Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs were the Texans’ two WRs in – you guessed it – their 2-WR sets. Tank Dell was on the field for 3-WR sets, but it was Diggs who was in the slot for 75% of those first-team plays. Houston ran 3-WR sets 60% of the time last year, but we’d have to assume that goes up this year.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler both rotated in with the first team, and Ekeler isn’t just playing a receiving role; Ekeler even shared work with Robinson near the goal line. It’ll be tough to trust either back if we continue to see a relatively even split in snaps.
Jahan Dotson looks like Washington’s new slot receiver. WRs who ran out of the slot in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense in Arizona have been shown to be extremely productive… and when the Commanders were in 2-WR sets, he shifted to the outside. He’s a must-draft at his price.
Not only does Cole Kmet have to fight off three top-tier WRs, but it’s looking like he’ll have to share work with Gerald Everett, too. There were plenty of 2-TE sets, but neither had near-full route participation with starters. Another reason not to draft Kmet this season.
New Bears OC Shane Waldron’s usage of 12-personnel – despite having three capable receivers – looked very similar to what he did with the Seahawks last year, and it was Rome Odunze as the odd-man out in Week 1. Keenan Allen ran a route on 100% of Caleb Williams’ dropbacks this weekend, while Odunze was at 50%.
Despite not running a near-full route participation and splitting routes run with Michael Mayer, Brock Bowers lined up as an inline TE, in the slot, and out wide with the first team. It looks like they’re putting a lot on the rookie in his first year, and it could pay off for fantasy.
There wasn’t much of a split in the Raiders backfield, as Zamir White seems to be the guy. Alexander Mattison played behind him, but he didn’t get a touch with the first team.
Marshawn Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury, which seems to be a re-aggravation of a previous hamstring injury. Not great, and it doesn’t give him enough of a chance to be the clear RB2 in Green Bay… at least early in the season.
Keon Coleman was the only Bills WR to run a route on every Josh Allen dropback, but it was only a sample size of 5. Either way, this is a good sign that he will be a starter or close to it in Week 1. He was not targeted, but Shakir, Samuel, and Kincaid all had one. Dalton Kincaid ran a route on 4 of 5 Allen dropbacks.
RBs who seemingly solidified an RB2 role:
Tyrone Tracy
Bucky Irving
Braelon Allen
Dameon Pierce
Hollywood Brown suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation and could miss a week or two early in the season. We shouldn’t be worried about any lingering effects once he’s back. It’s worth noting that he got hurt after he caught Mahomes’ first throw. By the way, Xavier Worthy is already playing with the starters.
The Titans backfield was nothing short of a crapshoot, with both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears rotating without establishing themselves in any specific role. Pollard did start the game, though, and received 6 opportunities to Spears’ 4 with the first team.
Despite the Chargers resting Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston still couldn’t get a snap with the starters. Not great.
Javonte Williams was the clear lead back for the Broncos, getting 6 opportunities on 75% of snaps out of 12 total snaps for the first-team offense. Draft Javonte Williams at his ridiculously low ADP. Top-12 upside.
Vikings' offense looked sharp with both Sam Darnold running the first team and JJ McCarthy coming in afterward. I might not be so worried about Justin Jefferson, after all.
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