NFL Preseason Week 1 Takeaways For Fantasy Football: Carnell Tate, De'Zhaun Stribling & More

Below is a summary for each team from Week 1 of the NFL preseason. The primary focus is on player utilization and usage with the starting offense.

Typically, starters are determined by drives played with the starting QB or offensive line. Some instances differ depending on who started, as outlined in each team's position section. You can find definitions for all the table abbreviations at the bottom of this article.

Updates will occur throughout the weekend as data from each game becomes available.

Takeaways From Thursday's Week 1 NFL Preseason Games

Tennessee Titans: Week 1 Preseason Fantasy Takeaways

The Titans played their starters for three drives (16 snaps). They played balanced, passing the ball 56% of plays. The offensive line looked good, but the 49ers rested their starting defense.

Quarterback

• Cam Ward: Ward played three drives, finishing the night with 57 passing yards. He completed 5 of 8 passes (62.5%) with 7.1 yards per attempt (YPA). Ward also scrambled once for two yards. Action: Holding steady as a low-end QB2 for now.

Running Back

• Tony Pollard: Pollard played the first three drives, handling 50% of the attempts for 22 yards—including a five-yard TD—on a 43% snap share against the 49ers backups. Camp reports have listed Pollard as the No. 1 back, which contrasts with this data. But in preseason games, it is not unusual for the staff to give both players playing time behind the starting offensive line. Action: TBD, but Pollard doesn't have much breathing room. He is already a FADE for me in my 2026 RB Strategy.
   
• Tyjae Spears: Spears split first-team reps with Pollard, splitting attempts (50%) and leading the way in the passing game with a 54% route participation and a 9% target share. He accumulated 35 yards on four attempts. There is a chance Spears turns this into more of a 1A/1B committee, but camp reports lean toward Pollard. Action: Spears is an explosive pass-catching back, which keeps him on the fantasy radar as an RB5/6 option in later rounds.
   
• Nicholas Singleton: The rookie RB entered the game with the second-team and currently slots in as the RB3. He played into the third quarter and rotated with Michael Carter, who took the two-minute offense. Action: Singleton could be a player to watch on the waiver wire. He could see more run as the season progresses.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Wan'Dale Robinson: Robinson led the team with an 85% route participation rate, playing 100% of snaps in 11 personnel. He notched a team-leading 36% target share, including looks on play action. He finished the night with two receptions and 19 yards on four targets. He played underneath the coverage with a 2.8 aDOT and a 94% slot rate. Action: Robinson remains a borderline WR4 with WR3 upside.
   
• Carnell Tate: Tate played 90% of the pass plays on the first drive but rotated over the next two drives, finishing with a 69% route participation. He has dominated first-team reps in camp. The No. 4 overall NFL Draft pick was second on the team in targets (27%), led the way in air yards (63%) and saw the lone end-zone target. He played 75% of snaps in 11- and 60% in 12-personnel. Action: Tate offers the most upside in the Titans' passing attack as a Round 6 pick despite having zero production in this game.
   
• Calvin Ridley: Ridley only played one, registering an 80% route share before resting. He pulled down one reception for 18 yards on one target. It is worth noting that camp buzz has Elic Ayomanor pushing for reps and could force Ridley aside. Action: Ridley is a FADE in re-draft formats.
   
• Elic Ayomanor: Ayomanor has had a strong camp. He stepped in with the starters on the second and third drives, posting a 100% route participation rate. Action: Nothing for now, but Ayomanor could push Ridley for playing time in 2026.
   
• Gunnar Helm: Helm split reps with Daniel Bellinger, with both players notching a 60%+ snap share. Helm had the edge in routes (62% vs 46%), but Bellinger still saw some work in 11-groupings. Camp reports have Helm as the clear No. 1, especially in 11, so no reason to freak out, but there is a disconnect between Week 1 in the preseason and practice right now. Action: Helm remains a late-round TE option in deeper leagues, but the playing time is something to monitor. 

Offensive Line

• Starters Rested: N/A
• Starters Played: 4 of 5 played all three drives with the starters; RG - Fernando Carmona Jr. (battling for starting spot) played all three drives

Indianapolis Colts: Week 1 Preseason Takeaways

The Colts rested all of their starters. RT Jalen Travis played one drive.

