Should we watch? Does it matter? It seems that all we need is to be one-year removed from preseason to completely forget how to deal with it.
There isn’t a formula but there are things to watch for. And you have to know what you are watching for. As Cecil Lammey says, the games don’t count but they do matter. Here are my overreactions (things that don’t matter but appear to) and underreactions (things that might matter but go unnoticed or underreported) from week 2.
Overreactions
Ja’Maar Chase Can’t Catch
Three drops. Two which he should have caught. And next thing you know he’s been benched for Auden Tate and will never be a good pro in the NFL.
Chase has been a year removed from real football and will likely have some rookie mistakes, but this 1-day saga is a good example of why twitter starts revolutions. He’ll be fine, and likely end up as the top rookie wide receiver. Burrow would have never been Burrow without Chase.
Lance is a Greek God and Should Have Started for the Niners Last Year
As a Bears fan I get it, well, maybe better to say that Niners fans are incredibly spoiled but I still get it. He’s there, he’s obviously more skilled than the veteran in front of him, and everyone wants him out there week 1 to begin a superbowl run and blow up fantasy box scores.
As talented as Lance appears to be, he’s having some struggles against vanilla preseason defenses. The fantasy community needs to pump the breaks given the Niners schedule starts with the Lions, Eagles, Packers, Seahawks, and Cardinals.
Andy Dalton is Enemy Number 1 in Chicago
Same basic problem, but unlike Garroppolo, Dalton actually looked pretty good in week 2. If Dalton starts well into the season, it may not be because Matt Nagy hates his job.
Dalton was the victim of a twitter meme-storm when he made a completely innocuous comment saying that as long as he was the starter that it was his job. Imagine the nerve
Underreactions
Zach Wilson Might be the Rookie QB to Own in Redraft
While no one was looking, Zach Wilson absolutely balled out this weekend, focusing on Corey Davis and making accurate zip throws all over the field. 9/11 for 128 and two TDs. Now I will say I didn’t see too much pressure in his face, playing against Packers 2s, but he’s impressed me more than I thought he would.
Wilson just went undrafted in my big money superflex league, though we have strict 2-QB roster limits. Still, seeing his game, I feel like my 7th round pick of Matt Ryan was way too early.
Terrace Marshall Could Be WR2 in Carolina
This guy is getting noticed but still available in a lot of shallow leagues just due to the fact that no one really knows what to expect from Darnold. Marshall comes from a school in LSU that regularly produces super stars in this league (Justin Jefferson, Odell Beckham), and showed good separation and hands in preseason week 2.
I’ve heard Darnold favors the slot, but it’s not really backed up by the numbers. But one thing that could back up Marshall deserving more notice is that Robby Anderson had some significant multi-game droughts with Darnold in New York in 2019 when they were both there together. If there is a lack of chemistry with Robbie Anderson, Terrace Marshall would be the likely beneficiary.
Bears O-Line Is in Trouble
Second round pick Tevin Jenkins needs back surgery and will miss the season. Rashaad Cowan and Bobby Massie walked in free agency. And the Bears offensive line looked particularly awful against the Bills. I’d downtick David Montgomery and the entire offense a bit, including Fields.
Rodney Adams Could by the WR3 in Chicago
Is that exciting? Probably not for anything but dynasty and really deep (or wide) redraft leagues. But he looked great and made another amazing catch for a 63-yard touchdown, catching the ball over the opposing defender’s helmet. No one else on that team has been making plays like that for the Bears.
J.D. McKissic Could Have the Same Role
McKissic saw plenty of run on third down with WFT’s starters, meaning he could be a value in deep PPR leagues, probably more than trendy picks like Giovanni Bernard and James White.
Looking Ahead
Most teams have treated preseason like tryouts, but next week we should get longer looks at starting lineups.