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NFL Preseason: AFC Fantasy Football Preseason Week 1 Observations

Fantasy Football Preseason: Week 1 of the preseason is complete, here is a closer look at the fantasy implications from the AFC teams.
Fantasy Football Preseason Week 1

Week 1 of the NFL preseason is now complete. The week revealed more information to help with fantasy football projections. Teams tip their intentions by their actions, especially with almost every team now only having three preseason games. This article will analyze each team and identify the key insights to help seasonal league projections. Below is a closer look at the AFC teams, after Week 1 of the preseason. Fantasy Football Preseason Week 1

NFL Preseason Week 1: Fantasy Football Observations for the AFC

Baltimore Ravens

Observations

Major offensive concerns; Devin Duvernay is ready

Jeff Zrebiac of the Athletic outlined why Ravens fans should already be concerned about their offensive line. Starting center Bradley Bozeman left the game with an ankle injury and left tackle Ronnie Stanley has yet to join team workouts while still recovering from ankle surgery last November. Veteran Kevin Zeitler and third-round rookie Ben Cleveland both missed practice last week with injuries. Rookie wideout Rashod Bateman is out several weeks after groin surgery, putting the dynamic rookie even further behind schedule.

Throw in Lamar Jackson‘s second round of COVID, and there are real concerns in Baltimore. The lone bright spot was 4.39 speedster Devin Duvernay, who had four catches in their 17-14 win over the Saints. For a team with a shaky WR1 in Marquise Brown and a shallow wide receiver depth chart, Duvernay could find an early season path to opportunity.

Buffalo Bills

Observations

Devin Singletary takes advantage; Matt Breida lurking; Jake Kumerow fighting

After very strong early reports, Zack Moss missed Buffalo’s first preseason game with a hamstring injury. The third-year running back gained 42 yards on eight carries and caught one pass for Buffalo’s only touchdown of the game. Veteran Matt Breida still showed explosiveness and caught two passes. This is still Moss’ backfield, but Buffalo’s has ample depth at the running back position. At wide receiver, 29-year old Jake Kumerow appears to have moved ahead of Isaiah Hodgins and Marquez Stevenson. With 34-year old Emmanuel Sanders listed as a starter, Kumerow is a deep league waiver watch in case of an injury.

Cincinnati Bengals

Observations

Open battle behind Joe Mixon; Ja’Marr Chase‘s speed on display

Starting running back Joe Mixon is projected for a massive workload. However, there is jostling for the backup rusher for the Bengals. Veteran Samaje Perine rushed just three times for five yards and lost a fumble. Sixth-round pick Chris Evans earned the respect of his teammates with 25 tough yards on the ground and a touchdown. Evans added four receptions for 33 receiving yards, showcasing his strong pass-catching skills. Mixon missed ten games last year due to a foot injury. Perine has just 36 receptions in 38 career NFL games.

If Evans can beat out Williams and discard 2019 UDFA Jacques Patrick, he is one Mixon injury away from 2021 fantasy relevance. Ja’Marr Chase caught his only target for 16 yards, but displayed the elite speed that should serve as a perfect compliment to Mixon’s ground attack.

Cleveland Browns

Observations

Browns relentless defense; Donovan Peoples-Jones and Demetric Felton impress

Cleveland’s second-team defense put pressure on Jacksonville throughout the night. Second-round pick LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah landed one sack and almost blocked a punt. Donovan Peoples-Jones showed the potential of a 6-foot-2, 212 lb wide receiver with 4.48 speed, with this impressive one-handed catch along the sidelines.

Both Peoples-Jones and sixth-round wideout Demetric Felton (4 receptions, 44 yards) have a long way to be fantasy relevant, but got off to a solid start against Jacksonvile.

Denver Broncos

Observations

Drew Lock-KJ Hamler connection; Javonte Williams is an issue; Broncos Defense a huge AFC West advantage

Both Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater played well, but the highlight was this 80-yard bomb to speedster K.J. Hamler.

With a strong offensive line and elite defense, Lock’s play could elevate this team to be a wild card contender. Rookie running back Javonte Williams rushed five times for 29 yards and had a touchdown wiped out by a Jerry Jeudy holding penalty. Williams is clearly going to earn playing time regardless of Melvin Gordon‘s role. First-round pick Patrick Surtain returned a 30-yard interception for a touchdown, giving head coach Vic Fangio another chess piece for an incredibly strong defense.

Houston Texans

Observations

Davis Mills provides hope; Scottie Phillips fighting to make the roster

With Deshaun Watson’s career in Houston in limbo, the Texans are hoping they hit on third-round pick Davis Mills. In Houston’s 26-7 win at Green Bay, Mills impressed by going 11 of 22 for 122 yards.  The rookie did have an interception and a fumble on a direct snap, but played well overall in his first NFL action. The Texans backfield is full with veterans Phillip Lindsay, David Johnson, and Mark Ingram. However, the stat of the first preseason game was 2020 UDFA Scottie Phillips, who had 89 total yards, four receptions, and a rushing touchdown. While not likely to make a fantasy impact in 2021, Philips shined in his first opportunity of the preseason.

Indianapolis Colts

Observation

Offensive Line Concerns

Quarterback Carson Wentz and starting guard Quenton Nelson are both recovering from surgery. Pro Bowl tackle Eric Fisher will not be ready for the start of the season. If the Colts display against the Panthers is any indication, that could mean big trouble for their offensive line. Indianapolis’ offense allowed three sacks, one interceptions, and two lost fumbles in their 21-18 comeback win over Carolina. Assessing anything else is bereft of purpose given the lack of playing time for the starters, but the Colts need to tighten up their pass protection in a hurry.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Observations

Trevor Lawrence taking control; RB Roulette

Trevor Lawrence earned the surprise start against Cleveland, finishing 6 of 9 for 71 yards. He was under pressure constantly, getting sacked twice. Fantasy players gained no clarity on the Jacksonville backfield after a muddle usage distribution.

