2026 Preseason Week 2

Dear Anhelose Members of the Dana Burger Dynasty League,

Time is clicking down! We are two weeks away from the start of the 2026 NFL season! Exciting stuff! I've noticed that a few of you have begun to pare down your rosters; this is good! Please check your rosters soon as Sleeper's internal engine won't allow you to make roster moves until your roster max is down to the appropriate number.

Additionally, you all should have received your reminder for dues. Congratulations to (what I will call now) my "FAVORITE FIVE", as in, the five who have already sent me their dues. Those five are: AJ, Todd, Andy, Tim, and Lucas. Yay! The rest of you have yet to do so. A reminder for those that do not read these newsletters/emails is that we are bringing back our midseason tournament, hosted via our amazing website THAT I BUILT, and that is the extra $10. Which I think is reasonable. So please do it bc it's fun and my job is to keep this league interesting and fun (hence all the work I did on this automated email-landed newsletter and our fancy new league landing page which I think is pretty neat).

Today we have some important content: Preseason information! With two games already under the belts of all teams, we have injury news, as well as our first look at rookies. Let's dive into some stock ups and downs!

NFL PRESEASON WEEKS 1 & 2 — DYNASTY TAKEAWAYS BY TEAM

Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love was one of the preseason's biggest early winners, starting ahead of Tyler Allgeier and producing 11 carries for 58 yards plus 3 catches for 14 yards while handling the larger share of meaningful snaps. The concern is significant: Love subsequently suffered a high-ankle sprain. His long-term dynasty outlook remains excellent, but the injury increases Allgeier's early-season opportunity.

📈 Stock Up: Tyler Allgeier — short-term role expanded by Love's injury.
📉 Stock Down: Jeremiyah Love — role and talent look great, but the ankle clouds his immediate outlook.

Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts received extremely encouraging first-team usage, dominating the targets during Atlanta's brief starter appearance. Rookie Zachariah Branch later commanded 3 targets on only 4 routes, while Jahan Dotson appears secure in a major receiver role. The uncertainty is at quarterback, where Tua Tagovailoa has not completely separated from Michael Penix Jr.

📈 Stock Up: Kyle Pitts, Zachariah Branch, Jahan Dotson.
📉 Stock Down: Tua Tagovailoa — the starting job appears less secure than previously assumed.

Baltimore Ravens
Ja'Kobi Lane has steadily separated himself in the WR3 competition. He opened preseason with 3 catches for 38 yards and a TD, then received starter-like treatment in Week 2, exiting before Devontez Walker. The production and depth-chart sequencing now tell the same story.

📈 Stock Up: Ja'Kobi Lane.
📉 Stock Down: Devontez Walker — Lane appears to have moved ahead.

Buffalo Bills
New addition DJ Moore immediately clicked with Josh Allen, catching 3 passes for 61 yards on 4 targets before being protected in Week 2. Dalton Kincaid also received encouraging usage alongside Dawson Knox in 12 personnel rather than leaving the field whenever Buffalo used multiple tight ends.

📈 Stock Up: DJ Moore, Dalton Kincaid.
📉 Stock Down: No major movement.

Carolina Panthers
Two weeks have been very encouraging for Jonathon Brooks. With Chuba Hubbard sidelined, Carolina repeatedly used Brooks with the first team across early downs and short-yardage situations. He added 5 carries for 18 yards and a TD in Week 2. The Panthers appear increasingly comfortable treating him as a significant member of the backfield rather than easing him into a minor role.

📈 Stock Up: Jonathon Brooks.
📉 Stock Down: Chuba Hubbard — injury plus Brooks' emergence threatens his workload.

Chicago Bears
Week 2 finally gave us meaningful starter information, and Colston Loveland was the major winner. He played 86% of Caleb Williams' snaps, ran a route on 80% of dropbacks, and drew 3 of Williams' 5 targets. Rome Odunze's role remains secure, but Loveland's immediate receiving involvement is the standout development.

