Fantasy Index

Factoid

Preseason production

Does a big August mean a big regular season?

How much should we be paying attention to preseason performance? Specifically, if a player puts up big numbers in these practice games, is that meaningful evidence that he’s going do anything in the real games?

Certainly there are a lot of red herrings mixed in – guys who do well in the preseason, then don’t do much of anything. Chris Johnson, for example, ran extremely well in the practice games last year then was a pile of dog doo for much of the regular season. David Wilson as well.

Other times a guy looks like an up-and-comer in August and there’s some truth in it. Kenny Stills and Josh Gordon elevated their stock with good preseasons last year. Khiry Robinson proved himself worthy of an NFL roster spot. And Matt Forte seemed headed for a big year – and it happened.

But it’s a hit or miss deal, with seemingly more misses than hits.

LEADING PASSERS IN 2013 PRESEASON
TeamPlayerPctYdsTDIntRate
SEATarvaris Jackson72.2%35730131.4
NODrew Brees73.5%37120128.4
TENRyan Fitzpatrick71.9%29651127.1
DALTony Romo72.2%36720123.3
HOUT.J. Yates70.0%41740121.8
DETShaun Hill67.6%25530119.1
SFColin Kaepernick65.2%17120116.4
STLSam Bradford61.1%36820114.1
BUFEJ Manuel78.8%19920112.0
INDAndrew Luck65.9%32241108.3
NOLuke McCown65.3%37841107.4
HOUCase Keenum68.3%48230106.7
BUFJeff Tuel72.1%29920106.6
NETom Brady77.3%35721106.0
CLEJason Campbell74.3%25510103.9
NYJMatt Simms74.6%47810103.6
CARDerek Anderson61.0%43121102.8
GBAaron Rodgers70.8%23700102.3
PHIMichael Vick73.7%38322101.1
LEADING RUSHERS IN 2013 PRESEASON
TeamPlayerAttYdsAvgTD
NOKhiry Robinson492284.70
JACJordan Todman292237.72
DALJoseph Randle552153.91
SEAChristine Michael402015.01
NYGDavid Wilson241797.51
DALPhillip Tanner371584.31
WASRoy Helu271575.81
TENChris Johnson201557.81
CHIMichael Ford391493.82
CHIMatt Forte151499.91
TENJackie Battle381453.80
ARIStepfan Taylor391453.71
PHIBryce Brown251435.72
CINJosh Johnson1214311.90
NELeGarrette Blount241375.72
OAKRashad Jennings311374.40
PITJonathan Dwyer341364.00
OAKTerrelle Pryor141319.41
CINRex Burkhead281304.61
TBMike James321304.10
JACDenard Robinson391303.30
LEADING RECEIVERS IN 2013 PRESEASON
TeamPlayerRecYdsAvgTD
BUFMarcus Easley1222418.71
CARTed Ginn921423.82
SDLadarius Green1321016.22
CLEJosh Gordon920022.20
DALDez Bryant1318314.11
HOULestar Jean1217714.83
HOURyan Griffin1417312.40
TENMichael Preston1017217.22
NOKenny Stills917018.92
BALMarlon Brown1016916.92
NEKenbrell Thompkins1516611.10
CARDavid Gettis1116414.90
NONick Toon916418.20
ATLDarius Johnson1315812.21
STLChris Givens515631.21
HOUAndre Johnson815118.90
NEAaron Dobson1115013.60
PITDerek Moye1014914.91
DETReggie Bush1014714.70
ARIJaron Brown1114513.22
BALAaron Mellette914015.62

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index