Jaleel McLaughlin has been seeing solid involvement in Denver's offense this preseason. (Source: Nathan Jahnke on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Many consider McLaughlin to be a potential breakout candidate for the 2024 season, and that has been backed up by his involvement in the preseason. He had the most snaps through the first two drives with the starters in Week 2 of the preseason, which could indicate that the coaching staff wants him to play a big role this year. He still has Javonte Williams ahead of him on the depth chart, however, so he shouldn't be more than a late-round dart throw in most league formats at this point.
Cole Kmet is not expected to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Source: Chicago Bears)
Fantasy Impact: HC Matt Eberflus told reporters that the Bears aren't going to play a majority of their starters in their final preseason game on Thursday. That likely includes Kmet, who has already secured himself as the top tight end on Chicago's offense.
Luke Musgrave has been quiet throughout training camp so far. (Source: Rob Reischel)
Fantasy Impact: The second-year tight end has reportedly not made much noise at Green Bay's training camp so far. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it was specifically noted by QB Jordan Love that he should be more involved in the game plan during the regular season. Still, it's less than ideal that Musgrave isn't making waves in the preseason, especially after a promising 2023 campaign.
Ty Chandler is set to see a solid workload for the Vikings and could be the '1B' behind Aaron Jones. (Source: Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler)
Fantasy Impact: Chandler showed some real potential towards the back half of the 2023 season, and with him also performing well at training camp, he's expected to play a pretty big role on Minnesota's offense. It is being reported that he could be the '1B' on the offense behind Aaron Jones, and if that's the case, he could end up having week-to-week streaming value at some point in the season.
Baker Mayfield is not expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. (Source: ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: Mayfield has yet to take the field in the preseason this year, and it seems highly unlikely that the team will start him in Friday's game against the Dolphins. He has the QB1 job on lock heading into the season, so we probably won't see him take the field until the team's season opener against the Washington Commanders.
Trey Benson has shown significant improvements throughout the preseason so far. (Source: Paul Calvisi on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Benson had a bad showing in his first preseason game a couple of weeks ago, but he was able to bounce back and put up an impressive performance in Week 2 of the preseason. He attributed his improvements to his increased confidence, which is great to hear from a rookie. It remains to be seen if he will continue to ride this momentum and earn the RB2 job for Arizona prior to the start of the season.
Jakobi Meyers has been 'lights out' in training camp this year. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: HC Antonio Pierce has recently praised Meyers' performance at training camp, stating that he has been 'lights out' and has 'really stepped up his game'. The veteran wide receiver already found stretches of fantasy success last year, and now with another offseason in Las Vegas under his belt, he could be one of the sneakier values at his current ADP.
Washington Commanders WR Olamide Zaccheaus received praise from head coach Dan Quinn for having a "really strong camp" as the team continues its search for its WR2 in 2024. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: When asked about the state of the team's WR2 hunt, Quinn first mentioned Zaccheaus and how he was "impressed" by the sixth-year WR from Virginia. He has played under Quinn before, as both overlapped in Atlanta from 2019-2020. Zaccheaus has had some moments of success in the NFL, though his best years in Atlanta (2021: 406 yards; 2022: 533 yards) came after Quinn was no longer with the Falcons. Zaccheaus has played as an outside WR for most of his career, the same role as WRs Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown, with whom he is competing for snaps, though he also saw an increased share in the slot in 2023 with the Eagles, albeit to less success than in years past (2023: 10-164-2).
During his press conference, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said the team is still "right in the middle" of its search for a WR2, naming players like Olamide Zaccheaus, Luke McCaffrey, Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown as options for the role. (Source: Nicki Jhabvala on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Unfortunately for Dotson, Quinn did not speak directly on his performance when asked about the team's future WR2. Rather, he first remarked about Zaccheaus' "really strong camp" and then the chance to get McCaffrey more work. He also mentioned that all four guys play different roles, meaning multiple could play regular snaps alongside WR1 Terry McLaurin depending on the formation and situation. Zaccheaus has largely played outside WR in his career, outside of 2023, similar to Dotson.
