RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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There are things we can learn from grinding every single little detail in preseason action. I’ve done this for years, and on the whole, it’s very helpful to nitpick these things. I’ll do my best to cut through the noise, and also provide more context than just looking at the snap rates with the first team. Alignment, assignments and performance all matter as we project forward. Join us on YouTube as we debate these things each week.
Here are my observations from the 12 teams that played on Thursday. I’ll also continue to add takeaways from the remaining Week 1 preseason slate.
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Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love shines in debut
Love looked awesome. Spin move. Hurdle. Balance. More importantly, the rookie started over Tyler Allgeier and out-snapped him, 16:6, when both of them were mixing in throughout the first two drives. Love was also on the field for a 3rd-and-3 play-action rep from inside the 10-yard line. This coaching staff isn’t playing games. Love is going to play a ton right away. Round 2 is back on the table for me.
Playing all of those snaps comes with risk. Love has a minor ankle injury, and more importantly, second-round G Chase Bisontis (knee) went down. New coach Mike LaFleur said it does not look good. That’s a key injury in both the run and pass game.
Jacoby Brissett got the ball to his receivers, with Trey McBride only playing one snap. Michael Wilson had an underneath grab and an excellent out route against press man coverage, and then Marvin Harrison Jr. drew a slot fade DPI and scored a crossing route against man coverage on a great ball from Brissett. Harrison spent most of his time at X receiver and ran down field often, but a slot target is nice to see as a change up. In general, this skill group is so much better than their current No. 32 projected scoring offense.
Marvin Harrison drew a DPI (from the slot!!) before he scored his TD. RB notes: Jeremiyah Love started over Tyler Allgeier. Love played 16-of-22 snaps when Allgeier was mixing in, and Love was on the field for the 3rd-and-3 play action play inside the 10-yard line. Big time. pic.twitter.com/86CBktPa15
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 14, 2026
Raiders: Rookie RB steals the show
Kirk Cousins started ahead of Fernando Mendoza, but both played and had success, even without Brock Bowers playing beyond the first snap. The Klint Kubiak effect was felt right away. Their first drive included plays in 11, 12, 21 and 22 personnel with plenty of under center, motion, and play-action reps. Cousins moved around well. Mendoza nailed a signature 3rd-and-8 out route, like he did at Indiana all year long. Unlike college, Mendoza played under center and seemed to handle it well. His best play was a dot between four zone defenders over the middle.
At receiver, Tre Tucker played in the opening 1-WR set snap before Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech (slot) entered on 3-WR sets. Bech made a nice grab on an out route, encouraging all film sickos to celebrate on Twitter. Tucker was involved underneath. Backup TE Michael Mayer finished off the drive with a score.
Ashton Jeanty finished hard on his between-tackles carries, but it was fourth-round athletic specimen Mike Washington Jr. who stole the show by ripping off a huge run where a safety ate some turf with a big collision. There’s no debate that he’s Jeanty’s sidekick and insurance.
Adrian Peterson measurables at the Combine. I've been drafting him in Round 16-18 all summer. https://t.co/JFJlF1TslP
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 14, 2026
This isn’t fantasy related, but it was great to see fourth-round CB Jermod McCoy on the field after a knee injury caused a 90ish pick drop in his draft status. He allowed a touchdown on a jump fade in man coverage. It was just good that he’s cleared and participating.
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Packers: Offensive pace encouraging
Just like it was at the Family Night scrimmage last week, Matthew Golden (X) and Christian Watson (Z) were the starters in 2-WR sets, while Jayden Reed mixed in as the slot in 3-WR sets. Unlike last year, the Packers didn’t rotate their receivers much. Savion Williams only played one snap at the expense of Watson with the first-team. That’s encouraging for Golden’s and Reed’s sleeper odds.
Just as important as that was the continued intention of playing with more pace on offense. Their second snap of the game was extremely quick after breaking the huddle, and they did the same after picking up a first down later in their drive with the starters. It’s important because the Packers have been the slowest offense since 2022 in neutral situations. More pace = more plays = more fantasy points.
That’s another reason to tack on MarShawn Lloyd in the final round of drafts. He’s balled out in camp while staying healthy, then played all the snaps with the first-team offense tonight as Josh Jacobs remains out with a soft-tissue injury. Lloyd caught a swing pass, had a spin move between the tackles and was given a pitch right away.
For the true sickos, rookie K Trey Smack nailed a 58-yarder and the rest of his field goal attempts as a waiver wire option heading into Week 1.
49ers: De’Zhaun Stribling’s value on the rise
Stribling caught the first pass of the game (quick out) and didn’t slow down. He was missed on a slant route, handled a jet sweep, made a leaping grab at the sticks, won a whip route and came down with a sideline grab as LT Trent Williams was gushing over him . His alignment within the starting lineup isn’t set, as he moved from the slot to the boundary in his debut, but there’s no doubt that he should be ahead of Deebo Samuel Sr. early, if not right in Week 1. It’s possible he is THE sleeper of 2026. I’m chasing him up the board.
Trent Williams on De'Zhaun Stribling: "I love Strib. What a heck of a pick. Idk how he missed the first round. A gu...
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