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NFL Preseason Week 1 is in the books. Fantasy managers started tackling the games' data to uncover hidden gems.
While we enjoyed the fact that football is finally back, it's time to get to work.
The noise surrounding NFL teams is deafening but let's look at the who's who after the first week of the NFL Preseason.
Fantasy Football Stock Rising
Isaih Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco continues to rise up the Chiefs' depth chart, starting in the first preseason game. His hard work and hard-nosed running style have pushed him into the running back by committee with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerrick McKinnon. His ascension has led to some fantasy love and sign-up to ride the Pacheco hype train. Fantasy managers need to temper their expectations.
Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
The lead-back role with the Houston Texans is up for grabs this season. The Texans signed veteran Marlon Mack this offseason to pair with Rex Burkhead to share the RB1 duties. However, fourth-round rookie Dameon Pierce has shined in camp and his first preseason game. Pierce had five carries for 49 yards and outplayed Marlon Mack, who rushed the ball three times for only six yards. The Texans planned on having a running back by committee this season, but now Pierce has climbed the RB depth chart and will make a fantasy impact this season.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens is making highlight plays in practice and in the first game of the preseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers snagged George Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, which is now looking like a projected steal. Pickens has immense talent, but his fantasy value is tied to a Steelers offense that still does not know who their quarterback will be in Week 1. Regardless of who starts behind center, the Steelers have multiple weapons with running back Najee Harris, tight end Pat Freirmuth, and wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. It's hard to predict the usage and the QB play has to make you nervous.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
Fourth-round wide receiver Romeo Doubs has a significant amount of hype this preseason. Fellow rookie wide receiver Christian Watson was just activated from the PUP list, leaving the door open for Doubs to emerge with a major role in the Packers' offense. The Packers have a major hole in the offense with the losses of all-world wide receiver Devante Adams and deep threat Marquez Valdez-Scandling. Doubs has caught the eye of Aaron Rodgers, and that's never a bad thing where a role in the passing game can lead Doubs to be a great sleeper selection for fantasy managers.
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
The return of Michael Thomas to daily practices in Training Camp has the New Orleans Saints and fantasy managers thrilled. Thomas was the consensus top fantasy receiver for consecutive seasons from 2017-2109, where he had 100+ receptions and over 1,000 receiving yards in each season. With Jameis Winston looking healthy, we hope to see the pre-ankle injury Michael Thomas. Winston won't pepper Thomas with endless targets as Drew Brees did, but even a fraction of that type of production will make Thomas a solid WR2 for fantasy managers.
Fantasy Football Stock Falling
Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Commanders
A fumble in the first preseason game led Antonio Gibson to a downward spiral, including working on special teams. Rookie Brian Robinson has emerged as a running back who has forced his way into touches in the Commanders' offense. Gibson seems to always be in some type of timeshare, and his fumble woes reared their ugly head enough to be in the Ron Rivera doghouse.
Ronald Jones, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
One of the biggest disappointments so far in training camps is the slide of Ronald Jones on the Kansas City Chiefs running back depth chart. Jones was listed as the fourth running back and is a strong candidate to be released. Training camp hero Isaiah Pacheco is listed as the RB3, and his hype is full of helium. There are loud rumblings that Jones has struggled in every facet, and his stock cannot be much lower.
Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy managers are viewing Miles Sanders as a buy this season. Factor in positive regression after he didn't find the end zone last season has Sanders looked upon as a possible sleeper this season. However, even Sanders doesn't believe he is a 2022 fantasy option:
“Don't pick me up in fantasy no more; I really don't care." Those were the exact words spoken by Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders in a late-June interview with John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Sanders is coming off the worst season of his career, with just 754 rushing yards last season. Sanders will battle the emerging Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott, who have outshined Sanders in camp. There is no guarantee on the touches for Sanders and the trade for stud wide receiver A.J. Brown, who will be the offense's focal point.
The best runner on the Eagles roster is their quarterback Jalen Hurts, whose progression is the key to the Eagles' offense. Sanders is a volatile player who has missed eight games with injuries over the last two years and has been quite limited in several others. He is currently out of practice with a hamstring injury and his stock continues to drop significantly.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins
Mike Gesicki has led the Miami Dolphins in receptions since the 2019 season, but the tight end will be fighting for targets in the offense. The trade for wide receiver Tyreek Hill and the signing of Cedrick Wilson, along with surging Jaylen Waddle, pushes Gesicki down the target ladder for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Gesicki is concentrating on his blocking in training camp, which has always been his weak point. The hope is that Tua emerges as a threat behind center under new coach Mike McDaniel. McDaniel brings over the Kyle Shanahan-style offense that centers around their running game. The running back room has been infused with numerous backs, including Sony Michel, Rasheed Mostert, and Chase Edmonds.
Gesicki will play on a one-year tender while negotiating a new deal with the team. His fantasy outlook looks bleak with intense competition for targets and a new-look offense led by a new coaching staff. Fantasy managers should not feel confident in grabbing Gesicki and expecting similar fantasy production with the fickle nature of Tua and the Dolphins' offense.
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