What We Saw: Preseason Week 3

Breakdowns of every game from Week 3 of the 2025 NFL preseason!

Rams @ Browns

Final Score: Browns 19, Rams 17

Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)

 

The Rams didn’t send many notable players to the field in this game, making the Browns and their carousel of QBs the story of the day. Joe Flacco was surgical and looks to be good for fantasy stocks once again. Dillon Gabriel came in second and made some nice plays to close out the first half, and could push Kenny Pickett for the backup job. Shedeur Sanders struggled mightily in the second half, taking five sacks and nearly losing a fumble. Tyler Huntley closed out the game by setting the Browns up for a game-winning field goal… and was then promptly cut the next day. It’s a brutal business.

 

Three Up

  • Rookie TEs – Both Terrance Ferguson and Harold Fannin Jr. had some good plays in this game and should be names to watch as potential streamers throughout the season.
  • Browns Pass Catchers – With Joe Flacco once again looking like a solid pocket passing QB, players like Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku should reap the benefits.
  • Dylan Sampson – Showed off his athleticism with a nice catch-and-run. Is he the rookie RB to own in Cleveland?

Two Down

  • Shedeur Sanders – Looked much worse than fellow rookie Gabriel and made some bad decisions while taking five sacks.
  • Quinshon Judkins – With Sampson and Jerome Ford looking solid on Saturday, Judkins has an uphill battle to find touches at the beginning of the season. One of the ultimate risk-reward picks in drafts.

 

Los Angeles Rams

 

Quarterback

 

Dresser Winn: 15/23, 190 Yards, TD | 3 Carries, 7 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)

Dresser Winn is the odd man out in this QB room after Stetson Bennett IV impressed in his preseason performances.

 

Running Back

 

Jarquez Hunter: 7 Carries, 14 Yards 

Jarquez Hunter started the game for the Rams and looked solid to begin, gaining nine yards on his first two carries. He was stuffed the rest of the day, though, and looks to be firmly in third on the depth chart behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. An interesting Dynasty stash, but I don’t expect him to have a ton of value in redraft leagues unless something happens to the guys ahead of him.

 

Jordan Waters: 6 Carries, 42 Yards, TD

Unlikely to make the team.

 

Cody Schrader: 9 Carries, 13 Yards

Close to the roster bubble, but did not help his case with an inefficient performance on Saturday.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Terrance Ferguson: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 48 Yards

The second-round pick impressed in the final preseason game and has the potential to be a key part of the Rams’ passing attack this season. Winn tried to go deep to Ferguson a couple of times, overthrowing him on the first chance before connecting on a nice over-the-shoulder catch on a similar play later that drive. Ferguson likely won’t be a fantasy starter early this season, but he’s a name to keep an eye on if Matthew Stafford stays healthy and develops a rapport with the rookie.

 

Brennan Presley: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 51 Yards | 3 Carries, 23 Yards 

Presley and the remaining pass catchers are unlikely to make the 53-man roster, and even if they do, they won’t be fantasy-relevant assets.

 

Britain Covey: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 32 Yards

 

Tru Edwards: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 25 Yards

 

Drake Stoops: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 23 Yards, TD, Fumble (LOST)

 

Mark Redman: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards

 

McCallan Castles: 1 Target

Perhaps the best name I’ve seen this preseason. It’s a shame he won’t be on the 53-man roster.

 

Cleveland Browns

 

Quarterback

 

Joe Flacco: 9/10, 71 Yards, TD

Joe Flacco played the first few drives for Cleveland and showed why the Browns are secure in naming him their starter for Week 1. Flacco missed on his first pass of the day, a low ball to Jerry Jeudy, but was perfect the rest of the way. As we saw in Indianapolis last season, Flacco can support multiple pass catchers, and his starting role bodes well for Jeudy, David Njoku, and the rest of the Browns’ passing attack.

