Tonight we have a nice size eight-game slate to work with. With one full week of preseason in the books, we should have a pretty good understanding of who is going to play in Week 2… I’m only kidding, we still have no idea who will get the most reps in these games. With that said, I have a few guys I like that should get a good amount of time on the field either because they are fighting for a roster spot or their team has a number of injuries, and quite frankly,  have no one else to play.
I’m going to keep the analysis short tonight due to time constraints but feel free to DM me on Twitter @GeoffLambert77Â Â if you have any questions. Here we go…
Quarterbacks
Alex Smith (KC)
Rumor has it the Chiefs’ starters will play the entire first half. That’s all you need to know.
Jared Goff (LA)
He has about three weeks to develop chemistry with Sammy Watkins and I expect him to force feed him in this game for as long as they let him stay in the game.
Jeff Driskel (CIN)
He has a really high floor because of his rushing ability.
Deshaun Watson (HOU)
Watson looked good last week. Another few games like that and you might be looking at your Week 1 starter.
Running Backs
Tarik Cohen (CHI)
Though he technically wasn’t a starter last week, he switched in and out with Jordan Howard playing a few snaps with the first team. With Howard ruled out for this game, it leaves the door open for Cohen to cement himself as the “passing down” RB in this offense.
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Joe Williams (SF)
I watched the entire game last week between the Chiefs and Niners, and Williams was one player that jumped out at me. He looked explosive and very decisive.
D’Onta Foreman (HOU)
He got a ton of usage last week, to use a basketball term, and he should continue to see playing time since the Texans want to preserve Lamar Miller.
Devante Mays (GB)
Ty Montgomery is out for this game leaving more carries to go around to the other RBs. Mays has looked good in camp and is vying for the No. 3 RB on the team.
Andre Ellington (ARI)
He had a hard time finding running room last week, but he had the second-most touches in the game and should see at least that many again this week.
Spencer Ware (KC)
As I mentioned with QB Alex Smith, the Chiefs’ starters are reportedly playing the entire first half.
Wide Receivers
Aaron Dobson (ARI)
After missing last week’s preseason game (hamstring), Dobson is behind the eight-ball to make this roster. He needs a strong showing over the last three weeks of the preseason or his career may be over.
Jared Abbrederis (DET)
Abbrederis and TJ Jones are battling for the same spot on the roster, and it is Abbrederis with the early lead by getting four targets to Jones’ one last week.
Jaelen Strong (HOU)
Strong is now a lock to start the season as the teams’ No. 2 receiver with Will Fuller out for a few months and Braxton Miller, his main competition, out as well. With that said, he hasn’t exactly won the job, but more the other two have lost it with injuries. He needs to show the coaches he is ready to be the No. 2.
Robby Anderson (NYJ)
This just comes down to the Jets not really having anyone else. There are 13 Jets’ wide receivers listed on FanDuel. Five of those have either a “questionable” tag or are listed as “out”.
Malcolm Mitchell (NE)
I had him on my list last week until I found out he was not going to play. All reports have him playing this week, so I will list him here again.
Kenny Golladay (DET)
He is the next Calvin Johnson! Okay, maybe not, but with all the hype surrounding him after his two TD game last week, you would think that he was the next Calvin Johnson.
Bruce Ellington (HOU)
With all the injuries to the receivers in Houston, the healthy ones have a chance to make some noise. Ellington always shows well in preseason, he just never showed up in the regular season.
Wendall Williams (HOU)
Same reason as Ellington. They are thin at receiver.
Tight Ends
Vance McDonald (SF)
McDonald played the most snaps of any 49ers skill player outside of QB C.J. Beathard. He has had a good camp and should continue to see a bulk of preseason snaps.
Gerald Everett (LA)
This was a toss-up between Everett and Tyler Higbee. I went with Everett simply based on the targets they both received last week, Higbee had one and Everett had three. Splitting hairs, I know, but it’s all I got.
Defense
Broncos @ SF
The Broncos defense scored a TD last week. They could easily do it again this week against a young 49ers team trying to learn a new system.
Cardinals vs CHI
The Bears will be trotting out the likes of rookie QB Mitch Trubisky, career backup Mike Glennon, and Mr. Butt Fumble himself Mark Sanchez. Enough said.
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