Matthew Freedman is here to share his highlights from the second weekend of NFL preseason games. Now is the time to try out your new secret weapon for your draft: Draft Intel! Draft Intel previews up to 5 years and analyzes all of your draft mates’ tendencies. See who’s waiting at quarterback, how people approach the first rounds, and much more information to get an edge in your draft. Best of all, it’s completely FREE! Check out your league’s Draft Intel today!

Matthew Freedman’s NFL Draft Week 2 Prep

Bears at Seahawks

WR Equanimeous St. Brown played on 100% of QB Justin Fields’ snaps and ran a route on 100% of his dropbacks. The Bears offense is unlikely to be a strong source of play production, but St. Brown — and not veteran Byron Pringle or rookie Velus Jones — might be the No. 2 wide receiver in Chicago. TE Noah Fant played in just 15 of QB Geno Smith’s 29 snaps and ran a route on just 10 of his 20 dropbacks. Fant is not a full-time player.

Panthers at Patriots

Backup RBs Chuba Hubbard (11 first-team snaps) and D’Onta Foreman (8) are still battling for the No. 2 spot. The hype for RB Ty Montgomery as the third-down replacement for the retired James White is real. Damien Harris and Ramondre Stevenson played ahead of him, but of the three backs Montgomery played the most first-team snaps (10), ran the most first-team runs (6), saw the most first-team targets (1) and earned first-team carries (4), one of which was a goal-line touchdown that he turned into a two-yard rushing touchdown.

Saints at Packers

For the second week in a row, the Saints used a tight end committee, so neither of those guys is likely to contribute much in fantasy — but it’s notable that for the second week in a row, Juwan Johnson led the first-team position catches (10, 14) and first-team runs (7, 8) and actually saw more usage this week than last week. He could be a best ball flyer late in the round. With veterans Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins rested, Rookie WR Romeo Doubs played 100% of QB Jordan Love’s snaps and ran a route on 100% of his dropbacks. Doubs looks like the team’s No. 4 wide receiver.

Texans at Rams

RB Dameon Pierce bowled in Week 1 (5-49-0 rushing) — then didn’t play at all in Week 2, while veterans Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead did. Bottom line: The Texans no longer need to evaluate Pierce in the preseason because they already know they like him and don’t want to risk him getting hurt in the preseason because they know he’ll be a big part of their offense in Week 1. Rookie no-hitter Lance McCutcheon dominated for the second straight game (5-87-2 on 6 targets last week, 5-96-0 on 6 targets this week). McCutcheon seems unlikely to beat out backup WRs Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell and Jacob Harris for a roster spot, but his chances of making the team are probably higher now than they were in July.

Broncos at Bills

On the plus side, TE Albert Okwuegbunam ran a route on 80% of first team snaps. On the downside, Okwuegbunam was the team’s only apparent starter on the first team that played in Week 2. Translation: He doesn’t look like a “real” starter. WR Gabriel Davis played on 100% of QB Josh Allen’s snaps and ran a route on 100% of his dropbacks. And slot Isaiah McKenzie (7 first-team snaps, 4 first-team runs) played well ahead of free agent acquisition Jamison Crowder (2, 1). Davis and McKenzie are strong favorites to play alongside No. 1 WR Stefon Diggs in three-wide sets.

Lions at Colts

The Lions rested their skill position starters in Week 2. Not much to report except that WR Kalif Raymond (14) and RB Craig Reynolds (11) led their respective positions in first-team snaps. If someone ahead of them on the depth chart gets injured, they will likely move up to the starting lineup. With RBs Jordan Taylor and Nyheim Hines rested, veteran Phillip Lindsay led the way in the backfield with 10 first-team snaps, which he used on four carries and five runs. If either Taylor or Hines suffers an injury, Lindsey could enjoy better-than-expected usage.

Commanders in Chiefs

WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Mecole Hardman (groin) both sat out Week 2, and in their absence veteran backup Justin Watson led the position by playing in 22 of QB Patrick Mahomes’ 25 snaps and running a route on 17 of his snaps. 19 returns. With that playing time, he put up a strong receiving line of 2-53-0 on three targets. An athletic freak (4.44-second 40-yard dash at 6-2, 215 pounds), Watson finished his college career (at the University of Pennsylvania in the Ivy Leagues) with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Watson will likely never get a chance to become a starter in the NFL, but if he does, he could be the Jeff Janis that truly lives up to his potential. Rookie first-round WR Jahan Dotson tied veteran Terry McLaurin with 18 first-team snaps and 10 first-team runs. He’s the No. 2 lock down receiver.

Buccaneers at Titans Dolphin Raiders

Rookie RB Zamir White (11 first-team snaps) is still ahead of veteran Kenyan Drake (7), who now appears unable to run. “Starting” TE Mike Gesicki (9 first-team snaps) played on a committee with Durham Smythe (10). Gesicki could face his heavy role in new HC Mike McDaniel’s offense.

49ers at Vikings

For the second straight week, sophomore RB Trey Sermon (9 first-team snaps) played ahead of rookie Tyrion Davis-Price (1). If veteran Jeff Wilson loses his role as the No. 2 back, Shermon could find himself as the thunder’s complement to star Elijah Mitchell’s blitz. Backup RB Alexander Mattison (8 first team snaps) played well ahead of third baseman Kene Nwangwu (1). If starter Dalvin Cook misses time this year — and Cook has never played a full season — Mathison will likely reprise his championship-winning role in handcuffs.

Steelers at Jaguars

Although TE Evan Engram split first-team snaps with inline blocker Chris Manhertz (26 vs. 20), Engram ran a route on 20 of QB Trevor Lawrence’s 24 dropbacks. He only had one target — but that kind of route usage is enough to make Engram a viable fantasy option. Rookie WR George Pickens (first-team 21 snaps, first-team 17 runs) played ahead of third-year starter Chase Claypool (16, 10) … but both saw just one target. Volume magnet Diontae Johnson (25 first-team snaps, 18 first-team runs, 5 first-team targets) is still the true alpha receiver.

Cowboys at Chargers

For the second straight week, rookie TE Jake Ferguson led the position in first-team snaps (20 of 21 last week, 16 of 18 this week). Starter Dalton Schultz is playing on the franchise tag and veteran backup Jeremy Sprinkle (Achilles) is dealing with an injury and signed a cheap one-year deal. If Sprinkle is cut, Ferguson could be the No. 2 tight end this year. And if Schultz leaves in free agency, Ferguson could be next year’s No. 1 tight end. Once again, veteran RBs Larry Rountree (13 first-team snaps) and Joshua Kelley (11) played well ahead of rookie Isaiah Spiller (2). I still think Spiller is the most talented and complete of the three backs, but he’s unlikely to make an impact early in the regular season.

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