Fantasy: Takeaways from Saturday's preseason games
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
Every game night during the preseason, theScore gets you caught up on the most important fantasy performances from around the league.
Brown answers the critics
With all the recent preseason injuries, it was nice to see a player who had previously been sidelined return to action in dominant fashion. John Brown scored a pair of touchdowns and racked up 49 yards in his first game of the year, showing everyone, including his coaches, that he's healthy and ready to get his career back on track.
Brown had been challenged in the media by head coach Bruce Arians, who wondered aloud if the 27-year-old wideout would be able to overcome his sickle-cell issues and be a consistent contributor for the Cardinals. Saturday's performance is a major step in the right direction.
His first score of the night was a beautiful 28-yard strike from Carson Palmer, dropped in over two defenders. Brown followed it up with an outstanding over-the-shoulder grab in the end zone from Drew Stanton, where Brown managed to stay inbounds while outduelling the defender.
If Brown can stay healthy, he could emerge as a top-24 receiver in fantasy, a feat he already accomplished in 2015 before last year's injury-riddled campaign. Arians' public comments caused Brown's fantasy stock to plummet over the last couple weeks, making him an even better value in the ninth round or later.
Bills' offense takes another hit
Something tells me this isn't going to be the year the Bills end their playoff drought. Tyrod Taylor was forced from Saturday's game with a concussion after hitting his head on the ground while taking a sack against the Ravens.
It's the latest in a series of negative turns for Buffalo's offense, which started with the trade of Sammy Watkins and continued with Anquan Boldin heading back to retirement.
Taylor has two weeks to pass through concussion protocol, but even when healthy, he hasn't looked good in Rick Dennison's new offense. Rookie Nathan Peterman has also struggled, however, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team turn to the fifth-rounder later in the year when the postseason is out of reach.
It all adds up to Taylor being a radioactive fantasy pick. Every member of the Bills' offense needs to be downgraded heading into Week 1.
Instant Impressions
- Demaryius Thomas was removed from Saturday's game during the Broncos' second series with a what was later called a thigh injury. The ailment didn't appear to be serious, but it's definitely worth monitoring over the next two weeks. Thomas is one of the better options in the third round of fantasy drafts.
- Ezekiel Elliott saw his first preseason action of the year amassing 24 yards on eight touches. It wasn't a notable stat line, but the fact Elliott caught two passes, including a nice one-handed grab near the sidelines was a positive sign. The edge in the receiving game is what puts Le'Veon Bell and David Johnson on a different level than Zeke. If the Cowboys start to use him more as a pass-catcher, it would take his value to a new level. For now, Elliott's value is at an all-time low as we wait to see what happens with the appeal of his six-game suspension.
- Ty Montgomery got back on the field and immediately made his mark by slicing through the defense for a 25-yard gain. Maybe even more important was the goal-line carry he converted for a touchdown. Montgomery finished with 31 yards on three touches and helped re-establish himself atop the Packers' running back depth chart. Montgomery's upside is extremely enticing in the fifth round, even if rookie Jamaal Williams sees a share of the snaps.
- Paul Perkins finally delivered a solid stat line with six carries for 33 yards against the Jets. However, the offensive-line problems aren't going away in New York and could limit the Giants' rushing and passing attacks. Perkins shouldn't be targeted before the sixth round.
- There's plenty of reason to doubt Jamaal Charles as a fantasy option this season, starting with his health, but the Broncos are hoping the veteran back can give them a change-of-pace weapon behind C.J. Anderson. Charles posted 42 yards on six touches Saturday, in a game where his main competition, rookie De'Angelo Henderson, put the ball on the ground twice. Charles shouldn't be taken until the late rounds and is still best left undrafted.