The first full week of the 2021 NFL preseason is now well underway — and one rookie quarterback stole the show. For the first time in 2021, we have a four-day stretch with all 32 teams playing and plenty of players in new places.
PFF’s fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2021.
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Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams
- Josh Palmer: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 36 yards (5.5 ADOT)
- Xavier Jones: 6 carries, 21 yards, 3 targets, 2 receptions, 6 yards (0 first downs)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Draft Xavier Jones as the Rams backup: The Rams didn’t use the majority of starters and key backups, but they allowed their backup running back battle play out to start the game. Jones took nearly all of the snaps on the first drive, while he and Jake Funk split snaps on the following few drives. Jones extended his lead on the backup job based on his play.
Don’t draft the Rams rookie receivers: The Rams didn’t use their top four wide receivers or top two tight ends tonight. That alone gives Tutu Atwell and Jacob Harris a long road to playing time. Their path is harder, given that Trishton Jackson played every down with the starters and caught a first-half touchdown pass.
Avoid the Chargers’ backup RBs: The Chargers split playing time between Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley on the first drive, with Jackson used more on early downs and Kelley more on late downs. Rookie Larry Rountree III didn’t see playing time until the second half. Even if Austin Ekeler gets hurt during the season, all three will split time taking his place.
Don’t Draft Tyron Johnson: The Chargers rested their top two wide receivers tonight. The battle for the third spot seems more in between Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer, with Johnson far behind. Guyton dominated the playing time in this game, but Palmer dominated the stat sheet. One of those two could be worth drafting for their potential opportunities.
Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Draft Bryan Edwards: Few players have received as much hype as Edwards this offseason. The Raiders didn’t play any of their starters and included Edwards as one of those who remained on the sideline, so there is more evidence he’s won a starting job.
Don’t Draft DeeJay Dallas: Dallas put up some good numbers, but Alex Collins played all of the first-team snaps tonight. And with Seattle’s top three backs rested tonight, opportunities will be hard to come by for the second-year back.
Add Trey Ragas in deep dynasty leagues: The undrafted rookie currently sits fourth on the depth chart, but he made a case to move up one spot. He was the focal point of the offense despite the Raiders largely using backups and third-string players. If he makes the roster, he could be one injury away from significant playing time.
Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Draft Trey Lance: Lance was given two drives with the starters, an opportunity his fellow first-round backup quarterbacks didn’t receive. Yes, his box score stats didn’t look great, but that’s partly because his receivers dropped four passes. The bottom line is that this performance adds to the mountain of evidence that Lance will be a starting quarterback sooner rather than later.
Stay cautiously optimistic on a Mecole Hardman breakout: The snap count looks discouraging, but Hardman played a clear role. He played 100% of snaps in three-receiver sets and 0% of snaps in two-receiver sets. Kansas City will run more of the former in the regular season, so this should mean a net increase in playing time for Hardman.
Ignore the Clyde Edwards-Helaire snap count: Edwards-Helaire took the first 10 snaps before he made way for Darrel Williams, who took the last snap with the first team and proceeded to see another six snaps after that. This is not how the backs will be used in the regular season. Edwards-Helaire is the clear starter and deserving of a second-round fantasy pick, but we still don’t know how much playing time he’ll receive.
Don’t Draft Wayne Gallman: Gallman was a late-round option in drafts in case he started the season as the backup to Raheem Mostert. However, third-round rookie Trey Sermon has already surpassed him on the depth chart, meaning Gallman will be the third-string back, at best.
Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers
- Jace Sternberger: 3 targets, 3 rec., 35 yards (4.7 yards after the catch per reception)
- Chris Conley: 4 targets, 4 rec., 51 yards (3-for-3 on contested targets)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Don’t draft David Johnson: The Texans have four potential contributors at running back this season, and two of them didn’t play tonight. Johnson was restricted to a third-down role, which he played with the starters as well as the first drive with backups. Phillip Lindsay took all of the first-team snaps on first and second downs, but he could lose some of those snaps when the other backs are available.
