NFL Preseason Week 3 Fantasy Takeaways: 7 Shocks
The NFL Preseason Week 3 Fantasy Football Takeaways are beginning to shape the final fantasy football decisions before the 2026 regular season. Thursday’s four-game slate provided important clues about depth charts, rookie roles, injury replacements and potential waiver-wire targets.
The games themselves were not packed with established stars. Many projected starters were rested, which is normal at this stage of the preseason. However, that made playing-time decisions even more important for fantasy managers.
Several developments stood out. Roman Wilson appears to have strengthened his position in Pittsburgh’s wide receiver competition. Skyler Bell received an encouraging workload in his Buffalo debut. Meanwhile, Ashton Jeanty’s ankle injury has pushed Mike Washington Jr. into the fantasy spotlight.
The Chargers also provided an intriguing development at tight end, while San Francisco’s backup running back competition appears to be moving in one direction.
Here are the biggest NFL Preseason Week 3 Fantasy Football Takeaways from Thursday night.
1. NFL Preseason Week 3 Fantasy Football Takeaways: Roman Wilson Moves Ahead
One of the clearest developments came from Pittsburgh.
Roman Wilson did not play against Buffalo, while second-round rookie Germie Bernard did. That decision matters because the Steelers have been evaluating both receivers for the third wide receiver position.
Pittsburgh’s starting receivers, D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., have missed the preseason with injuries. That has created an opportunity for Wilson and Bernard to compete for additional snaps.
The latest usage suggests Wilson currently has the advantage.
Wilson and Bernard have alternated between slot and outside responsibilities during the preseason. Bernard has shown enough versatility to remain involved, but Wilson’s absence from Thursday’s game was notable because the Steelers rested several players who appear to have secured important roster roles.
That makes Wilson an interesting late-round fantasy football name.
He is not yet a must-draft player in standard redraft leagues. However, his fantasy value could rise quickly if either Metcalf or Pittman remains unavailable for Week 1.
Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Pittsburgh’s injury reports before draft day.
2. Skyler Bell Makes an Encouraging Bills Debut
Buffalo provided another interesting fantasy storyline.
Fourth-round rookie Skyler Bell finally appeared after missing the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury. More importantly, the Bills immediately gave him significant opportunities.
Bell started and played nearly every snap with Buffalo’s starters. His workload included both 11-personnel and 12-personnel formations.
That versatility is particularly encouraging.
Bell has been viewed primarily as a slot receiver, but Buffalo also used him at the Z receiver position. The team even moved him around before the snap, indicating that the coaching staff may have plans beyond a simple backup slot role.
The Bills have several established receivers ahead of him, including Khalil Shakir, DJ Moore, Josh Palmer and Keon Coleman. That makes an immediate fantasy breakout difficult to project.
Still, Bell is a player fantasy managers should monitor.
If Palmer struggles or Bell develops quickly, his route participation could increase as the season progresses. He is more appealing as a deep-league stash than a standard redraft selection right now.
3. Mike Washington Jr. Becomes a Major Fantasy Contingency
The most important running back development of the night came from Las Vegas.
Ashton Jeanty missed the game after suffering an ankle injury in practice. Although the injury is not necessarily expected to end his season, uncertainty surrounding his Week 1 availability has dramatically increased the value of his backups.
Mike Washington Jr. received the clearest opportunity.
Washington played 16 of the Raiders’ first 20 offensive snaps, including all of the first six snaps on both opening drives. That is significant because Las Vegas was using its primary offensive players early in the game.
The workload showed that Washington is capable of handling a substantial role if Jeanty cannot play.
Dylan Laube also remains part of the equation. Laube has a different skill set and could receive additional work on passing downs or in two-minute situations.
Therefore, Washington should not automatically be projected for an enormous workload if Jeanty misses time.
Nevertheless, his preseason usage makes him one of the most important contingency backs to monitor.
If Jeanty is ruled out for Week 1, Washington immediately becomes a much more attractive fantasy option.
4. Jalen Nailor Continues to Hold a Starting Role
Another Raiders development deserves attention.
Jalen Nailor continued to work with the starters at wide receiver. His position has been somewhat uncertain throughout the preseason, especially after Las Vegas added veteran competition and drafted several young receivers.
However, the latest playing-time distribution provides useful evidence.
Nailor and Tre Tucker remained involved with the starting offense, while Jack Bech also continued to receive opportunities. The Raiders eventually removed Nailor and Tucker while allowing Bech to continue playing.
That does not necessarily mean Bech has overtaken Nailor.
Instead, the larger concern for Nailor’s fantasy ceiling may be the Raiders’ use of heavy personnel formations. Las Vegas frequently used formations featuring multiple running backs and fewer wide receivers.
That means even a starting receiver may not automatically receive a large target share.
Nailor remains worth monitoring, but fantasy managers should be cautious about projecting a major breakout based solely on his starting designation.
5. Kaelon Black Takes Control of the 49ers Backup RB Battle
San Francisco’s running back situation also produced an important fantasy development.
Kaelon Black started for the 49ers and played all 12 snaps across the team’s first three drives. Jordan James, his primary competition for the No. 2 running back role, did not enter until the fourth drive.
