Welcome to the Preseason Week 2 Fantasy Football Notebook, I hope you enjoyed the recap on Week 1.
We finally get to some real football. With the starters and potential starters playing about a half of football, we get to see if the word potential is just a word. We want to see if the players getting all of the attention actually deserve it.
Will Christian McCaffrey live up to the hype? Who wins the QB job in Denver? Chicago? Houston? Which rookie running backs stand out?
Well. I will stop wasting your time and get right into the Preseason Week Fantasy Football Notebook Week 2 edition.
NFL 2017 Preseason Week 2 Fantasy Football Notebook
The Top Four Fantasy news stories from Week 2
What the Kupp?
His name is Cooper Kupp. He is the third-round pick of the Rams who seems to have the tools to be a valuable possession receiver in the NFL. He has good size at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and excellent hands. His coaches have raved about his intelligence. With Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods set to hold down spots as outside receivers, he will have a chance to thrive in the middle of the field.
In the six-catch, a 70-yard performance that included a 23-yard touchdown, Kupp accounted for four first downs. Seven of his eight catches this preseason have resulted in a Rams' first down. He seems to have carved out a role for himself as quarterback Jared Goff's safety net on third down.
With the continued emergence of Jared Goff, Kupp could be a very sneaky PPR option.
How did the Top Four Rookie Running Backs Look?
Coming into this season, there have been declarations that this season will be the Year of the Rookie RB! After last season of rookie wide receivers stepping up, let's take a look at the status of the top four rookie running backs aiming to make an impact:
Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars
Fournette (foot) sat out Week 2 and has already been ruled out for Week 3 action. The Jaguars are taking the safer route with their potential star running back. All signs point upward for Fournette to be ready to roll in the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Texans.
Fournette is projected to be a workhorse running back in his rookie season. Jacksonville didn't draft a running back with the No. 4 pick in the NFL draft to have him share carries with another player.
If you want to draft Fournette, you will have to draft him in the second/third round. I believe he will be worth the draft price!
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Fantasy owners need to believe the hype with McCaffrey. His vision and quickness are stunning and no one seems to get a good hit on him.
The big play ability has translated into the NFL as evidenced by the fact that McCaffrey has had a 13-yard run, 17-yard touchdown run, and 38-yard reception already this preseason. This is just a preview of what is to come for the rookie this season.
The Panthers are lining him up all over the field to create mismatches and he has and will take advantage of them. Look for McCaffrey to be drafted in no later than the third round in PPR formats.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook got the start again and looked quite impressive. He had 40 yards on seven carries and also catch a pass for 10 yards. He had gains of 15, nine, and 10 yards that really showcased his burst.
With injuries to veteran running backs Latavius Murray and Jerrick McKinnon, Cook has really seized the opportunity to cement his role as the feature back of the Vikings.
I would look for Cook to be drafted as RB2 and will be well-worth the draft price.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon rushed six times for 16 yards but did turn his only target into a 16-yard reception on Saturday. He was outperformed by Jeremy Hill. However, the rookie running back owns tremendous upside and could emerge as the lead back at some point in 2017.
It was encouraging to see him active in the passing game. The coaches love his versatility, including his blocking prowess.
The Oklahoma product now has 73 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches. Mixon should be viewed as an RB2 as we head toward the draft season.
Veteran WR Anquan Boldin retires after 14 seasons
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Anquan Boldin has left the team and informed them of his decision to retire, according to Jin Trotter of ESPN.
In 2003, Boldin hauled in 101 passes for the Cardinals. It was the most by a rookie ever and it’s a record that still stands today. In 15 postseason games with four franchises, he totaled a combined 70 catches for 1,057 yards and eight scores. He averaged impressive 15.1 yards per reception in the postseason. Only eight players in NFL history have caught more passes than Boldin (1,076). He has 82 touchdowns, which has him tied with Brandon Marshall and Reggie Wayne for the 23rd most in league history. He recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards in seven of his seasons.
The odds are against Boldin to get in the Hall. He was never the best receiver in the league or even on his own team. Boldin's imprint on the game goes beyond the numbers. His toughness and durability were Hall of Fame worthy.
