Last week was a huge installment regarding all the preseason games and intriguing players. With a second set of games, the data points double, assumptions are either confirmed or adjusted, and the regular season is a week closer. Looking at mainly young players and pivotal fantasy options, here are the notes and observations from this week:
Rookie Quarterbacks in Focus
Blake Bortles continues to look like the first-year quarterback with best chance to emerge as a quality option. Teddy Bridgewater has been up-and-down with his processing speed and Johnny Manziel has plenty of work to do. Brian Hoyer has not been lighting things up to keep Manziel on the bench in the regular season, but Manziel's inaccuracy, reactions to pressure, and lack of athleticism outside the pocket are worrisome. Manziel is not the elite athlete like many of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in terms of rushing ability and gets run down on the perimeter with ease by linebackers. Hoyer was recently named the starting quarterback for Cleveland, more of a statement about Manziel than a ringing endorsement for Brian Hoyer. Logan Thomas did not play this week after his impressive showing in the first preseason game when many, including Ron Jaworski, dubbed Thomas' performance the best of the rookie signal-callers. Derek Carr has been behind only Bortles and Thomas in terms of his overall play. Teddy Bridgewater showed improvement in week two, but against reserve defensive players, as Matt Cassel looks to be the likely starter to open the season in Minnesota. Zach Mettenberger was solid once again this week with a tremendous back-shoulder throw to Justin Hunter for a long gain. Mettenberger's arm strength and surprising pocket movement and accuracy have been welcome observations thus far. Mettenberger, along with Derek Carr, are undervalued redraft options in quarterback-premium formats with a decent shot to start, at a minimum, a handful of games this season.
Mark Sanchez looked good with decisive reads and accurate deliveries. My favorite twitter blurb discussing Sanchez this offseason was something along the lines of 'there is a non-zero chance Sanchez is the Eagles quarterback to own this season.'
Robert Griffin III III had a rough game, taking big shots, showing unsteady footwork, and poor decisions. The weapons are in place for Washington to be one of the better offenses in the NFL. The pressure is on Griffin to run the show.
Sifting Out Running Back Depth Charts
In Arizona, Jonathan Dwyer sniped a goal line carry (and touchdown) with the first-team offense. Andre Ellington owners should not be surprised to see that with regularity during the regular season. Stepfan Taylor has looks serviceable as a well-rounded option and Jonathan Dwyer, at a minimum, has been a talented pure runner during his NFL career.
Antone Smith continues to get plenty of playing time mixed in with Jacquizz Rodgers in Atlanta, ahead of Devonta Freeman. Freeman did not see the field until late in the third quarter. While he performed well, it was against fringe roster defenders that may not make an NFL roster. Next week's depth chart in Atlanta will be crucial to setting the pecking order behind looking-to-rebound Steven Jackson. The loss of Sam Baker along the offensive line for Atlanta is a significant factor for both the running backs and the passing game.
While Ka'Deem Carey has been solid through two games, it was Shaun Draughn (former Kansas City backup) that played as Matt Forte's backup in week two of the preseason. Carey was thought to only be competing with Michael Ford for primary backup duties, but Draughn has performed well. Draughn had situational value at times with the Chiefs. Carey has shown solid burst and can shed tackles by wiggling sideways, avoiding direct hits. Finally, Carey has picked up the blitz well in his limited opportunities.
Terrance West has shown more lateral explosion than projected starter Ben Tate in the Browns backfield. West's pad level has been outstanding and he ability to churn out yards between the tackles, sliding off would-be tacklers is his best trait. Conversely, Tate's pad level has been more vertical and he has absorbed more hits than avoided them, which does not bode well for the oft-injuried back in his college and NFL career.
Ryan Williams continues to build on his comeback effort. One of the 'wow' plays of the week came on Williams' touchdown run. He showed burst through the first level, ran over a defensive back in a one-on-one situation, then accelerated to the end zone. Williams has the look of the most athletic and intriguing option behind DeMarco Murray, but obviously his injury history lingers. Williams is more of a deep dynasty name to stash, for now, with the upside to move quickly into 'must add' territory.
Trent Richardson continues to struggle without a gaping hole, which will be rare given the Colts offensive line. While a projected bellcow, Ahmad Bradshaw looms, who has been one of the more efficient runners in the NFL when healthy during his career.
Terrance Cobb, one of the more intriguing undrafted running backs of the 2014 class, did not see action this week. The Jacksonville running back depth chart is wide open beyond Toby Gerhart, but Cobb looks to be on the outside looking in. Jordan Todman is clearly ahead of rookie Storm Johnson, who played little, in the pecking order.
While the Patriots backfield is typically a headache to project on a week-to-week basis, Stevan Ridley has looked decisive with the ball in his hands with sharp cuts and quality burst. Ridley is already in the old Belichek doghouse for fumbling, but Ridley has easily been the best between-the-tackles runner for the Patriots this preseason. Roy Finch is a sparkplug in the New England backfield, but with a very slight build. Finch looks like he could stick on a roster, but his size makes his ultimate role questionable.
Tim Flanders got in the game very late for New Orleans this week. He has underrated agility and is efficient with his movement between the tackles. Well off the radar in redraft leagues, Flanders is a watch list back for deeper dynasty leagues.
