Preseason Winners and Losers

Preseason matters.

If you don’t believe me, look back at last year’s Preseason Winners and Losers article.

Brock Purdy, Baker Mayfield, and Jaylen Warren were winners.

Rashaad Penny and Greg Dulcich were losers.

Yes, there were misses too. There will be misses in any fantasy football analysis.

But there’s little doubt that we can gain an edge by closely monitoring the preseason.

You just have to know what to look for.

We watched all 48 games over the past three weeks and compiled the takeaways that matter for fantasy.

Now, here are 27 players who are trending up or down with the 2024 preseason in the books.

 

Preseason Winners

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Daniels looked like the same player this preseason as the dual-threat dynamo who won the 2023 Heisman. He flashed the deep-ball prowess with a 42-yarder to WR Dyami Brown and scored a three-yard rushing TD on a read-option.

Daniels finished the preseason with a sterling 80% completion rate and 8.2 yards per attempt. He ranked 12th in Pro Football Focus passing grade among 93 QBs with 10+ dropbacks.

The rookie looks ready to be a fantasy QB1 right away.

 

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence had his best preseason as a pro. His 90.9 Pro Football Focus passing grade was a career-high and led all 93 QBs with 10+ dropbacks.

Now in his third year with HC Doug Pederson and a revamped WR corps, Lawrence is a candidate for a career-best season in 2024.

 

Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans

Levis was sharp this preseason, completing 11 of 13 passes (85%) for 153 yards (11.8 YPA). And he did it without WR DeAndre Hopkins, who is expected to be ready for Week 1.

Levis looks primed to take a big year-two leap. He remains a top fantasy football sleeper.

 

Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos

Nix looked very comfortable in HC Sean Payton’s offense this preseason. The rookie completed 77% of his passes, averaged 7.0 yards per attempt, and tossed two TDs vs. 0 INTs. He ranked 10th in PFF passing grade among 93 qualifying QBs.

Just as importantly, Nix showed that he can add value with his legs, running six times for 29 yards on 59 snaps (a little less than a game’s worth).

That aspect of his game could make him an intriguing QB2 this season.

 

Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots

It wasn’t a perfect preseason for the rookie. He averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt and finished 30th among 93 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus passing grade.

But Maye flashed the raw arm talent that made him the No. 3 overall pick on multiple ocassions. And he showed off his athleticism, running seven times for 32 yards and a score.

Maye’s supporting cast – offensive line and pass catchers – remains a major roadblock to 2024 fantasy production. But, if nothing else, this preseason was encouraging for his dynasty stock.

 

Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, RBs, Denver Broncos

Williams and McLaughlin were the only two RBs to play with QB Bo Nix and the first-team offense in the second preseason game. They both rested in the third exhibition, while RB Audric Estime played.

If this is going to be just a two-man backfield committee, Williams and McLaughlin can both pay off ADP.

Williams looked more explosive this preseason than he did at any point last year. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry, including 3.4 after contact, on seven attempts.

 

Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants

Singletary got workhorse usage with the first-team offense in preseason Week 2:

• 88% snap rate
• 79% route rate
• 10 carries
• 1 target

It’s certainly worth noting that RB Tyrone Tracy missed that game with his ankle injury. The rookie figures to push Singletary for work throughout the season.

But Singletary looks set to at least open the year with a valuable role for fantasy squads. He’s a nice pick to pair with a RB that might start slow, such as Jonathon Brooks.

 

Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills

This rookie flashed as a runner and pass-catcher this preseason.

On the ground, Davis averaged 4.6 yards per carry, including 3.5 after contact. He ranked eighth in Pro Football Focus rushing grade among 146 RBs with 5+ carries.

Davis ranked 16th among 159 RBs in PFF receiving grade, catching three of his four targets for 19 yards.

He at least looks like a valuable handcuff to RB James Cook. And it’s plenty possible that Davis carves out a big enough role besides Singletary to be a fantasy factor this year.

 

Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins

The explosive Wright looks tailor-made for HC Mike McDaniel’s offense.

He averaged 5.4 yards per carry with a score on 17 preseason attempts and caught four of six targets for 41 yards. Five of his 21 touches (24%) went for 10+ yards.

Wright will probably need a De’Von Achane or Raheem Mostert injury to find significant playing time this year. But he could be an exciting fantasy option if that happens.

 

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bigsby backed up a buzzy training camp with a nice preseason. He took 21 carries for 105 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 4.6 yards after contact per carry. Bigsby ranked 15th in PFF rushing grade among 146 qualifying RBs.

He even caught four of five targets after struggling mightily as a receiver last year.

Bigsby was on the field for just six of QB Trevor Lawrence’s 32 snaps this preseason (19%) and looks unlikely to be a standalone fantasy option. But he’s secure as Jacksonville’s No. 2 RB and the Travis Etienne handcuff.

 

Jordan Mason, RB, 49ers

There was talk even before the preseason that Mason was pushing past Elijah Mitchell for the No. 2 RB job. Then Mason went out and balled in two preseason outings.

He toted it 14 times for 76 yards (5.4 YPC) and two TDs. Mason’s 86.3 Pro Football Focus rushing grade ranked second among all 175 RBs who carried this preseason. Mitchell, meanwhile, was sidelined all preseason with hamstring trouble.

Mason’s strong August has him looking like the preferred handcuff to Christian McCaffrey.

 

Cam Akers, RB, Houston Texans

You’d never know that Akers was returning from his second Achilles tear from his preseason performance.

After signing with Houston on July 21, Akers went out and averaged 4.7 yards on 24 preseason carries. He ranked 10th in Pro Football Focus rushing grade and 13th in Elusive Rating among 146 qualifying RBs.