New Orleans Saints WR Kevin Austin Jr. has reportedly "stood out the last two weeks," including with a deep catch in two-minute drills on Thursday. (Source: Mike Triplett on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Austin is fighting to make it on New Orleans' 53-man roster after signing with the team in late July. The former Notre Dame product has not yet appeared in an NFL game after spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars to start his career.
As confirmed by head coach Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans QB Malik Willis will start against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the NFL preseason. (Source: Paul Kuharsky on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Willis was the third QB to come into the game for Tennessee in Week 1, playing behind the starter Will Levis and the free agent pickup Mason Rudolph. He didn't start a drive until the second half and completed five of seven passes for 38 yards; he also led the team in rushing (4-42). Willis still needs to prove his abilities as a passer in the NFL if he wants to be the team's QB2 ahead of Rudolph.
Justin Jefferson won't play in Minnesota's preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. (Source: Andrew Krammer)
Fantasy Impact: Jefferson won't suit up for Minnesota's preseason opener on Saturday. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as he is well established as one of the best receivers in the entire NFL at this point. It's also worth noting that the team is being cautious with his recovery from last year's hamstring injury, but it doesn't look like it's still affecting him at all.
Aaron Jones is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. (Source: Andrew Krammer)
Fantasy Impact: Jones was held out of practice on Thursday for an undisclosed reason, and it appears to be unlikely that he will suit up for Minnesota's preseason opener on Saturday. Fantasy managers should keep tabs on his status to make sure that he's 100% healthy and good to go prior to Week 1 of the regular season.
Sam Darnold is set to start in Minnesota's preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. (Source: Andrew Krammer)
Fantasy Impact: This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as Darnold is listed as the team's starter on their unofficial depth chart. HC Kevin O'Connell has yet to make an official determination on who will be the Week 1 starter for the team, but it looks like it's Darnold's job to lose at this point.
Joe Burrow is expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Source: Geoff Hobson)
Fantasy Impact: Burrow suffered a thumb injury that cut his season short in 2023, but it looks like he is finally healthy enough to take the field again. The Bengals are planning on playing him in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, and while he probably won't see more than a quarter or so of action, seeing him take the field will be very valuable in determining where he's at in his recovery. Fantasy managers should keep tabs on his performance in the coming days.
The Kansas City Chiefs' starters, including QB Patrick Mahomes II, will play roughly the first quarter of action in their preseason opener versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, says HC Andy Reid. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Reid has let his starters see the field in the preseason recently, though they are typically limited to a quarter or a pair of series. Mahomes and the other first-teamers will get a chance to loosen up and play at live game speed before their regular season kicks off against Baltimore on Thursday Night Football.
Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry, a prize free agent acquisition, will not play in the 2024 NFL preseason. (Source: Cameron Wolfe on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: With Henry sitting out of the preseason action, the public's first glimpse of the "King" in purple and black will be in Week 1 versus the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Tennessee Titans RB is set to have a huge role in 2024 after a down season in Nashville, Tenn., where he still ran for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns. With RBs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins in L.A., Henry (half-PPR ADP RB9) is set to have a potentially strong season on a potent offense.
Free agent WR Robbie Chosen is working out with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday. (Source: Clayton Holloway on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Amid all the Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors, the 49ers are bringing in another WR to potentially help further deepen the room. Chosen played for Miami in 2023, appearing in nine games with zero starts and catching four passes for 126 yards, including a 68-yard TD against the Denver Broncos. He doesn't provide much more than a bench deep threat at the age of 31, but the 49ers could sign him if they're looking for more bodies out wide.
T.J. Watt will not play in the Steelers preseason opener against Houston on Friday. (Source: Gerry Dulac on X)
Fantasy Impact: Watt is one of many Pittsburgh starters who will not suit up against the Texans on Friday. It’s not surprising, as at this point it’s mainly extra reps that could cause him to get injured before the regular season starts.
Wed, Aug 7th 10:12am EDT
By Garrett Ball
Minkah Fitzpatrick will not play in the Steelers preseason opener on Friday. (Source: Gerry Dulac on X)
Fantasy Impact: Fitzpatrick is among multiple Pittsburgh starters who will not play against the Texans on Friday. Given how early it is in the preseason, this is not surprising. Fitzpatrick may see some later preseason work, but his presence is not vital in the opener.
