🔎Analysis and fantasy notes from Week 2 of NFL preseason💭
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Key takeaways, fantasy football thoughts, and everything else you need to know from the NFL preseason games.
Dillon Gabriel played a lot better than I expected in his preseason debut. He was decently accurate, comfortable in the pocket, and consistently got the ball out on time. The pick-6 - a bad decision to force the ball into traffic after rolling out to his left - was the lone blemish on his day. All in all, a pretty solid debut for the Browns' third-round rookie. As was the case for Shedeur Sanders last week, it won't mean much in terms of the starting spot - Joe Flacco is Cleveland's clear QB1. But if Gabriel and Sanders are both worth developing, is Kenny Pickett's roster spot actually safe? The veteran passer remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. And while cutting him might be a tough sell after the Browns gave up a fifth-round pick for him in March, keeping four quarterbacks on the roster probably isn't the most appealing option, either.
Chubb leads backfield
The Texans gave the starting offense two drives in Saturday's game against the Panthers. Fantasy managers monitoring Houston's running back situation might find it notable that Nick Chubb was out there for both possessions. Woody Marks, who's been generating some positive buzz throughout camp, didn't see the field until the starters had left the game. While the fourth-round rookie is still an interesting target if you don't buy a 29-year-old Chubb's chances of hanging onto the lead job in Joe Mixon's absence, I might suggest keeping an eye on Dameon Pierce too.
Pierce wasn't active for this game, but he reportedly got some work with starters in practice this week. He's become something of a forgotten man after spending two years being phased out of a zone-heavy run game that simply didn't fit his skill set. Could the Texans' switch at offensive coordinator, and the return of more gap-scheme principles, open the door for a surprise resurgence? Pierce ran for 939 yards and four touchdowns as part of a terrible Houston offense as a rookie in 2022. He's basically free in fantasy drafts right now, and the potential payoff could be pretty substantial.
Colts' QB watch
Daniel Jones got the start for the Colts this week. All it took was one brutal third-down shot to Tyler Warren and my priors were confirmed. Jones might look fine at times in the quick-hit passing game, racking up useless box-score stats in the process, but this is who he is at this point. His inability to effectively push the ball downfield would limit the Colts' offense in the exact same way it did with the Giants.
Anthony Richardson's had his share of issues to this point in his career, but he's far from a finished product. The former No. 4 pick demonstrated some improved accuracy on his touchdown drive with the second-team offense, going 5-of-6 for 64 yards. Though his other two possessions were less productive, he did have a ridiculous deep ball wiped out by a penalty. Let's hope that the Colts make the right decision and roll with the young quarterback who still has a chance to become something. It's possible he never gets there, but he definitely won't improve without the reps he needs to develop. Jones isn't nearly good enough to justify passing up Richardson's chance to reach that ceiling.
Henderson dazzles again
I don't know how many more ways I can say it: TreVeyon Henderson looks outstanding. The second-round rookie got plenty of work with the Patriots' first-team offense for the second week in a row, taking four carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. For a player who might be widely perceived as a pass-game specialist, the 11-yard score was a great example of Henderson's underrated strength between the tackles. Rhamondre Stevenson is still involved here, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if the rookie quickly emerges as the centerpiece of New England's offense. Good things are going to happen when the Patriots get the ball in Henderson's hands.
Mukuba making plays
The Eagles' starting safety spot alongside Reed Blankenship is one of the only question marks on their roster heading into the fall. Andrew Mukuba appears to be making his case after missing some time early in camp. The second-round rookie recorded a pair of turnovers in the first half against the Browns, taking an interception back 75 yards for a touchdown and securing a fumble recovery two drives later. Mukuba may lack ideal size for the safety position, but he's got pretty much everything else you could want from an impact player on the back end. His coverage instincts and downhill physicality in the run game should be a nice addition to an already great Philadelphia defense.