Quarterback

• Anthony Richardson: Started and played the first half against the Patriots backups, scoring 13.1 fantasy points. Richardson completed 11 of 14 passes for 145 yards (10.4 YPA).

Running Back

• Seth McGowan: McGowan started with Jonathan Taylor resting and DJ Giddens dealing with a hamstring injury. He played 100% of the snaps on the first three drives before resting. Recent camp reports point toward McGowan as the potential handcuff to Taylor. Action: McGowan is a late-round RB option in deep leagues.

New England Patriots: Week 1 Preseason Takeaways

The Patriots rested their starters, but some key backups got playing time.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Eli Raridon: Raridon is the TE2 on the Patriots depth chart and got the start, leading the team with a 22% target share on a 100% snap share over the first five drives. The Round 3 NFL Draft pick snared one of his four targets against the Colts' backup defenders. Action: Raridon is a name to remember on the waiver wire and is a late-round dart throw in deep TE-premium formats.
   
• Kayshon Boutte: Boutte played 70% of snaps in the first quarter before calling it a night, which aligns with reports from camp. He appears to be the WR4 behind A.J. Brown,  Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas, who didn't play. Boutte played outside with Efton Chism taking slot reps. Action: FADE in managed leagues.

San Francisco 49ers: Week 1 Preseason Takeaways

The 49ers rested almost all of their starters and many of the backups, like Mac Jones. RBs Kaelon Black and Jordan James didn't play due to injuries.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• De'Zhaun Stribling: Stribling operated as the WR1 with all other starters resting or dealing with injuries. He played all three drives with the starting QB, Kurtis Rourke, before calling it a night. Stribling dominated Titans starting defenders with a 53% target share, earning eight looks on 15 routes (94% route participation). Stribling worked primarily beneath the coverage with a 7.0 aDOT and notched seven grabs for 76 yards. He played from the slot 60% of snaps. The Round 2 NFL Draft pick played 100% of snaps in 11 personnel but rotated in 12 personnel (56%). Action: Stribling has a shot to climb the 49ers' depth chart to WR2 or WR3 status—he is a target in Round 10+ in drafts.

Offensive Line

• Starters Rested: 4 of 5
• Starters Played: LG - Robert Jones

Arizona Cardinals: Week 1 Preseason Fantasy Takeaways

The Cardinals played most of their starters for one drive against the Raiders' starting defense.

Quarterback

• Jacoby Brissett: Brissett played the first drive, marching the field in 10 plays capped by a TD pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. The veteran signal-caller went 5-for-5 for 44 yards against the Raiders' first-string defense. Action: Brissett is a mid-range QB2 option in managed leagues but carries more risk in best-ball, where a late-season QB switch could impact playoff rosters.
   
• Carson Beck: Did not play due to a rib injury. Gardner Minshew took the second-team reps.

Running Back

• Jeremiyah Love: The No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick started and played the first three drives. Over the first two drives, with Tyler Allgeier playing, Love handled 71% of the snaps and 64% of the attempts. He also clearly led the way with a 70% route share. He was targeted three times (20%) on 11 routes. Love compiled 10.2 fantasy points on the three possessions, with most of his damage coming against the backups, but you could see his burst and elusiveness—Love is not your ordinary RB. Camp reports have this as a potential committee, but Love could be too hard to keep off the field. And historically, most picks like Love have dominated touches in Year 1. Action: Love remains a strong pick in early Round 3 of fantasy drafts—a price we usually don't get on this type of draft pick.
   
• Tyler Allgeier: Allgeier played the first two drives, playing 29% of the snaps and handling 36% of attempts. Allgeier is the RB2 behind Love, but James Conner did not play. Action: Allgeier remains a Tier 2 handcuff option late in drafts.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Marvin Harrison Jr: Harrison played every snap on the first drive and notched a 100% route participation rate. He had one target (20%) for a TD. He aligned wide on every play and was not used on motion. His seven-yard TD reception came off of play action. Action: Holding steady.
• Michael Wilson: Wilson notched a 100% route participation rate but left the field on run plays out of 11- and 12-personnel (Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Brooks). This might be nothing, but it is worth monitoring. Wilson played from the slot on 33% of snaps and was in motion on 17% of snaps, matching camp reports as the "move" player in the offense. Wilson corralled two targets (40%) for 23 yards. Action: Holding steady. 
   
