played for the first time this preseason and looked like he was already in midseason form. He’s healthy, has Antonio Brown and is being drafted in the same area as Tom Brady who is serving a four-game suspension. He’s in a good spot in his seventh round ADP.

Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell (8 touches, 55 yards, 1 fumble) looked 100% healthy and that’s the biggest takeaway. He will be a stud week in and week out after he serves his suspension and his five receptions on Friday is a reminder why he is so valuable in PPR leagues. Go ahead and steal him in the second round.

Saints QB Drew Brees (9/12, 78 yards, 1 TD) had a typical day at the office. He’s a solid QB1 at his sixth round ADP but don’t feel the need to reach for him (or any QB for that matter).

Saints WR Willie Snead (4 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD) is the No.2 WR in a Saints passing offense but continues to get little notice. I strongly suggest you invest your 12th-round pick in this kid.

Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston (16/25, 259 yards, 2 TDs) looks like he will bypass on any sort of sophomore slump in 2016. He was a  top-13 FF QB last season and this year, he’ll crack the top-10. He’s a great investment in the 12th-13th round.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy (7 carries, 45 yards) continues his impressive preseason and if he’s doesn’t play in Week 4, he will finish the preseason averaging 5.7 YPC on 20 carries. You won’t regret drafting him at any point in the third round.

Packers WR Randall Cobb (3 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD) is ready to bounce back in 2016. The Packers had no Jordy Nelson and no running game in 2015. This year, they’ll have both. He’s a steal in the fourth round.

No Need to Panic

Panthers QB Cam Newton (13/29, 100 yards, 2 INTs) did not have a MVP caliber game on Friday but with that said, this performance in no way hurts his fantasy value.

Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski (2/4 on FG attempts) missing two kicks in the same game is unheard-of. Don’t worry, he’s been the best fantasy kicker three years in a row and he’s still the first kicker off the board in all drafts.

Mixed Emotions

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (3 receptions, 27 yards) is the best WR on the Panthers roster. Yet, he has to fight with Ted Ginn and Devin Funchess for targets. That is something he did not have to deal with in 2014. His fourth-fifth round ADP looks to carry more risk than reward.

Steelers WR Sammie Coates (2 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD) finally had a good game this preseason but it came with and against the backups. Will this performance help force his way into three WR sets?

Browns QB Robert Griffin III (8/14, 119 yards, 1 TD) had a better game on the stat sheet than in real life but in fantasy, all we care about is the stat sheet. He’s an interesting QB2 and somebody you might want to pick up in Week 4 if he’s on the waiver wire. When Josh Gordon comes back in Week 5, his stock could take off.

49ers RB Carlos Hyde (4 carries, 30 yards) has had 3 preseason carries go for 69 yards. However, he’s only managed 16 yards on his other 12 preseason carries. He also suffered a concussion in the game. There’s a lot to like about him in the fourth round but there’s also a lot to hate about him.

Patriots WR Chris Hogan (5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD) led the Patriots in receiving. This is a week after he finished with 4 receptions and 53 yards against the Bears. With that said, It’s hard to gauge Hogan’s fantasy value. The Patriots QB will change in Week 5 and his opportunities may be limited when all the Patriots weapons take the field. For now, he’s just a name to monitor.

Get Familiar

Redskins RB Rob Kelley (12 carries, 51 yards) is the Redskins No.1 RB as it stands today. Matt Jones is dealing with a shoulder injury. Kelley passed Keith Marshall on the depth chart already but now Marshall is also dealing with an injury. There’s an outside chance he could start Week 1.

Steelers TE Jesse James (4 receptions, 25 yards, 1 TD) showed good chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger. There’s no Heath Miller and for the moment, there’s no Ladarius Green. He’s the starting TE by default in a very explosive offense.

Packers TE Jared Cook (4 receptions 54 yards) had Aaron Rodgers attention in this game and if Rodgers likes you, I like you. Easily playing with the best QB in his career, Cook could be a sneaky backend TE1 when it’s all said and done.

must read: Fantasy football: Thursday night roundup

You’re Confusing Me

Patriots RB Tyler Gaffney (9 carries, 35 yards) started over LeGarrette Blount and out-touched him 9-8. Are you kidding me? The Patriots backfield has never been fantasy friendly because Bill Belichick typically does the opposite of what you think is going to happen.