Pre-Season Week 3 Breakdown + more

A preseason Week 3 recap that will keep you up to date on who’s headed for big roles this season and who’s losing ground, before we wrap it up with some Wide Receivers on the waiver wire who Dynasty Detour Jesse deems undervalued. Let’s hit the Detour.
 

-- Dynasty Detour Tom

📝 Pre-Season Week 3 Breakdown

Situations around the league are getting clearer by the day. Here’s what caught our eye around the league in pre-season Week 3 👀 

🏈 Falcons vs Cowboys

In a game reserved for backups and third stringers, we finally saw the debut of fifth round pick Jaydon Blue along with one other former college standout making a statement.
 

⭐️ Jaydon Blue - Left in second half with minor ankle injury | 9 carries for 25 yards

• Although there were bright spots, including a first touchdown run (albeit a 1 yard punch-in), Blue was playing in a game where neither team trotted out many starters. He accumulated 25 yards and showed glimpses of the burst which made him so intriguing as a prospect, especially on his 13 yard run for his longest of the day. There will definitely need to be more shown, especially in the passing game, for him to start demanding more attention and touches, but this was a good debut

🐦️ Nick Nash - 6 catches for 87 yards

• How about the 2024 triple crown winner from San Jose State? Nick Nash may not be vying for the same target share he had as a Spartan, but on a team looking for depth behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney outside, Nash may have just worked his way onto the roster. Keep an eye out if he manages to make the roster.

   

🏈 Seahawks vs Packers

In Seattle’s final preseason game, the keys were handed to Jalen Milroe to battle against the Packers. They did not score until late in the 4th quarter. What happened?

🐤 Jalen Milroe - 13/24 for 148 yards, 1 TD w/ 7 carries for 31 yards

• As expected, Jalen Milroe showed some of the raw dual threat ability the Seahawks were interested in when they drafted him back in April with the 92nd pick. However, his inability to correctly read defensive coverages and locate receivers proved detrimental for Seattle’s offense, as he took 5 sacks while trying to keep plays alive. These are all common things that young QB’s struggle with, but this performance did not instill any sense of comfort in the QB’s ability to play full games any time soon.

🧀 Matthew Golden - 2 drives w/ 1 catch on 2 targets for 39 yards

• Although most teams decided to rest all of their starters, Green Bay opted to give whatever healthy starters were available some run with Malik Willis under center. Even with a QB less trigger happy than the usual starter in Jordan Love, Golden separated himself from the pack drawing two quick targets including a nice catch downfield that served as the catalyst for the Packers 96-yard TD drive. In Golden, Love has found another big play weapon to power the Green Bay passing attack, starting week 1.

   

🏈 Broncos vs Saints

Bo NIx and Courtland Sutton showed why they don’t belong on the field of Preseason Week 3, and the Saints still have a QB decision to make – which doesn’t seem any closer to answers.

🐎 Bo Nix - 10/14, 110 yards, 1 TD

• Denver’s first drive sputtered, but from there the rookie settled in and delivered. Nix capped off his preseason with three sharp drives, highlighted by a 19-yard touchdown to Courtland Sutton. His poise on 4th-and-5, delivering a back-shoulder dart to Sutton, was one of several NFL-ready moments. Nix looked most comfortable on the move, rolling left to fire a 43-yard strike to Sutton, then immediately going back to him two plays later for a score. A clean 158.3 passer rating on his final drive leaves Broncos fans hopeful heading into Week 1.

🐎 Courtland Sutton - 4 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD

• The veteran wideout looked like his old self, commanding attention on every target. Sutton accounted for 69 yards on a single third-drive march, showing off his trademark physicality and body control on the sideline. His 19-yard TD catch from Nix showcased their chemistry — the “10-to-14” connection is already giving off shades of a true WR1-QB1 duo. If this usage carries into the regular season, Sutton could be back in the fantasy WR2 mix with legit weekly upside.

Dynasty Note:

It’s still preseason, but the Sutton-Nix rapport is real. Sutton remains affordable in most dynasty leagues (WR 30-35 range on KTC). With Nix peppering him early and often, this could be one of the cheapest ways to buy into immediate Denver production, for contenders.

⚜️ Spencer Rattler – 5/8, 43 yards

• Rattler opened the game and looked comfortable at times, but the offense struggled to finish drives. He led two field goal possessions but missed chances on key downs. A throw behind Rashid Shaheed cost him what could have been a first down and possibly more, and another low pass to Chris Olave turned into a turnover on downs. Rattler finished with 43 yards and one sack, and his frustration was obvious when he came out midway through the second quarter.

⚜️ Tyler Shough – 12/20, 102 yards, 1 rushing TD

• Shough took over and immediately moved the ball, first on a short drive that set up a field goal and then on the most impressive series of the night. In the third quarter, he directed a 12-play, 77-yard march that ended with an 11-yard keeper off an RPO look. Along the way, he converted a key third-and-five by spinning away from pressure and finding Devin Neal on the sideline. Shough’s poise and ability to create outside of structure gave the offense a different look.

Dynasty Note:
With the preseason over, the decision now falls to Kellen Moore ahead of Week 1 against Arizona. Rattler has the draft pedigree, but Shough looked more composed and finished drives when given the chance. The battle is not officially decided, but the momentum seems to be in Shough’s favor.

🏈 Chiefs vs Bears

Kansas City came out firing, but Chicago clawed back late to steal a 29-27 win in the preseason finale. Both sides got extended looks at their starters, and both fan bases saw plenty to chew on heading into Week 1.

