This article is a two part series, you can read the first part on FantasyPros here.
Quarterbacks
Joe Webb (CAR) vs HOU
Cam Newton (shoulder) has officially been ruled out of this game leaving Derek Anderson and Webb as the only other QBs. I think both QBs are viable, but I like Webb a little more due to his versatility and running ability. He has four rushing touchdowns in only four career starts in the NFL. There is a good chance he runs one in for a score in the fourth quarter.
Matt Moore (MIA) vs ATL
How upset would you be if you were Matt Moore? You have played second fiddle to Ryan Tannehill for a few years, you helped lead the Dolphins to the playoffs last season when Tannehill went down by going 2-and-1 in three starts and throwing for eight touchdowns to only 3 interceptions, and you were expected to start this season when Tannehill tore his ACL in practice. Instead, they sign a guy that retired from the NFL and was slated to call games for Fox Sports, and he admitted in his press conference that he was out of shape and had to be talked into playing. Now you get to play behind him. If that’s not motivation to come out and tear it up in the preseason, then I don’t know what is.
Colt McCoy (WAS) @ BAL
McCoy has played well enough in the preseason over the last few years that there are some fans here in D.C., where I reside, that think he should be the starter when/if Kirk Cousins leaves next season. Last season he was top 6 in pass percentage, top 20 in yards and top 11 in QB rating in the preseason.
Running Backs
Javorius Allen (BAL) vs WAS
Let the Allen hype train start-up again. Okay, it’s not as bad as it has been in recent years, but all reports claim he is having a good camp and has the potential to be Terrance West‘s primary backup during the regular season.
Bishop Sankey (MIN) @ BUF
Sankey was my Week 1 hero last preseason with a late fourth quarter TD and I’m going to the well again. Sankey likely will not make the team, but with Latavius Murray on the shelf and Jerrick McKinnon just getting over an injury, Sankey and Dalvin Cook should see a lot of playing time.
Dalvin Cook (MIN) @ BUF
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See Bishop Sankey
Kenyan Drake (MIA) vs ATL
Head coach Adam Gase came out and said Kenyan Drake can be an every down starter in the event that Jay Ayjai were to miss any time. Well, Ayjai is going to miss Week 1 of the preseason, now is his chance to show it.
Wide Receivers
Brandon Coleman (NO) @ CLE
I’m not even going to bother writing this guy up, I’m going to let Rotoworld do the honors:
UPDATE: Coleman has drawn rave reviews so far in training camp, with backup quarterback Garrett Grayson labeling him the MVP of camp, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Coleman said he gained about 10 pounds this offseason and is now up to about 230 pounds. The fourth-year receiver added the weight before organized team activities and said he feels more explosive with the extra bulk.
ANALYSIS: According to starting quarterback Drew Brees, “there’s really not a guy who I have more trust in than Brandon Coleman, honestly.” While flattery is typically the norm during training camp, the praise heaped on Coleman is in stark contrast to comments about his offseason performance last year, when head coach Sean Payton called Coleman’s camp “pedestrian.” Exactly how Coleman’s training camp performance will impact his role, however, is still to be determined. Michael Thomas will likely be the No. 1 receiver, and Willie Snead is the best bet to be No. 2. Meanwhile, free agent acquisition Ted Ginn is also expected to have a substantial role in the offense based on Payton’s past deployment of similar speedy receivers. As it stands, Coleman still likely sits fourth on the Saints’ wide receiver depth chart and will need to continue to show improvement to his game if he hopes to see significant playing time.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Wendall Williams (HOU) @ CAR
The injury to Will Fuller has opened the door for all the Texans’ wide receivers to move up the depth chart. Williams now has an outside chance at the No. 3 spot if he can show well in the preseason.
Kendall Wright (CHI) vs DEN
Wright was a decent receiver in Tennessee just a few short years ago, but after falling out of favor with the coaches he finds himself in Chicago with a chance for some meaningful playing time. He will need to have a good preseason to overtake Kevin White as No. 2 on the depth chart, but with White’s injury history, he may get his chance either way.
Malcolm Mitchell (NE) vs JAX
There was a short period that Mitchell was considered the next big thing in New England after scoring four TDs in a four-week period from Week 9 to Week 12. But, with the newly acquired Brandin Cooks, the incumbent Julian Edelman, fellow breakout candidate Chris Hogan, and All-Pro TE Rob Gronkowski, Mitchell may not see the light of day in the regular season. However, this is preseason and he should get plenty of reps on a veteran laden team that won’t play much until the games start to count.
Carlos Henderson (DEN) @ CHI
Henderson is my wild card player. He has actually struggled so far in camp, but he is a big body, fast and can break tackles. As a rookie WR on a veteran team, he should see plenty of action in Week 1 of the preseason.
Tight Ends
David Njoku (CLE) vs NO
He is currently listed third on the depth chart despite his high draft status. This tells me the coaches are going to make him earn it — starting with this game. Lucky for him, he should be going up against lesser talent in the late third and fourth quarters.
Defense
Texans @ CAR
Panthers aren’t going to play most of their top players for very long, and the Texans’ defense should be able to cause a few turnovers.
Vikings @ BUF
None of the Bills QBs scare you in the least and their receiving corps, outside of Sammy Watkins, leaves a lot to be desired.
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