Don’t draft Texans wide receivers not named Brandin Cooks: Cooks didn’t play tonight, so Houston used the opportunity to rotate their pass-catchers heavily. Anthony Miller and Alex Erickson rotated during the second drive, while Chris Moore came in in the third. All six switched in and out throughout the first half. This situation will evolve as the season goes on.
Monitor Jace Sternberger and Robert Tonyan: The 2019 third-round pick has recently received playing time with the starters after two disappointing seasons. Green Bay rested all of its starting skill players today, but Sternberger shined. The more snaps Sternberger can earn with the starters, the fewer opportunities Tonyan will get.
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Move Adam Trautman down fantasy rankings: Trautman is one of the most hyped tight ends in fantasy football. However, he didn’t receive a single target in the game tonight, and he pass-blocked on three of his nine pass plays.
Take a late-round shot on Marquez Callaway: The Saints wide receiver situation is in limbo with Mitchael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith out injured. Callaway took every snap with the starters and was Taysom Hill‘s favorite target. He could remain a starter even when other receivers are healthy.
Draft Devin Duvernay in very deep leagues: Ravens first-round rookie Rashod Bateman is injured and might miss some time in the regular season. Baltimore will need a backup receiver to step up, and Duvernay might be that player. He led the starters in snaps and led them in targets. He’s traditionally a slot receiver but played the majority of snaps on the outside tonight.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Move Marvin Jones Jr. up your rankings: Jones and Collin Johnson lined up as the outside receivers for the majority of plays with the first team. The veteran appears to be Trevor Lawrence‘s favorite target, and that relationship should only grow. He was already a sleeper WR, and the chances of a big season are getting larger.
Second-guess Laviska Shenault Jr. as the Jaguars WR1: Shenault was limited to snaps in the slot when the starters lined up in 11 personnel. And Laquon Treadwell even took snaps in 12 personnel over Shenault at times. The Jaguars did find a way to get Shenault the ball in his limited time, but it will be hard to lead Jacksonville in that kind of restricted role.
Worry about the three-man backfield in Jacksonville: James Robinson, Carlos Hyde and Travis Etienne played with the starters, each seeing a few snaps in a row before being replaced. This is likely a generic way of using the backs, and they should garner more defined roles once the season starts. Nevertheless, the fact that it’s a three-man rotation should leave fantasy managers concerned.
Make Donovan Peoples-Jones your last pick in fantasy drafts: The Browns played without their top two running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, leaving little to take away from the game. Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins are fighting for the third receiver spot this offseason, and the second-year pass-catcher was a popular target in the first half of the game. Peoples-Jones ranked 10th in yards per route run at 2.34 last season.
New York Jets at New York Giants
- Corey Davis: 4 targets, 2 rec., 18 yards (100% threat rate)
- Ty Johnson: 9 carries, 33 yards (2 explosive runs)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Slow down on the Michael Carter hype: Carter ranks first among Jets backs in ADP, but he was the second-string back for this game. Carter and Ty Johnson split snaps on early downs with the starters, while Johnson received all of the third-down snaps. Tevin Coleman didn’t play in this game, but he will also factor into the rotation.
Draft Corey Davis before his ADP: Davis played nine of the first 11 snaps, and that was good enough to get excited about. He was targeted on each of his pass routes and should dominate threat rate (percentage of targeted routes) in the regular season, too.
Draft Devontae Booker to handcuff Saquon Barkley: Reports have been positive on Barkley, but it’s good to have a backup plan in deeper leagues. Booker received the first two drives with the Giants offense, while Corey Clement took over after that. Booker won’t see 100% of snaps if Barkley misses a game, but the Giants seem comfortable putting him on the field for all three downs.
Avoid all Jets tight ends: The Jets used two-tight end sets heavily throughout the game, utilizing a four-man rotation. One player could emerge as the top option at some point, but this situation is best avoided.
Don’t draft Denzel Mims: Outside of players with significant injuries, Mims has been the biggest ADP-faller in fantasy football over recent months. The Jets had five receivers playing ahead of Mims, and another two receivers were unavailable. He could work his way up the depth chart and still not see playing time in the regular season.