• Kendrick Bourne: Operated as the WR3.
   
• Trey McBride: Did not play.

Offensive Line

• Starters Rested: None.
• Starters Played: 5 of 5 played the first drive.

Las Vegas Raiders: Week 1 Preseason Fantasy Takeaways

The Raiders fielded most of their starters for one drive against Arizona's starting defense.

Quarterback

• Kirk Cousins: Cousins played 10 snaps, going 5-for-5 for 50 yards (8.3 YPA) and a TD to Michael Mayer. Action: None. Cousins is currently slated to start Week 1.
   
• Fernando Mendoza: The No. 1 NFL pick entered the game after Cousins, playing five drives. He completed 63% of his passes for 97 yards (6.1), including a tight-window dot. Mendoza also threw a TD to Jack Bech in tight space. Action: None. Mendoza should eventually start, but Cousins is penciled in as the starter for Week 1.

Running Back

• Ashton Jeanty: Jeanty played 70% of the snaps and handled 75% of the attempts on the first drive before resting. Action: None. Jeanty is locked in as the RB1 for the Raiders.
   
• Mike Washington Jr: Washington was the RB2 on the first drive, playing 30% of the snaps and spelling Jeanty on 25% of attempts. This matches camp reports. Washington remained in the game as the lead back for four more drives, rushing for 61 yards, including a long of 53 yards. Action: Washington is a late-round handcuff option.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Tre Tucker: Played 83% of routes and led the team in targets. Rested after the first drive. Action: None.
   
• Jalen Nailor: Played 83% of routes, playing exclusively on the outside. Rested after the first drive. Action: None.
   
• Jack Bech: Played 83% of routes with the starters, including 60% of reps from the slot. He was also in motion 20% of routes. That matches camp reports with Bech as the starting slot option. When Bowers is playing, we could see less 11-personnel, with a tandem of Bowers and Michael Mayer in 12-personnel. But Bech doesn't have high-end talent in front of him. If he secured snaps in heavy personnel, he could add value. He has the size at 6'1", 214 pounds to be a red zone threat—where he scored later in the game on a pass from Mendoza.  Action: Bech is worth monitoring as a late-round sleeper in deep formats or a waiver wire option.
   
• Brock Bowers: Played one snap and rested.
   
• Michael Mayer: With Bowers out, Mayer was a good player in college, ranking as the No. 7 TE all-time in the Rookie Super Model with an 82 rating. His 92 Production Rating ranks fourth all-time. However, he now resides behind Bowers. But the Raiders could use more 12-personnel—there is a legit chance Mayer is the second-best receiving option on the team. Action: Mayer is a buy-low option in dynasty—he is a free agent after this season.

Offensive Line

• Starters Rested: None.
• Starters Played: 5 of 5 played the first drive.

Los Angeles Chargers: Preseason Week 1 Takeaways

The Chargers rested their starters.

Running Back

• Kimani Vidal: Vidal played while Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell rested. He played the first two drives before exiting. Action: None. Vidal would likely have a role if Hampton went down, but is waiver-wire material.
• Keaton Mitchell: Rested with the starters. Camp reports have Mitchell and Vidal splitting reps after Hampton, with a slight edge to Mitchell, which this supports. Action: Mitchell remains a strong handcuff/contengency upside play later in drafts.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Tre Harris: The 2025 Round 2 NFL pick rested with the starters, which corroborates camp reports that he is the WR3. Action: Harris is a late-round WR stash in deeper leagues.
   
• Oronde Gadsden: Charlie Kolar and David Njoku rested while Gadsden played for three drives. Njoku is an older veteran, so I am not reading too much into this. But Gadsden is likely in for a route reduction with Mike McDaniel preferring better blocking options out of 21-personnel. Action: Gadsden remains a mid-range TE2 option. 

