Key takeaways and fantasy football analysis from Week 1 of the NFL preseason.
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Friday games
📝 Dolphins-Commanders
Dolphins' weapons
Miami's first-team offense left a good impression on its only drive against Washington, which rested most of its starters. As expected, De'Von Achane was heavily featured in the game plan, turning his seven carries into 39 yards (5.6 per carry) and one touchdown. New starting quarterback Malik Willis was also sharp, completing 4 of 5 passes for 43 yards, including a big completion to Caleb Douglas, who came down with a spectacular one-handed grab. The third-round rookie has reportedly stood out at training camp and could start for the Dolphins in the regular season. Malik Washington was Willis' most targeted pass-catcher (three targets) on the opening drive.
Mariota banged up
It's hard to make much of the Commanders' preseason opener; they didn't play most of their starters on both sides of the ball. However, the team's QB situation is already worth monitoring after Marcus Mariota left Friday's exhibition with an apparent noncontact knee injury. Mariota started eight games in 2025 while replacing an injured Jayden Daniels. Washington's offense can't afford another long-term injury to Daniels, especially if Mariota misses regular-season time.
📝 Broncos-Falcons
Sutton in midseason form
Courtland Sutton turned heads in the first quarter, making two big plays - including an incredible one-handed reception - to show that he can remain a strong option in Denver despite the arrival of Jaylen Waddle. The offseason acquisition was one of several notable Broncos starters who didn't play Friday, along with quarterback Bo Nix. Regardless, Sutton's 60 yards on three receptions against Atlanta showed that he still has something left in the tank ahead of his age-31 season.
Tua lays an egg
Kevin Stefanski has yet to officially announce who will start at quarterback for Atlanta in Week 1. It's expected to be Tua Tagovailoa, who started Friday against Denver, as Michael Penix Jr. continues his recovery from an ACL injury. Tagovailoa went only 3-for-5 with 22 yards on two series in his Falcons preseason debut. He also fumbled a snap and wasn't well protected against the Broncos' stout defensive unit.
Tagovailoa did target Kyle Pitts on four of his five attempts, providing another promising sign for fantasy football managers who plan to draft the tight end. He signed a three-year, $53-million extension in June.
Drake London and ... Jahan Dotson
Dotson didn't catch any passes on two drives with the first-team offense Friday, but the fact that he played every snap with the starters all but confirms the reports from training camp that he's the WR2 opposite London. Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie Zachariah Branch remain behind him on the depth chart.
📝 Buccaneers-Jets
Braelon Allen, RB2
There was a competition between Allen and Isaiah Davis for the Jets' backup running back role, with the latter reportedly emerging as the early favorite. However, with Davis now sidelined for multiple weeks due to a knee injury, Allen served as New York's clear RB2 versus Tampa Bay, and he didn't disappoint. The 22-year-old had four carries for 44 yards and one touchdown, which came on a 31-yard run.
Meanwhile, the Jets' plan to feature Breece Hall more prominently as their lead back was on display. The 1,000-yard rusher played 10 of 11 snaps on New York's opening drive.
The Garrett Wilson Show
Wilson once again proved that he'll continue to put up numbers and make plays regardless of who's throwing him the ball. The stud receiver, who missed most of the 2025 season due to injury, put on a show Friday, starting with a jaw-dropping one-handed catch pregame. He finished with 32 yards on just two receptions during a brief preseason appearance with rookie Cade Klubnik at quarterback. Geno Smith didn't start for the Jets due to a minor foot issue.
Wilson and Adonai Mitchell led N.Y. in snaps at wide receiver on the first drive, taking part in all 11 plays. Isaiah Williams appeared in seven of those, confirming the camp standout's status as the team's new WR3 over first-round rookie Omar Cooper Jr.
Thursday games
📝 Packers-Steelers
Sorting through Packers' WR rotation
Matthew Golden was on the field for every snap of Green Bay's nine-play opening drive, and Christian Watson sat out only one. Jayden Reed played seven, though all of them came in three-wide-receiver sets.
The Packers have heavily rotated their wideouts in years past, but that doesn't seem to be the case this year. Golden will be fantasy relevant if he leads the wide receiver room in snaps.
