The first full week of the 2021 NFL preseason kicked off with four teams that made plenty of changes this offseason. Three rookie skill position players saw playing time with their first-team offense tonight, though they weren’t the players we would have expected going into Week 1. None of the first-team offenses managed to score a touchdown.
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Washington Football Team at New England Patriots
- RB Antonio Gibson, 5 carries for 15 yards, 2 rec. for 25 rec. yards (2.8 yards per route run)
- QB Mac Jones, 13-for-17, 87 yards (81.3% adjusted completion percentage)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Don’t overreact to Antonio Gibson’s box score: Gibson was the focal point of Washington’s offense on early downs — he either ran the ball or was targeted on eight of his 11 snaps. Unfortunately, he remained on the sidelines for all four third-down opportunities with the first-team offense and lost out on a short-yardage chance. Gibson is still a very strong second-round pick, but there is no sign Washington will expand his role just yet.
Buy the Damien Harris hype: The biggest problem Patriots backs have had in recent seasons is the team’s three- or four-man rotation, but Harris’ ADP has been rising because that rotation might be coming to an end. He only had to share the backfield with James White in clear passing situations tonight. Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t play in the first half.
Don’t Draft Adam Humphries or Kendrick Bourne: Both wide receivers only played in three-wide receiver sets tonight, even though Washington was missing Curtis Samuel and New England was missing Nelson Agholor. Neither receiver is expected to see enough playing time to ever be put in a fantasy starting lineup, even if there is an injury. Humphries and Bourne each caught one pass.
Draft Curtis Samuel: Samuel didn’t play tonight, but he should take on an every-down role once he’s healthy. Dyami Brown was his biggest competition, but he is currently sixth on the Washington depth chart. He only needs to take the job from Cam Sims, which he should be able to do.
Draft John Bates in Dynasty: The fourth-round rookie has already earned a spot as the second tight end in two-tight end sets. He could take over for Logan Thomas at some point in the future. He caught one 19-yard pass tonight.
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Quez Watkins, 2 targets, 1 rec., 79 yards, 1 TD (83 yards after the catch)
- RB Anthony McFarland Jr., 9 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD (3 combined first downs and touchdowns)
SNAP COUNTS (STARTERS ONLY)
Time To Worry about Dallas Goedert: Goedert has been the consensus TE7 all offseason, given the trade rumors circling Zach Ertz. But Ertz not only played — he ended up playing more with the starters. Those snaps were only additional run blocks, but this will hurt Goedert’s playing time. If Ertz is still on the roster during the 2021 season, Goedert probably won’t finish as a top-10 fantasy tight end.
Take a late-round flier on Anthony McFarland Jr.: McFarland took a few snaps with the starters after missing out in the Hall of Fame Game. He might not see much playing time in the regular season when everyone is healthy, but he could be the primary runner if Najee Harris were to get injured.
Buy Pat Freiermuth in Dynasty: Freiermuth didn’t play in the Hall of Fame Game, but he has worked his way to being the No. 2 tight end in two-tight end sets. He took 25% of the snaps in 11 personnel and could take more away from Eric Ebron as the season goes on. This should also be cause for concern for Ebron this season.
Take Kenneth Gainwell off your late-round draft pick list: The Eagles didn’t have Miles Sanders tonight, but that still wasn’t enough for Gainwell to see snaps with the starters. Jordan Howard and Boston Scott split playing time; the fifth-round rookie started playing when the second team came in, but the Eagles focused on the passing game rather than allowing Gainwell to run.
Take Greg Ward off your late-round draft pick list: Ward had been the Eagles’ slot receiver, but Quez Watkins appears to have passed Ward on the depth chart. Jalen Reagor also played more first-team snaps in the slot, even though reports indicated Reagor would take over that role. Once DeVonta Smith is healthy, Ward will be fifth on the depth chart.
