We’re two-thirds of the way through the 2023 NFL Preseason. Well, almost. The Ravens and Commanders hadn’t taken the field on Monday night before the publication of this article, so thoughts on that game will not be included here.
But there are some noteworthy takeaways from the other 15 preseason games that took place over the last few days. Let’s take a position-by-position look at some of the more interesting ones for fantasy purposes. And here’s a deeper look at quarterbacks and running backs.
- More Fantasy Football Advice
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- Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
Preseason Week 2 Takeaways
Here are a few fantasy takeaways from the second week of exhibition games:
Quarterbacks
The second week of the preseason yielded just one notable takeaway at the QB position: Daniel Jones seems poised for another strong year. His one and only series in the Giants’ 21-19 win over the Panthers was a thing of beauty. He completed 8-of-9 throws for 69 yards, topped off by a 4-yard TD pass to Daniel Bellinger. His only incompletion came when Panthers safety Vonn Bell rocked Giants TE Darren Waller to jar loose a ball that Jones had put in Waller’s breadbasket. Jones also added a 6-yard run. He was good last year in his first year with Giants head coach Brian Daboll last season, and Jones could be even better this season.
Running Backs
Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine split backfield snaps with the Broncos’ starters, with Javonte playing a majority of early-down snaps and Perine playing most of the passing-down snaps. Javonte’s speedy recovery from a multi-ligament knee tear is encouraging, but make no mistake: Perine will have a prominent role in the Denver offense.
The Bears rested Khalil Herbert but not D’Onta Foreman or rookie Roschon Johnson. Herbert is the clear No. 1 running back in Chicago.
Fade Saints RB Kendre Miller. Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams were given the second game of the preseason off. Miller started but didn’t play on obvious passing downs. Once Kamara is back from a three-game suspension, Miller will be a third wheel, and I don’t know if he’ll have a big enough role in those first three games to warrant a spot in fantasy managers’ starting lineups.
Evan Hull started at running back for the Colts in Week 1. But Deon Jackson, back from a quad injury, started this past week. If Jonathan Taylor isn’t around for the Colts in Week 1, Jackson might be Indy’s primary early-down RB, with Hull as the primary passing-down RB.
More of Fitz’s Fantasy Football Draft Advice
- Pat Fitzmaurice: (Targets | Avoids) (Premium)
- Fitz’s Perfect Draft
- Fitz’s Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
- Fitz’s Quarterback Primer
- Fitz’s Running Back Primer
- Fitz’s Wide Receiver Primer
- Fitz’s Tight End Primer
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