2017 Fantasy Football: Preseason Fantasy Stock – Week 1




With preseason underway, there will be updates daily to this 2017 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock page. Games will be added as I watch them. Adjustments will be made on my 2017 Fantasy Football Rankings accordingly. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.



2017 Preseason Notes: Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Pages: Preseason Stock Week 4 | Preseason Stock Week 3 | Preseason Stock Week 2 | Preseason Stock Week 1 | Training Camp Stock



2017 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock – Week 1



Seahawks at Chargers

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks
Seattle’s running back rotation in the preseason opener saw Thomas Rawls work exclusively with the starters, and then Eddie Lacy enter the game with the reserves. Rawls gained five yards on two carries, while Lacy tallied 10 yards on four attempts. There have been reports about Rawls being ahead of Lacy, and that turned out to be the case. Yet, Lacy is being chosen much earlier in fantasy drafts for some reason. Rawls provides way more value. C.J. Prosise, meanwhile, didn’t see action until late in the second quarter. He had one carry for three yards and one catch for eight yards.

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
It’s natural to expect Philip Rivers to shine in the preseason, even against Seattle’s defense, but the primary take-away is that Rivers had plenty of time in the pocket in the exhibition opener despite Forrest Lamp being out for the year. Rivers had a clean pocket on most plays, and the one time that wasn’t the case was by design on a screen. Rivers led the Chargers down the field, throwing a touchdown to Antonio Gates. He went 5-of-6 for 56 yards and a touchdown. Rivers provides a ton of value at his 10.03 ADP.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.





Lions at Colts

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions
Ameer Abdullah touched the ball just twice in his preseason debut, but he looked great on his sole reception. He caught the ball and made a great move to avoid a tackler, then used his speed to gain 14 yards. It was a reminder of what Abdullah can be capable of if he can stay healthy for once. Abdullah is worth it at his mid-fifth-round ADP.

Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions
Kenny Golladay made it on to my Fantasy Football Sleepers list last week, and he lived up to it in his NFL debut. He made some amazing catches against the Colts. His first grab was snatched when Jake Ruddock threw a bit behind him for a gain of 15 yards. He followed that up with an even better reception, snaring a 23-yard touchdown while falling down. Golladay wasn’t done; in the middle of the second quarter, Golladay made a great adjustment to a back-shoulder throw to catch his second score. Golladay caught three balls for 53 yards and two scores. He should be considered as a late-round flier with tons of upside.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Raiders at Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
Carson Palmer looked more like his old self in his preseason debut, which makes me more comfortable about Larry Fitzgerald. We didn’t really get to see Fitzgerald versus the Raiders, but he should continue to perform on a high level.

Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
I was not a huge fan of Carson Palmer last year. I wrote during the preseason that I thought he looked done. I downgraded him and his receivers as a result. News broke this summer that the Cardinals knew that Palmer had a dead arm, so they gave him more rest this offseason. Their decision to do so has paid dividends because Palmer looks like his old self again. Palmer played just one drive in his preseason debut, but he made it count. The numbers may not look great – he went 4-of-8 for 39 yards and a touchdown – but he took some good shots downfield. He overthrew Jaron Brown for a deep touchdown, but made up for it with a powerful strike to Brittan Golden for a score.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.




49ers at Chiefs

Joe Williams, RB, 49ers
Joe Williams looked terrific in his preseason debut. He began with dual 17-yard carries. He had yet another 17-yard burst after that, but it was negated by a hold. Williams made a mistake later, dropping a toss, but he was able to pick up the ball and still gain 11 yards. Williams showed some amazing speed and acceleration, ultimately gaining 60 yards on just seven carries. He’s the real deal, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s San Francisco’s starter.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Buccaneers at Bengals

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. are the favorites to lead the NFL in receiving yardage, but Mike Evans should be in the mix as well. Evans caught four passes for 58 yards in a quarter of action during the preseason opener. The Jameis Winston-to-Evans connection looked better than ever, and Evans would’ve scored had two defenders not committed uncalled pass interference penalties.

