Prime-Time First TD Bets — Monday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
Training camps provide our first look into NFL players and teams as we prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Information has been flooding our social media timelines, leaving us to determine the subsequent fantasy impact. It’s a matter of knowing which information matters, and which should be ignored.
So each day in this space, we’ll take a trip through the top news and takeaways around the league’s training camps to offer up what fantasy managers need to know as we head through draft season and into the 2024 NFL regular season.
Today, we go around the entire NFL and give the biggest takeaways after Week 3 of the 2024 preseason.
Bryce Young Impresses
The fantasy community is down on Bryce Young after a disappointing rookie season, but the Carolina offense has looked much improved during the preseason. Young went 6-of-8 for 70 yards in his only Week 3 drive, with Diontae Johnson on the field for all eight snaps. It is worth noting that veterans Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo saw more snaps than rookie Xavier Legette. While Legette is working his way back to full health, it could be Thielen and Johnson in two wide receiver sets.
Jaguars Ready
I am bullish on Jacksonville’s offense, especially after an impressive performance in their 31-0 thrashing of the Dolphins. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was 8-of-10 for 92 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving core is one of the NFL’s best and he capped off a great Week 3 with two touchdown passes to tight end Evan Engram.
Arthur Smith Frustration Continues
The good news for fantasy drafters? Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson led the Steelers to a touchdown on his opening drive. The bad news? The score was a 31-yard touchdown run by Cordarrelle Paterson, not Najee Harris. With Jaylen Warren sidelined by a hamstring injury, Patterson saw three rush attempts to Harris’ one. Starting tight end Pat Freiermuth shared snaps with Darnell Washington, which would suppress his weekly upside.
Jordan Mason: San Francisco RB2
Elijah Mitchell is still sidelined by injury, but Jordan Mason looks the part of the 49ers RB2. Mason rushed eight times for 42 yards and a touchdown in the Week 3 tie with the Raiders. He impressed with his explosiveness and pass-blocking ability.
Jermaine Burton Caution
Rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton impressed again, catching four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. However, both Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin did not play. While Burton has flashed during the preseason, his fantasy relevance may be overvalued for 2024.
Cam Akers Houston RB2?
Cam Akers has looked fantastic after an Achilles tendon repair and could push Dameon Pierce for the RB2 role in Houston. Akers posted 53 rushing yards on seven attempts, including this nifty run.
Carson Steele
It’s impossible to be any more impressive than rookie Carson Steele has been with the Chiefs. While Deneric Prince may have the lead for the RB2 role, it will be hard to keep Steele off the field after runs like this:
