One year ago, the Las Vegas Raiders had the fantasy football world abuzz over how much they played Josh Jacobs in the Hall of Fame Game. This year, the Cleveland Browns take on the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame Game. We know the starting quarterbacks aren’t playing, but there are still players fantasy managers should keep an eye on.
Fantasy Football Players To Watch in the Hall of Fame Game
The Hall of Fame Game isn’t really even the true preseason. It’s the pre-preseason. There are three weeks of preseason games beginning Aug. 10. The two teams selected to play in the Hall of Fame Game, however, play a fourth game. So, naturally, NFL coaches treat it accordingly.
We already know for a fact Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson won’t see the field. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Kellen Mond will start, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson getting action in the second half.
Stefanski said point blank, “It’ll be backups,” when asked who would play in this game. Even backup QB Josh Dobbs won’t play, and we won’t see Nick Chubb or Amari Cooper tonight. I wouldn’t expect to see Elijah Moore or Donovan Peoples-Jones, either.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh largely echoed Stefanski’s thoughts. As mentioned, e won’t see Rodgers, who hasn’t played a preseason snap in five years. Zach Wilson will start, but he won’t be throwing to Garrett Wilson or handing the ball off to Breece Hall.
With all that said, the Browns and Jets are two interesting teams in that who the backups are isn’t necessarily clear. That’s exactly what fantasy managers should pay attention to — who is in the game and when.
Cleveland Browns To Watch in the Hall of Fame Game
Cedric Tillman, WR
Cleveland selected Cedric Tillman in the third round of this year’s draft, but it would certainly be noteworthy if Moore or DPJ saw action tonight. If that happens, fantasy managers should take note of the fact that the Browns’ WR hierarchy behind Cooper is very much in flux.
Tillman will almost certainly play tonight, though. He’s competing with Marquise Goodwin and David Bell for the WR4 role. Given Goodwin’s age and Bell’s lack of performance as a rookie, Tillman is expected to win the role.
Jerome Ford, RB
Clear backup running backs normally wouldn’t play tonight, but the Browns likely want to get the 2022 fifth-rounder some in-game action. Jerome Ford handled just eight carries as a rookie but is slated to be Chubb’s primary backup with Kareem Hunt gone.
Ford’s performance in a game that doesn’t matter…well…doesn’t matter. But we do want to see him on the field first, and playing well is certainly better than not.
New York Jets To Watch in the Hall of Fame Game
Israel Abanikanda, RB
It would be stunning if the Jets didn’t get their fifth-round rookie RB some burn in tonight’s game. Israel Abanikanda has a legitimate shot at earning the RB2 role behind Hall (pending the Jets not signing Dalvin Cook).
Last season, Michael Carter fell out of favor, and Zonovan Knight just isn’t that good. It will be very interesting to see if either of them plays tonight. If they do, that would be a clear signal that this backup job is wide open.
Mecole Hardman, WR
I listed Mecole Hardman as the name to watch because I’m assuming veterans Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Corey Davis are not going to play. However, Hardman may very well not play, either.
Essentially, fantasy managers should be looking for who does play wide receiver for the Jets. The only thing we know for sure is it won’t be Garrett Wilson. The depth chart behind Wilson is very much uncertain. Who we see or don’t see tonight could provide insight as to how the Jets view their wide receivers. Of course, they all could just not play, and then we won’t know any more than did before.