Boldin admitted that his heart was elsewhere and he made the decision to walk away from football. Every NFL player deserves to walk away from the game on his terms.
Boldin signed a one-year deal worth about $2.75 million with incentives just two weeks ago. Boldin was expected to be one of the primary receivers on the Bills after Sammy Watkins was traded. I didn't think he was going to make much of a fantasy impact.
The Bills are in the midst of a major rebuild almost to the point of tanking. Tyrod Taylor is going to have a long season while LeSean McCoy might be the only player that will have any fantasy value this season.
Stock Up
Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver Broncos
Trevor Sieman has beat out Paxton Lynch to be the Broncos starting quarterback. He was noticeably better than Lynch and is the best option for the Broncos going into the 2017 season.
Siemian looked sharp through two preseason games, completing 14 of 18 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. He also boasts more experience than the 23-year-old Lynch, having started 14 games for the Broncos last season.
Thomas caught 90 balls for 1,083 yards while Sanders snagged 73 passes for 1,032 yards in 2016, and that was in Siemian’s first year as a starter. Denver doesn’t really have any other viable receiving threats, so these two could see an uptick in production as they develop more chemistry with their QB. Thomas and Sanders are the No.12 and No. 28 (ADP) ranked wide receivers according to FantasyPros. I see each of those receivers moving up two to three notches with Siemian behind center. I view Siemian as a sleeper that Fantasy owners should use in two-quarterback leagues.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
McCaffrey is a dangerous weapon and Fantasy owners are now believing that the hype is real. He totaled 72 scrimmage yards on only five touches (three rushes and two receptions). Carolina lined him up all over the field, in the backfield, running a pattern from the slot, a screen pass, while creating mismatches all over the field.
He uses his quickness and vision to make the most of any space he was given, and defenders can not get near him. He is dangerous and going to make plays. Please make sure he is making plays for your fantasy team.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Kamara will be a huge factor in the Saints' passing attack this season. While Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson will fight over the two-down touches, Kamara will be counted to provide explosive plays in the passing game out of the backfield.
Kamara had a 50-yard touchdown run and he made it look easy. I can not wait to see how Sean Payton works him into the game plan.
Fantasy owners in PPR leagues need to take note. He will be a difference-maker for the Saints and your fantasy teams.
Stock Down
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills
Tyrod Taylor is looking like he will have a long season. He was 8-for-18 for 53 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bills look like they are tanking this season already. With rumors of benching Taylor and possibly trading RB LeSean McCoy, I don't see how you would want to own anyone from the Bills' passing attack.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Denver Broncos
Paxton Lynch lost the Broncos' starting quarterback job to Trevor Siemian, and it wasn't even close.
In his quarter and a half of play against the 49ers, Lynch went 9-of-13 passing for 39 yards (3 yards per attempt), zero touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 72.3 passer rating. He also took one sack. There was a play in the game in which he missed a wide-open Demaryius Thomas on a key third down which made it obvious that he was not ready to start for Denver yet.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Lacy was given a prime opportunity to show that he is capable to handle the RB duties for the Seahawks but once again he came abysmally short. With Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise both out, Lacy got the start and rushed for just 20 yards on six carries. Lacy simply hasn't shown anything that will make you think he will make a fantasy impact this season.
NFL Preseason Week 2 Position Highlights
Quarterback
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bortles is horrible. He was 8-for-13 for 65 yards. Not sure if he can get any worse, but he is trying. Don't bother with Bortles. Look for Henne to be the starter.
Blaine Gabbert, Arizona Cardinals
Gabbert is having a heck of a preseason. He is clearly outperforming second-string quarterback Drew Stanton.
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Goff was impressive. He had control of the offense and looked like an NFL quarterback.
Mike Glennon, Chicago Bears
Wow, did the Bears waste a lot of money paying this guy that huge contract??? He should not be a starter in the NFL.
Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Henne looked better than Bortles, which I know isn't saying much but still. Henne should be the starter in Game 1.
Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos
He showed poised under pressure and led the offense by completing 5-of-7 passes for 63 yards and a TD. This performance solidified his role as the starting QB for the Broncos.
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills
Taylor looked horrible and the Bills are tanking, look elsewhere.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
Trubisky will be the Bears' starting quarterback some time this season, just a matter of when.
