The NFL preseason offers a variety of catalysts for fantasy football rankings changes. Whether it’s game usage, injury, comments, or depth chart releases, player movement within the ranks is frequent and expected.

Earlier this August, I emphasized the importance of identifying notable trends among players and teams during the preseason. The process of how teams are utilizing and evaluating their players in training camp, joint team practices, and preseason games is a key factor that helps us further understand where and how a player ranks among their peers. Three weeks later, the rankings sets are getting dialed in, and while big movements become fewer and farther between with each passing week, they still happen. They always do.

Below are notes on 32 team-unique fantasy-relevant players from my top 200 who saw the biggest changes in their positional fantasy football rankings so far in August.

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Arizona Cardinals

RB Trey Benson | RB43 (↓4)

After back-to-back lackluster preseason game performances, I’m becoming less confident that Benson will see enough rushing volume after James Connor to defend his RB40 ADP, especially considering he’s not involved in the pass game, and Connor is already a very good pass-blocker.

Atlanta Falcons

WR Darnell Mooney | WR57 (↑3)

Paid handsomely in March, already established a rapport with Kirk Cousins, and capable on the outside or out of the slot. Falcons showing trends of heavy 11-personnel usage. Could have bigger weeks than Kyle Pitts.

Baltimore Ravens

WR Rashod Bateman | WR69 (↓4)

Tempering expectations. Assuming more of the same from OC Todd Monken and 12-personnel packages. Would rather take the dart-throw on a breakout campaign from third-year TE Isaiah Likely than banking on a share of the pie after Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews.

Dec 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills

WR Keon Coleman | WR61 (↓10)

I may be too low on Coleman, because the path for him to be a star has been laid out in front of him. He has seen six targets on 100% of the Bills' first-offense snaps this preseason, half of which were in the end zone, but he has yet to get in sync with Josh Allen, the most important step. Curious how Coleman and the offense run with a healthy Curtis Samuel as well.

Carolina Panthers

RB Jonathan Brooks | RB34 (↓8)

Brooks is an expensive commodity despite the likelihood of beginning the season on the PUP with a Week 3 or 4 return possibility being “great.” Also don’t see reason for the Panthers to rush out Brooks in a year where they share the league’s lowest implied win total (4.5) unless new HC Dave Canales already finds himself on the hotseat.

Chicago Bears

RB D’Andre Swift | RB25 (↑4)

Both Swift and Khalil Herbert saw upgrades this month, as each has the ability to make plays out of the backfield—an important piece to supporting Caleb Williams. But Swift is going two rounds earlier than Herbert for good reason. He’s going to be “that guy” for the Bears while Herbert could be the "odd man out."

Cincinnati Bengals

WR Jermaine Burton | WR80 (↓14)

Burton’s been working alongside the backups on a limited snap share. He’s shown the ability to make plays, just not under the right circumstances. Burton falls out of my top 200 while teammates Andrei Iosivas and Mike Gesicki draw closer to it.

Cleveland Browns

WR Jerry Jeudy | WR58 (↑4)

Jeudy appears comfortable making plays on his new team, receiving praise from Browns writer Scott Petrak. His ranking would not drop if Jameis Winston was the starting QB.

Dallas Cowboys

WR Jalen Tolbert | WR72 (↑15)

Tolbert has generated a lot of buzz, and while much of it is a direct result of CeeDee Lamb’s holdout, he has backed it up with a very strong training camp. Tolbert appears locked in as the Cowboys' WR3 with the upside to challenge Brandin Cooks as their WR2 in any given week.

Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (18) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos

RB Javonte Williams | RB26 (↑4)

I think Ian said it best this week, but Williams has seen great usage in back-to-back games, is being offered goal line opportunities, and ultimately appears safe in his role. His lack of usage in passing-down situations limits his upside.

Detroit Lions

WR Jameson Williams | WR40 (↑13)

Williams appears slotted to be third in the targets pecking order on a Lions team that has seen a steady increase in plays per game (+2.7), time of possession (+1.16) , and percentage of drives that finished with a touchdown (+2%) since OC Ben Johnson started calling the plays in 2022.

Green Bay Packers

TE Luke Musgrave | TE20 (↓3)

I really like Musgrave, but I don’t like how many good receiving options he shares a team with. He would be fourth for targets after Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs on a team that will still run it 20+ times a game.

Houston Texans

WR Stefon Diggs | WR30 (↓4)

Not sure Diggs has enough left in the tank to consistently put up WR2 numbers, while Nico Collins and Tank Dell are only improving.

Indianapolis Colts

WR Adonai Mitchell | WR74 (↑5)

Receiving promising usage that has ramped up with each passing week. Has seen starter snaps in the slot and on the outside. Appears to have overcome Josh Downs for outside opportunities opposite Michael Pittman Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Gabe Davis | WR62 (↑6)

BrIan Thomas Jr. is seeing all the headlines, but Davis has also seen favorable usage in training camp and appears to have found a rhythm with Trevor Lawrence. Davis is likely to see many more intermediate targets, something that Lawrence will excel at better than his deep ball accuracy. Davis is going off draft boards four to five rounds after Thomas.

