The Hall of Fame Game is our first glimpse of actual football since the Super Bowl. As a result, there will be more eyes on the game than is typical for a preseason game. This year, the Chicago Bears take on the Houston Texans. Who are the players fantasy football managers should keep an eye on?
Fantasy Football Players in the Hall of Fame Game To Watch
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 on Aug. 8; the two teams selected to play in the Hall of Fame Game, however, play four games. So, naturally, NFL coaches treat it accordingly.
Last year, the head coaches of both teams didn’t hide the fact that they weren’t playing starters. Heading into this year’s game, we don’t have the same clarity. However, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans did say, “We’ll see,” when asked whether C.J. Stroud would play. He added, “If you look at the premise of it, you’ll definitely see a lot of our young guys in the Hall of Fame game and try to see those guys get as many reps as possible.”
We can read between the lines. Do not expect Stroud or any of the veterans to see any action on Thursday night.
On the other side of the field, it’s a very different situation. The Bears have a bunch of players who weren’t on the team last year, including two first-round rookies.
At Tuesday’s press conference, head coach Matt Eberflus said he will be resting all of the team’s starters in the Hall of Fame game. That includes rookie QB Caleb Williams, and Tyson Bagent will get the start.
Based on the information we have, it does appear as if neither team is going to play starters on Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean the game is useless for fantasy managers. Here are a couple of names to look out for.
Chicago Bears Players To Watch in the Hall of Fame Game
WR Rome Odunze
When the Bears say they are resting starters, we know that means we won’t see DJ Moore or Keenan Allen as those are the two players likely playing in two-receiver sets. It remains to be seen whether WR3 Rome Odunze is considered a starter.
Given that Odunze is a rookie, there’s an increased chance he sees action in the Hall of Fame game. However, Williams is also a rookie, and he’s not playing.
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The fact that each of these teams plays a fourth preseason game makes it easier for coaches to hold out more players, especially those guaranteed to make the team.
There’s probably a 50/50 chance we see Odunze. If we do, he will easily be the most important player on the field for fantasy purposes.
RB Roschon Johnson
It’s possible that the Bears hold out key backups in addition to holding out starters. But it’s more likely than not that sophomore RB Roschon Johnson not only gets in the game but sees a fair amount of work.
Johnson didn’t carry the ball much as a rookie, but he did earn a 9.5% target share. With the coaching staff talking about D’Andre Swift as less than a feature back, there is an opening for Johnson to prove that he deserves a regular role in this backfield, possibly as the passing-down back. He is one to watch on Thursday night.
Houston Texans Players To Watch in the Hall of Fame Game
RB Dameon Pierce
One of the biggest stories of the 2023 preseason was Dameon Pierce playing something like 15 consecutive snaps in a game, convincing a slew of fantasy managers that he was going to be a three-down back. As it turned out, that was just the coaches wanting to get Pierce his reps and get him out.
This year, Joe Mixon is the clear starter. We won’t be seeing him in this one, though. That should give Pierce a chance to prove to his coaches that he deserves to be the primary backup, as well as showcase his ability to other teams that might consider trading for him.
TE Cade Stover
This one is more for dynasty than redraft. It’s highly unlikely Cade Stover matters at all in fantasy this year. But he could be the Texans’ tight end of the future.
The Ohio State product played with C.J. Stroud in college. There’s a built-in rapport here. If Stover shows promise this early in his career, especially considering his lack of experience, that could be a signal for dynasty managers to stash him as a potential TE1 in 2-3 years.