The second week of NFL preseason action has delivered a surprisingly rich set of storylines for fantasy enthusiasts, as teams begin to reveal who will actually see meaningful snaps and who will remain on the fringe of the rotation.
Young Wide Receivers Making Their Mark
In Green Bay, Matthew Golden carved out a role in the Packers' X formation, turning a holding penalty into a 9‑yard catch that hinted at his potential to become a first‑team weapon. Meanwhile, De’Zhaun Stribling endured a drop but was targeted 13 times, pushing his target rate to 59% per route and lifting his ADP as leagues recognize his high‑volume involvement.
Running Backs Redefining Value in the Passing Game
The traditional line between rushing and receiving continues to blur. Christian McCaffrey’s vertical routes last season opened up matchups that defenses still struggle to contain, and the trend persisted when Jordan Love and Bo Nix found space downfield as receivers. This dynamic has turned several backup backs into viable flex options.
Malik Davis emerged as the clear lead back for Dallas in Week 2, earning a No. 2 role despite a limited career history and thin competition for touches. His cheap ADP makes him an attractive late‑round handcuff in deeper leagues, especially given the Cowboys' thin depth chart.
New Orleans’ Kendre Miller showed smooth runs that suggested he could claim the No. 2 back spot early, positioning him as a waiver‑wire target for those seeking upside. In Cincinnati, Tahj Brooks logged 36 yards in his debut, reinforcing the notion that he is ready to step into a complementary role behind the starter.
Even the Chargers hinted at a evolving backfield, as Keaton Mitchell caught two passes beyond the line of scrimmage, underscoring the growing importance of receiving threats out of the backfield.
Injury Concerns and Depth Questions
San Francisco’s skill‑position group entered the week with a fragile outlook, a factor that could amplify the fantasy relevance of players like Stribling if the depth chart shifts. At the same time, Deshaun Watson’s performance was underwhelming, completing just 5 of 12 passes, most of which were quick hits behind the line, raising early‑season questions about his ability to sustain drives.
Late‑Round Opportunities and Handcuffs
The combination of Davis’s low ADP and the Cowboys’ thin competition for his services creates a compelling late‑round handcuff scenario, while Miller’s emerging role in New Orleans offers a similar upside for those willing to dig a little deeper into the waiver wire.