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Get used to three backs in Tampa Bay: The Tampa Bay backfield was hard enough to figure out last season — when it was mostly two running backs. Then, of course, Giovani Bernard was added this offseason, and he played both of the third-down snaps with the first team in his Bucs debut. Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette were already falling down draft boards because of Bernard’s clear role. That trend will continue.
Monitor the Bucs tight ends: Rob Gronkowski played every snap with the starters, while O.J. Howard played in two-tight end sets and continued with the second team. Cameron Brate missed this game, so it is hard to gauge anything from these six snaps. This could be a heavy three-player rotation.
Don’t worry about Joe Mixon: The Bengals only used their starters for one drive. Mixon played the first four offensive snaps and then got the night off two plays earlier than his teammates. There is nothing to read into here.
Consider C.J. Uzomah in TE-premium leagues with two starting TEs: Uzomah missed nearly all of the 2020 season but appears to have already regained his starting role. The only snap he missed was a run play on first down. The Bengals’ tight end isn’t an ideal situation to target in fantasy, but Uzomah will see more volume than several other starting tight ends.
Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Draft K.J. Hamler late: The Broncos rested Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, allowing Hamler to be the No. 2 wide receiver in this contest. He made two big plays while lining up both in the slot and out wide. It’s unclear how Denver will distribute snaps to its four starting-caliber receivers, and Hamler’s performance comes with an asterisk due to how many Vikings defenders weren’t playing. Regardless, Hamler makes for an intriguing late-round dart throw due to big-play potential alone.
Don’t overreact to Javonte Williams’ performance: This game was the ceiling for how the Broncos could use Williams. Both Melvin Gordon III and Mike Boone were out. Denver still rotated Williams out every few snaps for Royce Freeman. Williams looked good against the Vikings’ backups, but it’s good to remember he will play only 65% of snaps at best.
Don’t worry about Noah Fant: Fant’s snap count wasn’t as high as other Broncos starters because he was pulled out of the game sooner. Denver gradually rotated players out rather than switching to the second team all at once. Fant was in on all eight plays during the Broncos’ first drive before bowing out of the game.
Draft Asim Rose in very deep leagues: The undrafted rookie appeared to sit fourth on the depth chart entering this contest. But while Ameer Abdullah played ahead of him, Rose could certainly win the job after his performance. Abdullah primarily plays special teams, a role Kene Nwangwu could take on instead this season. But Nwangwu, also in the competition for the third running back spot, suffered an injury that is believed to have occurred on the opening kickoff. Rose could end up third on the depth chart and see playing time due to injuries to players ahead of him.
Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears
- RB Malcolm Brown: 9 carries, 8 yards (-7 yards before contact, 15 yards after contact)
- TE Mike Gesicki: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 56 yards (18 yards after contact)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Move Myles Gaskin down your rankings: Gaskin was the backup to Malcolm Brown in this game. Brown, who spent the past six years with the Rams, began each drive with the starters, with Gaskin periodically coming in to give him a break. Three of Gaskin’s four snaps occurred after the free agent addition’s day was done. Gaskin continued to see offensive snaps with the second team.
There is still plenty of time for Gaskin to become the starter, but this will likely be a committee even if he plays the first snap of the game. He should end up in the RB30-RB35 range instead of RB20-RB25.
Draft Malcolm Brown late: Brown often goes undrafted, but now he should be a late-round pick. If the Dolphins use Brown in the regular season like they did today, he can be a fantasy starter simply because of volume. His ADP shouldn’t rise too much because he doesn’t have the upside to be a top-10 fantasy running back.
Don’t overreact to Mike Gesicki’s box score: Gesicki made one big catch, but he will be a headache for fantasy managers this regular season. The Dolphins used Gesicki in the same way as last season, where he played only on third downs and possibly on second-and-long. The limited playing time will make him very inconsistent from week to week. Miami rested four wide receivers in this contest, so Gesicki’s target share could take a hit down the road.
Give Jaylen Waddle a slight bump in the rankings: The Dolphins were missing several wide receivers, so it’s hard to take too much away from this game. It was encouraging to see Waddle line up in both the base offense and 11 personnel, including 10 times in the slot and nine times out wide. Several rookies are asked to play just in the slot their rookie season, so the fact that Waddle is moving around increases his chances of having a big role in the offense — especially if there is an injury.
