Fantasy Thoughts Preseason Week 3

By Chad Stapley

The Falcons might have finally found a pass catching TE in rookie Austin Hooper. He might not be ready to contribute on weekly basis right away but his five catch for 50 yard performance against Miami was sure to open some eyes.

Kenny Stills is on a tear through the last two preseason games catching seven passes for 117 yards and two TDs. It looks like the fast paced Dolphins offense is finally going to utilize his big play ability. Stills might be a huge fantasy contributor if he continues this type of play though the season.

The Dak Prescott era has officially begun and Cowboy fans everywhere should be celebrating. Prescott brings the Dallas offense to another level and makes them a scary good team. Prescott went 17/23 for 116 yards and a TD in his third preseason game. Prescott is the real deal and will be a major fantasy football point scorer as a rookie.

Ezekiel Elliott finally played a game in the NFL and it was pretty much exactly what you expected out of him. Seven carries for 48 yards and he looked pretty unstoppable every time the ball was in his hands. Elliott, like Prescott, is going to score a ton of fantasy football points as a rookie.
Russell Wilson looked like he was in mid-season form by going 16/21 for 192 yards and two TD passes. Wilson made the Cowboys defense look non-existent. Wilson looks like he is going to have a great season.

The Seahawks just need to give the ball to Christine Michael and let him run. Michael had seven carries for 58 yards in yet another impressive showing. Michael looks like he is finally ready to contribute in a big way.

Chris Hogan looks like a great addition for the Patriots. Hogan has been nothing short of wonderful in the last two preseason games combining to catch nine passes for 115 yards and a TD. Hogan can be a sneaky good FLEX option for your team as he seems to always be open.

Jonathan Williams looks like he is going to make the most of the Bills letting Karlos Williams go. The rookie Williams ran the ball 11 times for 42 yards and a TD. The Bills need a big RB to take over on third downs and it looks like Williams can fit that role perfectly. Keep an eye on this youngster through the first few weeks of the regular season.

Kirk Cousins looked shaky to open the game against Buffalo but put his nerves behind him to play spectacular for the rest of the way. Cousins threw for 188 yards and three TDs and the dismantling of the Bills defense. Cousins looks like he is picking up where he left off at the end of last season.
Jameis Winston had his best preseason game thus far going 16/25 for 259 yards and two TDs. Winston looks like he is ready to take the next step and elevate his game. He has the potential to absolutely take over games.

Mike Evans looks like he didn’t miss the entire 2015 season, Evans caught five passes for 115 yards and a TD. Evans is ready to be a star fantasy performer yet again.

Ben Roethlisberger looked like he is in mid-season form also. This week he went 12/17 for 148 yards and two TDs. The Steelers offense with Antonio Brown leading the way is going to be fun to watch and a lot of fantasy football points will be scored by these two guys alone.
Donte Moncrief looks ready to be a major fantasy football factor this season as he picked up where he left off at the end of the 2015 season. Moncrief caught six passes for 58 yards in this week’s game and he look every bit the part of WR1 material.

Derrick Henry is on a tear so far since joining the NFL. Henry ran the ball 12 times for 49 yards and a TD this week in a beat down of the Raiders who have a sneaky good defense and should be one of the better teams in the AFC this season. Henry looks like a monster when he has the ball and looks like he can be the everyday starter right now.

Andre Johnson looks like he is going to be the safety valve for Marcus Mariota and he could be in for a decent season as the 3rd option at WR and the Red Zone option for passing plays. Johnson could surprise a few people and be a decent FLEX option for larger fantasy leagues.
Derek Carr looked amazing against the Titans going 12/18 for 169 yards and two TDs. The Raiders are going to go as far as Carr can take them, and if he can limit the turnovers the Raiders could be a surprise team to watch.

DeAndre Washington is going to steal carries from Latavius Murray slowly but surely. Washington has big play ability written all over him and he flashed that this weekend by running the ball eight times for 55 yards. Washington is probably not worthy of having on your fantasy roster yet but he is a name to watch on the waiver wire through the first few weeks of the season.

Virgil Green is a TE to watch through the first couple weeks of the season. He is the starting TE for the Broncos but the QB play from the Broncos could be sub-par so you will want to see how Green is adjusting. He has the ability to beat linebackers in coverage and he is a big bodied TE so if the Broncos could figure out their QB situation Green might be a star.