FIVE Week 1 Preseason Takeaways

Kevin Coleman analyzes his top five takeaways from the most recent week of preseason!

This article will explore our favorite storylines from the preseason, offering insights and analysis to keep you informed. Here are our top five storylines for this week, capturing the developments and narratives shaping the landscape of the season ahead.

Remember to check out last week’s deep dive of every team!

Training Camp Takeaways From Every Team

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Jahan Dotson Role Change

• KTC RANK: WR56

• TDR RANK: WR46

• FANTASYPROS ECR: WR61

There is a new role for Dotson this season, which is in the slot. In the last two seasons, Dotson hasn’t played more than 39% of snaps out of the slot, but with Curtis Samuel in Buffalo, this offensive staff looks like they will be using Dotson in that role. Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense has been known to target receivers out of the slot, most notably Christian Kirk. Kirk had over 100 targets in two of the three seasons he played in Kingsbury’s offense, and the talented Dotson could now fill that role. The Commander's offense looks like it will emphasize pushing the ball downfield. While Terry McLaurin will be its primary benefactor, Dotson could be a great value add for fantasy managers in all formats.

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Jakobi Meyers/Jahan Dotson FOR 2025 2nd

• Jahan Dotson FOR MarShawn Lloyd

• Jahan Dotson FOR Tony Pollard

• Jahan Dotson FOR James Conner

• Jahan Dotson FOR DeAndre Hopkins/2025 4th

Brock Bowers’ Role Could Be Massive

• KTC RANK: TE4

• TDR RANK: TE5

• FANTASYPROS ECR: TE12

Bowers was used all over the field in their game against the Vikings. He played 11 snaps out of 14. He played six as a traditional tight end, two out wide, one in the slot, and two as a running back. As we have projected for months here at TDR, Michael Mayer will be utilized as more of a traditional inline tight end in 12 personnel, while Bowers will be used as a weapon in multiple alignments. It also looks like Mayer will be used more in run situations and running downs, while Bowers will be used more as a pass catcher in must-throw situations. There should be optimism that he’ll also be used as a receiver and that they will exploit as many matches as possible. With the Raiders running back room a question mark, don’t be surprised to see Bowers utilized as a running back in goal-line situations. He’s an underrated athlete and was used the same way at the University of Georgia. While he is appropriately valued in dynasty, Bowers could be a great draft pick in redraft leagues this year if you miss out on the top 5 tight ends in the league. He’s being valued as the TE12 according to Fantasypros ECR, which may be too low based on his usage in this Raiders offense. He will likely be the WR2 on the team behind just Davante Adams.

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Brock Bowers FOR George Kittle/2025 3rd

• Brock Bowers FOR Kyle Pitts

• Brock Bowers FOR Ricky Pearsall/2026 1st

• Brock Bowers FOR Justin Fields/Zamir White

• Brock Bowers FOR Ja’Tavion Sanders/2025 1st

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Role Change

• KTC RANK: WR25

• TDR RANK: WR24

• FANTASYPROS ECR: WR39

We have written a lot about Smith-Njigba’s potential outlook in 2024 and how he will transition to the new scheme in Seattle. There should be optimism based on the first preseason game of the season. The staff had him play all six of his snaps out of 12 personnel in the three drives he was on the field. That’s a positive sign, considering he had 456 snaps in the slot last year and 214 outside. Due to him playing mainly out of the slot, we saw the team target him mainly behind the line of scrimmage or from 0-9 yards. In fact, of his 90 targets last season, 66 were from behind the line of scrimmage or to just nine yards, which was a disservice to him and his deep-threat talent. On passes thrown 20 yards or longer, he caught six balls for 170 yards and was one of the most efficient receivers on the team. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has emphasized using Smith-Njigba in a different role all off-season, and this game could prove that will happen. If it does, it should boost his Fantasy production in 2024, and we could see him supplant Tyler Lockett’s role as WR2 on the team.

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR Quentin Johnston/2025 1st

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR 2025 2nd

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR Mike Evans

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba/Jaylin Hyatt FOR Tee Higgins

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR Jordan Addison

Cedrick Wilson Jr. Will Be The Saints WR3

• KTC RANK: WR159

• TDR RANK: WR170

• FANTASYPROS ECR: WR134

Wilson has been a player getting positive reviews from the Saints' camp all preseason. He joined the Saints from the Miami Dolphins, appearing in 15 games with 22 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns in 2023. He’s a veteran and a player that the coaching staff has quickly turned to because of the experience he adds to the wide receiver room. He is battling A.T. Perry for the WR3 job in the offense, who was thought to be the favorite, but in their first preseason game, Wilson played every snap with the starting unit. If he can secure the WR3 job, he’ll be fantasy-relevant this season, especially with Rashid Shaheed dealing with injuries so far in camp. Wilson has proven reliable in his career, and when he was with the Cowboys before joining the Dolphins, he showed he could be a target earner in an offense.

Bucky Irving Is Pushing For RB2

• KTC RANK: RB50

• TDR RANK: RB45

• FANTASYPROS ECR: RB57

Another player looking to move up the depth chart is Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving. The former Oregon Duck running back is in a position to make an instant impact in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. The rookie is taking second-team reps at Bucs training camp, with veteran Chase Edmonds out with injury. He has taken advantage of Edmonds's absence, and in their first game, he had eleven snaps and ran seven routes, showcasing his pass-catching upside from the position. During his last season at Oregon, Irving forced 69 missed tackles and had 18 runs of 15 yards or more. His agility and speed have already impressed Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen in training camp. At this point in the preseason, you are looking for running backs who have a chance to work their way into the RB2 role on offense. At this point, Irving has done that. 

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Bucky Irving FOR Ezekiel Elliott

• Bucky Irving FOR Eric Gray

• Bucky Irving FOR Quentin Johnston

• Bucky Irving FOR Najee Harris

• Bucky Irving FOR Tyrone Tracy

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