Akers looks like the Texans’ No. 3 RB and could push Dameon Pierce for the No. 2 job. (More on Pierce in the “Losers” section below.)

 

Carson Steele, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

No Preseason Winners list would be complete without this guy.

Steele came out of nowhere to likely win a roster spot this preseason. The undrafted rookie tallied 87 yards and two TDs on 11 carries, punctuated by this 31-yard run in the finale.

BIG RUN BY CARSON STEELE! pic.twitter.com/b9hOishKyi

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) August 23, 2024

Steele figures to open the season as the No. 3 RB behind Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. But CEH likely isn’t locked into that No. 2 job considering his struggles the past couple of years.

 

Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Worthy has looked like a guy with 4.2 speed this preseason. He registered a 17.0-yard aDOT on his six targets, catching a 39-yard bomb and a 22-yard TD.

More importantly, Worthy ran a route on 16 of QB Patrick Mahomes’ 18 dropbacks (89%). It doesn’t look like the Chiefs have any intentions of slow-playing this rookie. He could be an upside WR3 right out of the gate.

 

Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis, WR, Jaguars

Thomas ran a route on 81% of QB Trevor Lawrence’s preseason dropbacks and caught three of four targets for 93 yards. He’ll play a big role for Jacksonville right away.

Davis registered a 100% route rate with Lawrence. That level of playing time can’t hurt his chances of providing some spot-start value for fantasy teams.

 

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Mitchell worked with the first-team offense in both of his preseason appearances. He ran a route on 18 of QB Anthony Richardson’s 21 dropbacks (86%).

Just as noteworthy is that Mitchell played 71% of his preseason snaps in the slot. He was primarily an outside receiver in college, but the Colts look ready to use Mitchell in the slot if WR Josh Downs (ankle) isn’t ready for the start of the season.

Once Downs returns, Mitchell will duke it out with WR Alec Pierce for outside snaps.

 

Jordan Whittington, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Did the Rams uncover another late-round gem at WR?

Whittington reeled in 11 of 17 targets for 126 yards over the first two preseason games. HC Sean McVay said after the opener that Whittington is “gonna be a factor for us” – and then held him out of the third exhibition.

Whittington might just open the season as the Rams’ No. 4 WR, which would leave him one injury away from fantasy relevance.

 

Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints

There probably won’t be much fun about the Saints offense this year. But Hill’s usage under new OC Klint Kubiak looks fun. 

Here’s where he lined up this preseason:

• Backfield - 9 snaps
• Inline - 7 snaps
• Slot - 2 snaps
• Wide - 2 snaps

Hill carried five times for 21 yards and a score but wasn’t targeted on any of his eight routes.

He probably won’t catch enough passes to be viable in PPR fantasy leagues. But in half-PPR, and especially non-PPR, Hill has a shot to be useable at TE.

 

Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants

This rookie already looks like the Giants’ lead pass-catching TE. In QB Daniel Jones’ only action of the preseason, Johnson led the TEs with 11 routes on 19 Jones dropbacks. 

That 58% route rate wouldn't be enough to make Johnson a bankable fantasy play. But it's a bullish sign that he’s already topping this depth chart. We’ll see if his role grows throughout the season.

 

Preseason Losers

Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Fields seemingly had a real shot to win the Week 1 starting job with a strong preseason. He failed to deliver.

Fields completed 70% of his passes at 7.4 yards per attempt. But he continued to look lost in the pocket, taking five sacks on 38 dropbacks – an ugly 13.2% sack rate. He also fumbled four times.

Fields is still a good bet to make starts at some point this season. And his rushing ability will make him a fantasy factor. But it’s looking more and more unlikely that he’ll ever develop into a reliable NFL passer.

 

Raiders QBs

70 QBs dropped back 20+ times this preseason. Gardner Minshew ranked 40th among them in Pro Football Focus passing grade; Aidan O’Connell 54th. They combined to average 6.2 yards per pass attempt. 

Minshew was named the Raiders’ Week 1 starter, but O’Connell is likely to make starts this season. QB play will be an issue for Vegas regardless of who’s under center.

 

Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans

Pierce carried eight times this preseason. He totaled nine yards. His 54.2 Pro Football Focus rushing grade ranked 151st out of 172 RBs.

That’s a small sample of runs, but it’s concerning production after Pierce mustered just 2.9 yards per carry last year. He does not seem like a good fit in OC Bobby Slowik’s scheme.

Pierce’s hold on Houston’s No. 2 RB job is tenuous at best.

 

Marvin Mims, WR, Denver Broncos

It was a worrisome preseason for Mims from a usage perspective. He played deep into the third quarter with the third-string offense in the opener and then ran just one route with QB Bo Nix and the starters in the second exhibition.

The Broncos have since decided to cut ties with WR Tim Patrick, who played ahead of Mims this preseason. That makes his path to playing time easier – but it’s possible that HC Sean Payton simply doesn’t view Mims as a full-time WR.

 

Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears

Kmet worked in a near-even timeshare with TE Gerald Everett in two preseason outings. In fact, Everett ran eight routes to Kmet’s seven on 14 Caleb Williams dropbacks.

Kmet played well, catching two of three targets for 35 yards and ranking ninth among 154 TEs in PFF receiving grade. But he has no chance to be a reliable fantasy option unless that playing time improves.

And we’re not expecting it to, considering OC Shane Waldron’s history with Everett and tendency to platoon at TE.

 

Where Should You Draft These Preseason Winners and Losers?

That depends on lots of factors.

17 of them, to be exact, including:

• your scoring system
• positional value
• ADP
• and breakout potential.

Sound like a lot to keep track of? It is.

But the dynamic, customized cheat sheet on the Draft War Room does it all for you.