The most important NFL dress rehearsal is now in the books. Preseason Week 3 featured the longest amount of action from the starters and showed which teams are really ready to go in regular season Week 1. This was also a big week for rookies. Those players that are on fantasy radars saw their toughest competition to date. So how did they fare? We take a look at how rookie wide receivers on the fantasy radar held up in preseason Week 3 and what that means for owners.
Fantasy football 2017: Performance of rookie wide receivers in preseason Week 3
A look at the most notable rookie wideout performances of preseason Week 3.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Jones caught three passes for 28 yards in the third preseason game against Baltimore. His production was undoubtedly low due to starting QB Tyrod Taylor going down early in the game with a concussion. Jones did lead the team in targets on the night. So far this preseason he has caught six passes for 70 yards.
Jones’ stat line do not accurately represent his upside. Early on Jones was competing with veteran greats Sammy Watkins and Anquan Boldin, both players have since left the team. Now, Jones is in position to be he one of the most productive rookie wideouts. He will have to get on the same page as Taylor, but the 37th overall pick’s fantasy upside continues to look good considering the amount of volume he will see this season.
Jared Goff’s favorite receiver missed preseason Week 3 with a groin injury. The injury is not very serious, but he missed valuable playing time is the most important preseason game. So far this preseason, Kupp has caught eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Owners that have followed Kupp closely know that his upside is high. Unfortunately, missing this key game may have hurt his ADP. Savvy owners should look out for Kupp in the later rounds. The third-round pick could be a big boom in the regular season.
Golladay was propelled to the first team while T.J. Jones and Eric Ebron remain sidelined with injuries. The third-round pick had a spectacular NFL debut, but has fallen flat since. In Week 1 of the preseason he caught three passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Weeks 2 and 3 he only caught one pass for six and 3 yards respectively.
Week to week Golladay’s production could look vastly different, making him a risky fantasy pick. He is expected to start in a three-receiver set and his targets will be anything but guaranteed. For now, Golladay’s best fantasy option is a favorable DFS matchup.
Fantasy value is slipping away from Davis, the top wide receiver chosen in this year’s draft. Davis missed the first three preseason games with a hamstring injury and now the Titans have chosen to sit Davis for Week 4 of the preseason as well to ensure a more speedy recovery. The fifth overall pick is also questionable for Week 1 of the regular season.
Davis will have a lot to make up for when he returns to the field. He’s joining a receiving core full of weapons and has no game time experience with his QB Marcus Mariota. Davis’ skills are undeniable, but he will need some time to get up to speed.
