While the dress rehearsal happens in Week 3, many more “stars”
came out of the woodwork and played in Week 2. The preseason is
mostly about glimpses, but even glimpses can be significant when
you’re trying to decide how to put your 2017 roster together.
So, what did this week’s action reveal? Ten revelations coming
right up…
1. McCaffrey May Be Magnificent
Opinions about the fantasy value of Christian McCaffrey have varied
wildly during the summer, but after seeing him in action this past
weekend, more fantasy owners will be high on him than skeptical
on draft day. The Carolina running back exploded for a 17-yard TD
run and also turned a reception into a 38-yard gain. It’s
difficult to assess just how many touches per game he’ll receive,
but it would appear he doesn’t need many to be a real fantasy
force. At this point, McCaffrey has climb to a third round value
in standard redraft leagues, but he could start going as early as
the second round in PPR leagues. Again, small sample sizes here,
but McCaffrey’s arrow is pointing up.
2. There’s a QB Cliff…
Yes, the quarterback position is deep. Guys like Dak Prescott, Philip Rivers and Matthew Stafford represent great value in the early middle
rounds. But, this weekend was a less than subtle reminder that you
better not wait too long to take a quarterback and you better not
wait too long on a backup at the position either. Blake Bortles
and Tyrod Taylor are dropping like a rock while Joe Flacco (back)
will remain out through next week. Not only did Taylor and Bortles
play exceptionally poor football in Week 2 (interceptions, underthrows,
overthrows), but Taylor lost his veteran receiver when Anquan Boldin
decided to retire. Jacksonville certainly has better weapons in
the passing game, but will Bortles actually be the starter on opening
day? Bottom line: Eli Manning and/or Andy Dalton may be your last
chance to grab a quality quarterback in your draft. Beyond them,
the question marks are becoming more and more pronounced.
3. What To Make of Rams vs. Raiders
Jared Goff was so bad last season that it would be easy to chalk
him up as a bust already and label the Rams a fantasy football wasteland.
But, to do that would be to ignore entirely what took place this
weekend against the Raiders. The Rams were able to throw downfield
and actually run some semblance of an offense. Goff completed 80%
of his passes (20 attempts) and gained an average of 10 yards per
completion to go along with a touchdown pass. Even Todd Gurley was
able to look like his old self (8-38-1). Two things to remember
here: First, the Rams have a new coaching staff and their offense
isn’t going to be just a reboot of 2016. That’s good
news for everyone. Second, the Raiders defense looked like swiss
cheese. That’s good news for those owning Raider skill position
players. The Saints’ offense has always been a fantasy juggernaut
not only because of their own prowess, but also because they were
forced to offset a bad defense. Carr and the Raiders could be asked
to do the same.
Rex Burkhead played with the first-team
offense in Week 2 and made the most of his opportunity.
4. In Rex We Trust?
It’s difficult to know what exactly Bill Belichick is doing
in the regular season, much less the preseason, but Mike Gillislee’s
health woes have allowed other Patriot running backs to shine in
exhibition action. Rex Burkhead stepped up this past weekend to
the tune of 70 total yards and a touchdown. In fairness, the other
New England RBs produced well on the ground, but none demonstrated
Rex’s precision in the passing game (3 rec, 50 yards). Again,
it’s next to impossible to offer up absolutes about the Patriots,
but Burkhead is looking more and more like a worthy late-round pick.
Playing time will come down to who Brady trusts most and Brady’s
chemistry with Burkhead in Week 2 was palatable.
