Preseason Week 1 Rookie Takeaways

We’ve made it, fellas. Football has officially returned. As your friendly-neighborhood rookie reporter, my focus is aligned with the new faces of the NFL shield. I’m even more optimistic about this rookie class after the first week of the preseason and am already longing for Week 2 Preseason action. 

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Quarterbacks

• Player: Fernando Mendoza
• Game: vs. Cardinals
• Stats: 10/16 for 97 passing yards and 1 passing TD

The No. 1 overall pick looked the part in his NFL debut. Mendoza showed poise in the pocket, made decisive throws, and looked comfortable operating the Raiders’ offense. His touchdown pass to Jack Bech was a perfectly placed ball between two defenders near the goal line. He reminds me of a young Kirk Cousins from a pocket-passing standpoint. He could become a waiver-wire priority if he earns the starting job during the season.

Notables:

• Carson Beck: Beck did not play against the Raiders while recovering from a rib injury suffered in the Hall of Fame Game. His preseason debut should keep the dynasty community interested. He’s an intriguing taxi-squad stash in Superflex leagues.
• Drew Allar: Three drives. Three touchdowns. Allar entered as Pittsburgh’s third quarterback and immediately made his presence felt. The physical tools are obvious, but his path to meaningful playing time remains blocked. He’s a priority taxi-squad stash in dynasty.
• Cade Klubnik: Klubnik received the surprise start with Geno Smith sidelined and led the Jets on two scoring drives, completing 5-of-7 passes for 56 yards. He showed good poise and decision-making in his NFL debut, but Garret Wilson bailed him out of one poor throw. He’s on the dynasty radar and could push for the starting job if the Jets’ season goes sideways.
• Ty Simpson: Is it the system, or is Simpson legit? I’m leaning toward the latter. Simpson consistently made throws from the pocket and in play-action while also showing comfort on bootlegs. His 21-of-25, 190-yard, two-touchdown performance against Kansas City was one of the best rookie QB showings of the week. The combination of talent and tutelage under Sean McVay makes Simpson one of the most intriguing dynasty quarterbacks in this class.

Running Backs

• Player: Jeremiyah Love 
• Game: at Raiders 
• Stats: 11 carries for 58 rushing yards, 3 receptions for 14 receiving yards on 16 snaps in over 2 possessions 

The hype is real. His combination of burst, vision,n and lateral agility was immediately apparent. One cutback in particular was reminiscent of a former fantasy stalwart. IYKYK. Love suffered an ankle injury during the game and is expected to miss at least one week of practice. 

Before the injury, Love gave fantasy managers plenty to like. Mike LaFleur’s offense could create more fantasy opportunities than expected, and Love’s receiving ability gives him an additional path to production. Tyler Allgeier will remain a thorn in the side of Love shareholders, but Love’s early-third-round ADP looks justified.

Notables:

• Jonah Coleman: Despite being listed as the sixth-string RB, Coleman entered after RJ Harvey and received two possessions while playing behind Denver’s starting offensive line. He finished with 24 rushing yards on four carries. It’s too early to determine whether he’s primarily a handcuff or a legitimate part of the rotation, but he’s worth monitoring.
• Mike Washington: Perhaps more than a handcuff to Ashton Jeanty. Klint Kubiak used two RBs in Seattle, and Washington’s size and explosiveness, seen by his 56-yard scamper, give him an intriguing path to touches behind Jeanty. That 
• Jadarian Price: Did not suit up against the Cowboys. His ADP is in the mid-to-late sixth round. Could be a steal considering how the other Seattle RBs fared against Dallas. 
• Kaytron Allen: Listed as the RB3 in Washington, seeing work with the starters on early downs. He finished with 23 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. Fellow rookie Robert Henry Jr. also impressed, rushing for 75 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. This could become one of the more interesting rookie RB battles to monitor throughout the preseason.
• Nicholas Singleton: Firmly behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears for now. He’s still worth monitoring in dynasty, but his immediate path to touches looks limited. Getting blown up in pass protection won’t do him any favors. 
• Emmett Johnson: Should be the RB2 in Kansas City when the season starts. He’s a priority handcuff for Kenneth Walker III shareholders. 

