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Here we are, the last week of the preseason. The next time you hear from me will be in Week 1 of the regular season. The last week of the preseason is the hardest to figure out because we have no idea who the coaches want to see. There will be players on the roster fighting for a job, but the coaches may have already decided unofficially that they aren’t keeping him, leaving another player to get more playing time. After sifting through all the coach speak and beat reporter notes, here are my picks for this week.
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Quarterbacks
Logan Woodside (TEN) vs. CHI
I doubt Ryan Tannehill would have played in this game anyway, but being on the Covid list, there is zero chance he plays. Therefore, there are only two other QBs on the roster, and I’ll take the one likely to get the start when the second team is playing and not the third or fourth team.
Nick Foles (CHI) @ TEN
There are three quarterbacks on the roster. The Bears have already said Andy Dalton is their Week 1 starter and will not play in this game. I find it hard to believe they would leave their No. 1 draft pick Justin Fields in for an extended time behind the second-team offensive line. That leaves Foles to play the majority of the game.
Running Backs
Mekhi Sargent (TEN) vs. CHI
Sargent has led all Chicago backs in carries the first two games. There is no reason to think he won’t lead them for the third game. We know Derrick Henry isn’t going to play, Darrynton Evans is banged up, and Jeremy McNichols is on the COVID list. That leaves the backfield pretty shallow, which could mean more time for Sargent, who has impressed so far.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn (TB) @ HOU
Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones, and Gio Bernard have secured roles on this team and will likely get the veteran treatment. Troymaine Pope is on IR, so that leaves C.J. Prosise and Vaughn. With only two running backs likely getting playing time, both are viable, but I prefer Vaughn.
Wide Receivers
Dez Fitzpatrick (TEN) vs. CHI
The last game of the preseason is normally for rookies trying to make a roster. With only three games this year, it might be a little different, but the Titans have their top wide receivers already penciled in, and despite being a fourth-round pick, Fitzpatrick is fighting for a roster spot. He showed good chemistry with quarterback Logan Woodside in Week 2, making for a good stack.
Dazz Newsome (CHI) @ TEN
Newsome is another late-round rookie (despite what the DraftKings news blurb says, he was not a first-round pick) fighting for a roster spot and should see plenty of playing time. He hasn’t impressed much after coming back from a broken collarbone, but he will get his chance to shine in this game.
Jaelon Darden (TB) @ HOU
Darden is a player that likely makes the team as a special-teamer, but his explosiveness in the open field makes him a great preseason option. None of the top receivers for the Bucs are going to pay much, if at all, and Darden can turn a short catch into a house call.
Tight Ends
Brevin Jordan (HOU) vs. TB
Tight end is always the hardest position to figure out. Often, coaches want to see how they do in the run game as a blocker, and therefore they get minimal usage in the passing game. Jordan, however, will never be called on to block in the running game. He doesn’t have that type of ability, so rest assured he is running routes, which is all you ask for in the preseason.
Defense
Houston Texans vs. TB
Texans’ defense in the regular season will be terrible, but I was looking on the other side of the ball when picking my defense. Who are they playing against? The Bucs, who will likely rest all of their starters. Quarterback Kyle Trask likely gets the most reps between all the quarterbacks not named Tom Brady, and he has not looked good this preseason.
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