FFT Express: Preseason Week 2 Must-Watch Players!

Podcast: Fantasy Football Today
Date: August 16, 2025
Hosts: Adam Azer, Jamie Eisenberg (with guest analyst cameos)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on key players and position battles to watch ahead of Preseason Week 2, with particular emphasis on rookie targets, quarterback competitions, and emerging fantasy sleepers. Adam and Jamie discuss roster shifts, injury news, and the implications of preseason performances on fantasy draft values. The tone is friendly, analytical, and energetic—true to FFT’s fantasy “hangout” style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Must-Watch Preseason Performances and Fantasy Implications

Timestamps: [01:32]–[04:39]

• Adam Azer opens by highlighting how preseason performances—especially by rookies and players in position battles—can influence fantasy football Average Draft Position (ADP) and roster strategy.
• Emphasis is placed on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' decision to play starters (excluding Baker Mayfield), with particular attention to how a strong showing from rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka could impact his fantasy stock if Chris Godwin remains injured.
  • "Would love to see a Mecca Buka get a few series in, do something good. Although maybe we don't want to see him do much good because we don't want that ADP to keep on rising..." —Adam Azer [01:56]
• Jamie Eisenberg expands on rookie speculation, citing players like Travion Henderson, RJ Harvey, Tedro McMillan, Travis Hunter, and running backs such as Basil Tootin and Jaden Blue as candidates for a "meteoric rise" if they shine in the preseason.
  • "If Tootin does anything of significance, I could see his ADP rise rapidly." —Jamie Eisenberg [03:48]

2. Rookies, Competition, and Value Picks

Timestamps: [02:30]–[04:39]

• Jamie discusses how snap counts, injuries, and role changes open the door for deeper rookie running backs and receivers to surpass veterans or other rookies in roles and value, highlighting the importance of monitoring these situations in preseason action.

Standout Running Backs to Watch Late

• Jamie’s favorite late-round running backs: Basil Tootin, Braylon Allen, Jaden Blue.
  • “Anytime you get to double digit rounds, like I'm looking for Tootin, I'm looking for Braylon Allen, I'm looking for Jaden Blue. Those are three guys.” —Jamie Eisenberg [04:27]

3. Team-by-Team Preseason Storylines

Bears vs Bills: [04:39]–[06:41]

Chicago Bears

• Adam wants to see Bears’ starters finally play after a disappointing preseason opener and negative camp reports: "I'd love to see them go out there, play their starters for a quarter and a half... especially the Bears because, man, it just hasn't been a lot of positive stuff coming out." [04:50]
• Jamie and guest highlight Zacchaeus potentially playing ahead of rookie Luther Burden; implications for Burden’s fantasy relevance.
  • Discussion of third receiver competition, DJ Moore's and Caleb Williams' roles.
  • Speculation about running back depth between Roschon Johnson and K. Monangai.

Buffalo Bills

• Jamie predicts limited action for James Cook; Ray Davis could benefit with increased snaps.
  • “If Ray Davis does something significant that might just continue to keep him in that same range as those other guys I mentioned. Braylon Allen, Rachel Tootin, Jaden Blue.” —Jamie Eisenberg [06:15]
• Interest in Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer, and Dalton Kincaid, emphasizing high camp praise and impact of a few highlight plays on ADP.

4. Other Position Battles & Notable Updates

Jets & Giants: [06:41]–[07:39]

• Adam flags uncertainty around whether the Jets will play their starters; notes that joint practice weeks often lead to limited preseason action.
• Jamie says new coaches may want in-game prep for players and references the Jets’ running back situation—Braylon Allen, Isaiah Davis—especially if Breece Hall sits. This could shape late-round fantasy picks.

5. Worry Meter: Jets & Bears Offenses

Timestamps: [09:11]–[10:58]

• Adam and Jamie discuss struggles from Jets QB Justin Fields (noting his inaccurate camp/preseason throws) and the impact on the value of wideout Garrett Wilson.
  • “He doesn't have to be a great passer to be great for fantasy. But has any of this stuff—the struggles of Fields...has any of this gotten you off of Garrett Wilson?” —Adam Azer [09:14]
  • Jamie is not selling Wilson yet but would move Mike Evans ahead of him if Chris Godwin is placed on the PUP list. [09:33]
  • Both caution against overdrafting Garrett Wilson or Breece Hall, with Adam saying, "He and Breece Hall, I think, are two players I'm just not interested in. I wouldn’t say that. Just not drafting a lot of." [10:15]
• Jamie likens Wilson’s situation to DK Metcalf: high-volume target on a questionable offense.

6. Indianapolis Colts QB Competition & Fantasy Fallout

Timestamps: [11:05]–[12:29]

• Adam frames the Colts’ QB battle as “the most interesting one here,” suggesting fantasy drafters need clarity on whether Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson will win the job, with major implications for skill players like Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs.
  • “I am drafting...as if Daniel Jones is going to be the quarterback, which is what I want to happen for everyone...other than the quarterback position. I want this for Jonathan Taylor. I want it for Tyler Warren. I want it for Josh Downs.” —Adam Azer [11:08]
• Jamie expects the Colts to give Anthony Richardson the first shot but questions his readiness.
  • “It's just Daniel Jones has not done anything to win it.” —Jamie Eisenberg [12:29]
  • Both agree this preseason week is pivotal for Richardson, as "the lights come on and...he makes some ridiculous plays. I think he's a gamer..." —Adam Azer [11:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rising Rookie Hype:
  “Could be a meteoric rise. If both those things happen, Abuka does something special or a few things special and Godwin does get placed on the PUP list.” —Jamie Eisenberg [02:30]

• Late-round RB Targets:
  “Anytime you get to double digit rounds, like I'm looking for Tootin, I'm looking for Braylon Allen, I'm looking for Jaden Blue…” —Jamie Eisenberg [04:27]

• Garrett Wilson ADP Debate:
  “It's starting to feel like Garrett Wilson's falling into sort of like that DK Metcalf range...one receiver on a team that's going to get a lot of targets.” —Jamie Eisenberg [10:23]

• Colts QB Battle:
  “I don't disagree with the sentiment. I think what will end up happening is they will start Richardson and see how it plays out.” —Jamie Eisenberg [11:41]
  “I think he's a gamer. That will do better when it counts personally. But obviously, like, the pass protection stuff needs to be better.” —Adam Azer [11:51]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:32] Preseason Week 2 – What are we watching for?
• [02:30] Rookie hype and breakout candidates
• [04:39] Bears & Bills: Who needs to show something?
• [06:41] Jets, Giants, and the RB situation
• [09:11] Worrying trends for Bears & Jets offenses; Wilson/Hall value
• [11:05] Colts quarterback competition and fantasy fallout

Conclusion

The hosts dive deep into how preseason developments—rookie flashes, surprise depth chart moves, quarterback uncertainty, and camp buzz—are affecting fantasy football values and draft strategies. Their advice: closely monitor emerging situations in Week 2, know your late-round targets, and be cautious with players whose roles or supporting casts look iffy in early August. Plenty of actionable names and “wait-and-see” situations for every fantasy drafter heading into the weekend’s games.