Don’t worry about David Montgomery or Darnell Mooney: Montgomery took the first handoff of the game and limped off the field. It didn’t appear to be serious, but the Bears still kept him out. Mooney didn’t play a snap in 13 personnel and had his day end earlier than other starters. His starting job doesn’t appear to be at risk.
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
- Rondale Moore: 4 targets, 3 rec., 23 yards, (16 yards after the catch) 2 carries, 16 yards
- Michael Gallup: 3 targets, 2 rec., 23 yards (1 drop)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Rondale Moore rises up the rankings: The Cardinals rested DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green, but it was clear Arizona prioritized getting Moore the football. Christian Kirk is expected to start in the slot this year, but the veteran was stuck out wide on his snaps to allow Moore a chance to shine. The rookie receiver should see at least a few manufactured touches per game this year, even if he’s fourth on the depth chart.
Believe the CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup hype: After playing 90% of his snaps in the slot last season, Lamb played 100% of snaps out wide tonight. Gallup saw a similar role change and played from the slot tonight. The receiving duo lined up on the same side of the field on six of their 11 plays together. The receivers are expected to be interchangeable by the start of the season, making them very dangerous.
Monitor Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz: The Cowboys are watching the league’s most intriguing tight end battle play out. Dallas has developed a top-10 fantasy tight end each of the last two seasons, so a clear-cut winner would be worth a draft pick. Jarwin missed the Hall of Fame Game while Schultz missed this game. Ideally, both will play next week to give us more clarity.
Ignore the Eno Benjamin hype: The Cardinals didn’t have James Conner, but that still wasn’t enough to give Benjamin time with the starters. Instead, Jonathan Ward played some snaps with both RBs and took over when Edmonds’ night was done.
Don’t worry about Tony Pollard: Pollard played a couple of snaps to start the game and then his night was done. The Cowboys did the same thing in the Hall of Fame Game. He’s still the clear-cut backup for Dallas.
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions
- Devin Singletary: 8 carries, 42 yards, 1 rec., 6 rec. yards, 1 TD (5 forced missed tackles)
- Tyrell Williams: 4 targets, 2 rec., 30 yards (3.00 yards per route run)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Don’t Overreact to Devin Singletary: With Zack Moss out due to injury, Singletary took the snaps with the starters and even stayed in to share snaps with Matt Breida when the starters left the game. Still, Singletary is unlikely to see an increase in touches, even if Moss misses time.
Take a Late-Round Chance on Tyrell Williams: Williams is typically being drafted in the very late rounds of fantasy drafts, but he has a decent chance of leading the Lions wide receivers in fantasy points. He played nearly every snap with the starters tonight — and no team’s top receiver will be cheaper than Williams right now.
Lower Your Expectations for Amon-Ra St. Brown: Some view St. Brown as a high-upside play because of the lack of depth in the Lions’ receiving corps. However, Detroit only used St. Brown in 11 personnel against the Bills, never using him in one- or two-wide receiver sets, even with the backups. And when the outside wide receivers needed a rest, it was Victor Bolden Jr. who took the field instead of St. Brown. It’s difficult for a slot-only receiver to have fantasy value in a run-first offense.
Fade Jermar Jefferson, even in dynasty: The Lions didn’t have D’Andre Swift tonight, leaving them with Jamaal Williams as the lead running back. Detroit opted to let Williams play all 22 snaps rather than giving Jefferson an opportunity with the starters.
Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Second-Guess Drafting Anthony Firkser: Firkser was expected to carve out an expanded role after Jonnu Smith‘s departure, but he retained the same role as last year in this preseason game. Tommy Hudson was the tight end in 11 personnel on early downs tonight, and Luke Stocker played in 21 personnel. Firkser’s numbers won’t look much different from last season if he doesn’t play early downs in 11 personnel.
Don’t Draft Josh Reynolds or Dez Fitzpatrick: Reynolds played behind three other wide receivers tonight, placing him sixth on the depth chart. Fitzpatrick didn’t play a single snap in the first half. There is a chance neither player makes the roster if they don’t work their way up the depth chart.