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
Joe Mixon was predictably the best Bengal running back in the preseason opener. Mixon was mixed in on the first drive, but made some terrific plays after that. He caught the ball on the second possession and avoided three players to gain 11 yards. He then made a great cut on a run of eight yards and then burst for a 13-yard rush. Mixon finished with 31 yards on six carries. It’s only a matter of time before he’s officially named the starter, as his talent cannot be denied.

Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers
Jameis Winston looked terrific in his preseason debut, going 9-of-13 for 99 yards. He opened the game by throwing a perfect pass to Mike Evans for 29 yards, laying the ball right into the basket over two defenders. Winston ripped right through Cincinnati’s defense, throwing only one legitimate incompletion, which was a pass behind Evans on a third down. The other misfires were a drop by Adam Humphries and two incompletions to Evans in the end zone that could have easily been flagged as pass interference. Despite this, Winston still compiled 99 yards in slightly more than a quarter of action, which bodes well for his 2017 outlook.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.





Saints at Browns

Kenny Britt, WR, Browns
Kenny Britt is listed as Cleveland’s No. 1 receiver, but that may not last very long if the preseason opener is any indication. Britt was flagged for holding, failed to get a second foot inbounds to negate a potential touchdown, and then ran a lazy route in the end zone. It appears as though Britt (1 catch, 4 yards) took the money with no regard for his playing career going forward.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
With no Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson or Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara had a chance to shine in his preseason debut. Kamara burst for a gain of 12 yards on his second carry, and then he broke out of a Tank Carder tackle to sprint downfield for a 22-yard rush. Kamara looked great in limited action – he gained 35 yards on four carries – and it’s going to be difficult for Sean Payton to keep him off the field.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.





Redskins at Ravens

Robert Kelley, RB, Redskins
Robert Kelley was featured exclusively with the first-team offense in the preseason opener. He was stuffed on a third-and-1 on the second drive, but he also caught a pass and had a nice run of four yards to give his team some breathing room after Baltimore was pinned at the 1-yard line. More importantly for Kelley, Samaje Perine struggled immensely. Perine, who played with the backups, had an 11-yard run, but he screwed up a few times. He fumbled the ball, then dropped a pass on the very next play. He also blew a blocking assignment. Kelley appears to be the primary ball-carrier by a wide margin.

Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins
Samaje Perine struggled immensely in the preseason opener. Perine, who played with the backups, had an 11-yard run, but he screwed up a few times. He fumbled the ball, then dropped a pass on the very next play. He also blew a blocking assignment. Kelley appears to be the primary ball-carrier by a wide margin.

Terrance West, RB, Ravens
The Ravens have some issues with their offensive line, but that didn’t prevent Terrance West from bursting for an 18-yard gain in the preseason opener. The run featured a breathtaking juke of a safety. West was stuffed at the goal line on the next play, but scored right after that when he leapt over the pile. West finished with 23 yards and a touchdown on five carries. His only real blemish during the evening was a dropped pass, but he performed well otherwise.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Vikings at Bills

Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
While Leonard Fournette is sharing the workload with two other running backs right now, Dalvin Cook has the entire job to himself. Sure, Latavius Murray has been out, but Cook was featured exclusively with the first-team offense in the preseason debut, even playing on third down. Cook opened with gains of five and four on his first two carries. There wasn’t much available on the second attempt, but Cook did a great job of churning his legs to pick up some extra yardage. More importantly, Cook saw a team-high (for first-stringers) targets with four, snatching all of those for 30 receiving yards. With Sam Bradford bound to continue to check the ball down as often as possible, Cook is going to catch a healthy amount of passes despite being a rookie.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills
Sammy Watkins was targeted a whopping five times in the first quarter of the preseason opener. He caught four of those balls for 39 yards. It was nice to see that the Bills are emphasizing feeding the ball to Watkins, who could have a big year if he can manage to stay healthy.