DeShaun Watson, Houston Texans
Watson completed just 3 of 10 passes for 102 yards for a 69.6 passer rating. Sixty-three of those yards came on an impressive catch-and-run by rookie running back D'Onta Foreman. He also rushed for 10 yards on four carries. Watson made some good plays while dealing with pressure and has yet to commit a turnover the season. The battle between Watson and Tom Savage will continue next week with no one taking the lead.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Wentz and the Eagles went to a no-huddle offense and looked sharp. He completed six-of-nine attempts for 56 yards. Wentz is looking more and more like a nice sleeper pick.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
He was excellent and efficient on the deep ball. Now if Pete Carroll can just give him an offensive line.....
Running Back
LeGarrette Blount, Philadelphia Eagles
Blount looked awful. He is on his way out of Philly. Maybe a team will want him? I know my fantasy team does not!
Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots
With Mike Gillessie out again, Burkhead stepped in and caught each of his three targets for 50 yards and a TD. While his rushing numbers were not impressive, his increased role was encouraging and he looked impressive. Another RB to look at in the Patriots' RB carousel.
DeAngelo Henderson, Denver Broncos
Henderson was impressive again. He rushed six times for 30 yards and a TD called back due to a penalty. He looks to be climbing up the depth charts and someone to monitor as we head into Week 3.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
He played most of the first half and gained 40 yards on eight carries. Also, he caught three passes for 23 yards. Look for a timeshare with Ware this season.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Started off with a 50-yard TD run and showed his explosion and potential. Someone that must be drafted in PPR formats and moving up draft boards.
Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders
He saw his first action with the Raiders. He had two rushes for 10 yards. Looked like he still had some juice....
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Dynamic, big-play ability. He will be a PPR stud this season. Panthers line him up all over the field creates mitosmatches that will lead to fantasy stardom.
D'Onta Foreman, Houston Texans
Caught a 63-yard pass play that led to a TD. He is explosive. The Texans need more of that in their offense.
Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys
McFadden rushed for 59 yards on nine carries. He will be the starter in Game 1 and a good RB2 for owners thru Game 6.
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
This is the Todd Gurley all of us were waiting for! He averaged 4.8 yards per carry with an improved line and QB. Watch out for the breakout from Gurley this season.
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts
Rookie Marlon Mack took to the field and racked up 59 yards in 7 touches in his NFL debut, with 45 yards of that coming on the ground on 5 carries. Mack showed off his speed, ability to change direction swiftly and to make defender’s miss. While Gore always seems to be on his last legs, Robert Turbin is also there to take up some of the slack. Look for Mack to make his way into playing time late in the season.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Mixon did not have a great performance but did look very elusive on a 15-yard pass reception. Great to see him involved in passing game.
Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys
Morris rushed nine times for 49 yards. For six games, he can be Fantasy worthy.
Samaje Perine, Washington Redskins
Perine was one of the offensive bright spots in the second preseason game, rushing eight times for 45 yards and catching one pass for 29 yards. Don't move up Rob Kelley just yet.
Wide Receiver
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings
He caught four of his five targets against three different coverage defenders. The Vikings quarterbacks had a 118.8 quarterback rating when throwing at Diggs. Watch for Diggs to have a career season.
Bruce Ellington, Houston Texans
With DeAndre Hopkins out, Ellington stepped in and hauled in four of five targets for 93 yards. He caught 2 passes for 48 yards when covered by Malcolm Butler. Someone to keep an eye on as preseason rolls along.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp caught six of seven passes for 70 yards and a TD. You are going to hear a lot of Goff-to-Kupp this season.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Parker looks to be Cutler's go to so far this preseason. Although he only had one catch for 16 yards, there was also a 31-yarder that was brought back due to a penalty.
Tight End
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
O.J. Howard flashed his potential as he was target three times catching two balls for 28 yards. The top tight end in the draft had more yards and target than starter Cameron Brate.
Howard is a matchup nightmare due to his size and athleticism. He is slowly being worked into the offense. I would key on him in dynasty formats, but I don't see him as starter-worthy in redraft leagues.
| 2017 Fantasy Football Position Previews | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends |
For more F6P preseason coverage please visit our 2017 Draft Kit section.
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