Fantasy: 10 risers from NFL preseason

The NFL preseason gives rookies and veterans alike opportunities to improve their fantasy value. Here are 10 players who have boosted their stock in exhibition games.

The rookie Dart has been excellent this preseason. He's completed 74.3% of his attempts for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. His 118.7 passer rating ranks second among all signal-callers. Dart will still need to eventually win the starting job to be fantasy-relevant, but he's earned consideration in deeper and superflex leagues.

The Colts named Jones their Week 1 starter, which boosts the Duke product's stock and tanks Anthony Richardson's. Jones remains a low-end starting quarterback, but he provides rushing upside and is worth a shot in deeper and superflex leagues. He could provide good value in those leagues if he can recapture some of his 2022 form, when he had 15 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, 708 rushing yards, and seven rushing scores.

If you only remember one name from this list during your draft, make it Croskey-Merritt's. The seventh-round pick has proven that he could be the Commanders' lead back as soon as Week 1, as rumors swirl that Brian Robinson Jr. will be traded or cut. Croskey-Merritt has racked up 70 yards and a touchdown in exciting fashion across two games. He'll be a steal in your drafts if he tallies numbers similar to Robinson's averages of 972 scrimmage yards and 6.7 total touchdowns over the last three seasons.

Both Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet should be excited about the Seahawks' ability to bully opponents in the run game. Seattle opened its exhibition schedule with 170 rushing yards against the Raiders, and then dominated the Chiefs' defense en route to 268 yards on the ground the following week. Walker's frequent health issues could limit his ability to take advantage during the regular season, setting up Charbonnet for a potentially great season.

Henderson hasn't had many carries this preseason, but he's showcased his explosiveness on both a touchdown run and a 100-yard kickoff return through two exhibition games. Fellow Patriot Rhamondre Stevenson has seen his total production and efficiency slip since a strong 2022 campaign, and is likely to be supplanted as New England's top back sooner than later.

Gordon could be a steal after he fell to the sixth round of April's draft following a significant production drop-off in 2024 compared to his elite 2023 campaign with Oklahoma State. Miami has struggled to run the ball in short-yardage situations in recent seasons, but the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder could help solve some of those problems. He ranks 11th in rushing among all players this preseason (83), has averaged 4.6 yards per carry, and has scored a touchdown, too.

The combination of Chris Godwin still working his way back from injury, Jalen McMillan landing on injured reserve, and flashes of elite talent have set Egbuka up well as we approach the regular season. His touchdown grab against the Steelers was particularly impressive, as he fought through sticky coverage. The No. 19 pick in the 2025 draft will also benefit from playing with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is fresh off a career-best 4,500-yard, 41-touchdown campaign.

Pearsall is set up for a big sophomore season after Deebo Samuel's trade to the Commanders and Brandon Aiyuk's continued rehab from ACL and MCL tears. Veteran Jauan Jennings is Pearsall's top competition for wide receiver targets in Kyle Shanahan's offense. Pearsall has only suited up for one preseason game, but the 2024 first-rounder showed plenty of upside with 42 yards on three receptions in limited action.

Sean Payton and Bo Nix have to be excited by Franklin's production this preseason. The Oregon product is one of 11 players with two touchdown receptions and is among the most productive receivers overall with 85 yards on seven catches. Franklin's 4.41 speed and familiarity with both Payton's system and Nix's style only increase his chances of being a notable contributor once the regular season arrives.

Tim Patrick will only be able to hold off TeSlaa from winning the Lions' No. 3 receiver job for so long. The Arkansas product has recorded 105 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions and was selected in the third round after an aggressive trade up. TeSlaa is unlikely to be a reliable weekly starter immediately, but he's worth rostering in deeper leagues and also continues to climb up dynasty rankings.

Honorable mention

You'd be forgiven if you didn't know who Chism was just a few weeks ago. That was before he hauled in 12 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns across two preseason games. It's not difficult to see a path to relevance considering the lack of star power in the Patriots' receiver room and the Eastern Washington product's numbers, but he's more likely to eventually blossom into a valuable asset in dynasty leagues rather than redraft ones.

Andrew Dixon is a contributing fantasy analyst for theScore.