Kansas City Chiefs

WR Hollywood Brown | WR49 (↓11)

Brown’s Week 1 availability is in question as he continues to recover from a sternoclavicular joint dislocation. He still carries notable upside in the Chiefs' offense, but could struggle for looks after Isiah Pacheco, Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy get a piece.

Los Angeles Chargers

WR Josh Palmer | WR47 (↑7)

Worth upgrading as one of Justin Herbert’s first two looks. Worrisome that he didn’t see more 12-personnel usage, which the Chargers rolled out on 33% of their first half snaps this preseason. Still going nearly two full rounds after rookie Ladd McConkey and will see the field a lot.

Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) runs with the ball during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams

WR Cooper Kupp | WR17 (↑5)

Aligning Kupp closer to Puka Nacua, the way it always should have been. Both Rams wideouts should continue to excel in HC Sean McVay’s offense, especially if Matthew Stafford can work through his hamstring tightness. ADP has 8 WRs between Nacua and Kupp, but I don’t think there should be more than 4-5.  

Las Vegas Raiders

WR Davante Adams | WR9 (↑2)

Not a lot of movement for Raiders players, but highlighting the best they have to offer in Adams, who moved ahead of Nacua and Mike Evans. Will likely lead the league in team target share again. He’s done just that since 2020.

Miami Dolphins

RB De'Von Achane | RB11 (↓1)

The Dolphins barely saw any movement within the ranks other than Tyreek Hill tangoing with Lamb for WR1 honors, and Achane dropping a spot because Kyren Williams moved up. Achane is going nearly a round earlier than I’d be comfortable taking him, whereas Raheem Mostert is going a round later but shouldn’t be.

Minnesota Vikings

QB Sam Darnold | QB26 (↑6)

With J.J. McCarthy out for the season, Darnold’s leash is lengthened.

New England Patriots

TE Hunter Henry | TE17 (↑2)

Very little movement for the very few fantasy-relevant Patriots players. Henry has seen a bump after some favorable training camp news but has been trending downward after some lower body injury has kept him sidelined this preseason.

New Orleans Saints

TE Juwan Johnson | TE22 (↑2)

Activated off PUP and ADP hasn’t fully adjusted yet. New OC Klint Kubiak should bring improved usage opportunities, but tempering expectations with Taysom Hill still in the mix.

New York Giants

WR Wan'Dale Robinson | WR68 (↑3)

Has played 100% of the Giants' offensive snaps in 11-personnel and saw 18/30 snaps with Daniel Jones this preseason. Finished as the WR56 in 2023 after a massive 78% snap share and is expected to see more of the same but at an ADP cost of WR74. Targets are targets when you’re in beyond the 12th round.

New York Jets

RB Braelon Allen | RB55 (↑10)

Saw promising work as both a rusher and receiver. HC Robert Saleh sees Allen as an “all-around good back” and highlights his powerful route-running and pass protection abilities. Becomes a massive commodity if Breece Hall were to miss any time.

Philadelphia Eagles

WR Jahan Dotson | WR74 (↓11)

The Eagles landed their slot WR on Thursday, sending a 3rd and two 7th-round picks for Dotson and a 5th. Good news for football, but bad for fantasy. Dotson will still have value as the Eagles' WR3 but will struggle to see anything close to the 20% target share he could have seen in Washington once A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley get theirs.

Pittsburgh Steelers

QB Russell Wilson | QB28 (↓2)

Nursing a calf injury and will feel the increasing threat of Justin Fields taking his job every week. Will start Week 1, but what about the other 16?

Aug 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR39 (↑3)

JSN is building a meaningful rapport with Geno Smith. Rested with starters in preseason Week 2 and played 6/6 snaps in 12-personnel in Week 1. Depending on early-season usage, could be in line for a surprising career year behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

San Francisco 49ers

WR Deebo Samuel Sr. | WR10 (↑3)

The possibility that Brandon Aiyuk won’t be with the 49ers by Week 1 is growing on me.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR Chris Godwin | WR34 (↑2)

With Jalen McMillan in town, Godwin can reunite with a heavy dosage of work from the slot and capitalize on an increased target share that he excelled at in prior seasons.

Tennessee Titans

WR DeAndre Hopkins | WR38 (↓7)

While I’m hopeful for a healthy Hopkins in Week 1, it’s still hard to see a lot of guarantees when you’re competing for touches with three others that are not only ranked within my top 100, but ranked within 20 picks of each other.

Washington Commanders

WR Luke McCaffrey | WR75 (↑15)

No more Dotson leaves the door wide open for McCaffrey to highlight the skills that the Commanders sought when they drafted him in the 3rd round. I don’t expect Olamide Zaccheaus to be an issue.

Looking for more? Find out where I’ve ranked the other 300+ players!