While NFL preseason stats ultimately don’t matter in the quest for a fantasy football championship, that’s not to say it those numbers are entirely useless to track. Exhibition action gives us a glimpse into unearthed gems and allows gamers to recalibrate late-round flier rankings. After all, just getting an opportunity to showcase one’s talent can be the difference in making a roster or not, which sometimes is enough to create an inroad for a chance during the regular season.
With that established, here’s a spin around the noteworthy performances — good and otherwise — over the first week of the preseason.
Sunday, Aug. 11 notables
Denver Broncos quarterbacks: Listed as QB1 on the preliminary depth chart, Jarrett Stidham was far from impressive in Denver’s preseason debut. He threw averaged just 5.3 yards per attempt and tossed an interception, good for a lowly 32.1 passer rating. Zach Wilson, who has been unofficially tabbed as the second-stringer this summer, completed 10 of his 13 passes for 117 yards, translating to a strong 9.0-yard average. Bo Nix asserted himself as not only the future but the best argument for the present. He showed mobility, accuracy, and poise on his way to leading four scoring drives, including a TD pass to Marvin Mims.
RB Audric Estime, Denver Broncos: The rookie rusher punched one into the end zone, yet mustered just 31 yards on his 10 attempts. Estime chipped in 17 yards on three catches but also lost a fumble. Despite a bright future, he best profiles as short-yardage option who could be TD-dependent in fantasy
Saturday, Aug. 10 notables
RB Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers: Nothing earth-shattering here, but Mason (6-34-1) held his own vs. Tennessee. This one is worth watching since backups Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and rookie Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) are banged up as starter Christian McCaffrey nurses a calf injury. Perhaps more meaningful for Mason, recently signed veteran Matt Breida mustered zero yards on six totes.
QB Will Levis, Tennessee Titans: A possible Year 2 breakout, Levis started with a fine showing, producing 35 aerial yards on four completions (five attempts). He chipped in a short rushing touchdown, too. Encouraging!
QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: His short stint produced a perfect passer rating and a 65-yard touchdown to Dontayvion Wicks. Love appears to be on the verge of something huge for fantasy gamers.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks: Both Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell each played well and didn’t necessarily separate from one another, though Minshew threw a pretty touch pass for a score to DJ Turner. This battle may go down to the wire.
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks: Sam Darnold was just average but remains the expected startter. After an early interception thrown by rookie J.J. McCarthy, he settled down to give a glimpse of what made him a first-round selection in April’s draft. The Michigan product completed 11 of his 17 attempts for 188 yards, tossing a pair of touchdowns that each spanned at least 33 yards. Darnold’s reign looks to be short lived.
QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: The No. 1 overall pick enjoyed a sound debut, going for 95 yards, on 4-of-7 passing, though 42 of which came on a dump-off pass to running back D’Andre Swift. Williams added a 13-yard rush and didn’t turn over the ball. Solid start.
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: The very next pick in April’s NFL draft threw only three times, completing two for 45 yards, but his presence was felt, and Daniels rushed for a short score. That general performance profile is what gamers should expect from him in Year 1.
New York Jets backup RBs: Israel Abanikanda scored late, while the combination of rookies Braelon Allen (6 carries, 54 yards) and Isaiah Davis (4-33-0 receiving) were more efficient yardage-wise. Allen appears to be the best bet of this trio to emerge as Breece Hall‘s fantasy handcuff and occasional spell.
WR A.T. Perry, New Orleans Saints: Not yet draftable, Perry made a case for being on fantasy watch lists this week by landing all four targets for 85 yards — none of which from Derek Carr, for what it’s worth.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: The LSU-produced rookie snagged a lone pass but made his presence felt with a nifty 41-yarder in heavily contested traffic. He should be a large part of this passing game, and while C.J. Beathard delivered that pass to Thomas, Trevor Lawrence finished 3-for-4, 42 yards, and a score.
QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: His wrist injury is of no concern, and Burrow connected with Tee Higgins on a short touchdown pass in the first quarter. Confidently select No. 9 as a midrange QB1.
WR Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals: Not a bad start to his NFL career! Burton, who is vying to replace veteran Tyler Boyd, found the end zone on his 3-82-1 line, catching a TD from backup Logan Woodside.
RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Another rookie, Irving ran for 28 yards and a score on six carries, though he was arguably overshadowed by Sean Tucker‘s 6.8 yards-per-carry average on 10 attempts. Tampa may have a nice problem on its hands behind Rachaad White.
Friday, Aug. 9 notables
RB Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins: The fourth-round rookie made the most of his 10 carries by logging 55 yards and carving his way to a 6-yard score up the gut. He’s a worthwhile flier in fantasy thanks to the backs of questionable durability ahead of him.
QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: He didn’t play long, but Stroud picked up where he left off by hitting Tank Dell in stride for 34-yard scoring strike.
Thursday, Aug. 8 notables
RB Eric Gray, New York Giants: Two rushing scores in the opener did wonders for inching Gray closer to a shot at being the 1b to Devin Singletary‘s 1a status. After 23 total offensive handles in 2023, Gray generated 52 ground yards and 46 aerial gains on four rushing and receiving touches apiece. For now, the second-year pro is a high-upside, late-round gamble in deeper leagues.
QB Joe Milton III, New England Patriots: While his debut was impressive, it will take a small miracle for the former Tennessee Volunteer to matter in fantasy this year. Nevertheless, crazier things have happened with sixth-round quarterbacks in Foxborough.
