🏈 Preseason Week 1: Risers & Fallers

Everything you need to know from the first preseason action.

Good morning. Welcome back to another edition of the Morning Huddle - where we ignore our responsibilities to compile fantasy football news in a mildly comedic newsletter.

And it's a great day. Exhibit A: The NFL Top 100 was released.

Exhibit B: We're now sending over 250,000 emails per month. All thanks to you for believing in and sticking with us. Seriously, thank you.

Now let's get it!

Preseason Takeaways

Week 1: Risers

Jahan Dotson // Hogs Haven

Going later than round 13 in most drafts, Jahan Dotson looks like an absolute steal. According to Zach Selby of Washington’s official website, Dotson turned heads early in the team’s offseason program.

“There's no other way to say it: Jahan Dotson has been electric this offseason. From the first time he stepped on the field during rookie minicamp, Dotson has been one of the Commanders’ best offensive players.”

  • Chiefs 7th-round RB Isiah Pacheco looks firmly entrenched as RB2 in KC, only behind to-date disappointment Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Ronald Jones might get cut.

  • Why Pacheco is different than Darwin Thompson (thread).

  • Texans 4th-round rookie RB Dameon Pierce put up great numbers (against 2nd stringers) and flashed big play upside. Get the most talented Texans RB while he's cheap.

  • One of the most hyped WRs this off-season, Bills WR Isaiah McKenzie is clearly the slot WR in Buffalo and could put up a Cole-Beasley-esq (Top-30 WR in 2020) season.

Also trending up: Jalen Hurts and Trey Lance. Both had outstanding performances: Hurts was 6/6 for 80 yards and a TD, while Lance went 4/5 for 92 yards and a TD for an almost perfect passer rating.

Fallers: Treylon is down bad

Zach Wilson // CBS Sports

Antonio Gibson fumbled his second carry of the game and was promptly benched for rookie Brian Robinson Jr. Robinson scored a TD on the drive and played the remainder of his snaps with the first team. Gibson didn't see another snap with the starters. And it's even worse than it sounds. Avoid at almost all cost.

  • Jets QB Zach Wilson reportedly suffered a bone bruise during Friday's preseason win over the Eagles, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Wilson will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. Joe Flacco will start in Wilson's absence.

  • New Seahawks TE Noah Fant might not be the starter and was mostly used as a blocker when on the field. Avoid.

  • Per Nick Mensio: Speaking at his Friday presser, Titans HC Mike Vrabel on Treylon Burks: "Inconsistent." Didn't take good things he was doing in practice to the field Thursday night. "Needs to come out and have a good week" this coming week.

And more bad Treylon Burks news:

For more Preseason Week 1 takeaways, we found the following helpful:

Rumour Mill

Trades & Starters

Drew Lock still looks like he works at a fast food restaurant. He's also looking like the Seahawks starting QB.

The Patriots would at least entertain the idea of trading Damien Harris before Week 1. Rhamondre Stevenson established himself as the RB1 & vaults into a top-15 RB if Harris moves.

Albert Breer reports that Ameer Abdullah is carving out a real role - the "James White" spot - in Raiders HC Josh McDaniels' offense. Deep sleeper in larger PPR leagues.

Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson "split first-team reps pretty evenly" through Rams camp according to Rams reporter @JourdanRodrigue. Running back committees are gross. Avoid Akers at ADP.

"Training camp has been a consistent struggle for Giants new-look offense, and Daniel Jones in particular." - Evan Silva. We are forever grateful to Daniel for the funniest moment of the 2020 season.

Colts HC Frank Reich: “You don’t see teams that have this ground-and-pound run game win championships.” Reich also called Nyheim Hines the RB he'd draft if he was in a fantasy league. There's been buzz all camp about Hines syphoning more work from Jonathan Taylor.

Rookie of the Day: George Pickens

George Pickens has been incredible, drawing praise from anyone and everyone.

The highest graded offensive rookie from Saturday's games, Pickens would have been a Round 1 NFL draft pick if not for his ACL tear.

NFL legend/expert Greg Cosell after the 2022 draft: "I think [Pickens is] the best receiving prospect in this Draft class, hands DOWN."

Previously going as WR68, Pickens value is skyrocketing. And for good reason. What else they're saying:

  • "You're going to pay attention to George Pickens, he just makes you pay attention. Because everything he does looks smooth. Steelers got themselves a gem." - Brian Baldinger (must watch video breakdown of Pickens).

  • George Pickens "gives me Tee Higgins vibes." 4-star recruit, alpha sized (6'3, 195), true freshman breakout, early-declare. Checks all the boxes.

Overtime

Quick Slants

  • Atlanta Falcons rookie WR Drake London (knee) likely to sit out practice this week. We'll monitor.

  • Per Schefty: for the first time this summer, Packers’ OL Elgton Jenkins, TE Robert Tonyan and WR Christian Watson all returned to practice Sunday. Watson will be one to watch, as Romeo Doubs clearly has Aaron Rodgers' trust.

  • List of rookie TEs to put up over 2.00 Yards per Route Run (min. 60% snap share)? Kyle Pitts. That's it. All time.

  • A source told PFN that a full-year suspension for Browns QB Deshaun Watson is a “slam dunk.” Major downgrade for everyone on the Browns (but possible landing spot for Jimmy G).

  • Raiders’ TE Darren Waller has been held out of training camp due to a hamstring injury that is not considered serious, per Schefty’s source.

Tweet of the Day

The East/West Bowl wasn't far off. And yes, Decoldest is now top of my baby names list.

And if you're having a bad day, remember that it could be worse: you could be a Bears kicker.

The Soldier Field grass is so uniquely bad that Bears kicker Cairo Santos has to find poorly maintained public parks in Florida to truly simulate it in the offseason.

We've got so much to be grateful for. See you tomorrow.

- Jake, Eddie, Matt & Coach Wehler.

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