Jonathan Williams, RB, Bills
LeSeaon McCoy was out, so Jonathan Williams started the preseason opener. He looked good despite Cordy Glenn missing in action. Williams burst for 39 yards on just four carries, and he could’ve posted a 5-50 line had a gain of 11 not been negated by a Richie Incognito hold. Williams did most of his damage against the Minnesota starting defense, so this was not a fluky performance. He’s one of the better handcuffs in fantasy this year.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Eagles at Packers

Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles
The Eagles may have signed Alshon Jeffery, but Jordan Matthews should not be forgotten. Carson Wentz targeted Matthews thrice on the opening drive alone, and Matthews rewarded him with three grabs for 18 yards. He had a nice spin move to elude Morgan Burnett to pick up a first down, seconds after Rich Gannon praised the Packers’ safeties for being great tacklers. Matthews is worth a late-round fantasy selection.

Ty Montgomery, RB, Packers
Ty Montgomery didn’t have a good preseason debut. He was stuffed by Brandon Graham on his first run, and then he lost a fumble on his second carry. He was stuffed again on his third and final try. In total, his three carries went for zero yards. Meanwhile, rookie Jamaal Williams looked better, as he was actually able to move the pile on his runs. He managed 14 yards on five carries, looking good in the process. It’s quite possible that Montgomery and Williams could end up splitting the workload evenly.

Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles
Carson Wentz finished 4-of-4 for 56 yards and a touchdown in a single drive during the preseason opener. Wentz is listed in my Fantasy Football Sleepers list, and I would highly recommend drafting him in Rounds 10-11.

Jamaal Williams, RB, Packers
Ty Montgomery didn’t have a good preseason debut. He was stuffed by Brandon Graham on his first run, and then he lost a fumble on his second carry. He was stuffed again on his third and final try. In total, his three carries went for zero yards. Meanwhile, rookie Jamaal Williams looked better, as he was actually able to move the pile on his runs. He managed 14 yards on five carries, looking good in the process. It’s quite possible that Montgomery and Williams could end up splitting the workload evenly.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Falcons at Dolphins

Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons
Austin Hooper caught the first pass of the game for the Falcons in the preseason opener, as it went for a gain of 12. It’s obviously a very small sample size, but the athletic second-year tight end is going to be a bigger part of the offense in 2017. He’s being drafted too late at his 14.02 ADP.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Broncos at Bears

C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos
C.J. Anderson drew praise for being in great shape this offseason, and it certainly looked like that was the case in the preseason opener. Anderson gained 21 yards on five carries despite playing a stout Bears front seven. Anderson is known for being frequently injured, but perhaps he’ll remain healthy this season because of how hard he has worked.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Texans at Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers
Kelvin Benjamin was the star offensive player among the Panthers’ starters in the preseason opener. Benjamin reportedly was at 280 pounds back in May, but he appeared to be in terrific shape in this contest. Benjamin caught two balls for 40 yards, as both receptions were spectacular. The first saw him bounce off cornerback Kevin Johnson, and then he stiff-armed Johnson to pick up more yardage, gaining 17 in the very end. Benjamin then hauled in a 23-yard score by leaping over talented cornerback Johnathan Joseph. Benjamin struggled in 2016, but it appears as though he’s going to have a big rebound 2017 campaign.

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Cowboys at Rams

No players of note

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Titans at Jets

No players of note

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Steelers at Giants

No players of note

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Jaguars at Patriots

No players of note

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


Cowboys vs. Cardinals

No players of note

For more on this game, go to the 2017 NFL Preseason Fantasy Football Notes. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


2017 Preseason Notes: Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Pages: Preseason Stock Week 4 | Preseason Stock Week 3 | Preseason Stock Week 2 | Preseason Stock Week 1 | Training Camp Stock


Be sure to check out my other 2017 Fantasy Football articles, which will include mock drafts, rankings, sleepers, busts, cheat sheets and other things.






More 2017 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings

2017 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/18 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/18 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/12 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/12 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/12 (Chet)



2017 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/31 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB, PPR - 8/25 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/24 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/17 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/10 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/3 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/27 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/26 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/20 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/14 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/13 (Walt)



2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/16 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/6 (Walt)

2017 Fantasy Football Articles:
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/2 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Busts - 9/2 (Walt)
2017 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football: Running Backs with the Most Carries - 1/31 (Walt)






2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16


NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12