OK, fine: We’ve had exactly one NFL preseason game — the Hall of Fame game — and it’s the extra one that no one really cares about.
But we have had some training camps going on for a little while. And while that’s just a peek at what certain NFL teams are doing and how players are fitting in, we can start to identify some trends and figure out how they fit into fantasy football.
So I’m doing some VERY early buying and selling on those emerging trends to figure out what to do later in the month when fantasy drafts really get going:
1
Is Dameon Pierce really the RB1 in Houston?
If anyones wondering why the National Media is hyped about Dameon Pierce 👀 pic.twitter.com/mLFP4YIz28
— Noah 🛶 AyooTexansMane (@ayoo_noah) July 30, 2022
Dameon Pierce is RB1.
It’s the third day where the gap between him and the other #WeAreTexans RB is staggering.
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) August 5, 2022
We’re getting to the point where he might be TOO hyped. The 2022 fourth-rounder out of Florida looks every part the RB1 for the hapless Texans, and while that didn’t produce a ton of value for anyone last year, it’s intriguing particularly when Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman are all there vying for carries.
But if he’s there late in your drafts — at this point, given the hype, I don’t know if that happens — go ahead and grab him.
VERDICT: Buy
2
Is Josh Jacobs about to have a bad season?
It wasn’t a great sight to see Jacobs playing a lot in the Hall of Fame game.
But here’s the thing: How high are you on Jacobs to begin with?
He scored nine times last year. He did catch 54 passes last year. But he was just meh. There might be some competition for carries in Las Vegas. The Raiders might be throwing a ton more with Davante Adams in town.
So, yeah, I’m avoiding him no matter what.
VERDICT: BUY
3
Is drafting Kareem Hunt a bad idea?
Uhhhh …
#Browns RB Kareem Hunt has requested a trade out of Cleveland, per @MaryKayCabot, but the team has already told him they won’t trade him. Hunt is entering the final year of his contract and has been looking for a new deal.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 7, 2022
This is one where you probably will wait til your draft to figure out. Maybe the Browns plan on giving him an extension. But maybe they trade him somewhere if he’s unhappy and suddenly he’s an RB1 on another team.
So don’t necessarily avoid him because of this.
VERDICT: Sell
4
Are we really buying into the hype around Romeo Doubs?
We’ve been here before, haven’t we? Every year, we roll the dice on a non-Davante Adams receiver doing something for the Packers, because theoretically someone has to be a WR2, right?
Fool me once, etc etc.
So now we get to Romeo Doubs.
Finishing up a tape piece on Romeo Doubs (the absolute star of the Packers’ training camp), and I need somebody to explain to me like I’m five how this guy lasted to the fourth round.
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) August 7, 2022
#Packers 4th-round WR Romeo Doubs has been the sensation of GB training camp, with Aaron Rodgers telling reporters that "every single day" Doubs has made at least one "wow play."
Here's Doubs making a nice catch during their team scrimmage Saturday.pic.twitter.com/FddshBhNoO
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 7, 2022
A reminder that Adams is no longer a Packer and the current top receiver is Allen Lazard, who is good but maybe not a traditional WR1.
Also: Doubs — a fourth-rounder in 2022 out of Nevada — is 6-foot-2 and is turning heads at camp.
In short, I’m willing to buy on this if it keeps up, and if in Week 1 he catches one pass for 10 yards, I won’t be shocked.
VERDICT: Slight buy
5
Are we concerned about Matthew Stafford and his elbow?
Matthew Stafford working on dropbacks while the other QBs throw to receivers on the opposite field. McVay said the plan is to decrease Stafford’s workload after he felt pain in his throwing arm #Rams
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 3, 2022
Welp.
If I’m drafting right now, I roll the dice anyway. This is concerning but until we hear that it’s really a problem, it’s a green light for Stafford and his receivers.
VERDICT: SELL
6
Is Skyy Moore about to be a thing in Kansas City?
HMMM!
Skyy Moore counter run pic.twitter.com/4lFZlMqZFe
— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) August 8, 2022
Skyy Moore with a nice route 🔥pic.twitter.com/AkypqAapaQ
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) August 6, 2022
Two different angles of the Skyy Moore catch 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3gTLVM9cZE
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) August 1, 2022
I’m a little hesitant. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman are probably ahead right now in the WR corps in KC — and we know Travis Kelce will do Travis Kelce things again this year — but in a deep league? And in dynasty leagues? Fine! I’ll roll the dice on the rook.
VERDICT: Slight buy
7
Is Devante Parker a true WR1 in New England?
I have been all in Parker before when he was a Dolphin. And, well, that hasn’t always panned out.
But …
DeVante Parker just caught a 40-yard bomb from Mac Jones in 11-on-11s. CB Malcolm Butler was a stride behind Parker, but managed a shoe-string tackle to save a TD.
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 1, 2022
Bill Belichick says DeVante Parker has done some “positive things” since the team acquired him earlier this year.
“Good to have him. Great to work with him.” pic.twitter.com/wnj3HMTxSF
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 2, 2022
Here’s my thing: The Patriots generally spread the ball out. Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor are still in Boston. So I’m nervous to spend a ton of draft capital on Parker.
VERDICT: Sell
8
Should we worry about Chase Claypool?
He’s injured right now …
#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin says Chase Claypool’s shoulder injury is “probably not serious” and they don’t have a “high level of concern.” pic.twitter.com/TSALbIiQgx
— NFL News (@SportsCentralFB) July 30, 2022
… the George Pickens hype train has picked up …
There's a real chance George Pickens is the WR 2 over Chase Claypool
— Mason Dodd (@buildthedynasty) August 6, 2022
… and his QB situation isn’t great.
#Steelers offense caps off two-minute drill with a Mitch Trubisky TD pass to WR George Pickens. pic.twitter.com/il1eJ68I0s
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) August 3, 2022
I’m probably avoiding this one for sure.
VERDICT: Buy
