Here’s part two of my take-aways from the first batch of preseason games. Download the RosterWatch Cheat Sheet to dominate the competition in your fantasy drafts.

Just DON’T BREAK THE RULES. 

 

Titans at Falcons

 

 

• Well, if Mariota falters, there’s always Mettenberger. Zach attack went 8 of 11 for 129 yds, a TD and an INT in the Titans’ opener. Makes you wonder if that first pick might have been better spent on pretty much any other position.

 

• All the Titans receivers are trending up, but Kendall Wright is having the best preseason of them all. He offers considerable value, as he’s being drafted as a WR4 and could easily post WR3 numbers.

 

• Julio Jones compiled 4 catches for 61 yds and a TD in the opener, and that was all on one drive. I wouldn’t be surprised if he led all receivers in PPR formats this year.

 

• What hopes we had for RB Antone Smith moving up in the Falcons pecking order were dashed when he was injured on a TD run against the Titans. There are enough backs vying for starter’s minutes as is.

 

Steelers at Jaguars

 

 

• Martavis Bryant should have a strong season as evidenced by his 55-yard, 1 TD night, but Markus Wheaton is a player to watch in PPR. He has the inside track to play in two-wide sets, and Big Ben loves him.

 

• RB Dri Archer could make for a nice PPR spot play while Le’Veon Bell is out to start the season. The Steelers like getting him the ball in space.

 

• Blake Bortles appears to have made significant improvements from his rookie season with his 11 for 15, 118- yard night.

 

• Julius Thomas had a setback when he suffered a fractured hand in the opener. He should be OK for week 1, but he’s missing a golden opportunity to build a rapport with Bortles.

 

Giants at Bengals

 

 

• RB Andre Williams mixed in with the first team during the opener with the Bengals. Sure he got -2 yds on the day, but it appears as if he’s going to get meaningful action in an attempt to keep Rashad Jennings fresh.

 

• Eli Manning looked pedestrian in the Giants’ first outing, under-throwing several receivers, but he has major upside in the second year of OC McAdoo’s offense. It doesn’t hurt that he should have Victor Cruz back in the fold this season.

 

• Temper your expectations for Gio Bernard this season. He didn’t get a snap when Dalton was on the field in the opener. If there is some good news, it’s that he’s returning punts. This is only good news in return yardage leagues, mind you.

 

• TE Tyler Eifert caught 2 passes for 30 yds in the opener, and is an odds on favorite to be second in targets in Cincinnati only to A.J. Green.

 

Rams at Raiders

 

 

• Nick Foles was sacked in back to back plays against the raiders, which underscored the Rams’ O-line woes and Foles’ folding under pressure. It could be a long year for St. Louis.

 

• Tavon Austin started at WR in the opener, but expect Brian Quick to usurp him come their first game. Austin mainly projects to be a gadget player again this season.

 

• WR Amari Cooper notched 2 grabs for 22 yardsds and an end-around for 3 yards in his debut. Don’t look at the yardage here. What’s important is that Cooper is a primary focus of this offense, and the Raiders will get the ball to him as often as possible.

 

Broncos at Seahawks

 

 

• RB Ronnie Hillan looked explosive gaining 66 yards on 9 carries and 11 in the air. The Broncos may have to find a way to get him touches should he continue at this pace.

 

• WR Bennie Fowler makes for an interesting dynasty pick up after his 66 yard-on-three-catch display in the opener. A slow-starter in college, Fowler could be the Broncos 4th receiver before too long.

 

• Jimmy Graham says he sees himself blocking 75% of the time, which has to be disconcerting for his owners. He’s stretching things a bit, but I wouldn’t expect the monster fantasy output that we’ve come to associate him with. Fortunately, he will be Wilson’s main red-zone target.

 

• Super Bowl gamebreaker WR Chris Matthews has been rotating in with the first team recently. If he shows a strong preseason, Matthews could potentially unseat Kearse as the deep threat in Seattle.

 

Buccaneers at Vikings

 

 

• Jameis Winston looked average against the Vikings, but it is just his first “game”. I was encouraged by his willingness to run with the ball though. We assumed he would be less mobile.

 

• With Bobby Rainey getting too much action in the game, I’m scared of any RB not named Martin in fantasy. Rainey and Sims could very well split time evenly as the passing back.

 

• Teddy Bridgewater was cool as a cucumber on the way to a 7 of 8, 86-yard night. He moved the offense efficiently, and I wouldn’t be afraid of starting him any night of the week. He could do damage in 2 QB leagues, and makes for a strong bye-week filler in standards.

 

• WR Jarius Wright played ahead of Cordarrelle Patterson in this one, and though Patterson had a decent showing, I think Wright is sitting comfortably. He quietly had 2 grabs for 50 yards, and though he’s not flashy, he’s terribly consistent, unlike Patterson.

 

49ers at Texans

 

 

• Colin Kaepernick had a tough time moving his offense against the Texans in the 49ers first preseason game. He only played one series, but he was fairly inaccurate during that time. It was heartening that he took a deep shot to Torrey Smith though.

 

• The story of the night for the 49ers was RB Jarryd Haynes, a former rugby player, who powered his way to 63 yards on 5 carries. Should he make the roster, he’s worth watching in dynasty.

 

• Brian Hoyer looks like the No.1 QB in Houston, but Ryan Mallett is stating his case, and so is Tom Savage for that matter. All three have played capably so far, and that makes me feel giddy about Deandre Hopkins’ chances this year.

 

• Cecil Shorts scored a TD in the opener, but he’s playing behind Nate Washington. Shorts will get his either way, but this bodes well for Washington as a full-time receiver.

 

Chiefs at Cardinals

 

 

• With Knile Davis sidelined in the opener, Charcandrick West did work amassing 87 yards on 9 touches. An athletic freak, West could weasel his way into the rotation in K.C.

 

• RW favorite Albert Wilson is starting over Chris Conley, and he should be. Wilson is a sneaky PPR play once things get going.

 

• The Cards signed RB Chris Johnson, and now all bets are off on who will be the starter in Arizona. Arians says whoever it is has to earn it. Our money is still on Andre Ellington, but I’m a little wary of the whole situation right now. Chris Johnson needs to be drafted in all formats for the time being, that’s for sure.

 

• Carson Palmer didn’t do a whole lot in the opener, but he didn’t get hurt, and that’s fantastic. As long as he stays healthy, he has top ten potential.

 

Colts at Eagles

 

 

• Phillip Dorsett caught 4 passes for 51 yards in his debut, along with being the MVP of camp. He has an outside shot at the No.3 spot in Andrew Luck’s offense. That could be a major role.

 

• RB Josh Robinson is one to watch in dynasty. He looks like he could be the second-best back in Indy, and would be in line for considerable work if Frank Gore went down.

 

• Posting a 3-catch, 57-yard, 1-TD opener, Nelson Agholor is starting to work with the ones which means our maniacal plan is coming together. Download the cheat sheet, and make sure he’s on your roster.

 

• Chip Kelly plans on getting all of his backs the ball, which doesn’t change much for Demarco Murray or Darren Sproles, as we imagined they would get theirs, but it gives a little hope for Ryan Mathews in fantasy. Don’t count him out, he poses significant value as a potential weekly flex.