We've reached the dress rehearsal stage of the NFL preseason. This is when we start to truly figure out which guys are going to be ready for primetime. But in some cases, that could make your decisions harder. That's okay. Fantasy Football Audibles is here for you in an attempt to answer all of your toughest dilemmas with the season closing in.
I'm really excited about both of these young receivers in 2015. But if you're asking who I'm more excited about, it would easily be Jordan Matthews. The Eagles offense has been humming so far in the preseason, and I truly believe that he can surpass the numbers that Jeremy Maclin posted last season as Philly's No. 1 wideout. My biggest concerns for Brandin Cooks are that the Saints seem geared toward running the football a little more this season. I also worry that C.J. Spiller might take some of the screens and short routes that helped Cooks make hay early last season. Looking at this matchup more specifically, Matthews facing a Falcons defense that was porous in 2014 is much more favorable than Cooks going against a Cardinals defense that features a strong secondary.
If fantasy quarterbacks were food, Matt Ryan would be oatmeal. He's fine. Definitely good enough to get you by, but certainly not anything to get excited about. Ryan Tannehill, on the other hand, would be street tacos -- something you look forward to that occasionally could offer a little spice. I'd expect things to get quite spicy for Tannehill in the first week against a poor Washington defense. Meanwhile, Ryan should put up decent yardage and maybe a couple of touchdowns. But that opportunistic Eagles D is probably going to get him for a couple of turnovers as well. I guess I'll take that. But I'd rather have tacos.
This isn't even a discussion. I know Sankey looked better in Tennessee's second preseason game, but it would be an upset if he holds off David Cobb for the starting job all season long. Mathews isn't slated to be the starter in Philadelphia, but Chip Kelly is likely to put him in heavy rotation among the running backs. Despite all the injuries he's had in his career, Mathews is still a talented back. Plus, he gets to play behind one of the best run-blocking lines in the NFL. He should be rostered in nearly all leagues.
Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarcasG.
