What I'm Watching For: Preseason Week 1

Welcome back, football! The Hall of Fame Game is always a tease of the preseason; just enough to get you excited, but never enough to leave you satisfied. Now we're really into the preseason - all 32 teams taking the field this weekend, many of whom will actually play some starters.

This is the time of year for the biggest of overreactions, but also some very sneaky indications of things to come. Here's what I'm watching for in the opening week of the preseason that may be relevant for fantasy football:

Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts

The big storyline here is the QB battle in Indy - Anthony Richardson will reportedly play 'about a quarter and a half' to start the Colts' preseason opener with Daniel Jones closing out the first half. What comes of the QB competition will have some major implications for fantasy football. Should Richardson win the job, it means a little bit higher of a ceiling for the receivers (Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Tyler Warren, etc.) and a potential sleeper QB available in the later rounds, as Richardson still offers significant fantasy potential with his rushing abilities. A Daniel Jones Week 1 start likely means a little bit more stability for everyone in the Colts' offense, but not a very high ceiling - you know what you're going to get, but there's not much more to offer.

On the other side, there's not a whole lot offensively to watch for in Baltimore with very few, if any, skill-position starters seeing any action. My eye will be on the RB position with Keaton Mitchell likely getting a healthy dosage of work tonight. If you remember, Keaton Mitchell was exceptional in the 2023 preseason, showing flashes of brilliance (8.4 YPC) in the regular season as a rookie, but then went down to a major knee injury, forcing him to be sidelined most of 2024. He's a speedster, so it'll be worth watching to see if he truly is back to that level (as camp reports are suggesting), cause if he is, that could mean some sneaky late-round/waiver wire upside if he can compete for the RB2 role with Justice Hill (who was a borderline FLEX option at times last year, even despite Henry being healthy).

Philadelphia Eagles vs Cincinnati Bengals

The Eagles' WR depth appears to be the only question that could have any relation to this game. It sounds like the big guns (Hurts, Barkley, Brown, Smith) won't be playing, so the most notable competition will be for those depth spots. Former 1st Round pick Jahan Dotson is the heavy favorite to be the team's WR3 with the likes of Elijah Cooks, Johnny Wilson, and undrafted rookie Darius Cooper competing for the next-best positioning on the depth chart. It'll be worth keeping an eye on as the Eagles' star receivers haven't exactly had a brief injury history.

It sounds like the Bengals' starters, including QB Joe Burrow, will have 'a substantial snap count' in the preseason opener. It's a major change from the past, seeing as Burrow has a combined career total of 8 preseason passing attempts, but it's a welcome change from us who like to see the stars in preseason action! Nothing in particular to watch for in the Bengals' offense - really no competition for any notable roles. The only two potential competitions are at TE with Gesicki and recently signed Noah Fant, then at RB between rookie 6th-round pick, Tahj Brooks, and the veteran Samaje Perine. Neither of those competitions really offers a whole lot in terms of fantasy value, given Burrow's relative lack of utilization of the TE position and Chase Brown's anticipated workhorse-type role.

Seattle Seahawks vs Las Vegas Raiders

Jalen Milroe will be the one to watch in Seattle this week as it'll be the first look at the rookie since the Seahawks drafted him in the 3rd round. His performance and his utilization (relative to Drew Lock) should give some indication as to whether or not Milroe will truly be the backup or just be featured in a 3rd-string, plus gadget-play, type of role this season.

The Raiders' receiving corps is Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, then a whole lot of unknown. It seems like Tre Tucker will be a starter, albeit one that likely doesn't present any fantasy relevancy, so who the other outside receiver is will be of significance, with the Raiders likely playing from behind much of this season. The competition appears between rookies Dont'e Thornton (4th round) and Jack Bech (2nd round), with the former currently having the edge on the depth chart. What the split in involvement with the starters is between those two may say a lot about which one is the more worthwhile dart throw in the final rounds of drafts.

Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions

No word yet on if any starters will play for Detroit, but it would seem unlikely given Dan Campbell's past hesitancy to give the big guns any preseason action. That means it's back to watching if Hendon Hooker can take a step forward in a lackluster competition for the Lions' backup QB job.