TeSlaa continues to shine
Admittedly, I wasn't a fan of Detroit trading a pair of future third-round picks to move up 32 spots for Isaac TeSlaa in the third round of this year's draft. The process remains problematic, but it might not matter if the results work out for the Lions. TeSlaa's strong preseason suggests things are heading in that direction. He was once again a big-time playmaker against the Dolphins, recording four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. The 18-yard score was a particularly impressive rep, with TeSlaa rising up to win the contested catch in the end zone. For a player who many saw as a bit of a developmental project (myself included), he seems to be coming along quite nicely. His size, athleticism, and hands have never been in doubt. It might not be long before TeSlaa's pushing Tim Patrick for a meaningful role alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Chism steals the show
Efton Chism III going off for six catches, 71 yards, and a touchdown in the first half of Saturday's game against the Vikings is a classic example of a preseason star. The undrafted rookie is still a long shot to factor into a crowded Patriots receiver room this season, but he's certainly made an impression. He'll be a part of this roster, giving New England another fascinating young player to develop for the future. In the meantime, look for him to make an impact on special teams. The elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability he demonstrated on his 12-yard score should serve him particularly well as a return man.
Are the Raiders fun again?
I still have no idea what to think of the Las Vegas defense. It could be real bad. From an entertainment perspective, though, it may mean more opportunities to enjoy what the Raiders are building on the other side of the ball. Saturday's game against the 49ers offered a great snapshot of the unit's firepower. Two drives with the starters were enough to give us Brock Bowers mossing a safety down the sideline, Ashton Jeanty trucking a defender, Michael Mayer making a diving catch in traffic, and Geno Smith aggressively taking deep shots to Dont'e Thornton Jr. - a supremely gifted rookie who has 4.3 speed to go with his 6-foot-5 frame. Tre Tucker also provides plenty of speed, and Jakobi Meyers might be the most underrated receiver in football. It's an exciting group of weapons. And with Chip Kelly drawing up the plays, this offense could put a lot of points on the board.
Nobody should overreact to a single possession of preseason football. Still, I can't help but wonder whether the Seahawks' first-team offense putting together a flawless touchdown drive against the Chiefs is a sign of things to come. The new-look offensive line seems to be taking quite well to Klint Kubiak's system. That unit opened up one big lane after another as Zach Charbonnet turned his five carries into 45 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown scamper. First-round rookie guard Grey Zabel was particularly outstanding.
We'll see how it all looks in the regular season. Nothing truly matters until then. However, it's easy enough to envision this group taking a big step forward on the back of a consistent run game and a play-action-heavy passing attack. Remember: Kubiak had the Saints offense looking incredibly dangerous early last season before injuries hit. Building (and sustaining) anything like that in Seattle would provide the perfect complement to one of the league's premier defenses. Maybe the Seahawks should be getting more attention as a dark horse in the NFC.
Milroe mixes in
Jalen Milroe got his opportunity to run the offense late in the game. As was the case last week, there were some glimpses that should have Seahawks fans excited about his future. The third-round rookie won't challenge for the starting quarterback job any time soon, but that doesn't mean he's not going to see the field quickly. Milroe getting subbed in for a sneak on Sam Darnold's lone drive would appear to confirm that he's tracking toward some sort of package role. And considering his rushing ability may only be matched by Lamar Jackson, it seems like a pretty smart plan. Getting Milroe involved on occasion, potentially even as part of a 2-QB package, can only give the Seahawks more ways to attack opponents.
Falcons play it safe
Michael Penix Jr. sat out for most of the preseason as a rookie last year, despite being clearly headed for a backup role. With that in mind, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised he's now gone two weeks without a single rep. Am I the only one who thinks Atlanta would be wise to give him some live game action? I understand the desire to protect your players, but we're talking about a young quarterback who started three games during the previous season. With the Falcons counting on Penix for a breakout year to help end this stretch of mediocrity, it might be a good idea for him and the rest of the first-team offense to get some reps in next week's preseason finale.
Titans' rookies flash
Cam Ward made headlines this week when he said the Titans have a top-five receiving corps in the NFL. Bottom five would probably be more accurate, if we're being honest. But that doesn't mean there aren't some interesting pieces in place. Two such players had an impact in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons. Fourth-round rookie wideout Elic Ayomanor delivered the play of Tennessee's opening drive with a 35-yard catch-and-run, showcasing the talent that should soon have him challenging Van Jefferson, who had a rough drop on an incredible throw from Ward. Keep an eye on Gunnar Helm, too. The fourth-round rookie caught all four of his first-half targets for 48 yards, the highlight being an impressive 25-yard touchdown in traffic. Helm is going to make it tough for the Titans to keep him off the field, particularly in red-zone situations.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.
