This article series will primarily be for eye-level observations complemented with some PFF statistics. Each week, I'll be highlighting anywhere from 2 to 4 games and explaining how some of the goings-on during these games may affect you for fantasy purposes. Obviously, this is just one man's observational power, but hopefully this will give you some additional high-level insight into some players who may be on your fantasy radar. Without further ado, let's dive right into the Patriots and Buccaneers preseason game!
-Aaron Hernandez caps Ron Gronkowski's upside. I think you all know the story – Gronk is the redzone horse – but Hernandez may very well get more catches than Gronk when all is said and done. If Hernandez cuts down the fumbles a bit, he could be a 60+ catch a year guy. Hernandez tends to get moved around more and split wide, while Gronkowski's size makes him an ideal in-line tight end.
-Rookie offensive lineman Nate Solder is looking very good for someone who didn't have a real offseason and signed late. He's a huge guy, and could probably pack on 20 pounds to his frame and you'd barely notice. He played well against Adrian Clayborn, though he does need technique work on inside moves. He also played very well when run blocking, including getting to the second level for downfield blocks. He may not see a ton of game action this year as he learns, but you can see his potential if you zone in on him.
-I'm not an IDP guy at all, but if Bill Belichick uses Jerod Mayo as he did in this game, Mayo could be a huge boom for IDP players. He'll rack up tackles, will get the extras, and if he blitzes as well as he did against the Bucs, he'll probably chip in a handful of sacks as well.
-The pass rush looks so much better than it did last year. I don't want to glean too much from the preseason, but this unit could be scary with Albert Haynesworth at full speed/motivated.
-Speaking of the pass rush, 2 of the Patriots' acquisitions, Mark Anderson and Andre Carter, have looked good in back to back weeks. Anderson is a liability against the run, but he constantly gets pressure against the pass. Andre Carter was a top 4-3 DE in 2009 PFF grades, so it's no surprise he's showing up so well as of now. He had at least 3 holding calls against him this game and still got a ton of pressure and helped with sacks.
-The Buccaneers o-line looked totally lost, and that's a scary thought for LeGarrette Blount owners (who by the way, looked so-so). Something to monitor for sure, especially Donald Penn, who got dismantled by the aforementioned Carter.
-Danny Woodhead may only see 10 touches a game max, but boy is he fun to watch. Someone I wouldn't mind having in a deep PPR bench. If the o-line holds his blocks, he's a threat for a first down every time he touches the ball.
-One negative for the Patriots was the offensive line pass protection in the second quarter. Dan Connolly really seemed to struggle, and Dan Koppen's arrow is pointing straight down. Unsurprisingly, both had negative PFF pass block ratings last year.
-It's telling that Brandon Meriweather was in when all the other defensive starters were sitting in the second half. I've long been a Meriweather detractor – he freelances, has cruddy fundamentals, and seems to hate playing within the confines of the system. If he's on your IDP radar, don't be surprised if he starts losing snaps or even gets traded.
-Once again, Stevan Ridley looked like a legit NFL runner. If he sees a decent number of touches per week somehow, he's definitely startable in many formats, including PPR.
-This doesn't effect much in fantasy terms except maybe blocking, but UDFA tight end Will Yeatman could beat out 5th round rookie Lee Smith for a roster spot. He's played very well this preseason, blocking effectively and chipping in the odd catch here and there.
Overall, the Patriots first team looked solid. Their d-line looks improved for now, while the o-line does need work. As a sidenote, I won't be surprised at all if Shane Vereen is placed on IR or PUP given the glut of RBs the Pats have. The Bucs look like they need some serious work on the o-line as well, and I'll be a bit concerned about Blount's value if this continues throughout the preseason.
Now then…some quick hits from the Steelers/Eagles game.
-Isaac Redman runs with authority. The Steelers are one of few teams who seem to enjoy a workhorse RB, but if something happens to Rashard Mendenhall, I think Redman could be a very serviceable RB2. I doubt I'll get Mendy in any leagues, but if I do, I'll be sure to snag Redman late.
-Speaking of Mendenhall, he's looked good so far. Draft him in the first round with confidence in all formats. Not much else to say.
-For all the talk of the Eagles CBs, their supposed coverage skills mean nothing if the team can't play the run or even beat up a subpar o-line. It's also worth nothing that both Asante Samuel (who I consider the worst tackler in the NFL) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie graded well into the negatives last year against the run. Kryptonite?
-Again, it's just one game, but Michael Vick looked lost against a pressure D. If that o-line can't contain better than they did against the Steelers, he might get banged up pretty good.
-I've seen people reaching for the Eagles D like crazy with all the moves. You really don't need to do that. But since you're a savvy fantasy owner, that goes without saying, right?
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