Training camps have been underway for over two weeks. Every day that passes bears the fruit of camp reports which have been the foundation for steady player drumbeats. As we head into Week 1 of preseason football, those drumbeats will be put to the test of live games played. This article will be a weekly series during the preseason that discusses players trending up. The following are five players to watch as the second week of preseason games begins.
WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans
It has been nearly two years since we have seen Michael Thomas play a regular season game. Thomas ruptured his deltoid ligament (mechanism in the ankle) in Week 1 of 2020 and has been jumping through hoops to get back on the field. Still, he has been making steady progress through training camp and successfully participating in team drills. Thomas is 29 years old, questioning how much mileage his ankle has left in it. However, he is only two years removed from posting over 1700 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Going in the seventh round of drafts, Thomas is still a value. If he can play a single preseason game, his ADP will skyrocket, and the bargain window will have shut. All indicators point to a comeback for Thomas. Who are we to deny fate? The public waits with bated breath.
WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas
Rookie wide receiver Jalen Tolbert has been a steady bright spot during Dallas Cowboys training camp. Veteran James Washington has been Tolbert's primary competition for snaps, but Washington unluckily suffered an injury and will be missing valuable training camp snaps. Meanwhile, Tolbert and quarterback Dak Prescott have been establishing solid chemistry daily. Amari Cooper has been traded to the Cleveland Browns, and Michael Gallup is still working his way back from an ACL tear. Tolbert's only competition for targets would be CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz. Suppose Tolbert can continue putting together a good training camp and show well during the coming preseason games. In that case, he has a golden opportunity to become a weekly WR2 during his rookie year. He is being drafted at the beginning of the fifteenth round. He needs to be a priority addition to fantasy teams at his current ADP in 2022.
RB Tyler Badie, Baltimore
Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Tyler Badie's name has yet to begin the rounds in redraft circles. Starting running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards began training camp on PUP, leaving the running back snaps to be presumably absorbed by Badie, Justice Hill, and veteran Mike Davis. Historically, Justice Hill has rarely been considered a regular part of the game plan. Mike Davis is 29 years old and was largely ineffective as a starter with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. Last season, Badie made a name for himself at Missouri, where he rushed for 1600 yards and 18 touchdowns while catching 54 balls for over 300 yards. He has the profile to be a complete back in the NFL. Nobody knows how Dobbins' and Edwards' injuries will endure the rigors of the regular season once they come off of PUP. (Dobbins was just activated this week) But if Badie shows well during the preseason and earns the trust of his team, then his name will be one well worth remembering. Expect to see him prove his value by getting plenty of snaps during preseason games.
TE Daniel Bellinger, NY Giants
Rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger has been making headlines with the New York Giants this offseason. Reports have consistently been generated about him operating as the team’s TE1. Bellinger was hand selected by Brian Daboll in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Bellinger's college production was limited, but he does offer the athleticism to develop into a good pass-catching tight end with one of the highest Relative Athletic Scores in the class scoring 9.63 out of 10. With veteran Ricky Seals-Jones failing to impress the Giants' coaching staff, Bellinger is a good bet to see more than a moderate number of meaningful snaps this year. In his rookie year, he could serve as a legitimate red zone weapon and could be looked at to help the chains move during regular season games. However, Bellinger's fantasy production expectations should be kept conservative as he is still a project. He's a player to watch this preseason for redraft and dynasty leagues.
RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City
Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, Isiah Pacheco was the final running back selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. But his draft stock does not accurately reflect his potential. Pacheco boasts the highest speed score and forty-yard dash time of all the rookie running backs. He also possesses one of the highest BMIs of this rookie class which is an excellent indicator of early down workhorse capability. Special Teams are a late-round selection’s best friend. Pacheco has already secured primary kick returner duties with the Chiefs. A seventh-round rookie running back to have already secured that job is a significant development. Reports have already emerged of Pacheco ''lighting up'' Chiefs’ camp with direct comparisons to former Chiefs stud running back Kareem Hunt. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire injured yet again, Pacheco received snaps with the first-team offense and has not been shy about showcasing his talents. The drumbeat is trending towards Pacheco having an early season impact for fantasy and may prove to be the RB1 in Kansas City sometime this year. All eyes should be on him during Week 2 of the preseason.