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Key takeaways, fantasy football thoughts, and everything else you need to know from the NFL preseason games.
Saturday games
Gabriel gets his chanceDillon Gabriel played a lot better than I expected in his preseason debut. He was decently accurate, comfortable in the pocket, and consistently got the ball out on time. The pick-6 - a bad decision to force the ball into traffic after rolling out to his left - was the lone blemish on his day. All in all, a pretty solid debut for the Browns' third-round rookie. As was the case for Shedeur Sanders last week, it won't mean much in terms of the starting spot - Joe Flacco is Cleveland's clear QB1. But if Gabriel and Sanders are both worth developing, is Kenny Pickett's roster spot actually safe? The veteran passer remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. And while cutting him might be a tough sell after the Browns gave up a fifth-round pick for him in March, keeping four quarterbacks on the roster probably isn't the most appealing option, either.
Chubb leads backfield
The Texans gave the starting offense two drives in Saturday's game against the Panthers. Fantasy managers monitoring Houston's running back situation might find it notable that Nick Chubb was out there for both possessions. Woody Marks, who's been generating some positive buzz throughout camp, didn't see the field until the starters had left the game. While the fourth-round rookie is still an interesting target if you don't buy a 29-year-old Chubb's chances of hanging onto the lead job in Joe Mixon's absence, I might suggest keeping an eye on Dameon Pierce too.
Pierce wasn't active for this game, but he reportedly got some work with starters in practice this week. He's become something of a forgotten man after spending two years being phased out of a zone-heavy run game that simply didn't fit his skill set. Could the Texans' switch at offensive coordinator, and the return of more gap-scheme principles, open the door for a surprise resurgence? Pierce ran for 939 yards and four touchdowns as part of a terrible Houston offense as a rookie in 2022. He's basically free in fantasy drafts right now, and the potential payoff could be pretty substantial.
Colts' QB watch
Daniel Jones got the start for the Colts this week. All it took was one brutal third-down shot to Tyler Warren and my priors were confirmed. Jones might look fine at times in the quick-hit passing game, racking up useless box-score stats in the process, but this is who he is at this point. His inability to effectively push the ball downfield would limit the Colts' offense in the exact same way it did with the Giants.
Anthony Richardson's had his share of issues to this point in his career, but he's far from a finished product. The former No. 4 pick demonstrated some improved accuracy on his touchdown drive with the second-team offense, going 5-of-6 for 64 yards. Though his other two possessions were less productive, he did have a ridiculous deep ball wiped out by a penalty. Let's hope that the Colts make the right decision and roll with the young quarterback who still has a chance to become something. It's possible he never gets there, but he definitely won't improve without the reps he needs to develop. Jones isn't nearly good enough to justify passing up Richardson's chance to reach that ceiling.
Henderson dazzles again
I don't know how many more ways I can say it: TreVeyon Henderson looks outstanding. The second-round rookie got plenty of work with the Patriots' first-team offense for the second week in a row, taking four carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. For a player who might be widely perceived as a pass-game specialist, the 11-yard score was a great example of Henderson's underrated strength between the tackles. Rhamondre Stevenson is still involved here, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if the rookie quickly emerges as the centerpiece of New England's offense. Good things are going to happen when the Patriots get the ball in Henderson's hands.
Mukuba making plays
The Eagles' starting safety spot alongside Reed Blankenship is one of the only question marks on their roster heading into the fall. Andrew Mukuba appears to be making his case after missing some time early in camp. The second-round rookie recorded a pair of turnovers in the first half against the Browns, taking an interception back 75 yards for a touchdown and securing a fumble recovery two drives later. Mukuba may lack ideal size for the safety position, but he's got pretty much everything else you could want from an impact player on the back end. His coverage instincts and downhill physicality in the run game should be a nice addition to an already great Philadelphia defense.