Not much to watch for on the Falcons' side of things with the starters reportedly sitting on offense for Atlanta, including both Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins at QB. Perhaps the RB3 competition between veteran Carlos Washington Jr., former UFL star Jashaun Corbin, and undrafted rookie Nathan Carter?

Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns

It sounds like Panthers' HC Dave Canales will allow the starters to play "a couple of series". The key pieces to watch will be QB Bryce Young, and if he has taken the next step in development, but more importantly, rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan, who could be a sneaky option in the middle rounds of drafts. It'll be worth seeing how involved he is with the starters and his rapport with Young beyond camp.

While everyone will be watching this game for Shadeur Sanders' preseason debut, I'll be watching for Browns' rookie RB Dylan Sampson. On the depth chart, it is Jerome Ford (average), Quinshon Judkins (unsigned and in legal trouble), and then Dylan Sampson. The Browns very clearly like Sampson, or at least have a significant plan for him, as they doubled down on the RB position in taking him with a 4th-round pick after already selecting Judkins to open up the 2nd round. With no end in sight for Judkins' off-the-field situation and us already knowing what Jerome Ford is (or rather, what he isn't), Sampson could be a sneaky late-round pick, similar to a Tyrone Tracy-type of rookie. I'm very intrigued to see how he's utilized relative to Ford and depth RB Pierre Strong.

New England Patriots vs Washington Commanders

TreVeyon Henderson is the name I'm watching for on the Patriots - I was really high on him in the draft process, but he went even a bit higher than I was anticipating as a 2nd rounder. It's been difficult to get a read on camp reports with how the Patriots' RB situation is panning out. It does indeed seem like Henderson will open up the season somewhere in between Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, but where in between is the real question. Is he going to be a 1B to Stevenson, or is he going to be used more as a change-of-pace back in a committee? How those three are rolled out in the preseason should give a bit of a clearer indication and some insight into whether Henderson is likely one of the more over-drafted players or a potential option in the middle rounds of drafts.

Not a whole lot to watch for in Washington - most players are very well defined in certain depth chart spots. The only underlying question really is who the Commanders' WR3 will be. Noah Brown is the heavy favorite and showed flashes of potential last year, but the Commanders did indeed bring in 4th-round pick Jaylin Lane and have 2024 3rd-round pick Luke McCaffrey, who has reportedly been a standout at camp. It's unlikely whoever wins that job will be overly significant for fantasy (given the lack of WR production beyond McLaurin), but it'll be worth keeping an eye on, especially with the McLaurin contract situation lingering.

Buffalo Bills vs New York Giants

While Josh Allen won't suit up for the Bills' preseason opener, it sounds like the rest of the Bills' starters will play a quarter "give or take," according to HC Sean McDermott. I'm watching two players in particular on Buffalo: Ray Davis and Keon Coleman. Davis underwhelmed a bit as a rookie compared to preseason expectations as James Cook broke out, but with Cook in the midst of a contract dilemma, Davis becomes someone who is worth keeping an eye on beyond simply being a handcuff. Keon Coleman was another underwhelming rookie, both by our standards and by Bills' GM Brandon Beane's standards. He looked like a potential sleeper as a rookie, entering into an offense with an elite QB that also was without a notable WR, but injuries hampered Coleman's season, never allowing him to get into a groove or truly develop a rapport with Allen. He's now gotten a full offseason of development and is healthy entering the season - if he can take the WR1 role by a definitive margin, he'd be a potentially league-altering mid-round pick for fantasy.

It's Jaxson Dart time in New York. We know what Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston are as QBs and we know there really isn't a whole lot else to look forward to in terms of skill-position players for the Giants (especially with Cam Skattebo sidelined), so it'll be watching for the future QB of the Giants in the preseason opener, even though it's quite unlikely he sees notable work this season.

Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans

It sounds like 2024 1st rounder J.J. McCarthy will indeed be playing in the Vikings' preseason opener; how much he plays will be another question, though. How he looks may say a lot. The Vikings' offense was humming last season with an efficient and effective Sam Darnold, allowing seemingly everyone in the offense (Jefferson, Addison, Jones, Hockenson) to be productive from a fantasy perspective. Can McCarthy offer the same, or at least similar, potential for the Vikings' offense? That'll be the question. If he can, it'll mean encouraging things for everyone (including him) from a fantasy perspective. If he can't, it'll mean a hefty number of underwhelming fantasy picks that wear purple and gold on Sundays.

Too early to tell if the stars will get any action, but the two questions that remain unanswered in Houston will be worth watching for in the preseason opener: who is the WR3, and who can step up at RB? With Tank Dell seemingly sidelined the entire 2025 season, it's a competition for the WR3 job behind Nico Collins and offseason acquisition Christian Kirk. Will it be 2nd-rounder Jayden Higgins? 3rd-rounder Jaylin Noel? Is this finally the time John Metchie emerges? As for the RB situation, there may not be a single position group in the NFL more hindered by injuries than the Texans' RBs. Joe Mixon is dealing with a foot injury, Dameon Pierce has just returned to practice, and Nick Chubb is now missing practice (while reportedly having been underwhelming while on the field). Is Dameon Pierce able to play himself back into the RB2 role behind Mixon? Is camp standout rookie Woody Marks emerging as the handcuff? It'll be worth seeing if anyone, and who, can take advantage of the numerous injuries.

Los Angeles Rams vs Dallas Cowboys

Only two real things I'll be keeping an eye on for the Rams:

• Can rookie Terrance Ferguson play Tyler Higbee off the roster this preseason?

• Is it Jarquez Hunter (who has been excellent in camp) or is it Blake Corum as the handcuff to Kyren Williams?

The big question in Dallas is who will be the lead RB. The backfield seems like a mess at the moment with the competition between Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and rookie Jaydon Blue. It sounds like it's Javonte at the moment, but the question remains if Blue can play his way into the starting job. If he can, that's a spot that likely offers notable fantasy potential.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Pittsburgh Steelers

2nd overall pick, Travis Hunter, supposedly will play both Wide Receiver and Cornerback in the preseason opener, per Jags' HC Liam Coen. This is a major storyline to follow for fantasy owners. How involved he is on the defensive side of the ball will likely be a determining factor of whether he sees a true workload at WR or an abbreviated one. If he's only getting a snap or two 'here or there' on defense, it won't be a factor, but if he does see a regular role on defense, that will mean big things in a negative direction for his value in most fantasy leagues, but MAJOR value for his value in leagues where IDP points are awarded.

For Pittsburgh, it sounds like everyone of note (Aaron Rodgers, D.K. Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Jaylen Warren) will be sidelined. My eyes then turn to rookie 2nd-round pick, Kaleb Johnson, and if he can make waves, as well as the WR2 battle between Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson, neither of whom were able to carve out a significant role last season, despite Austin showing flashes of potential and Wilson being a 3rd-round pick. Whoever can be that 2nd WR option for Aaron Rodgers could end up with some matchup-based streamability or deep league value.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Tennessee Titans

After Tampa surprisingly went WR in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, it appears that their decision may be worthwhile as their pick, Emeka Egbuka, has been lighting up training camp so far. With reports of Chris Godwin potentially missing the regular season opener, I'm keeping a very close eye on Egbuka's involvement in the preseason. Bucs' HC Todd Bowles has already said "you won't see many starters" against the Titans - whether Egbuka is included in that group will be worth noting. Very little or no involvement = likely very big plans, especially early for the rookie.

It does indeed sound like 2025 1st overall pick, Cam Ward, will get some action in the Titans' preseason opener as the starters will get "for sure a series, maybe two" against the Buccaneers, according to HC Brian Callahan. It'll be our first look at the rookie, and while expectations aren't very high from a fantasy perspective (in large part due to the lack of a supporting cast), it'll be worth watching.

Green Bay Packers vs New York Jets

Packers' Head Coach, Matt LaFleur, has said that the starters will be getting some action in the preseason debut in an attempt to reduce potential early-season injury, and with that, the eyes turn to Packers' 1st Round pick WR Matthew Golden, who has been excellent thus far in training camp. Making highlight reel plays like there's no tomorrow, QB Jordan Love has referred to the rookie as "really polished" and a future "stud" - whether that translates to a rapport in-game will be seen. I'm watching to see if that's the case, as he could be a very intriguing mid-round sleeper WR.