 

Dillon Gabriel: 12/19, 129 Yards, TD

The second man under center for the Browns was rookie Dillon Gabriel, who led two scoring drives for the Browns to close out the first half. Gabriel played well for the most part and looked comfortable both in the pocket and when he had to escape outside to extend plays. He’s currently listed as QB3 on the depth chart, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable about my place as the backup QB if I were Kenny Pickett.

 

Shedeur Sanders: 3/6, 14 Yards, Fumble (Recovered)

It was a day to forget for Shedeur Sanders, who took more sacks than he had passes completed. Sanders is firmly in fourth on this team’s QB depth chart, though it appears the Browns will keep all four QBs on the 53-man roster. It’s going to be a long road to fantasy relevance for Sanders, though I’m sure we will have no shortage of coverage on his situation this season.

 

Tyler Huntley: 1/1, 7 Yards | 2 Carries, 8 Yards

Came in for the final drive to set up the game-winning field goal and was cut less than 24 hours later. He should find his way onto another roster or practice squad at some point this season.

 

Running Back

 

Pierre Strong Jr.: 5 Carries, 25 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 18 Yards

Strong had a few solid plays and looked explosive before leaving the game to be evaluated for a concussion. He should make the team if he is healthy, but if the concussion keeps him out to begin the season, it may open up some room for Marshall to join the 53-man.

 

Ahmani Marshall: 10 Carries, 31 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards

Unlikely to make the team unless Strong’s concussion lingers.

 

Jerome Ford: 2 Carries, 14 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 5 Yards

Jerome Ford got a handful of looks during the Browns’ second series and was efficient with his touches, showing good burst on an 11-yard run where he bounced outside. Though Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins are the more exciting options in this backfield, Ford is listed as the starter and should get plenty of touches at the beginning of the season, especially with Judkins’ availability still unclear. He’s going as RB52 in PPR leagues, so he’s a very cheap end-of-draft option to consider.

 

Trayveon Williams: 1 Carry, 4 Yards | 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards

Won’t make the 53-man roster.

 

Dylan Sampson: 2 Carries, 3 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 14 Yards

Dylan Sampson only got a handful of touches, but he actually started the game and got the first handoff from Flacco. His catch-and-run was a highlight, as he maintained his balance through contact to stay up and secure a first down on third and long. He’s going even later than Ford in drafts (RB58) and has a great opportunity to show what he’s made of while Judkins gets up to speed. Another fun late-round pick if you have the bench space and don’t want to worry about blowing your FAAB if he impresses early in the season.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Jamari Thrash: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 42 Yards

Jamari Thrash has been competing with Diontae Johnson to be the team’s starting slot receiver, and Thrash appears to be the leader in the clubhouse thanks to a strong training camp and preseason. We won’t know for sure until roster cuts are announced over the next couple of days, but I would be surprised if Thrash doesn’t make the team.

 

Gage Larvadain: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 28 Yards, TD

Gage Larvadain is a great story as an undrafted rookie who has performed well this preseason and appears likely to make the 53-man roster thanks to his efforts. He won’t be fantasy-relevant as the fifth or sixth option in the pecking order, but it’s a good story nonetheless.

 

David Njoku: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards

David Njoku brought in both of his targets and looks to be in position for a top-10 TE season with the upside for more.

 

Jerry Jeudy: 1 Target

Got the first target of the day from Joe Flacco, but it was a little low, and he couldn’t bring it in. He’s still the team’s WR1 and could have another productive season with Flacco under center.

 

Harold Fannin Jr.: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 16 Yards, TD

Only two targets and catches for Fannin, but he looked impressive on both of them. His first catch was a 15-yard touchdown where he held the ball through contact to get the Browns on the board. On his second reception, he turned what looked to be a loss of yardage into a modest gain by fighting off multiple tacklers. Fannin was prolific in his collegiate career and is certainly a name to watch as the season progresses, even if Njoku is the starting TE.

 

Sal Cannella: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards

Diontae Johnson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 12 Yards

Jump scare! I don’t think he will make the team. There’s too much baggage here.

 

Blake Whiteheart: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 12 Yards

Chase Cota: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards

Kaden Davis: 1 Target