The Best and Worst Preseason Week 1

Let over-reaction season commence. Okay, truth be told, we are in mid-over-reaction season. Week 1 of the preseason will create some hype around players that may not even make a roster, but it’s football and we love it. Here are some of my quick-hitters from Week 1, the best and the worst…

The Best

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WR Quez Watkins (PHI)

Watkins has been getting some buzz with his ability to get opened deep, and the buzz carried over into the game, only it was a screen play that he took to the house for 79 yards. In a very shallow receiving corps, Watkins has a chance to carve out a meaningful role if he continues to play like this.

RB Rhamondre Stevensen (NE)

Anytime a player scores two touchdowns and one of them goes for 91-yards, they are going to be in the “Best” category, regular season or preseason.

WR Rondale Moore (ARI)

Moore didn’t do a ton with the touches he had, but the encouraging thing was the way the Cardinals used him. They were finding ways to get the ball into his hands. He won’t ever be a volume WR, but he can be valuable in fantasy if he can carve out a Percy Harvin type role in this offense.

QB Justin Fields (CHI)

Fields could not have asked for a better debut. 14-for-20 142 yards and a TD, and he also ran for a TD as well. I don’t know how the Bears are going to justify starting Andy Dalton in Week 1 if Fields plays this well.

QB Drew Lock (DEN)

Both of the Bronco QBs had a good game, but as the incumbent starter, Lock’s game probably keeps Teddy Bridgewater as the No. 2 QB — for now. Lock was 5-for-7 151 yards and two TDs — one of which went for 80 yards to K.J. Hamler.

WR Marquez Callaway (NO)

Callaway is taking advantage of the injury situations for the Saints. He has been playing well in camp and his 3 catches for 61 yards didn’t hurt his chances to secure one of the top WR spots with Michael Thomas out for awhile.

RB DeeJay Dallas (SEA)

Dallas may have secured himself the backup RB spot in Seattle. Five carries for 24 yards (4.8ypc) and two catches for 45 yards and a score was a very good showing for him. Rashod Penny didn’t play, which helped Dallas see more snaps, but Penny is seemingly always on the injury list.

QB Trey Lance (SF)

Lance’s final numbers won’t reflect how well he played. He had three of his passes get dropped, including one on a scramble that hit Brandon Aiyuk for a first down, but he dropped it. Most of his yards came on one 80 yard play, but it was that play that has 49ers fans all excited to see this kid.

The Worst

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WR N’Keal Harry (NE)

When you’re auditioning for other teams, one catch for four yards isn’t going to cut it. It’s too soon to call him a bust, but it’s getting really close.

WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (PHI)

JJAWS is another player that’s likely playing for his career. He had some camp buzz coming into the game, but he put up a goose egg on the stat sheet receiving only one target.

RB Javian Hawkins (ATL)

An undrafted rookie running back typically wouldn’t be worth mentioning, but Hawkins got some offseason hype with the Falcons thin running back room. We all assumed they’d draft and RB, and when they didn’t, we all hoped Hawkins was the 2021 James Robinson or Phillip Lindsay. Slow your roll on that one for now.

QB Jordan Love (GB)

He was expected to play three quarters, unfortunately, he got hurt after only one quarter of play. He did, however, look good when he was in there going 12-for-17 and a touchdown. Hopefully the injury isn’t serious.

RB Trey Sermon (SF)

With Raheem Mostert not playing, Sermon got the majority of the carries, but did little with them. His 2.9ypc on nine carries was the lowest of all the running backs on the night.

RB Elijah Mitchell (SF)

A pre-game scratch due to an injury, Mitchell lost some valuable playing time to earn a spot on this roster. Hopefully it’s not serious and he can play the next two games, or it’s possible he gets cut and my preseason darling never gets his shot.

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