Supposedly, the Jets' starters will be suiting up and playing in the team's preseason opener against the Packers, including QB Justin Fields, who suffered a dislocated toe in practice a few weeks ago. How much he plays is yet to be seen, but what we will likely see is whether or not the reports of 'no limitations' on his rushing are truthful. It'll be worthwhile seeing if that's the case as well as if the reported struggles of the Jets' passing offense are just practice woes or if those are legitimate concerns, as that could dictate whether or not Garrett Wilson is a viable WR1 option.

Arizona Cardinals vs Kansas City Chiefs

The starters are playing for Arizona, per coach Jonathan Gannon. The guy I'm most closely watching is Marvin Harrison Jr. It was a rough rookie season compared to expectations for him, finishing as the WR30 after going in the mid-2nd round in most leagues. As a result, Harrison looks very different heading into this season, both in fantasy price (mid-4th round ADP) and in appearance, bulking up quite a bit this offseason. It'll be worth seeing if that change in physicality translates to on-field success, as a lot of his struggles came by virtue of a lack of separation from DBs.

It's always a treat watching the Chiefs in the preseason - Andy Reid almost always gives his starters a few series, and there's always some tricks up his sleeve in play-calling. Even with the stars like Mahomes, Kelce, Rice, and Worthy reportedly playing, my attention is going to rookie WR Jalen Royals, who has been excellent in training camp and reportedly developed quite the rapport with Patrick Mahomes. It'll be worth seeing if (and if so, how much) involvement Royals has with the starters, as he could be an important piece of the offense if Rashee Rice's impending suspension does end up being over a month (which seems to be the growing expectation).

San Francisco 49ers vs Denver Broncos

Not a whole lot to anticipate for the 49ers with almost everyone of significance sidelined. The one player I'm watching is rookie RB Jordan James, who could be in line for a notable role as the handcuff to Christian McCaffrey. With Isaac Guerendo already out several weeks due to a shoulder injury, it's James' opportunity to make a name for himself in the preseason and solidify himself as the 'next man up' should McCaffrey go down again.

It sounds like the Broncos' starters will be getting at least a little bit of action in the preseason opener, which will give us an opportunity to finally get an idea of the RB situation in Denver. Is it going to be a 1A-1B situation between rookie RJ Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins? Is it going to be the rookie immediately diving into the lead role? Is it going to be a 'wait and earn your spot' situation for Harvey? This weekend should give a bit better insight based on the utilization alongside the starters.

Chicago Bears vs Miami Dolphins

No news yet on the starters for either side. Once we know more, I'll be able to give a better indication of who I'm looking out for, but at least on the surface, I'm hopeful to see a bit of 2nd-Round rookie Luther Burden III on the Bears and Jaylen Wright (RB) for the Dolphins

Los Angeles Chargers vs New Orleans Saints

Again, no news on if the starters will play for either side.

Based on the Hall of Fame Game, I'd anticipate rookie Omarion Hampton to get at least some work, regardless of if the "starters" are getting work. I'm once again keeping an eye on him and how much he's involved, especially with Najee Harris still sidelined for the foreseeable future. It's once again a case of 'less equals more' for Omarion Hampton's involvement in the preseason (at least with the 2nd-team), indicating his likely involvement early in his rookie season.

My eye turns to the RBs for New Orleans. We know that Alvin Kamara is the definitive RB1, but we also know that this Saints team will not be competing late into the season this year. I'm keeping my eye out for both Kendre Miller and rookie Devin Neal, both of whom could become relevant later on in the year if the Saints once again reduce Kamara's workload once they fall out of playoff competition in the hopes of 'seeing what they have for the future'. Miller was never a favorite of the previous coaching staff, but now that there's been a regime change in New Orleans, what his future holds is a question. Could one of Miller or Neal be the Saints' starting back in 2026? It's not out of the realm of possibility for the Saints to move on from Kamara, especially after seemingly persistent trade rumors circled him last season.