Fantasy: Takeaways from Saturday's preseason games

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.

Every game night during the preseason, theScore's Justin Boone gets you caught up on the most important fantasy performances from around the league.

Burton breaking out

When the Bears signed Trey Burton in free agency, they made it clear he'll be a big part of their new offense. Head coach Matt Nagy's history with the Chiefs led to obvious Travis Kelce comparisons, which Nagy himself leaned into.

On Saturday, we got a long look at what Burton's future could hold in Chicago, and fantasy owners should be ecstatic. Burton may not have Kelce's elite talent, but he's an extremely versatile tight end capable of generating yards after the catch.

Burton hauled in four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos while being lined up inside and outside and, most importantly, getting open in all areas of the field. He showcased his playmaking skills on a sneaky screen early in the game, looping back into the middle for a big gain. Later in the first half, he scored his first touchdown as a Bear on a well-designed play where the defense forgot to cover him.

4 targets, 4 receptions and 1 TD in about one quarter of work for Trey Burton. Another reception called back. Targeted early AND often.pic.twitter.com/ZFt1hQLYy1

- FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) August 19, 2018

Backup tight end Adam Shaheen limped to the sidelines with a right ankle injury and was eventually carted to the locker room. After the game, Nagy said he didn't believe Shaheen suffered a fracture, but we'll have to wait on the diagnosis. The sophomore is no threat to Burton's job, just a cap on what could otherwise be unlimited upside.

According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, Mitch Trubisky is more effective on throws over the middle of the field, where Burton is clearly emerging as one of his favorite weapons. A top-five fantasy season is within reach, making him an excellent draft-day target in the eighth or ninth round.

While we're on the subject of the Bears, rookie Anthony Miller continues to look like a five-year veteran. The concentration, body control, and hands he displayed on this 19-yard catch between two defenders is the type of play he's been making all training camp.

Anthony Miller pic.twitter.com/KKvhp1Q8jS

- Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 19, 2018

I really like Miller as a potential impact fantasy WR this year and I'm willing to reach into the 10th round to get him.

Winston in midseason form

Suspended players performing well in the preseason is disheartening, since we know they won't be available in fantasy lineups until a few weeks into the season. One night after Mark Ingram stood out for the Saints, Jameis Winston was the latest suspended star to dominate in an exhibition outing.

Winston completed 13-of-18 passes for 226 yards and two scores in a game where he got everyone involved. His most talked-about highlight of the night will be this wild scramble where he escaped multiple defenders before throwing what appeared to be a prayer into the end zone - a prayer that was answered by a leaping Chris Godwin.

Wow... Winston doing Winston things

This was Mike Vick-ish, as the #Bucs score, Godwin btw the WR there & now #1 option for Hail Mary passes during the season haha #TBvsTEN #RaiseTheFlags #FireTheCannons pic.twitter.com/iJ01tBmOJG

- Zac Blobner (@ZacOnTheMic) August 19, 2018

DeSean Jackson was also on the receiving end of some well-placed Winston passes, including a 54-yard bomb. Godwin (2-11-1), Jackson (2-73), and Mike Evans (2-49) all had their moments in this game, but that outcome may be hard to reproduce on a consistent basis during the season.

Though I'm not willing to spend a draft pick or an early-season roster spot on Winston, when he returns from his three-game ban he has a chance to be a fantasy difference-maker with the best set of pass-catchers he's ever had. Winston was the QB1 in fantasy over the final five games of the 2017 season when Godwin started to come on, and he has the ability to deliver at that level once he gets back in the lineup.

If someone else wants to take Winston with a late-round pick, let them. You can use that roster spot on an upside RB/WR or on players breaking out on the waiver wire in the first month. If he's still available a couple weeks into the season, then scoop him up.

Instant Impressions

• Early reports suggest Zack Martin's knee injury is a hyperextension, a diagnosis the Cowboys are hoping an MRI confirms Sunday. The strength of Dallas' offense remains its line, and if this does turn out to be serious, we'd need to downgrade all Cowboys in fantasy.

• When Taywan Taylor took a screen pass 47 yards to the house on Saturday, he announced his presence to the fantasy world. He was a player I had mentioned as a super-deep sleeper, but with four catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns against the Bucs, consider Taylor leveled up. After the game, head coach Mike Vrabel said the team has to find ways to get him the ball. With Rishard Matthews sitting out, Taylor needs to be owned in fantasy leagues.

• My love for Deshaun Watson has been well-documented in writing and on our podcast. So it was great to see Watson back on the field and leading a scoring drive in Houston. The Texans' offense kept the tempo up with him under center - something the coaching staff planned, according to the broadcast. Watson looked sharp, repeatedly moving the chains before finding Bruce Ellington in the end zone on fourth-and-goal. Watson went 5-of-8, but head coach Bill O'Brien said it could have been 8-of-8 if it wasn't for drops. Watson has league-winning potential, though even I wouldn't draft him before the fifth round because of the depth at QB.

• Chris Carson had a night of highs and lows, some of which won't make it to the box score. The Seahawks' current No. 1 RB showed vision and tackle-breaking ability to get into the open field en route to a 23-yard touchdown that was called back on a penalty. He had another chance to get into the end zone later in the half but fumbled at the goal line - not surprising after he was nearly stripped on the play before. With Rashaad Penny sidelined, Carson has a hold on this job. Saturday was a reminder that his grip might not be as tight as some people think.

• Marquise Goodwin has won Jimmy Garoppolo's heart and emerged as his favorite wideout. The duo connected several times Saturday, including a 40-yarder down the sideline. It's also worth noting that Trent Taylor, who caught a touchdown in the game, appears to be separating himself as the team's slot receiver. Goodwin is quickly moving up draft boards and should be viewed as a potential top-30 fantasy WR, while Taylor is merely a player to put on your watchlist at the moment.

• Devontae Booker got the start over rookie Royce Freeman, but the Broncos' backfield is heading towards a timeshare. Neither player put up big numbers in this game, though Freeman got goal-line work, powering his way in for a 4-yard TD. Freeman should handle most early-down carries, with Booker seeing work as a pass-catcher. That limits Freeman's ceiling and keeps him as a high-end RB3 entering the year.

• This is a public service announcement: Don't draft Ronald Jones II. Playing behind Peyton Barber, Jones struggled once again and the Buccaneers actually started giving veteran Jacquizz Rodgers work on passing downs. Tampa may have drafted a bust. You don't have to make the same mistake.

Previous Takeaways

• Friday, Aug. 17 (5 games)
• Thursday, Aug. 16 (3 games)
• Saturday, Aug. 11 (2 games)
• Friday, Aug. 10 (2 games)
• Thursday, Aug. 9 (12 games)

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