PHOTO USA Today Sports Image OK, still not sure why anyone would pay to witness it live, but…
Here’s your first prediction for the 2024 NFL season: Exhibition games will mean something.
Seriously, they will. At least from a fantasy perspective.
Among the hundreds of hopefuls today, who are already gone, NFL teams need to get serious this summer: Kickoffs.
The new rule will result in kickoff-return touchdowns this season. Real, scripted touchdowns. And as a result, drafting defensive/special teams in fantasy takes on new meaning.
We have no idea which team will take the most advantage of this new form of entertainment, which will be ashamed to try, and which will continue to treat kickoffs as a waste of time.
But soon we will.
That’s because teams need to practice this new gimmick as much as possible, causing kickoffs, all of them, to jump to the head of the line on the short list of Biggest Reasons to Watch Preseason Games.
Fantasy owners looking for the edge are encouraged to set. Determine which team is most likely to lead the league in kickoff-return TD rankings right up there with the most important training-camp questions whose answers can win and lose fantasy titles.
Here are nine more:
What about the disgruntled wide receivers?
Would you risk the second pick in a fantasy draft on CeeDee Lamb? A second round in Brandon Aiyuk? Last year, fantasy owners let Jonathan Taylor, creating a similar threat but at a different position, slip into the middle. Big mistake. At the end of the season, he rushed for 188 yards at Fantasy Championship Weekend. Advice: Don’t cross Lamb and Aiyuk off your draft list.
Who is Cam Jurgens?
How much will the Eagles miss Jason Kelce? Is the all-pro center the reason no team tush-pushed more last year, vaulting Jalen Hurts up the fantasy rankings? Or can Jurgens come in and be the replacement spark plug that keeps the engine purring? On fourth and 1 in the Eagles’ preseason opener, judge for yourself.
Does Caleb Williams look ready?
25 Apr 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams poses with his jersey after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the first round during the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Today’s Fantasy quarterbacks tend to be middle game managers, chosen to complement an All-Star collection of wideouts and flexible options.
Jordan Love, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff and CJ Stroud were all cheap and excelled in this role last year. The highly skilled Williams could be that guy this season … if new coordinator Shane Waldron lets him be the next Russell Wilson.
Is Aaron Rodgers healthy?
24 Nov 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), on injured reserve, pregame against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports Before the first commercial break of the 2023 season, the Jets went from a fun offense to a punting machine. It can happen again if Rodgers joins a long streak of 40-somethings that he never had after the Achilles blow-out.
Fantasy prospects Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are riding high on the Jets’ ability to keep Tyrod Taylor off the field.
What’s the eye test about Derrick Henry and Ezekiel Elliott?
Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry are both still in the NFL, but does that mean you should draft them? Source: AP Rest assured, the Ravens and Cowboys will have productive running games. They always do. The question is: Will he be a fantasy? If Henry and Elliott can turn back the clock to their horse-like days, they’ll be an asset to any fantasy lineup.
Any clues as to what happened with the Dolphins and Chargers?
This violation is not common, except for the uncertainty in the retreat. That shouldn’t be confused with the lack of fantasy promise at the position. If he can stay healthy, DeVon Achane could be a Fantasy MVP candidate on the Dolphins track team. And on the other coast, you know Jim Harbaugh is going to hit the rocks. But will he commit to Kimani Vidal from Day 1?
Can Jonathan Brooks be Bijan Robinson this year?
June 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) is shown on the field during Falcons OTAs at the Falcons Practice facility. Mandatory credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports The answer was yes when University of Texas fans asked that question a year ago.
That same green light this fall could make him a fantasy difference maker in the middle rounds. Don’t look now, but the Panthers actually have some offensive weapons this year.
Could Keon Coleman be Keenan Allen this year?
18 Nov 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) celebrates a touchdown against the North Alabama Lions during the third quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports We should have anticipated greatness from Allen last season, whose quarterback is one of the best, Justin Herbert. Coleman was paired with the better, Josh Allen, on a team that lost its top two wide receivers from a year ago. Sending the first pass of the preseason way rookies can be a “buy” sign we should.
Is there a separation between Green Bay and Houston?
Starting with Love and Stroud, the Packers and Texans should be pure gold in the passing game this season. But fantasy favors quality over quantity. So let’s hope the preseason helps us understand: Who is the player in blue among Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell? Please!
