📝 News & Notes - Preseason Week 1

Preseason is tricky. Did the player sit? That’s good. Did they play? Okay. Did they play with the starters? That’s good. But did they look bad? That might be bad but also may be fine. Did they play later into the game? That’s bad. But did they look good doing it? That’s at least better than not looking good. But also might not mean anything because it was against 4th and 5th stringers.

Below is my best attempt at figuring out what actually matters:
- Rico Dowdle (and Trevor Etienne) are legitimate threats to Chuba Hubbard’s pass-catching role
- TreVeyon Henderson likely has the pass-catching role locked down (impressive for a rookie and leaves door open for a larger role as season progresses)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt favorite for backup to Brian Robinson, wouldn’t be shocked if he takes the starter role by back half of season
- Wan’Dale Robinson saw increased usage beyond just his traditional slot role
- Travis Hunter played every snap when the first-team offense used 3-WR sets
- Travis Etienne played every offensive snap on the Jaguars’ first drive. This is rather different than we’ve been seeing in practice with Tank Bigsby getting the majority of the rushing work.
- Tyjae Spears sprains ankle, expected to be out a few weeks
- Chig Okonkwo played every snap with starters. Combine that with positive coachspeak, him coming on decently strong to end last year, and an overall offensive upgrade with Cam Ward and he’s a strong late-round TE target
- Rachaad White sustains groin injury, expected to be out 2-4 weeks (Bucky Irving continues to be a great pick and I expect we’ll see Sean Tucker more often drafted)
- Zay Jones played slightly more first-team snaps than Michael Wilson, adding a bit of concern to what was previously expected to be a safe role for Wilson
- Breece Hall split first-team carries with both Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Going to slow down on drafting him a little if his volume upside is capped.
- Jayden Reed spotted in a walking boot while Matthew Golden played every snap with the first-team offense
- RJ Harvey received more work with first-team than JK Dobbins, including all the carries and majority of the targets. This would be a surprise if it’s how the season starts but something to monitor that could make Harvey a screaming value.
- Marvin Mims, traditionally a part-time role player, sees traditional workload playing 16 of 19 snaps with starters. I’m a bit skeptical after just one game but if this continues, Mims would be a major target at current price.
- Luther Burden is trending upward but don’t be surprised by a slow start
- Malik Washington has become a solid end of draft pick. 2nd year WR, versatile talent with elite explosion, and substantial upside if Tyreek loses it

If you want to dive deeper into this past weekend, highly recommend this article by Nathan Jahnke and this article by Dwain McFarland.

🏈 Best Ball Mania Draft Recap

I mentioned on Twitter this might be the craziest Joe Burrow situation I’ve seen this year. Take a look at the 6th round, specifically the drafters from Pick 1 and Pick 3.

Surprise 1: At Pick 70, the drafter has 3 RBs and 2 WRs (one being Tee Higgins.). The expected decision would be for them to have drafted Joe Burrow, stacking with Higgins and getting 10 picks of ADP value. They pass to grab Jordan Addison (ADP 73.1) which isn’t what I would do but not the worst move as it gets another stack partner and fills a position of need.
Surprise 2: The drafter in the 1 slot then gets the rare opportunity to stack Chase-Burrow without having to reach but instead of locking in that stack and the round of value, reaches a round to grab Patrick Mahomes. And adds on another WR.
Surprise 3: After seeing that happen, the obvious result would be the Higgins drafter grabbing Burrow (now a 15 pick value) but nope, passes again and grabs Jayden Reed.

I am there in the 4th spot and just shocked at what I’m witnessing. I’m already in a bit of a tough spot at QB because despite having 4 WRs, the only stackable QBs I have at that point are Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, two players I’ll draft but don’t love. I decide it makes sense to take the Burrow value, giving me flexibility to not reach with my other QB spots and knowing I can likely still grab a late stack or two. And was happy to pull it off, later grabbing Goff a half a round past ADP and Gesicki and Iosivas with my final two picks of the draft.

📊 Poll of the Day