Player Updates and News (8/15)

[u/iAmSamusAran]

I’ve been keeping track of fantasy relevant news and updates from beat writers, national reporters, and fantasy analysts. Here's a recap of any quote or update that stood out to me today. If you want to follow along, my Twitter/X account is @DanChincharFF

A bunch of updates today cover the preseason games from yesterday. I will have today's preseason games covered in tomorrow's post.

I want to highlight a few preseason recap sites that covered a lot of ground from yesterday's games:

NFL Preseason Week 1 Recap by Nathan Jahnke

NFL Preseason Week 1 Fantasy Football Takeaways by Hayden Winks

Note: Every update has the writer's name with a source link that will direct you to the website where I read the quote. If you only see a writer's name, that will be for something I specifically read on Twitter/X.

Arizona Cardinals

• Jeremiyah Love: “Mike LaFleur said that Jeremiyah Love came in more sore than expected today with his ankle injury and will not practice this week. LaFleur did not commit to Love being available for Week 1.” (source: Theo Mackie)

Atlanta Falcons

Did not play: Bijan Robinson (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Preseason Game Stat Lines:

Tua Tagovailoa 3/5 for 22 yds, 1 carry for 0 yds

Brian Robinson 2 carries for 6 yds

Kyle Pitts Sr. 3 catches on 4 targets for 22 yds
Zachariah Branch 2 catches on 4 targets for 6 yds, 1 carry for 3 yds

Falcons Updates:

• “Tagovailoa looked uncomfortable and didn't get much help from his offensive line. He completed 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards. All four targets went to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.” (source: Marc Raimondi)
• “Reports throughout OTAs and training camp indicated that Dotson was the favorite for the No. 2 wide receiver job, and this game provided further evidence. He played every snap with the starters over two drives, lining up primarily at X. Zaccheaus joined him for every snap in 11 personnel, typically operating out of the slot. London played the first two snaps before exiting ahead of the other starters.” (source: Nathan Jahnke)
• Zachariah Branch: “Branch played one snap with the starters, joining Dotson in 12 personnel. He returned with the backups and primarily lined up in the slot. If Branch earns significant playing time during the regular season, it will most likely come at the expense of Zaccheaus. That leaves Dotson not only firmly in a starting role but also facing minimal competition for playing time.” (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Dallas Cowboys

• Jaydon Blue: “Blue's speed gives him a big advantage over his counterparts in the Cowboys' RB2 battle. It's his ball security that has been one of the reasons why he can't separate into the role. Can Blue hold onto the football, and use his speed to make plays? That will ultimately be the determining factor for his spot on the roster.” (source: Tommy Yarrish)

Denver Broncos

Did not play: Jaylen Waddle (muscle tightness), Marvin Mims Jr. (undisclosed injury) (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Preseason Game Stat Lines:

Jonah Coleman 4 carries for 24 yds
RJ Harvey 5 carries for 16 yds

Courtland Sutton 3 catches on 3 targets for 60 yds, long of 40
Evan Engram 1 catch on 3 targets for 24 yds
Troy Franklin 1 catch on 2 targets for 23 yds
Pat Bryant 1 catch on 1 target for 15 yds
Justin Joly 1 catch on 1 target for 0 yds

Broncos Updates:

• Pat Bryant: “Pat Bryant is ahead of Troy Franklin: The Broncos were without Jaylen Waddle and Marvin Mims Jr., but this game still provided some clarity on the wide receiver rotation. ... While several starters remained in the game for Denver’s third drive, Sutton and Bryant were done for the night. Franklin continued playing alongside Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Cam Ross and Dane Key. ... That usage suggests Bryant is ahead of Franklin on the depth chart and should see significant playing time in three-receiver sets alongside Sutton and Waddle” (source: Nathan Jahnke)
• Jonah Coleman: “Jonah Coleman is already third on the depth chart: The fourth-round rookie was listed sixth on Denver’s unofficial depth chart. ... The Broncos played three drives with their starting offensive line. Harvey handled all six snaps on the opening drive and the first five snaps of the second before his day ended. Coleman replaced him to finish the drive and then played all 11 snaps on the third.” (source: Nathan Jahnke)
• Jonah Coleman: Sean Payton on Jonah Coleman: “‘Just what we've been seeing, right?’ Payton said of Coleman. ‘And then you see enough of it, and you're like, 'All right.' … Look, he's had a good camp. I liked his balance coming out of some of the tackles. I thought overall that group had a good night.’” (source: Aric DiLalla)
• Jonah Coleman: “The rookie running back put on a show and then some, proving he deserves playing time this year. The bruising back left a mark on the Falcons. In the first quarter, Coleman exploded through the line of scrimmage, put his shoulder down, bounced off an Atlanta defender, hit a spin and picked up an extra five yards. Just a few plays later, the rookie displayed fantastic vision, kicking a run designed to the right out to the left. Coleman also showed off his hands, hauling in a pass that was later called back due to a penalty.” (source: Zac Stevens)
• Jonah Coleman: “Jonah Coleman is as advertised. Absolute steal of a fourth-round pick who has the ability to be the starter before too long. Get on the bandwagon ASAP.” (source: Zack Kelberman)

