Football is finally here! The NFL wrapped up the first week of preseason games over the weekend. All eyes were on the rookie QB’s and how they would fare. For the most part, all five of the first-round rookie quarterbacks looked solid in their debuts. They certainly have a chance to be a special quarterback class. It’s essential to take the preseason with a grain of salt, but we also have to monitor situations closely, especially for fantasy football purposes.
Let’s take a look a few players who impressed in their debuts whose stock saw an uptick.
Stock Up
Mac Jones QB New England Patriots
Mac Jones arrived as advertised. Jones completed 13 of 19 passes for 87 yards on Thursday night against the Washington Football Team. He took what was given to him. Most importantly he looked poised. The moment wasn’t too bright for Jones.
Jones illustrated a lot of what we saw at Alabama in his first preseason game: Accuracy, Pocket awareness, and the ability to deliver the ball out quickly.
Cam Newton looked ok. Bill Belichick isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions. Mac Jones will be the starter in New England sooner rather than later.
In terms of fantasy football production, Mac Jones likely doesn’t have the highest ceiling, especially this year. Still, he’s a name to monitor late in SuperFlex leagues if he takes over as QB1 for the Patriots.
Marquez Callaway WR New Orleans Saints
Marquez Callaway didn’t waste much time on Saturday, collecting three receptions for 61 yards in the Saints first drive of the game.
Marquez Callaway had 3 receptions for 61 yards on the @Saints first drive. He’s going to be a weapon this season on offense. pic.twitter.com/AhBsnDgqTQ
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) August 14, 2021
Opportunity knocks for the second-year receiver from the University of Tennessee. The Saints are pretty bare for weapons following the injury to star wide receiver, Michael Thomas. Barring any late preseason additions to the wide receiver room in New Orleans, Callaway is set up to make an impact for the Saints this year.
Callaway is currently going off at 223.3 overall according to Sleeper SuperFlex redraft ADP data. There’s a solid chance he provides tremendous value at such a low cost.
Drew Lock QB Denver Broncos
Drew Lock got the starting nod as QB1 for the Broncos on Saturday. He delivered. Lock completed 5 of 7 for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He showed off that arm talent in a missile to KJ Hamler early in the first quarter.
Drew Lock is GUNNING for QB1 🚀pic.twitter.com/mV0BeHXXG8
— PFF (@PFF) August 14, 2021
Lock has looked solid all training camp according to reports. The Broncos seem willing to give him the early edge in the quarterback battle with Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater is a steady veteran, but Drew Lock is the player with the higher upside. The Broncos are loaded with talent at the skill positions, if Drew Lock can manage the mistakes he has a chance to be a real fantasy surprise this year. Still, a long way to go but Drew Lock has the upper hand for the starting job in Denver.
Lock is being drafted around 181.3 overall in SuperFlex leagues right now according to Sleeper. A full ten spots plus behind his counterpart Teddy Bridgewater.
Javonte Williams RB Denver Broncos
Let’s stay with the Denver Broncos for this next stock up player as well. Javonte Williams looked quite comfortable in an NFL uniform in his debut performance. Williams first two carries resulted in first downs on gains of 11 and 13 yards. He exhibited quickly that power running style that made him a top-35 pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Broncos motion to 12 personnel. Javonte Williams with an 11-yard rush on his first NFL carry. pic.twitter.com/WDJPo6yrOE
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) August 14, 2021
Melvin Gordon didn’t play in this game and will nonetheless be a part of the Bronco’s plans this season, but there’s no denying the talent that is Javonte Williams. Williams also had an impressive touchdown run called back. The 21-year-old is built to carry a full workload, including on passing downs.
Williams is the most expensive of the bunch listed in this article. According to Sleeper’s fantasy football PPR ADP, he’s being drafted 63.7 overall. It’s a little risky for redraft purposes to spend that high of a draft pick on a player who may not start right away. Pause is warranted but the upside is immense. It won’t be long before he becomes a major fantasy factor.
Marvin Jones Jr. WR Jacksonville Jaguars
Everybody wants to talk up Laviska Shenault and DJ Chark this year, but it may just be the old trustworthy veteran Marvin Jones Jr. with the highest fantasy football upside. Marvin led the charge early for the Jaguars connecting on three passes for 52 yards from rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He highlighted his day with this nifty catch in traffic.
Trevor Lawrence gravitating towards Marvin Jones Jr early and often. https://t.co/4YM3hprLvJ
— Matthew Morris (@PeakFF9) August 14, 2021
Jones Jr. is not the flashiest at this point in his career, but he’s still a serviceable fantasy asset. In three of the last four seasons, he’s produced a top-30 or better season in fantasy football PPR formats. The Jaguars should be improved this year, but there will still be some growing pains to go along with a young team. I expect the Jaguars to still be in negative game scripts more often than not which will lead to plenty of opportunities for Marvin Jones Jr. and company down in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence and Jones Jr. seem to have solid chemistry building.
Marvin Jones Jr. Is the cheapest option of the three wide receivers on his team currently. His current redraft PPR ADP according to Sleeper is 161.9 overall. There’s a real possibility he easily outproduces his current ADP. Keep an eye out for him later on in your drafts this summer.
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