The preseason’s over, and we saw plenty of surprises and developments in the 65 games (starting with one of the games not even being played). Here’s my first team All-Preseason fantasy squad:
QB Dak Prescott, Cowboys: He completed 78 percent of his passes, with 5 TDs, 0 interceptions and another 2 TDs on runs. The best rookie quarterback since Russell Wilson.
RB Derrick Henry, Titans: Big man with football. Consistently broke tackles and gobbled up yards in every game. Ran for 216 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. Looks like he’ll be productive immediately as a change-of-pace runner, and I don’t think anybody will be surprised if it’s not long before it becomes apparent he’s simply better than DeMarco Murray. That’s a great looking ‘Thunder and Thunder’ backfield.
RB Christine Michael, Seahawks: Started all of Seattle’s first three preseason games and played well enough all of them, slamming it hard between the tackles and ripping off chunks of yards. Finished with 157 rushing yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. If Thomas Rawls breaks down, the Seahawks will be just fine at tailback, and they likely will use these guys in a one-two punch.
WR Will Fuller, Texans: He looks like he’ll be by far the best of the rookie receivers. He started all three of Houston’s initial games, consistently getting behind defenses for long completions. 2 TDs. Also dropped a bomb in one game, but the potential is apparent.
WR Robby Anderson, Jets: Just a free-agent rookie out of Temple, but he forced his way onto New York’s roster by consistently getting behind defenses for long completions. He finished with 3 TDs and a league-high 264 receiving yards, including a league-high 3 catches over 40 yards.
TE A.J. Derby, Patriots: The Patriots have Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, so they’re kind of set at tight end. But this second-year player showed that he’s got a future, with a league-high (for tight ends) 15 catches. He got downfield for 3 catches over 20 yards, and there was one sideline grab where he was blasted right after the catch but still held on. Looks like he’ll start some NFL games at some point in his future.
PK Cairo Santos, Kansas City: He rose more than any kicker on my board in August. The team looks better than I expected and has a kicker-friendly offense – Alex Smith looks awfully content to throw the ball out of the end zone, walk off the field and take the safe 3 points. Kansas City attempted 3 field goals in each of its first three games (the more meaningful game). Santos finished the preseason converted 9 of 10, with a 58-yarder in there.
—Ian Allan