📈 Stock Up: Colston Loveland.
📉 Stock Down: No meaningful downgrade.

Cincinnati Bengals
Rookie Colbie Young has quietly put together two encouraging weeks. He received first-team opportunities in the opener and followed with 8 targets, 3 catches, 48 yards and a TD in Week 2. Samaje Perine has also looked firmly established as the passing-down complement to Chase Brown.

📈 Stock Up: Colbie Young, Samaje Perine.
📉 Stock Down: Chase Brown — the preseason hasn't supported a true three-down breakout; Andrei Iosivas — Young is applying pressure.

Cleveland Browns
KC Concepcion was one of Week 1's stars with 3 catches for 27 yards, a 14-yard rushing TD and a 31-yard punt return. Cleveland then rested him with established starters in Week 2 — arguably an even stronger signal. Quinshon Judkins also looked like the clear early-down/short-yardage leader, while Harold Fannin Jr. earned extensive starter snaps.

📈 Stock Up: KC Concepcion, Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin Jr., Shedeur Sanders.
📉 Stock Down: Deshaun Watson — poor Week 2 showing added uncertainty to the QB battle.

Dallas Cowboys
The backfield changed dramatically between games. Jaydon Blue appeared to establish himself as Javonte Williams' backup in Week 1, only for Malik Davis to play well ahead of him in Week 2. Blue's ball-security issues have reopened the competition. WR Camden Brown scored twice in the opener but remains a deep-roster prospect.

📈 Stock Up: Malik Davis.
📉 Stock Down: Jaydon Blue — one of the preseason's clearest Week 1-to-Week 2 reversals.

Denver Broncos
RJ Harvey remains an important piece, but Denver has repeatedly given Jonah Coleman full drives with the first-team line. Add J.K. Dobbins to the equation and this increasingly resembles a three-man rotation rather than a straightforward Harvey breakout. Pat Bryant has also made progress in the receiver competition.

📈 Stock Up: Jonah Coleman, Pat Bryant.
📉 Stock Down: RJ Harvey — not because of talent, but because the workload may be more crowded than expected.

Detroit Lions
Detroit has given Isaac TeSlaa extensive route participation while resting Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. The problem: the targets haven't followed. He may be winning the WR3 role without becoming particularly useful for fantasy.

📈 Stock Up: Isaac TeSlaa's real-life depth-chart standing.
📉 Stock Down: Isaac TeSlaa's immediate fantasy ceiling — plenty of routes, little target evidence.

Green Bay Packers
Few players have helped themselves more than Matthew Golden. He stayed on the field over Jayden Reed in heavier personnel in Week 1, then posted an 86% route participation rate with Jordan Love in Week 2. Christian Watson also saw strong target involvement, while MarShawn Lloyd increasingly looks like Josh Jacobs' clear backup.

📈 Stock Up: Matthew Golden, Christian Watson, MarShawn Lloyd.
📉 Stock Down: Jayden Reed — his snap ceiling remains the concern.

Houston Texans
Week 1 appeared to confirm Jayden Higgins as an established starter. Unfortunately, he subsequently tore his ACL and is out for the season. Xavier Hutchinson now has a much clearer opportunity outside, while Jaylin Noel and Dalton Schultz could pick up additional targets.

📈 Stock Up: Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Dalton Schultz.
📉 Stock Down: Jayden Higgins — season-ending injury.

Indianapolis Colts
With most established starters protected, the most important development has been Seth McGowan emerging as Jonathan Taylor's likely direct backup. In Week 2 he played every snap over Indianapolis' opening six drives and handled 89% of the designed carries during that stretch.

📈 Stock Up: Seth McGowan.
📉 Stock Down: No major fantasy-relevant movement.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 1 hero J'Mari Taylor rushed for 78 yards, but Week 2 immediately demonstrated why preseason production needs context: he managed 3 yards on 4 carries and did not leapfrog the established backs. Veteran Ameer Abdullah helped himself with 45 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards.