Wide Receiver

• De’Zhaun Stribling: Looked the part in his preseason debut, showcasing strong route running, physicality, and reliable hands. He finished with seven catches for 63 yards on eight targets, all in the first half. His stock is trending up across all formats. With an aging and injury-prone group of veteran receivers ahead of him, Stribling could have a path to meaningful snaps sooner than expected.
• Carnell Tate:  Play more Z than X, with Calvin Ridley occupying the X role. It’s far too early to be concerned, but it’s something I’ll be watching closely in Preseason Week 2. Tate remains one of the premier dynasty rookies and good value in redraft in the sixth round, so don’t overreact to one preseason game.
• Germie Bernard: With Pittsburgh’s starting receivers resting, Bernard became a focal point of the passing game. He’s beginning to look like a legitimate candidate for the WR3 role. He’s worth a late-round dart throw in deep redraft leagues, particularly if his preseason usage continues.
• Caleb Douglas: Douglas was one of the biggest winners of Week 1, playing 100% of all WR sets for the Dolphins. He continues to generate buzz after an impressive training camp. The Miami receiver room is wide open, giving Douglas a legitimate opportunity to carve out a role. He’s one of my favorite rookie sleeper targets in deeper redraft leagues and dynasty formats.
• Omar Cooper Jr.: Cooper did not open the game as the slot receiver in 11 personnel, playing behind Isaiah Williams. That’s a minor but notable hit to his preseason stock. Adonai Mitchell’s post-hype opportunity could also complicate Cooper’s path to playing time. This is one to monitor rather than overreact to.
• Ted Hurst III: With Tampa Bay’s established receivers sidelined, Hurst received plenty of opportunity but finished with just two catches for 19 yards. The playing time is encouraging, particularly with Mike Evans now in San Francisco. His development is worth monitoring as a potential future X receiver.
• KC Concepcion: Concepcion was named a starter and saw snaps in both 11 and 12 personnel. He showed his versatility by contributing as a receiver, runner and punt returner, including a rushing touchdown. His versatility could help him earn targets and manufactured touches. He’s a viable sleeper in the double-digit-rounds in redraft based on his current ADP.
• Denzel Boston: Boston was named a starter and appears to be trending toward the X role. If that usage carries into the regular season, the opportunity should be there for him to accumulate targets. He’s a rookie WR to watch closely in Preseason Week 2.
• Cyrus Allen: The training camp darling continued to make his case. Allen started from the slot before moving into 12 personnel after the starters exited, giving the Chiefs an extended look at him in multiple receiver roles. The fact that Kansas City wanted to evaluate him across the formation is encouraging. The only negative was that he continued playing into the third quarter, suggesting he’s still fighting for a major role in the offense. 
• Ja’Kobi Lane: Lane is trending toward the WR3 role in Baltimore and found the end zone in his preseason debut. Most of his snaps came from the X position. He’s an interesting late-round redraft candidate who could become fantasy relevant as the season progresses. 
• Elijah Sarratt: Sarratt did not see meaningful snaps with the first-team offense led by Tyler Huntley. For now, that makes him difficult to recommend outside of deeper dynasty formats. I know we’re all hoping for the power-slot usage. 

Tight End

• Eli Raridon: The TE2 for Drake Maye. He’s the future TE in New England regardless of Henry’s extension but is best left on waivers in redraft. 
• Kenyon Sadiq: Did not play as he continues to recover from the hernia surgery he underwent in May. 
• Eli Stowers: Currently buried on the depth chart and didn’t provide much reason to move him up dynasty boards. He’s irrelevant in redraft for now.
• Oscar Delp: Hauled in a touchdown but appears to be behind the established options in New Orleans. He’s a classic dynasty taxi-squad stash who needs development and an opportunity.
• Marlin Klein: Played snaps with Houston’s first-team offense and could open the season as the TE2. That’s enough to put him on the dynasty watch list, particularly in tight-end premium formats.
• Max Klare: Caught seven of eight targets. His receiving ability makes the Rams TEs room deeper but makes it difficult to project all the roles of this TE-friendly offense. 

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