Get ready for your season with theScore’s 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.
All preseason snap counts are provided by Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus.
This year’s rookie running back class wasn’t the most impressive, so it’s generated far less hype than previous groups. It also doesn’t help that Jonathon Brooks, the best talent of the bunch, is still working his way back from a torn ACL.
Others, like Blake Corum, Trey Benson, and Braelon Allen, secured the No. 2 jobs in their backfields and earned the week off as teams get increasingly cautious about playing starters or even important backups in the preseason.
However, there were some notable rookie backs still fighting to move up the depth chart and make a name for themselves, including Jaylen Wright, Bucky Irving, and Carson Steele.
Wright rushed seven times for 36 yards and caught four passes for 41 yards Friday. He looked like the explosive talent the Dolphins hoped they were getting when they traded a 2025 third-round pick to get him in this year’s draft.
While he played behind Jeff Wilson Jr. in this game, it seems inevitable that Wright will take over the Dolphins’ No. 3 spot behind De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. It’s a valuable role for fantasy since an injury to either back would open the door for Wright to produce, and as we saw this week, it doesn’t take many touches for him to make an impact. He’s a priority target in the late rounds.
Irving is already the clear-cut backup to Buccaneers starter Rachaad White – the only question is how much he’ll factor in with the first-team offense. This past week, the answer was not at all, but I expect he’ll carve out a role during the regular season. Though White was productive last year, he was also one of the least efficient starting backs in the league, so Irving is another upside backup fantasy managers should be drafting in the final rounds.
Another rookie making a strong case lately is the Chiefs’ undrafted free agent Steele. The 6-foot, 228-pound ball carrier is a punishing runner who turned four carries into 50 yards and a score last week thanks to a 31-yard run in which he shed multiple defenders along the way.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire likely remains Isiah Pacheco’s immediate backup, but if Pacheco were sidelined, it’s hard to imagine Steele not getting work. Beat writers have also speculated that the hulking rookie could be used as a goal-line option even with Pacheco healthy. Based on what we’ve seen, Steele has gone from just a dynasty stash to a deep redraft target.
Seahawks taking flight – Seattle was one of the few teams to let its starters see the field this weekend, and the results were extremely positive. Geno Smith completed 4 of 5 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught both his targets for 32 yards. DK Metcalf hauled in a 21-yard TD over a falling defender. This is yet another reason to get excited about what Ryan Grubb’s system will do for the fantasy outlooks of almost everyone in the Seahawks’ offense. It’s also worth noting Tyler Lockett continues to deal with a leg injury, which fantasy managers should be monitoring.
Mitchell makes a statement – Colts second-round rookie Adonai Mitchell was one of my favorite prospects this year, so it’s great to see him get an opportunity to showcase his skills in the preseason. The latest display included a touchdown from Anthony Richardson, where Mitchell fought through a defender to cross the goal line. With Josh Downs likely to miss time in September with an ankle injury, Mitchell has handled some of his vacated slot snaps while also splitting work outside with Alec Pierce. The 21-year-old is the kind of player who’ll be hard to put back in the box even when Downs returns.
Be cautious with Engram – Before you get too pumped up about Evan Engram’s two-touchdown game this week, just remember that Christian Kirk was out of the lineup. That was the same scenario that led to Engram’s eruption as the highest-scoring fantasy tight end at the end of last season, when he averaged 15.2 fppg. But when Kirk was healthy over the first 12 weeks, Engram averaged 7.5 fppg and was the TE14. He’s still a good fantasy option but will require injuries around him to be fully unlocked.
Freiermuth’s reduced role – Even though we’re talking about preseason usage, it’s tough not to be worried about Pat Freiermuth’s playing time in August. As Nathan Jahnke of PFF pointed out, the Steelers’ starting tight end only played 58% of Pittsburgh’s preseason snaps in the drives he was involved in while running a route on just 61% of the team’s plays. Those aren’t numbers you want to see when hunting for a late-round fantasy tight end. Arthur Smith has been known to frustrate fantasy managers, but his TE room in Atlanta finished third in targets at the position. Given the Steelers’ lack of a proven No. 2 receiver, Freiermuth is still intriguing, but I’d much rather secure one of the top seven TEs or take Brock Bowers.
Brissett banged up – Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett injured his throwing shoulder and was forced to exit their final preseason game. Head coach Jerod Mayo initially said the veteran could’ve returned if needed but later admitted they’ll have to see how it feels this week. It seemed like the Pats wanted to open the season with Brissett under center – perhaps to deal with a difficult opening stretch of opponents – before turning the keys over to first-round rookie Drake Maye. Whether this injury will change their approach is unknown, but Maye has closed the gap in the competition in recent weeks and is the far more appealing fantasy option thanks to his rushing ability.
Akers finding his form – Joe Mixon is unchallenged at the top of the Texans’ RB depth chart. However, the backup role is up for grabs. Dameon Pierce flashed as a rookie but hasn’t been the right fit in Bobby Slowik’s system since last year. Meanwhile, Akers is looking spry coming off his second Achilles tear in three years. The veteran turned 10 touches into 72 yards this weekend and has a chance to be the No. 2 back if Houston cuts or trades Pierce before the season.
Patterson a sneaky value? – Count me among those who think the concerns about Cordarrelle Patterson stealing touches from Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren this season are overblown. However, the 33-year-old back showed he can still get it done with a 31-yard touchdown run against the Lions while playing with the Steelers’ starters. If Warren’s hamstring injury keeps him out of Week 1, Patterson could have flex value as the complementary back alongside Harris. For what it’s worth, Warren sounds fairly confident he’ll be ready for the opener.
Deep veteran preseason standouts who caught my eye this week – Packers RB Emanuel Wilson, Bears WR Tyler Scott, Jaguars QB Mac Jones, Jaguars WR Parker Washington, Jets RB Israel Abanikanda.
Deep rookie preseason standouts who caught my eye this week – 49ers WR Jacob Cowing, Bengals WR Jermaine Burton, Browns WR Jamari Thrash, Cowboys WR Ryan Flournoy, Falcons WR Casey Washington.