5. Not Everyone Eases Into the Preseason…
While most teams prefer to play their starters a series or two in
Weeks 1 and 2 of the preseason, occasionally teams take their top
unit out for a much longer spin. Case in point was the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers who let Jameis Winston attempt 29 passes in Week 2. Five
of those passes ended up being completions to Mike Evans and from
all signs, it appears that Evans is going to be a target monster
again in 2017 after leading all wide receivers in that category
last season at 171. Elsewhere, Dallas allowed Dak Prescott and Dez Bryant to get extensive work together and health appears to be the
only thing standing between Bryant and a huge season. The Cowboys
run the ball so well (160 rushing yards vs. the Colts) that defenses
can’t double team Bryant without really paying for it. Look
for the Tampa Bay and Dallas offenses to jump out of the gates quickly
in September meaning you should continue to target Winston and Prescott
as mid-round values.
6. Second-Tier Rookies Made Positive
Statements
While all eyes are on McCaffrey and Leonard Fournette, there were
at least three other rookies that turned heads this past weekend
and are worthy of your attention. First, there was Alvin Kamara
in New Orleans busting off a 50-yard touchdown run. Then, there
was Marlon Mack averaging 9 yards a pop on five carries for the
Colts against the Cowboys. Finally, DeDe Westbrook of the Jaguars
hauled in 6 receptions for 131 yards- best stat line for a WR during
the week. Are any of these guys worth drafting? The answer is yes.
Mack is in the best situation with only the 34-year old Frank Gore
in front of him stealing touches. Kamara is in the best offense
of the three, but there are multiple backfield mates to feed. Westbrook
will benefit from the injury to Marqise Lee (ankle), which may now
allow Westbrook to get some early season playing time. All three
guys carry value, especially in dynasty leagues but they’re
good late round picks in redrafts as well.
7. It’s A Week-To-Week Thing…
In Week 1, Samaje Perine fumbled and we downgraded his prospects
for meaningful touches early in the season as a result. This past
weekend, Perine ran with decisiveness and power, registering 45
yards on 8 carries and even catching a 29-yard pass. Meanwhile,
top backfield dog Rob Kelley managed just 1 yard per carry on 9
attempts. What does it mean? It probably means Perine is back in
the mix for a timeshare and it is a good reminder not to overreact
to one week of preseason occurrences. Volatile backfield situations
often fluctuate with different players stealing the upper hand from
one week to the next. Be patient and don’t rush to fantasy
judgement over the results of any one performance.
8. Kansas City Could Be Poised For An
Offensive Breakout in 2017
Perhaps no offense looked better in Week 2 than the Kansas City
Chiefs. Alex Smith completed almost 90% of his passes and the three
QBs that played in the game combined for 4 touchdowns. That’s
pretty good stuff. The team rushed for over 230 yards, which included
top-notch efforts from Charcandrick West (113 yards rushing) and
Kareem Hunt (8-40). There’s something to be said for stability
as the Chiefs have running the same offense for several years, fine
tuning their mastery every season. They’ll spread the wealth,
but should score plenty of touchdowns with Travis Kelce likely leading
the way. One concern though: Why did Spencer Ware only get 1 carry?
We’ll chalk it up to Andy Reid wanting to get reps for Hunt,
West and C.J. Spiller but I think Ware is overvalued in redraft
leagues.
9. Conner Can Handle a Workload
Le'Veon Bell isn't the happiest camper these days, although there
appears to be little risk of him missing Week 1. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh
decided to give the rock to James
Conner early and often in Week 2 of the preseason and he very
nearly turned 20 carries into 100 yards. Conner is no Bell, but
the Steelers are generally committed to running the ball, and now
they know Conner can be productive if given the chance. Conner is
getting drafted because people like his story. I think he's worth
drafting late on merit alone. This is a high-octane offense and
Conner is clearly next in line behind Bell.
10. Zach Zenner Award: Week 2
And, last but not least, we need to give out the Zach
Zenner Award. Congrats to Tarik
Cohen (11 carries, 77 yards), rookie running back for the Bears.
Cohen is smallish (5-6, 181), but with no one else impressing behind
Jordan
Howard, keep an eye on him. Not a wide eye, but an eye just
the same.
That's all for this week. We’ll be back after Week 3 with
more to share…