🐸 Patrick Mahomes – 11/17, 146 yards, 1 TD

• Mahomes and the first-team offense looked ready for the regular season. He capped three straight scoring drives with a mix of short rhythm throws and a deep 58-yard strike to Tyquan Thornton. The drive ended in a Rashee Rice touchdown, though his looming suspension hangs over this passing game. With Travis Kelce still sharp and Isiah Pacheco pounding in an early score, the Chiefs’ starters exited with a 17-0 lead and looked every bit like a team preparing for another playoff run.

🐸 Isiah Pacheco – 6 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD

• Pacheco opened the scoring with a short touchdown run and added a couple of chunk gains. His role as the early-down workhorse looks secure.

🐻 Caleb Williams – 11/20, 146 yards, 1 TD

• It was a rough start for the No. 1 pick, who struggled to string drives together against Kansas City’s starters. He held the ball too long at times and forced a throw into double coverage intended for Rome Odunze. But Williams found his footing late in the half, scrambling to extend plays and eventually capping a drive with a touchdown pass. The talent is clear, even if the consistency isn’t there yet.

🐻 Rome Odunze – 3 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD

• Odunze had a quiet opening quarter before breaking loose. He hauled in a 37-yard pass from Williams to flip the field and then finished the drive himself with a short touchdown grab. Already looking like the clear WR2 behind DJ Moore, Odunze showed he’s going to be a key part of this passing attack right away.

-- Dynasty Detour Tom & Dynasty Detour John (debutant)

🧳 Curbside Pickup

Every dynasty roster needs more than headline acts: here are three wideouts with the kind of flex appeal that keeps your engine humming 🏎️

Whether you’re rebuilding or chasing a title, you need pieces that actually move the needle. Maybe it’s stockpiling assets to flip for picks, maybe it’s reliable depth to carry you through injuries and bye weeks. Either way, these three (mostly available) receivers can be the keys to getting your team across the finish line.

🔵 Darius Slayton - WR NYG (Rostered in 56% of Sleeper Leagues)

• Age - 28.6

• Value (KeepTradeCut) - 2027 Early 4th

• Reasons to add:

  • Locked into a starting role opposite Malik Nabers with Russell Wilson (aka Mr. Moonball) at QB.

  • Guaranteed snaps on a team that will need to pass a lot. Slayton had 80%-plus snap share two years in a row. The Giants will be forced to throw the ball a lot, given they have the hardest schedule in the entire NFL (terrifying as a Giants fan, great for fantasy).

  • Slayton’s 15.0 yards per catch is the eighth-highest average in the NFL (minimum 120 receptions) since the Giants selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He will benefit from a QB who literally forces the ball downfield.

🐬 Malik Washington - WR MIA (Rostered in 55% of Sleeper Leagues)

• Age - 24.6

• Value (KeepTradeCut) - 2028 Late 3rd

• Reasons to add:

  • With Jonnu Smith off to Pittsburgh, 111 (😳) vacated targets are up for grabs in Miami’s offense. Washington is a strong candidate to soak up some of that short/intermediate volume behind Tyreek and Waddle.

  • Balling out in preseason with Tua. On a dime. That’s how Malik stopped, shaking the Jaguar defense out of their shoes before scampering in for a 25 yard touchdown. Washington has been a favorite target of Tua with Waddle and Hill out— he finished with 3 rec for 45 yds and a TD in Preseason Week 3.

  • Tyreek situation could implode. The Tyreek situation is worth monitoring. Reports say he and Tua are patching things up, but if that relationship frays, or if either Hill or Waddle miss time (or are traded), Malik could see a massive jump in target share.

🐆 Parker Washington - WR JAX (Rostered in 33% of Sleeper Leagues)

• Age - 23.4

• Value (KeepTradeCut) - 2026 Mid 4th

• Reasons to add:

  • Camp buzz has been going for a while now on Parker Washington. Steady drumbeat of beat writers highlighting Washington’s reliable hands and consistent separation underneath. Take it from QB Trevor Lawrence, who said, “It’s going to be tough to keep [Parker] off the field the way he’s playing.” And what’s even better news for Washington, he’s getting real opportunity outside of the slot.

  • I’m already starting to worry about Travis Hunter. Don’t get me wrong, Hunter (the presumed Jags WR2) is so likable and incredibly talented. That said, I’m getting nervous about him and the prospect of him playing full-time both sides of the ball. Reports of Hunter already picked up an upper body injury— that gives me pause. Parker Washington will be the beneficiary (not Dyami Brown) if Hunter only plays part time on offense.

  • Showed flashes of real talent last season. He had decent end to the 2024 season, averaging 11.5 PPR PPG in the final six weeks— partially skewed by his Week 13 explosion against division rival Houston (6 rec, 103 yds, 1 TD). With Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram gone, I believe there’s a path to fantasy relevance for the 3rd-year receiver.

Whether you’re rebuilding or chasing a title, value is what keeps your roster moving. Slayton, Parker, and Malik give you that mix of Flex usability and potential trade equity. 

-- Dynasty Detour Jesse

A lot to digest, but we’re happy to chew it up for you. Stay tuned for another Preseason Pulse newsletter this time next week, and be sure to follow us @dynastydetour on Instagram and X/Twitter to get our reactions and opinions in between issues, as well as email us with any questions at [email protected]. See you out on the road 🚘️.