Etienne’s draft capital and connection with Lawrence should help his floor, but Robinson impressive rookie season will certainly earn his opportunities.

Kansas City Chiefs

Observation

Buy Byron Pringle

Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce garner all the attention from fantasy drafters. But the sneaky beneficiary of Sammy Watkins departure is Byron Pringle. Kansas City signed the 27-year old Pringle to a one-year $2.1 million contract, and the former UDFA from Kansas State responded with two receptions and a touchdown from quarterback Chad Henne in the Chiefs 19-16 win over San Francisco. Pringle is a fan and team favorite, and could be one of the best late-round seasonal picks if Mecole Hardman fails to keep the team’s WR2 position.

Las Vegas Raiders

Observation

John Brown WR4, Running back depth

The Raiders did not play Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, or Hunter Renfrow in their 20-7 win over Seattle. Who did play? Veteran wide receiver John Brown, who failed to catch his only target. Brown is not draftable in seasonal leagues unless an injury occurs. UDFA Trey Ragas shined with 82 total yards, three receptions, and a touchdown, with B.J. Emmons chipping in 45 yards and a score.

Los Angeles Chargers

Observation

Hello, Josh Palmer; Donald Parham truthers unite

The Chargers third-round pick from Tennessee has drawn rave reviews throughout the preseason. He is a strong route-runner that has consistently found openings in the defense. As a result?  Palmer is getting heavily targeted.

Donald Parham has long been a fantasy favorite with a 19.1 (93rd percentile) Breakout Age at Stetson (PlayerProfiler). If the 6-foot-8, 240 lb athletic marvel can limit his drops, he is looking like a nice late-round TE target in seasonal leagues.

Miami Dolphins

Observation

Malcolm Brown RB1?; Tua Tagovailoa impresses

Fantasy drafters that felt Myles Gaskin was a great late-round RB1 value, should consider the statement from head coach Brian Flores.

Malcolm Brown was a surprise start over Gaskin, and played on first and third down on the opening series. Brown (16 snaps) had more than double the opportunity than Gaskin (seven snaps). To make matters even worse, Salvon Ahmed finished with 71 yards, two receptions, and a touchdown. While there is still doubt as to the regular season touch distribution, it is clear Gaskin in currently overvalued by fantasy drafters. With the exception of one errant throw, Tua Tagovailoa impressed with an efficient 8 of 11 for 99 yards. Miami’s second preseason game against Atlanta on Saturday could solidify Tagovailoa as a legitimate option as a redraft QB1.

New England Patriots

Observations

Mac Jones is coming, Damien Harris RB1; Starting WRs set

There’s a limited amount of time before the 22-year old  and accurate Mac Jones overtakes the inaccurate and aging Cam Newton. The Alabama rookie finished 13 of 19 for 87 yards. Running backs Damien Harris and Sony Michel both looked impressive. Yet, it was Michel who remained in the game late until the third quarter. This opens the door for the more versatile Harris (22 receptions as an Alabama senior), to earn the majority of touches. Death, taxes, and James White as the preferred passing down option. Newly-acquired wideout Kendrick Bourne is rumored to have revealed the Patriots top three wide receivers, to no one’s surprise.

New York Jets

Observations

Zach Wilson Impresses, Rushing Volume; Tyler Kroft TE1?

Wilson was very impressive against the Giants, going 6 of 9 for 63 yards. He targeted wide receiver Corey Davis four times, connecting twice. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur made it clear he wants to establish the run to provide balance for his rookie quarterback. Veteran Tevin Coleman is the presumed RB1, but missed this game for personal reasons. Ty Johnson, La’Michael Perine, and Michael Carter all split carries. Johnson and Perine combined for 12 carries with Wilson on the field. The Chris Herndon experiment appears to have ended, with just one catch for nine yards. Tyler Kroft was the best of a bad bunch.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Observations

Najee Harris massive volume; Anthony McFarland RB2; Pat Freiermuth TE1?

Head coach Mike Tomlin has always preferred to give one running back the majority of touches. Over his 14 seasons as head coach, Tomlin’s lead running back has received 56.1 percent of the rushing attempts. Excluding the three seasons where the leading rusher was hurt (2012, 2019, 2020), that number balloons to 61 percent. This is all good news for rookie Najee Harris, who was the only running back used with the starters in the opening Hall of Fame game.

Second-year Maryland product Anthony McFarland has locked up the RB2 role, scoring on a tough one-year run against the Eagles.

His ability to get outside on runs has separated him from Bennie Snell and Jaylen Samuels. Rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth has excelled as a blocker, a critical skill to playing time in the Pittsburgh system. A dominant player at Penn State, Freiermuth accumulated 15 touchdowns in his first two collegiate seasons. Eric Ebron is officially on notice.

Tennessee Titans

Backups shine

The Titans earned an easy 23-3 win at Atlanta, limiting fantasy football takeaways. There was quality play from both backup quarterbacks, Logan Woodside and Matt Barkley. They combined to go 15 of 23 for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Was that just a result of a bad Atlanta defense? Tennessee should feel confident about their depth at running back, as Darrynton Evans produced 6.5 yards per carry before leaving with a knee injury. Veteran Brian Hill (43 rushing yards) and UDFA Mekhi Sargent (58 rushing yards) also impressed.

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