Preseason games continue this week, and one of the biggest names on draft boards just took a maintenance day, so let's sort the signal from the noise.

Christian McCaffrey (SF, RB) sat out Monday's practice with what the team called "tightness", and while the staff said it is just managing his workload and expects him ready for Week 1, San Francisco spent the same day working out veteran backs Zamir White and Nyheim Miller-Hines and hosting Blake Watson on a visit.
My take: I'm not overreacting to a maintenance day, and he is still my RB3 at pick 6 on Underdog, a first-round lock. No one is projected for as many high value touches as McCaffrey and even accounting for him being a 30-year old RB that showed signs of decline last year, I think he’s a strong pick.

Omarion Hampton (LAC, RB) got a committee flare sent up when offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said he will use all three of Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal every game.
My take: This is classic confirmation bias for me as this is the concern I’ve had all offseason and the reason I’m sitting on 1% Hampton across my best ball portfolio. I do not expect him to get the workhorse volume and I am not convinced he’s an elite enough talent to be worth an early 2nd round pick without that volume.

Denzel Boston and Jerry Jeudy (CLE, WR) are the Browns' reshuffled perimeter: Cleveland promoted rookie Boston to the first-team X receiver, and Todd Monken said the move means Jeudy gets used differently than he has the last two years, sliding him into motion and manufactured touches.
My take: I am overweight all of the Browns pass catchers and haven’t been slowing down. I expect the defense to be worse, forcing them to be more pass heavy than we’ve seen the past few years. Concepcion and Boston both have more talent than where they’re being drafted and Jeudy is still only 27-years old despite being drafted as if he’s dead.

Isaiah Likely (NYG, TE) got a target-share vote of confidence when beat writer Jordan Raanan named him Jaxson Dart's No. 1 target out of the Giants' joint work.
My take: We have been hearing this drumbeat all camp and it aligns with no clear #2 WR emerging. Likely has been more expensive than I like as there is still substantial risk Likely just isn’t a difference maker beyond camp but I’m starting to change my tune a bit, particularly when I also draft Jaxson Dart.

Hunter Henry (NE, TE) signed a two-year extension that likely keeps him in New England for the rest of his career, locking in Drake Maye's most reliable target after a career-best 768 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025.
My take: Boring in the best way. Henry (TE17, 13th round) is the furthest thing from sexy but he could end up with the second most targets on a Drake Maye offense and already has established himself as a favorite end zone target.

A couple reads to firm up your board as draft season peaks.

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