Fantasy: Takeaways from Saturday's preseason games

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Every game night during the preseason, theScore's NFL editors will provide their fantasy observations from around the league.

You can't take the preseason too seriously; they are just exhibition games after all. Overreacting in August can sometimes cause more harm than good, but as we work our way through the second round of preseason contests, there is plenty of useful fantasy information to extract. Let's take a look at a busy night with 16 teams in action.

Catch the Wave

Ryan Tannehill turned in another strong performance on Saturday, completing 12-of-15 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, while adding 11 yards on the ground. Through two preseason outings, the Dolphins passer is 18-of-22 for 158 yards and two scores. It doesn't get much better than that.

Tannehill didn't have as much playing time in college as most quarterbacks who went on to become pros, so he's still growing into the position. Playing in an up-tempo offense, with a slew of new weapons, he's oozing fantasy potential.

After finishing as a top-10 fantasy quarterback a year ago, the 27-year-old appears to be on the verge of even bigger things in 2015. He's currently QB7 in our rankings update, which will come out Monday.

Flying High Now

We got our first glimpse of what the Eagles offense might look like come Week 1, as Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray made their preseason debuts against a tough Ravens defense.

Bradford took a few hits, including a questionable low shot to his knee from Terrell Suggs, but completed 3-of-5 attempts for 35 yards. Chip Kelly didn't risk Bradford's health any further, taking him out after one series. We'll get a better look at him next week, but in limited action Bradford appeared more than capable of succeeding in the Eagles offense.

Murray ran well, totalling 17 yards on five carries and finding the end zone for the first time in an Eagles uniform. He also added one catch for 14 yards, but concerns about Murray's workload are real. Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles were sprinkled in as part of the first-team offense, with Mathews scoring on the opening drive from 14 yards out.

It will be dangerous picking Murray any earlier than the mid-second round. Mathews is an instant RB1 if Murray goes down, but he's extremely expensive at his eighth-round ADP.

The Big Easy

The Saints made it look too easy on Saturday, outscoring the Patriots 15-0 in the first quarter. Drew Brees certainly didn't look like a quarterback in the decline phase of his career. He threw for 159 yards and two scores, one of which was a 45-yard pass to Brandin Cooks.

Regardless what you think of Cooks as a receiver, there's no denying his involvement in the Saints offense. He hauled in four receptions for 117 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. With Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills gone, Cooks is the default No. 1 option. If he can stay healthy, a big season is on the horizon.

The other bright spot for New Orleans was Mark Ingram. While his five carries for 7 yards was less than impressive, he hauled in three passes for 45 yards. Reports surfaced this week that Ingram, who caught 29 balls last season, was being featured more in the passing game. This may just be a temporary situation while C.J. Spiller is sidelined, but if Ingram does see added targets this year, it will make him an even more attractive option in the third round.

Notable Performances

Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars
3 receptions, 64 yards
Robinson flew under the radar last season and, despite a bit of offseason hype, he's not going off the board until the late sixth and sometimes early seventh round. That's the kind of anonymity you get playing in Jacksonville. Watch him effortlessly take this short pass up the sidelines for 36 yards and try not to get pumped up about his fantasy potential. The second-year wideout is primed to be a WR2 in fantasy this season.

Nelson Agholor, WR, Eagles
3 receptions, 40 yards
It's becoming evident that the rookie will be an immediate starter in Philly. Excitement over Agholor has been well-founded and his performance on Saturday night provided more proof. Agholor is the second best pass catcher on the team, behind Jordan Matthews, who had a pair of receptions for 20 yards. Matthews' value has creeped into the third round, but it's justified. Agholor will be less consistent, but is also worth his sixth-round price tag.

Charles Johnson, WR, Vikings
4 receptions, 40 yards, TD
With second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater playing like a veteran, Johnson may have a chance to break out this season. The duo hooked up for a touchdown, one of many to come in 2015. Johnson could be a steal at his seventh-round ADP.

Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders
1 reception, 40 yards
Cooper will likely get a weekly mention in this post. He led the Raiders in receiving on the night and it only took one reception. The rookie will look anything but when he takes the field in Week 1.

Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
8-of-14, 52 yards
Manning's debut in the Broncos' new offensive system wasn't exactly smooth. The 39-year-old didn't look like the confident player we are used to seeing. Luckily, it's only the second week of the preseason, but this will definitely be worth monitoring.

Eli Manning, QB, Giants
4-of-14, 46 yards
This is the second straight subpar outing for Manning. He has a chance to outperform his draft position as QB12, but this isn't a promising start to the year. Maybe he's hoping to draft himself in his fantasy league and doesn't want to see his ADP rise.

Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens
5 carries, 29 yards, 1 reception, 4 yards
Some may doubt Forsett's durability after a breakout season at the age of 29, but he just keeps producing behind the Ravens' talented offensive line. Until Forsett actually gets injured, he's a high-end RB2, who will deliver several RB1 weeks throughout the year.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots
13 carries, 15 yards
It wasn't a good night for the Patriots incumbent back. Consider the door opened a little further for Jonas Gray, who had seven carries for 22 yards. You're playing with fire drafting anyone from the New England backfield, but it continues to lure us in.

Shane Vereen, RB, Giants
3 carries, 13 yards, 1 reception, 14 yards
The Giants defense might be a sieve this year, which would put pressure on the offense to score points. If this turns out to be true, Vereen could see the most work out of any Giants back. Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams will have a role, but Vereen will be a weekly flex play, who could border on RB2 status.

David Johnson, RB, Cardinals
13 carries, 66 yards, 2 receptions, 15 yards
Johnson made a strong impression in the first preseason action of his career. He's been dealing with a hamstring injury, but he showed no signs of it on Saturday. The first-year back is competing with recently-signed veteran Chris Johnson to serve as Andre Ellington's backup. If the rookie wins the job, CJ2K could be back on the street before the season starts.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos
9 carries, 54 yards
Hillman has outperformed Montee Ball every step of the way in the preseason. If you're looking for a handcuff for C.J. Anderson, it's Hillman.

Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers
3 receptions, 27 yards
Olsen's involvement in the Panthers offense is only going to increase with Kelvin Benjamin out for the year. The veteran tight end may lead the Panthers in receiving this season.

Injury Ward

Phillip Dorsett, WR, Colts
The rookie is day-to-day after suffering a bruised knee against the Bears. Dorsett caught three passes for 21 yards before leaving the game.

Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Ravens
Taliaferro went to the locker room during the game to get his knee checked out. If he were to miss time, Buck Allen would get a significant boost in value.

Marquess Wilson, WR, Bears
Wilson left Saturday's game with a hamstring issue. Though the extent of the injury is unknown, it's particularly worrisome with Kevin White potentially out for the year.

Ryan Kalil, C, Panthers
The Panthers starting center went down with a left knee injury and did not return. Carolina's offensive line is already one of the weaker units in the league. They can't afford to lose Kalil.