10 fantasy takeaways from preseason Week 1

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason is in the books and a lot of relevant data for fantasy has already been laid out. With most fantasy drafts quickly approaching, the current landscape of the league is an important tool for managers to assess, even if it is just the preseason.

As always, the preseason can be a tricky field. Not every team played their starters in Week 1 and those who did mostly saw the field for just one drive. Regardless, it is still worth noting which players have the upper hand at this point in the offseason and which stood out in the opening act.

Not even the most hardcore fans and fantasy managers can watch every game of the preseason. Most are not even nationally broadcast and by the second half, it can quickly turn into a tough drag. For those who chose to spend their time elsewhere, we broke down all the information from each game from the opening weekend and narrowed it down to 10 key points.

Whether it was a notable injury or a few select performances worth noting, here are the 10 biggest fantasy takeaways from the first slate of games in the 2024 preseason.

Marquise Brown's injury

Brown's injury was perhaps the most notable occurrence from the opening preseason slate. In his sixth season, Brown was expected to be a key part of the Kansas City offense alongside emerging star Rashee Rice and rookie Xavier Worthy. Next to Rice and Worthy, Brown was projected to be the third starting wideout for Patrick Mahomes in 2024. After dislocating his shoulder, 'Hollywood' was immediately taken to the hospital after the game and is already confirmed to miss extended time.

He may not have been an elite fantasy option in 2024 but Brown does have one 1,000-yard season to his name and was a player looked at to provide stability to a receiving corps that has been lackluster for the last two years. If nothing else, his profile as a deep threat brought an element to the Chiefs offense that had been non-existent since Tyreek Hill's departure.

Without Brown, Worthy should become an immediate threat and rostered on all 12-league teams. As the fastest receiver of his draft class, he was already on the dynasty league radar but has a chance to make an immediate impact in 2024.

Look out for Zamir White

Josh Jacobs led the league in rushing yards in 2022 but after another inefficient year last season, the Raiders were almost excited to let him walk. In his place, White is expected to take on a full workload and is one of the leading breakout candidates in 2024. All of his expectations were only confirmed after he played nearly every snap with the starting unit against Minnesota and received six carries, including a goal-line touchdown.

As Jacobs' backup in 2022 and 2023, White has totaled just 521 career rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry. That does not exactly scream fantasy superstar but during the final three games of the 2023 season, White averaged 109 rushing yards per outing while receiving over 20 attempts in each.

Pittsburgh needs Russell Wilson

Wilson is listed as the starter on the depth chart but there was training camp buzz that Justin Fields could surpass him with a strong preseason. That will not happen. It was only preseason but all of the issues that plagued Fields in Chicago were prominent in his limited snaps against Houston, if not worse.

On paper, Fields' preseason debut was not bad, as he completed five of his six passes for 67 yards. Don't let that fool you. Beyond the empty passing numbers almost purely from check-downs, Fields was sacked twice for 15 yards as he still struggles with his pocket presence and decision-making. He completed one pass to George Pickens on the sideline but for the sake of the dynamic receiver, he needs Wilson more than anybody.

This is a situation concerning all Pittsburgh skill position players, but Pickens more than the rest. Fields is not the answer and he never will be. Even if Wilson is 50 percent of the player he was in Seattle, that is still an upgrade from the alternative.

Joe Milton may be ahead of Drake Maye

Milton was the highest-graded PFF rookie quarterback of the first week in the preseason, above Caleb Williams and JJ McCarthy, both of whom also impressed in their performances. As Jerod Mayo promised, all four New England quarterbacks took the field but it was Milton who did the most with his opportunity.

Maye was only in for one drive and did not get his opportunity to shine but Milton was phenomenal in the two drives he led. His highlight was a 38-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter but he was impressive all-around with 54 total passing yards and an additional 22 rushing yards. Early on, it certainly looks like the Patriots' sixth-round rookie is ahead of their No. 3 overall pick.