Don’t Draft Javian Hawkins in Dynasty: The Falcons didn’t play their top three running backs tonight, and Hawkins still didn’t start. An undrafted running back who sits fifth on the depth chart isn’t worth it.
Spend a pick on a healthy Darrynton Evans in deep leagues: Evans was favored over Jeremy McNichols as the clear second running back for the Titans tonight. He suffered a knee injury that took him out of the game, but if he’s healthy, he’s the handcuff for Derrick Henry.
Washington Football Team at New England Patriots
- RB Antonio Gibson, 5 carries for 15 yards, 2 rec. for 25 rec. yards (2.8 yards per route run)
- QB Mac Jones, 13-for-17, 87 yards (81.3% adjusted completion percentage)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Don’t overreact to Antonio Gibson’s box score: Gibson was the focal point of Washington’s offense on early downs — he either ran the ball or was targeted on eight of his 11 snaps. Unfortunately, he remained on the sidelines for all four third-down opportunities with the first-team offense and lost out on a short-yardage chance. Gibson is still a very strong second-round pick, but there is no sign Washington will expand his role just yet.
Buy the Damien Harris hype: The biggest problem Patriots backs have had in recent seasons is the team’s three- or four-man rotation, but Harris’ ADP has been rising because that rotation might be coming to an end. He only had to share the backfield with James White in clear passing situations tonight. Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t play in the first half.
Don’t Draft Adam Humphries or Kendrick Bourne: Both wide receivers only played in three-wide receiver sets tonight, even though Washington was missing Curtis Samuel and New England was missing Nelson Agholor. Neither receiver is expected to see enough playing time to ever be put in a fantasy starting lineup, even if there is an injury. Humphries and Bourne each caught one pass.
Draft Curtis Samuel: Samuel didn’t play tonight, but he should take on an every-down role once he’s healthy. Dyami Brown was his biggest competition, but he is currently sixth on the Washington depth chart. He only needs to take the job from Cam Sims, which he should be able to do.
Draft John Bates in Dynasty: The fourth-round rookie has already earned a spot as the second tight end in two-tight end sets. He could take over for Logan Thomas at some point in the future. He caught one 19-yard pass tonight.
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Quez Watkins, 2 targets, 1 rec., 79 yards, 1 TD (83 yards after the catch)
- RB Anthony McFarland Jr., 9 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD (3 combined first downs and touchdowns)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Time To Worry about Dallas Goedert: Goedert has been the consensus TE7 all offseason, given the trade rumors circling Zach Ertz. But Ertz not only played — he ended up playing more with the starters. Those snaps were only additional run blocks, but this will hurt Goedert’s playing time. If Ertz is still on the roster during the 2021 season, Goedert probably won’t finish as a top-10 fantasy tight end.
Take a late-round flier on Anthony McFarland Jr.: McFarland took a few snaps with the starters after missing out in the Hall of Fame Game. He might not see much playing time in the regular season when everyone is healthy, but he could be the primary runner if Najee Harris were to get injured.
Buy Pat Freiermuth in Dynasty: Freiermuth didn’t play in the Hall of Fame Game, but he has worked his way to being the No. 2 tight end in two-tight end sets. He took 25% of the snaps in 11 personnel and could take more away from Eric Ebron as the season goes on. This should also be cause for concern for Ebron this season.
Take Kenneth Gainwell off your late-round draft pick list: The Eagles didn’t have Miles Sanders tonight, but that still wasn’t enough for Gainwell to see snaps with the starters. Jordan Howard and Boston Scott split playing time; the fifth-round rookie started playing when the second team came in, but the Eagles focused on the passing game rather than allowing Gainwell to run.
Take Greg Ward off your late-round draft pick list: Ward had been the Eagles’ slot receiver, but Quez Watkins appears to have passed Ward on the depth chart. Jalen Reagor also played more first-team snaps in the slot, even though reports indicated Reagor would take over that role. Once DeVonta Smith is healthy, Ward will be fifth on the depth chart.