Fantasy: Takeaways from Saturday's preseason games
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2016 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
Every game night during the preseason, theScore's Justin Boone will provide his fantasy observations from around the league.
Changing Their Tune
In one offseason, the Titans have gone from an offense fantasy owners generally stay away from, to a unit full of potential.
It starts with the running game, where DeMarco Murray looks refreshed behind an improving line. Murray tallied 40 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, and was making sharp cuts all night long. His backup Derrick Henry was equally impressive, with 49 yards and a score of his own. Henry also flashed his receiving skills with an eight-yard catch. Both backs are showing vision and patience, letting the play develop in front of them.
The success of the run game is allowing Marcus Mariota to operate with confidence. The sophomore quarterback carved up the Raiders' defense for 170 passing yards and another 20 rushing, including one play where he faked a lateral to get past a defender, then eventually pitched the ball to Harry Douglas gaining a few extra yards.
The receiver depth chart is still unclear after Andre Johnson saw a surprising amount of work, catching three passes for 65 yards with the first-team offense. Rookie Tajae Sharpe will definitely have a role, though his 60-yard reception on Saturday was a little deceiving since it should have been intercepted by Sean Smith. Somehow the ball got through, then Sharpe turned upfield for the big gain. It would be a shock if Rishard Matthews, who had one catch for 19 yards in the game, wasn't a starter.
The Titans are no longer a painful team to watch, and their fantasy prospects are as high as ever, since most of their players are being undervalued in drafts.
Silver Platter
Tennessee's opponent on Saturday also moved the ball with relative ease, leading to a pair of scores for the first-team offense.
Derek Carr went 12-of-18 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, including a beautiful 29-yard strike to Amari Cooper in the back of the end zone. Prior to that, Carr dropped another ball right into Michael Crabtree's hands down the sidelines for 41 yards. Cooper and Crabtree are making a case to take the title of most dangerous receiving duo in 2016.
The fantasy community seems to be waiting for Latavius Murray to be usurped in the Raiders' backfield, but he'll enter the season as the starter. How long that lasts will depend on his performance, and the performance of his backup DeAndre Washington. The rookie racked up 55 rushing yards, most of which came on a quick 31-yard dash. He also found the end zone on a six-yard reception, but later fumbled on a screen pass where he got blown up by linebacker Sean Spence.
Preseason usage is always tough to gauge, but Washington and Jamize Olawale saw the red zone snaps, not Murray. It could be something to consider heading into the year. Washington is an intriguing late-round pick, who should have an immediate role as a passing-down weapon, and could eat into Murray's early down touches as well.
Instant Impressions
- The Colts offensive line might actually get Andrew Luck killed this season. After losing Luck to injury last year, Indy's blockers were unable to protect him once again on Saturday against the Eagles. Luck was 13-of-18 for 134 yards, but faced constant pressure. Having one of the best receiving corps in the league means nothing if you don't have time to get them the ball. With guard Jack Mewhort believed to have suffered a torn ACL, Luck may drop below Russell Wilson in my next rankings update.
- Matt Forte made his preseason debut, but his 2.8 yards per carry left a lot to be desired. Overall the Jets offense looked off, though they were missing Brandon Marshall. Perhaps we're witnessing the effects of Ryan Fitzpatrick's holdout.
- With the majority of drafts happening over the next two weeks, I feel the need to shout this from the rooftops - Marvin Jones is going to lead the Lions in receiving if he stays healthy. Jones has chemistry with Matt Stafford and is making spectacular catches. He's been targeted like the team's top option throughout the preseason. While he's not Calvin Johnson, Jones could provide 80 percent of Megatron's production, which would be steady fantasy WR2 numbers.
Notable Performances
Donte Moncrief, WR, Colts
6 receptions, 58 yards
Moncrief made a phenomenal 26-yard catch on the second possession of the game as he continues to draw the spotlight to himself. The Colts offense might have its struggles this season, but a star will be born in Moncrief.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions
4 carries, 16 yards
Coming back from shoulder surgery it was nice to see Abdullah taking contact head on. He also had a touchdown called back on a holding penalty, but without the hold Abdullah likely wouldn't have reached the end zone. He remains the most-talented back in Detroit and a breakout candidate in fantasy.
Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
11-of-16, 94 yards
It was Flacco's first action since tearing his ACL last year, so a clean outing is a positive step. Flacco will have volume on his side this season in Marc Trestman's offense, however, he'll need his receiving corps to get healthy if he's going to be fantasy relevant.
Spencer Ware, RB, Chiefs
9 carries, 24 yards, TD; 4 receptions, 26 yards
Ware will serve as Jamaal Charles' backup when the season opens and is one injury away from being an every-week RB2 in fantasy. Ware is an excellent late-round target.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Eagles
2 receptions, 15 yards, TD
DGB caught his first preseason passes as a member of the Eagles, and came through on one of his two red zone targets. The recently acquired wideout runs questionable routes, but has a chance to contribute this season due to Philly's thin receiver group. He's still a long shot for fantasy value.
Virgil Green, TE, Broncos
2 receptions, 14 yards, TD
Green has established himself as the Broncos' top tight end and has some appeal as a late-round flier at the position.
Chris Conley, WR, Chiefs
2 receptions, 30 yards
Conley is clearly the Chiefs' No. 2 receiver behind Jeremy Maclin, or No. 3 if you include tight end Travis Kelce. Alex Smith hasn't been able to support multiple starting fantasy receivers in the past, but if Maclin were to get hurt Conley could shine.
Injury Ward
Ben Watson, TE, Ravens
The veteran tight end suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the season. Crockett Gillmore is the next man up, but Maxx Williams will compete for snaps.
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens
The rookie back was injured fumbling the ball near the goal line. He left the field with the help of trainers and reportedly suffered a sprained knee. It's especially unfortunate because he was playing well (50 total yards) prior to getting hurt.
Delanie Walker, TE, Titans
Walker went to the locker room with what was described as an illness. Crisis averted.
Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles
Smallwood, who has fallen to fourth on the Eagles' depth chart, underwent tests for a head injury.