10 things we learned after the first week of the NFL preseason

10 Things We Learned after week 1 of the NFL Preseason

NFL Preseason games don’t matter, but what happens in them does have fantasy impact

1. After just one NFL Preseason game, Raiders WR Antonio Brown has already become a big fantasy risk

This didn’t happen in an NFL preseason game, but the highest paid WR in the NFL is threatening to retire unless the NFL lets Brown wear his outdated and illegal helmet. There is no way that NFL agrees to that, the backlash would be too severe if Brown suffered a concussion.

It’s also difficult to envision Brown missing games due to this issue. But a year ago, nobody would’ve predicted him sitting out a game because he wasn’t picked as the team MVP in Pittsburgh either.

We haven’t even addressed his feet being frostbitten from Cryotherapy and how that might affect his on-field production. One of the elite receivers in fantasy football for the last decade seems like anything but heading into 2019.

He’s going to be drafted, and he should be. But even if he shows back up within a week, what’s preventing him from going AWOL again? He’s making it hard to justify picking him in the top 30.

2. Texans WR Keke Coutee got hurt, again

When Coutee was carted off the field versus the Packers with an ankle injury, every one of his fantasy owners from last season assumed the worst. Later, the injury was called a “minor setback.”, There is no timetable for return, the Texans are “playing it by ear.”

Coutee is nothing more than a late round flier in standard leagues now. It’s too bad we can’t combine Coutee and teammate Will Fuller into one fantasy player, both show flashes of fantasy gold, but neither can stay healthy long enough to be dependable.

3. Chargers RB Austin Ekeler fumbled

On the surface, one preseason fumble from a 3rd year RB with proven regular season success wouldn’t be notable. However with Melvin Gordon‘s holdout and Justin Jackson, who came on strong at the end of last season, also in the backfield, it could cause some second guessing from the Chargers. Nothing puts a player on the bench faster than turning the ball over.

Does this open the door for Jackson to get more touches? Does this push the Chargers to resolve the contract dispute with Gordon? Going forward, it’ll be interesting to see if the teams RB depth chart changes by the end of the NFL preseason.

4. Titans WR Adam Humphries is going to get a lot of targets this year

On the first drive of the Eagles game, Humphries had six passes thrown his way, catching four. In drafts so far this year, Humphries ADP on Yahoo is 126.

It could be argued that the Titans QB situation is unsettled (see #6 for more), but in TB last year, when the QBs were shuffled in and out constantly, Humphries still finished the year 32nd among all WRs in fantasy. It’s not unreasonable to expect a similar stat line in Tennessee no matter who is under center.

5. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill could push Marcus Mariota off the field

Tannehill looked like a quality starting QB against the Eagles, going 12/16 for 130 and 2 touchdowns. If Mariota should struggle early in the regular season, a performance like this could inspire the Titans to give Tannehill some regular season starts. Mariota is in a contract year with a front office and coaching staff that inherited him, so they owe him no loyalty.

6. Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin is becoming a legit option

Jarwin ended 2018 with 100+ yards and 3 TDs in the season finale, and despite the return of Jason Witten to the roster, looks to be the clear #1 TE in Dallas after catching 4-51 in the 1st half versus the 49ers.

It’s too early to proclaim that he should be drafted, but if you’re looking for a deep sleeper TE because you missed out on one of the big 3 TE’s, Jarwin’s  recent play suggests he’s poised for a breakout year.

7. Steelers WR James Washington is still in the mix to be the number #2 WR 

There were reports in minicamp that free agent addition Donte Moncrief had been out performing JW for the inside track at the #2 role. Then it was reported that 3rd round rookie Diontae Johnson was also ahead of him on the depth chart.

Both those statements might be true, but Washington looked good, with a 4-84-1 performance against the Buccaneers. He also has the advantage of having an extra year with Big Ben that the other two do not . It’s still anyone’s guess who takes the spot opposite Juju Smith-Schuster, but James Washington can’t be discounted yet.

8. Falcons RB Qadree Ollison will push Ito Smith for playing time

Ollison averaged 5 yards a carry and a touchdown against the Dolphins while Ito Smith didn’t look nearly as impressive, averaging less than 2 yards a carry. When he was given opportunities last year, Smith didn’t impress, averaging only 3.5 yards a carry with a long of 18 on 90 carries. Ollison could usurp Smith’s bid to become the compliment to Devonta Freeman.

9. Dolphins undrafted rookie WR Preston Williams is a name to remember

Every year there is an undrafted rookie who shines in the preseason (Victor Cruz, Phillip Lindsay). After one week of the NFL preseason, Preston Williams looks to be the How-Did-He-Not-Get-Drafted player of 2019 after posting an impressive 4-97 against Atlanta that looked even better on film.

The teams WR group has been nothing special in recent seasons, so Williams could easily find himself in the Dolphins starting lineup if he keeps playing anywhere near this level.

10. Browns WR Rashard Higgins has earned the #3 WR spot

The recently suspended Antonio Calloway might grab more headlines and be more athletically gifted than Higgins, but a 5-98-1 output versus the Redskins shows that Calloway won’t be missed much. They put up nearly identical numbers last year, but Higgins has proven to be the more reliable player, and deserves to be rostered in deep leagues.