The NFL preseason has become a laboratory for hidden talent, and this year eight athletes are generating buzz that could reshape fantasy drafts before the first regular‑season snap.
Early Standouts
Tyjae Spears topped the league in tackles avoided per touch during the latest preseason outing, outpacing veteran Tony Pollard and flashing 8.8 yards per attempt. Meanwhile, Jeremiyah Love made an immediate impact for the Cardinals, rushing for 58 yards and adding 14 receiving yards in his debut.
De’Zhaun Stribling caught 7 of 8 targets for 63 yards in his first NFL game, positioning himself as a potential WR2 behind Christian Kirk for the 49ers. In Pittsburgh, Drew Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, posting a passer rating of 154.8 and staking a claim as the team’s long‑term quarterback solution.
Depth Charts Shifting
MarShawn Lloyd seized the RB2 role in Green Bay’s first‑team offense, edging out Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. for carries, while Keaton Mitchell earned a move to the Chargers at the behest of head coach Mike McDaniel, boosting his fantasy projection to RB49 thanks to his DFS appeal and available snap count.
Mike Washington Jr. solidified his position as the handcuff for running back Ashton Jeanty in Oakland, racking up 63 yards on six rushes, including a 53‑yard burst that underscored his breakout potential.
Fantasy Implications
The early performances of Spears, Love, Stribling, Allar, Lloyd, Mitchell and Washington Jr. suggest a wave of undervalued options that could outperform their ADP. Drafts that traditionally favored established names may need to pivot as these players carve out larger roles, especially in PPR formats where receptions and yards after contact become decisive.
Monitoring how coaches deploy these athletes in the final preseason games will provide further clarity, but the current data set already points to a compelling narrative: the next wave of fantasy contributors is emerging from the margins, and savvy owners who act now could secure a decisive edge as the regular season unfolds.