The season is creeping up as Week 2 of the preseason has completed. Here are some players who have risen up or fallen on their face during this past weekend.
WINNERS
RB Kareem Hunt, Chiefs
With Spencer Ware only getting one series, Hunt took the opportunity and ran with it. With a stat line of eight carries for 40 yards on the ground and three catches for 23 yards, he is looking to take Ware’s job a lot earlier than people are expecting. He showed his balance and vision and why the Chiefs traded up in the third round to take this dynamic running back.
RB Tarik Cohen, Bears
The 5-foot-6, 180-pound jitterbug of a running back out of North Carolina A&T has been showing why drafters should be worried about taking Jordan Howard in fantasy. In Week 2 he put up 11 rushes for 77 yards and has a 6.4 YPC this preseason. Howard will be the big first and second down back, but Cohen will eat into the touches he will get as a pass catcher.
RB Doug Martin, Buccaneers
Yes, he will be suspended for the first three games of the season. After those three games, Martin should “eat” in this dynamic offense. As was seen in HBO’s Hard Knocks, he is in the best shape of his career and, most importantly, great spirits. This was obvious with his preseason Week 2 performance of five carries for 30 yards and two catches for 11 yards. He showed the burst and power of the 2012 version of Martin we loved. If we are going by Martin’s history, he is due for a big season.
RB Rex Burkhead, Patriots
Burkhead has been gaining steam with not only his play on the field but the opportunity he is getting with Mike Gillislee sidelined for a period of time. In Week 2 of the preseason, Burkhead put up 70 total yards and a touchdown to make the most of that opportunity. Burkhead is a mix of Gillislee and receiving back James White. If Burkhead can keep this head of steam going, he is a steal in the later rounds of drafts.
LOSERS
QB Blake Bortles, Jaguars
It looks like the Bortles era has come to an end. Bortles was known for his big arm and deep ball. On Thursday night against Tampa Bay, he had neither of those and absolutely no confidence. With the starting job open now, look for Allen Robinson’s price to be a value in drafts.
RB Rob Kelley, Redskins
The “lead back” of the Redskins didn’t do so well in Week 2 of the preseason, posting nine rushes for nine yards. The part that hurts Kelley is that rookie backup running back Samaje Perine played very well. If Kelley doesn’t pick up his play, look for the Washington backfield to be a muddled mess and something to avoid in drafts.
Packers Backfield
This situation is turning dark. Ty Montgomery is still having groin issues. This might scare some people because he suffers from the sickle cell disease that sidelined John Brown all of last year with similar issues. If this becomes a recurring issue, he might be a player to avoid at his price.
Jamaal Williams got the start Week 2 of the preseason and didn’t take advantage of his opportunity. With a 5-for-15 rushing stat line, he needs to flash more to be in consideration as a candidate to take this job.
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