FFT Express: Preseason Week 2 Must-Watch Players! Top Rookie Targets, QB Battles & Fantasy Sleepers (08/15 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

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)

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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.

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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]

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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]

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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]

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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

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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.

Transcript

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[Adam Azer]

Two is upon us. What are we looking forward to seeing in Preseason Week two? What is fantasy relevant? We'll tell you right now on FFT Express. Welcome everybody. So last week we were talking about the rookies where we see them in the preseason. Chadur Sanders was really good, but he's got an oblique injury. So we'll see a little Dylan Gabriel against the Eagles on Saturday and see if there's any type of quarterback competition. Maybe just for the number two spot. Anyway, I'm Adam Azer with Jamie Eisenberg and let's talk about some of the things we are looking forward to seeing in Preseason Week two. You know Jamie, I'm gonna start with the Buccaneers. Looks like they're gonna play their starters but not Baker Mayfield. They're gonna play a lot of their starters so 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 with the recent report that Chris Godwin is likely to start the year on the PUP list.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

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, on the PUP list. I think, you know, just piggybacking off your rookies comment like can we get more confirmation bias and more of a meteoric rise for guys like Travion Henderson and RJ Harvey and Tedro McMillan and maybe Travis Hunter. You know the, the guys that I think we're seeing, Martin Hampton, you know, seeing, you know, doing something significant, playing time significant or you know, just continuing to wow us in some way shape or form and then one other guy, you know, just in this rookie class that might be able to sort of push back on what happened in, in the first preseason games. Caleb Johnson, Jalen Warren is not expected to play again. So there'll be no Aaron Rodgers, no DK Metcalf. But you expect Caleb Johnson to be out there. A, will he get some more opportunities with the starting group and B, can he do something with it? Similar also to week one, just factoring a rookie, you know, Basil Tootin, you know, we remember when, when camp started it was Tank Biggsy with the ones, Tank Bigsby with the ones. Now it's been tooting this week getting a lot of opportunities with the first team offense. If he does something in the preseason, how much will he rise? Because he's quickly becoming my favorite Jaguars running back. Certainly cost. Like I don't at this point I'm, I don't have a rank this way because it's hard to expect the playing time to be in his favor early in the season. So you know, depending on what you need for your fantasy roster, I think ETN and Bigsby make more sense early. But in terms of cost, like he's brought this up in terms of like taking a lot of these late round running backs. Like he's one of my favorites. I was pissed in the Super Flex draft when he went so I pivoted to my second favorite guy. My third favorite guy, Brayan Al is my favorite guy in this range was Jaden Blue. No, you, you had touched on it just because we were at the point where really weren't talking about our teams. You're like, oh, I had Javante, you had Javante Williams and I took Jaden Blue right in front of you in that draft. So anytime you get to double digit rounds, like I'm looking for two and I'm looking for Braylon Allen. I'm looking for Jaden Blue. Those are three guys. And so if, and Blue's not going to play because he's still dealing with the heel injury. But if Tootin does anything of significance, I could see his ADP rise rapidly.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, and, and I'll tell you, I really want to see something from the Bears this week. They didn't play the starters last week. They' to play their starters this week against the Buffalo Bills who are also going to play their starters. Now that might be for one series or what? You know, we just don't know. But I think the Bears, I would love to see them go out there, play their starters for a quarter and a half or something like that. I mean, I'd love to see all these teams do that, I guess, but especially the Bears because, man, it just hasn't been a lot of positive stuff coming out. So what are you looking to see from that team?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Everything, for the most part. You know, you read the, the news.

[Guest Analyst]

About Zacchaeus playing ahead of Luther Burden.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

You know, can Burden do anything to.

[Guest Analyst]

Sort of push back on that narrative and, and maybe make sure he's the, the third receiver?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Because otherwise it's going to be, I.

[Guest Analyst]

Think, difficult for him to be drafted where he is. And I've taken him like we did.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Our half PPR draft.

[Guest Analyst]

I waited and waited and waited on third receiver. He was the guy I drafted first. I drafted him with Mooney and Demario Douglas and Wanda Robinson. So I'll have a combination of guys there. But like he was the one I took first in round nine. Like, hard to justify taking him even that soon if he's not the third receiver. But yeah, let's see something for Caleb Williams, most importantly DJ Moore's role, Roma Dunze's role. I don't think Swift's value is going to change one way or another. But who's the second running back? You know, will it be Roshan Johnson or Manangai and you know, who can establish themselves really as that second running back there that we, I think are looking to, you know, maybe take a late round fly run?

[Adam Azer]

What about the Bills?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'd be surprised if James Cook plays a lot, you know, just because the practice time that he's missed. So 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, Keon Coleman's just had a very good camp by all accounts, you know, so if he goes out and has a couple Big plays like that may push his ADP up significantly. Or conversely, could it be Josh Palmer, you know, a guy that they like, or Kincaid as well. So you don't have to worry about Josh Allen. You don't have to worry about James Cook at this point. And then really it's just, you know, which of the pass catchers can step forward.

