Preseason Week 2 Player Notes

QB:

Alex Smith - J.T. O'Sullivan started in preseason week 2 again, further showing that he has a legit chance at being SF's opening week QB. Alex Smith isn't dead in the water yet, but he really needs to start turning heads in practice to take this job by week 1. If you're drafting now, you can safely ignore him in your draft, as I doubt many people would take a chance on him. He's someone you don't want to forget, however.

Tavaris Jackson - Jackson suffered a knee sprain, but it doesn't appear to be serious at the moment. If you're thinking about taking him as a QB2 if you have someone like Brady and want an interesting backup, then I wouldn't change my stance on him yet.

Jon Kitna - Kitna has been almost perfect in his first 2 preseason games. Much was made about the fact that Martz has left and Kitna won't be throwing as much, but like I mentioned in the writeups for Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, the passing game is going to focus more on the talented WR duo. They're also switching to a zone blocking scheme for the running game, and that will take a while to become successful. This should allow for Kitna to post very solid numbers and is a recommended QB2. He's going to make his fair share of mistakes as he always has, but he should be a reliable backup QB.

Marc Bulger - Bulger is getting pummeled, just like last year. He left with a strained shoulder, and given he's had shoulder problems before, it's a concern. He'll likely be drafted as some team's starter, so make sure that you're not that team.

RB:

Steven Jackson - He's still holding out. Given the lackluster offense around him, the history of RBs with the 1 season of high workloads, and now the holdout threatening his availability and conditioning for week 1, there are much safer RB1 options in your draft.

Kevin Smith - The Lions officially named him the team's starter at RB, although most of us knew this when he was drafted. It's a fact now. He's not a bad late RB2, and he's a very good RB3.

Ahman Green - He's already hurt. Don't draft him. Slaton and Darius Walker are both worth speculating on late in drafts in terms of a Houston RB with a chance to carve out some fantasy value. I think Walker is more of a featured RB type than Slaton, who's more of a change-of-pace RB.

Rudi Johnson/Chris Perry/Kenny Watson - Rudi was scratched with more problems in his hamstring. Do not draft him. Chris Perry was given the start and wasn't overly impressive, but it's obvious the Bengals will try to get what they can from Perry. Perry is plenty talented, but he's had injury problems dating all the way back to college. I still think Kenny Watson is the guy to draft here and wait for.

DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart - I'm very conflicted on this situation right now. Williams was solid, but not overly impressive in week 2. Stewart finally saw the field, and only gained 4 yards on 3 carries, but this was his first game action in a while and you shouldn't have expected too much. Williams is a talented RB, but you really have to wonder why the coaching staff went with DeShaun Foster the past 2 years. They had to see something in Williams they didn't like. I think it's pretty clear that Williams will be the starter in week 1, but it'll be an interesting battle from there. I still think Stewart is the greater talent, and if you can nab him as a RB3, he's a very interesting upside pick.

Selvin Young/Andre Hall - Hall stole goal line duties from Young in preseason week 2 on both drives. Selvin Young's fantasy value took a hit with this development, and I'm thinking that Andre Hall is another late round RB worth speculating with, especially if he's going to be scoring the TDs.

Ray Rice - Rice had another outstanding preseason performance this weekend. Rice is highly recommended as a RB4 as he would be RB2 material should anything happen to Willis McGahee, and he might even start week 1 if McGahee isn't recovered by then. I think the coaching staff will probably feel there's no rush to get McGahee back.

Ricky Williams - He's back, baby! He had another great preseason game in week 2 as is also recommended as a RB3. With Ronnie Brown not looking so good, Ricky could have a big role early in the season. It would be smart for the Phins to ride Ricky this year and allow Brown to recover, but who knows what their plans are.

Michael Turner - Turner exploded for 114 yards on 4 carries. I wouldn't get too excited about this as his surrounding offense is pretty lackluster, and he's not going to be too involved in the passing game. However, he remains a solid RB2 as he'll probably approach 300 carries and maybe 8 TDs or so.

Chris Johnson - Johnson had another great game in week 2, but beware of the hype machine on this kid. He's incredibly explosive, but the Titans will continue to pound the ball with LenDale White primary with Johnson worked in as well. I still compare this to the Deuce/Bush split we saw in 2006 from the Saints.

WR:

Calvin Johnson - CJ has been downright nasty so far, and it's clear the back injury that really slowed him down last year is no longer a problem. CJ has a chance to skyrocket into the top 10 this year, and he's highly recommended as a WR2 in the 4th/5th rounds. He's going to be featured quite a bit this season.

Brandon Marshall - Marshall posted 59 yards and a TD in week 2, showing he's just fine and ready for the season. He'll miss the first 2 weeks, but do NOT let him slip too far. He'll be WR1 material, like Steve Smith, when he returns from suspension.

Matt Jones - Remember him? He'll have a chance to play a big role in Jacksonville with the plethora of WR injuries they've suffered. He still remains plenty talented and is an interesting WR5 flier pick to see what happens.

Antonio Bryant - I still like him as a sleeper, but it's been pointed out that he's running behind Joey Galloway so far. Unless he moves across the field from him, he'll be stuck on the bench until Galloway gets hurt. Continue to monitor his position. If he moves across and gets a chance to start opposite Galloway, which makes the most sense given his competition would be Ike Hilliard, he'll be a major sleeper.

Ted Ginn Jr. - Ginn put up a solid week 2 performance, and he's another intersting WR5 option. He'll start and be the go-to guy in the passing game, giving him some upside. His deep speed doesn't match Pennington's weak arm, but if he learns how to run his intermediate routes well, he'll become a fantasy factor.

Reggie Brown - I originally liked him as a bounce-back candidate this year, but he's continued to struggle in the preseason, and now he's dealing with a hamstring injury. I wouldn't take him as anything more than a WR4, and even that might be overdrafting him.