Tony Pollard is not the clear-cut RB1 in Tennessee

It may be time for people to realize that Pollard does not have the ability to be a bellcow in the NFL. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as it can actually be the best for his fantasy value as he had his best season in 2022 as the change-of-pace back to Ezekiel Elliott. He was given his chance to lead the backfield in 2023 and largely disappointed but was still given a decently-sized contract by Tennessee in the offseason.

If the first preseason game is any indication, Brian Callahan was serious when he said he thinks Pollard and Tyjae Spears are equals. The two practically split the starter snaps 50-50 with Pollard getting six touches to Spears' four. For at least the beginning of the year, expect this backfield to be an even timeshare and Callahan to use a hot-hand approach until one separates himself from the other.

JJ McCarthy will start sooner than expected

It is hard to get too excited from one preseason game but no rookie quarterback looked better than McCarthy did against Las Vegas. As the second quarterback to see the field for Minnesota, McCarthy threw an interception on his first drive but was practically flawless for the remainder of the game, ending with 188 passing yards and two touchdowns.

The numbers never tell the full story in the preseason, but McCarthy showed elite poise and accuracy in the pocket while demonstrating his above-average scrambling ability against blitzes. Interception aside, there was not a lot more Vikings fans could have asked for and it is hard to imagine a player of his caliber sitting behind Sam Darnold for very long.

Even in re-draft leagues, McCarthy is more than worth a look as a late-round flier for managers who secure themselves an elite quarterback early.

Braelon Allen is NFL-ready

The 2024 running back class was not one of the most exciting in recent history, with most of the prospects being long-term projects. At just 20 years old, Allen is a player who fits into that category with scouts having concerns of his below-average athleticism despite his size and frame. During his unofficial NFL debut, Allen put most of those concerns to bed with 54 rushing yards on just six carries and multiple explosive runs showing off his strength and agility.

With Breece Hall entering what most expect to be his first fully healthy season, Allen is not an immediate threat to become the starter in New York. But at his age, sitting for a season or two behind Hall will only be beneficial to his long-term career. Allen needs to be added in all dynasty leagues and is already an elite handcuff should anything happen to Hall, who already has one major injury in his career.

Brian Robinson Jr. is the early-down back in Washington

Austin Ekeler signed with Washington in the offseason and was immediately listed by the team as their RB1 despite his obvious athletic decline at 29 years old. But through the first preseason game, Ekeler split the starter snaps with Robinson with the latter receiving most of the touches.

From what the team has shown so far, Robinson has the early step as the lead back with Ekeler slotting in as the third-down and change-of-pace option. Expect Ekeler to have an increased version of the role Antonio Gibson had in 2023 with Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a distant third on the depth chart.

AJ Dillon is entirely out of the fantasy realm

After posting 803 rushing yards in his second season, there was hope that Dillon would form some semblance of a fantasy running back but as he enters his fifth season, those thoughts are long gone. Although Aaron Jones is no longer on the team, Green Bay replaced one veteran with another and signed Josh Jacobs to be the lead back of the team. Dillon is currently listed as the backup but only due to a hamstring injury rookie Marshawn Lloyd suffered in the Packers' preseason opener. Before the injury, Dillon was third on the depth chart.

With Jacobs playing just one drive in Green Bay's preseason game against Cleveland, Dillon received a slightly extended run due to Lloyd's injury. He was not impressive. Instead, he gained just two yards on his four carries, a measly effort for someone fit to be the short-yardage and goal-line back. At this point, Dillon is closer to getting cut than he is to being worth a look in fantasy.

Buy the hype on Brian Thomas Jr.

Not only did Thomas start at wideout opposite of Gabe Davis but he used his time effectively, making a 41-yard contested catch along the sideline from CJ Beathard. He had just the one catch but was on the field for almost every snap with the starters while projected WR1 Christian Kirk played out of the slot. The team is fully behind Thomas and fantasy managers need to be onboard.

With his speed, Thomas brings an element to the Jacksonville offense that Calvin Ridley was supposed to provide in 2023. Kirk will likely maintain his role as the high-volume target for Trevor Lawrence with Evan Engram getting most of the short-yardage work but Thomas will be more than just a deep threat. He could easily be the piece Lawrence has been missing in his career.