📈 Stock Up: Ameer Abdullah; Nate Boerkircher in deep TE formats.
📉 Stock Down: J'Mari Taylor — big Week 1 numbers haven't translated into a significant role.

Kansas City Chiefs
The young receiver competition is becoming interesting. Jalen Royals played every snap over Kansas City's first three Week 2 drives and commanded a strong target share, while Cyrus Allen has shown useful inside/outside versatility in both games. At RB, Emmett Johnson remains intriguing but the backup hierarchy is not settled.

📈 Stock Up: Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, Emmett Johnson.
📉 Stock Down: Brashard Smith — Week 2 usage pushed him further down the RB pecking order.

Las Vegas Raiders
Week 2 gave us a significant clue when Tre Tucker rested alongside Kirk Cousins, Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers while competing receivers played. That strongly suggests Las Vegas already views Tucker as an established starter. Mike Washington Jr. also appears positioned as Jeanty's primary backup.

📈 Stock Up: Tre Tucker, Mike Washington Jr.
📉 Stock Down: Jack Bech — immediate path to targets is getting narrower.

Los Angeles Chargers
Keaton Mitchell has emerged as the likely No. 2 behind Omarion Hampton. He rested with Hampton in Week 1, then handled entire drives ahead of Kimani Vidal in Week 2. Conversely, Oronde Gadsden went from an intriguing opener to no first-team snaps while David Njoku and Charlie Kolar played.

📈 Stock Up: Keaton Mitchell.
📉 Stock Down: Oronde Gadsden, Kimani Vidal.

Los Angeles Rams
First-round QB Ty Simpson opened with an excellent 21-of-25, 190-yard, 2-TD performance and followed with a solid second game. He's still behind Matthew Stafford — and has even opened behind Stetson Bennett in preseason sequencing — so this remains primarily a Superflex succession play. TE Terrance Ferguson has also earned increasingly encouraging treatment.

📈 Stock Up: Ty Simpson long term, Terrance Ferguson.
📉 Stock Down: Ty Simpson only if managers were expecting immediate playing time.

Miami Dolphins
Miami's young receiver hierarchy is becoming much clearer. Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington played every opening-drive snap in Week 1; Washington then rested in Week 2 while Douglas played only one drive before being shut down. Both increasingly look like established pieces rather than roster-bubble players.

📈 Stock Up: Caleb Douglas, Malik Washington.
📉 Stock Down: No major movement.

Minnesota Vikings
Tai Felton has been one of the more underrated preseason risers. After earning meaningful outside work in Week 1, he posted 3 catches for 66 yards on 4 targets with a 100% route participation rate alongside J.J. McCarthy in Week 2. McCarthy himself was uneven, completing 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards.

📈 Stock Up: Tai Felton.
📉 Stock Down: J.J. McCarthy — extended opportunity didn't meaningfully accelerate his trajectory.

New England Patriots
Rookie RB Jam Miller helped his roster case with 14 carries for 55 yards after injuries opened the depth chart. WR Kyle Williams has been the bigger statistical preseason standout, totaling 111 yards and 2 TDs through two games, though he's still fighting through a crowded receiver room.

📈 Stock Up: Jam Miller, Kyle Williams.
📉 Stock Down: No major movement.

New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller has gained opportunity as injuries have hit the backfield and could enter the season as a key reserve. Rookie TE Oscar Delp, however, followed a Week 1 touchdown with only a 29% route participation rate despite other Saints tight ends sitting.

📈 Stock Up: Kendre Miller.
📉 Stock Down: Oscar Delp's immediate 2026 outlook.

New York Giants
This remains one of the league's messiest fantasy backfields. Cam Skattebo rotated with Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary in Week 1, but being rested with Najee Harris in Week 2 was a modestly encouraging signal. Tracy then played behind Singletary and lost a fumble. Rookie WR Malachi Fields has also earned increasingly starter-like preseason treatment.

📈 Stock Up: Malachi Fields; Cam Skattebo slightly after being protected in Week 2.
📉 Stock Down: Tyrone Tracy; overall confidence in the Giants' backfield hierarchy.

