Saints at Chargers
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, 8/18 at 4:00 pm
Location: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA
Betting Odds: LAC -3.5 via Oddshark
Network: CBS
New Orleans Saints
Mark Out, Murray In
Coming into the season, many were wondering if there would be a running back that could fill the void left by Mark Ingram leaving for Baltimore. Well, after watching the first preseason game, it seems we have our answer. Latavius Murray, coming over from the Vikings, ran for 14 yards on three carries and added an impressive 22 yards on three catches. The real spectacle to watch was how quick and fluid Murray looked in the Saints offense and that he will be a perfect replacement for Mark Ingram if he can stay healthy. Make no mistake, Alvin Kamara is a bonafide top 3 running back, but Murray will push for RB2 numbers this year in 12-team PPR leagues. Draft him with confidence.
You Can’t Guard Mike, but Who Else?
We all know Michael Thomas is going to be a top of the line starter at WR, but after that, it is a little hazy on who the other viable pass catchers are on this Saints offense. The main name I want to focus on is Jared Cook who is a new addition this season. Drew Brees has loved his tight ends ever since Jimmy Graham was out there catching passes in the dome, so it is only natural that Cook will be on his radar as a threat down the middle of the field often this season. Whether or not Cook will play in the second preseason game is unknown, but Cook will be the guy that will be third in line behind Thomas and Kamara to receive targets from Drew Brees and you can have his services at a huge discount over the top line TEs this season.
Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Will(iams) Made it
The Chargers love this guy and Phillip Rivers and all nine of his kids love this guy and that is all that matters. Mike Williams burst onto the scene last year with a robust ten touchdowns. Everything out of Chargers camp is telling us that the touchdowns are here to stay, while the receptions could as much as double this season as they look to integrate him even more. With the holdout of Melvin Gordon still looming, this is looking more and more like a passing offense. Couple that with the propensity to get injured that Keenan Allen has and this is shaping up to be a year where Williams blows up!
Run it Back
With the holdout of Melvin Gordon looking like a long battle ahead, there is a vacancy in the backfield to be filled. The two candidates for this are Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, two guys that sound like they could be ringing you up at the grocery store. This has drafters scrambling, with Ekeler currently being drafted ahead of Jackson, but Jackson profiling more as an early-down back than Ekeler. Did that confuse you too? The preseason is where we are going to find out over the next few weeks who the real top dog will be if Gordon decides that millions of dollars aren’t worth it. In other news, if any of you know Chargers brass, let them know I’ll play for less than the league minimum to get this situation off their hands.
-Matt Dean (@MattDeanQbList)