The pre-season can be fun, exciting, and full of surprises. However, what it is not is a source of definitive resolution for the hard work you put in during the off-season. Instead, it is an early look at a few players to add to your bench or even a throw-in during trade negotiations. So here are three important takeaways from the Ravens vs. Titans week one pre-season matchup.
Tyler Huntley is an elite handcuff at the quarterback position.
Suppose last season’s trial by fire headlined by a QB1 overall finish against the Green Bay Packers for the undrafted free agent Tyler Huntley was not enough. You can look at the 2022 week 1 pre-season matchup vs. the Tennesse Titans as a place to plant the flag. PFF.com graded Huntley at an 85.8 for passes that traveled intermediately (10-19 yards). With a 71 PFF grade on short passes (0-9 yards). Huntley finished the game 16 of 18 passing with 109 yards, capped off with a beautiful fade route touchdown.
An athlete at the position, Huntley added another 17 yards on the ground on three carries. With proven rushing ability rushing for 40 or more yards in all five of his starts, and a connection with the best player on the Ravens Mark Andrews. If anything were to happen with Lamar Jackson again this year. Not only will I need to be a new heart after mine falls from my chest. But you will be thankful Huntley is on your rosters. With a current positional ADP of 37, according to Dynastyleaguefootball.com, he is as close to free as an elite quarterback handcuff will be.
Mike Davis can be useful while Dobbins works his way back.
Last year the Full Tilt Dynasty team tried to warn you about drafting Mike Davis because of his assumed workload. You can watch that video here, and I encourage you to do so. However, with J.K Dobbins recovering from a torn ACL, leaving his week 1 status unclear. Therefore, Mike Davis has an opportunity to be the lead back for at least the first few weeks of the season. In this role last year, Devonta Freeman posted three top 10 finishes and four more top 24 finishes.
The lead-back role in Baltimore is an advantageous position. Last night, Davis established himself as the lead back, rushing for 22 yards on 5 carries, averaging 7 yards after contact per attempt. Most importantly had the rushing touchdown on a good play off of the right side, with a three-down skillset and again low price (currently RB 80 in June 2022 according to DLF.com). Running backs that are free and in a good offense with a path to work early in the season are worth the price of admission even if it feels like you are getting a free sample of the worst items at Cosco. I see you, Mother Earth Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.
Treylon Burks is a case of “Information Starvation.”
As fantasy managers, we often overreact to pretty much everything. So imagine the panic when first-round selection and air apparent to AJ Brown. Treylon Burks runs only 19 routes, sees one target, and receives only one carry in his first taste of live-game action.
I reached out to The Full Tilt Dynasty’s own Jakob Sanderson (FF_RTDB) for his quick thoughts on Burks woeful showing last night. This is how that went,
Thomas Tipple – “How would you best describe the Burks panic?”
Jakob Sanderson – “Information Starvation.”
A simple answer that speaks volumes for the state of starving dynasty managers need to consume content. It will be necessary for fantasy managers to take a deep breath and not overreact. Will Burks be suitable for fantasy? For the 18th overall selection, 30 snaps are not enough to confirm your priors or shift the narrative one way or the other. Rookie wide receivers can take a while to get going, and Burks is looking more and more like patience over instant reaction early on in the process.
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