2018 Preseason Movers and Shakers

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 12:00 pm ET

One of the great things about a service like FFN is that we monitor the rankings and projections from a large number of different sources giving us a wider view of the fantasy landscape. Every day we scan these sites and record their rankings. This allows us to see how players are moving up and down the ranks as well as where their average draft position is in relation to their rankings.

Here are players that we've watched move up and down. Visit our Movers and Shakers section to view more players.

Moving Up

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina
McCaffrey has been the focal point of the run game through 2 preseason games. In fact, he has played 80% of the snaps with the first team. Carolina has shown they are dedicated to giving him a significant workload. He's moving up in ADP and the FFN ranks. Look for him to be drafted as a low-end RB1 in both standard and PPR formats.

Peyton Barber, RB, Tampa Bay
It won't surprise anyone to see Ronald Jones lead the backfield in touches later this year, but it won't be in Week 1. We're not sure if it's possible to play worse than Jones has in two preseason games leaving Barber as Tampa's clear top back and starter. Barber is being drafted near the 12th-round which presents solid value.

Carlos Hyde, RB, Cleveland
The starting gig in Cleveland is clearly and safely in the hands of Carlos Hyde. He saw the majority of the first team snaps and toted the ball 9 times for 64 yards and a score. RB Nick Chubb didn't see a single snap with Taylor and the starters. He's being taken as a low-end RB3.

Chris Carson, RB, Seattle
With Rashaad Penny recovering from surgery on his finger, it is clearly Carson's job to lose which is why we're watching him slowly climb up the ADP ranks. He's being taken as an RB4 in most 12-team drafts and presents decent value at his current ADP.

John Brown, WR, Baltimore
You can't pay attention to anything out of Baltimore without hearing about the incredible play of John Brown. Brown will play opposite Michael Crabtree and his ADP will continue to slowly climb. He is worth a late round flier given that his WR draft ranking is 65th putting him squarely in the WR5/6 category.

Danny Amendola, WR, Miami
The trouble with Amendola has always been his durability. Perhaps the sunshine in Miami will keep him healthy. We hope so because he looks to be quite comfortable and efficient as the Dolphins' slot receiver playing 9 of 11 snaps with Tannehill in the opener. He's going a few picks later than John Brown.

Moving Down

down Jerick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco
There was so much buzz surrounding Jerick McKinnon before the preseason started, but a strained calf will dull those voices. McKinnon is not expected to be ready to go until Week 1. Combine that with the fact that the Niners added Alfred Morris to the depth chart, and suddenly McKinnon's ADP becomes much riskier after the turn in Round 3. He's the 15th RB taken off the boards in 12-team leagues.

down Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia
Wentz is not a lock for Week 1 but the team has said that he'll "be close" for the opener. There's ample reason to urge caution on Wentz to the start of the season. He has moved down to the 7th-ranked QB and even that might be a bit rich given the company that surrounds him near that section of the ADP.

down Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle
With surgery to repair his broken finger, Penny is on the road to recovery but he's not expected to see any action for a month. His availability and slide down the depth chart means that he's going to slide down the ADP as well.

down Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland
Chubb didn't see a single snap with QB Tyrod Taylor and the first team in Friday's preseason game. He has been outplayed by Hyde, and while he will likely earn a larger role as the season progresses, he'll take a backseat for now.

down Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia
Fantasy owners are keeping a close eye on Alshon Jeffery. If he can't go for Week 1, he may find himself on the PUP list and could potentially miss the first six games. Combine that with a questionable QB situation and it's no wonder that we've seen Jeffery slide down to the 25th-ranked WR. The slide may not be done.