Mark Ingram with a nifty broken tackle on a receiving touchdown. He is looking his best since entering the NFL. While a crowded three-headed attack in the Saints backfield in 2014, Ingram is a target player as he enters free agency this coming offseason.
Henry Josey with some LeSean McCoy-light to his game with burst and wiggle. The Eagles also added former Oregon running back Kenjon Barner via trade this week. Darren Sproles has the foot frequency back to his game and looking like a quality fit for open field opportunities in Philadelphia.
Marion Grice did not look very athletic, but showed the ability to lower his pad level and maximize his leverage between the tackles. Unlikely the have much of a role in 2014, Grice is a decent stash if the Chargers depth chart clears in the coming offseason or with a rash of injuries.
Once again Christine Michael and Robert Turbin looked outstanding. Michael's sharp cuts are rare for a back with his size, power, and burst. Both are talents needing more opportunity. Spencer Ware is a lost, but talented name, buried on the Seattle running back depth chart. While a functional second or third-string player on most rosters, Ware is the clear fourth back for the Seahawks.
Bishop Sankey showed off his balance once again this week. Defenders have a tough time getting a square shot on the rookie running back.
Silas Redd, an udrafted rookie with a spotty athletic and production record from college, has looked swift and agile in both preseason games. While undersized and clearly behind Alfred Morris and Roy Helu, at a minimum, on the depth, he is a name to monitor. For the record, Lache Seastrunk has been impressive this preseason as well. Washington is stocked the cupboard at running back.
Wide Receiver Quick Hits
John Brown, one of the most impressive rookie performers in the opening game, had a bad drop on his first target of the game. His hands were rock-solid, in addition to his smooth routes, last week. A few plays later, Brown came back with a nice route and reception from the slot. While not likely to emerge all the way to fantasy starter status this season, Brown's early play (and continuous positive camp reports this offseason) will be a productive addition in three-receiver sets. If Arizona's offensive line holds, Carson Palmer will benefit from Brown as Andre Roberts was solid in that role in previous seasons.
Julio Jones looked noticeably fresh and athletic in his limited time. While typically valued near the end of the top tier of wide receivers in redraft and dynasty formats, Jones has top-shelf upside. Jones was on a Josh Gordon-like pace prior to missing most of 2013 with his foot injury.
Marqise Lee looks very slight and is pushed around easily by defensive backs; plus he is not that explosive. The preseason is confirming many of the metrics from the pre-NFL draft process this offseason.
The athleticism of Josh Boyce is evident with the ball in his hands. He is laterally explosive and quick to work his way past defenders in open space. Hard to believe Boyce is on the roster bubble, but that has been the news for the second-year receiver.
Joe Morgan is back! One of the lost names in New Orleans since emerging as a big-play threat prior to injury. He showed late separation and tremendous concentration to haul in a long reception this week. Kenny Stills is also in the mix for situational deep routes. Both Morgan and Stills are intriguing for best-ball formats where they can put up a startable few weeks during the season between dry spells.
Brandon Coleman looked lumbering again this week. While very tall for a wide receiver, he is not overly thick and definitely not athletic. The 'maybe he is the heir to Marques Colston there' talk is grasping at straws. Athletically (and production-wise), the two are polar opposites.
In spot duty, Damaris Johnson scored a touchdown with a little Darren Sproles-like role out of the backfield with the backups on the field.
Jordan Matthews shook off a dicey week one performance filled with drops and sluggish routes with a quality showing this week. While a vast majority of his production came without the rest of the starters on the field, Matthews flashed good hands, burst after the catch, and consistent use in the short passing game.
Justin Hunter was the talk of twitter this week with his gaudy stat line. His long touchdown came on a catch-and-run with the defender falling down. Hunter had a free run to the end zone at that point. From the buzz I heard prior to watching the game on DVR, I expected to see more than I did. If Kendall Wright is a top-36 again this year, I wonder if the passing game in Tennessee is strong enough to support another WR2/3 for fantasy; history says it is unlikely without a big quarterback uptick.
Ryan Grant continues to make plays this preseason. Grant lacks long speed, but his three-cone time is showing up on the field with the ability to separate consistently early in routes. Grant produced more than his overall athleticism would suggest in college, putting him into the category of prospect that is bound to maximize his ability, which may be as a tempered ceiling receiver at the NFL level, but sticks on a roster for a while.
Tight Ends
For as much buzz as Travis Kelce is getting, Anthony Fasano is seeing a ton of time with the first-team Kansas City offense. Also, Fasano has performed well. Kelce is an intriguing TE2 with upside, but anything more than a committee role for fantasy owners out of the gate is a stretch.
Kyle Rudolph got loose for a long touchdown catch-and-run. Jerick McKinnon delivered a solid block in the open field on the play, something he did well as a do-it-all offensive player. As expected, Rudolph did not have the open-it-up speed once he broke free. There is upside to Rudolph this season as a low-end TE1, but Cordarrelle Patterson's projected emergence and Greg Jennings as a solid possession target make the average-at-best passing game a tough environment for Rudolph to see a high target volume.
