WNBA Best Bets (Wednesday 9/25)
Josh Gross
Training camps provide our first look into NFL players and teams as we prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Information will now begin to flood 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 2023 NFL regular season.
Let’s take a look around preseason Week 1 and review the key takeaways.
Houston 20, New England 9
Houston wide receiver Tank Dell was the story, posting five receptions (on a whopping 8 targets), for 65 receiving yards and a touchdown. Dell was unguardable by the Patriots defense, but will that translate to the regular season? Either way, he produced the highlight touchdown catch of Week 1.
New England UDFA quarterback Malik Cunningham is now making a push to actually join this Patriots regular-season roster. Cunningham was only given the last drive of the game for New England but led the Patriots to their only touchdown of the game. The shifty rookie quarterback scored on his own with this impressive juke on a nine-yard scamper.
With Bailey Zappe only producing 79 yards on 14 pass attempts, and Trace McSorley looking woeful, expect to see much more Cunningham over the next two preseason games. His ADP on Underdog has skyrocketed to QB34, a full 12 spots ahead of Zappe.
Seattle 23, Minnesota 13
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll had mentioned he wanted to give Drew Lock a solid amount of time in Week 1, and he was actually telling the truth. Lock posted one of the most productive quarterback statlines from the opening preseason week, connecting on 17 of 24 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with 26-year-old speedster Easop Winston in the second quarter and 2023 UDFA Jake Bobo in the third quarter.
For the Vikings, the main story was Ty Chandler, who answered the question of the backup for RB1 Alexander Mattison. Chandler was featured throughout the first half in both the rushing and passing game. He rushed 11 times for 41 yards, while catching all four of his targets for 29 yards. Chandler displayed his speed (4.38) while showing nice elusiveness.
Green Bay 36, Cincinnati 19
The Jordan Love era started with this first-quarter nine-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs.
Love was 7 of 10 for 46 yards for an impressive opening drive. For Cincinnati, the battle for the Bengals RB2 behind Joe Mixon was intense, with both Chris Evans and fifth-round rookie Chase Brown impressing. Evans, a sixth-rounder from 2021, rushed seven times for 49 yards, and has shown nice improvement in pass-blocking in practice.
Brown struggled on the ground (8 rushes, 12 yards) but flashed in the receiving game with three receptions (on three targets) for 33 yards, including this 21-yarder.
This RB2 battle is one of the main storylines heading into Week 2. The more important issue for Cincinnati is the status of quarterback Joe Burrow. He was seen jogging at practice, which has led to multiple reports that he will be ready for Week 1. However, my recent interview with Jay Morrison brought caution due to the high rate of reinjuring a calf injury. We should know more as the next two weeks progress.
Atlanta 19, Miami 3
A pitiful performance by Miami’s backup quarterbacks, Skylar Thompson and Mike White, who combined for only 149 yards and three interceptions. Miami rookie running back De’Von Achane led the Dolphins with 14 touches and even looked impressive on special teams.
Pittsburgh 27, Tampa Bay 17
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett was very impressive, going 6 of 7 for 70 yards and this 33-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens:
It’s also worth noting that Diontae Johnson caught all three of his targets for 33 yards on the opening drive. Pickens is getting the headlines, but Johnson remains one of the optimal best ball values at WR 29 (ADP 55.5).
For Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield outplayed Kyle Trask in the battle for the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback spot. Trask went just 6 of 10 with an interception, while taking three sacks. Mayfield was 8 of 9 with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Trey Palmer.
Detroit 21, New York Giants 16
New York rested most of their significant players, leaving just Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs as the only newsworthy player. The explosive first-round rookie had seven touches, highlighted by this 18-yard catch and run.
Gibbs has also excelled in pass protection during Detroit practices, which will be highly correlated to his passing-game opportunities.
Washington 17, Cleveland 15
Cleveland UDFA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson continues to impress. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Starting quarterback Deshaun Watson connected on all three of his passes, but only tallied 12 yards.
Sam Howell secured his position as the potential Washington starting quarterback, connecting on 9 of 12 passes for 77 yards and this 26-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson:
Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett was 6 of 10 for 75 yards and an interception. Howell created some distance for that opening-week starting position against the Cardinals.
Arizona 18, Denver 17
Arizona pulled a huge comeback against the Broncos after falling behind 10-0 in the opening quarter. Denver quarterback Russell Wilson connected with Jerry Jeudy on a 21-yard touchdown pass and also combined with Courtland Sutton for three receptions and 35 receiving yards. It’s important to note that tight end Adam Trautman received 100% of the snaps with the Broncos starters over teammate Greg Dulcich.
Arizona received a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes from fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune and David Blough to complete the comeback.
