2025 Hall of Fame Game Fantasy Recap

It's the same story every year: the anticipation from 6 months without football - everyone in the football world tuning in for the kickoff of the preseason - just to be underwhelmed by the Hall of Fame Game. And goodness, do we love it that way...

This year was more of the same. The entire football community was excited for the juggernaut matchup of Trey Lance vs Kyle Allen, just for the opening kickoff to be a fumble, the Chargers to take a two-score lead in the first ten minutes, and the game to never be remotely competitive. However, unlike most years, we did actually get a glimpse at a select few players that may actually be somewhat relevant for fantasy this season (thank you, Jim Harbaugh and Dan Campbell).

Here's a quick recap of everything of note (from a fantasy football perspective) from last night's Hall of Fame Game:

Trey Lance's Career-Saving Game?

This preseason is likely the last opportunity for Trey Lance to prove himself in the NFL. The former 3rd-overall pick failed to live up to the hype in San Francisco, ultimately losing his starting job to Brock Purdy while he was sidelined due to injury. He was then traded to Dallas with the hopes of sitting, learning, and developing behind Dak Prescott with the plan of him eventually getting a shot elsewhere (similar to how Mitch Trubisky found a starting gig, albeit short, after sitting behind Josh Allen in Buffalo for a year). Lance never really developed at the rate many were hoping, ultimately solidifying himself 3rd on the Cowboys' depth chart and never getting significant game action, only seeing a start in the season finale last season.

Lance ended up signing with the Chargers this offseason with the hopes that he takes a step forward and can fulfill the role of Justin Herbert's backup. Competing with veteran Taylor Heinicke for the backup job this offseason has left the preseason as a make-or-break time for Lance to step up and have a strong showing to help save any hopes of a significant NFL career.

For a player desperate for a strong outing, Lance had just that in the Hall of Fame Game, going 13/20 for 120 yards and 2 TDs (3 for 8 yards on the ground) against the Detroit Lions. Looking calm, cool, and collected for a majority of the first half, Lance may have given himself a decisive edge in the QB competition in L.A. with a perfect touch pass to Will Dissly for a 5-yard TD before connecting with KeAndre Lambert-Smith for another TD just inside the 2-minute warning.

The expectation is for Heinicke to get work in the preseason starting next week as both he and Lance continue to compete in camp. It'll be worth watching as Trey Lance could offer some sneaky fantasy value if he were to be forced into a starting role due to a Justin Herbert injury, not due to Lance's passing abilities, but rather a proven ability to be productive fantasy-wise via the ground.

Quick Glimpses at Highly-Drafted Rookies

This year's Hall of Fame Game featured something very rare: multiple highly-drafted rookies in skill positions getting work in the preseason opener.

The Chargers' 1st Round pick, RB Omarion Hampton, shockingly got worked into the opening drive, albeit in limited action. Hampton took 2 carries for 9 yards on his lone series of the game. It wasn't enough of a sample size to make any assessment on the rookie, though his presence in the Hall of Fame Game is certainly eyebrow-raising. It's a rarity for RBs that are anticipated to have significant roles to ever see action in the Hall of Fame Game - the only one of note in recent memory to even sniff the field was Josh Jacobs in 2022. Definitely an interesting occurrence, especially with the Chargers' other notable RB, Najee Harris (eye), sidelined with no timetable for a return due to a fireworks accident. It'll definitely be something to watch to see how much work Hampton gets these next two preseason games - a bunch of work may indicate Harbaugh sticking with his typical committee approach, even despite Harris potentially missing the start of the season, while the opposite (little action) may indicate a workhorse role for Hampton to open his rookie season.

The Hall of Fame Game also featured a pair of Day 2 rookie receivers getting a bit of work: Tre Harris for the Chargers and Isaac TeSlaa for the Lions.

Tre Harris (2nd round, 55th pick) really didn't make much of an impression, drawing just 1 target (0 catches). He did find himself open a few times without the ball going his way, but perhaps more notably, he was involved in a bit more complex route tree than just deep involvement. If he's going to have any fantasy relevancy this season, that's going to need to be an aspect of his game, especially if the Chargers bring back Keenan Allen (as they've been rumored to do).

The Lions' rookie receiver, Isaac TeSlaa (3rd round), was a bit more noticeable, bringing in 2 of 3 targets for 46 yards, with the lone failed completion being a grossly overthrown ball from Kyle Allen. TeSlaa looked very good, both in separation and in running after the catch, actually looking eerily similar in style to Puka Nacua (that is not saying he will be near the player Nacua is). TeSlaa is a guy I am keeping a close eye on in the later rounds of drafts, especially with the Lions having an opening at WR3 after Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams (the top competition being Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond), but also with the Lions seemingly reaching a round or two in the NFL Draft on TeSlaa, indicating he may be a guy Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes are really high on. Definitely someone to watch how he's involved once some starters begin getting involved into the preseason.

Handcuff Watch in Detroit

Just a quick note that it's worthwhile keeping an eye on the battle in Detroit for the RB3 job behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, especially with it being reported that Gibbs will be taking on more of a WR-type role than in his first two seasons.

Craig Reynolds was the Lions' guy behind those two last year and actually saw some regular involvement once Montgomery went down to injury midseason. It appears to be a close competition between three players this preseason for the Lions' RB3 spot: Craig Reynolds, Jabari Small, and Sione Vaki. Vaki has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury but will likely return for next week's preseason game. However, it was still surprising to see Reynolds play well into the 2nd quarter, rotating consistently with Jabari Small, indicating it may be more of a 3-horse race than the initially anticipated battle just between Reynolds and Vaki.

Obviously, none of the backs will be relevant for fantasy unless one of Gibbs or Montgomery goes down, but these are the type of players that we end up seeing relevant every year mid-season.

It's Jared Goff or Bust for Detroit

Goodness, that was horrific from the Lions' offense, even for preseason standards, especially at the quarterback position.

Journeyman Kyle Allen and youngster Hendon Hooker have been battling it out this training camp for the right to be Jared Goff's backup heading into the season, and neither player did themselves any favors in the Hall of Fame Game.

Kyle Allen went 9/14 for 91 yards and 2 INTs. Don't let the 64% completion percentage fool you - it was an ugly game from Allen, whose most notable plays of the game were the two INTs: one near-pick 6 on the Lions' second drive and a gross overthrow in the endzone on the next drive that looked more like it was intended for the Chargers' corner than rookie Isaac TeSlaa's 6'4" frame.

Hendon Hooker didn't look any better, going just 3/6 for 18 yards and an INT. For what was supposed to be a project QB in the 2023 Draft, Hooker's making it a very realistic possibility that he ends up on the practice squad (or a reclamation project elsewhere) to start the season if things aren't turned around quickly.

With no Teddy Bridgewater in Detroit this season, it's looking unproven and ugly in Detroit behind Jared Goff at QB this season. Without the creativity of Ben Johnson at OC to mask a bit, the Lions offense could go from top-5 to bottom-5 real quick should Goff go down to injury.