Pff iconPffAug 30, 2026 ~8 min source read

Fantasy Football: Preseason usage takeaways for all 32 NFL teams

PFF’s preseason summary compiles three weeks of usage data across quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends to give fantasy managers concrete read-throughs for 2026 drafts.

Fantasy Football: Preseason takeaways for all 32 NFL teams

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Nine rookie wide receivers placed among their team’s top three receivers by preseason usage, including Malachi Fields, Caleb Douglas and Ja’Kobi Lane.

Tight end roles diverged: Chig Okonkwo earned encouraging usage while Oronde Gadsden’s role looked concerning.

Teams provided a usable sample of starter behavior — each team averaged more than 10 snaps with its first-team unit during the preseason.

# What this preseason recap delivers PFF combined three weeks of preseason play to map how teams used quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends. The focus is player usage and role definition — the kind of information fantasy managers can apply directly in draft decisions and late-round planning.

# Rookies who earned meaningful roles Nine rookie wide receivers showed up in preseason usage as among the top three receivers on their teams. The article names third-round picks Malachi Fields, Caleb Douglas and Ja'Kobi Lane as examples. That level of early usage suggests these rookies are already integrated into game plans and deserve consideration in deeper formats or as late-roster upside in redraft drafts.

# Tight end landscape: targets and cautions Not all tight ends emerged the same way. Chig Okonkwo produced encouraging usage patterns that could translate to fantasy relevance. Conversely, Oronde Gadsden drew more concerning role signs. For managers targeting tight ends late, the preseason can expose both sleepers and disappointing situations before draft day.

# What the snap totals mean PFF notes a consistent sample size: each NFL team averaged more than 10 snaps with its starters during the preseason. That provides enough plays to observe early-game-plan tendencies and how primary skill-position players are being used, rather than relying solely on practice reports or depth-chart labels.

# How to use this information for drafts Treat preseason usage as a directional tool: increased early snaps and a top-three receiver placement for a rookie are signals of opportunity. For tight ends, compare snap counts and target-share indicators to depth-chart listings to find late-round value or avoid players whose usage fell short. QB and RB starter snaps give early clarity on game-plan preferences and rotation tendencies.

# Bottom line The preseason sample documented by PFF offers practical, roster-level intelligence: rookie receivers with top-three usage, divergent tight end roles, and consistent starter snap windows across teams. Use these measurable patterns to adjust tiering and target list priorities heading into drafts.

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