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Happy Monday to you!
It’s Sal - Im back again with some key info for you.
Week 3 of the preseason is now over and we got a lot of good nuggets of information.
A lot of teams played their backups - but some teams showed us what their starting rotations will look like.
This is important as it gives us more information that we didn’t have up until this point - and that matters a ton for fantasy football.
Here are 20 items you'll want to know for fantasy football:
Quick note: Player snaps & routes data are curiosity of @PFF & @PFF_NateJahnke on Twitter.
Let’s dive in...
1. Diontae Johnson played 100% of the Panthers starter snaps
And he earned a team-high 38% target share from Bryce Young. Expect Carolina to use Diontae as a stud #1 WR this year. He currently goes in Round 8 of drafts…
2. Jonathan Taylor plays 100% snaps on his 1 drive.
Back in July Colts GM Chris Ballard stated “Taylor will have a big year” Expect this to be the case as Taylor has no serious competition for touches entering 2024...
3. Will Levis played 18 snaps with the Titans starters
Here’s how the RB snaps were split:
Tony Pollard: 61% - 7 opportunities
Tyjae Spears: 39% - 3 opportunities
Pollard goes in Round 7 of drafts...
4. Evan Engram’s strong connection with Trevor Lawrence continued
Engram earned 40% of the targets from Lawrence & scored twice. Last season – Engram led all TEs in targets & catches. He’s a strong pick in Round 7 of drafts…
5. Chris Godwin returned to the slot
According to PFF - Godwin played in the slot on 86% of his snaps in this game. Godwin has proven to be highly efficient out of the slot in his career. This is a great sign for him entering Week 1…
6. Rachaad White played 100% of the starter snaps
He also earned 5 opportunities on just 7 snaps. Backup Bucky Irving doesn’t appear to be a threat to steal work right now. Expect another big role for White in 2024…
7. Travis Etienne plays 74% of the snaps with Trevor Lawrence & the Jaguars starters.
Concerns about backup Tank Bigsby taking more work haven’t panned out. Bigsby played just 26% of the snaps with the starting unit…
8. The Bears rest all 3 of their RBs.
We don’t have a clear idea of how this backfield will shake out. Khalil Herbert saw the best usage this preseason – but D’Andre Swift was paid RB1 money. Expect Swift to open the year as the starter – but 3 RBs may be involved…
9. Chuba Hubbard played ahead of Miles Sanders
Hubbard played 83% of the starter snaps compared to just 17% for Sanders. Hubbard will start the season as the teams RB1 while rookie Jonathon Brooks rehabs his knee injury. Hubbard is a fine pick in Round 12...
10. Jerry Jeudy is the Browns clear WR2
He rested with Amari Cooper & David Njoku for this game. The WR3 job still appears to be a battle between Elijah Moore & Cedric Tillman. Tillman is an appealing deep sleeper in Round 23 of drafts...
11. The Steelers continue to use 3+ TEs this preseason
If this usage continues - it will hurt Pat Freiermuth’s upside. He’s ran just 69% of the Steelers routes this preseason - which would rank outside the Top 25 TEs in usage last year…
12. Cam Akers started for the Texans & looked great
He totaled 10 touches for 72 yards. Akers has made noise in camp & is a threat to take Dameon Pierce’s RB2 job. This is amazing considering Akers suffered a 2nd Achilles tear in Week 10 last year...
13. Rookie RB Kimani Vidal rests with the Chargers key players
This is a great sign that Vidal has made the team. He’s behind Gus Edwards & JK Dobbins – but Vidal should have a chance to earn a role this season. Vidal totaled 1862 yards last year at Troy…
14. RB Jerome Ford played the first 10 snaps with the Browns starting unit
He’s preparing to be the Browns RB1 to open the year as Nick Chubb is unlikely to be ready (knee). Note: RB D’Onta Foreman did get injured in this game…
15. The Titans used 3 WRs with their starting unit on 67% of the plays
This is a 30-40% increase from last season. It's exactly what new coach Brian Callahan has said he wants to do. Expect a lot more passing from the Titans in 2024…
16. Rookie WR Adonai Mitchell saw great usage
He played 96% of the starter snaps – the same number as Michael Pittman - & Mitchell was used over Alec Pierce at times. Mitchell is an elite athlete who can create explosive plays. He currently goes in Round 14 of drafts…
17. Rookie WR Jalen McMillan saw strong usage
He played 100% of the snaps with Baker Mayfield & the Bucs starters. But McMillan’s main WR3 competition is Trey Palmer - who didn’t play due to injury. As of now - Bucs reporters believe McMillan has won the WR3 job…
18. Jordan Mason is trending to be the 49ers RB2
Mason played 88% of the starter snaps with Christian McCaffrey & Elijah Mitchell out with injuries. Mason earned 10 opportunities & looked good on his touches. He’s pushing Elijah Mitchell for the RB2 job…
19. TE Juwan Johnson started for the Saints
This is a great sign that he’ll be ready for Week 1 - after recently returning off foot surgery. Johnson should be involved often in this Saints offense. He currently goes in Round 21 of fantasy drafts…
20. Panthers rookie WR Xavier Legette is behind Jonathan Mingo
But this needs more context. Legette was hurt for a chunk of camp – it makes sense that he’s a bit behind schedule. Expect the 1st round WR to come along as the season goes on…
Bonus: The Patriots WR usage on 40 snaps with Drake Maye & Jacoby Brissett:
KJ Osborn: 29 snaps
Ja’Lynn Polk: 26 snaps
Tyquan Thornton: 23 snaps
Demario Douglas: 18 snaps
Thornton has reportedly won a starting WR job…
That’s it for now!
Sal