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The preseason's official opening week will wrap up today. As I've been doing the past couple days, here are the fantasy-relevant rookies I'm closely watching on each team. Although we won't get to see high-upside guys like Jadarian Price, Makai Lemon, or Jordyn Tyson, there are plenty of other names to follow.
Giants -- I've been high on Malachi Fields this summer. Maybe too high. On my rankings, he's 51 spots ahead of his overall-231 ADP. And actually, his ADP is ahead of every other Giants WR except Malik Nabers. While it might take time for the third rounder to acclimate, today will give us a little clarity on whether he might lock down the #2 job over Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darius Slayton, etc.
Vikings -- Most sixth-round rookie RBs are longshots to make noise. Among the 110 retired running backs who've entered the league since 1996, their average Year 1 fantasy rankings was 115. Only five have finished in the top 60: Alfred Blue (45th), Wali Lundy (39th), Andre Ellington (25th), Mike Anderson (11th), and Alfred Morris (8th). Rookie Demond Claiborne is in a fascinating spot, playing behind 31-year-old Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. He could eventually carve out a 1B role if one of those two is sidelined.
Bears -- I haven't been able to find out if third-round wideout Zavion Thomas is healthy enough to play. As shared previously, he probably has the highest ceiling of any Chicago WR not named Luther or Rome. And with the former out multiple weeks, Thomas is a name to track.
Bills -- As with Malachi Fields, maybe I've been too high on WR Skyler Bell. Yeah, Buffalo has a crowded receiving corps, and Bell reportedly hasn't shined like some other rookies. But there's a lot of jockeying for the #3 job. A strong showing from Bell could put him back on the map.
Browns -- Could WRs Denzel Boston and K.C. Concepcion compel Cleveland to trade Jerry Jeudy? It would give managers a little more clarity each week. As it stands, there are too many pass catchers and not enough high-end passing. A rough combination in fantasy. Let's see if one or both of these rookies looks like the team's #1.
Chiefs -- Cyrus Allen is an intriguing fifth-round rookie: a wideout playing with a great QB, but clearly behind multiple entrenched WRs and a legendary TE. He has only a narrow path to fantasy streamability. But there's still time for him to pursue the #3 job.
Rams -- Despite an historic 2025 bounce-back, 38-year-old Matthew Stafford is not expected to be a weekly fantasy starter, at least according to the fantasy market. The Rams went all in on potential future franchise quarterback Ty Simpson, the #13 overall draft pick. The odds of Stafford staying injury-free are slim. Enough said.
Saints -- WR Jordyn Tyson's college durability issues have carried over into training camp. Fellow rookie wideout Bryce Lance is insanely undervalued at an overall-461 ADP, despite being a fourth-round pick. Outside of Chris Olave, any missed time for Tyson would open the door for guys like Lance. Let's see how he looks.
Ravens -- On a team with no clear #2 wideout in what is expected to be a more pass-friendly offense, third-round rookie Ja'Kobi Lane has a huge range of outcomes. Currently I've got him below his overall-208 / WR71 ADP. Today we'll see if I might be completely off.
If there's a rookie you're particularly pumped about or down on, let's hear it.
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