Fantasy risers and fallers heading into Week 3 of the NFL preseason
Catch up on potential fantasy fallout from the first two weeks of NFL preseason action.
I’m not one to overreact to preseason performances, so you’re not going to see major shifts in my fantasy football rankings (freshly updated here for paid subscribers) based on what a guy does against second-string defenders.
Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on preseason results, which, taken into consideration alongside general reports out of training camp, could help you decide who to take a chance on and who to pass over on draft day, should you be struggling to choose between certain players.
Here are a few fantasy-relevant developments and situations to track over the remaining weeks of the NFL preseason.
Riser: Bo Nix (QB, DEN)
Everyone who writes about the NFL seems to agree that rookie Bo Nix has earned the starting QB job for Denver, and Sean Payton will make this official before too long. He completed 8-of-9 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown Sunday night against the Packers. For most fantasy football managers, you could probably care less, as he’s not someone you’re drafting to anchor your team. But for those in deeper, super-flex leagues, he should be on your radar.
Risers: Caleb Williams (QB, CHI) + Jayden Daniels (QB, WAS)
How about these rookie quarterbacks?! You can add Jayden Daniels to this list, too, along with Caleb Williams, who both have held up well over two weeks, though Williams exhibited a few more symptoms of being an NFL rookie quarterback in his second game. I made the case shortly after the draft for why Daniels would be the rookie QB I’d want to own, and I still have him ranked ahead of Williams, but both are in the QB1 conversation at this point in the fantasy drafting season. I currently have Daniels at QB9 and Daniels at QB13 in my rankings.
Faller: Jaylen Warren (RB, PIT)
The headline bummer for an entire offense that is struggling to take shape, Jaylen Warren left the Bills game with a hamstring injury, and we all know how those like to linger. His Week 1 status is already in doubt.
In theory, Najee Harris gets a bump, but I’m hesitant to recommend anyone on this offense right now, given the dumpster fire brewing behind center between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. “[T]he Steelers offense struggled with both, much like it has for the last few years. Remember: Wilson and Fields were essentially free this offseason. This is why,” writes The Athletic’s Jacob Robinson and Dianna Russini. I’m keeping Harris where I had him pre-Warren injury as RB24 in half-PPR leagues, while Warren is RB31.
Riser: Devin Singletaty (RB, NYG)
Speaking of dumpster fires, a few Giants emerged from Daniel Jones’ fiery mess of a performance this past weekend as strengthening their fantasy position. Deven Singletary didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet, 20 yards on 10 carries, but he did score a TD and took part in 29 of Jones’ 33 snaps. So, based on potential usage alone, he’s looking like a decent value pick at his current ADP of RB29 in half-PPR.
Riser: Malik Nabers (WR, NYG)
Sticking with the Giants, Malik Nabers seems like the kind of receiver who can put together a big season, no matter what Jones or anyone else tries to throw at him. He turned six targets into four catches and 54 yards this weekend, or a 35% target per route. As FantasyPros’ Pat Fitzmaurice writes, “Nabers is likely to be the Giants’ only fantasy-relevant receiver,” which seems to throw a wet blanket on those Wan'Dale Robinson sleeper takes. His half-PPR ADP currently sits at WR24, while I have him at WR17.
Faller: Zack Moss (RB, CIN)
While Zack Moss has yet to suit up for a preseason game, “reports out of training camp regarding Brown have been exceedingly glowing, with some beat writers stating that Brown appears to be the Bengals' RB1,” writes YahooSports’ Tera Roberts. Brown’s performance in preseason Week 1 was mixed, but he appears to have the momentum with two preseason games remaining.
Riser: Tank Bigsby (RB, JAC)
“Fantasy managers who draft Travis Etienne should be looking to add Bigsby, not D’Ernest Johnson, as his handcuff,” writes SI.com’s Michael Fabiano. Bigsby got the start over Johnson against Tampa Bay and had 13 touches for 56 yards.
Faller: Khalil Shakir (WR, BUF)
Shakir could very well still break through as the Bills receiver to own for fantasy purposes this year, but his usage wasn’t encouraging over the weekend, playing fewer snaps than Mack Hollins and not appearing in two-receiver sets despite Curtis Samuel sitting this one out.
