National Football League

Takeaways from the 2014 preseason

Published Sep. 1, 2014 1:11 p.m. ET

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The NFL preseason has been ridiculed in this sector, and with good reason. Unlike baseball’s spring training, where the public can secure a prime-time seat for $10, football taxes its’ patrons full ticket prices for a glorified practice. The unnecessary risk assumed by its combatants - as Sam Bradford knows all too well – is borderline criminal. Non-news gets blown out of proportion. (Related note: there’s no winner from the Matt Schaub-Derek Carr-Matt McGloin “battle.” Only a loser – Oakland fans.) Oh, and Johnny Manziel. WAY too much Johnny Manziel.

Not to say August pigskin is completely useless. Here are five takeaways from the 2014 NFL preseason that could impact your fantasy football campaign:

The Jay Cutler Hype is real

Initially I was hesitant to hop on the Cutler bandwagon; the last time he tossed for 20-plus touchdowns was in 2010. However, in his abbreviated appearances this summer, Cutler has looked sharp, hitting 28-of-42 targets and displaying a newfound command of the Chicago offense. At 31, it’s hard to envision Cutler posting eye-popping numbers. Conversely, his output can be good enough to warrant starting status in standard formats.

Cutler’s backfield cohort Matt Forte, along with stud receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, are helping facilitate this Cutler promotion. While the dexterity of this trio is unquestioned, it’s the contributions of other Bears’ entities that has us excited about Cutler’s forecast. Mainly, Josh Morgan, Martellus Bennett and Santonio Holmes. Bennett is somewhat known as a loose cannon, but it’s hard to argue with his harvest, hauling in a career-best 759 yards and 65 receptions in 2013. With a full offseason of assimilation into Marc Trestman’s scheme, look for Bennett to improve on last year’s figures. As for Morgan and Holmes, the former is the type of polished third-receiving option that Cutler’s never had, while the latter - more notorious in name than actual yield the past few seasons - has shown signs of rejuvenation in the Windy City.

Considering Forte is one of the top pass-catching backs in the league, Cutler has six viable options in the aerial game. If Cutler can’t pull it off this fall, it’s never going to happen. For those seeking an arm in the later rounds of the draft, the Bears signal caller is your man.

Josh Gordon’s upheld suspension is fantasy gold for Jordan Cameron

I wrote in my predictions piece a few weeks back that Cameron has a legitimate shot at 1,200 yards, a conjecture that gains steam with Gordon, the NFL’s leading receiver last year, sidelined for the entire 2014 season. Outside of Jimmy Graham, Cameron is the safest pick in this year’s fantasy offering of tight ends. Moreover, have you seen the Cleveland receiving corps sans Gordon? Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel…to quote Major League, “Who are these ******* guys?” The Browns will have little choice but to rely on Cameron early and often, cementing the 26-year-old as a fantasy stud.

Bishop Sankey and Sammy Watkins will not justify their average draft position

Watkins has already injured his ribs twice this preseason, an ailment that’s infamous for nagging its victims. Though Watkins is tentatively expected to play in Week 1, it’s hard to imagine the former Clemson Tiger making it to the winter months unscathed. As for Sankey, most around the league penciled in the rookie rusher as the starter in Nashville; alas, coach Ken Whisenhunt plans on running Shonn Greene as the Titans’ first-team back. After a shaky start with Tennessee, Sankey has shown improvement in the later stages of camp. Unfortunately, the climb was too late, at least in terms of his opportunities to start the season, as Greene will see a sizeable workload in the early weeks of the schedule. For those with last-minute drafts, hold off on both neophytes, with their ADPs far outweighing their current projections.

Geno Smith is better than people believe

Granted, given the way the West Virginia standout finished his rookie campaign (53.3 completion percentage, five scores, 13 picks in his last 11 games), one could make the case that there’s nowhere to go but up.

To Smith’s own merit, he has shown the consistency the past month that was noticeably absent last year. He won’t be blowing up box scores by any means, yet he will be strong enough where the roto values of relevant Jets players like Eric Decker, Chris Johnson and Jace Amaro will remain intact. And it is worth noting that Smith is only 23 years old, bestowing plenty of time to grow as a field general. (Although Gang Green fans might not display as much patience.)

You don’t want to implement Smith as a starter, but as a backup with a ceiling, Smith is a sound investment.

Kelvin Benjamin will be the Rookie of the Year

There is slight apprehension that Cam Newton’s more dinged-up than we are being led to believe. Still, someone has to account for the loss of passes that were sent in Steve Smith’s direction, and it’s doubtful that perennial backups Jason Avant or Jerricho Cotchery are up for the challenge. Enter Benjamin, a late first-round pick in April’s draft. Although not as touted as other young guns like Watkins, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham or even Brandin Cooks, Benjamin is the best bet to make his presence felt immediately. He’s shaken off rumors of apathy by putting in the late hours in practice, dividends that are evident in his preseason numbers (12 receptions, 173 yards, touchdown).

According to the FOXSports.com Average Draft Position tool, Benjamin is falling to the 13th round behind so-so fantasy assets like Dwayne Bowe, Golden Tate and Anquan Boldin. Newton is far from a steady performer, at least in terms of passing performance, but that won’t have a firm detriment to Benjamin’s totals. If he’s available after the eighth round, pounce on the Carolina receiver.

Joel Beall is a writer for FOXSports.com and WhatIfSports.com. He lives with a Golden Tee machine and a jump shot that’s broken. Reach Joel on Twitter @JoelMBeall