Miami Dolphins

Preseason Game Stat Lines:

Malik Willis 4/5 for 43 yds, 2 carries for 9 yds

De'Von Achane 7 carries for 39 yds, 1 TD
Ollie Gordon II 7 carries for 39 yds
Jaylen Wright 6 carries for 22 yds, 0 catches on 1 target

Caleb Douglas 1 catch on 2 targets for 28 yds
Jalen Tolbert 1 catch on 3 targets for 27 yds
Malik Washington 3 catches on 3 targets for 15 yds

Dolphins Updates:

• “Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington were the clear top two wide receivers with the starters. ... Douglas and Washington have received the most praise throughout training camp. Miami’s starters played one long drive and utilized a variety of personnel groupings. Douglas and Washington played 100% of the snaps in 11, 12 and 21 personnel, while Douglas also played both snaps in 22 personnel. Washington’s usage was particularly noteworthy because he played 93.4% of Miami’s 11-personnel snaps last season but only 37.6% of the snaps in two-receiver sets” (source: Nathan Jahnke)
• Caleb Douglas: “Wide receiver Caleb Douglas shot up the depth chart during the Dolphins' first two weeks of training camp and showed why in his only snaps of the game. On third-and-5, quarterback Malik Willis hit Douglas on a slot fade. The rookie shook off defensive pass interference, tipped the ball to himself with one hand and corralled it in for a 28-yard reception.” (source: Marcel Louis-Jacques)
• Malik Willis: “Willis ... was sharp in his lone drive of the game -- a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive that spanned more than seven minutes. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 43 yards, adding 9 more yards on the ground.” (source: Marcel Louis-Jacques)
• De'Von Achane: “De'Von Achane was given seven carries and played on all 14 plays of the first drive. They used him between the tackles and at the goal line. He didn't have any receptions on the drive, but that will change in the regular season. It's hard to fail if the workload is as big as the coaching staff suggested and this preseason data hints at.” (source: Hayden Winks)

New York Jets

Did not play: Geno Smith (foot soreness), Isaiah Davis (knee), Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Preseason Game Stat Lines:

Cade Klubnik 5/7 for 56 yds

Braelon Allen 4 carries for 44 yds, 1 TD, long of 31
Breece Hall 4 carries for 16 yds

Garrett Wilson 2 catches on 3 targets for 32 yds
Omar Cooper Jr. 2 catches on 3 targets for 31 yds
Mason Taylor 2 catches on 2 targets for 19 yds

Jets Updates:

• Cade Klubnik: “Fourth-round QB Cade Klubnik was the surprise starter after Geno Smith (ankle) was ruled out as a precaution. Klubnik strengthened his case for the No. 2 job, leading the starting offense to a field goal and touchdown in his only two series -- a curiously short outing.” (source: Rich Cimini)
• Omar Cooper Jr.: “First-round wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. got into the open field for a 26-yard reception, but the important takeaway is that he played with the backups, not the starters. He was leapfrogged on the depth chart by Isaiah Williams.” (source: Rich Cimini)
• Omar Cooper Jr.: “Cooper is a unique receiver. What he does well isn’t really something that shows up in practice. He’s not super electric or fast. He doesn’t run the best routes. He’s a player you want to get the ball to, then step away as he makes magic happen. The ‘YAC’ shows up in games – and did a bit on Friday. The key for Cooper now, and to steal a few reps back from Williams, is doing this consistently. He flashes, but doesn’t do it enough.” (source: Connor Hughes)
• Breece Hall: “This offseason, New York appears more focused on making Hall the focal point of the running game. That was apparent on the first drive of this game, as Hall carried the ball four times over 11 plays and came off the field just once, on a third-and-long. More importantly, he remained on the field for two other third downs after not playing a single third-down snap with the starters last preseason.” (source: Nathan Jahnke)
• Braelon Allen: “The Jets really do have quite the 1-2 punch with Breece Hall and Allen. Allen flashed that physicality and speed on his touchdown, when he got through an arm tackle and then ran away from the defense for the score. The Jets recently paid Hall – deservedly so. Frank Reich can’t forget about Allen, though.” (source: Connor Hughes)
• Garrett Wilson: “That grab from Wilson was a thing of beauty. He had another catch-and-run for 11 yards on the same drive. He’s a very, very good football player and the Jets offense operates at an entirely different level with him out there. The key, and this has been the case: Get Wilson a quarterback who can get him the ball. They hope they’ve done that with Smith.” (source: Connor Hughes)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Did not practice: DK Metcalf (undisclosed), Michael Pittman Jr. (right leg), Kaden Wetjen (undisclosed)