TeSlaa continues to shine
Admittedly, I wasn't a fan of Detroit trading a pair of future third-round picks to move up 32 spots for Isaac TeSlaa in the third round of this year's draft. The process remains problematic, but it might not matter if the results work out for the Lions. TeSlaa's strong preseason suggests things are heading in that direction. He was once again a big-time playmaker against the Dolphins, recording four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. The 18-yard score was a particularly impressive rep, with TeSlaa rising up to win the contested catch in the end zone. For a player who many saw as a bit of a developmental project (myself included), he seems to be coming along quite nicely. His size, athleticism, and hands have never been in doubt. It might not be long before TeSlaa's pushing Tim Patrick for a meaningful role alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Chism steals the show
Efton Chism III going off for six catches, 71 yards, and a touchdown in the first half of Saturday's game against the Vikings is a classic example of a preseason star. The undrafted rookie is still a long shot to factor into a crowded Patriots receiver room this season, but he's certainly made an impression. He'll be a part of this roster, giving New England another fascinating young player to develop for the future. In the meantime, look for him to make an impact on special teams. The elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability he demonstrated on his 12-yard score should serve him particularly well as a return man.
Are the Raiders fun again?
I still have no idea what to think of the Las Vegas defense. It could be real bad. From an entertainment perspective, though, it may mean more opportunities to enjoy what the Raiders are building on the other side of the ball. Saturday's game against the 49ers offered a great snapshot of the unit's firepower. Two drives with the starters were enough to give us Brock Bowers mossing a safety down the sideline, Ashton Jeanty trucking a defender, Michael Mayer making a diving catch in traffic, and Geno Smith aggressively taking deep shots to Dont'e Thornton Jr. - a supremely gifted rookie who has 4.3 speed to go with his 6-foot-5 frame. Tre Tucker also provides plenty of speed, and Jakobi Meyers might be the most underrated receiver in football. It's an exciting group of weapons. And with Chip Kelly drawing up the plays, this offense could put a lot of points on the board.
Friday games
Sleeper Seahawks?Nobody should overreact to a single possession of preseason football. Still, I can't help but wonder whether the Seahawks' first-team offense putting together a flawless touchdown drive against the Chiefs is a sign of things to come. The new-look offensive line seems to be taking quite well to Klint Kubiak's system. That unit opened up one big lane after another as Zach Charbonnet turned his five carries into 45 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown scamper. First-round rookie guard Grey Zabel was particularly outstanding.
We'll see how it all looks in the regular season. Nothing truly matters until then. However, it's easy enough to envision this group taking a big step forward on the back of a consistent run game and a play-action-heavy passing attack. Remember: Kubiak had the Saints offense looking incredibly dangerous early last season before injuries hit. Building (and sustaining) anything like that in Seattle would provide the perfect complement to one of the league's premier defenses. Maybe the Seahawks should be getting more attention as a dark horse in the NFC.
Milroe mixes in
Jalen Milroe got his opportunity to run the offense late in the game. As was the case last week, there were some glimpses that should have Seahawks fans excited about his future. The third-round rookie won't challenge for the starting quarterback job any time soon, but that doesn't mean he's not going to see the field quickly. Milroe getting subbed in for a sneak on Sam Darnold's lone drive would appear to confirm that he's tracking toward some sort of package role. And considering his rushing ability may only be matched by Lamar Jackson, it seems like a pretty smart plan. Getting Milroe involved on occasion, potentially even as part of a 2-QB package, can only give the Seahawks more ways to attack opponents.
Falcons play it safe
Michael Penix Jr. sat out for most of the preseason as a rookie last year, despite being clearly headed for a backup role. With that in mind, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised he's now gone two weeks without a single rep. Am I the only one who thinks Atlanta would be wise to give him some live game action? I understand the desire to protect your players, but we're talking about a young quarterback who started three games during the previous season. With the Falcons counting on Penix for a breakout year to help end this stretch of mediocrity, it might be a good idea for him and the rest of the first-team offense to get some reps in next week's preseason finale.
Titans' rookies flash
Cam Ward made headlines this week when he said the Titans have a top-five receiving corps in the NFL. Bottom five would probably be more accurate, if we're being honest. But that doesn't mean there aren't some interesting pieces in place. Two such players had an impact in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons. Fourth-round rookie wideout Elic Ayomanor delivered the play of Tennessee's opening drive with a 35-yard catch-and-run, showcasing the talent that should soon have him challenging Van Jefferson, who had a rough drop on an incredible throw from Ward. Keep an eye on Gunnar Helm, too. The fourth-round rookie caught all four of his first-half targets for 48 yards, the highlight being an impressive 25-yard touchdown in traffic. Helm is going to make it tough for the Titans to keep him off the field, particularly in red-zone situations.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.
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