Preseason Week 3 Fantasy Football Game Recap: Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings

2RM1RXE Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch is hit by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Kalon Barnes, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

• Both teams rest most players who will make the roster: Both teams not only rested their starters but several backups who were already assured a roster spot.

• Intrigue at the bottom of the wide receiver depth charts: There are two veteran wide receivers at the borderlines of making the roster who played in this game.

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PFF's fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2023. You can find more information on why it’s essential to pay attention to the preseason here.

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Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings

Greg Dortch remains a clear fifth on the Cardinals' depth chart: This has been clear through the preseason and remained true in this game.

  • Dortch didn’t start playing until the middle of the second quarter last week, which wasn’t until after Marquise Brown, Michael Wilson and Rondale Moore stopped playing.
  • The Cardinals rested their top four wide receivers today which meant Dortch started.
  • Some teams would start some key veterans but only play them a drive or two, but Dortch continued to play into the second quarter.
  • The only good note is he also played in 12 personnel rather than just playing the slot in three-receiver sets, so he isn’t just Rondale Moore’s backup.
  • Dortch is still clearly ahead of anyone lower on the depth chart, so his job isn’t in jeopardy.

Jalen Reagor’s roster spot is in jeopardy: Minnesota rested their top five wide receivers for this game.

  • Free agent addition Brandon Powell appeared to surpass Reagor on the depth chart last week, and that remained clear in this game.
  • Powell didn’t play while Reagor started with other players at the bottom of the depth chart.
  • His job could be safe if Minnesota elects to keep six wide receivers, but Trishton Jackson is also an option for the sixth receiver spot.
  • Reagor stopped playing at the end of the first quarter while Jackson kept playing into the second quarter, which is a good sign Reagor is still in the sixth spot.

Miscellaneous Notes


Table Notes

Snaps include plays called back due to penalties, including offensive holding or defensive pass interference. The other three stats have these plays removed.

Targets may differ from official NFL sources. The most likely discrepancy would be from a clear thrown-away pass, where the NFL may give the target to the nearest receiver, while this data will not.

Carries are only on designed plays. Quarterback scrambles won’t count for the total number of carries in the game.

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