Preseason Week 2: Washington Jr. and Black surge as Gadsden and Tracy fade

Key points

• Mike Washington Jr. operated as the clear top running back for the Las Vegas Raiders, ceding only three passing snaps to Dylan Laube. He is now the priority handcuff for Ashton Jeanty, who suffered an ankle sprain in practice.
• Kaelon Black won the San Francisco 49ers' RB2 role, playing all 10 snaps with Brock Purdy. His strong pass-protection and vision between the tackles outshined Jordan James, who is currently injured.
• Oronde Gadsden did not enter the Los Angeles Chargers' game until the third drive, trailing Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. Fantasy analysts view this usage as a significant downgrade for his starting viability.
• Tyrone Tracy's standing with the New York Giants collapsed after a missed block led to a quarterback concussion and a red-zone fumble. Devin Singletary played ahead of him, and the team signed Najee Harris.
• The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter, but Shedeur Sanders outperformed him in Week 2. Watson finished 5-of-12 for 34 yards with an interception, while Sanders completed 9-of-11 for 74 yards with a touchdown.
• Jonathon Brooks played 12-of-13 snaps for the Carolina Panthers, solidifying his role as the primary backup to Chuba Hubbard. MarShawn Lloyd out-snapped Chris Brooks 9-5 for the Green Bay Packers, scoring a touchdown.

Background

Following Week 1, where De'Zhaun Stribling and Jeremiyah Love showed promise, Week 2 provided further clarity on depth charts. The 49ers' Stribling continues to impress, while the Raiders' rotation has shifted away from Jalen Nailor. The Browns' quarterback battle, previously open, has now tipped toward Watson, though Sanders' performance suggests a potential mid-season change.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and Fantasy Points agree on the decline of Oronde Gadsden and Tyrone Tracy, citing limited snaps and poor performance. Both outlets highlight Mike Washington Jr. and Kaelon Black as major upgrades. NFL.com provides broader context on team performance, noting the Browns' QB battle and the Commanders' Jayden Daniels returning to action. While NBC Sports emphasizes the Raiders' decision to rest Tre Tucker in favor of Jalen Nailor, Fantasy Points focuses on the broader market impact of these moves. There is no significant disagreement, but the emphasis shifts from individual player stats (NBC Sports) to market value and draft strategy (Fantasy Points).

Why it matters

These preseason performances directly impact fantasy draft strategies. Upgrades like Washington Jr. and Black offer value as handcuffs or backups, while downgrades like Gadsden and Tracy should be avoided. The Browns' QB decision affects the value of their receivers, and the 49ers' backfield clarity impacts the 49ers' overall fantasy outlook.

What to watch

Week 3 of the NFL preseason will provide final clarity on depth charts. The Browns' decision on their Week 1 starter is expected to be finalized soon. The 49ers will continue to evaluate Kaelon Black and Jordan James. The Giants will likely decide on Tyrone Tracy's future, potentially trading him. The Chargers will determine if Oronde Gadsden can return to a starting role.