MarShawn Lloyd
Lloyd started and played the first 15 snaps with the Packers' top unit - a clear indication he's carved out the role as Josh Jacobs' backup. Lloyd's responsibilities would drastically increase if Jacobs can't play due to a potential suspension or injury, making him an intriguing option at his current average draft position (ADP) of 215.
Germie Bernard
In his Steelers debut, the rookie wideout tallied 51 receiving yards on four catches, including one that featured a mean run up the sideline and several broken tackles. On another play, he nearly scored a touchdown but was pushed out of the back of the end zone. Bernard will ultimately need to earn Aaron Rodgers' trust, but the second-round pick was impressive in his first outing.
📝 Lions-Bengals
Who is Lions' RB2?
With Isiah Pacheco sidelined with an MCL injury, Jacob Saylors started for the Lions and ran well. The second-year back had eight carries for 55 yards, including one 27-yard burst, and added another 28 yards through the air. Saylors is simply a name to watch at this point, but his value will grow as Jahmyr Gibbs' potential backup if Pacheco can't get healthy.
Bengals' starters move as expected
Joe Burrow started the game and took seven of his 12 snaps under center. The Bengals have made it known they plan to use shotgun less this season, which should increase the effectiveness of play-action calls. Burrow was sacked in his second drop back of the game, raising the same offensive line concerns that have plagued Cincinnati for a few years. Overall, the offense looked solid, though, with Ja'Marr Chase snagging a 16-yard pass and Chase Brown contributing on the ground.
📝 Colts-Patriots
JT's new handcuff?
Neither team played their starters, but it was interesting to see seventh-round rookie Seth McGowan get the first rushing touches for the Colts. Jonathan Taylor's handcuff should be rostered in all leagues, and it appears McGowan is earning the role over DJ Giddens, who didn't play due to a hamstring injury.
📝 Chargers-Texans
Chargers' RB pecking order
This was another contest in which no starters played, but it should be noted that Keaton Mitchell was held out alongside the Chargers' first unit, while running back Kimani Vidal and tight end Oronde Gadsden played.
📝 Cardinals-Raiders
Could the Cardinals be ... fun?
Yes, it's preseason, but new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur's offense has scored 57 points in two games. If Jacoby Brissett can play all 17 games this season, Arizona may surprise from a fantasy perspective.
Rookie Jeremiyah Love racked up 73 total yards on a whopping 14 touches while showing flashes of the potential that made him the third overall pick. Marvin Harrison Jr. scored an early touchdown, and Michael Wilson caught both of his targets for 23 yards.
Wide receiver Jalen Brooks has been the Cardinals' preseason MVP so far, recording nine catches for 151 yards and a touchdown in two games. He's not relevant in fantasy right now, but if there's an injury to either Harrison or Wilson, the former seventh-round pick may be worth an add.
Mendoza gets off to quick start in debut
Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut. He looked poised for a rookie and made some nice throws through tight windows over the middle of the field. Mendoza may not win the starting job for Week 1, but his performance Thursday has to be encouraging for those willing to take Brock Bowers in the second round of drafts.
Raiders' rushers find room
Ashton Jeanty averaged 5.3 yards per attempt on three carries, one of which was a 10-yard scamper. Most encouraging was his ability to find running lanes - something the Raiders' offensive line couldn't provide last season. Jeanty had a league-worst 16.9% tackle-for-loss percentage a year ago, but the addition of center Tyler Linderbaum has already seemed to help.
Rookie Mike Washington relieved Jeanty early in the game and took six carries for 63 yards, the majority of which he gained on a 53-yard run. Washington appears to be the clear handcuff to Jeanty and would be a viable option if anything were to happen to the Boise State product.
📝 Titans-49ers
All aboard the Stribling hype train
It didn't take long for the De'Zhaun Stribling hype train to reach maximum velocity. The second-round rookie caught seven of eight targets for 63 yards in his 49ers debut. With Ricky Pearsall sidelined for the season, Stribling will take on an important role in Kyle Shanahan's offense. He's currently going as the 58th wide receiver off the board in fantasy drafts, but that will certainly change after Thursday's performance.
Ward struggles to begin 2026
Cam Ward completed only 5 of 12 passes against the 49ers' backups. Last year's first overall pick already wasn't likely to be fantasy relevant this season, but his initial showing in the preseason is concerning for the outlook of Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson.
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