The situation has been complicated by injuries.
James missed significant training camp time while recovering from a fractured rib. Black also missed time because of an adductor injury before returning for the previous preseason game.
Black’s recent return appears to have given him momentum.
That is important for fantasy managers because the 49ers have discussed managing Christian McCaffrey’s workload. McCaffrey also has a lengthy injury history, which means the No. 2 running back in San Francisco could have substantial fantasy value if the starter misses time.
At this point, Black appears to be the more attractive handcuff.
James still has time to change the competition, but Black’s preseason usage gives him the edge heading into the final roster decisions.
6. Charlie Kolar Could Be a Fantasy Football Sleeper
The Los Angeles Chargers provided perhaps the most intriguing tight-end development of Thursday’s slate.
Charlie Kolar was the only Chargers tight end to play every snap with the starters.
Kolar has competed with David Njoku and rookie Oronde Gadsden for opportunities. Thursday’s usage provided more evidence that Kolar may have a significant role in the offense.
The Chargers used Kolar in multiple personnel groupings, including 11, 12 and 21 personnel. He also remained involved when another running back was on the field.
That versatility could become valuable during the regular season.
The Chargers even used 13 personnel during the preseason, a formation that was relatively uncommon for the team last season. If Los Angeles continues using multiple tight ends, there could be opportunities for several players.
However, Kolar currently appears to have the strongest case for a consistent role.
His fantasy appeal is especially interesting because the tight end position becomes difficult to navigate after the elite options are gone.
If Kolar receives regular routes and targets, he could emerge as a surprising top-12 candidate.
7. Kyle Williams and Efton Chism Gain From Patriots’ WR Changes
New England also produced an important wide receiver storyline.
The Patriots recently traded Kayshon Boutte to Houston, creating additional opportunities for the remaining receivers.
Kyle Williams and Efton Chism both played Thursday, but their early exits were arguably more important than their actual production.
Williams made the biggest statistical impact, scoring a 45-yard touchdown during the first quarter. Both players were used for only the opening two drives before leaving the game.
That usage suggests the Patriots are comfortable with their roster status.
Williams has the versatility to work outside, while Chism could challenge for slot opportunities. Neither player should be treated as an automatic fantasy starter, but both could affect the fantasy value of other Patriots receivers.
For deeper leagues, Williams is the more interesting name to monitor.
A strong preseason does not guarantee regular-season fantasy production, but the combination of roster movement, early playing time and big-play ability makes him worth tracking.
What Fantasy Managers Should Do Before Week 1
The biggest lesson from the NFL Preseason Week 3 Fantasy Football Takeaways is that playing time can be more valuable than preseason statistics.
A touchdown or a long reception can attract attention, but fantasy managers should focus on why a player was on the field.
That is particularly important during the final preseason week.
Established starters are often rested. Coaches are also trying to evaluate roster-bubble players. As a result, raw box-score statistics can sometimes be misleading.
Thursday’s games offered several examples.
Roman Wilson’s absence was meaningful because it came while Pittsburgh continued evaluating Germie Bernard. Skyler Bell’s heavy workload mattered because Buffalo rested most of its projected roster. Washington’s opportunity became important because Jeanty’s injury suddenly created uncertainty at running back.
The same principle applies to San Francisco.
Black’s early workload was more informative than a late-game statistical line because it showed where he currently sits in the team’s hierarchy.
Fantasy managers should therefore prioritize:
- Starter usage
- Snap distribution
- Personnel-group involvement
- Injury-related opportunities
- Depth-chart movement
- Role in passing situations
- Potential workload if a starter misses time
These factors can help identify players before their fantasy value becomes obvious.
Final Fantasy Football Verdict
Thursday’s preseason action did not produce a long list of immediate fantasy stars. Instead, it clarified several situations that could become important once the regular season begins.
Mike Washington Jr. is the most obvious contingency running back to monitor because Jeanty’s injury could create an immediate opportunity.
Kaelon Black is another valuable handcuff candidate after taking the early lead in San Francisco’s backup running back competition.
At wide receiver, Roman Wilson appears to have strengthened his position in Pittsburgh, while Skyler Bell’s debut showed that Buffalo may be willing to use him in multiple roles.
Jalen Nailor remains in the Raiders’ starting mix, although Las Vegas’ heavy personnel usage could limit his overall ceiling.
At tight end, Charlie Kolar is arguably the most intriguing sleeper from Thursday. His ability to stay on the field across different formations gives him a path to meaningful volume in a strong offensive environment.
Meanwhile, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism are worth monitoring as the Patriots reshape their wide receiver room.
With fantasy drafts happening now, these developments can be especially valuable. The best fantasy managers are not simply reacting to touchdowns. They are identifying changing roles before the rest of the league catches up.
The final preseason games and injury reports will provide additional clues, but Thursday’s slate already delivered several developments capable of changing draft-day decisions.
Bottom line: monitor Washington, Black, Wilson, Bell and Kolar closely as Week 1 approaches. Their fantasy value could rise significantly if current depth-chart trends continue.