Houston Texans: Preseason Week 1 Fantasy Takeaways

The Texans played their starting offensive line for one drive, but rested starters and key backups at skill positions. Per our own Zain Dhanani, they played at a faster pace.

Running Back

• Woody Marks: Rested with David Montgomery. Action: Holding steady as the RB2.
• Jawhar Jordan: Did not play (hip flexor strain).

Wide Receiver and Tight End

• Jayden Higgins: Rested with starters. Camp reports have him as the No. 2. Action: Holding steady as a WR4/5 target in drafts.
• Jaylin Noel: Rested with starters. Camp reports have him as the starting slot.
• Tank Dell: Did not play (strict rehab program).
• Xavier Hutchinson: Played. Good news for Higgins and Noel.

Green Bay Packers: Preseason Week 1 Fantasy Takeaways

The Packers played their starters for one drive against the Steelers' backup defenders.

Quarterback

• Jordan Love: Played one drive, completing 3-for-5 passes for 18 yards. Action: None.

Running Back

• Josh Jacobs: Did not play (groin injury).
   
• MarShawn Lloyd: Camp reports have Lloyd as the No. 2 option in Green Bay, and the Week 1 preseason utilization matched. Lloyd played 100% of the snaps with the first-team offense. He remained in the drive for the second drive before calling it a night. Action: Lloyd is a premier handcuff option as the top option behind Jacobs, who is still under investigation by the NFL. Lloyd has moved up 13 spots in my RB ranks over the last week.
   
• Pierre Strong Jr: Entered the game after Jacobs.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

It's a small sample of one drive, and Luke Musgrave (neck) didn't play, but the Packers played 11-personnel for the entire first drive, keeping their top three WRs on the field. While we don't want to overreact to this sample, it might be their best personnel grouping given their depth chart—at least until their TE room is healthy, which is TBD. They could bring in a veteran.

• Christian Watson: Watson played 89% of snaps. He is locked into a potential massive ceiling season, y'all. Action: Watson is a HIGH-PRIORITY target in Rounds 5-6 of drafts. He is my WR24 and offers legit top-12 boom potential.
   
• Jayden Reed: Reed notched a 100% route share but did not play in 12-personnel, playing 78% of snaps. He operated from the slot 100% of snaps. Reed should still see a career-high in playing time. Action: Holding steady as a value as the WR47 off the board in consensus ADP across ESPN, Sleeper, Yahoo, and RTSports—that is his floor.
   
• Matthew Golden: Golden played 100% of the snaps but was not targeted. His Rookie Super Model prospect profile and Year 1 performance put him on shaky ground, but camp reports indicate Golden is shining and poised to play a full-time role. The playing time reports match Week 1 of the preseason. Action: Golden remains a solid WR5 target later in drafts.
   
• Tucker Kraft: Did not play (ACL rehab plan).

Offensive Line

• Starters Rested: LG Aaron Banks (knee); RT Zach Bako-Bewele (knee).
• Starters Played: 3 of 5 starters played the first drive. 2 of 5 remained in longer.

Glossary

• Snaps: Percentage of snaps the player played with the starters.
• Rush Att: Percentage of rushing attempts with the starters.
• Routes: Route participation with the starters.
• Targets: Target share with the starters.
• TPRR: Targets per route run with the starters.
• SDD Snaps: Percentage of short-down-and-distance (short yardage) with starters.
• LDD Snaps: Percentage of long-down-and-distance snaps (obvious passing downs) with starters.
• Two-Minute Snaps: Percentage of snaps in the two-minute offense with the starters.
• Catchable: Percentage of targets deemed catchable with the starting QB per PFF.
• aDOT: Average depth of target with the starters.
• Air Yards: Percentage of the team's air yards with the starters.
• 3rd/4th Down Targets: Percentage of targets on 3rd and 4th down with the starters.
• 11P: Percentage of snaps played in 11 personnel (1RB, 3WR, 1TE) with the starters.
• 12P: Percentage of snaps played in 12 personnel (1RB, 2WR, 2TE) with the starters.
• 21P: Percentage of snaps played in 21 personnel (2RB, 2WR, 1TE) with the starters.
• Slot Snaps: Percentage of snaps from the slot