Buffalo 23, Indianapolis 19
Indianapolis rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson had a mixed day, completing 7 of 12 passes for 67 yards but this bad interception:
The Colts’ mobile signal-caller was also held to seven rushing yards on just two carries. For Buffalo, Matt Barkley had a fantastic day, completing 14 of 15 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. The Bills first touchdown was scored by James Cook, who received all the carries with the Buffalo starters, rushing four times for 20 yards and the score. With Damien Harris injured, veteran running back Latavius Murray saw five rushing attempts and caught all three of his targets. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir also made an impression, catching two of his four targets for 25 receiving yards.
Chicago 23, Tennessee 17
Quarterback Justin Fields posted a superbly efficient 3 of 3 for 129 passing yards and two touchdowns, but both scores were the result of elite run-after-catch production from wide receiver DJ Moore and running back Khalil Herbert.
Herbert appears to have the upper hand in the Chicago RB1 battle, but rookie Roschon Johnson did rush 12 times for 44 yards and has been impressive in pass protection in practice.
Second-year Tennessee quarterback Malik Willis earned the start and surprised with 189 passing yards, 22 rushing yards and a touchdown. Willis did throw an interception but was more productive than any regular-season game last season. Last year’s fourth-round pick Hassan Haskins also posted a rushing score.
New York Jets 27, Carolina 0
It was a poor performance for the Panthers, who managed just 165 yards of total offense. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young was just 4 of 6 for 21 yards, and no Carolina pass catcher caught more than three passes.
New York quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle combined for three touchdown passes, while rookie RB Israel Abanikanda had another strong game with 56 rushing yards and three receptions on three targets.
Jacksonville 28, Dallas 23
The Jaguars picked up the preseason road victory, with both teams combining for four fourth-quarter touchdowns. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with Christian Kirk on a first-quarter score, while backup quarterback Nathan Rourke produced one of the best passing touchdowns you’ll ever see:
Dallas diminutive rookie RB Deuce Vaughn continues to prove the doubters wrong, posting 50 yards and a rushing touchdown. He continues to showcase his elusiveness against multiple defenders:
Baltimore 20, Philadelphia 19
The Ravens’ streak of consecutive preseason wins continued to 24 games with a one-point home victory over the defending NFC Champions. Quarterback Josh Johnson struggled early but did connect with Devin Duvernay on a seven-yard touchdown pass. Tyler Huntley also threw a touchdown pass as both players battled for the backup job to Lamar Jackson. Running back Justice Hill (3 rushes, 48 yards) looked very elusive. For Philadelphia, both Rashaad Penny and D’Andre Swift impressed on the ground, while Kenneth Gainwell’s absence could indicate a bigger running back role than we anticipated early in training camp.
LA Chargers 35, LA Rams 17
The Rams lack of preseason competitiveness continued, as the Chargers doubled-up their crosstown rival. Chargers UDFA Elijah Dotson led all running backs with 92 yards on just six carries, including a pair of touchdowns. Joshua Kelley averaged 6.0 yards per carry on nine opportunities, and Isaiah Spiller had this impressive touchdown run that was called back on a penalty. The RB2 battle behind Austin Ekeler will continue into Week 2. Rookie wideout Quentin Johnston also posted a touchdown on a second-quarter pass from Easton Stick.
The excitement for the Rams was a quality late-game performance from fourth-round rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett, who connected on 17 of his 29 attempts for 191 yards and a touchdown to fantasy-favorite Puka Nacua.
New Orleans 26, Kansas City 24
The Saints offense looked fantastic on their opening drive, with Derek Carr marching New Orleans immediately down the field for a touchdown. Juwan Johnson, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas all participated in the opening series, which ended with a four-yard touchdown catch from Keith Kirkwood. Veteran tight end Jimmy Graham posted one catch for 10 yards, while rookie RB Kendre Miller failed to impress on five touches.
Patrick Mahomes did little on his one series, but wideouts Richie James (4/44) and Justyn Ross (2/29) both caught touchdown passes. Ross is a player to continue to watch throughout the preseason, as he has battled injuries over the past two seasons but has a ton of potential.
Las Vegas 34, San Francisco 7
In the most shocking result of the preseason, the Raiders pummeled their interstate rivals 34-7. The San Francisco offensive line struggled to protect Trey Lance, who has sacked four times. Lance did complete 10 of 15 passes for 112 yards but was fortunate to post this lucky touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Raiders fourth-round rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell looked good, connecting on 15 of 18 passes for 141 yards and touchdown. Running back Zamir White also showed good burst (13 for 43 yards, 1 TD) in light of veteran RB Josh Jacobs’ holdout.
