NFL Preseason Week 1: Ignore RJ Harvey's '5th-string' label and more fantasy football takeaways

Yahoo

a day ago

Listen, I get it — it's preseason, week one. Nobody's winning a Super Bowl in August, but it's hard not to get excited when your favorite fantasy football draft-crush finally hits the field or that sleeper you've been hyping all summer shows out.
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This isn't about overreacting — it's about context. The goal here is to cut through the noise, highlight the usage and performances that matter and frame them for what they are: building blocks. We're not asking these players to be All-Pros today — just to stack positives or clean up the negatives so they're ready when the games start counting.
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Quarterbacks
Shedeur Sanders, Browns
Sanders might be the most talked-about player in the NFL right now, and his preseason debut lived up to the hype: 14-of-23, 138 yards, 2 TDs, plus 20 rushing yards on four carries over 45 snaps. He showed poise, command and the ability to drive the offense in his first NFL action.
But as exciting as it was, let's not overreact for fantasy. Pocket passers — even mobile ones — face a steep climb to consistent onesie-position relevance, and there are still three quarterbacks projected ahead of him (Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett). The fifth-round draft capital means Sanders' path is uphill. Perfect start, yes. Immediate redraft priority, no.
Justin Fields, Jets
Forget the shaky practice reports and minor injury scare — Fields reminded us exactly why he's fantasy-relevant. On his lone drive, he orchestrated a 10-play, 79-yard march, capping it with a 13-yard rushing TD. The passing will still have ups and downs, but his legs remain the cheat code. Head coach Aaron Glenn is clearly in his corner, and if Fields stays healthy, his rushing upside makes him a weekly difference-maker in fantasy.
Jordan Love, Packers
Love's preseason opener was rough — 1-of-5 for 7 yards with no rhythm and minimal offensive production. But the bigger concern might be around him: Jayden Reed was spotted in a walking boot, Christian Watson is still recovering and Dontayvion Wicks has been inconsistent. Without a true WR1 and with QB play this uneven, Green Bay could be more volatile than expected. This offense still has pieces (Josh Jacobs, Tucker Kraft, rookie Matthew Golden), but unless Love steadies, fantasy managers may need to tread lightly.
Other QB Notes
J.J. McCarthy, Vikings: Went 4-for-7, 30 yards, plus an 8-yard rushing first down. Targeted Jordan Addison on three of his four completions — a good sign for Addison and Justin Jefferson's outlook.
Jaxson Dart, Giants: Lit up Buffalo's backups, going 12-for-19, 154 yards, 1 TD, plus three carries for 24 yards. Athletic and aggressive downfield, Dart could be this year's late-season rookie QB riser if he gets a shot.
Running Backs
RJ Harvey, Broncos
Ignore the depth chart. Listed as the RB5 all week, Harvey opened the game as Denver's starting back, playing 63% of snaps with the starters, running a route on 45%, commanding a 20% target share and taking 100% of the carries in those snaps. He touched the ball on 47% of starter plays in a game where J.K. Dobbins was active. Seven carries for 25 yards isn't eye-popping, but the usage is screaming at us. Sean Payton trusts him, the juice was evident and his 'fifth-string' label means nothing.
Braelon Allen, Jets
The box score — 8 carries, 33 yards — doesn't tell the whole story. Now 21 years old, Allen looked every bit the 6'1', 235-pound hammer we saw at Wisconsin. He ran violently, showed burst through contact and passed the eye test. This is a back who's going to force a committee with Breece Hall in the Jets' backfield.
Sean Tucker, Buccaneers
Opportunity knocks. Rachaad White exited with a groin injury, and Tucker stepped right in: 13 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD. Todd Bowles didn't just praise him, he said, 'I keep telling the guys on offense, we've got to give him the ball more.' That kind of public endorsement, combined with Tucker's contact balance, speed and vision, makes him a player to move on now, not later.
Kyle Monangai, Bears
While he's been running with the twos in practice, Monangai actually started the game for Chicago and did not disappoint: six carries for 30 yards, running with decisiveness and power. He looks like a natural fit alongside DeAndre Swift. And just to cap it off — Monangai didn't fumble once in his college career.
Other RB Notes
Blake Corum, Rams: Two TDs vs. Dallas and clearly operating as the No. 2 behind Kyren Williams. Premium backup with standalone goal-line appeal.
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots: Officially RB2 behind Rhamondre Stevenson, but his electric kick return for a touchdown reminded everyone of his game-breaking speed.
Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins: After Alexander Mattison's injury, Gordon handled eight carries for 33 yards and a physical TD, plus 1 catch for 39 yards. He also got four goal-line carries. With Jalen Wright struggling (9 for 16), opportunity may be coming fast.
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Travis Hunter, Jaguars
Played both ways in his debut vs. Pittsburgh — 10 offensive snaps on the opening drive (two catches for nine yards, plus another wiped out by penalty) and eight snaps on defense. Jacksonville made it a point to get him involved early, targeting him three times right out of the gate. Brian Thomas Jr. profiles as the WR1, but Hunter's skill set will be featured. Full steam ahead on Hunter as a fantasy WR with confidence.
Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers
'TMAC' showed why Carolina took him in the first round — two catches for 43 yards, including an early deep shot and an end-zone target from Bryce Young. With Xavier Legette ejected for fighting and Adam Thielen aging, there's a clear path to snaps. Think rookie-year Tee Higgins with Joe Burrow: around 900 yards, six scores and heavy involvement.
Calvin Ridley, Titans
Cam Ward's WR1 is locked in, and Ridley looked sharp. His ability to separate, his quickness in and out of breaks and his polished route running remain elite. Ridley went 3 for 50 and was the clear focal point. Minimal target competition plus a QB upgrade means Ridley could be in for a full-blown renaissance season.
Tampa Bay WRs: Emeka Egbuka & Jalen McMillan
Both youngsters flashed in this one. McMillan had a highlight back-shoulder grab over the middle for 25 yards, while Egbuka showcased his contested catch ability with a 21-yard reception on two targets. With Chris Godwin's Week 1 status uncertain and Mike Evans' hamstring history, both could make early impacts.
Tyler Warren, Colts
Three targets, three catches, 40 yards — and usage with both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis featured him early, and he looked like he belonged. Warren is on the short list of rookie TEs who could actually matter for fantasy in Year 1.
Other WR Notes
Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos: Exclusively ran with the ones, playing 9 of 10 passing snaps out wide. Mims looks locked in as Denver's Z receiver and clear No. 2 option, while Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant finished the half with the second team fighting for the X role.
Jordan Watkins, 49ers: Three catches, 56 yards on six targets vs. Denver. With multiple injuries in the WR room, the 2024 fourth-rounder is positioned to step up.
Isaac TeSlaa, Lions: Two catches, 18 yards and a touchdown on three targets. Back-to-back weeks of positive tape for the Arkansas rookie.