New York Jets
The most important Jets takeaway remains Breece Hall's 10-of-11 first-drive snap share in Week 1, including essentially every meaningful RB role. A subsequent groin strain adds some short-term concern. Geno Smith then went 7-of-7 for 65 yards and a TD in Week 2, while Omar Cooper has yet to clearly separate in the WR competition.

📈 Stock Up: Breece Hall's workload projection, Geno Smith.
📉 Stock Down: Omar Cooper; Hall's health carries a minor warning flag.

Philadelphia Eagles
Tank Bigsby received surprising passing-down opportunities in Week 1, then rested with established starters in Week 2. That strongly suggests he's the clear No. 2 behind Saquon Barkley. Dontayvion Wicks was also protected and appears increasingly secure in Philadelphia's top WR group. Rookie TE Eli Stowers remains behind Grant Calcaterra.

📈 Stock Up: Tank Bigsby, Dontayvion Wicks.
📉 Stock Down: Eli Stowers for immediate production.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Rookie Germie Bernard turned a strong camp into first-team involvement and an explosive 25-yard catch-and-run in Week 1. At tight end, Pat Freiermuth continues sharing substantial work with Darnell Washington. Young RB Kaleb Johnson also entered much later than fantasy managers would have liked.

📈 Stock Up: Germie Bernard.
📉 Stock Down: Pat Freiermuth, Kaleb Johnson.

San Francisco 49ers
De'Zhaun Stribling may be the best two-week deep-dynasty story of the preseason. He followed 7 catches for 62 yards with another 4 catches for 46 yards in only two drives, while seeing meaningful snaps alongside established receivers. The combination of production, opponent quality and depth-chart usage is increasingly difficult to dismiss.

📈 Stock Up: De'Zhaun Stribling — one of the preseason's biggest risers.
📉 Stock Down: No major fantasy-relevant movement.

Seattle Seahawks
The most notable development has actually been discouraging for rookie TE Elijah Arroyo. He scored a highlight touchdown, but Seattle has repeatedly played him while resting established starter AJ Barner. Rookie RB Jadarian Price's lower-body issue also prevented managers from getting a clear look at the backfield.

📈 Stock Up: No major movement.
📉 Stock Down: Elijah Arroyo's immediate role; Jadarian Price carries an injury question.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving remains the lead runner, handling 75% of Tampa's designed carries with Baker Mayfield in Week 2. The concern is receiving work: Kenneth Gainwell dominated routes and passing-down snaps. Irving's rushing role looks safe, but the three-down breakout thesis took a hit.

📈 Stock Up: Kenneth Gainwell.
📉 Stock Down: Bucky Irving's receiving ceiling — not his overall lead-back status.

Tennessee Titans
This is one of the clearest two-week stories. Tyjae Spears has repeatedly played at least as much as Tony Pollard with the starting offense, making a true 1A/1B arrangement increasingly likely. Rookie Carnell Tate also corrected his Week 1 concern by playing every snap with Cam Ward in Week 2. Wan'Dale Robinson continues leaving the field in heavier personnel.

📈 Stock Up: Tyjae Spears, Carnell Tate.
📉 Stock Down: Tony Pollard, Wan'Dale Robinson.

Washington Commanders
Kaytron Allen made noise with 23 carries for 85 yards in Week 1 and remains a name to watch in the backfield. Week 2 offered a first glimpse of Stefon Diggs, who aligned primarily from the slot, while Chig Okonkwo received extensive snaps with the first team. Marcus Mariota's MCL injury adds some uncertainty in Superflex formats.

📈 Stock Up: Kaytron Allen, Stefon Diggs, Chig Okonkwo.
📉 Stock Down: Marcus Mariota because of the injury.

Alright, that's it for this week. Next week's preseason games are really just for cuts, so let's just hope for no injuries! Here we go into the 2026 Season!

Yours in Football,
Doug