This is The Forward Pass, a series that looks at recent NFL performances in a forward-looking manner for the purposes of daily fantasy sports. In this piece are a few random thoughts on the five preseason games of Friday, August 12th.
This is shorter than the typical “Freedman piece.” I have more to say about these games. I’m doing all of us a favor by withholding.
If you’re curious about the DFS implications of the preseason, check out the recent Daily Fantasy Sports Roundtable in which Rotoworld Senior Football Editor Evan Silva and FantasyLabs writer Adam Levitan join me to discuss the topic.
One final note: The analysis herein is serious. The delivery in many cases definitely isn’t. To see what I mean, read the introductory piece to the series. Or, you know, just read this piece.
Lions at Steelers
Detroit
With (presumed) lead back Ameer Abdullah out, change-of-pace receiving machine Theo Riddick ran with the first-team offense on its one series, which lasted 12 plays. Riddick got seven opportunities (four carries and three targets), all of which were on first and second down. For a guy who’s a ‘third-down specialist,’ that’s a lot of action. Riddick could be Danny Woodhead-esque this year in points-per-reception scoring.
Small-school big-bodied second-year stud-in-the-making Zach Zenner ran with the second team. Right now he’s ahead of Stevan Ridley (who didn’t touch the ball till the third quarter). ZZ’s total of 24 yards on seven carries isn’t impressive, but 1) it’s acceptable, 2) he still led the team in rush attempts and yards and secured all three of his targets, and 3) don’t ever let me hear you say anything bad about Zenner again.
At the age of 57, Anquan Boldin can still ball: One target from starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, one reception, 30 yards, one almost-borderline Hall-of-Fame career.
Pittsburgh
Second-year wide receiver Sammie Coates was targeted four times. He also received a carry. He turned those five opportunities into three receptions, 18 yards, and two fumbles, one of which was lost. But at least he’s good at running around without the ball in his hands, right? He kind of has to be.
Dolphins at Giants
Miami
In this game, there were two main differences between lead running back Jay Ajayi and the triumvirate of regret featuring Isaiah Pead, Daniel Thomas, and Damien Williams: 1) Ajayi played with the first team. 2) The other guys were much better.
Sixth-round rookie wide receiver Jakeem Grant returned two kicks for 53 yards and four punts for 60 yards. He turned his team-leading five targets into four receptions and 68 yards. He’s small, but he is blazingly fast and was productive and versatile at Texas Tech. He’s going to make the 53-man roster. He has tournament-winning upside.
New York
In the first series of the game, lead back Rashad Jennings rushed three times for 11 yards and a touchdown. Receiving back Shane Vereen rushed once for 19 yards and caught a pass for six yards. Get used to seeing them both on the field.
Third-year plodder Andre Williams was the clear No. 3 back, getting most of the first-half work after Jennings and Vereen left the game. He looked like himself: His first rush went for 16 yards. His second, -4. Man, I’ve really missed preseason football. I almost wish it could last all year.
Vikings at Bengals
Minnesota
Third-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed six of his seven pass attempts, targeting six different receivers and connecting with five of them for 92 yards and a touchdown. Even though (read: because?) workhorse back Adrian Peterson wasn’t on the field with him, Teddy looked good.
Not targeted by Teddy was first-round rookie wide receiver Laquon Treadwell — because anytime you have a 21-year-old stud SEC playmaker in whom you’ve heavily invested it makes a lot of sense to stick him with the second team and not target him till the penultimate play of the first half.
Cincinnati
It was a reasonably good day for the Tyler Boyd truthers.
Are we sure that A.J. McCarron isn’t as good as Andy Dalton?
Browns at Packers
Cleveland
Starting quarterback Robert Griffin III opened his first series by completing a 49-yard pass to quarterback-turned-starting wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. He ended the series by throwing a red-zone interception on a pass intended for tight end Gary Barnidge. It was classic RG3: All that was missing was the injury.
Green Bay
The Packers’ first drive of the game was 12 plays. Running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks had four carries each. For these two guys, 2016 looks a lot like 2015.
Tight ends Jared Cook and Richard Rodgers both saw snaps on the first drive. Danger, Will Robinson.
Raiders at Cardinals
Oakland
Something scary happened in this game: After starting running back Latavius Murray left, fullback Jamize Olawale saw the next three carries before being replaced by fifth-round rookie and assumed 2016 Zero RB star DeAndre Washington. Olawale was the team’s second-leading rusher last year. He was the only player other than Murray to score a touchdown rushing. Washington looked good in this game, with eight carries and one reception for 75 scrimmage yards — but it’s possible that Oakland’s backup fullback will limit his workload and ability to emerge as a reliable change-of-pace DFS option.
Second-year tight end Clive Walford saw one red-zone target. He converted it into a nineteen-yard touchdown. Last year, he converted his two targets inside the 10-yard line into touchdowns. If he can emerge as a true red-zone threat, he’ll have some tournament appeal this year.
Arizona
With 1,000-yard wide receiver John Brown out, second-year speedster J.J. Nelson ran with the starters. The first-team offense ran 10 plays. Two of them were passes to Nelson. One of them was on 3rd and goal. If Brown, Michael Floyd, or Larry Fitzgerald miss time this year, Nelson could break the Plus/Minus scale.
Conclusion
Cardinals quarterback Matt Barkley is wonderfully awful. He’s so bad that he actually gives me hope. If he can be in the NFL, anything is possible.
