The first week of the NFL Preseason is already in the record books. In the 16 exciting matchups that took place last week, there were some fantasy surprises both good and bad, to take note of as fantasy football drafting gets underway. Here are some surprise performances that occured during Week 1 of the NFL Preseason.
Rookie Wide Receivers Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjamin both out-played Sammy Watkins
Unimpressive in the Hall of Fame Game, Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Watkins went without a catch in his NFL preseason debut. In his second preseason game, Watkins was a bit more active, finishing with three catches for 21 yards on four targets.
To date, Watkins, the first rookie wide receiver selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, still remains scoreless after two preseason games.
This is not the case for Benjamin, the 6’-5” rookie for the Carolina Panthers, who caught a fabulous 29-yard catch in the end zone on the opening drive. Cooks also scored for the New Orleans Saints with a 25-yard touchdown pass, finishing his night five catches totaling 55 yards.
At this point, if you are considering drafting Watkins as a WR3-4, he seems to be falling a tad short of expectations after making his preseason debut.
Running Back Rashad Jennings, New York Giants, Turned Heads
Jennings who is clearly out to prove his worth to the New York Giants, ran for an amazing and surprising 73-yard rushing touchdown in his second preseason outing, blasting right through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense.
If the 29-year-old can continue to make powerful plays like this one throughout the regular season, Jennings will earn value as a reliable RB2 during the 2014 fantasy season. Thus far in Jennings’ two preseason games, he has a total of 108 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown to show for his efforts.
Bishop Sankey, Running Back, Tennessee Tians Proved he Can Catch and Run
The Titans rookie running back, Sankey has been quite the hype since being drafted by his team earlier this Spring. Making his rookie debut in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers, Sankey caught a five-yard touchdown pass from his backup quarterback, Charlie Whitehurst during a third quarter play.
Along with the touchdown pass, Sankey caught his other two targeted passes totaling 38 yards and also tallied up 37 ground yards on 13 carries. While Sankey sits behind Titans’ running backs Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster, the team will undoubtedly find a rotational role for Sankey, who possesses the ability to make accurate catches as well as rushing plays. If you draft Sankey as an RB3-4 now, he could certainly climb his way into a reasonable flex play during the 2014 fantasy season.
Mark Ingram, Running Back, New Orleans Saints, Shined as the No. 1 Running Back
Ingram now finds himself sitting at the top of the New Orleans Saints depth chart ahead of sophomore Khiry Robinson and eighth-year running back, Pierre Thomas. Both Ingram and Robinson participated in the preseason opener against the St Louis Rams, and the former first-round pick, Ingram shined with 83 yards on eight runs and a touchdown.
If the Saints utilize Ingram as their primary rusher, which would be indicative of their first preseason game plan, then he could certainly be poised for more action as the regular season roles out. With Thomas likely being used more in the role that Darren Sproles held catching passes, Ingram is the man to target in drafts, making him a possible RB2 in 2014.
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals, Made Solid Impression With Carson Palmer
The Arizona Cardinals took the Houston Texans to the cleaners in their first preseason game demolishing them in a 32-0 win. Fitzgerald who played in just the first drive of the game only had two targets, catching both and turning one seven-yard pass from Palmer into a score for the Cardinals.
Fitzgerald, who is entering into his 11th season with the Cardinals and his second year playing with Palmer under center did not disappoint fans last weekend. If this is just a sampling of the chemistry that Fitzgerald is continuing to build with Palmer, he should make a solid WR2 or even a surprise WR1 option if you choose to include the polished eight-time Pro-Bowler in your fantasy lineup.
Matt Cassel, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings, Outshined Rookie Teddy Bridgewater
Cassel started in their first preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. He had 10 plays including a 70-yard pass to Matt Asiata who scored a one-yard touchdown. In total, Cassel surprisingly completed five of his six passes for 62 yards prior to Bridgewater entering the game towards the end of the first quarter.
Bridgewater began with his first play by connecting with Greg Jennings for 21 yards, however the play was recalled due to illegal formation. Overall, Bridgewater completed six of his 13 passing attempts, was sacked once, totaled 49 yards and scored zero touchdowns.
The Vikings head coach has confirmed that Cassel will start in the second preseason game which fairs well for Bridgewater who will have the opportunity to watch Cassel make calls and properly get the ball out under pressure. At this time, Bridgewater makes a sketchy quarterback to draft until we see more successful plays from him. He’s worth a backup draft in deep leagues, due to the fact that Cassel is still very much in the picture.
Ladarius Green, Tight End, San Diego Chargers, Found Success with Philip Rivers
Without tight end Antonio Gates participating in the Chargers opening game against Dallas, Green got to showcase his skills with his veteran quarterback, Rivers. Green was the recipient of two of Rivers’ four passes for a grand total of 26 yards, including an awesome 20-yard catch right at the sideline. Rivers has always been a fan of targeting his tight ends, and Green stands to benefit from this immensely in 2014.
The 34-year-old Gates is still around, however, there is no denying that the third-year Green at 6’-6” will present a major threat in the red zone while the team continues to prepare him to inherit the No. 1 role at some point in the future.
Rivers should continue to utilize Green plenty in 2014, making him a decent backup who could produce TE2 numbers later on in the 2014 season.
Christine Michael, Running Seattle Seahawks, Out-Performed Robert Turbin
In a battle of the backup Seattle Seahawks running backs, Michael cleverly outplayed Turbin in the Seahawks preseason opener loss against the Denver Broncos.
With primary running back, Marshawn Lynch sitting this one out, Turbin was given the start, with the first-team offense. Unfortunately, Turbin did not make much of his opportunity, only managing five yards on four carries. If it helps, Turbin also one three-yard pass.
Michael came onto the scene in the second quarter and on his first touch, scored on one-yard drive. Playing into the third quarter, Michael showed off both his ground skills and pass-catching ability finishing his night with seven rushes for 16 yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 12 yards.
The Seahawks had hinted prior to the preseason that they may entertain the idea of using a running back by committee formation in 2014, with Michael sharing some of the ground work alongside Lynch. If this comes to fruition, Michael certainly makes a worthy draft and stash fantasy pick, as his workload would increase in order to keep Lynch fresh and healthy.
Nick Foles, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles, Choked and Threw Two Interceptions
How many interceptions did Foles throw in 2013? Two; which is the same number he threw in nine pass attempts in his surprisingly poor preseason game performance against the Chicago Bears. Whether it was nerves or regression, Foles was out of sync, completing just six of nine attempts totaling 44 yards, scoring zero touchdowns and tossing two interceptions.
It’s a distinct possibility that if you have already drafted Foles as your starting quarterback, that you are beginning to panic a bit. Where I wouldn’t advise avoiding Foles altogether as drafts are beginning to take place, I would certainly monitor him carefully starting with his next game this Friday in New England.
If Foles can improve his complete a higher percentage of his passing attempts, perhaps score a touchdown and stay interception-free, he is worth pursuing as a QB2. On the other hand, if Foles coughs up another struggling performance, it might be wise to reach for him as more of a backup option, with the hope he improves as the regular season unfolds.