Most football fans don’t watch a lot of preseason action. The starters don’t see much action, and the stats don’t really matter. For those of us who cover the sport, however, we can glean quite a bit from these exhibitions. For players on the roster bubble, it might be the only chance to stand out and stick around.

Since most of the preseason duds were casualties of the August 29 roster cuts, I’ll be covering those who will still be relevant this season. These guys better hope they can turn it around after a less-than-inspiring run-through training camp.

• Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
• Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
• Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
• 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit

Preseason Duds (2023 Fantasy Football)

Russell Wilson (QB – DEN)

There isn’t much real concern with Russell Wilson, but he does have a lot to prove after his largely poor 2022 campaign. Denver jettisoned Nathaniel Hackett after less than one season. Wilson looked like himself immediately afterward and turned in three top-5 performances in his final four games. You wouldn’t believe it by watching him this preseason.

Russ only completed 10 of 19 passes, a completion percentage much lower than his career mark of 64%. He also might be without his top weapon Jerry Jeudy for a few weeks with his hamstring injury. Sean Payton is a huge upgrade, but there won’t be much patience for shenanigans if Wilson gets off to a slow start.

Rashee Rice (WR – KC)

For all the home runs the Chiefs have hit, they have struck out miserably in the draft when it comes to WRs since Tyreek Hill. The jury is still out on a couple of young weapons, namely Skyy Moore and Justyn Ross, but Southern Methodist rookie Rashee Rice has looked rough in preseason action. Most notably, he dropped two passes in the last game that would have each been chunk plays.

Rice was ultra-productive at SMU, albeit against suspect competition. He also did not impress Reception Perception’s Matt Harmon when it came to success rate running nearly every type of route. Time will tell whether Rice is another poor reach pick by Kansas City or another dangerous arrow in Patrick Mahomes‘ quiver. So far, it’s not looking very good.

Arizona Cardinals

When a QB prospect as awesome as Caleb Williams is likely to enter the 2024 Draft, it’s understandable that a team with two first-round picks would pull the plug early on and try to acquire his services. Unfortunately for Cardinals fans, the team has given up on 2023 months before it even starts. It’s pathetic. I think they knew they were going to tank the moment Kyler Murray was diagnosed with a torn ACL in December.

The new worst franchise in the NFL skirted around the Rooney Rule and tampered to hire Jonathan Gannon, of all people. Yes, the same Jonathan Gannon, who was obviously outclassed in the Super Bowl. It wouldn’t even surprise me if all of his belongings were already there before the big game at State Farm Stadium. Murray isn’t quite ready to go, but rumors are already flying that he won’t play at all this season.

This leaves either Day 3 pick Clayton Tune from Houston or fresh-off-the-plane Josh Dobbs to run a mystery offense all season. Woof. I can’t imagine a more embarrassing preseason for a professional franchise without so much as a legal battle or controversy to speak of.

Jim Irsay

Squashing RB salaries is all the rage these days, but only one owner has spewed the quiet part into a hot microphone. Jim Irsay doesn’t think that anyone will remember Jonathan Taylor if he left the league today. That’s bull. Every other position in the game has seen salary growth with the success of the sport, but RBs are actually earning less than they were a few years ago.

Taylor requested and was granted permission to seek a trade. More bull. Irsay and GM Chris Ballard reportedly sabotaged that process too, requesting asinine packages in return. There is even speculation that Taylor isn’t even injured, but the team placed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list anyway.

Even if JT were to sign an extension, he would be forced to miss the first four games of 2023, regardless. Every NFL RB has cause for grievance, but Taylor is the poster child. No one knows if 2021’s RB1 will see any game action this season. JT deserves better, in any case.

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