Key takeaways and fantasy football analysis from Week 3 of the NFL preseason.
Consensus ADP source: FantasyPros.
Saturday games
Colts' RB2
Rookie Seth McGowan started over DJ Giddens, signaling that McGowan is the Jonathan Taylor backup that fantasy managers should roster. He's being picked as the 77th running back in drafts, so anyone who takes Taylor in the first round can wait until the last round to secure an important handcuff.
Bad news for Downs
Keenan Allen's arrival in Indianapolis wasn't great news for Josh Downs' season-long outlook, and Allen's role in the Colts' latest contest definitely hurt Downs even more. Both typically play as slot receivers, but Allen was lining up out wide Saturday, suggesting that's likely to be his spot once the season starts. If Allen and Alec Pierce are playing most of the two-receiver sets, then Downs' snaps will take a hit.
It's tough to trust any Colts receiver at the moment: Pierce is still returning from injury, Allen just signed with the team, and Downs doesn't appear set to take on the larger role that many expected. The solution in Indy might be Tyler Warren, who will likely never leave the field and could lead the Colts in targets.
A backup to watch
Jacob Saylors had a huge game for the Lions, recording 17 carries for 100 yards and catching two passes for 12 yards. He averaged just over 6 yards per carry during the preseason and may have moved up Detroit's depth chart. Isiah Pacheco, who was signed in the offseason to be Jahmyr Gibbs' backup, is dealing with a back injury and didn't take a preseason snap.
Another Bears playmaker?
Zavion Thomas made his preseason debut after dealing with a knee injury and dominated in his first outing as a Bear. The third-round rookie - who ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the combine - caught five passes for 140 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown that showed off his blazing speed. With Chicago rostering a plethora of options for Caleb Williams, Thomas might need an injury to become fantasy-relevant. Still, head coach Ben Johnson knows how to get the ball to his best, most explosive players.
Friday games
Tua's final audition
Tua Tagovailoa made his final audition for the Falcons' starting job by going 7-for-8 for 95 yards, though he lost a fumble. Playing a conservative game, he averaged only 3.38 air yards with no attempts over 6 air yards, according to Warren Sharp. Kyle Pitts contributed significantly, picking up a huge chunk of yardage after the catch to help make Tagovailoa's numbers look respectable.
If the Falcons elect to go with Tagovailoa to start the year, that's good news for Pitts and Bijan Robinson, who operate in short-yardage areas where Tagovailoa likes to throw. Contrastingly, Drake London's projections would take a small hit. However, London's stock will go up if Michael Penix Jr. is ready to go, as the third-year quarterback is much more willing to air it out.
Bell's debut
Dolphins' rookie receiver Chris Bell made his preseason debut Friday, marking his first appearance since tearing his ACL in December. Although Miami drafted the Louisville product in the third round, it may not have expected him to return this early. Bell earned five targets on his 11 routes run and caught two passes for 22 yards. Receiving volume will be low for the Dolphins this year, but Bell is a name to keep in mind at the end of drafts. He should definitely be on people's radars for dynasty formats.
Loop's losing it
This may be the only kicker update you'll get this preseason, but it's worth noting that Tyler Loop is struggling. He missed a season-deciding kick in Week 18 last season and is now 5-for-8 in the preseason, missing two field-goal attempts Friday. Since the Ravens kicker is a valuable position fantasy-wise, keep an eye on the situation. If Loop is cut, another kicker will be worth picking up on the waiver wire.
Giants' crowded backfield
Tyrone Tracy Jr. started the game, but the keys were quickly turned over to Najee Harris after Tracy exited with a neck injury. Tracy became a cut candidate after Harris signed, but he was running very well before the injury. He logged 37 yards and a touchdown on nine carries Friday and later returned to the sideline, suggesting the injury isn't overly serious.
Meanwhile, Harris played well in his Giants debut. The 28-year-old handled 11 carries for 39 yards and added 20 yards through the air. New York has a bunch of capable backs, with Cam Skattebo the favorite to lead in touches. But crowded backfields often lead to frustrating situations for fantasy, and Skattebo is being taken at the spot in drafts where selecting wide receivers is far more optimal.
Slayton on the outs
Darius Slayton has been a Giant his entire seven-year career, but his time in New York may be coming to an end. Slayton was still on the field during the second quarter, while Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields, and Darnell Mooney stayed on the sidelines in street clothes. Fields is trending toward taking the Giants' WR2 role, and Slayton has a legitimate chance to be either traded or cut before the season begins. Fields is being picked as WR89 in drafts and could be worth a flier in deeper leagues.
Sour Lemon
Makai Lemon's highly anticipated Eagles debut left a lot to be desired. Sidelined for most of training camp due to an injured hamstring, the 20th overall pick caught only three passes for three yards on five targets and dropped a pass that led to an interception.
Reading too much into one outing can be a mistake, but expectations should be lowered slightly for Lemon's first few games. Training camp is crucial for a rookie's development, and now he'll have to play catch-up during the season and build rapport with Jalen Hurts during meaningful games.
Tucker's job at risk
Sean Tucker re-signed with the Buccaneers during the offseason after a solid 2025 campaign, including one week as the top-scoring running back. However, playing Friday night while the rest of Tampa Bay's starters sat out isn't a great sign. He's now rumored to be a cut candidate, with Bucky Irving appearing completely healthy and Kenneth Gainwell owning the passing-down role. Tucker was considered a sneaky sleeper, but his 2026 outlook appears grim.
Thursday games
Bernard worth drafting
The Bills didn't play anyone of note, but the Steelers let Germie Bernard get a little action. The second-round rookie took his only reception to the house on a 13-yard catch-and-run. Bernard, who also had four grabs for 51 yards in his preseason debut, should operate as Pittsburgh's third wide receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., neither of whom played in preseason.
Even if Roman Wilson, who didn't play Thursday night, is ahead on the depth chart, Bernard should still be drafted in deeper formats because of his unknown upside. The Alabama product is being drafted as WR87, which is basically free.
Washington's stock continues to rise
With Ashton Jeanty nursing an ankle injury, all eyes were on rookie Mike Washington Jr., who showed out for a third straight preseason game. Washington handled eight carries for 49 yards (6.1-yard average) and also received a target out of the backfield. He finished his preseason averaging 7.3 yards per carry, making it hard for the Raiders to completely remove him from the game plan, even if Jeanty is healthy for Week 1.
Washington's ADP has skyrocketed to RB42 and will continue to climb after Thursday's outing. He's a must-draft for anyone with Jeanty on their roster and is worth a gamble in the 11th round given Jeanty's uncertain return date.
CMC's backup
Kaelon Black started again for the 49ers, cementing his status as Christian McCaffrey's backup. Hopefully, Black won't become a fantasy player to rely on this season, but McCaffrey is now 30 years old and had 450 touches last year, including the playoffs. Black will be one of the most important handcuff stashes this season.
Herbert ➡️ QJ
The Chargers briefly played their starters in their meeting with the Rams, and Justin Herbert put on a display during his limited work. He connected with Quentin Johnston on a beautifully thrown 65-yard touchdown pass - a play that'll certainly get Los Angeles offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel giddy about his new weapons.
The hype around the Chargers is through the roof with McDaniel in town. Omarion Hampton is being picked in the second round, Ladd McConkey in the fourth, Herbert in the seventh, and Johnston in the 10th. Those ADPs may all look like bargains if the offense is as explosive as some believe.
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