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Hey ladies and fellas!
16 NFL games were just played this weekend.
I know it was the preseason - but despite popular believe - the preseason actually matters.
At least for us fantasy football players.
Your tip today is a tad longer - but absolutely worth your time.
Here are 20 must know preseason items that will impact fantasy football:
1. Tank Dell is the Texans #3 WR
He only ran a route on 55% of the starter snaps & came off the field in 2 WR sets as Stefon Diggs & Nico Collins played. Keep in mind - this is still a small sample of just 17 starter snaps & can change as the season goes on…
2. Malik Nabers played 91% of the Giants starter snaps
He earned an impressive 6 targets on just 17 routes run. This means he was targeted on 35% of his routes. That usage would’ve ranked 2nd in the NFL last season…
3. The Chiefs starting WRs with Marquise Brown out were:
Rashee Rice: 94% snaps - 5 targets
Xavier Worthy: 83% snaps - 4 targets 👀
Justin Watson: 89% snaps - 1 targets
Worthy had 2 explosive of 20+ yards…
4. Devin Singletary plays 88% of the starter snaps for the Giants
And he handled all 10 carries with the 1st team offense. Singletary is the locked in RB1 for New York. He’s a nice pick in Round 8 of drafts…
5. WR Keon Coleman plays 100% of the Bills starter snaps
He’s now done this in 2 straight games. The rookie goes in Round 10 of drafts. He’s the WR you want to target in this offense…
6. The Bears Top 2 WRs were Keenan Allen & DJ Moore
This means rookie Rome Odunze is the WR3 right now. However Odunze played over Allen at times – and looked better than him on film. It's only a matter of time until Odunze is the #2 receiver...
7. D’Andre Swift didn’t play this week for Chicago
We still don’t have a clear idea on how this backfield will operate. Based on Swift’s $24 million contract – we can assume he’s still the RB1 for now…
8. Raheem Mostert played 82% of the Dolphins starter snaps
Mostert played clearly ahead of Devon Achane. But the Dolphins only had 3 active RBs - they were forced to play Achane later into the game. This likely affected Achane’s usage - don’t take too much away from this...
9. Josh Palmer appears to be the Chargers #1 WR
While Ladd McConkey operated as mostly a slot WR – which isn’t great for his overall upside if this usage continues. And Rookie WR Brendan Rice surprisingly started ahead of DJ Chark...
10. James Cook played 100% of the Bills starter snaps
He remains the clear RB1 for Buffalo. Cook quietly produced 1567 yards last season. He now goes in Round 4 of drafts…
11. Brian Robinson plays 56% of the starter snaps
Robinson played ahead of Austin Ekeler as expected. And Robinson also handled all 3 backfield carries. But Ekeler earned the only RB target on the Commanders 18 starter snaps. Robinson is still the RB you want in drafts…
12. The Commanders WR Usage with the starting unit:
Terry McLaurin: 100% starter snaps
Jahan Dotson: 89% snaps
Dyami Brown: 50% snaps
Olamide Zaccheaus: 39%
Dotson has a clear handle on the WR2 job…
13. Jaylen Warren injured his hamstring
He may be able to play Week 1 as it appears to be a mild strain (great news). Warren remains a target in Round 8 of drafts...
14. Pat Freiermuth Sees Weak Usage
He ran a route on just 61% of the Steelers start snaps.This needs to be closer to 80% for him to be valuable in fantasy. If this usage continues - it'll be hard to start Freiermuth this season…
15. Javonte Williams remains the Broncos starting RB
However - Jaleel McLaughlin was more involved this week. McLauglin played 55% of the starter snaps & earned 50% of the carries. This is a messy backfield on what could be a bad offense. Avoid Denver RBs right now…
16. The Patriots rotated 5 different WRs with the starting unit
KJ Osborn led the team playing 87% of the snaps. Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk only played 13% of the starter snaps. But according to camp reports Polk is still trending to be a starter...
17. We got clarity on some RB2 jobs:
Gainwell > Will Shipley (Eagles)
Bigsby > D’Ernest Johnson (Jags)
Bucky Irving > Chase Edmonds (Bucs)
Pierre Strong > D’Onta Foreman (Browns)
But Cardinals rookie Trey Benson is still battling Emari Demercado for the backup job...
18. Gerald Everett plays 50% more starter snaps than Cole Kmet
At this point – you can't draft Kmet given how much Everett is being used. Avoid Kmet in Round 11 of your drafts…
19. The Ravens rested 3 receivers:
Zay Flowers
Nelson Agholor
Rashod Bateman
These will be their 3 starters entering Week 1…
20. Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith splits snaps with Durham Smythe
If this continues - Smith become an avoid in fantasy. Consider Rams TE Colby Parkinson over Jonnu late in your drafts…
You made it to the end! Let me know if you got this far by replying back with ‘Real One’ 😀
Enjoy your Monday - I have another key tip coming your way tomorrow!
Sal