Dynasty Preseason Game Blitz: Week One, Part Two

Preseason games. Heck, why do we even watch them?  Maybe it’s the thrill of football back on the television for some. As for me, I enjoy these games as we get clues on what NFL teams are thinking.  Keep in mind that not every game or quarter is made equal.  For the Hall of Fame Game and the following week’s games, I typically watch the first half (starters and second team play then).  The following week I view three quarters, then the full game in week four, and the final week perhaps a quarter at most as most starters are sitting by then.  I will spend a little time on each game and give you some quick interpretations with what I’m seeing.  My focus will be on some fringe players, first year starters and the rookies.

Saints vs. Chiefs

Jamaal Charles, RB KC

He will be a MONSTER, Priest Holmes-like upside..that is all. We had a scare with his foot injury on Monday, but things don’t look too serious. Stay tuned on that front.

Kenny Stills, WR NO

Despite different reports, he lined up as the third receiver and Nick Toon lined up in Marques Colston’s spot. Stills had a mixed night as he dropped a long bomb on his first target and fumbled a reverse.  The rookie demonstrated good sideline awareness, keeping his feet in bounds and fights well in space for jump balls.  At this time, Stills has Brees’ first downfield targets.

Travaris Cadet, RB NO

The second year back did his best Darren Sproles impression.  He is slippery, follows his blocks, jukes defenders out of their pads, and has great downfield vision.

Jets vs. Lions

Ezekiel Ansah, DE DET

The NFL’s fifth pick overall this season was spectacular in his début.  He had an athletic interception, spinning away from would-be tacklers for a touchdown.  Ansah shredded the tackles they put in front of him and made plays against the run as well.

Stephen Hill, WR NYJ

The second year receiver looked athletic, showed body control and shielded the ball from his coverage.  I like that he has made improvements as a run blocker, but Hill still is letting the ball into his body to make a catch.

Steelers vs. Giants

Damontre Moore, DE NYG

The rookie lineman used good hustle to block a punt and should have an impact this season as a situational rusher on a strong defensive front.

LaRod Stephens-Howlings, RB PIT

The diminutive back looked explosive in space, found creases in the zone blocking scheme and could be a change of pace back worth rostering in return yardage dynasty leagues.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR PIT  

The fourth year receiver did a good job getting in and out of breaks and caught the ball well, but got overshadowed by the rookie Markus Wheaton.

Rueben Randle, WR NYG

He looked dominant in his limited touches.  Randle caught a short pass in the flat and exploded for a big gain.  The second year receiver ran deeper routes and could make a lot of people forget an injury prone Hakeem Nicks.

Markus Wheaton, WR PIT

His first almost reception was truly a sight to behold.  He seized the ball right as he was falling out-of-bounds, but failed to maintain control when he hit the ground.  The talented rookie rebounded from the muff to make catches fully extending his arms in traffic looking quick and agile.  He was even used on an effective reverse.

Texans vs. Vikings

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR MIN

I was never very impressed by his college tape, but WOW did he come up big in his first preseason game.  Patterson was an explosive, quick returner as well as a receiver.  The talented rookie skied up to grab the ball, broke tackles, swatted defenders away and possessed great sideline awareness.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR HOU

He stretched out to make difficult catches, but needs to get better at run blocking.  I liked the way the Houston coaching staff lined up him up in both the left and right sides as well as in the slot.  Hopkins made an amazing reception above a corner’s back for a long touchdown.

Garrett Graham, TE HOU

The backup tight end made every catch thrown his way.  If something would happen to Owen Daniels, Graham is the plug and play answer to your dynasty team.

Jaguars vs. Dolphins

Jacksonville defensive line

The entire Jaguars defensive line looked improved as they did a better job stuffing the run and applying pressure to the quarterback.

Dustin Keller, TE MIA

He is quickly building chemistry with Ryan Tannehill, unlike Mike Wallace.  Keller did a good job finding a soft spot in the defense and dug deep to grab a low thrown ball for a touchdown.

Denard Robinson, RB/WR JAX

The “offensive weapon” made the first defender miss, showed quickness and displayed good vision.  I like that despite his size, he is not afraid to run the ball between the tackles and looks decent doing it.  They tried him as a wildcat quarterback with little success.

Bears vs. Panthers

Alshon Jeffery, WR CHI

He was targeted early and often by Cutler.  There is more explosion on his breaks and he is running tighter routes.  Hopefully, Jeffery earned Cutler’s trust.

Armanti Edwards, WR CAR

The second year receiver demonstrated better separation, sat down in the zone and made tight catches between defenders.  Depending on how much Newton throws, Edwards could be an upside WR5 to target.

Colts vs. Bills

TY Hilton, WR IND

His demise was highly exaggerated, despite a small time working with Andrew Luck and Reggie Wayne.  Hilton used his soft hands to secure some highly thrown passes and had good side to side movement to get away from defenders.  The best catch of the preseason so far was a rope that he caught inching his way across the goal line.

Robert Woods, WR BUF

The rookie started off the game rough with a muffed punt he should have let go into the end zone.  However, he recovered nicely with a few finger tip grabs (his hands must have Velcro)!  His yards after catch performance is a little concerning, but he is building chemistry with fellow rookie EJ Manuel.

Coby Fleener, TE IND

The second year tight end made a fantastic catch, but then fumbled the ball away after failing to secure it with the right arm. On his red zone target, Fleener let a defensive back swat the ball out of his hands.  I’m not sure if he will really step it up the two or three weeks Dwayne Allen is recovering.

Redskins vs. Titans

Roy Helu, RB WAS

The third year back had good wiggle and also showed good downfield vision and balance.  He was slipping off would-be tacklers and found the cutback lanes to gouge the defense.

Taylor Thompson, TE TEN

This converted defensive end looked good running routes and did a decent job run blocking.  He did not receive any targets, but part of that due to the effectiveness of the Titans rushing attack.

For follow up questions or information, contact me on twitter @AndrewMiley.