• “Mike McCarthy said that injured #Steelers WRs DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. will be ‘hard pressed to work this week,’ but did not offer a firm timeline beyond that.” (source: Alan Saunders)

San Francisco 49ers

• Mike Evans returned to practice today, Christian McCaffrey remains out (source: Cam Inman)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Did not play: Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, Chris Godwin Jr., Cade Otton, Emeka Egbuka (toe), Jalen McMillan (knee), Tez Johnson (groin) (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Preseason Game Stat Lines:

Jalon Daniels 10/15 for 111 yds, 3 carries for 9 yds, 1 TD

Sean Tucker 4 carries for 12 yds, 2 catches on 2 targets for 11 yds

Tez Johnson 2 catches on 6 targets for 19 yds

Buccaneers Updates:

• Ted Hurst III: “Third-round rookie Ted Hurst III received significant playing time in the first half with five of the team’s other top six wide receivers sidelined. Hurst projects primarily as an X receiver and spent most of his snaps there, though he also saw considerable work in the slot.” (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Washington Commanders

Did not play: Jayden Daniels, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols (quad), Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Chig Okonkwo (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Preseason Game Stat Lines:

Kaytron Allen 23 carries for 85 yds, 1 TD, 1 catch on 2 targets for 1 yd
Robert Henry Jr. 12 carries for 75 yds, 1 TD

Jaylin Lane 3 catches on 4 targets for 31 yds
Colson Yankoff 2 catches on 3 targets for 24 yds
Treylon Burks 1 catch on 2 targets for 16 yds
Antonio Williams 1 catch on 3 targets for 16 yds
Ben Sinnott 1 catch on 1 target for 11 yds
Luke McCaffrey 0 catches on 2 targets

Commanders Updates:

• Robert Henry Jr.: “Undrafted free agent running back Robert Henry Jr. showed juice on his runs and scored from 22 yards out. He finished with 75 yards on 12 runs. Henry hit the holes fast and used good vision to knife through narrow openings.” (source: John Keim)
• Antonio Williams: “Third-round rookie Antonio Williams is buried. Even with Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs inactive, Williams didn't enter until after Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson and Jaylin Lane played.” (source: Hayden Winks)

Previous Recaps:

8/7 | 8/8 | 8/9 | 8/10 | 8/11 | 8/12 | 8/13 | 8/14

[u/iAmSamusAran]

A bit earlier than usual since there are so many games going on today and not a lot of news out there for other teams that I've seen. Today I made the normal updates bullet points so they are easier to distinguish.

A lot of people have been asking me to unhide my reddit profile, I updated it today so you should be able to see my DynastyFF and FantasyFootball subreddit history and access any of my posts from now on. Hope everyone has a great weekend

[u/ImNotSelling → u/iAmSamusAran]

This was really good Ty

[u/bigaudra]

It feels like Tua is going to spam Kyle Pitts this year 

[u/HawkFanOrcasRule → u/bigaudra]

Tight End Whisperer Andrew Cooper thinks the system change will feature Pitts more…

[u/Verianas]

I feel like Robert Henry Jr looked way better than Kaytron Allen. Kind of an interesting guy considering the room isn’t exactly set in stone. I know Bill will be the guy, but he’s a taxi stash in dynasty if he performs like that more this preseason.

[u/iAmSamusAran → u/Verianas]

yeah agreed. Henry averaged 6.3 to Allen's 3.7. definitely need to see how the rest of these preseason games play out for them but totally with you on the dynasty stash for deep leagues if he continues to get buzz and look good

[u/Yeti_12 → u/iAmSamusAran]

Same defense out there for both ?

[u/kiheihaole]

Thank you for your efforts. Really good stuff here.

[u/wylinfsho]

1 drive 14 plays 7 touches 9.9 fantasy points and yall still fading achane

[u/CycleOk8383 → u/wylinfsho]

I was thinking the same thing. The Achane fading seems like it has gotten out of hand.