3 players to keep an eye on for fantasy during Week 1 of the 2024 preseason

The NFL preseason is not something football fans tend to get excited about but is always a valuable tool for fantasy managers. If nothing else, it is a reason to watch football again.

The season might not be officially back but the teams certainly are as general managers and coaches have just three weeks left to make roster decisions. Most fantasy-relevant players do not see the field during the first few weeks of the preseason making it difficult to believe anybody who does will be worth considering for fantasy drafts.

Obviously, the prized rookies are always a must-see during their unofficial debuts. Everyone wants to see Caleb Williams in a Bears jersey and Marvin Harrison Jr. catch his first pass as a Cardinal. But beyond that, there are always the hidden gems that get overlooked by most only to become a league winner in December. Think Puka Nacua, Phillip Lindsay and Brock Purdy.

So if you need a reason to watch the return of the NFL, keep your eyes on these three players to potentially make a big impact in fantasy during Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason.

Watch out for Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Without sugarcoating, there are few teams in the league entering 2024 with a worse backfield situation than the New York Giants. In the wake of Saquon Barkley's departure, Devin Singletary is not getting Giants fans very excited but there may be something with rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.

While on the older side for a running back prospect at 24, Tracy spent six years in college with Iowa and Purdue, leading to him falling to the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Yet aside from a 2018 season that saw him play just a handful of snaps, Tracy never averaged less than 4.7 yards per carry during any year in the Big 10.

As a late-round selection, Tracy was expected to fight for a roster spot throughout the preseason. Instead, a strong training camp has pushed him all the way up to No. 2 on the depth chart behind Singletary, leaping over second-year back Eric Gray. With New York resting their starters in its first preseason game against New England, Tracy is expected to be the RB1 on Aug. 8, giving him a chance to break through on the big stage. Keep an eye on him before the other managers in your league do.

Is Joe Milton III the next Brock Purdy?

New England spent the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft on Drake Maye but that has not meant anything so far in training camp. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is expected to open the year as the starter but from all early reports, Joe Milton has made a better first impression than Maye despite being selected in the sixth round.

Of course, this is all just training camp buzz and by Week 6 it could all be forgotten. Or there could be more to the story. On paper, Milton is the better professional prospect with a 6-foot-5 frame and a cannon for a right arm. His raw talent could never fully work itself out in college but as rumors have it, the high-upside shot New England took late in the draft is paying off.

It is still far too early to predict the outcome of this quarterback battle and even if Milton shows out in the preseason, everything could change once the real season gets going. Regardless, the Patriots' opening act against New York will be a great early indicator, especially with Jerod Mayo saying he plans to play all four quarterbacks on the roster.

Ja'Tavion Sanders could be the next big thing... literally

The Carolina offense has not been very exciting or worth monitoring in fantasy for several years. Particularly at tight end, they have not produced a fantasy-relevant player since Greg Olsen's last productive season in 2016. That drought could end in 2024 with fourth-round rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders.

At 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, Sanders measures up with the height and weight of the average NFL tight end but the numbers do not display his athleticism that put his name on the map. His underwhelming combine results turned some scouts away from the fact that he topped 600 yards in both of his seasons at Texas, leading to him falling in the draft.

For whatever concerns the team may have had about him entering training camp, Sanders' first impression passed the initial test with reporters immediately taking notice of his mobility and route running. He is still a raw talent, but tight ends are not supposed to move the way he does.

Sanders currently sits at third on the depth chart behind Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas, both of whom are listed as questionable with lingering injuries. injury issues aside, neither Tremble nor Thomas has ever impressed during their time in the league, putting Sanders in a fairly advantageous position early on. With a good preseason, he could easily become the starting tight end by Week 1.