Fantasy: 10 players to scout during the preseason

Training camp isn't just a time for NFL clubs to evaluate their talent, it's a time when fantasy owners become fantasy scouts: watching games, doing research, and forming opinions that will guide them on draft day.

With that in mind, let's take a look at 10 players whose preseason performances could have a major impact on their draft stock.

Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers

Most quarterbacks taken first overall don't enter the league with the weapons that Winston will have at his disposal this year. Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, and, to a lesser extent, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, can all help Winston transition quicker to the pro game. If Winston can prove he's capable of supporting a passing attack with multiple fantasy starters, he may even be worth consideration as a starter himself.

Sam Bradford, QB, Eagles

If Bradford isn't on your radar for fantasy, you're doing it all wrong. No one has more to gain from a strong preseason than Bradford and, by all accounts, he's up to the task of running Chip Kelly's offense. We still need to see him facing a live pass rush, but if healthy, he'll be an incredible value as the 15th quarterback off the board.

Joseph Randle, RB, Cowboys

With arguably the best offensive line in the league, the Cowboys are hoping their backfield turns into a plug-and-play scenario. Fantasy owners are hoping for the same. Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar dealt with injuries at the start of camp, allowing Randle to further distance himself in the race. His 6.7 yards per carry was impressive a year ago, but can be deceiving in such a small sample size (51 carries). Let's see how Randle looks now that the job appears to be his to lose.

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions

The kind of hype that Abdullah is generating so far is reminiscent of how beat writers were talking about Chris Johnson before his rookie season. Once Johnson hit the field for his first NFL training camp, it was clear he was an exceptional talent and needed to be more involved in the offense. Abdullah likely won't post 1,400 total yards and 10 touchdowns like Johnson did in his debut season, but the Lions rookie may have that kind of upside.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons

The third-round pick is in a full-fledged camp battle with Devonta Freeman. Unfortunately, both players are going to be sidelined for a couple weeks while they deal with hamstring injuries. There is plenty of fantasy value in a Kyle Shanahan running game, even behind a unproven offensive line like Atlanta's. It may even be worth monitoring Antone Smith, who has flashed big-time playmaking ability in the past and will now have a chance to get first-team reps while Coleman and Freeman work their way back onto the field.

Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders

We all remember Murray's 112-yard, two-touchdown game on Thursday night in Week 12, which was cut short by a concussion after just four carries. His 90-yard touchdown run is tough to forget. The preseason will be important to see if Murray can avoid the kinds of injuries that have plagued him early in his career and whether he can firmly hold off veteran Roy Helu, who excels in the passing game.

Nelson Agholor, WR, Eagles

Most of the reports coming out of camp have suggested Agholor is ready to contribute immediately. Jordan Matthews will likely lead the Eagles in receiving this season, but in such a high-volume offense there will be plenty of looks for the rookie, assuming he can beat out Josh Huff and Riley Cooper. If Agholor looks the part over the next month, his stock is going to soar.

Breshad Perriman, WR, Ravens

Once he gets over a knee injury, which has kept him out of camp early on, Perriman has to prove to coaches and fantasy owners that he's worthy of being a starter. If he can't get over his bad habit of dropping passes, Perriman may find himself on the bench, while Kamar Aiken or Marlon Brown take the field across from Steve Smith.

Martavis Bryant, WR, Steelers

Update: Bryant is facing a four-game suspension for a substance abuse violation.

The excitement over Bryant has been subdued after Ben Roethlisberger stated that it would be Markus Wheaton playing in two-receiver sets. Bryant will still see the field in three-receiver looks, but the news means his snaps, and therefore stats, could be limited this season. The dangerous red-zone weapon also had to undergo a minor procedure to address an infection in his elbow. This could actually be good news for fantasy owners enticed by Bryant's talent, since his ADP is falling fast.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals

As David Woods pointed out in our Fantasy Tight End Primer, Eifert may be ready to deliver a breakout season a year later than expected. The former first-round pick has the skills and athleticism to become the team's second option in the passing game and faces little competition on the depth chart now that Jermaine Gresham is in Arizona.