Dynasty Preseason Game Blitz: Finals Week

Preseason games, heck why do we even watch them?  For myself, it’s the thrill of football back on the television.  These games are somewhat important as we get clues on what NFL teams are thinking with personnel groupings and the like.  Keep in mind that not every game or quarter is made equal.  Now that we are into the final week of the preseason, I tend to watch for players that may have an impact in 2013 or 2014.  Here are a few players who stood out to me:

Quinton Patton, WR SF
The rookie seems to be emerging at the right time.  Patton caught a bubble screen behind the line of scrimmage and raced 43 yards to the end zone.  He reminded me of Mike Wallace on that play with the quickness and willingness to put his foot in the ground and go.

Brock Osweiler, QB DEN
The second year backup quarterback played well against the Cardinals second team, which included all-pro linebacker Daryl Washington.  Osweiler made quick reads, was accurate with ball placement and showed off his strong arm.  Better than that, the young quarterback improved his footwork which helped him avoid pressure and move the ball down the field.

Jordan Todman, RB JAX
This second year back gets skinny in the hole, has good hands and could be used for as the kickoff returner.  On his 18-yard touchdown run, it looked like Todman was skiing down a hill as he weaved between trees or I mean between Falcons second and third teamers.  I think he is the handcuff for MJD, not skinny rookie Denard Robinson.

Zac Stacy, RB STL
Here I go again about one of my East/West Shrine Game crushes. Stacy does a bit of everything in that he shows a little power running through the line of scrimmage (goal line touchdown), threw out a bit of a stutter step, but struggled some at pass blocking.  Pead fumbled the initial kickoff, so Stacy could climb to the Rams RB2.  He should become their goal line back and perhaps more if Stacy can improve his pass blocking.

Travis Kelce, TE KC
The rookie attacks the ball with his hands, lines up as an inline blocker as well as in the slot.  Kelce got good separation from the safeties and linebackers that were covering him, but is still a bit raw on route running.  He is a beast as a blocker which will help him stay on the field.

Cierre Wood, RB HOU
The rookie claimed the RB3 job for the Texans with his one cut and 40-yard explosion down the sideline in the opening minutes of Houston’s last preseason game. Wood bounced off would-be tacklers, took the majority of his runs to the outside, and all the while looking like a strong, powerful runner.  My only criticism is that he doesn’t always pick up his feet.

Joseph Randle, RB DAL
Some of the Cowboys fans haven’t thought I was fair in my scouting of this tall drink of water.  Randle is great at making his first man miss, but as he is so tall and skinny, it seems that he could break in half. The rookie does his best work in space and has soft hands, but can be easily overpowered.  Randle might have to wait a year to have any real fantasy contribution.

Terrelle Pryor, QB OAK
The third year quarterback did not have the half he wanted.  His footwork was atrocious, which makes him inaccurate as he throws off-balance.  Pryor should watch some Russell Wilson tape as Wilson rolls out to clear a passing lane he can see over.  The Raider quarterback runs until the passing lane is collapsing and jumps over defenders trying to get the ball down the field.  Pryor has a strong-arm, but is highly ineffective past the 25 yard mark.

Luke Willson, TE SEA
The rookie is one of the few old school tight ends that came out in this year’s draft.  Willson is big, strong and fast which he uses to fight for extra yards .  He takes good angles once he has the ball in his hands, and can gain separation down the field.  Willson impressed me with his ability to rip the ball out of the air with a linebacker right on his hip.

Christine Michael, RB SEA
Mr. Michael was looking rather ordinary on his first few carries as the defense was doing a good job bottling him up, getting penetration early.  The rookie only needs a sliver of space and will burst thru for a big gain.  Michael did a bit more in the passing game this week and made a nice catch between two defenders.

Khiry Robinson, RB NO
The free agent rookie ran strong, has good lateral agility and catches the ball well. Once Robinson had the ball in his hands, he could either make you miss or run you over with his strong legs.

Patrick Edwards, WR DET
The second year receiver was extremely inconsistent.  Edwards lays out for a long pass and later lets the ball “doink” him in the chest.  He is still developing, but if used right aka in space on short passes, he could be worth stashing.

Chris Thompson, RB WAS
The talented rookie has the skill set similar to a third down back, but may be a good player for the read option that Washington runs.  Thompson has soft hands, makes razor-sharp cuts and is an impressive returner.  He took a punt back 69 yards for a touchdown as darting in between defenders and then kicking it into overdrive to scream down the sidelines the final 20 yards.

Josh Boyce, WR NE
This overlooked rookie had a solid final preseason game.  Boyce has good lateral agility and burst, catches the ball in stride and even looked good on a reverse.  In the second quarter, Boyce used a double move to get behind the cornerback as he caught a 40-yard rainbow for a touchdown.

Justin Hunter, WR TEN
In back to back weeks, the rookie receiver found a way into the end zone.  Perhaps Hunter will be a red zone specialist to start the season when Chris Johnson can’t cross the goal line on the first two downs.

Mohammed Sanu, WR CIN
The second year receiver looked good in his limited playing time against the Colts.  Sanu used his strength and a spin move to get away from a corner on his hip to get the ball in the red zone.  He usually lines up in the slot, but may not be a huge fantasy producer with all the other weapons Andy Dalton has at his disposal.

Markus Wheaton, WR PIT
The rookie receiver gets good separation from his coverage, but his concentration waned at times as Wheaton let the ball go right through his fingers.  When Wheaton secures the ball, he does a great job of catching it out in front of him in stride and with good body control. The Steelers receiver knows where he is on the field and uses the sidelines and blockers to gain additional yardage.

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