The Flex: The Rookie Bench Backs Just Introduced Themselves
The Snap
Mike Washington Jr. is no longer preseason background noise. The Raiders rookie followed 63 rushing yards in the opener with 56 yards on nine carries, a 6.2-yard average, and a 33-yard run against Houston. He also caught two of three targets for 18 yards. That is 119 rushing yards in two auditions, and the juice has survived the jump from one week to the next. [1][2]
Ashton Jeanty sat with the veteran core Thursday, so nobody is starting a fake committee controversy. Jeanty owns the backfield. Washington is winning the job that matters to fantasy benches, the first call if Jeanty misses time, with enough explosion to steal useful touches before that. Draft the role, not the August touchdown column. Washington did not score, and his stock still went up.
The Calendar Says
This is Preseason Week 2, the cleanest usage window August gives us. The NFL opener is 20 days away, on September 10, and the next date that matters is Saturday, August 22, when a packed dress-rehearsal slate puts more starters on film. [1][9] This is the week to trust snap order, early drives, and who gets pulled with the ones. Next week is where third-string stat lines go to cosplay as analysis.
Around the League
De'Zhaun Stribling
Stribling caught four of five targets for 46 yards during his first two drives against the Chargers. Three catches came from Brock Purdy, and Stribling now has 109 receiving yards across two preseason games. He did not start, but early work with Purdy beats a ceremonial depth-chart label. The rookie is forcing his way into the weekly rotation. [1][8]
Kaelon Black
Black started for San Francisco and handled eight carries for 33 yards. Christian McCaffrey remains the whole operation, but the third-round rookie got the first backfield audition without him. That makes Black the handcuff until the 49ers show us otherwise. [1][8]
Tre Tucker
Tucker did not play while Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, and Malik Benson all worked against Houston. Veteran rest treatment matters more than an August box score. Tucker is sitting at WR71 ADP, and Brock Bowers will still lead this passing game, but the Raiders just told us who they view as their top wideout. [1]
Geno Smith
Smith will start against Pittsburgh after missing the Jets' opener with a sore ankle. His 2025 line was ugly, 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, with a 31st-place EPA per dropback among 33 qualifiers. The start is useful for Garrett Wilson and the first-team offense, not proof that Smith suddenly found a time machine. [4]
Stock Watch
Climbing
Mike Washington Jr.: Another 56 rushing yards, another explosive run, plus 18 receiving yards. Jeanty is the starter. Washington is becoming the bench piece that lets you sleep at night. [1][2]
De'Zhaun Stribling: He turned five early targets into 46 yards, with Purdy feeding him three completions. Two straight weeks of early involvement is a pattern, not a camp postcard. [1]
Kaelon Black: Starting in McCaffrey's place and getting eight carries is the exact signal handcuff hunters needed. The box score was ordinary. The order was not. [1]
Slipping
Fernando Mendoza: The rookie went 8 of 15 for 86 yards, threw an 80-yard pick-six, and was pressured on 37.5% of his dropbacks. Klint Kubiak still refused to name a Week 1 starter. Mendoza's path is alive, but the rookie-QB breakout crowd needs to put the confetti cannon away. [3][5]
Malik Benson: Benson caught one of five targets for 18 yards, while ESPN identified Nailor and Bech as the only projected starting receivers who played. Benson has first-team camp buzz, but Thursday looked like an audition, not veteran protection. [2][5]
The Sleeper Shelf
De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers, ADP not re-verified, RISING: Four catches, five targets, 46 yards, and three Purdy completions. The shelf got louder.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders, ADP not verified, NEW: 119 rushing yards through two games, with the No. 2 role coming into focus behind Jeanty.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Packers, ADP not re-verified, RISING: The next-man-up thesis remains intact. Friday night against Denver is the next role check.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers, ADP not re-verified, RISING: Starter usage and Chuba Hubbard's hamstring issue keep Brooks on the shelf. Jacksonville is the next test.
Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Texans, ADP not verified, HOLD: He filled Jayden Higgins' role but managed one catch for minus-one yard on two targets. The opening exists. Thursday did not claim it. [1][2]
Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans, ADP not re-verified, HOLD: The standalone-work thesis remains live, with no fresh price worth pretending we verified.
The Flex Call
Use the final non-kicker bench pick on Mike Washington Jr.
He has 119 rushing yards through two preseason games, added two catches for 18 yards Thursday, and produced a 33-yard run after contact at the line. Jeanty is the starter, full stop. Washington is the cheap contingency bet with a real path to touches, not a fourth-quarter mascot. [1][2]
Injury Desk
The Detroit News reported Sam LaPorta is resting a hip injury after it flared following a hit. Dan Campbell said the Lions feel good long term but would not guarantee it clears before the regular season, and LaPorta missed eight games last year with a herniated disk. No panic, but stop drafting him as if the medical tab is blank. [6]
Sportsnet reported Marcus Mariota is expected to miss the rest of the preseason with a right-knee MCL strain. Jayden Daniels has taken reps with both the first and second teams, but Washington had not committed to playing him Saturday because of offensive-line injuries. [7]
Sources
1. theScore, Fantasy notes and analysis from Preseason Week 2
2. ESPN, Raiders at Texans box score
3. NFL.com, What We Learned from Thursday's Preseason Week 2 games
4. theScore, Geno Smith to start against Pittsburgh
5. ESPN, Raiders quarterback race remains open
6. The Detroit News, Sam LaPorta dealing with hip injury
7. Sportsnet, Commanders to play starters against Detroit