We witnessed history this preseason—the end of an era. The Ravens’ preseason dynasty is finally over, brought to an end by the Washington Commanders in the greatest preseason game of all time. I’m sure I’m not being hyperbolic by saying this at all.
Unlike my intro, some of the following might be overreactions.
Javonte Williams
3-12-0 Rushing
3/5-18-0 Receiving
Overreaction:
Javonte is back! After a devastating knee injury, Javonte is going to be ready to smash in 2023. All this has made him the best offseason buy this year.
Actual Takeaway:
I am very encouraged to see Javonte play in the preseason when, at one point, we did not even know if he would be ready to start the season. It is also nice for him to take a couple of hits before we are playing with “live bullets”, so to speak. There is a difference between a return to play and a return to performance. I got a chance to watch a rerun of the game on NFL Network, and while Williams was out there, I did not see him dragging tacklers and getting the extra yard and a half to two yards he usually gets on runs with his power. It was his first game back, so this is to be expected. I still would temper expectations for 2023. I love the talent, but history has shown us the first year after an ACL tear usually has a drop-off.
Kyren Williams
(Inactive)
Overreaction:
Kyren Williams has arrived. According to head coach Sean McVay’s tendencies, players held out of preseason are starters or part of the rotation. Despite the lack of athletic profile, Kyren Williams is poised to take over the 3rd down role.
Actual Takeaway:
I am 100% a Kyren Williams truther, but this is no overreaction. He was showing flashes at the end of last year, and Cam Akers has left a lot to be desired. There was some buzz about rookie Zach Evans in the offseason, but now he is fighting for a roster spot with the likes of Ronnie Rivers and Royce Freeman. Kyren has clearly landed himself a role. In Best Ball Dynasty leagues, I would be looking to acquire him. 3rd down backs perform better in best ball as their game logs can be really swingy, and it is hard to guess which week they will go off. He’s still a fine flyer to pick up for cheap in managed leagues, though.
Rashee Rice
8/9-96-0 Receiving
Overreaction:
Have yourself a day, young man. The Chiefs have been looking for a number-one wide receiver since they traded away Tyreek Hill, and they have found their guy. The rookie put on a show during this preseason game.
Actual Takeaway:
This was very encouraging to see. However, looking through the lens of snap counts with the starter is key before we get overhyped. Skyy Moore was the only WR to play 100% of the starter snaps in 12 personnel. This suggests he is the only one locked into a starting role for sure. Now, putting up a nearly 100-yard game in preseason can move you up, but Rice was in a rotation with five other WRs for playing time. If he can secure a spot on the field, there is some real upside, but temper expectations for now.
Sam Howell
19/25 passing, 188 yards, 2 TDs
3-17-0 Rushing
Overreaction:
Patrick Mahomes? Never heard of her. Sam Howell is the only name at quarterback that you need to know. After shredding through the Ravens’ defense with confidence and poise, we have seen all we need to see from Howell.
Actual Takeaway:
This was super encouraging. Howell was excellent at every part of the quarterback position. Watching the film, he did a fantastic job of reading the defense and sometimes just making the dump off to the running back when he clearly wanted to throw it deep. He showed a great ability to evade pressure and keep his eyes downfield, and it looks like the Commanders may have something here. Now I have to pour the cold water. This was not a starting defense he was going against. While you are not responsible for who you line up against, we should take this performance with a slight grain of salt. I am certainly encouraged by this performance, and while we have seen guys like Tony Romo, Russell Wilson, and Dak Prescott look awesome in the preseason and then translate it into the regular season, we have also seen Ryan Leaf and Zach Wilson do the opposite.
Tutu Atwell
(Inactive)
Overreaction:
It is Tutu Atwell season. The young speedster will finally be earning himself some run in a Sean McVay offense. As discussed before, anyone sitting in the preseason for the Rams is part of the plan for the upcoming season. Big things coming for Atwell.
Actual Takeaway:
It does appear that Atwell has won the number three wide receiver spot for the Rams and will have a role. How useful that is may be difficult to say. Coming out of college, Atwell’s best asset was his speed. He could definitely have a role on downfield routes, and some trick plays for sure. That is really difficult to manage on a week-to-week basis as a fantasy manager. Similar to Kyren Williams, but for a different reason, Atwell makes more sense in a Best Ball format than a managed league.
Trey Lance
12/18 passing, 173 yards, TD, INT
4 carries, -2 yards
Overreaction:
It is over for Trey Lance. Being beaten out by Sam Darnold has officially cratered whatever value Lance had left. At this point, you can go ahead and drop Trey Lance in your Dynasty leagues.
Actual Takeaway:
It is highly unlikely that Trey Lance will end up being a starter somewhere in the NFL at this stage. I don’t quite think you can drop him yet on the off chance he gets traded somewhere and has an opportunity, but he has become the ultimate roster clogger at this stage. The 2021 1st round rookie picks had you taking guys like Zach Wilson and Trey Lance or guys like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Fields. It is wild the difference that makes on where your team is now.
Aidan O’Connell
11/18 passing, 163 yards, 2 TDs
3-5-0 Rushing
Overreaction:
Aidan O’Connell is the best rookie QB of this class. He has graded the highest amongst all rookies in PFF grade with a 92.5 and has looked the part. All he has to do is beat out Jimmy Garoppolo, and he will be the Raiders’ leader.
Actual Takeaway:
O’Connell has looked great, but preseason defenses are not the same. O’Connell also has played a lot of quarterback compared to some of these guys and is a bit older. He should look more poised and comfortable back there. The reality is that if anything happens to Jimmy G, though, Brian Hoyer is the team’s listed backup. That could change, but head coach Josh McDaniels has worked with Hoyer for years and likes him as a backup. O’Connell has been exciting, but his path to fantasy relevance is far away.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
3/3-58-0 Receiving
Overreaction:
JSN is the real deal and will be a 1st round startup pick by next season. Route running, speed, hands, everything. This man is making Drew Lock look like Aaron Rodgers.
Actual Takeaway:
None of that is an overreaction. JSN is the man. If you did not know that from his college tape, then shame on you. There is the injury that could cause him to miss the start of the season, and if that creates any, and I mean any, dip in his price, BUY NOW! It may seem like I’m not considering this an overreaction simply because it is confirming my priors, but I had these priors for a reason. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one hell of a prospect. He could have had a bad preseason, and I would still be buying.
Zay Flowers
2/2-37-1 Receiving
Overreaction:
Zay Flowers is going to be the Ravens’ number-one wide receiver. His quickness and route-running will allow him to be productive right away as a rookie.
Actual Takeaway:
Zay Flowers was a polarizing rookie this offseason. I was a little lower on him than most, but not as low as some. There are some abilities he has that are special. I also have some concerns, though. One of my worries from his college tape was dealing with physicality knocking him off of his route, and in this game, he made his plays against off-coverage. These plays were fun and exciting but did not show me something I didn’t know he had. I want to see how he does when defenders are putting their hands on him. In college, it was easy for defenders to reroute him, and I need to know if he has changed that or if the Baltimore scheme can naturally create space.
Only one more week of preseason to go, and then we are back. As always, keep an eye out for the Training Camp Buzz articles from Chris Museezer. Preseason is more than just games to these teams; it is also what these guys are doing during practice.
Thanks so much for reading. If you want to discuss more, reach out to me on Twitter @DougHarrelson. Thanks also for your membership to DFF! For those signed up for an annual membership, you can always reach the rest of the DFF team and me on our Discord server! Exclusively for annual memberships only. Sign up today!