[Adam Azer]

Love to know if the jets were playing their starters because, you know, we'll talk about them so. Well, I don't know. A lot of times when you get these joint practice weeks, they just kind of fine with that and they don't go out there. I don't think. As of last. As of last, last time I checked, they had not announced whether or not they were going to play their starters against the Giants.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I think you and you get new coaches. They want to see their guys go through game day prep. You know, I've read that a few times this last week. At least you know, that some of these coaches wanted to see their guys just get game ready, you know, even though they weren't playing the entire game. And for Aaron Glenn, you know, I think he probably wants to see his guys, you know, go through the motions a little bit more. Didn't sound like they had a great joint practice session. Certainly Justin Fields or not so. Right. I would guess you want. Well, we're going to see Braylon Allen and Isaiah Davis probably, you know, so whether Breeze hall plays with them. That's a very interesting backfield to keep an eye on right now.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. All right, we'll take a quick break here. We'll be right back on Fantasy Football Today Express and continue this discussion. Hey everyone, I want to tell you about something that makes me smile other than, of course, a winning fantasy football team. It's when I walk into my living room and see my aura frame and all the great pictures we have on it. All the great memories I get to relive every day thanks to my aura frame. Use promo code [e-mail] for a great deal more on that in a bit. OURA Frames was named the best digital photo frame by Wirecutter and it's easy to see why. There is unlimited storage, so you can add as many photos and videos as you can find. Yes, video videos. You can add videos up to 30 seconds long. That's a very cool feature. Now, not only is an aura frame great for you, I think it's a great gift too. Maybe for a parent or a grandparent who doesn't get to see you too often and Wants some great pictures, so start reliving your favorite memories by visiting auraframes.com for a limited time. Listeners can get $35 off on their best selling Carver matte frame. That's a U R A frames.com promo code FFT. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply. I did want to talk about Justin Fields and his struggles. And the jets offensive line apparently had a lot of trouble with the Giants defensive pass rush, which could be really, really good. You know, we don't talk about defensive players, but apparently Abdul Carter is the real deal so far. He was.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

If their secondary holds up, they're going to be tough.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, they really. They do have some talent. I just don't have a lot of depth. But, you know, for Fields, he doesn't have to be a great passer to be great for fantasy. But has any of this stuff, you know, the struggles of Fields, I mean, we saw some of the videos. Just very inaccurate. Has any of this gotten you off of Garrett Wilson?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Not yet, no. I guess if anything, it. You know, I will say this. If this God, if God was placed on the pup right now I have Wilson 16, Mike Evans 17. I was looking at this. Surprisingly enough, I'm now the high guy in Mike Evans. What? Yeah. Yeah. 100. If Godwin is on the pop list, Mike Evans is going to be around three pick for me, so he'll move ahead of Garrett Wilson. I know you didn't ask about that, but Wilson is. Yeah, look, he's teetering. Clearly. You know, it. What was the draft, you. You were. You were saying, like, you're. You're kind of passing on him and I drafted him around 4. I know you like the value because back in the room.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, I. I'm not. 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.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

It's starting to feel like Garrett Wilson's falling into sort of like that DK Metcalf range. And the reason I bring that up is just, you know, one receiver on a team that's going to get a lot of targets.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, no, I know. He's definitely. He's definitely gonna get a lot of targets. I don't know. I've made the case kind of against him, so. But if he starts going later in the fourth round, I become a lot more interested at the 3, 4 turn. Yeah, I don't. I don't think I want Garrett Wilson there.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I told you, the. The flex the flex draft I did. He went the back end around two. Yeah.

[Adam Azer]

That's just wild to me, you know, I don't know. I couldn't do it. And then Hall, I'm even more concerned about.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes.

[Adam Azer]

Braylon Allen continues to impress.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

All right.

[Adam Azer]

I don't know if there's anything else you want to discuss.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Colts are worth watching. Oh, my God.

[Adam Azer]

How did I not bring up the calls? I talked about them all before the show started. I was like, we gotta talk about the Colts. They're the most interesting one here because I personally, Jamie, I am drafting. It's just been mocked so far, for the most part, but I am drafting as if Daniel Jones is going to be the quarterback, which is what I want to happen for everyone, you know, other than the quarterback position. I want this for Jonathan Taylor. I want it for Tyler Warren. I want it for Josh Downs. And I. I think it's just Anthony Richardson doesn't do the simple things well enough. So I think it's a really big week for Anthony Richardson.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

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. I don't.

[Adam Azer]

I think he's kind of a gamer. You know, he's. He's always been horrible in the preseason because I've talked about it two years in a row, and then he. The lights come on and he is not great, but he makes some ridiculous plays. I think he's. He's a gamer. That will do better when it counts personally. But obviously, like, the pass protection stuff.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Needs to be better. Yeah. Look, had he gone out and was dominant against the Ravens, for example, he would have won the job that night.

[Adam Azer]

Quite possible.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

The fact that he didn't lose the job that night is still miraculous.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, it's a great point. They're giving him a lot a leash, I think.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

It's just Daniel Jones has not done anything to win it.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, he's right.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

It's not that good.

[Adam Azer]

All right, that's it. But we'll keep an eye on the Colts and keep an eye on that big Sunday night game, Bears versus Bills. Thank you so much for watching. Listening, everybody. We will talk to you next week on FFD Express.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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